Wicker Man - General Discussion

Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:07 pm

As gutted as I am that it didn't open this weekend, Damn snow and temperature and wind, it was very nice to finally see it complete in person.It is actually quite nice to look at. It looks like it will be a nice addition to the park. The shop was a bit over crowded when I went to have a look so literally peered in, thought nope, and went and stood in the corner, but it looked nice too and it looked like their was some nice merchandise too. Just a shame AT will now have to wait until October to get my money for it :lol

Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:23 pm

There is some very good merchandise of an extremly high quality. It is certainly on another level.

I've spent rather a lot this weekend, including a Wicker Man jacket not pictured!

Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:31 pm

Justin wrote:There is some very good merchandise of an extremly high quality. It is certainly on another level.

I've spent rather a lot this weekend, including a Wicker Man jacket not pictured!

Nice Haul Justin! That merchandise looks incredible, especially the frame. Is it made from offcuts or just wood?

Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:41 pm

Actual ride wood. I chose one in particular as it had stamps and marker paint on it

Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:16 pm

Justin wrote:There is some very good merchandise of an extremly high quality. It is certainly on another level.

I've spent rather a lot this weekend, including a Wicker Man jacket not pictured!

Looks better quality than that offered in the Wickerman photobox

Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:20 pm

I imagine there will be quite a few people who now regret buying the "exclusive" Wicker Man Photo Box... :lol

YouTube · Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:58 am

Looking at the weather forecast for the park tomorrow, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the ride has a soft opening tomorrow. Which I hope it does

Mon Mar 19, 2018 2:39 pm

theparklifekid wrote:Looking at the weather forecast for the park tomorrow, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the ride has a soft opening tomorrow. Which I hope it does

They’ve said to a few people on Twitter they that again it’s looking unlikely it’ll be open tomorrow. Was hoping to go myself but I’ll have to wait until the Easter holidays are over to try again.

YouTube · Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:16 pm

Alton Towers tweeted this out, confirming the official opening is this Saturday, and that there will be an opening ceremony. It also has a slight new teaser.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:26 pm

The comments on there disgust me, Towers can't help the weather, people should be less ignorant and see it from Merlin's point of view; the ride's cannot run in windy, snowy, cold conditions which it was over the weekend, I think people should be grateful Alton was allowing them to reschedule their visit.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:41 pm

I agree! The weather was beyond dangerous, and although I was sad that they didn't open Wicker Man, I didn't blame Alton Towers. They were incredible this weekend, and really showed the best of the company, making changing tickets as easy and hassle free as possible, and handing out refunds for hotel bookings and dealing with an amber alert weather warning! It sucks that in response they're getting so much hate... They should be getting praised!

Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:54 pm

Yeah I'm really happy with how AT handled this bad weather but it does make me glad I waited until the easter holidays before I get to see this ride for the first time.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:09 pm

Saw it in person today, and the ride is looking pretty neat. The actual wicker-man structure is pretty big and imposing, but it's pretty obvious that they've used LED screens as "fire" throughout a lot of it (much more obvious in person).

Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:08 pm

Despite the awful weather at the weekend, it was great to finally see Wicker Man in person.

The Wicker Man itself is absolutely stunning, and is by far my favourite theming element on the park. I can’t wait to see it running with all its effects. What is unusual is how it can be seen from numerous places across the park. While not obvious, it blends in well with the trees, which is a nice touch. The plaza area in front of the ride was open today and the music was playing too. All I can say is I can’t wait to feel the atmosphere around there when the ride is running.

The whole area has been finished off really well, obviously we couldn’t get a decent look at the queue line theming, but what I could see is very impressive. The shop has also been very well done, I love the wide range of merchandise on offer, and may have spent a bit too much in there :lol

I’m hoping to be heading back to Towers next week, and if the whole experience is as good as the reviews have said, I can see this knocking The Smiler off my #1 spot.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:17 pm

So have the soft openings stopped? Or is it all for Saturday now then?

As I will be venturing to Alton on Saturday, again :P

Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:25 pm

PhNx Survivor wrote:So have the soft openings stopped? Or is it all for Saturday now then?

As I will be venturing to Alton on Saturday, again :P

The soft openings haven’t started yet.

All Towers are saying is that it’s unlikely it’ll open tomorrow morning due to there still being quite a bit of snow and ice to clear, so there’s a chance it will soft open in the afternoon.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:33 pm

Morgan wrote:Saw it in person today, and the ride is looking pretty neat. The actual wicker-man structure is pretty big and imposing, but it's pretty obvious that they've used LED screens as "fire" throughout a lot of it (much more obvious in person).

Yeah I thought they looked pretty good in all the photos I'd seen, but in person they really do just look like screens, not that great. I imagine they'll look better obscured by a bit of fog/smoke though (there wasn't any on Saturday was there?) But otherwise, it's easily my favourite piece of theming in the UK, and possibly even my favourite piece of theming from all the parks I've been to (except perhaps the station/lift of Baron 1898).
Well, I can't make it on Saturday as I have an acting workshop... but as soon as I hear it's started soft opening, gonna start making plans.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:49 pm

I'm going back for Sunday hoping with my early rise sunday and fastrack this trip will yield a couple of wickerman rides and if i get there early saturday perhaps i could ride it then.

Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:57 pm

I have just had to log into an old account and found the only one I could find still active to let my happiness out...
There is a PRESHOW. Finally, finally, finally, finally. Praise! After waiting and been on and off this forum for 15 years, we finally have a decent pre-show to a coaster!!!
One that sets the story, fair and square. No dusting around the edges.

Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:45 am

Dan wrote:
PhNx Survivor wrote:So have the soft openings stopped? Or is it all for Saturday now then?

As I will be venturing to Alton on Saturday, again :P
The soft openings haven’t started yet.

All Towers are saying is that it’s unlikely it’ll open tomorrow morning due to there still being quite a bit of snow and ice to clear, so there’s a chance it will soft open in the afternoon.

It wasn’t open at about 10:35 when I check ride times today...
But I have hope that the soft openings will happen!