Micro Parks

[slappy mcguire]

It strikes me that the Lego Discover Centre in Manchester is a far more important 'themepark' than any of us realise; if it proves to be successful, Merlin have given themselves a format that could be rolled across the country - a Micro theme park, that could be put in shopping centres and large warehouses alike. with the massive popularity of the independent Funshack or Krazy barn type kids play areas, Merlin could find themselves with a hugely important, and significant market sector all to themselves.

So my question is three fold. Is it likely? Is it a good thing? And ultimately, what should go in them?

 

[Nic]

I'm still waiting for someone to take over the defunct "attraction" in the Wintergarden (Food Court) at Bluewater. I can't remember what it started life as (part of me thinks it was Cadburys, but part of me thinks thats stupid, and it was something involving slightly scary looking animatronic rabbits...), but its last incarnation was as some kind of Nestle themed walk-through. Neither lasted long, and its been sat empty for years (someone going to tell me now that its been redeveloped recently, aren't they?! haha) I never went in (in any of its guises) mainly because it was REALLY expensive. It basically looked like a themed walk through with loads of interactive buttons and things to press. It wouldn't be big enough for any rides or anything. It's essentially a series of tunnels underneath the food court seating area. Its a bit of a daft place for an attraction really. However, that said, they've added a load more attractions just outside the door from there over recent years (there's a mini 'Go Ape' and stuff), so there's likely to be more passing pedestrians than there used to be.

I maybe can't see Merlin doing anything with it because it's so close to all their other parks/attractions. That said, I think you could do a fairly decent mini-Tussauds in there. If you like that sort of thing. Which foreign tourists (of which there's a plentiful supply at Bluewater) seem that they do.

 

[peep]

^Yeah, I don't think there would be room for a proper attraction at Bluewater. However they do have a fair every Christmas (sans coaster ) and they now have a permanent 4D attraction in one of those walkways to one of the car parks. Saying that I haven't been for months so all could have changed yet again


The Metro centre near Newcastle used to have a theme park so it is possible for these attractions to exist in the UK. However it closed the other year so I assume it means that it is just one of those things that just doesn't make enough money so they close down.

The Trocodero in London also used to have loads of attractions but some years ago they decided to get rid of most of their stuff and go from having like 6-8 floors to 3 floors. It's mainly an arcade now but they also have dodgems, loads of simulators and one of those new 4D things (like the one at Bluewater).

In my opinion it isn't something that Merlin will continue to create. The Lego centre is a one off for the UK imo and it isn't even an original idea, there is one in America somewhere and has been for some years now. Lego is also a huge, and very popular brand that everyone will flock too just because of the name. So unless they want to open even more of the Lego centres I can't see anything happening as anything else would be too much of a risk for Merlin.

 

[Nic]

^Yeah, I don't think there would be room for a proper attraction at Bluewater. However they do have a fair every Christmas (sans coaster ) and they now have a permanent 4D attraction in one of those walkways to one of the car parks. Saying that I haven't been for months so all could have changed yet again

Yeah, I've not been for aaaaaaaaaaages. I used to go every day at one point, and I had 2 different jobs there when I was younger (my rents live 10 mins up the road). I know about the xmas fair, and was aware of the 4D thing (though I've not seen it myself - think its meant to be where the Land Rover thing used to be). Do you know the walkthrough thing in the food court I'm talking about though? It'd be quite nice to see it get used for something, its been sat empty for years. Even if they only open it as an additional seating area for the food court!

 

[slappy mcguire]

The Metro centre near Newcastle used to have a theme park so it is possible for these attractions to exist in the UK. However it closed the other year so I assume it means that it is just one of those things that just doesn't make enough money so they close down.

The annoying thing is that it DID make good money, for comparatively little outlay, it just simply no longer fitted the portfolio of the Metrocentre's owners who converted it into a 3D imax cinema, and put a Namco 'funzone' in the small area downstairs. THe rides - Europe's fastest Dodgems...and welll...that's it!

 

[peep]

Nic I am aware of the walk-through thing you mention. I've never really seen anyone go through it but it looks like a mess with it shut. Maybe they should turn it into a laser tag area? That would be cool.

Talking of laser tag, Trocodero just got one.

@Slappy - It made money? Well then I just don't know. Maybe they thought an IMAX screen would be easier to advertise and bring peeps in?

 

[slappy mcguire]

I think they thought they could replace the whole thing on the cheap, because one thing of value it had that they wanted...was space.

A genuine shame, as it was really quite a unique experience.

 

[T0M]

Hope not, but when was the last new full-size theme park opened in the UK? The last one I can remember is Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire.

 

[Anonymous]

i think it's a really good idea because i love just randomly seeing a ride and going on it.

 

[Mysterious Sue]

I so didn't know about the Sega 4D thing. How bizarre. You fancy checking it out at Christmas Vadge?
Not that I love going back there - wasted far too much of my youth in the place as well.

I remember the walk through thing - wasn't it a woodland scene initially and then got re-themed with smarties or the like?