@Nicky Borrill I suppose my comments come from the Cedar Fair parks passes, where you can easily make your money back from just 5-6 visits. By comparison, the MAPs do not provide as much value, not even close. Ultimately the MAPs can still provide value for some.
WTF Merlin?
- Thread starter nadroJ
- Start date
rob666
Hyper Poster
Last year my Blackpool renewal cost me £45, this year £99.
I live half an hour away, the Beach is my local bar, with rides attached.
I meet mates off peak every few weeks, so my pass works out at about a fiver a visit, with cheap beer and food at the Velvet Coaster just up the road.
I live half an hour away, the Beach is my local bar, with rides attached.
I meet mates off peak every few weeks, so my pass works out at about a fiver a visit, with cheap beer and food at the Velvet Coaster just up the road.
JoshC.
Strata Poster
The mid-tier option, the Gold Pass, is £219 and has a few restrictions through the season (on the days which are usually some of the busiest). Still gives a great amount of flexibility, free parking, the usual discounts, plus access to all the midway attractions. Admittedly the midways aren't for everyone, but they're there.
I think it's good value for money. Especially compared to the European market, there's not many out there that give you the density, and reasonable quality, of parks, plus the bonuses, for the price imo
I think it's good value for money. Especially compared to the European market, there's not many out there that give you the density, and reasonable quality, of parks, plus the bonuses, for the price imo
FarleyFlavors
Mega Poster
I had the cheapo £69 pass this year and thought it was excellent value. Admittedly I'm only ten minutes from Thorpe which helped, but I also had two trips to Alton and first time visits to Chessington and Legoland. And a trip on the London Eye.
Yes, you can't visit at weekends or during school holidays, but that's when I'd choose to go anyway to avoid the crowds.
Yes, you can't visit at weekends or during school holidays, but that's when I'd choose to go anyway to avoid the crowds.
If you really want to point out the disparity, how about those Six Flags passes? Back in 2017 I bought a Gold Pass at Six Flags Mexico for around £39 - I just checked and it's now only £26! That includes entry to all the parks and free parking. At the American parks it's now over 20 quid for parking alone.
Coasterfreck
Hyper Poster
Not really sure if this fits into this thread but I’ll share it here. Merlin have introduced a Silver Annual Pass bringing the pass options to four.
JoshC.
Strata Poster
It sounds good on the surface, but imo no free parking is a killer of it.
Then again, depending on the number of trips you make, and when you go, it's still a good option that works out better than the Gold option. And really, having more options is no bad thing.
We really need a 'MEH Merlin' thread, for the all Merlin news which isn't quite WTF, but not quite YAY.
Then again, depending on the number of trips you make, and when you go, it's still a good option that works out better than the Gold option. And really, having more options is no bad thing.
We really need a 'MEH Merlin' thread, for the all Merlin news which isn't quite WTF, but not quite YAY.
caffeine_demon
Strata Poster
The "gold pass" now excludes bank holidays, the whole easter weekend, halloween and "bonfire" weekends..
Will
Strata Poster
UGH, I hadn't spotted that - I'm now proportionately less interested.
The main appeal of the pass to me is 'Alton whenever I feel like it' and the parking charges quickly mount up...
From a Will-centric point of view, I think I have an Alton pass until mid-October and there's nothing down South to interest me until then anyway.
I've also just caught myself making sarcy comments on their Facebook page, like a dick. Time to go out for a walk...
JoshC.
Strata Poster
Alton Towers had their first 'full' open day of the year today; a John Lewis buyout (which happens yearly). The ride available is....not great:
9 rides closed all day, including some major rides, plus the more usual first day issues.
The park have said the reason for these rides being closed is because of delays to winter maintenance due to the recent storms. But they have only mentioned this to today's visitors...today.
It's fair enough that some rides are delayed because of issues out of their control. But not telling people in advance, especially when they know the rides won't be ready, is pretty poor. Being a buyout, I imagine that organisers from John Lewis aren't particularly happy, nor will visitors, who are still paying for the day (at a reduced rate).
9 rides closed all day, including some major rides, plus the more usual first day issues.
The park have said the reason for these rides being closed is because of delays to winter maintenance due to the recent storms. But they have only mentioned this to today's visitors...today.
It's fair enough that some rides are delayed because of issues out of their control. But not telling people in advance, especially when they know the rides won't be ready, is pretty poor. Being a buyout, I imagine that organisers from John Lewis aren't particularly happy, nor will visitors, who are still paying for the day (at a reduced rate).
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Archie
Mega Poster
Not without a lot of breakdowns though, and also i know what happened to the smiler last year, basically the entire computer system on it corrupted and has had to be replacedNemesis IS open though!!!
Always a silver lining
Gardaland, indagati due dirigenti: ipotesi di fatture false e corruzione
Verona, direttore generale e direttore tecnico nel mirino dei Finanzieri dopo le denunce di alcune ditte. Il parco divertimenti danneggiato: collaboriamo con le autorità
It's not properly a "WTF merlin" but two gardaland's manager are under investigation for fake or inflated bills. Perhaps this fact will explain a lot of things about gardaland's bad situation, specially in events like Halloween.
ScottLann
Mega Poster
New Retrosquad flat ride for Alton Towers announced....Spinjam (for those who couldn't make it out the **** logo 
)
Rumour has it that it will be a Wilmot's Air Raid attraction. Personally, I think this is a step-up from Mixtape but I still find it frustrating that they seem to be sticking with these temporary fair ground rides rather than getting a permanent flat ride that fits the area they're in!
www.instagram.com
)Rumour has it that it will be a Wilmot's Air Raid attraction. Personally, I think this is a step-up from Mixtape but I still find it frustrating that they seem to be sticking with these temporary fair ground rides rather than getting a permanent flat ride that fits the area they're in!
Alton Towers Resort (Official) on Instagram: "Coming soon…who’s ready for a new totally rad ride? Cowabunga!"
5,387 likes, 131 comments - altontowers on March 17, 2022: "Coming soon…who’s ready for a new totally rad ride? Cowabunga!".
www.instagram.com
Will
Strata Poster
I hear what everyone's saying, but with the progress at Chessington and Thorpe, it's clearly not Alton's turn at present.
I actually enjoy riding 'Funk 'n' Fly' (though I don't care for the name) more than I have any Towers flat since the days of Energizer and Dynamo (used to love Ripsaw but not got the stomach I used to) so I'm happy to see them back I'll give the 'new' one a go, but looks a bit much for me.
Ok, so it's a bodge, but they're a bit of fun and takes some of the crowds away from the coasters
I actually enjoy riding 'Funk 'n' Fly' (though I don't care for the name) more than I have any Towers flat since the days of Energizer and Dynamo (used to love Ripsaw but not got the stomach I used to) so I'm happy to see them back
I'll give the 'new' one a go, but looks a bit much for me.Ok, so it's a bodge, but they're a bit of fun and takes some of the crowds away from the coasters
SilverArrow
Certified Ride Geek
Hope they don't run it at the speed and duration of the Southport one. I convinced everyone to ride it and the cycle was way too long! I felt a bit guilty after! Some of the fair ones look even worse. They do look quite jazzy though. Mixtape was a bit ugly.
Some of the fair ones look even worse. They do look quite jazzy though. Mixtape was a bit ugly.
pvnks
Mega Poster
Flat rides are for funfairs.
