2010: Sonic Spinball

Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:33 pm

Over head restraints on spinball? GOD NO! They would kill your shoulders everytime the car jolts (it does that alot!) It's not exactly an extreme ride honestly! The restraints are fine as they are...

Can we get back on topic?

I would re - theme spinball into a storybook land ride like an escaping squirrel or something like that; maybe just for the kids?

Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:41 pm

Spinball Whizzer is blatently suited to a more light-hearted theme than a full on one!

Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:44 pm

See you next year...

Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:47 pm

I know I've used this before, but I can't help myself

[Archive] · Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:52 pm

SonicTheHedgeHog? What kind of reaction were you thinking of getting with this spam?

[quote=""Gullible Chav""]wikid lik sonic wil be orsum nxt year1 wikid spnball wiza getin a re-thme wikd.[/quote]

Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:17 pm

Where's the boo button when you need it!

Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:23 pm

Hey,

Don't be so quick to dismiss...

A new Sonic/Sega themed hotel suite is also in the works.

Make up your own minds, but it's defiantly happening folks...

Website · Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:28 pm

Remember the Report button Chaps.

Merged from seperate topic.

AstroDan · Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:42 pm

There have been rumours already in the past couple of months, so a little more to stoke the fire.

A Spinball retheme would be great, and I love Sonic although previous rumours were more around Mario etc.

Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:55 pm

I'm very torn on the prospect of a Sonic re-theme. I think it would be very cool and would inevitably mean Adventure Land got a snazzy video-game based spruce up.

However, do we really want Alton to go for the big corporate bucks when it comes to themeing? I have always admired their way with generally creating original themes for their attractions. I know Spinball as it stands comes in for a lot of stick, but I find it charming. The surrounding area certainly needs seen to, but nothing more.

AstroDan · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:00 pm

Sonic is awesome. Also, there's a new Sonic game out next year.

Sonic is also classic Alton Towers! From 1992 to 2005 he was a mainstay in Toyland Tours. I wonder if they kept the model of him?

Toyland Tours:

Photo (C) ATA.

Website · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:03 pm

[quote=""Gloomy Dude""]I'm very torn on the prospect of a Sonic re-theme. I think it would be very cool and would inevitably mean Adventure Land got a snazzy video-game based spruce up.

However, do we really want Alton to go for the big corporate bucks when it comes to themeing? I have always admired their way with generally creating original themes for their attractions. I know Spinball as it stands comes in for a lot of stick, but I find it charming. The surrounding area certainly needs seen to, but nothing more.[/quote]

Agreed. I was hoping that Alton had steered away from in your face type of sponsorship. But on the other hand, Spinball is in some need of a spruce up. There can't be a great deal left in the budget after SW6, so maybe it is the lesser of the two evils?

Also, if it does happen, then they can have a re-themed ride which is marketed towards the family side of things, as well SW6 marketed towards the thrill seekers.

So a win win situation?

Oh, and of course Spinball can appear on the 2010 map as NEW!

towers freak · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:08 pm

[quote=""AstroDan""]
Sonic is also classic Alton Towers! From 1992 to 2005 he was a mainstay in Toyland Tours. .[/quote]
How could have Sonic been in Toyland Tours from 1992 when the attraction didn't open until 1994.

Big Dave · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:09 pm

There is not time to pull it off, unless its already happening and no one noticed, but where are the photos, where are the planning apps for new themeing. Nothing seems to be happening and if it hasnt started by now, then there is no way its going to be done before start of season.

Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:14 pm

As I have said before I welcome with open arms a Spinball retheme. I would also welcome a retheme in the form of Sonic the Hedgehog as he is my all time favourite video game character. However, this seems very unlikely. If it was 1992 then maybe I would believe this but in 2009 when the Sonic franchise has been overrun in recent years with underwhelming releases, I am inclined to take this with a pinch of salt.

However, as we all know the gaming industry is now bigger than Hollywood and game licensing is big bucks so maybe this could be true. After all as AstroDan pointed out we have Project Needlemouse to look forward to next year which is very likely to reignite the Sonic franchise and if Sega are willing to pump money into the marketing of this game by sponsoring a theme park ride then this rumour could have a ring of truth about it.

Website · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:14 pm

[quote=""Big Dave""]There is not time to pull it off, unless its already happening and no one noticed, but where are the photos, where are the planning apps for new themeing. Nothing seems to be happening and if it hasnt started by now, then there is no way its going to be done before start of season.[/quote]

Indeed, nothing had been done from what was seen at the weekend. Though they are selling Spinball medals for 50p, rather than £4

But having said that, it shouldn't take that long to do a repaint and a retheme? Theres not that much to retheme anyway. :P

If there are plans though, they still beter get their skates on, after all, it is open Feb 1/2 term.

Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:16 pm

Would they need planning permission for a retheme?

Big Dave · Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:18 pm

^^ If they plan on sticking a 15ft tall Sonic somewhere then yes more than likely. Also any modifications to the trains would need to be cleared not only by the ride manufacture but also health and safety.

Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:38 pm

I can't see much happening tbh.

Especially when it's leaving the park in the mid term anyway.

Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:05 pm

[quote=""Johno""]I can't see much happening tbh.

Especially when it's leaving the park in the mid term anyway.[/quote]

Is it? Anyway, I wonder what Sega have to say about this. I would of thought that they would be screaming about it online for a bit of advertising. But thus far I've seen zilch.

Just how much are Alton planning on spending this season? We've got SW6, Ugland+Rita, Spinball retheme, Corkscrew art work (tbc). Lets face it thats a hell of a lot of cash. Plus Spinball wouldn't be as cheap as new signs, facades, soundtrack ect. Sega will want a nice wad for the licencing and title rights.