Lightwater Valley

Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:08 am

[quote=""Nathan""][quote=""Sam""]What happened to 2012 being the biggest spending year of a 5 year plan?

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Who said that?[/quote]
I was sure I'd read it somewhere, but after searching for it I think I just heard it as a rumour! Sorry.

Me and Jordan worked out that a Kentucky Rumbler sized GCI would only cost about £2.5 million. Surely that's within their budgets if they're saving money next year by just building the tractors...?

Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:27 am

The money "saved" looks set to go in the piggy bank for another issue, so that GCI woodie will have to wait.

You guys obviously know about the tractors, Wave Rider is still yet to go in (exciting stuff?!) and there's that other ride from Loudoun they picked up last year too. Not sure what they plan on doing with that though, but TBH it's nothing to get excited about either.

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Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:47 am

[quote=""Nathan""]The money "saved" looks set to go in the piggy bank for another issue, so that GCI woodie will have to wait.

You guys obviously know about the tractors, Wave Rider is still yet to go in (exciting stuff?!) and there's that other ride from Loudoun they picked up last year too. Not sure what they plan on doing with that though, but TBH it's nothing to get excited about either.[/quote]
What's the other issue? Presumably a maintenance overhaul/refurbishment/new trains for the Ultimate? I imagine it can't be too many years off losing it's ADIPS, which would be a disaster for the park obviously.

I presume the other Loudoun ride is Barnstormer, and it'll go near the tractors to create a farm area? Would make perfect sense. I hope the tractors is really well themed, there's no reason it couldn't be as good or better than Alton's, with loads of farm theming and a few animatronics.

Wave Rider is this for anyone who doesn't know:

Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:58 am

[quote=""Sam""]I presume the other Loudoun ride is Barnstormer[/quote]

I said it wasn't anything to get excited about. If Barnstormer ended up at Lightwater Valley I think a few people would need a hose down to cool off!

And the tractors should be nicely themed. A few cool ideas floating about which hopefully will see the light of day.

2012 is all about the re-brand. No more "Tesco Value Day Out!"

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Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:51 am

I guess some would say the park isn't big enough to do a week long Halloween, or a separate fireworks, and that it wouldn't be profitable.

But I think the park will really ramp up their operations next year, in many ways. They're clearly trying to step up to play with the big boys, and I think next year the park will really start to reflect that. I think everything will be up for change. I can't wait to see what other new rides they have apart from the tractors!

I thought that they sold out their 2 day frightwater event last year and expect to this year?
If so, I'd have thought that they could at the very least split up the fireworks and halloween and make 2 weekend events out of it. Seems a no brainer really. Or they could possibly go all out and open frightwater for the whole half term which I beleive is at this time of year.

Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:51 pm

Keep turned to the facebook page my friends

Nath is absolutely right, next year the word "value" is scrap. We're a dam good theme park and a great day out and everything we do moving forward will reflect that.

With regards to Frightwater 2012... its a little too soon to say but we do expect 2011 to work really well. We're trying a few new things for this year!

We have "The Haunting Of Skeleton Cove" - a great kids show themed around pirates set inside Hungry Harbour...

Dracula's Labyrinth... with A LOT of changes from last year. Boy I am excited! I am working with the actors going in for this year... needless to say they were scary before the makeup!

Raptor Attack Live. This is truly spooky. I will say no more for now!

Then the fireworks! This year it is all set to a story that will hopefully end in a bang!

So much happening, thats even before we talk about the staff costumes...

Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:45 pm

Two beautifully done new logos for Frightwater! Can't wait for this complete rebrand next year.

Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:27 pm

Wonder how the rebrand will go - sure, value park is a tacky tactic. However, it's the reason I first came, cos of its perceived value.

There's too many things on the park which is of value feeling - the catering sites (apart from barely open pub in the wood) feel so temporary and tacky. Need to sort these out really..

Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:38 pm

The park fell into the trap of crossing the perception of 'value', with the perception of 'cheap.'

If any rebrand offers choice, and the perception that a day out at a theme park is an experience and not just an activity, then things like the catering should as a matter of course improve in time. If the park aspire to be something special, then if they only get halfway there...they're already one foot up the ladder on Mingo, for who the motto seems to be 'No longer concrete."

Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:05 am

Although the word 'value' has been scrapped, Lightwater Valley will remain one of the most competitively priced theme parks in the country.

I think you guys will be impressed with the re-brand.

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AstroDan · Fri Oct 07, 2011 7:20 am

Drayton scrapped value then upped their tickets by £4!

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Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:47 am

Drayton have followed the merlin route though and massively increased buy one get one free vouchers this year so I suspect while they have increased attendance the average amount paid to enter is less than last year.

Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:10 pm

Lightwater have released a promotional image of Whirlwind for 2012 marketing! I've flipped it over so you can see it clearly:

Dunno who the fella on the left is but he's extraordinarily handsome.

DiogoJ42 · Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:41 pm

Win.

Any idea if the rest of us made the final cut?

Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:27 pm

[quote=""DiogoJ42""]Win.

Any idea if the rest of us made the final cut?[/quote]

Just Sam on that one (discount voucher).

Nil desperandum though, you could pop up elsewhere!

[quote=""AstroDan""]Drayton scrapped value then upped their tickets by £4!

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Season ticket prices have been frozen for 2012. And, if you book before Christmas, you can save 25% - meaning a season ticket will only set you back £45. Exceptional [s:2dg1je07]value[/s:2dg1je07] price I'm sure you'll agree.

AstroDan · Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:09 pm

Drayton season passes were £50 this year. Also a bargain.

It is only 4 years ago Alton charged £66.

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Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:32 pm

Valley Mania can today reveal admission prices for Lightwater Valley as of next season. General admission for individuals and family tickets will see modest increases, whereas season ticket prices will remain frozen for the second year running. Next season will also see the introduction of the park's 'guaranteed best price' as well as the 'Ultimate Ticket'.

The full 2012 pricing structure is as follows.

As you'll notice, full-price (individual adult) admission is increasing to £23.00 with family tickets increasing by £1.00 to £19.00 per head, which is mainly in response to the volume of Tesco Clubcard vouchers the park now receive as full or part payment towards admission. However, it is worth noting that some other UK theme parks no longer accept Tesco Clubcard vouchers altogether due to Tesco's hefty 50% commission rate.

Season ticket prices have been frozen for the second year running, with a generous 25% discount if booked before Christmas - that's a whole season of fun for just £45! Prices for tickets bought online have also been frozen, and will remain the same at £16.00 - that's a saving of £7.00 on the gate admission price. For 2012 Lightwater Valley will also be offering a 'guaranteed best price' through their website which won't be bettered elsewhere, which will in turn see the main offer price on press adverts rise to £16.00, increasing by £1 on 2011). Group admission rates will remain the same.

Lightwater Valley are also introducing a new OAP concession rate at £8.00, in response to more and more grandparents coming along with their grandchildren or just wanting to accompany family members into the park and may not necessarily enjoy the rides.

2012 will also see the introduction of the all new 'Ultimate Ticket'. For £30.00, visitors can enjoy entry into the park, a meal deal, one on-ride photo, as well as three front-of-queue passes. This offer will only be available online.

Finally, you may also notice that pricing is being 'rounded' for next year, which is part of the park's 2012 re-brand and is based on research and findings from the big UK supermarkets, which shows that customers now believe a 'round pound' price reflects not only better quality, but also more straightforward business practices.

As always, stick with Valley Mania for all the latest Lightwater Valley news, and remember to leave your thoughts over on our forum!

http://www.valleymania.co.uk

Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:54 pm

The throughputs at Lightwater tend to be low enough as it is, without bringing in Fasttrack to make them even worse. Still, unlike normal Fasttrack I imagine this will have a very limited uptake and be seen as more of a "treat".

If they are going to go down the paid queuejumping route, then they should at least make an effort over closed season to increase the throughput of the Ultimate. Though I have heard they will be working on shortening the time it takes to put a second train on!

Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:52 pm

Still, unlike normal Fasttrack I imagine this will have a very limited uptake and be seen as more of a "treat".

You're actually going to make an attempt to defend this introduction?

In many a debate I've had about how good Lightwater Valley actually is, the reasoning "they don't sell Fastrack tickets" comes up, indeed, it seems to be one of the primary reasons for some peoples' love of the place.

This is a sell-out, really. Yes, other parks do it, but Lightwater are actually the first, I believe, of the non-Merlin parks to start doing this. Oakwood, Drayton Manor & Flamingo Land remain Fastrack free, and hopefully will so in the foreseeable future.

So much for listening to the enthusiasts / fans, I suppose.

DiogoJ42 · Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:02 pm

Fast track... in any form that involves payment.... is evil. Besides, The Ultimate does not have the throughput to sustain fast track.

:no: