Alton Towers 2012 in Review

[Dormiens-Dave]

Obviously we have our individual discussion topics for the 2 new 2012 attractions Nemesis: Sub-Terra and Ice Age the 4-D Experience. However what are people reviews of the rest of the park this season? whether it be park maintenance, entertainments or guest experience post your thoughts here.

Although the 2 new attractions may be part of a wider park review please keep in-depth analysis to their relevant topics.

[CoasterCrazyChris]

I've noticed that the Enterprise gondolas are now multicoloured....why oh why Alton Towers?!

So is this what is meant by an 'extensive refurbishment' these days? Painting the strips on each gondola a different colour...

And yet the frame is still as rusty and faded as last season.

[DannyNewbro]

stop moaning!

[BigAl]

It's not "moaning", it's providing a critical analysis of key aspects of the park. The information given here and on some of the other topics provides useful information for the towers. Everything that the Alton Towers does isn't marvellous and shouldn't be questioned, people should share their opinions. In fact, Alton and Merlin will want feedback so thaat hey can improve things. If we went around keeping things to ourselves then we wouldn't get anywhere in life. The poor condition of Enterprise is something that's worth causing a fuss about, or else it may get worse, in which case you may regret not saying anything.

[RustyRider]

I've noticed that the Enterprise gondolas are now multicoloured....why oh why Alton Towers?!

So is this what is meant by an 'extensive refurbishment' these days? Painting the strips on each gondola a different colour...

And yet the frame is still as rusty and faded as last season.

Seriously? Are some people ever happy? What has everyone been asking for the last few years? An overhaul of x-sector. So they give us an 8 inversion coaster and spruce up enterprise a little bit. Did it ever occur to you that maybe they didn't finish enterprise so they could get it up an running for the 2012 season, instead of sitting there SBNO for the rest of the year.

I understand your point big al, this topic is quite a good one, but Chris is moaning that they've actually given one of the rides attention, yes it needs more than a lick of paint, but like I said, would rather it be SBNO for the season?

[BigAl]

I've noticed that the Enterprise gondolas are now multicoloured....why oh why Alton Towers?!

So is this what is meant by an 'extensive refurbishment' these days? Painting the strips on each gondola a different colour...

And yet the frame is still as rusty and faded as last season.

Seriously? Are some people ever happy? What has everyone been asking for the last few years? An overhaul of x-sector. So they give us an 8 inversion coaster and spruce up enterprise a little bit. Did it ever occur to you that maybe they didn't finish enterprise so they could get it up an running for the 2012 season, instead of sitting there SBNO for the rest of the year.

I understand your point big al, this topic is quite a good one, but Chris is moaning that they've actually given one of the rides attention, yes it needs more than a lick of paint, but like I said, would rather it be SBNO for the season?

I think Chris was pointing out the lack of consistency in the new paint scheme and the fact that parts have been missed out.

[.Will]

I've noticed that the Enterprise gondolas are now multicoloured....why oh why Alton Towers?!

So is this what is meant by an 'extensive refurbishment' these days? Painting the strips on each gondola a different colour...

And yet the frame is still as rusty and faded as last season.

You really get under my skin with you constant nit picking.

I think the gondolas look great and they are all the colours of X-Sector -

Orange - Oblivion,
Blue - Submission,
Grey - Enterprise,
Black - X-Sector as a whole.


A neat little trick, or maybe I am looking into it. :P

[Rob L]

Enterprise looks better than before so I'm certainly not complaining!

Best thing about 2012 though, Pete's boat:



It is fantastic! Everyone seems to really like it and want photos etc. More of this please!

(Photo from TT Facebook page)

[RustyRider]

I love the boat, it's fantastic, on my way up towers street on Saturday, he drove past a kid and shouted "LOOK, IT'S JUSTIN BEIBER" then blasted out. Baby baby baby, from his tannoy system.

The poor kid looked mortified while all his mates where in hysterics.

Hopefully this is the start of Alton starting to bring the magic back...hopefully.

[CoasterCrazyChris]

stop moaning!

Seriously? Are some people ever happy? What has everyone been asking for the last few years? An overhaul of x-sector. So they give us an 8 inversion coaster and spruce up enterprise a little bit. Did it ever occur to you that maybe they didn't finish enterprise so they could get it up an running for the 2012 season, instead of sitting there SBNO for the rest of the year.

I understand your point big al, this topic is quite a good one, but Chris is moaning that they've actually given one of the rides attention, yes it needs more than a lick of paint, but like I said, would rather it be SBNO for the season?

You really get under my skin with you constant nit picking.

I think the gondolas look great and they are all the colours of X-Sector -

Orange - Oblivion,
Blue - Submission,
Grey - Enterprise,
Black - X-Sector as a whole.

I apologize (once again) for my apparent overbearing negativity. You might question why I am even a fan of Alton Towers given the nature of the majority of my responses to park developments but believe me I love the place as much as most of you do. This is why it is painful to see the park go the way it is going.

I can appreciate that they may not have had time to complete the full refurbishment, but there is no evidence (or is there?) to suggest that this is the case and to me it highlights once more their inability to finish something to a good standard.

In my opinion, I do not believe the ride looks good in multicolours. It was given a green colour scheme which looked good and all it needed was the frame cleaned and repainted. Was that much to ask from a refurbishment which was supposed to be 'extensive'? However, if it was the case it wasn't fully completed so they could reopen the ride, then that would be understandable.

From what I have seen, Submission looks like it has received a new paint job on its bodywork and restraints and it does genuinly look good, so they deserve a well done for that.

With regards to your point RustyRider, a new ride in the area does not necessarily mean X-Sector will receive an overhaul. And, given the theme which the new ride appears to have, a multicoloured Enterprise does seem very much at odds.

All I did was express my opinion. After all, the first post did say "post your thoughts here". So I did.

[thefatone]

Overwhelmingly negative - it's taken a backlash for you to mention that you like something.

It looks good. Duel also has had some improvements, they're ace. Ripsaw fountains are back up to a very decent level which means it's a wet ride again, and in this weather that's fantastic.

[RustyRider]

I know it doesn't neccessarly mean an overhaul but, they would've done an extensive refurb if they had the time, but they chose to get It up an running in time for the season instead of leaving it sbno all year. The park had a LOT of critisism over the whole enterprise/submission topic, so if anything we should credit them for listening to the people that pay their wages for at least making a start on sprucing the rides a wee bit.

Also, has ripsaw had a repaint on its motors, they looked brilliant on Saturday, all shiny, new and silver.

[Sam]

Enterprise's colours are a small touch but are very nice, stop moaning about it.

[mrbrightside]

Duel is fantastic this season. Rode it earlier and the cars seem to be better spaced, the effects are working brilliantly and the family came off it commenting on how much better it's got!


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[pluk]

Agreed with duel, it has been improved no end by the darkening, lighting changes and scene improvements. It's the best it's been in a long long time.

The whole park looks superb at the moment, and is being run so well too. The entertainment, character meets (pirates on exit were excellent, especially the guy in the motorised boat) and throughputs on a very quite day are excellent. Maybe I was lucky, but I was not approached by any upsellers. This is how you run a themepark.

Nothing is ever perfect though, Hex is knackered and needs attention, the flume may as well market itself as a bobsled run it spends so much time banging against the bottom, and N:ST has been allowed to happen.

[mrbrightside]

The monorail theme music is gone replaced with a jazzed up version of ITHOTMK and adverts...


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[siralgenon]

A few changes Iv'e noticed this season (sorry if some have already been said)

-As mrbrightside said all the different themed pieces of monorail audio have been replaced with one generic piece to cover all trains.
-New monorail station videos, lots of advertising however they have been very well put together.
-New ramp in Towers Trading (looks hideous and out of place)
-New queue fastrack queue line entrance on the Congo River Rapids
-Ripsaw has had all motors replaced and now runs very smoothly! Flips and rotates very quickly and the fountains literally soak you!
-New sound effects outside TH13TEEN's crypt.
-New single rider and fastrack entrance on Rita.
-New Sales & Information desk in the Dark Forest.

There is probably some more but iv'e forgot  :P

[Blaze]

-Ripsaw has had all motors replaced and now runs very smoothly! Flips and rotates very quickly and the fountains literally soak you!

I can attest to this. I'm still trying to dry off from Saturday. Went right up my nose! :P

[thefatone]

Good, and thats how it should stay .

The park does look pretty good on the whole this year. Just hoping that scarefest is proper ramped up (thinking this far ahead because it's the first event of the year). Let's hope it's back to 2010 standards, or better!

[CoasterCrazyChris]

-Ripsaw has had all motors replaced and now runs very smoothly! Flips and rotates very quickly and the fountains literally soak you!

That's good news.

Does this mean the ride could perhaps live for many more years?

I've heard many things over the last few years about Ripsaw being close to death.