There are two ways of looking at this. First up, if the only people who seem to agree with the fact PBB is doing a good job are people who are self confessed fan of the park - then perhaps the 95% of other people are onto the right track? Maybe being too close had blinded you a little?
Maybe, but since were only speaking about the UK population of coaster ‘enthusiasts’ who are mostly a rather strange bunch I don’t think we have much to worry about. I often earwig on the conversations of the public (who make up the vast majority of any parks custom) and they seem on the whole VERY happy with PBB this year. I do know that by the summer season attendance was down, guest satisfaction was up massively, as were the takings. Seems all good to me. Given that the parks closing time was extended many times during the summer and illumination period I’d suggest that trend continued.
Furie, you are indeed correct PBB were, and still are the leading amusement park in the country. In 2000 they came up against a problem of space or should I say lack of it, and in 2004 shortly after GT’s sad death, the banks closed in on AjT to get back some of the debt GT had passed on. Sure he knew how to fill the park with rides and guests alike, but he wasn’t quite so good at balancing the books.
This will explain why the Bean St area was cleared after the fire and left for a few years, and also why so many staff cuts were made 2005-2006, why the cheaper option was made for a new ride in 2007, and why a handful of rides were left out of the 2009 line up, not to mention complete axing of the shows.
However, things are now getting in order, and people who look can and do see that. The fact that the RollerCoaster has had a lot of work done to the turnaround and final corner leading to the brakes suggests its SBNO days are long gone. The ride ran daily since the Big Dipper crashed, now if the park were so short of cash would it not be cheaper and easier to just run the RollerCoaster and moth-ball the Big Dipper? Of course it would, but straight after the OK had been given, repairs were being carried out to the ride.
The solution? Well, to be honest, if your pockets aren't deep enough to keep your business expanding - you need to get somebody else in with deeper pockets. It's all well and good fighting tooth and claw to keep the business privately owned, but you shouldn't do it if it means ripping apart that thing and losing it.
In 2006-2007 I was saying the same myself, but things are going the right way now, and if 2010 is as good as 2009 was I’ll be very confident about the future of the park.
Anyway, I hope (Furie) that I have above answered your first post without seeming too much of an arse!
Moving on, Ollie, you suggest AjT has done nothing to improve the park? Have you not visited since 2004?
The new entrance for a start, 2 fast moving lines with up to 30 staff serving rather than 8-10 slow lines with 1 person serving each line.
Does the Derby Racer re-vamp not count for anything towards improving the look and feel of the park? Take a look at the Big Dipper station on your next visit; you’ll see a complete make over for this classic ride. The Grand National station has been re-built (with a temperamental braking system granted) but the ride itself looked like new in 2005.
Did the Trauma Tizer fetch itself over from Southport?
However about the re-paint and new lights the Revolution got in 2006 (needs doing again now!)
New Adventure Golf, or a scratty golf course complete with potholes and a tatty mess of a course?
New effects/smartening up in Valhalla, Ghost Train, Impossible not count towards anything?
What about the complete re-furbishment of the River Caves and SteepleChase for this year?
New train for RollerCoaster.
Complete overhaul of the Wild Mouse.
New fountain area and all the restaurant/bar area. It may be not everyone’s idea of fun, I’ll admit 12 month ago I was far from happy, however I’ve seen it, and I enjoy it and on most visits I stop in and have a drink there.
Rides have indeed closed, but I wont go into that again, I covered that above. You suggest you have issues with maintenance, and indeed go as far as to compare it to excrement, this is something I have seen no evidence of what so ever. Every park has breakdowns, and I can’t say PBB has more than its fair share. If that’s an attack at the Big Dipper I don’t think once crash since 1923 is such a bad thing, find me a rail network or an airline with such an outstanding record.
You say the park is dirty? It looked a lot more run down during the 80’s-90’s than it does now I can assure you of that!
I don’t see how Amanda can be blamed for spoiling SPL either; why not suggest the demise of Frontierland was her evil doings also?
Again, I’m not trying to appear argumentative, I just don’t get where you’re getting this thoughts and suggestions.
I’ve skim-read most of the posts in this topic that seem relevant and the next one I’d like to answer is Emmett’s. You say PBB has a lot of accidents? Again, I don’t think it’s a bad safety record when looking at the big picture, but that’s just my opinion. You seem to oppose the entry charge, why is this? Can you just walk into Blackpool Tower as and when you feel like it, or indeed the Sea-Life centre? Just call in at Thorpe for a cuppa and a sticky bun, see how much they charge. I don’t think £5 for those not wanting to ride is a bad deal at all at the side of other attractions.
False Advertising? If this is the announcement in the PMBO station, I wish someone instead of moaning on internet forums about it would report it to watchdog then they would be made to switch it off. Not only am I sick of hearing it but I’m fast becoming sicker of reading people continually moan about it year in year out.
I think that’s covered all the points, however if anyone feels I’ve been OTT (or an out and out ****er) in this post do feel free to say so, but I have tried to be civil!
Ash
