Alton Towers Discussion Thread

[Henry M]

Is that the longest queue ever for such a small ride.

[RyanTPM]

^I thought that, i wonder why it's so big. This is also very disappointing, adding a small family flat ride isn't so bad but it shouldn't be the only addition that year, they need to add a large thrilling flat ride because they're really lacking in that department.

[Henry M]

For me to queue that long, it would have to be the best god damn babies ride in the world!

[psaulaferraz]

Hi!

I'm going to be at the park this Thursday. Any tips for making sure we hit all the coasters? We are thinking about buying the Fast Pass, but we want to be sure it's worth it. What do you think?

Thanks for any tips. I hope to take enough pictures for writing a TR.

[Henry M]

Firstly, before you go to buy fast tracks, go to the forbidden valley and ride nemesis a few times over while there is no queue. Then one the queue builds up, buy the silver fast track package which gets you on all the big coasters once if the queues are big. If not, then just get one for the smiler. If this is your first time, I would not do a TR only because you should spend more of your time looking around some of the smaller and hidden places in the park and it is currently at a low. I would like to see some pictures though on this page.

Finally, don't bother queueing for the front on Rita. Unlike many rough intamins, it is just as rough anywhere you sit. Not unbearable just rattly.

[Henry M]

This video is the funniest thing I have ever seen. So many issues but I cannot believe this guy seriously thinks the smiler crash is a hoax!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKXjJXwEESw

[psaulaferraz]

Firstly, before you go to buy fast tracks, go to the forbidden valley and ride nemesis a few times over while there is no queue. Then one the queue builds up, buy the silver fast track package which gets you on all the big coasters once if the queues are big. If not, then just get one for the smiler. If this is your first time, I would not do a TR only because you should spend more of your time looking around some of the smaller and hidden places in the park and it is currently at a low. I would like to see some pictures though on this page.

Finally, don't bother queueing for the front on Rita. Unlike many rough intamins, it is just as rough anywhere you sit. Not unbearable just rattly.

Thanks for you answer,

We finally had a great day, there weren't any crowds and Nemesis and Oblivion were walk-on all day. We arrived at 11 and left at 17, so we only were there for 6 hours and we were able to hit everything without fastpass.

 

Scorecard:

Nemesis x4

Galactica x2 (x1 Vr/x1 non Vr)

Rita x1

Thirteen x2

The Smiler x1

Oblivion x2

Runaway Mine Train x1

Spinball Whizzer x1

Octanauts RCAdv x1

 

Reviews:

Octanauts

Credit whoring, love the whale in the middle. 5/10 (For the whale)

Runaway Mine Train

The only good part is the operator saying Choo-Choo every time you pass the station. 5/10 (For the Choo-Choo)

Nemesis

This was the first major of the day. We went first in the middle and I thought it was great, and right after we went for the last row and I sat in the far right seat and it was insanely and extremely intense. What an amazing (and smooth) coaster. 10/10

Galactica

First we went for VR and I thought it was OK. There was too much going on in the screen and the headset was impossible to hold in my head for me and my partners. After that we rode it again without VR and it was much more enjoyable. A good thrill-but-not-intense coaster. 7,5/10

Thirteen

I thought it was a little bit more of a family coaster. We sat in the back and the first drop had really good airtime. The backwards section was quite powerful too. We went again later in the afternoon in a middle row and it wasn't as good. Fun 7/10

Rita

I enjoyed it a lot. The normal line was 20 minutes and there was a 15 minute line for front row. We went for it and it was definetly worth. A good launch (not very powerful but OK) with good pops of almost ejector airtime and a bit of Intamin twistiness. 9/10

Oblivion

I was disappointed because I expected more airtime in the first drop. Also too short to ride it if there is a long line, but it was walk on all day so we went again. 8/10

Smiler

Good multi-looper. Smoother than what I expected and with good inversions. I loved the bunny hops before the cobra-rolls and the other similar element which I don't remember. 8,5/10

Spinball Whizzer

Fun coaster, which is worth it if you don't spend too much in line. We went to single rider and we only spend 1 minute waiting. 7/10

 

It rained a bit, but in conclusion, it was a good day and we were able to take some re-rides in a short time.

[CSLKennyNI]

It has been confirmed that the planning application for SW8 has been accepted. Construction can now begin once the flume is removed in the coming weeks.

[RyanTPM]

^Great, i didn't think there'd be any problems with the planning process. Looking forward to seeing construction starting now!

[grsupercity]

Why do parks continue to remove flumes

[coasterbill]

Why do parks continue to remove flumes

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one that hates it when flumes are removed for coasters. I won't deny that sometimes (but not all the time) the coaster is a better ride (Maverick) but I hate to see it and would much rather they build around them. They're costly rides to run and maintain, but they're also overwhelmingly popular and appeal to everyone from kids to thrill seekers.

[CSLKennyNI]

I believe the Alton Flume was beyond repair as it was that old. It is only a shame they aren't replacing it with a new one. Hopefully in a few years they will.

[coasterbill]

No flume is beyond repair, you just have to be willing to spend the money to repair it.

[Morgan]

It is a shame that the Flume is going, but it was really showing its age. So I think it's fair that it has gone.

 

Having said this it's a bigger shame that they have removed a family/water ride to replace it with a coaster, as Alton Towers is lacking bit in attractions for ages between CBeebies and the big coasters. Also it leaves the rapids as the only decent water ride in the park (Battle Galleons is only really good for soaking the poor people who choose to actually ride it), which is a shame, as I can't see them installing a new flume in the future. It's already been stated that the woodland area, which the majority of the Flume occupies, will be left to nature once it has been removed, and I can't really see a new flume ride being installed anywhere else in the park at all.

 

Unfortunately it seems that flume rides are a bit of a dying breed, which seems ridiculous when you look at how they can be done properly with rides like Chiapas.

 

With regards to the coaster, it's exciting that the park is finally getting its woodie, but I can't help but feel that it's a bit of a compromise in scale. I'm hoping that the end result will be a great ride, but I don't think it's going to be a mind blowing addition.

[cookiex]

Log flumes are probably the most consistent crowd-pleasers this side of a quality Schwarzkopf. I think any park is doing itself a disservice by removing theirs unless they're replacing it with a more modern flume.

[coasterbill]

Log flumes are probably the most consistent crowd-pleasers this side of a quality Schwarzkopf. I think any park is doing itself a disservice by removing theirs unless they're replacing it with a more modern flume.

 

I like this guy.

[Henry M]

I love log flumes and I am so say that two merlin parks don't have a log flume this year. I was so sad to see Loggers Leap in such a terrible state, but hopefully it will be back. However much I love coasters, not many make me as happy as a log flume does, especially the long, journey through the woods that the Alton towers flume ride gave. Even an RMC would have a lot to live up to, but I have to still have hope for this family wooden coaster. Not many parks make classic log flumes and put effort into it, which is a shame.

[Garet]

When Everland tore their flume ride they thankfully just built a new one on it's spot with a reversing drop and 8 people boats: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1633939

 

It's a shame, I'd love to see something like Chiapas take it's place. Although looking at previous themed rides, they probably just have it float around demolished strewn about pieces of the old flume and market it as "worlds first apocalyptic flume where you must be over 18 and sign a waiver."

[Pirate]

Although looking at previous themed rides, they probably just have it float around demolished strewn about pieces of the old flume and market it as "worlds first apocalyptic flume where you must be over 18 and sign a waiver."

 

This genuinely sounds like something they would do.

[willh51]

Did Alton replace the Smiler trains damaged last year or does it now run at reduced capacity?

[RyanTPM]

^I seem to remember they got at least one new train, not sure about the other one though.

[Henry M]

^ yeah, at least one new train. Some people claim to tell if they have been on the new train because it is smoother.

[Henry M]

The Smiler broke down today, and of course the media have got their claws out. Obviously there is no mentions of the ride doing what is should and ensuring an accident does not happen, only interviews with people saying they think the ride should close forever.

[SharkTums]

This even made some crappy US News. I can't believe how they're reporting the ride STOPPING to be such a big deal and prove it's not safe. Would they rather it not stop and cause another horrible accident!?! Oh wait, the horrible media probably would like that!

[Henry M]

^ Exactly how I feel