Nic
Strata Poster
^Its still being advertised as a "passholder perk"
http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/new-p ... lance.aspx
http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/new-p ... lance.aspx
Should parks stagger opening & ride opening times?
- Thread starter Ian
- Start date
Shows how often I've made an effort this year to get there before opening then :lol:
[Edit]
It'll be the Feb thing I was thinking of then... Or I read about the uproar on Facebook and all the people complaining about removing the ERT in Feb half term and assumed it was such a huge deal that it must have meant the end of the world or something :roll: OUTRAGE!!!!
[Edit]
It'll be the Feb thing I was thinking of then... Or I read about the uproar on Facebook and all the people complaining about removing the ERT in Feb half term and assumed it was such a huge deal that it must have meant the end of the world or something :roll: OUTRAGE!!!!
Martyn B
CF Legend
The Sky ride closing is a big deal for me, but only the route from Dark Forest to Forbidden Valley. With it closed, it does ruin my day.
And I'm all for the smaller parks doing stuff like this, but I just done think there's any need for the big popular parks to do it, including Alton.
And I'm all for the smaller parks doing stuff like this, but I just done think there's any need for the big popular parks to do it, including Alton.
Jake
Strata Poster
I actually think opening the park before the rides is quite a good idea. If they say 'rides open at 10' on their website, but start letting people in at 9, it moves a big crowd of people (those who arrive early) away from the entrance/queue, so there isn't as much congestion at 10 when the rides open, and the other surge of people turns up... But, it should be advertised as 'Opens at 10 (but actually opening the gates at 9)' rather than 'Opens at 9!!!! (but rides don't open till 10)'...
Staggering the opening times by ride doesn't bother me either, as long as there's some sort of logic to it. Say, do it by area (for example, if Alton were to open the whole of Forbidden Valley at 11, it would only really spite the very few people who run to the back of the park first... everyone else will wander over and get there after that time anyway). I've seen quite a few parks which only open water rides from like 12-4, which again isn't a huge issue as they cost a lot to run, and most people only do them once (and generally not first thing in the morning anyway).
I have seen some RIDICULOUS ones though. The woodie at Happy Valley Shanghai was only open 1-4 (with a sign telling you, so you COULD plan around it, but without much room for error seeing as it had a 2 hour queue). Oh, and everything had closed by 5pm, but one of their dark rides randomly OPENED at 7pm. Eugh.
Staggering the opening times by ride doesn't bother me either, as long as there's some sort of logic to it. Say, do it by area (for example, if Alton were to open the whole of Forbidden Valley at 11, it would only really spite the very few people who run to the back of the park first... everyone else will wander over and get there after that time anyway). I've seen quite a few parks which only open water rides from like 12-4, which again isn't a huge issue as they cost a lot to run, and most people only do them once (and generally not first thing in the morning anyway).
I have seen some RIDICULOUS ones though. The woodie at Happy Valley Shanghai was only open 1-4 (with a sign telling you, so you COULD plan around it, but without much room for error seeing as it had a 2 hour queue). Oh, and everything had closed by 5pm, but one of their dark rides randomly OPENED at 7pm. Eugh.
metalhead7
Mega Poster
I think staggering is ok, but they should post somthing at the front of the park saying when each major roller coaster or thrill ride opened. A few years back at Six Flags America my group decided to get a jump on the lines by starting at the back of the park and then working our way to the front. Sadly all of the rides in the back were closed for at least an hour, and we ended up getting stuck with the rest of the crowd in the front of the park.
Gangster4Life
Mega Poster
I remember once our course at college went to PBB with another course, and PBB told us to get there for 12:00pm. They didn't open the park 'till 14:30. The good part is you could see the PMBO and Ice Blast testing.
CoasterfanSWE
Roller Poster
Liseberg has done this for the mountain-based rides as long as I can remember, and it has never had much of an impact on me. All three rollercoasters are open from start and since those usually get more crowded throughout the day (except Lisebergsbanan) than the rides on there, it's almost to prefer.
Also it gives the ability to firstly focus on the rides in the valley and then aim for the rides on the mountain til they open, before they become crowded as well. Rather neat.
Also it gives the ability to firstly focus on the rides in the valley and then aim for the rides on the mountain til they open, before they become crowded as well. Rather neat.
Scott88
Hyper Poster
I can't stand it, it is very annoying to be honest and my problem with this lies with BPB more than any other park. Their staggered opening is very annoying and it's something we've been debating over on PBE for a long time now, why do they do it? What purpose does it serve other than to anger customers?
I find it annoying at any park to be honest, but PB and DMP have done it for a while so I can't really slag off any other park for introducting such a policy to their park.
I find it annoying at any park to be honest, but PB and DMP have done it for a while so I can't really slag off any other park for introducting such a policy to their park.
PA were the WORST for it, they didn't open anything but Khan and Baco for at least an hour, which caused them to be HEAVING, a horrid queue/rush thing for Shambhala and ooooohhh, it was the worst.
I don't mind not opening one or two rides, but, when it's the one or two rides that ARE open, it takes the mick.
I don't mind not opening one or two rides, but, when it's the one or two rides that ARE open, it takes the mick.
Rob
Mega Poster
Apologies for digging this up, but I have mixed opinions here, based on the park in question.
My view would be this all comes down to good management.
As the topic is based around Alton Towers, and Ben just mentioned PA, I'll look at these two in comparison. So, based on summer openings:
Alton Towers
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (9am with ERT) - 8 (9) hours
Major Rides: 10 (Based on a rounded figure for what I typically want to go on)
Average Queue Time: 30 minutes (Based on 10 years+ of visiting)
Entry Price: £23 - £46
PortAventura
Opening Hours: 10am - 12pm - 14 hours
Major Rides: 10
Average Queue Time: 20 minutes
Entry Price: £20 - £35
In Alton Towers' case, staggered openings are not acceptable. You have 8 hours to get a lot of rides, a lot of walking and lot of queueing (including for food) in. You also pay a very high price for the pleasure, and to get any real value for money, you have no time to twiddle your thumbs. It's a busy busy day and with such restrictive opening hours your rushed.
In the case of PortAventura, with a copious 14 hours to get everything done, it's not really a major problem if the first hour is more relaxed. The price tag is lower, there is plenty to do otherwise, and you will still /easily/ get every ride you want to experience done. Value for money is easy to achieve, and the long hours of operation; almost double that of Alton Towers, means you really can afford to relax a little and take your time.
Basically, to me, it's all about the park helping you to make the most of your day. Alton Towers, and many of the Merlin parks, don't help you achieve that, without demanding a high price for such pleasure.
My view would be this all comes down to good management.
As the topic is based around Alton Towers, and Ben just mentioned PA, I'll look at these two in comparison. So, based on summer openings:
Alton Towers
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (9am with ERT) - 8 (9) hours
Major Rides: 10 (Based on a rounded figure for what I typically want to go on)
Average Queue Time: 30 minutes (Based on 10 years+ of visiting)
Entry Price: £23 - £46
PortAventura
Opening Hours: 10am - 12pm - 14 hours
Major Rides: 10
Average Queue Time: 20 minutes
Entry Price: £20 - £35
In Alton Towers' case, staggered openings are not acceptable. You have 8 hours to get a lot of rides, a lot of walking and lot of queueing (including for food) in. You also pay a very high price for the pleasure, and to get any real value for money, you have no time to twiddle your thumbs. It's a busy busy day and with such restrictive opening hours your rushed.
In the case of PortAventura, with a copious 14 hours to get everything done, it's not really a major problem if the first hour is more relaxed. The price tag is lower, there is plenty to do otherwise, and you will still /easily/ get every ride you want to experience done. Value for money is easy to achieve, and the long hours of operation; almost double that of Alton Towers, means you really can afford to relax a little and take your time.
Basically, to me, it's all about the park helping you to make the most of your day. Alton Towers, and many of the Merlin parks, don't help you achieve that, without demanding a high price for such pleasure.
Mark
Strata Poster
I would prefer to be able to just get on and ride as soon as I get in the park tbh. When you've paid a wodge of cash I expect to get my moneys worth etc.
I agree with the whole point about parks opening rides a little later that are further from the entrance though. - That clearly can't be used as an arguement at a park like Thorpe though!
I kinda see both sides tbh. I mean, I was really hacked off at Seaworld (Florida) in 2010, because they were blatantly staggering the opening times of the coasters but also blatantly lying about why they were doing it. Saying it was too cold to operate the coaster was a feeble excuse, especially when we have one of them in this country which never seems to have that problem. Besides which, it may have been cold by American standards but we are used to far worse. What really drove home the complete balls of the weather excuse was the fact the rides then opened at very specific times. All morning they kept saying 'don't know when - it will be when it warms up' then miraculously at 11.30 one opened followed by the other at 12.30. I didn't realise the weather was so well timed. The other reason I was so peeved about it was because we were only planning on staying at the park to get the coasters done. Unfortunately, we are not the hugest fans of Seaworld these days (I could fill a whole other topic) and we didn't want to stick around! The fact the coasters were open later only kept us there longer. Perhaps that is what they wanted to do... With gate numbers clearly lower because of the weather they needed to fill the park more in order to warrant opening the coasters perhaps?
I remember years ago, watching a fly-on-the-wall show about Blackpool and Geoffrey Thompson declaring that his attitude was if they have an attraction, it opens. Otherwise, what is the point having it. He felt that the park should be fully open (clearly things would breakdown though, but thats a little out of their control) to give visitors the best experience possible. Oh how times have changed.
I agree with the whole point about parks opening rides a little later that are further from the entrance though. - That clearly can't be used as an arguement at a park like Thorpe though!
I kinda see both sides tbh. I mean, I was really hacked off at Seaworld (Florida) in 2010, because they were blatantly staggering the opening times of the coasters but also blatantly lying about why they were doing it. Saying it was too cold to operate the coaster was a feeble excuse, especially when we have one of them in this country which never seems to have that problem. Besides which, it may have been cold by American standards but we are used to far worse. What really drove home the complete balls of the weather excuse was the fact the rides then opened at very specific times. All morning they kept saying 'don't know when - it will be when it warms up' then miraculously at 11.30 one opened followed by the other at 12.30. I didn't realise the weather was so well timed. The other reason I was so peeved about it was because we were only planning on staying at the park to get the coasters done. Unfortunately, we are not the hugest fans of Seaworld these days (I could fill a whole other topic) and we didn't want to stick around! The fact the coasters were open later only kept us there longer. Perhaps that is what they wanted to do... With gate numbers clearly lower because of the weather they needed to fill the park more in order to warrant opening the coasters perhaps?
I remember years ago, watching a fly-on-the-wall show about Blackpool and Geoffrey Thompson declaring that his attitude was if they have an attraction, it opens. Otherwise, what is the point having it. He felt that the park should be fully open (clearly things would breakdown though, but thats a little out of their control) to give visitors the best experience possible. Oh how times have changed.
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
In an interesting turn of events, Thorpe and Chessie have been (if rides are available) opening 30 minutes before park opening this year...
Don't think this was mentioned on here, so thought I would in this topic as it's the opposite situation really...
Don't think this was mentioned on here, so thought I would in this topic as it's the opposite situation really...
Mark
Strata Poster
Really? Very odd. Is that just for AP holders or anything?
Oh yeah, just remembered I was going to comment about the park opening thing with regards to Disney Parks. I was always under the impression that they allow people into the park up to the main hub before the park opens in order to relieve the sheer volume of people waiting at the ticket forecourts and plus, like AJ said, it means they start buying their souvenirs early because there is little else to do. Besides, who wants to buy their mouse ears at the end of the day? Its normally the first thing I do as soon as I get in the park - get some Stitch ears and away I go...
Oh yeah, just remembered I was going to comment about the park opening thing with regards to Disney Parks. I was always under the impression that they allow people into the park up to the main hub before the park opens in order to relieve the sheer volume of people waiting at the ticket forecourts and plus, like AJ said, it means they start buying their souvenirs early because there is little else to do. Besides, who wants to buy their mouse ears at the end of the day? Its normally the first thing I do as soon as I get in the park - get some Stitch ears and away I go...
ATTACKHAMMER
Strata Poster
I've noticed this and it's for everyone not just AP holders.Nemesis Inferno said:
rich210uk
Mega Poster
Not a great fan of the idea, if you’re paying for a ticket which gets you in a theme park between certain times you wouldn’t expect some of you favourite rides to be closed. I just don’t think any park in the UK can get away with it, the parks are not open long enough.
I can understand parks like SF Magic Mountain or Disney Parks where there are plenty of rides or things to do and longer opening times. I do however only agree (sort of) with staggered opening times at the start of the day, once open it should stay open until the end of the day!
I can understand parks like SF Magic Mountain or Disney Parks where there are plenty of rides or things to do and longer opening times. I do however only agree (sort of) with staggered opening times at the start of the day, once open it should stay open until the end of the day!
Mysterious Sue
Strata Poster
I'd much rather have staggered opening than staggered closing times. There's nothing worse than going back for a re-ride to find the ride has closed an hour before the rest of the park.
In a perfect world, everything would be open all day long. In the real world however, one of the largest costs for parks is staffing, and if an hour later opening for half the park saves them money to spend on a new cred, I'll be happy with that.
In a perfect world, everything would be open all day long. In the real world however, one of the largest costs for parks is staffing, and if an hour later opening for half the park saves them money to spend on a new cred, I'll be happy with that.