Far too lenient in this one Adam! 😂 I think what people are surprised about is there’s seemingly no immediate plans to replace them, from a multimillion pound company, at what is/was the UK’s number one theme park! All these closures as you say, would have been foreseen Each year there’s less to do! Especially for that family 1.2m bracket , who have outgrown CBeebies and not tall enough for the big coasters. On top of that, the ride availability! Which is objectively one of the worst in a major theme park. The downtime this year !! 😮 If we condone everything the park does and keep visiting the same amount, standards will just keep plummeting in my opinion I think they’re right to receive backlash! But I appreciate the problems are at a corporate level rather than the park itself
If they can sort ride availbility next year, with Hex, Sky Ride fully open people will over see these removals it does seem that as a big if mind you lol. Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with you they need more flat rides and maybe even a new pirates ship would be great. However, given the mass work they did on Blade last year, i'm not sure this was planned and if that is the case, heading out and just buying a park model flat to install in a few months isn't an option. And we don't really want fair rides back! It might spark a bigger plan quicker, given it seems a Huss deal has been made we could get a couple of new flats if this is a forced change in 2026. Merlin have put themselves in this position with both Towers and Chessington, lets hope they commit to get them out of it.
I'm more just sad about Blade as was always just a nice ride to do and it has the history as the park's oldest ride. Plus this completes the decade long killing each area's OG flats with Submission, Ripsaw Twirling Toadstool & Enterprise
As long as the Ride Availability is sorted out for this year, Blade, Flávio’s and The Dungeons shouldn’t feel that much like a loss, hopefully, we get Toyland Tours coming back, and if we’re lucky, something in the Blade Pit. I would rather AT focus on Ride Availability, And Maintenance this year than another new ride in the summer
The fandango twister and the dungeons can go for all I care, but getting rid of the Blade is a sad and worrying decision. Now the park will be down to one flat ride. Hopefully Alton Towers just ask Huss to make them a new pirate ship so it can fill the gap.
I'm with you on this one. I for one rarely rode the Blade or Flavios so won't miss them. And the Dungeons I probably only did 3 or 4 times, so again it won't be missed by me. I think you're right, these 3 rides together are very expensive but add very little to capacity of the park therefore taking them out will save thousands and shouldn't affect capacity all that much for most of the season. Looking ahead, I wonder if Flavios going - and perhaps the Dungeon closing as well - could be connected to Project Horizon? It could be all part of the plan to start PH, or of course just a happy coincidence. Merlin Magic Making I believe are closing their workshops which are very near to the PH site, Flavios was right in the planned area and who knows if they have plans for the Dungeon building as part of the area refresh - could we see work starting on PH next year I wonder?
I wont miss blade but it's shame there will be a huge gap in Forbidden Valley for a long time as it's very unlikely they will replace it as it would be further investment into that area when other sections need it more. If the rumours are true of a Galactica retheme as well it would be a lot of focus on one area when you've got places like Dark Forest and X Sector screaming out for a flat ride. I'm sure within the next few years we will see new flats across the park, they seem to be heading in the right direction generally, we haven't seen this level of investment at Alton Towers for a long time, it's just a slow process and as enthusiasts we want it all and we want it now!
So Blade has been the oldest ride at the park since corkscrew closed in 2008. It held that title for sixteen years approx. With it's closure Congo river rapids is now the oldest ride in the park. I do not think the rapids will hold that title for the next 16 years. If it lasts another ten I will be pleasantly surprised. I suspect in my lifetime no ride will match Blades record. So bye blade. I for one thought your post apoc/Edgar Allen Poe theming was very cool.
I think my child will miss Blade and Flavio's, he's the age where he can get on the likes of Thirteen, but not Nemesis. Theres a lack of rides that are good for kids between 1.2 and 1.4m.
how much milage is there in a swinging boat ride? the only thing they could have done was put a 360 boat in its place, but probably can't due to the tree size. an upsidedown boat ride would hae been good. sorry don't know the right names for these sort of swing rides.
Typical AT Policy, keeping a ride as long as possible until they are forced to close it,the corkscrew and log flume eventually disappeared for good,at last.the rapids is getting tired and wearing,see what I mean,if it still working it stays! Change the boats,it's good for another 30years.once apon a time the car park was free,now we got to pay,that's progress for yah.
Disgusted at the management for doing this. Why not wait until they have a replacement for Blade? This is nothing short of running the park into the ground on a bare minimum. The place needs new blood in charge.
But if the Blade closure is a decision that has been made recently due to perhaps H&S/mechanical reasons that have just come to light in the last few weeks and they had every intention of opening it next year, then there will be no plan in place (or if there is, it is very, very early days). Better to be honest, say its not returning at the earliest available opportunity and remove it rather than leave it SBNO next season until they do have a firm replacement plan in place. We all think that the new Top Spin and the probable retheme of Galactica is the end of the Forbidden Valley refresh, but perhaps the removal of the Blade has always been part of it too?
They might just get a new pirate ship from Huss since they’ve just collaborated for the new top spin. It would make more sense to silently replace it with essentially the same thing rather than leaving the space empty.
@@stevebrown1974 I wouldn't hold your breath. This is clear cost cutting, nothing more. Huss rides are built like tanks. I highly doubt there is anything wrong with the machine to remove it. It is a case of one in one out to curb spending.
It's always looked like (what it is) a stripped down pirate ship. Tired, old, but not classic enough to save IMHO. Hopefully some else will replace it and not just spinny mcspin face or whatever it's gonna be called
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
Far too lenient in this one Adam! 😂 I think what people are surprised about is there’s seemingly no immediate plans to replace them, from a multimillion pound company, at what is/was the UK’s number one theme park! All these closures as you say, would have been foreseen
Each year there’s less to do! Especially for that family 1.2m bracket , who have outgrown CBeebies and not tall enough for the big coasters.
On top of that, the ride availability! Which is objectively one of the worst in a major theme park. The downtime this year !! 😮
If we condone everything the park does and keep visiting the same amount, standards will just keep plummeting in my opinion
I think they’re right to receive backlash! But I appreciate the problems are at a corporate level rather than the park itself
If they can sort ride availbility next year, with Hex, Sky Ride fully open people will over see these removals it does seem that as a big if mind you lol.
Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with you they need more flat rides and maybe even a new pirates ship would be great. However, given the mass work they did on Blade last year, i'm not sure this was planned and if that is the case, heading out and just buying a park model flat to install in a few months isn't an option. And we don't really want fair rides back!
It might spark a bigger plan quicker, given it seems a Huss deal has been made we could get a couple of new flats if this is a forced change in 2026. Merlin have put themselves in this position with both Towers and Chessington, lets hope they commit to get them out of it.
I’ve not surprised but I do hope they surprise us and do something with the dungeons/boat ride .
Blade will hold a special place in my heart 😭
I really loved the blade I can't wait to see the new changes there
Good job I rode Blade for the only time when I last went to the towers then.
I’ve only been on it twice, and I didn’t think I’d have to cherish those memories. My brother only went on it once.
I enjoyed the ride 😊😁😊
I'm more just sad about Blade as was always just a nice ride to do and it has the history as the park's oldest ride. Plus this completes the decade long killing each area's OG flats with Submission, Ripsaw Twirling Toadstool & Enterprise
It's not come at a good time for them
As long as the Ride Availability is sorted out for this year, Blade, Flávio’s and The Dungeons shouldn’t feel that much like a loss,
hopefully, we get Toyland Tours coming back, and if we’re lucky, something in the Blade Pit.
I would rather AT focus on Ride Availability, And Maintenance this year than another new ride in the summer
The fandango twister and the dungeons can go for all I care, but getting rid of the Blade is a sad and worrying decision. Now the park will be down to one flat ride. Hopefully Alton Towers just ask Huss to make them a new pirate ship so it can fill the gap.
I'm with you on this one. I for one rarely rode the Blade or Flavios so won't miss them. And the Dungeons I probably only did 3 or 4 times, so again it won't be missed by me. I think you're right, these 3 rides together are very expensive but add very little to capacity of the park therefore taking them out will save thousands and shouldn't affect capacity all that much for most of the season.
Looking ahead, I wonder if Flavios going - and perhaps the Dungeon closing as well - could be connected to Project Horizon? It could be all part of the plan to start PH, or of course just a happy coincidence. Merlin Magic Making I believe are closing their workshops which are very near to the PH site, Flavios was right in the planned area and who knows if they have plans for the Dungeon building as part of the area refresh - could we see work starting on PH next year I wonder?
Well indeed that top area of the park has been useless since time begun, imagine a huge huge project up there
Yes I will miss Blade! Always enjoyed going on it. The twister and dungeon not so much.
I wont miss blade but it's shame there will be a huge gap in Forbidden Valley for a long time as it's very unlikely they will replace it as it would be further investment into that area when other sections need it more. If the rumours are true of a Galactica retheme as well it would be a lot of focus on one area when you've got places like Dark Forest and X Sector screaming out for a flat ride. I'm sure within the next few years we will see new flats across the park, they seem to be heading in the right direction generally, we haven't seen this level of investment at Alton Towers for a long time, it's just a slow process and as enthusiasts we want it all and we want it now!
It's the whole in the nicely new refreshed area which is the issue, but I have faith for once in the next few years!
Cancelling my 2025 Season Pass
Removing 2 flats to add 1 new one makes a lot sense right?
Think it probably should have been 1 for 1, they may shock us yet!
We just got a flat ride after complaining that we needed more, and lookie here. Sad.
They do still need more indeed
Hi Adam, I hope they replace it and sadly I didn't ride it. Kind regards Peter p.s. thanks for sharing your thoughts, it's greatly appreciated.
P.p.s. it would've been good if they had given people notice.
Not surprised
So Blade has been the oldest ride at the park since corkscrew closed in 2008. It held that title for sixteen years approx. With it's closure Congo river rapids is now the oldest ride in the park. I do not think the rapids will hold that title for the next 16 years. If it lasts another ten I will be pleasantly surprised. I suspect in my lifetime no ride will match Blades record. So bye blade. I for one thought your post apoc/Edgar Allen Poe theming was very cool.
I think my child will miss Blade and Flavio's, he's the age where he can get on the likes of Thirteen, but not Nemesis. Theres a lack of rides that are good for kids between 1.2 and 1.4m.
Don’t get me wrong, I love some thrills but they really, really need some more family flat rides outside of CBeebies land
They do miss that family thrill market that Merlin have investor Chessington, and to be Fair Drayton have nailed
No they all sucked, but I did expect the Dungeons to get the Alton Manor treatment, maybe it cost too much money.
how much milage is there in a swinging boat ride? the only thing they could have done was put a 360 boat in its place, but probably can't due to the tree size. an upsidedown boat ride would hae been good. sorry don't know the right names for these sort of swing rides.
Think 44 years is a great innings! Inverted one would be good, but you're right, unlikely
Typical AT Policy, keeping a ride as long as possible until they are forced to close it,the corkscrew and log flume eventually disappeared for good,at last.the rapids is getting tired and wearing,see what I mean,if it still working it stays! Change the boats,it's good for another 30years.once apon a time the car park was free,now we got to pay,that's progress for yah.
Disgusted at the management for doing this. Why not wait until they have a replacement for Blade?
This is nothing short of running the park into the ground on a bare minimum. The place needs new blood in charge.
But if the Blade closure is a decision that has been made recently due to perhaps H&S/mechanical reasons that have just come to light in the last few weeks and they had every intention of opening it next year, then there will be no plan in place (or if there is, it is very, very early days). Better to be honest, say its not returning at the earliest available opportunity and remove it rather than leave it SBNO next season until they do have a firm replacement plan in place. We all think that the new Top Spin and the probable retheme of Galactica is the end of the Forbidden Valley refresh, but perhaps the removal of the Blade has always been part of it too?
They might just get a new pirate ship from Huss since they’ve just collaborated for the new top spin. It would make more sense to silently replace it with essentially the same thing rather than leaving the space empty.
@@stevebrown1974
I wouldn't hold your breath.
This is clear cost cutting, nothing more.
Huss rides are built like tanks. I highly doubt there is anything wrong with the machine to remove it. It is a case of one in one out to curb spending.
Have a feeling it's more forced, feels very Black Buccaneer. In the ideal world, should of been replaced years go
It's always looked like (what it is) a stripped down pirate ship. Tired, old, but not classic enough to save IMHO.
Hopefully some else will replace it and not just spinny mcspin face or whatever it's gonna be called