@Jb85
I'd definitely think that Towers would benefit If Toyland Tours was still around and was updated over time since the park lacks a lot of family themed rides, and no, I don't class TWODW as a family area, with the only family attraction there being GG, and the rest are just simple junior flat rides and a half rotten Jr Racing course.
The problem is that same could be said for any of the other rides there, most notably the Haunted House. You're right, it may not give us that happy feeling when Toyland Tours soundtrack comes to mind, but heck it looked to be one hell of an impressive Dark Ride experience and still to this day back in 92 when it wasn't tampered with over time.
Both rides have pros and cons on how'd they'd come back and hoe well received they would be. Toyland Tours would be great and it'd be a lot easier than retheming the Dungeons to an IP to TWODW since the S.S. Toyland Tour is still in there and in pretty good condition. The boats would need a repaint of course for the happy theme. Kids are still very into toys and games these days so I can't see why TT would fail nowerdays. The only real challenge in the ride would be retheming the Sonic Scene to a new IP. Maybe Lego? Super Mario?
On the other hand, The Haunted House would probably be the cheapest out of all the options here, with Nemesis Sub Terra just behind it. Most of the scenes are still there, the props would only need a lick of paint back to their more sinister looks, the lighting is a major issue, but probably not wicked expensive to bring back that mystical theatrical lighting to it, and replace a few animatromic mechanics (e.g., the Crazy guy in the cave, and the column monster.). Oh, and time to get rid of the targets and blasters.
The biggest issue though, is the finale, are there is almost no photos or clear footage of what exactly the Swamp looked like and what it's blueprint layout was. I can imagine this retrofit already reaching the £1,200,000 Mark, which by no means is cheap at all.
I dont see why people call the ride outdated though, BPB still has the first ever ghost train with many of the props and scenes in there over 50 years old. Disneys Haunted Mansion has changed very little since its original opening, with only a few changes, such as the Ghost Hijack scene, and a scene replacement (the attic if I recall replaced that scene). But that's expected from a ride that's over 50 years old. Tokyo Disneylands Haunted Mansion is practically what the HM at California looked like on its opening day with its original effects and scenes, plus its still around to this day with very little complaints from guests saying it looks outdated.
If Disney has an old ride that hasn't really had major changes since its opening day, I don't see why Alton Towers has to consider hugely modernising a ride that's only 30 years old, with its effects, even half ran down are still pretty decent...
Fine, apart from the screaming heads of course. God that scene is in dire relighting and maintenance.
As a whole, both rides are loved for very different reasons from one another.
