Goodbye to Bouncing Bugs!

AstroDan · Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:02 pm

Alton Towers are apparantly set to remove one of their oldest and best loved childrens rides, Bouncing Bugs, at the end of the 2008 season.

The ride, which has operated since the early 1980's, represents many children's first rides at the park - including my own! It has held many names, including Baby Flug, Junior Flyer, Ug Bugs and Bouncing Bugs and has seen many changes to the park over the past 25 years.

Whilst this is not confirmed directly from Alton Towers, it appears likely to be the case.

So, farewell old friend!

Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:08 pm

I suspected that this was going to happen as soon as details of the Ug Swinger's move to Cred Street became known, because of its large footprint the current Bugs location is just about the only place in Cred Street where the Swings will fit.

Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:08 pm

At this rate there will be no rides left which are older than 20 years.

I'm not going to miss them but the news of them going seems to confirm even further that Cred Street is the area for the 2009 retheme.

I've never actually been on the bugs but there always used to be a few people queuing whilst I was waiting for Algenon.

AstroDan · Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:09 pm

Exactly - and they also seem to spend half their modern life broken down. I think they're quite simply, past it.

Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:10 pm

I can't cope with this large amount of ride loss.

To be honest, at the moment it doesn't look 'comfortable' where it is.

Dean · Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:14 pm

I hope AT install fountains once the Swinger is in it's new location, as Billy Whizzer at Chessington is such a hit!

It would bring so much more to the ride...

AstroDan · Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:45 am

I agree that the "ride loss" is alarming, but in reality this kind of change and renewal is essential to take Alton Towers into the next decade. The sheer amount of renewal work that has been going on the past 2 years, and the work that is to come, is going to take Alton Towers into the 10's and beyond.

The likes of Frog Hopper, Blade and Beastie will soon be the only "dead" rides left if you ask me. And Blade could be fine if it was refurbished fully.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:35 am

I went on Bouncing Bugs once- there OK but not even as good as Flying Jumbo's at Chessington. I'll miss them but- unlike with Corkie- I think it's the right decision to remove them.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:06 am

I didn't even know this ride existed to be honest...

Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:01 pm

Dont they use this ride at the Hotel for Christmas?

Crofty · Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:33 pm

The bouncing bugs really does look out of place where it is ATM. UG Swinger would fit in a lot better and if rethemed back to traditional look would fit in well with its surroundings. Please call it the Wave Swinger again, I've never called it the UG swinger IRL anyway!

As for the ride removal then we'll have to put up with it for now. As long as next season sees the whole Thunder rock valley closed off with a temp entrance to rita while this massive new project gets underway then i'll be happy.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:48 pm

I call it Billys Wizzer LOL but that just cause i go to Chessington more than Alton Towers. This should be really good when finshed. Are thay extending Cred Street into coaster corner more? I never really did get what was fully happining.

Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:31 pm

Just to let ya know. Where corkscrew used to be, next year will be replaced with an eating area in (h)Ug land.

Roll on next season, Pizza and Pasta in Katanga!

Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:34 pm

What?.......Corkscrew replaced with......an eating area!

Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:22 pm

Yes because everybody apart from me hates it

But It had better not be a BURGER KING eating area

Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:31 pm

Where did you find that out then? :^o

Dave · Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:20 pm

erm... if they are building something of a laregr scale on the site or th ecorkscrewe im pretty sure they will want to start work asap... without wasteing time having it set up as an eating area... also the site is freakin huge!!!

all this RIP corkie stuff has reallly over shadowed the demise of a lot of other much loved parts of the park... where was no RIP bouncing bugs events!! its a tiotal injustice if you ask me!!!:evil:

also as i said on sunday... i think a moments silence for the 3D cinemashoudl be observed... mutiny bay (and the view form the towers) just wont be the same without the parks own giant breast dominating the view...

all this change! so much to keep up with!

Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:55 pm

On the subject of the Ug Swinger I hope they embed it into the ground as opposed to having the steps up to it. I just think it looks a bit more permanent like that.

A bit like:

Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:14 pm

Bouncing Bugs are in pieces in the Splash Landings Hotel carpark, including the sign so I assume they're being used over winter at the hotels.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:06 pm

[quote=""rawandpeace""]On the subject of the Ug Swinger I hope they embed it into the ground as opposed to having the steps up to it. I just think it looks a bit more permanent like that.

A bit like:

[/quote]

Isn't that at Portaventura

:

I have a feeling Bouncing Bugs will return for Christmas every season still though.