What will the 2020s hold at Alton Towers?

[Britford]

I think that 2022-2023 will probably be the deadline...
I suspect that, have things not majorly started to improve by then, it's safe to assume that the 2020s will be an utter write off.

Saying that, I am weirdly optimistic in a way I can't quite put my finger on.

 

[Tentaclaws]

Do we think that Alton Towers will stay with Merlin for another decade? I really don’t know what I think about this one. All I do know is that the piles of money seem to be growing again so I’m sure they’ll hang around until they dwindle.

On a less negative note, Wicker Man in particular has been such an obvious success, particularly with the general public, and we are riding on that success coming into the 2020s so I think we are starting the decade off on the right foot.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Do we think that Alton Towers will stay with Merlin for another decade?

You make it sound like Towers has a choice.

 

[jon81uk]

Do we think that Alton Towers will stay with Merlin for another decade? I really don’t know what I think about this one. All I do know is that the piles of money seem to be growing again so I’m sure they’ll hang around until they dwindle.

On a less negative note, Wicker Man in particular has been such an obvious success, particularly with the general public, and we are riding on that success coming into the 2020s so I think we are starting the decade off on the right foot.

Do you think that my local supermarket will stay with Asda?

I don't think its that easy for outlets to separate from the chain that owns them.

 

[Tentaclaws]

Do you think that my local supermarket will stay with Asda?

I don't think its that easy for outlets to separate from the chain that owns them.

No, I’m fully aware that Alton Towers is not sentient. If it was, the whole resort would’ve ran away long ago. I’m asking if Merlin is likely to get rid which is why I then went on to discuss the benefits for Merlin.

 

[DiogoJ42]

If corporations are legally people, and business "relationships" are a thing...
[Insert Philosoraptor meme here]
... Does that mean Towers could have Merlin arrested for domestic abuse...?

 

[jon81uk]

No, I’m fully aware that Alton Towers is not sentient. If it was, the whole resort would’ve ran away long ago. I’m asking if Merlin is likely to get rid which is why I then went on to discuss the benefits for Merlin.

Alton Towers is the big draw in the resort theme parks. So unless they ditch all the parks (Thorpe, Chessington, AT, Warwick Castle, Gardaland, Heide) I don't think that Merlin group will just get rid of one of them).

 

[Tentaclaws]

Alton Towers is the big draw in the resort theme parks. So unless they ditch all the parks (Thorpe, Chessington, AT, Warwick Castle, Gardaland, Heide) I don't think that Merlin group will just get rid of one of them).

I agree. I know that they don’t make that much money from the resort theme parks, as opposed to the Legoland and Midway attractions, so I think if it wasn’t for this obsession with being “2nd to Disney”, I wouldn’t have ruled out them getting rid of all the theme parks.

I think they handled the difficulties post-2015 brilliantly though and obviously everything is back on the up, so I imagine Towers will stay as a Merlin Park for the foreseeable.

 

[ringo]

I think they handled the difficulties post-2015 brilliantly though and obviously everything is back on the up, so I imagine Towers will stay as a Merlin Park for the foreseeable.

For the business they may have handled it correctly but for the guest it was poor. SBNO, hours cut etc

Wickerman was a success but imo part of that success could be argued because it was downplayed by some as it wasn’t the super wooden ride that had long been rumoured. Expectations weren’t high but with the complete package it wins people over.

The bigger issue will be what’s the next big thing and when is it coming.
If it wasn’t for the location I’d say Thorpe Park would of been dumped, it’s stagnated and in dire need of fixing but that’s for a different thread.

 

[Tentaclaws]

For the business they may have handled it correctly but for the guest it was poor. SBNO, hours cut etc

Wickerman was a success but imo part of that success could be argued because it was downplayed by some as it wasn’t the super wooden ride that had long been rumoured. Expectations weren’t high but with the complete package it wins people over.

The bigger issue will be what’s the next big thing and when is it coming.
If it wasn’t for the location I’d say Thorpe Park would of been dumped, it’s stagnated and in dire need of fixing but that’s for a different thread.

I get where you are coming from with Wicker Man. From my perspective, working on Nemesis in particular until the end of last season, the general guest was really impressed by Wicker Man. Brilliant to have such a high-quality ride for younger kids and the theming is unlike anything Towers has ever had.

But getting back on topic, a family focused decade would be brilliant, in my opinion. Maybe 1 major coaster, but Towers is sorely missing a world-class family dark ride (especially with the weather here), a great water ride (although that defeats the object of my last point), flat rides, especially for families.

When I was little, I remember spending loads of time with my family on rides (Toyland Tours, Swan Boats, Ug Land as a great family area). Again from my time working on Duel, I’ve had so many discussions with families who love Duel (even though it’s passed it’s best) because they can all ride it together. A lot of people mentioned that Duel is the photo they would buy because they are all on it together, so even though I understand a family ride might not on the surface pull people in, if Towers is going to call itself a family park, it needs to fill in the gaps. I’d love to see a family focus moving forward.