Alton Towers next thrill ride

[amylovesaltontowers]

[quote=""John""]
There's nothing wrong with family coasters, and they make up an important part of most parks. The crucial thing is getting the marketing right. Most people will go on spinball and RMT at least once during the day and then enjoy them because they both deliver what is expected of them. Had the marketing for thi13teen been toned down slightly no-one would be complaining.[/quote]
So true.
I wouldn't really like to see a wooden coaster at Alton Towers - i'd rather they built a different type of coaster.

[James6]

I think a woodie would be absolutely perfect!


After seeing some of this "new generation" of woodies in the US I am desperate to try one and IMO one would fit perfectly at Alton.

[amylovesaltontowers]

It's just my dislike of wooden coasters that puts me off - it probably would fit perfectly at Alton.

[bradpeet]

[quote=""John""]I can't see alton ever having more than one wooden coaster, so they'll have to get it right first time. I'm hoping for something pretty substantial - the proposed cross valley woodie had a couple of massive drops, but not a lot else - I'd much rather have a longer, more balanced layout with medium-high thrills.[/quote]

While I agree that Alton Towers are not likely to get more than one woodie, I do think there is a case for a sort of 2 in one coaster. A bit similar to Zipper Dipper and Roller Coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, where a kiddie coaster runs alongside a full sized coaster. (From some angles it is difficult to work out which is which at Blackpool). It could even be a 3 in one if they could construct a new flume through the structure at the same time. Wishful thinking I know - but considering that Alton are restricted as to where they put rides they need to consider such techniques.

Again, I agree with the idea of a balanced coaster. One that does not just rely on massive drops, but still gives an exciting ride and is not over too quickly. (Having said which - if they could build a coaster like El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in the USA I would be very happy indeed)

[Michaél]

^Something of the scale of El Toro would not be able to fit in at Alton Towers, as they simply don’t have the height limits to do so. I highly doubt they would go down the Intamin route for a wooden roller coaster, I would have thought that a GCI or Gravity Group wooden roller coaster would suit Alton’s unique terrain better. Intamin’s designs tend to be geared around height (not always) which is what we have seen from all Intamin Pre-fabs as of yet. I just can’t see an Intamin wooden coaster working better than a GCI or GG wooden roller coaster; it just isn’t what Alton’s terrain is suited for.

I highly doubt Alton would get two wooden roller coasterer’s. It’s like having two inverted roller coasters in the same park, what is the point? Every roller coaster so far at Alton Towers is unique and I can’t see that changing in the near future as that is partly what Alton is all about; variety. Out of the likely candidates for a wooden coaster, I would put my money on GCI. They are by far the maddest manufacture out there (would suit John Wardley), the way they work with the terrain and low height limits and still provide a thrilling and forceful experience is astonishing.

Plus, people who are knocking wooden coasters, I suggest you go ride a decent one and then I predict you will change your mind. Modern wooden coasters provide a sensational experience and the PBB woodies don’t really provide that due to their age unfortunately. Megafobia is our only modern wooden roller coaster, so I think it is about time that we received another.

I think a, quick, thrilling, smooth and exciting GCI through the trees is exactly what Alton needs. I just hope that one day they can get planning permission and we’ll finally see one.

[Dormiens-Dave]

I would imagine if they do get a woodie it would be an intamin as theres are the quietest due to the laminated wood thingy they do

[seanyboyuk]

I think we will see a flat next year to support thirteen and hopefully some type of story.

Its a same the effects and story of thirteen havent been fully used. As ive said before it feels like half a job but from recent reports it seems some effects are working so maybe they are slowly bringing them in but having said that its not like they havent had enough time to get it fully ready so there is a lot of questions in the air about it.

I was definetly expecting a show before the drop in the ride but it seems were not getting it.

As for the woodie lets hope we see one by 2015. It will be a huge project for the park so lets keep eyes out in the valley possibly 2013 onwards for the hint of tree removal planning etc.

As for my previous comment about a launched woodie the launch would have to be steel for sure but there is no reason why they cant hide it around wood coaster track somehow. Just think of the airtime it would give!

[Blaze]

I don't like the idea of using the valley, it would ruin the tranquility of the gardens and the feeling of being seperate from the park. When you go in the gardens you can loose yourself within them and feel peaceful, you forget you are in a theme park and this unique feature should not be ruined. It would also ruin the naturalness and the asthetics of the gardens. All the work that was done to create them would be undone and the gardens would be ruined. Not good for the parks image and they care about their heritage, so I dob't they'd put a stoncking great woodie through them.

Also with Thirteen, where would they fit it? Thirteen in pretty much on top of where the station of the old plans were and three coasters in Dark Forest would make it far too congested. The ride could not be themed either because it leaves the area and goes into others. If they want a themed coaster it would have to be in an area and stay there. They could put the station at the bottom of the valley but there is then a problem with access and hiding it because the lift would be straight and that means they would not be able to design it to stay under tree hight.

I would love a wooden coaster with 200 foot drops through the valley, but I don't think it would work and compared to creating something to fit in and making a great ride with very limited space like they did with Nemesis it isn't very creative.

[jmdarsenal]

I'd love to see the flume replaced by a water coaster, themed to Mutiny Bay. I think it would be a supreme ride

[CoasterCrazyChris]

[quote=""jmdarsenal""]I'd love to see the flume replaced by a water coaster, themed to Mutiny Bay. I think it would be a supreme ride [/quote]

I'm sorry but I have to diagree with replacing the classic flume style ride with a water coaster, they might have flume-type sections but essentially they are still coasters and not log flumes which sort of defeats the object and many people (like my parents for example) are happy riding a log flume but not a coaster.

I think the flume, when its time runs out should be replaced by a new flume with backwards sections and more drops. Also, they could create a really original pirate theme by building a rock face at the back of the lake which features caves that you would travel through and perhaps stumble across treasure maybe. They could create a cool storyline where you are trying to reach the treasure before your enemies.

But please, I really hope we don't get the boring option of just a galleon on the lake and new generic pirate boats because it doesn't change the fact the present ride is totally decrepit and would make for an average ride experience - and Alton we have seen from the past you don't do average!

[DiogoJ42]

[quote=""CoasterCrazyChris""] Also, they could create a really original pirate theme by building a rock face at the back of the lake which features caves that you would travel through and perhaps stumble across treasure maybe. [/quote]
Isn't that an oxymoron?

[CoasterCrazyChris]

[quote=""DiogoJ42""][quote=""CoasterCrazyChris""] Also, they could create a really original pirate theme by building a rock face at the back of the lake which features caves that you would travel through and perhaps stumble across treasure maybe. [/quote]
Isn't that an oxymoron? [/quote]

Haha, yeah I s'pose.

Maybe a better word for it could be 'different'? :P

[Mick]

[quote=""michael""] Modern wooden coasters provide a sensational experience and the PBB woodies don’t really provide that due to their age unfortunately. [/quote]

I agree, in the main, about modern woodies - but in my humble opinion, The Grand National at Blackpool is just as good as any, a fantastic coaster! (over 70 years old, and people worry about Nemesis!)

[seanyboyuk]

Defo Nash is the best woodie ive been on its just designed perfectly!

[jack030894]

I think gloomy wood needs a new attraction hopefully a new flat thrill ride?
I think summut like twister(Scrambler) or something like that or make gloomy wood become part of forbidden valley. I also think enterprise needs to go! Its old and its showing its time and needs to be gone how about they bring Dynamo back! Alton Towers needs a flat in Kangata Kanyon too! but i don't think kangata kanyon needs it really but it will look good with a flat. i thought about a drop tower but off course height resrictions but how about dig it into the ground and then it fires you of the ground it could be called pressure of summut?

[bradpeet]

[quote=""jack030894""] i thought about a drop tower but off course height resrictions but how about dig it into the ground and then it fires you of the ground it could be called pressure of summut?[/quote]

You got me thinking again (and that can be dangerous )

I'm thinking of something similar in principle to Disney's Terror of Tower - where the car moves away from the loading station to get to the drop feature. Imagine a drop tower where more than half of it is below ground, and the top of the tower protrudes from the top of a (fake) volcano - which is not adjacent to the ride entrance.

I'm not entirely sure of the best programme for such a ride, although a slow, gentle descent in the dark would build up the tension, followed by being shot up and out of the volcano and held there for a short time before being dropped to the bottom of the shaft. I think I would finish the ride by another shoot up to the top of the volcano, followed by a drop - but this time stopping it at the loading area.

Maybe this could be incorporated into the Blackhole tent

I don't know whether drop towers have to be vertical - a drop tower at a 60 or 70 degree angle would give a different sensation. Or even one where the angle changed (very gradually of course) from top to bottom.

[CoasterCrazyChris]

I'm bored of 'dropping' rides at Alton Towers. Oblivion and Thirteen both drop and although they are a bit different to drop towers I still see little point in one as well. We need a spinning flat ideally - like Dynamo. I think something like Vortex or Samurai at TP would probably not work at Alton but they could be good if themed right.

[samster31324]

right i have not read any of the posts but i have some juciey news this is when i visted the park yesterday

we fast tracked rita and i was speaking to the guy we handed are fast tracks to. I said about people in a few year screaming for a new massive ride.

and he said "you did not hear this from me keep an eye on 2013 its what wardleys always wanted"

ROLLER COASTER GEEK SCREAM!

[JayTricky]

Get rid of duel, the whole building, and build a wooden coaster in Gloomy Wood. Theres plenty of space.

and re theme the whole area, getting rid of the haunted hollow.

i like the idea of a blizzard theme, having the whole area looking like its been caught up in a snowstorm. and the new woodie being called Cliffhanger, or something, going through the woods and up and down the hillside. Having yetis as live actors scaring the guests, and ride ops in colourful skii jumpsuits. haha

i love coming up with crazy ideas. SNOW ZONE lol

[Sam]

[quote=""samster31324""]and he said "you did not hear this from me keep an eye on 2013 its what wardleys always wanted"[/quote]
None of your average AT staff I've ever met would know who John Wardley is, never mind pass on future ride plans to punters. As I heard the words "I'll know what SW7 is by June" come out of Mr Wardley's mouth personally then I doubt this member of staff can read minds...