And finally, Rita is available again.
And if you guessed that In The Night Garden Magical Boat Ride would be the next ride to break down, well done!
It's now back open again.
Ride Downtime
- Liam.W
- Member
- Posts: 1080
- Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2015 5:12 pm
- Location: Rotherham
Can we all stop making such a big fuss over rides breaking down!?!?
Ride availability is something out of Alton's control most of the time. If a ride breaks down then so be it. Is a piece of mechanical equipment it can't often be helped!!!
Ride availability is something out of Alton's control most of the time. If a ride breaks down then so be it. Is a piece of mechanical equipment it can't often be helped!!!
Ride count since the beginning of 2015: 2632!
Ride count 2021: 416!
Cred count: 167!
Ride count 2021: 416!
Cred count: 167!
- streetmagix
- Member
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:31 pm
- Location: London, UK
I respectfully disagree that it's 'out of their hands', other parks seem to have much less downtime. The only time I've ever seen a ride down for more than 15 minutes at Europa Park was due to weather conditions. Portaventura (despite their reputation) also seem to get their rides up and running again much quicker than the Merlin parks.
I believe that Merlin scrimp on preventative maintenance, obviously I can't prove this. Yes, breakdown happen and they should be safely resolved. It just seems to affect Merlin and the way they operate/maintain their rides more.
I believe that Merlin scrimp on preventative maintenance, obviously I can't prove this. Yes, breakdown happen and they should be safely resolved. It just seems to affect Merlin and the way they operate/maintain their rides more.
- Robert.W
- Member
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2017 12:38 am
I do agree with Liam, that this isn't in Alton's control (Merlin are the ones responsible), but a also agree with streetmagix. It's highly likely Merlin won't properly fund preventative maintenance. And they probably don't hire enough ride mechanics to deal with all the frequent breakdowns that happen as a result of that, meaning longer downtime, which pushes up queue times for all of the rides that are actually open.
It really isn't acceptable. Because Merlin can do something about what is happening. But that will cost them money. Merlin don't want to spend their money. They like their money firmly in their pockets. Safe and sound.
If Merlin are not careful, I worry Alton's reputation will have suffered some serious damage by the time this season is over. Alton Towers do not have enough money to operate the attraction. And it's showing. It's directly negatively affecting guest experience of the attraction.
Something needs to change. And very very soon, or it will be too late.
It really isn't acceptable. Because Merlin can do something about what is happening. But that will cost them money. Merlin don't want to spend their money. They like their money firmly in their pockets. Safe and sound.
If Merlin are not careful, I worry Alton's reputation will have suffered some serious damage by the time this season is over. Alton Towers do not have enough money to operate the attraction. And it's showing. It's directly negatively affecting guest experience of the attraction.
Something needs to change. And very very soon, or it will be too late.
- Bexa
- Member
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:34 pm
- Location: A planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse
- Contact:
The Smiler has yet to open this morning, making the already small pre 11:00 lineup even shorter today.
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move
- streetmagix
- Member
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:31 pm
- Location: London, UK
According to queue-times Enterprise has been down since Sunday, can anyone confirm?
https://queue-times.com/parks/1/rides/4627
https://queue-times.com/parks/1/rides/4627
- Dan
- Member
- Posts: 2339
- Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:08 pm
At the time of posting: Rita, Thirteen, Galactica, Wicker Man and Battle Galleons are all Unavailable.
It’s somewhat ironic that exactly one month ago they struggled to open the rides due to the cold, and now, on the hottest day of the year so far, the heat may be causing them issues too.
It’s somewhat ironic that exactly one month ago they struggled to open the rides due to the cold, and now, on the hottest day of the year so far, the heat may be causing them issues too.
- Capt.Barnacles
- Member
- Posts: 616
- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 7:19 pm
- Location: Stoke-on-Trent
I'm told the issues on park at present are down to a power surge but that's yet to be confirmed.
- streetmagix
- Member
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:31 pm
- Location: London, UK
They've said on Twitter that they are revalidating tickets, nice of them to be proactive during times like this. Hopefully as an annual pass holder I'll get something but I'm back tomorrow so hopefully everything will be back to normal.
- streetmagix
- Member
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:31 pm
- Location: London, UK
Wickerman down again (along with Rita). Where are you seeing the extended opening times? I've checked Twitter and can't see anything about it
- Robert.W
- Member
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2017 12:38 am
Ah, they confirmed the extended opening times via a DM on Twitter.streetmagix wrote:Wickerman down again (along with Rita). Where are you seeing the extended opening times? I've checked Twitter and can't see anything about it
Not good to hear Wicker Man is down again though..
Wicker Man is back running... for now...
...until now. Wicker Man is closed again...
- streetmagix
- Member
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 1:31 pm
- Location: London, UK
Back at Alton today and have been told that Rita 'is unlikely to open today' by the guy at the entrance.