What is Alton Towers Missing?
April 24, 2008 – 1:55 pm
Posted by lee
Alton Towers, often seen as being the best theme park in the UK has everything from world class coasters and top quality family rides to attractions for even the youngest of children. They also boast hotels, a waterpark and even a spa. Is Alton Towers actually missing anything?
The main problem for Alton, is that when high expectations are met, those expectations become higher, therefore harder to achieve. So what can the park do next to keep it up there as the best in the UK?
The first, most obvious thing missing from Alton Towers is a range of flat rides for thrill seekers. They have Ripsaw, Enterprise and Submission and that’s pretty much where it ends. Three thrill rides is nowhere near enough for a park the size of Alton, even if they do have more than double that number in coasters.
First on my list of thrill rides that I think the park needs is a drop tower. Whether it be S&S like Cliffhanger at Flamingo Land or Intamin like Apocolypse at Drayton Manor, I don’t mind. They are both fantastic rides. With planning restrictions being so tight though, the ride would more than likely need to be half underground. Alton have done this before though (Nemesis) so we know it is possible. Imagine being dropped into a dark pit and not knowing when you are going to stop, if at all. One to replace Blade in Forbidden Valley I think.
The next thrill ride to be added to the park should be a Gyro Swing. These rides are not for the faint-hearted and give a massive thrill, even to the bravest riders. I could see this ride fitting perfectly into the new Mutiny Bay area, themed as a giant trebuchet. (catapult)
Another flat ride I would like to see at Alton is a screaming swing like Rush at Thorpe Park. Although not as thrilling as the gyro swing, it still offers a different experience that is fun and also suitable for the less brave thrill seekers.
Moving on from flat rides, something else I feel Alton Towers lacks is entertainment. Although this is improving, I still feel some sort of spectacular show is needed to push on further. Stunt shows are always fun and would be something I’m sure everyone would want to see at some point. A high budget pirate stunt show for Mutiny Bay would be just fine, although maybe something even bigger could be achieved with a little imagination. A war in Forbidden Valley, an Alien Attack in X-Sector maybe. Any high budget show would work wonders at Alton Towers.
Everyone has different opinions about what would improve the park. What else do you feel the park is missing?
2 Responses to “What is Alton Towers Missing?”
By Nathan Lawson on Apr 24, 2008
Chances of seeing any of those thrill rides is pretty low.
Merlin have identified Alton Towers as a family park and are looking at consolidating that in the next few years. More families in the park means higher demand for the hotel.
I do think that a new show is in the pipeline, they’ve already brought in Pirates of Mutiny Bay this year and you just need to look at other Merlin attractions to see how serioust they take live entertainment.
By Lewis Quick on Apr 24, 2008
Although the park is defiantly looking more towards the family market atm, they should defiantly be looking to install a new flat thrill ride soon, hopefully next year, otherwise the park will have gone 4 years without a trill attraction. I don’t think that any of the rides listed would be possible tbh, and I’m not even sure I would want to see them, as they are a bit common.
Apparently the ice show is coming back next year, so that would be good for the entertainment side.