Altonadvocate1
TS Member
In 2018, the battle of 1994 is repeated!
AT and Blackpool Pleasure Beach go head to head with new rollercoaster, but this time... It's very different.
In 1994, each park created what was at the time a world class thrill rollercoaster.
At this stage BPB looked to have it in the bag, with a ride that was taller, faster, bigger and POTENTIALLY better in every conceivable way... and yet 23 years later, most of us would that this was an utter mismatch and that the seminal Nemesis,is by far the better ride.
So history repeats itself. Most of us believe that BPB have this in the bag again, but there are a few differences this time.
In 1994 AT went with a coaster manufacturer that had yet to prove themselves that went on to become an unrivalled force in build quality.
BPB went for a comparatively cheap manufacturer that nonetheless had created some good rides and enabled them to get a huge coaster for the money.
This time, both parks are going for ride hardware from respected manufacurers, though in enthusiast circles at least, Mack clearly have the edge.
BPB are clearly going for a thrill coaster, whereas, AT project looks decidedly family thrill.
Construction 2018, will be exactly what it says on the tin (which is awesome by the way), whereas SW8, is shrouded in secrecy, and and will probably have a groundreaking element or pointless gimmick (delete as appropriate).
Two questions.
Which will be the better coaster?
Which will be the biggest success (as in increasing guest numbers for its respective park)?
My opinion first.
I think both coasters will be solid additions - Construction 18 will be the better ride for thrill speakers, but if Merlin get the basics right, SW8, could be a lot of fun.
In respect of the second question, I think that AT will come out on top. A family thrill coaster can appeal to a far larger demographic than a thrill coaster, and love them or hate them, I think that Merlin's marketing department with their greater resources will deliver this time around.
AT and Blackpool Pleasure Beach go head to head with new rollercoaster, but this time... It's very different.
In 1994, each park created what was at the time a world class thrill rollercoaster.
At this stage BPB looked to have it in the bag, with a ride that was taller, faster, bigger and POTENTIALLY better in every conceivable way... and yet 23 years later, most of us would that this was an utter mismatch and that the seminal Nemesis,is by far the better ride.
So history repeats itself. Most of us believe that BPB have this in the bag again, but there are a few differences this time.
In 1994 AT went with a coaster manufacturer that had yet to prove themselves that went on to become an unrivalled force in build quality.
BPB went for a comparatively cheap manufacturer that nonetheless had created some good rides and enabled them to get a huge coaster for the money.
This time, both parks are going for ride hardware from respected manufacurers, though in enthusiast circles at least, Mack clearly have the edge.
BPB are clearly going for a thrill coaster, whereas, AT project looks decidedly family thrill.
Construction 2018, will be exactly what it says on the tin (which is awesome by the way), whereas SW8, is shrouded in secrecy, and and will probably have a groundreaking element or pointless gimmick (delete as appropriate).
Two questions.
Which will be the better coaster?
Which will be the biggest success (as in increasing guest numbers for its respective park)?
My opinion first.
I think both coasters will be solid additions - Construction 18 will be the better ride for thrill speakers, but if Merlin get the basics right, SW8, could be a lot of fun.
In respect of the second question, I think that AT will come out on top. A family thrill coaster can appeal to a far larger demographic than a thrill coaster, and love them or hate them, I think that Merlin's marketing department with their greater resources will deliver this time around.
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