Alton Towers' 10-year development plan
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popTART
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I am pleased they are now thinking ahead and trying to develop the resort further and keep it the UK's leading themepark and resort. I was gutted they cancelled the relief road because that was something that could have helped them raise their profile aswell. I am excited to see what accommodation their planning on simlular style to the Tipi Village at EP? or something else.
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Ash
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Nope, there just looking at housing all the migrant workers
There not daft good old alton, not only do they employ migrant workers, get bonuses from the governement, make them work god awful hours and for the younger ones sometimes break the law.
But now there buying up property around Stoke On Trent (the mill in leek) etc, they dont have to rent property of other companies for there workers, by the property and get the workers to pay Alton rent! And even better put it on there land so its even cheaper.
Good idea when you think about it...
There not daft good old alton, not only do they employ migrant workers, get bonuses from the governement, make them work god awful hours and for the younger ones sometimes break the law.
But now there buying up property around Stoke On Trent (the mill in leek) etc, they dont have to rent property of other companies for there workers, by the property and get the workers to pay Alton rent! And even better put it on there land so its even cheaper.
Good idea when you think about it...
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Jon
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Long term planning confirmation is music to my ears. Nothing we didn't already expect from the park's involvement with Merlin, but it is still something to be happy about. All the developments we have moaned about in recent years has all been because of short term thinking. I think these 10 years will see Alton develop in leaps and bounds into the signature attraction Merlin had hopes it would become.
Formerly "Dagoo"
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Mattia
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[quote=""Rob""]
If there is going to be more guest accommodation then I think it will be something like log cabins, this would mean that there is a cheaper alternative to staying in the hotels which should encourage more people to stay at the resort for longer.[/quote]
Or this could start the ball rolling again for that proposed third "Casino Themed" Hotel. I personally would prefer another hotel. The two already reach full capacity frequently and they are getting more and more popular during the winter season too.
It's great news to hear Alton are planning for the future, shows a strong skeleton structure and a true sense of direction as to which way they want the resort to be heading. If we do see Alton having a longer opening season, I can't see it being 365 days a year. More a long the lines of something like Gardaland. Gardaland only open for the weekends during October so forget that, but perhaps opening the park until mid November then re-opening for winter weekends and then open fully for the week before Christmas; during Christmas week (except C Day) and then the week after, topping it off with the New Years Celebration two-dayer as the final time it's open until February.
If there is going to be more guest accommodation then I think it will be something like log cabins, this would mean that there is a cheaper alternative to staying in the hotels which should encourage more people to stay at the resort for longer.[/quote]
Or this could start the ball rolling again for that proposed third "Casino Themed" Hotel. I personally would prefer another hotel. The two already reach full capacity frequently and they are getting more and more popular during the winter season too.
It's great news to hear Alton are planning for the future, shows a strong skeleton structure and a true sense of direction as to which way they want the resort to be heading. If we do see Alton having a longer opening season, I can't see it being 365 days a year. More a long the lines of something like Gardaland. Gardaland only open for the weekends during October so forget that, but perhaps opening the park until mid November then re-opening for winter weekends and then open fully for the week before Christmas; during Christmas week (except C Day) and then the week after, topping it off with the New Years Celebration two-dayer as the final time it's open until February.
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Kaycee
Fantastic news! It shows commitment on Merlin's behalf to really develop the park and a 10 year plan means finally we can have the sort of planning lengths for new additions that the likes of Air enjoyed.
Ideally it would include a third hotel AND some budget accommodation - but I think if AT are serious about people staying longer, they're going to have to start catering for those who can't afford the prices of the existing Hotels - their price ranges are so similar and I think it's imperative they offer something for those on a shoestring budget! I know if they did offer budget accommodation, I'd never feel the need to stay off the resort again! And it all needs to be theeeeeemed!
Ideally it would include a third hotel AND some budget accommodation - but I think if AT are serious about people staying longer, they're going to have to start catering for those who can't afford the prices of the existing Hotels - their price ranges are so similar and I think it's imperative they offer something for those on a shoestring budget! I know if they did offer budget accommodation, I'd never feel the need to stay off the resort again! And it all needs to be theeeeeemed!
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X-sector wonderer
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Actually, I can't see the Towers managing to go through with this.
They (AT) said 'No' to the relif road, plus, all of this will bring increased traffic to the Staffodshire area. So, while it is submitted, the Staffodshire council could say 'We aren't letting you do this, unless you do the relif road'
They (AT) said 'No' to the relif road, plus, all of this will bring increased traffic to the Staffodshire area. So, while it is submitted, the Staffodshire council could say 'We aren't letting you do this, unless you do the relif road'
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Corkscrewed
[quote=""X-sector wonderer""]Actually, I can't see the Towers managing to go through with this.
They (AT) said 'No' to the relif road, plus, all of this will bring increased traffic to the Staffodshire area. So, while it is submitted, the Staffodshire council could say 'We aren't letting you do this, unless you do the relif road'[/quote]
Always possible, but really they could say that about any development on the Alton Towers site, but most likely wouldn't.
What I think of this 10 year plan is that it looks pretty good, More accomodation of some kind should be interesting, but whether it be for Staff or Customers will be interesting to find out. More attractions, obviously good and will be interesting to see what they do. A longer season too? Excellent, get it open at christmas and pull in a few more visitors. Overall although vaque, it sounds like Alton has a pretty rosy future.
They (AT) said 'No' to the relif road, plus, all of this will bring increased traffic to the Staffodshire area. So, while it is submitted, the Staffodshire council could say 'We aren't letting you do this, unless you do the relif road'[/quote]
Always possible, but really they could say that about any development on the Alton Towers site, but most likely wouldn't.
What I think of this 10 year plan is that it looks pretty good, More accomodation of some kind should be interesting, but whether it be for Staff or Customers will be interesting to find out. More attractions, obviously good and will be interesting to see what they do. A longer season too? Excellent, get it open at christmas and pull in a few more visitors. Overall although vaque, it sounds like Alton has a pretty rosy future.
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Michaél
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I think extending the season is a great idea. They would be getting a lot more people into the park every year if they opened in the winter season. I think looking at the development plans Alton Towers have taken a few pages out of Europa Park's and Phantasisland's books.
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AstroDan
[quote=""nemesiscrazy""]I think looking at the development plans Alton Towers have taken a few pages out of Europa Park's and Phantasisland's books.[/quote]
And that's one thing I love about this industry. Even though Alton Towers is part of Merlin Entertainments, theoretically one of the likes of EP & Phantasialand's biggest European competitors, they still get ideas, inspiration from each other. Indeed, Roland Mack held the BALPAA meeting at Europa-Park in 2007, and various delegates, including some from Merlin Ents went over for ideas and inspiration.
By working together, it ensures that the industry will be more secure through the years ahead.
And that's one thing I love about this industry. Even though Alton Towers is part of Merlin Entertainments, theoretically one of the likes of EP & Phantasialand's biggest European competitors, they still get ideas, inspiration from each other. Indeed, Roland Mack held the BALPAA meeting at Europa-Park in 2007, and various delegates, including some from Merlin Ents went over for ideas and inspiration.
By working together, it ensures that the industry will be more secure through the years ahead.
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Michaél
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^It is true and i think Alton Should continue to take ideas from other parks around Europe. To be blatantly honest the European parks are a lot better generally at theming, thinking of new things, park operation etc than the theme parks here in the U.K.
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Mattia
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[quote=""nemesiscrazy""]^It is true and i think Alton Should continue to take ideas from other parks around Europe. To be blatantly honest the European parks are a lot better generally at theming, thinking of new things, park operation etc than the theme parks here in the U.K.[/quote]
Except restraint checks! That's the one thing I love about the parks here, it just makes me feel safer
Didn't the AT hotel camp fire have inspiration from EP? It's nice to see them leaning and learning from each other. Many moons ago, Alton and Disney used to exchange ideas. Shame that's ended.
Except restraint checks! That's the one thing I love about the parks here, it just makes me feel safer
Didn't the AT hotel camp fire have inspiration from EP? It's nice to see them leaning and learning from each other. Many moons ago, Alton and Disney used to exchange ideas. Shame that's ended.
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And.
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The next step after 2010 HAS to be at least 1 or 2 dark rides.
They've stated their intent for extended season opening - possibly meaning Christmas park openings etc, but they need the rides to support it. People WILL go on the likes of Nemesis in the cold, but people also want nice warm indoor rides to enjoy too.
They've stated their intent for extended season opening - possibly meaning Christmas park openings etc, but they need the rides to support it. People WILL go on the likes of Nemesis in the cold, but people also want nice warm indoor rides to enjoy too.
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Michaél
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I think the idea of indoor rides are good. I mean thats how Disney work through the winter nearly 70% of their rides are indoors. So if Alton put in a few decent indoor atractions that would be able to support them through the winter season.
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Ash
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I would love to see a 4D cinema and simulator esque attraction, along with resort expansions
Look at Parque Du Futuroscope!
Look at Parque Du Futuroscope!
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Joe Koopa
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A new dark ride would be good. I hope we can finally see the black-hole tent being re-used or a new dark ride building in it's place. It would be a vital addition if there's winter openings and all.
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Michaél
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[quote=""Ash""]I would love to see a 4D cinema and simulator esque attraction, along with resort expansions
Look at Parque Du Futuroscope![/quote]
I agree from what i remember Thorpe has a good 4D cinema i think its called
"Time Voyagers". If Alton put something like that in with a different story line it would be great.
Look at Parque Du Futuroscope![/quote]
I agree from what i remember Thorpe has a good 4D cinema i think its called
"Time Voyagers". If Alton put something like that in with a different story line it would be great.
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James B
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Exciting times ahead.
SW6 is obviously going to be the new flagship ride.
However, in terms of attractions, think of what can still be done:-
- Log Flume Replacement
- Coaster Corner
- Black Hole Tent
- Adventure Land
- Gloomy Wood expansion (possible methinks?)
And that's just the obvious replacements/expansions. All of the above have potential space for some great attractions.
Anyone heard any figures of the estimated budget. Would be nice to se a medium term development plan like Thorpe did.
SW6 is obviously going to be the new flagship ride.
However, in terms of attractions, think of what can still be done:-
- Log Flume Replacement
- Coaster Corner
- Black Hole Tent
- Adventure Land
- Gloomy Wood expansion (possible methinks?)
And that's just the obvious replacements/expansions. All of the above have potential space for some great attractions.
Anyone heard any figures of the estimated budget. Would be nice to se a medium term development plan like Thorpe did.
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AstroDan
As reported by Towers Times News recently, it has been revealed that there is a 10-year plan for the resort. This includes longer open seasons, new attractions and new accommodation!