SW6 Ride Discussion

[sam07]

My planning friend says:
First I thought no because it was inside an existing structure. Then I thought yes because of the noise impacts and the works that might be needed around the ride - and also the conservation area impacts on Alton Towers. So, in summary, I don't know!

[Moley]

If the spinning coaster part is true, I'd like to think it would be something like Tornado which was opened this year at Bakken. (it's also fairly rough apparently which will fill the void left by Corky's exit :P)



More info and photos:
[url=http://www.coastercrazy.com/forum/topic ... C_ID=20226" target="_blank]http://www.coastercrazy.com/forum/topic ... C_ID=20226[/url]

[Rob L]

[quote=""Big Dave""]No one has said it WILL be a spinning coaster so you cannot say its bye bye spinball just by that.[/quote]

Well it's supposedly an "Intamin coaster just like Spinball Whizzer", that to me suggests spinning coaster.

[Kaycee]

I think Shawn might have been misinterpreted - by saying the coaster will be 'like' Spinball Whizzer, he could possibly mean it'd be on the same scale. Obviously to fit in the tent it'd be of a similar footprint and it most probably would not be a major/unique coaster installation (like Spinball), especially compared to SW6. I don't think he meant that the park will have two spinning coasters.

[davidaiow]

[quote=""Kaycee""]I think Shawn might have been misinterpreted - by saying the coaster will be 'like' Spinball Whizzer, he could possibly mean it'd be on the same scale. Obviously to fit in the tent it'd be of a similar footprint and it most probably would not be a major/unique coaster installation (like Spinball), especially compared to SW6. I don't think he meant that the park will have two spinning coasters.[/quote]

I didn't think of it like that actually. It would make a lot more sense. I hope shawn isn't playing a prank, because with past revelations aside, he has the same sort of source as Leroy.

[leroy2009jones]

Shawn quite often stumbles his words so I wouldnt quote him word perfect.

[Mankey]

The thing is, not all spinners are the same... Mack Spinners have the ability to spin freely, or spin round at certain times, and the sensation is nowhere near the same as a Maurer Sohne spinner like Spinball.

Intamin ones may be similar to this!

I just hope Black Hole gets something!

[Liam]

SW6 being a B&M doesn't excuse its complete ****ness.

I've been away for a while, what has this "world's first" element turned out to be?

[And.]

Hmm... right...


Rita repaint to green - sounds likely, we all hope it will be repainted to coincide with SW6 and to create a coherent theme. However, I really cannot see it happening before the end of this season. It'd require some considerable downtime.

The only way such downtime could be achieved is if it was to coincide with any track building of SW6 - and considering that the two rides aren't that close together, I just can't see a repaint happening whilst the park is open.


SW6 = B&M. No matter how much I'd like this to happen, I just can't see it. The plans have to be correct and a true representation of the final product by law. There is no other way around it. They could apply for planning retrospectively - like they did with Corkscrew back in the day - but this would be an extremely risky and controversial strategy for the park to undertake, especially given the complaints when SW6 got through in the first place.

There are pictures circulating, allegedly from B&M's manufacturing plant, suggesting that they are manufacturing a new track design. However, I have yet to actually see proof that these are from B&M, and not just photoshopped pictures - correct me if I'm wrong, but do the actual pictures of that track say B&M anywhere on them? I can't actually remember if they did.


2nd ride in Black Hole Tent - well, yes - this will happen at some point in the future. But, I can't see it happening next year. This would require a major investment on Merlin's and Alton Towers' part - and although they're seeing healthy profits, they wouldn't see a significant a return on their investment.

Put it this way, they open SW6 next year - this sees a good return on their investment because of the visitor figures this generates. If a new ride was to be opened too, they'd need capacity crowds for most of the season to see a significant enough return on their investment.

I'd be more inclined to believe it if Shawn said that they were opening a coaster in the Black Hole in 2011 or 2012 - as this would make better business sense.


That said, we all know that Alton Towers is largely an unknown. Nothing is ever set in stone, and many many things can change throughout the course of the season.

As an aside, wasn't Shawn Sanbrook behind one of the hoax viral campaign accounts last week? If so, then that should put some doubt into peoples' minds.

[Mankey]

A Switchback Liam!

[towers freak]

[quote=""davidaiow""] I hope shawn isn't playing a prank, because with past revelations aside, he has the same sort of source as Leroy.[/quote]
Shawn wouldn't play a prank, a prank like that could ruin his existing reputation he wouldn't risk it ruining him.

[Johno]

A wild mouse esque coaster sounds more plausible.

[Simon]

[quote=""Disco Ball""]
I feel that the park does not have enough flat rides, there is more to a theme park to rollercoasters. There needs to be a balance.

When SW6 opens there will be a lot of people in SW6-land going to ride rollercoasters with capacities which aren't the greatest.

I understand that the Black Hole tent needs sorting, I'm not saying that it doesn't. I want to see the new area done right and the more money spent, the better.[/quote]

Alton Towers definitely needs more flats. I hate to raise a groan but looking at a place like Europa-Park, which I visited for the first time last month, there was so much variety in the flats available, it really didn't feel like they only had 2 'major' coasters (and even then, one of them had only just opened. Yet Alton has 4.

Two new coasters is great news - if it's confirmed. To my mind, they have to do something with X-Sector quickly; it's in a shocking state. It'd be muy-cool if the coaster in BH tent was something like Winja's Fear & Force at Phantasialand! [pipe dream] It'd be great if they could f-off Submission as well and replace it with a Talocan-style Topspin - or nick Rush from Thorpe [/pipe dream]

[Lauren]

How on earth could Alton market 2 coasters at once?

[Sam]

From speaking to Shawn on MSN I have gleaned a bit of new information he has allowed me to tell you all. Firstly, he says his source also gave him the pictures of the monorail being refurbished. Secondly, he says the source wasn't supposed to tell him, suggesting an AT staff member undercover (maybe a techie?)

[Ash]

ok boys and girls, i think its time we all took a large packet of chill pills and looked at this with our logical heads for a second.

Ok lets look at what we know. We know Alton Towers removed the corkscrew, in preparation for a ride that is codenamed SW6. We also know that Alton Towers ran a tester program to discover what would work in the minds of the public. This suggested varying themes, and elements such as a tilting drop, waterfalls and dark forest concepts.

Ride Layout:
The concepts showed pictures of the track tilting when raised up, also a 2 seater long train as well as rock formations, waterfalls and run down buildings.

Then Alton Towers went for planning permission with the Staffordshire Moorlands District council which showed a singular ride station level with where the old one is but closer too rita. The ride begins on ground level or level 0, it has around a 65ft high lift hill, helix then a few bunny hops and turn around in the forest by BK etc etc.

The ride then re-enters the building at level 1, something occurs allowing the train to leave at -1 level inside a trench in the ground. Now as the building is only as long as the train itself my guess is it wont launch and instead tilts. This is supported by what Brendan Walker said in a recent interview as well as the concept art!

The ride then enters a trench, does a helix untill it goes above ground, all going backwards. Then comes above ground, waits for a track switch and pulls into the station at ground level 0 again.

The SMDC ride plans however, were said to have changed with altered buildings, but due the fact that there is tree felling suggesting the ride will follow the planned route this may not necessarily be true or suggest any major changes to the ride. But it does support the idea that with a smaller station a 4 seat wide B&M train would not be possible.

Something to consider would be the Expedition Everest layout:
(Notice the size of the helixes as well as station and lift locations)


and SW6:


Also please compare these pictures:


With regards to the picture above, look at the angle of the drop also compare it to SW6 first drop.

and



Ride Type
The pictures also suggest the ride has a long train or more than likely 2 long trains as the ride has a maintinence shed, and singular train operation like RMT would not need such. This again supports Vekoma, who make a type of tilting ride already, as well as switching track. Another possiblity, would be Premier Rides who have many unusual features in rides, however not the ones that would be included in SW6 and only on 8 seater trains.

The station only allows for a 2 seating width train, this would mean that a B&M ride with the present ride line up is not possible, as they only offer 4 seats across in all models. Although earlier in the year and late last year B&M were rumored to be designing a new type of train, but nothing ever appeared from these rumors, it is highly doubtful due to the company strict ways of construction that a 2 seater train is the case. Also recent track spotted outside B&M HQ have been red and yellow, certainly not infitting with the dark forest theme and would certainly not be discreet. Also they were demmed to be for a mega coaster and inverted coaster.

Another supporting factor for Vekoma would be that Alton want to attract a thrill and family market, something the Expedition Everest ride does perfectly.

Also B&M are renound for having no special features on there rides, certainly not designed by themselves only having done this once in the past with The Incredible Hulk Ride in Universal Studios Florida, this had a launched part to the ride whic was relitavely simple and not designed by B&M themselves. If they were manufacturing a new 2 seater ride then someone else would need to design the indoor drop, this is supported by the idea that Brendan Walker has confirmed he is designing/looking into this for Alton Towers.

With regards to Intamin saying its not them, that may well be a fake, not hard to do really if the email is available for public view on there website. If it isnt them my only other guess would be Mack as theyve worked with them recently, but they would need to design switchbacks, dropping/tilting track. But i wouldnt be suprised if Alton turned to them and said ok you design that for us and we will have 2/3 rides off you. I would not be shocked if they did SW6 that they made a new ride for the BH tent, but all arrows point to Vekoma for me still sorry

Green Rita:
Rita may well be turned green, however it would then match the supposed dark brown/green/black muted colours of SW6. This would not be inkeeping of the theme that SW6 is meant to be different, seperated from the rest of the park and a contrast. SW6 is a crypt/church which has been discovered on the site of the corkscrew after its removal. Hence the scaffolding around the station and run down effects.

Therefore Rita matching or being painted to match SW6 does not fit its theme, although not unlikely, if Alton decide to retheme the entire area, but again this would go against their suggested theme and seem highly unlikely.

Spinning Intamin Ride In The Black Hole Tent:
This again has been suggested, and although not unlikely, highly doubtful. Alton Towers visitors numbers rose last year, and with the current economic downturn they would be set to rise again in 2010.

A second major coaster inside the Black Hole tent would be possible as planning would not be needed, however it would not necessarily add more visitors too the park, and would seem to be a waste of money. Although SW6 may be catered towards a more family market and a BH tent coaster purely thrill. As the tent has lay dormant for so long it may be the opportunity to do something with it.

Merlin:
As has been mentioned with Tussauds in 1992 when they added RMT and the Haunted House 2 major investments, Merlin may also want to stamp there name on the park with a major investment, as SW6 has a small station building and little excavation. As well as a relitavely short track and mostly above ground, with little exterior theming. It may not cost as much as expected as Vekoma is not the most expensive type of ride manufacturer leaving spare cash.

This could be spent on a small indoor dark coaster, as well as the rumored robo arm ride that would go in the Dark Forest. I would suggest that this may be on the old Ug Swinger site, or also the last helix inside the trench of SW6 as there would be nothing planned in that area and would remain blank.

A stretched £14 million pound budget may allow this, if Alton intend on competing with major investments at other parks, and also pushing to go the next level and install a 3rd hotel and expand the park more. It is known Merlin would like Alton as the jewel in there attraction crown, and would be willing to pump in major investment and with increased visitor numbers this may be likely.

Conclusion:
With regards to 2010 i would expect the following:
- A Vekoma mine ride the same model as Expedition Everest to go into Ug Land
- Ug Lands theme to remain the same or change to "Thunder Rock" so it appears a contrast to SW6
- Rita to remain the same colour
- 2/3/4 Robo Arms to appear either above and around the last helix of SW6, or on the Old Ug Swinger site

2011
- Perhaps installation of Robo Arms if not installed in 2010


Thats my few cents anyway, yet again i may be wrong

[Javs]

So when can we expect to see the construction start? Is it tomorrow?! Will be great to see the supports and track arrive in a few months to see an end to the utter confusion that now exists!

P.S. Ash, Vekoma seem to have confirmed it is def not them in an e-mail a few pages back.

[Big Dave]

Oh god, you honestly expect me read all that Ash? lol

Ok it still can be Vekoma because I think that email is fake, end of. Secondly without properly reading what Ash said, its more likely to be them because of of their past with switchback tracks and the track type. Thirdly I also disagree with Shawn when he says they will put a Intamin ride in BH tent. There are many more companies that do dark rides better.

[Sam]

I'd like to make a quick two points.

Firstly, I can think of two more occasions when Alton have added two attractions in one year. In 1994 they opened Nemesis (an SW6 level investment) and Toyland Tours. In 2004 they opened Spinball Whizzer and refurbished the Flume. Heck, even in 2003 they managed to create Duel the same year they opened a hotel.

Secondly, maybe having two new rollercoasters isn't meant to bring in more guests. Maybe it is meant to soak up the anticipated increased number of guests next year due to recession, to stop massive queues.

[Liam]

[quote=""Mankey""]A Switchback Liam![/quote]
Seriously? :P :-#
Perhaps they do need a second coaster to make up.