Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Do you mean Chiapas or their top spin, Talocan?
Alton Towers New Flat Ride?
- Thread starter Bowser
- Start date
Crazycoaster
Giga Poster
Sandman
Giga Poster
Unless they go all out on the theming, a la Talocan, then I don't quite understand the choice of flat.
I'm not being ungrateful, considering the sorry state Towers finds itself in, in terms of flat ride availability. But, what gives?
They've gone for the exact same ride in pretty much the exact same spot, which wasn't hugely popular when it left. I just have to wonder why they wouldn't go for something new, to spark more interest. The fact that Nemesis has remained with its refurb, perhaps provides even more justification for a new style of flat ride for the thrillseeking public.
I'm not being ungrateful, considering the sorry state Towers finds itself in, in terms of flat ride availability. But, what gives?
They've gone for the exact same ride in pretty much the exact same spot, which wasn't hugely popular when it left. I just have to wonder why they wouldn't go for something new, to spark more interest. The fact that Nemesis has remained with its refurb, perhaps provides even more justification for a new style of flat ride for the thrillseeking public.
vaugc002
Hyper Poster
Do you think it has something to do with planning - i.e does a reiteration of something (as it's kinda like a rebuild) get easier acceptance versus something new?
No idea but could be a reason
JoshC.
Strata Poster
I see people's point about a top spin being a fine addition, because we're talking about a ride which was removed 10 years ago. It is effectively new. And yes, a new permanent ride is great.
But top spins...aren't popular rides? Any theme park I've been in that has one, they never attract a long queue, they don't have a good throughput, and they're not reliable. Even the likes of Talocan, considered the best out there, never draws much of a queue.
What Towers needs is rides which people will ride. Sure, a top spin increases the amount of people per hour that can ride some ride. And plenty of people will get pleasure from watching it. But it doesn't address the core problem that Towers has at the moment.
Happy to eat my hat if I'm wrong, or if they end up introducing multiple permanent new flat rides next year. But right now, this is little more than just a small step in the right direction, when they could have made a huge stride.
But top spins...aren't popular rides? Any theme park I've been in that has one, they never attract a long queue, they don't have a good throughput, and they're not reliable. Even the likes of Talocan, considered the best out there, never draws much of a queue.
What Towers needs is rides which people will ride. Sure, a top spin increases the amount of people per hour that can ride some ride. And plenty of people will get pleasure from watching it. But it doesn't address the core problem that Towers has at the moment.
Happy to eat my hat if I'm wrong, or if they end up introducing multiple permanent new flat rides next year. But right now, this is little more than just a small step in the right direction, when they could have made a huge stride.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
On my visits, when Talocan actually had it's fire going, it always had a longer queue than Taron... Obviously much of that is down to throughput, but if a Top Spin queue is going to hold 45+ mins worth of people, plus lots of spectators, then it's doing a fantastic job compared to many other flat options. Talocan is an exception though, rather than a rule, and it's success depends massively on it's effects and the theatre they produce.
Alton Towers absolutely need to nail this as a spectacle, nail the marketing, and I guarantee you'll see queues regularly creep above 30 minutes, and maybe well beyond on busy days. I think they can pull it off.
That being said, I also don't believe this is 'it.' I am fully expecting more flats, whether they're in a similar time frame to Ripsaw's Revenge or a little later, I don't think we'll wait too long, if at all.
Crazycoaster
Giga Poster
What sort of flat rides would people like to see at the Towers?
When I think of a flat ride I really enjoy, I think of Loke at Liseberg.. great fun, lap bars.. but that’d be too tall for the towers. Similar story with a screaming swing (plus their ride times are too short).
Nebulaz are popping up everywhere, and while they’re interesting to watch off ride, they’re basically a glorified mini ferris wheel. Air races just feels like you’re doing a bunch of corkscrews over and over, not a fan.
Maybe they could bring back a chair swing for nostalgic family fun? Add some water fountains like Billy’s Whizzer at Chessington and it becomes a hilarious water ride.
When I think of a flat ride I really enjoy, I think of Loke at Liseberg.. great fun, lap bars.. but that’d be too tall for the towers. Similar story with a screaming swing (plus their ride times are too short).
Nebulaz are popping up everywhere, and while they’re interesting to watch off ride, they’re basically a glorified mini ferris wheel. Air races just feels like you’re doing a bunch of corkscrews over and over, not a fan.
Maybe they could bring back a chair swing for nostalgic family fun? Add some water fountains like Billy’s Whizzer at Chessington and it becomes a hilarious water ride.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
I'd like to see the classics that either fell victim to '2015' and the years after, or were removed for another reason, return... But with a modern twist, so:
Top Spin Floorless
Enterprise 2G
Breakdance 5
I would like to see the Wave Swinger return too, although that is Zierer which doesn't fit with the Huss rumours.
In terms of 'new' flats that I'd like to see, but will not see:
Huss - Jump 2
Mondial - Shake (I'd love to see one of these in the FV 'arcade.' Using lasers, projections, strobes and dark moments throughout the cycle. Would probably be instead of a Breakdance.)
TP - Aerobat (Would probably be instead of the Enterprise.)
TjChapperz
Mega Poster
If they did manage to get some sort of Bulk deal with Huss I would like to see a Magic 2G by cursed and theme it to a similar story line and then also a Troika 2G maybe in X Sector where enterprise was.
I agree with @JoshC.
I also think Alton needs more ‘for everybody’ attractions and less ‘thrill rides’. I’m avoiding saying ‘family’ because I think that emphasises a need to appeal to children, whereas I’d prefer something more ‘passive’ and ‘dissipating’.
They ought to throw down a ‘for everyone themed’ antique cars or one of those slow boat / dingy raft through gardens rides like at Europa or Parc Asterix. Something calm to make the park more balanced.
In truth, it’s hard to say where those sort of rides would fit in amongst the current ‘lands’.
I also think Alton needs more ‘for everybody’ attractions and less ‘thrill rides’. I’m avoiding saying ‘family’ because I think that emphasises a need to appeal to children, whereas I’d prefer something more ‘passive’ and ‘dissipating’.
They ought to throw down a ‘for everyone themed’ antique cars or one of those slow boat / dingy raft through gardens rides like at Europa or Parc Asterix. Something calm to make the park more balanced.
In truth, it’s hard to say where those sort of rides would fit in amongst the current ‘lands’.
ScottLann
Mega Poster
Just thought I'd mention that Phantasialand have got the fire effects working on Talocan again this season
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
They weren’t working on our visits last week at all, some of the nozzles looked to be physically missing, but I can’t say for sure.Just thought I'd mention that Phantasialand have got the fire effects working on Talocan again this season
Sandman
Giga Poster
I actually think a gyro like Loke would be a brilliant addition to Towers. Good capacity, decent cycle, a visual spectacle for off ride guests.
Too tall you say? Why, even more reason to go subterranean. Just imagine how good Forbidden Valley would be if it was made up of several expansive pits. A big old gyro swinging down into a large valley, a brilliant idea if you ask me. Yes, I know, it'd be expensive. But imagine
Graeme
Roller Poster
Couldn't agree more. Probably the three best types of flat ride, and ones that have endured over time. Octopus-themed Polyp in Mutiny Bay and a Breakdance 5 in X Sector.
I actually think a gyro like Loke would be a brilliant addition to Towers. Good capacity, decent cycle, a visual spectacle for off ride guests.
Too tall you say? Why, even more reason to go subterranean. Just imagine how good Forbidden Valley would be if it was made up of several expansive pits. A big old gyro swinging down into a large valley, a brilliant idea if you ask me. Yes, I know, it'd be expensive. But imagine
That's probably the one type of flat ride that is actually worth doing that for. Twenty years ago it would have been a KMG, and now it would probably be an Intamin, but the general ride style never gets old.
Will
Strata Poster
Yessss
A really well themed breakdance to replace Sub Terra would be marvellous. I'd settle for it at the bottom of X Sector, but it would seem more poetic in the valley.
Some people seem to be getting quite excited about the topspin - and as cynical as I normally am, having seen the effort that went into scenery and looks for Nemesis at the start of the season, there's no reason not to be. I can't see it being a Talocan though - it's more than possible, but I just can't imagine them doing the necessary upkeep.
A really well themed breakdance to replace Sub Terra would be marvellous. I'd settle for it at the bottom of X Sector, but it would seem more poetic in the valley.
Some people seem to be getting quite excited about the topspin - and as cynical as I normally am, having seen the effort that went into scenery and looks for Nemesis at the start of the season, there's no reason not to be. I can't see it being a Talocan though - it's more than possible, but I just can't imagine them doing the necessary upkeep.
Rob Coasters
Hyper Poster
I'd be happy with any of the following:
Huss Top Spin
Huss Booster Revolution
Gerstlauer Polyp
Gerstlauer Sky Racer
KMG Move It 32
Classic Wave Swinger
I think I'd like to cautiously try out the Zamperla Blendez too.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
It 'could' be better than Talocan... I never understood why PL went with a floorless model when they were covering one side up. That back wall looks pretty off ride, but it's a bit of a bummer if you end up facing that way when riding.Yessss
A really well themed breakdance to replace Sub Terra would be marvellous. I'd settle for it at the bottom of X Sector, but it would seem more poetic in the valley.
Some people seem to be getting quite excited about the topspin - and as cynical as I normally am, having seen the effort that went into scenery and looks for Nemesis at the start of the season, there's no reason not to be. I can't see it being a Talocan though - it's more than possible, but I just can't imagine them doing the necessary upkeep.
Get this right, with water effects on galactica's side, retheming Galactica to water, and fire effects on Nemesis' side... And they're onto a winner.