Re: New "world's first" coaster at Alton Towers 2013
I don't think it wil be a wing-rider either. I know that the company is known for it's "well it worked there..." logic, but... No. I know it sounds daft but I simply think they are too big.
Personally, I'd be surprised if they remove the Flume. I hate the damned thing, and wish it would go... A coaster in that area would be superb. It's a large area, covered by tall trees = brilliant. Even in this large site though, A B&M wingrider is going to be difficult because of the wide envelope of the trains. It would require removing a heck of a lot of trees, which is costly and something the park really cant afford to do in terms of future building. they need those trees so desperately in order to get planning permission for pretty much anything.
But, I think the earlier rumours of Ripsaw and Blade being moved and a coaster going there is far, far more likely. I'd rather they didn't, because that area is already crowded.
I have absolutely no logic to back this up, I realise.
They have said it will be a thrill ride - whether that means it will be intense, or it will just give the impression and marketing of an intense ride is a question worth asking. If they really, really want an intense coaster, then hopefully they are looking at Intamin, not B&M. However, if they want an imposing thing that gives the impression of a large intense coaster, they should be looking at B&M. There is no way they could afford a really intense B&M these days. Nemesis is never going to happen again. Making an Intamin intense, however, really doesn't take a lot.
Whoever mentioned Cheetah Hunt - I totally agree. I ride like that would be perfect for Alton, that clambers around the ground at speed. Tim told me that those launches are an expensive piece of kit, though? And if that's the case we should just rule it out right now.
