Alton Towers | Wicker Man | GCI Wood

[JoshC.]

I'm sure the 12 year old enthusiast me would love that video, but now, just sigh. Just bombard people with symbols that you simply just have to translate, but requires lots of pausing-playing to get it all. It's so lazy and boring. They had the opportunity to be a lot more clever if they wanted to go down the 'let's create mysterious Pagan-esque ruins' route, but instead they've gone for the easiest route which creates so little interest. It's just disappointing.

As for the coaster itself, I reckon it'll be an alright family coaster. Nothing that special, not what it could (and arguably should) have been, but the public will lap it up. It'll fill a gap in their line up and I'll enjoy riding it. No use dwelling on what ifs now.

 

[Mysterious Sue]

I actually quite like the use of the code (it doesn't have to be too clever, it's only an advert after all - gives off a LOTRs vibe).

'Be chosen on the night where the living meets the dead' - are they gonna do something on Halloween then? Have I missed something? Or is this just a nod to another very un-family friendly theme?

 

[MakoMania]

There has been speculation that the large theming element could be revealed on Halloween.

 

[NeoXIII]

'Be chosen on the night where the living meets the dead' - are they gonna do something on Halloween then? Have I missed something? Or is this just a nod to another very un-family friendly theme?

That would be Halloween, wouldn't it (31/10/17)? That does roughly fit with the time AT reveals their new attractions for next year.
Also don't think Fireworks will have anything to do with SW8 yet, it's a bit too soon. I imagine 2018's Fireworks will be all about SW8 though.

 

[SilverArrow]

Everyone is talking about a 'reveal' but what exactly is there to reveal? We know it's a family woodie themed to the wicker man that doesn't have a launch and has a big wickerman statue. I know Joe public won't be paying as much attention, but still.

 

[Pear]

I'm more excited to see what stupid world's first gimmick they're gonna try and pull this time

 

[Will]

I wondered if it was the world's first coaster named after an Iron Maiden song - but it's the fifth (or seventh) by my maths.

 

[scw55]

World's First SW without a gimick.

 

[Pink Cadillac]

Worlds first family friendly roller coaster that has it's own 'aged 15+' scare attraction to market the ride. Can't wait for Elliott and Jules new video.

 

[Lofty]

Marketing campaigns aren't based on enthusiasts, though. So they do indeed need to release this into the public.

I'll [sadly] be there on Halloween, so if anything does in fact happen, I'll let y'all know.

 

[scw55]

A lot of people who I talk to about this coaster have no idea it's even happening. This is North Wales. They do need to promote this thing.

 

[Bert2theSpark]

A lot of people who I talk to about this coaster have no idea it's even happening. This is North Wales. They do need to promote this thing.

I've been in rooms full of non-enthusiasts, minding my own business and have heard something like:

'Have you seen Alton Towers new ride'
Yeah, It's wooden, I can't wait to ride it!'
'Me too!'

(Oh It's happened on several occasions)

 

[elephant58]

Can't say I've heard anyone speak of it...

 

[Smithy]

I've been in rooms full of non-enthusiasts, minding my own business and have heard something like:

'Have you seen Alton Towers new ride'
Yeah, It's wooden, I can't wait to ride it!'
'Me too!'

(Oh It's happened on several occasions)

 

[Sandman]

Okay, it's the 31st... when's this damn reveal happening?

 

[Bert2theSpark]

Don't ask me, Enthusiasts got excited over nothing again, Just another day in the theme park community...

 

[Lofty]

Saw it again in person yesterday with some non-enthusiasts and the resounding "Ugh, that looks ****ing tiny and ****" was amazing.

 

[Will]

Some kind of reveal at the fireworks this weekend would make sense then - but at the same time, I'm going to lower my expectations still further.

 

[JoshC.]

I imagine that the logic behind the reveal date is that more often than not, their more successful attractions (in Merlin's definition of successful) have come from when they've done a reveal in January time (the middle of closed season pretty much), meaning people get the instant hype and get ready to book, etc. When they've done reveals earlier, the public lose interest or the novelty wears off, losing that big hit.

Things like Smiler and Ghost Train did build a lot of hype and did get people booking (even if they opened late, etc). And the drip fed stuff prior kept interest going for enthusiasts too. It works. Certainly moreso than things like Swarm and Zufari which weren't as popular in Merlin’s eyes.

I fully expect a reveal of a name / story / promo art in January. We'll get the generic teasers, clues and whatever to 'tease the geeks' until then. That seems pointless when the geeks know the name and stuff thanks to the Internet, but there you go.

 

[CSLKennyNI]

SW8 was on ITV news today.

Always a pleasure to hear shipping containers mentioned.