Could Henry Hound make a return in 2010?

[Mr P]

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be great if Henry Hound returned for Alton's 30th anniversary? He had a birthday Parade in '88 so why no?!
Any thoughts to add?

[ATR09]

I think that is VERY possible...

[Mankey]

Why does everyone want Henry Hound back? Sure he was magical back in like the 80's - late 90's but... does he really suit the current image now?

I like the new current mascots! They're fun, quirky and different!

[Jon]

I don't really understand the hound either. It had already made a comeback so it wouldn't be mega news if it was saw again more often next year. It is just a dog costume, and that's all guests will see. It probably is special for its links to the Towers' heritage etc. etc...but it is just a dog costume and not at all that exciting.

I'd much prefer to see the singing nun and the like

[AstroDan]

Henry Hound was more unique to AT. A "Dog" - a Talbot Hound - links to the heritage of Alton Towers as well as is appealing to younger guests and is a marketing opportunity.

Henry Hound was removed because certain upper echelons of the previous AT Management detested him.

His removal however, to be replaced by a rather generic looking teddy bear, was never realy fully understood...

Henry Hound will forever be THE Alton Towers Mascot to most people who have been visiting the park since the 1990's or earlier. Just like how they once got rid of In The Hall... it's another thing they tampered with for frankly no reason, at all.

[Gloomy Dude]

Sure 30 years is a great milestone, but Alton should be looking forward, not back. It might link to their heritage, but in reality, it's a scabby old dog costume. Very outdated. In fact, other than Scarefest, I don't think costumed characters are very Alton Towers-y at all. It's a park that has always had a slightly darker edge to it than most. It's not Disney!

Maybe I'm just biased because I've always been very uncomfortable with costumed characters (I was terrified of them as a kid in fact.)

If they really, really must, AT should be creating a new park mascot.

By the by, The only park mascot I have a massive soft spot for (ie, would bother/quite want to pose for a picture with), is Efteling's 'Pardoes'. I don't know what it is. He's just awesome

[AstroDan]

I am confused how it is scabby and old, when the costume was brand new in 2006. Why create a new mascot when you have a one that links to Alton Towers already?

[Gloomy Dude]

Well, ok. I didn't think that particular remark through. But I find the concept of costumed characters, especially one so simplistic as a dog (yes, yes a Talbot Hound. Whatever) very outdated. The concept is what's scabby and old.

[Squiggles]

I'm not quite sure how he classes as simplistic though, as he has a much more detailed backstory to fall back on the the majority of park mascots. And designwise he is not really a 'generic' design, like a certain teddy bear could be classed.

[mezza]

I think the connection between Henry The Hound and AT's Talbot Hounds is relatively tenuous: they're both dogs and that's as far as it goes, really. Attractions like Hex and Thirteen are brilliant ways of bringing the park's history to a theme park audience - a man in a dog suit is probably a little less effective. Certainly the history element will be lost on the kids who are, lets face it, Henry's target market.

[Squiggles]

I know that was discussed earlier in the thread but that wasn't so much what I was meaning. I was more referring to the good number of storybooks and comics Henry starred in over the years, rather then his link to the Talbot Hounds, which was more of the concept behind the character- a rather neat way to make him unique to Alton Towers.

[Jon]

The bear might as well be historically significant from
the guests' perspective. Both the dog and bear are dull. There are much more interesting costumes and characters out there that reflect the atmosphere abd fun of the towers rather than the heritage. I don't mind if the hound comes back, more accuratly I don't care. I'd rather that actor is a wraith for the adults, or something else a little Jollier.

[Sam]

Anyone think that Snorlix is actually a much better character than Henry, even if it is a Pokemon rip-off? In terms of character identity, both in aesthetics and name it's a lot stronger character. Henry, lovely as he is, is a generic name for a pretty generic teddybear.

Though I don't have any objections to having both next year, the more the merrier.

[And.]

I expect we might be seeing Sonic the Hedgehog wandering around the park at some point this year.

[A5H]

Perhaps...

[AstroDan]

I am so gutted about the change of views on hee about Henry.

When I first was on TTF, there was not a bad word against Henry.

No nobody cares about him anymore. Suprising though, most of the anti is from people who probably didn't visit Alton when he was at his peak (early-mid 1990's)...

[riderita]

Thats not true! [-X

Henry is a legend... the parade that ran just in front of the towers with Henry in it and the weird bug things from the gloomy wood...

Awesome!

[AWTSW90]

[quote=""AstroDan""]No nobody cares about him anymore. Suprising though, most of the anti is from people who probably didn't visit Alton when he was at his peak (early-mid 1990's)...[/quote]
That's a bit of a generalisation. I was probably the target audience when I visited the park in those days, yet I barely remember him...I'd much prefer something memorable.
I agree with most people in this topic anyway, I'm sure he was great in his day, but the park has moved on and I don't see how he fits with the current image.

[Gloomy Dude]

The Towers themselves are Alton's mascot. I fail to see what a man dressed as a dog can add to this.

[And.]

[quote=""Gloomy Dude""]The Towers themselves are Alton's mascot. I fail to see what a man dressed as a dog can add to this.[/quote]

What a stupid thing to say. The Towers themselves are NOT a mascot. Could you imagine them running onto a football field before a match? No. Because it's a building.

Could you imagine somebody dressed as a building being a mascot. No. Beacause that would be absolutely stupid.

Yes, the Towers are an extremely important part of the resort, however they are not - and never will be - a mascot.

In my personal opinion, Henry Hound is, and always will be, much better than a generic bear for a mascot.