I think the issue IS that's it's a cheap (cheep) bit of crap...
Like, there was nothing really wrong with them putting in a Dodgems and 4D Cinema and theming them to Amity Cove... But because of Varney's obsession with every ride must have an Unique Selling Point, we've had the Birds chucked on because it's a well-known USP and requires minimal effort for maximum reward...
Another reason would be that Thorpe, after years of pushing the Thrill Market and realising recently that it's not lucrative enough (being I think the 2nd worst if not THE worst performing Merlin park in line with Gardaland), then a quick fix was required... So as a further result it will feel rather tacked in and lacking any form of lifespan as it has not only had it's hey-day, but certainly isn't particularly timeless (i.e. Thomasland)...
It's not quite the same way as DIC Tussauds' method of being cheap for max income, but considering that area is (as mentioned) turning into Balamory (including literally painting over the old cannon hit wall of the arcade), rather than having any form of actual effort put into it (Detonator's new entrance posts are utterly bland and generic, I doubt they'll be improved much)... There is some validity to it...
They can have easily spent the money making the entrance half decent... Or making Storm Surge not ****... Or removing the Beach and making the entrance to the park nicer... Lots of options that weren't taken presumably because the feeling is that it won't make money...