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WTF Merlin?

I'd rather see Rita get removed from Towers outright than have Zamperla do a ThunderVolt on it. In my books, Rita's gut punch hydraulic launch is what makes it unique enough to keep around - if you remove that for a standard LSM launch, you just end up with a really middling standard LSM coaster.

I may be hallucinating, but wasn't there something about magnetic fields in Dark Forest that stops Towers from building certain types of attractions there? Vaguely recall hearing that some time ago when I was far more of a Towers fanatic than I am nowadays.
 
Please no, Zamperla has impressively proven that they’re not capable of doing anything on a large scale. If TT2 proves one thing, then that Zamperla is the wrong company to go with.
Intamin should be able to handle it (technically, even with ease as the cars do have 2 rows of magnets). But even though they could be retrofitted, I prefer to have a few around. LSMs can be powerful (the kick on Gotham City Escape is insane), but they do not produce the power as long as hydraulics can.
 
I’ll admit I’m surprised by the continual wishes for Rita to be removed. Enthusiasts get very excited about the possibility of it being removed, but I do think the day it leaves Towers will be a sad one.

While it’s not my favourite coaster on park by any means, I do really like the thing! The launch is amazing, and I also love some of the airtime you get on there too!

There’s also no punch out there quite like that of a hydraulic launch! LSMs just don’t have the same punch, and I’m greatly saddened by the hydraulic launch coaster decline we’re seemingly seeing. As much as I prefer an LSM coaster like Icon as an overall ride to Rita, its launches are just not the same, and the day Rita and/or Stealth leave the UK industry will be a very sad one for me.
 
Rita is nothing Special, but it is fast and intense. Especially the intensity is something newer rides lack a bit, they are just a bit more toned down compared to the older ones.
But with us talking about Merlin, my bet is it being replaced with a Revonchon spinning wild mouse.
 
Rita is fine. It's impressive enough off-ride, and the ride experience is fine, but for me it doesn't suit Alton's vibe at all. It doesn't feel remotely 'unique' to the landscape (which is contrary to all the othe big coasters at Alton), and had always felt a bit "plonked" to me.

I know we'd all love the cross-valley cred, but let's realistically forget that, but one of these fancy new Vekomas mincing off into the woods near Thirteen and around that plaza - oh yeah, that'd work just perfectly.

Desert Race is, to me, the better application of this model - just plop it on flat ground and let it do it's thing as a solid filler attraction. It's by no means the flagship ride in it's area.

I suppose there's a hierarchy:
1) Add a new Vekoma to the area, intertwined with Rita and Thirteen.
2) Replace Rita with a new Vekoma, intertwined with Thirteen.
3) Zampera-ify Rita.
4) Leave Rita there becoming increasingly more unreliable.
5) Rip Rita out.

#1 and #2 would be the best, however I'd take #3 over #4. Then again, this is Merlin, so I suppose #4 or #5 should be my expectation.
 
Personally I'd hate to see a new Vekoma at Alton. 80% of the new gen Vekomas I've ridden I've found very sickly and un-re-ridable (Na Fianna Force and Fønix being the exceptions) But even when they're good, a new-gen Vekoma is, at best, going to be an 8/10 ride. Alton Towers does not need anymore 8 out of 10 rides! It needs a real modern, cutting edge, 10/10 showstopper of a coaster.

Realistically it probably would never happen, but I'd love to see Rita replaced with a low-to-the-ground launched SnS Axis coaster. This would maintain that punchy launch sensation of Rita, whilst adding dynamic new sensations to Altons ride line up.
 
Peet said:
Merlin have given up operating the Blackpool Tower, the Dungeon, Peter Rabbit and Madame Tussauds.

No mention of SeaLife, surprisingly.
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Seems more a case of Blackpool taking it back from Merlin, rather than being given up. I'd love to know what happened here - those attractions are in a much better state than when Merlin inherited them and I'm not really confident Blackpool Council will do as good a job running them.
 
Robbie said:
Seems more a case of Blackpool taking it back from Merlin, rather than being given up. I'd love to know what happened here - those attractions are in a much better state than when Merlin inherited them and I'm not really confident Blackpool Council will do as good a job running them.
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I'd imagine the council would TUPE most of the existing management, and you'd hope they'd have been in constant contact with Merlin to learn as much as they can about how to run them effectively.

Well, you'd hope they did
 
Dar said:
I'd imagine the council would TUPE most of the existing management, and you'd hope they'd have been in constant contact with Merlin to learn as much as they can about how to run them effectively.

Well, you'd hope they did
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Yeah, you’d imagine so…. it’s just this is Blackpool Council we’re talking about!
 
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Reactions: Dar
Peet said:
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Council takes over operation of Tower, Tussauds, dungeons and more from Merlin

Blackpool Council will take over the running of the resort’s famous Tower and other popular attractions from Merlin Entertainment.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Merlin have given up operating the Blackpool Tower, the Dungeon, Peter Rabbit and Madame Tussauds.

No mention of SeaLife, surprisingly.

View attachment 37968
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Wasn't there talk of the Sealife chain being sold off? I presume that's why that hasn't been handed over to the council to run.
 
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A Merlin Regional Director is now Director at the new Ltd. So looks like some operations etc. will continue at the Tower. Interesting that Tussauds and Dungeons are the first franchises. Could Merlin spin the others off as a franchise also.
 
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