JoshC.
Strata Poster
On the topic of Tomb Blaster: I believe the vents end up being opened during hot weather due to a lack of any interior cooling, so is necessary to stop it being stupid hot? Equally though, the ride has been crumbling and rubbish for years, despite the "refurbs".
Ultimately, the Merlin parks have suffered somewhat due to a lack of competition. But look at what they took over and what they've done.
Thorpe Park which had seen years of high-level investment which wasn't sustainable. They turned it into a more sustainable model, which then suffered due to a risk that didn't pay off (DBGT) and something out of their control (Smiler crash)
Chessington was in a limbo of direction, whether to focus more on being a theme park or a zoo. Again, they had a rocky few years, but they've diversified both the zoo and theme park, created a sustainable resort and actually managed to introduce a new roller coaster.
Alton Towers was coasting prior to the Merlin acquisition. Shoehorned-in investments since Air. They brought back the park which would innovate and actually introduce good rides.
Easy to stick rose-tinted glasses on, and sure there's been a lot of changes and issues, but to say it's been an overwhelmingly negative trajectory feels a bit over the top.
Not that it's an excuse, but I don't think MMM have been involved with any of the Tomb Blaster work in recent years; all been done by the park's in house creatives.
Aside from Paultons, have the UK parks really shown more improvements compared to the Merlin ones? Drayton has just coasted on by and only really in the last couple of years started to go back upwards. Blackpool is Blackpool. Flamingo Land is a dump. Lightwater Valley has transitioned into an even smaller scale, family park. Etc.
Ultimately, the Merlin parks have suffered somewhat due to a lack of competition. But look at what they took over and what they've done.
Thorpe Park which had seen years of high-level investment which wasn't sustainable. They turned it into a more sustainable model, which then suffered due to a risk that didn't pay off (DBGT) and something out of their control (Smiler crash)
Chessington was in a limbo of direction, whether to focus more on being a theme park or a zoo. Again, they had a rocky few years, but they've diversified both the zoo and theme park, created a sustainable resort and actually managed to introduce a new roller coaster.
Alton Towers was coasting prior to the Merlin acquisition. Shoehorned-in investments since Air. They brought back the park which would innovate and actually introduce good rides.
Easy to stick rose-tinted glasses on, and sure there's been a lot of changes and issues, but to say it's been an overwhelmingly negative trajectory feels a bit over the top.