More cuts after more cuts but today's certainly cut the deepest as The Blade will be saying goodbye after 44 years of operation as Alton Towers' oldest ride. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Leave your thoughts below
Blade feels like a step backwards but I don't mind the other 2 going. Towers needs flats and if they add one a year, they will be in desperate need of SW9 by the time the capacity has been restored
I don’t even need to watch the video. We all saw this coming. Its a fucking disgrace… building one ride, and closing two, plus an immersive experience with a ride system. Merlin are supposed to be strengthening their UK themeparks in response to Universal arriving, not cutting down Alton Towers’ already pitiful depth in ride selection. Unless Alton Towers is planning to bring back the bloody Thunderlooper, nothing is going to go in blades plot, so that’s one flat irreparably gone, there’s no way Flavio’s gets replaced, with how badly Walliams World is doing in bringing guests away from other areas, and you already know the dungeons ride system will not be used. For a park tight on space to build Alton Towers really is throwing away way too much. This is not the same park that was owned by Broome, Tussauds, and by Merlin in its early years, this is a cooperate monster that only cares about profit, not supporting the local community through job hires, the heritage of the site, or creating magical experiences. I wish other people weren’t blinded by their Nemesis Reborn tinted glasses and saw the true state of Towers, delaying (potentially permanently) two HUSS rides, pushing back Project Horizon, and removing rides that will not be replaced. In 2015, ride closures were acceptable, but we’re nearly a decade after crash- it’s absolutely unacceptable that the amount of rides at the park is still 5+ plus bellow what it was a decade ago when you include these new rides. Alton Towers is nothing special, none of its rides are special. The smiler is a rough rattly mess that might as well be made of pig iron, Rita is an absolute maintenance nightmare, Galactica is so shit they had to pretend it was meant to be graceful to cover up for the fact that they couldn’t afford a thrilling layout, wickerman is mid tier at best (woodies are meant to have airtime), and Nemesis Reborn was a waste of money to rebuild, given that it does not compare at all to european coasters when it comes to thrills and theming. Towers could’ve easily built something world class like a maverick style coaster launching up the hill, but no. They always overpack the park so much that queueing isn’t even worth it, and I’d rather walk around the gardens, or perhaps the towers, but oh wait, they can’t be arsed to keep the historically important structure from collapse. Absolute disgrace when even bloody Tayto Park is getting better investments than you 😂 Sorry for the rant Sean 🤣
Totally agree thunder looper- it was amazing and shd never of been removed ! Not been to AT on new improved Nemesis! They are taking really good rides out and replacing with Crap! Rapids is shit needs re theaming there's no thrills and spills on rapids like big drops water shooting from everywhere! Needs something like the water ride at Tampa Bushe gardens ! Cheaper food outlets just greadyness ! Buck ur ideas up AT
@@SmudgysCoasters haha fair but you hit the nail on the head. The magic is being stripped with each and every decision and it’s a shell of its former self
I mean... it kind of proves my point about not vlogging there anymore... I can't deliver balanced vlog content inside the park anymore when even this discussion content is just bad news, bad news, bad news but there could be light ahead... it's just going to take some time to get there
I'm 6'5, so I can't go on most rides with a height restriction, and the blade being replaced with the new topspin next year just adds another one I can't go on. I know that sounds selfish, but I love theme parks, and the more height restrictions that come in just push me away from them sadly. Appreciate the video ❤
Merlin are fine and most likely will be fine going forward, Towers however... I'm really not sure. There are plans in place for a brighter future it's just if the higher ups will give them the means to execute these plans
@ Merlin are fine in a general sense, but the days of them trying to rival the Disney parks are well and truly over, Universal are ahead of them now and yeah that whole thing is done.
@LiftHillsandThrills the training back in the day was positioned that they are the only rival to Disney. Would love to know what they say in the merlin magic training nowadays
Just saw an article saying they were getting rid of one of the oldest rides there, and nearly had a heart attack thinking they were getting rid of Oblivion or Galactica. Shame to see the blade go, but glad to have Galactica and Oblivion for a while longer
Oof, bad news. I think there’s two key things Towers needs to do for next season. 1. Overhaul the food outlets. People won’t pay a premium for the rubbish they continue to serve. 2. Reduce the parking charges.
The problem I have is that they take these rides out but take years to replace them I wouldn’t mind if they replaced them with some high quality rides quickly, at the moment it’s one in one out which doesn’t help with the capacity at all I agree going to be a tough season next year for them
That's the issue mate, if all of these were removed and favio's was replaced / Blade replaced and then plans released for a refurb / new ride inside Dungeons we'd all be like okay, cool. That's expected of the top tier European parks... sadly... we know the story all too well here.
Theorising Brain, with the Chessington redevelopments (Minecraft World), could we see Monkey Swinger and the Jungle Bud re-located to towers? I can see them putting Monkey Swinger in dark forest at Minimal costs, as it already semi fits with the theme, so with some minimal theming changes it could work, same with jungle bud, it could easily go in dark forest or can move to Walliams world. I reckon that the 2 relocated flats from Chessington will be moved to towers, then with the Huss Deal, can see something going in the arcade, ie a Brakedance, then I can see something going in X sector, maybe a Booster, can go with a Marmalising theme with Smiler. Really Unrelisticly, I know Blade is dug down into a hole, could we see a Huss 40 seater swing going in the hole, could just about work with the height restrictions!
@ It is Incredibly Tight (down to the Milimetre almost) but could just about I believe, however I believed that was marked to stay at Chessington? Wouldn’t be surprised though if when wild Asia closes we get Phalanx Bumpers for the summer
@ In which case I would suspect Tuk Tuk in the R-Cade, Monkey Swinger in Dark Forest, Jungle Bud in Walliams World or Dark Forest, then see a 40 seater Huss Swing in the Okace of Blade and then a Huss thrill ride in X secror
Watch my video from a year ago, it gives you a rough idea but sadly without much cash to splash I would expect nothing other than 'Blade: Even Sharper' coming 2026!
Wonder when these cuts will end. Wonder what they have planned to replace these rides. Hope you feel better soon Sean. I know how you feel I've had a bit of a cough and cold further past few days xx❤
I feel your pain, my home park is closing a parachute ride, cable car ride, huss topspin, b&m standup coaster, the world's tallest drop tower and the world's tallest operating coaster all at once with no warning.
This means that Alton Towers essentially has TWO FLAT RIDES. TWO. In a park of this scale, they have TWO. I’m not counting CBeebies Land or Heave Ho because they’re meant for kids. I’m on about flat rides which families and thrill seekers can enjoy. And also, man I know nobody else really did, but so LOVED Flávio’s. So sad to see that and Blade gone, without announcement. Let’s just hope they are replacing them with a record-breaking launch coaster
Flavio's / Twisters in general are great rides. This one did overstay its welcome though. I don't think anyone would have minded if it was a permanent flat / themed etc instead of looking as they all did... out of place
This makes me genuinely sad. This is the ride that me and my daughter love going on every time we visit. It's one of the first rides she went on as a 4 year old, at the time. Now she's 9 and we still love going on it when we visit every year. I also loved going on it as a kid, so this one has real sentimental generational value for us! AT say it's reached the end of its technical life, but if that's the case why did they spend time and money repainting it for just one season? Makes me think it still had life left in. I'm just glad we got to go on it when we visited earlier this year. Going to have a drink and toast the memories!
I am gutted when I was leaving scear fest this year blade was on a 0 minute queue and I was debating wether to go on it are not and said it be there next year so didn't I wish I had now. Love the blade.
The park started off so strong, and then it took an oblivion dive down. When a Drayton Manor pass seems to be more of vaule than a merlin one, that gives an indication of how shite It must be. Merlin need to buck their ideas up, and give this park a major overall, becuase by the time they've faffed around it'll need kne.
It is a real shame, there must be some very tough decisions being made by Towers currently and as a fan it's genuinely heartbreaking to see them in such a state
by the thumbnail i thought the skulls ment battle galleons so i put this 'i will be at battle galleons funeral also i think i was on the last ever ride or at least one of them as i was on there at the end of the season' cos i thought battle galleons was closing
Got to admit I don’t like pirate ships 🙈 but getting rid of the blade is such a bad move. My daughter will be upset, she’s under 1.4 but getting to the point where CBeebies is a little too young for her (she’s a thrill seeker and loves the wickerman) considering not renewing our passes until things get sorted 😢 She’s nearly at 1.3 so any recommendations where to go next year with a 8 year old thrill seeker will be very much appreciated ❤
@@christianwilcox456 I second this! I went back in November and it was an amazing park! F.L.Y. is so cool and one of a kind, and Taron is just such good fun!
I don’t really care about dungeons and we all knew Flávio’s would go at some point due to it being a funfair type ride, but why would they remove blade? It’s one of the only half decent flats there
I mean Favio's and Dungeons made sense but yeah Blade is a weird one... just ready for retirement I guess but now all of this work bringing rides back and they go and lose 3 in one day....
In a trick that Merlin himself would be pleased with, AT continue to find ways to make the park offering even worse, when you already think it's hit rock bottom! There is one simple question to ask for 2025... what's the draw to the park? One Huss Topspin isn't going to bring in the revenue. There HAS to be a plan to get everything back on track though, doesn't there?...
Unlike the US, Merlin hasn't (as far as I know) got a rival operator that it could merge with. Not that I'd really advocate that, however in a credit squeeze it could be an attractive option? I'm no business guru but maybe Merlin might need to lose some of its park brands, eg Lego?
I’d like to see a new flat ride each year for the next two years whilst investing in other areas of the park before a new coaster is considered. Something new to get the customers in whilst doing ESSENTIAL work.
The fact that the most reliable new coaster this year is an intamin, prototype, tire drive(in a rainy country no less!) needing 12 different tests, and having 3 launches plus 2 cycles, is still the most reliable 2024 coaster, says a lot about how awful merlin reliability this year.
I really hope that were going to see more than just the top spin next year now, as that alone is not enough for the park in its current state. Mad to think that a month ago, we were all thinking about a new flat and Galactica re-theme and Forbidden Valley being completely finished. Now were looking at more holes in the area and Galactica still standing out like a sore thumb, as well as other removals around the park. The dungeons weren't popular, and Flavios was just a fair ground ride, so the removals are not a huge surprise in that regard. Nor is blade on the basis of how old it is. But to get to a stage where they're all removed and (seemingly) no replacements planned, is hugely concerning.
I think you hit the nail on the head there... remove each of those rides and it's very much expected due to age / popularity / temporary status but the manner in which it was done with zero replacements announced or planned is worrying!
@@LiftHillsandThrills language!!!! (im joking )it takes me the best part of a month to edit one of my tutorials and 1/2 of them don't even get uploaded!!!!!!
Not too fussed about the dungeons purely the fact it was a upcharge blade is a blow but had a great run and tbh flavios days were numbered after Retrosquad left the park but I hope the dungeons and flavios areas will be incorporated into project horizon
I hope so too although I wouldn't mind a stand-alone boat ride back inside the Dungeon building. That's one space they could revive and make great again
I imagine the dungeons will be staying closed until scarefest and amigos in the afterlife will make a return seeing as all the theming is still in there
I'd love for it to be something more original than just dragging up old rides again trying to recreate the glory days. We've done it, seen it.. it hasn't worked. Let's move on
Galactica was 100% getting a retheme, there was concept art and the full works but it looks as though that's now on hold with the loss of the MMM team and recent budget cuts
Replace it with a Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage😎😁. Jokes aside, it would be a perfect fit for a park like AT. Since Efteling build it also in a location that could not exceed the tree height limit.
I'll be mourning the loss of Flavio's for the rest of my days. Kingda Ka could never live up to it and that's why... it's gone... whilst Flavio's is moving to pastures new
Hey Alan, we can't VLOG anything on the pitch mate so it would be as boring as 99% of all the others vlogs that have had to do that now, so it's a no from me I'm afraid buddy!
I think they will or shd put a malstom kinda ride in the blades place ! I grew up with Blade though very sad ! Not bothered about other two rides ! Shd relocate blade not get rid of it ❤
Do you not think that with the current relationship with huss that they may have secretly done a deal on a brand new swinging ship? Or am I just gutted over the loss of blade........ absolutely have no feelings either way to either dungeons or flavios
FV was looking like good "finished area with ST, Blade, NR, Galactica and the new ride.... now it's back a step... but they have to have a plan to get back on track... it's getting silly... rollercoasters that go down and.. nothign else! maybe the Skyride will come back next year?
I genuinely feel they are running this park into the ground at the moment. This was once the UK’s best and most loved theme park. These days it’s just cuts, staggered openings, abysmal operations, poor park hours and lack of love and care. It’s a pale imitation of what it used to be. Costs a fortune to go and the overall experience is seriously poor! Don’t even get me started on the food. Such a shame.
It really is... it's why I've stepped back from vlogging it in 2025, naturally I'll still go as its on my doorstep but from 100+ times a year, down to 40+ last year down to less than 10 this year I can't even see 5 visits next year there... it's sad.
@ I live on the south coast so not exactly round the corner. Used to visit probably three or four times a year. Since 2020 I’ve only visited once a year. Genuinely feel every year the experience is getting worse. I’d much rather visit Paultons Park and Thorpe Park these days. This never was the case. Alton Towers was a place I adored. Scarefest last year was the biggest rip off ever. That Daz games maze is utterly atrocious and your charged extra for a two minute long weak experience. This park needs investment or a new lease of life fast! The Merlin magic news is terrifying. Feel it’s going to get much worse before any improvements are seen. I agree with what you’re saying. They are killing this park and so upsetting to see.
@@ronnieparrettharris Yeah... it's a real shame just seeing it crumble piece by piece every season and propping it up with nostalgia is like resting your entire future on the foundations as brittle as the dover cliffs edge just waiting for it to go... at any time
I mean if they did my statement of that building being utilised for a ride would be correct and I can tick that one off the list with only Beaver Creek returning to pleasure beach being the one rumour I’ve ever got wrong well not wrong, it was considered, just shelved 🤣
Alton Towers next year if there are no SBNO rides will have 44 rides that is more than what they had in the 90's and will have 1 less next year due Skyride being back and Toxicator opening to off set the closed attractions
@@joecandish3923 Ah yeah I get you. No, I think you're right there. I'm not liking this Joe... 2024 has been the year where I've agreed with you 99.9% of the time... look at us... look at us
In all honesty, how big were the queues for these rides? I would hazard a guess most people in this chat haven’t ridden Blade in years. I think the argument any of these rides helped to reduce queues on other attractions is misguided. I personally think this was a good move from AT in the long run, and we will look back and be thankful someone took the decision to remove these aging and unpopular rides.
Flávio’s / Dungeons makes sense but Blade certainly doesn’t especially after a recent refurb. You’ll be surprised at just how many people went on it and enjoy it and it’s also a ride that’s a Segway for those too old for CBeebies but too young for the big rides. With all of that aside removing 3 rides replacing it with 1 is the issue here, I don’t think anyone will be thankful for this removal especially as absolutely nothing will be replacing any of them for quite some time it seems 😢
Such a shame. I loved the Blade! It was fun and a great pirate ship. Flavios going as well is a loss for younger thrill seekers.... Couldn't give a stuff about the dungeons! Good riddance to that one and maybe when they get a little cash again they can put something good back in there!
Could we be seeing the end of David Walliams Land. For me it just don't work, that part of the park is a bit of a dead spot and the whole area need a adrenalin injection
I am optimistic. I never went on Flavios, the Dungeons was good but it should not have been pay to ride or shouldn’t have been inside the park and old Blade had come to the end of its life and was in the wrong area. The top spin is a very good purchase and AT will make the best of it. Ripsaw was an old favourite and will be a total new experience for a new generation. I think there will be another flat ride and the arcade building is one possibility if planning doesn’t go in anywhere else. Two new flats rides with one being good is a good year for me when AT would benefit with a few new flats. It doesn’t solve their crisis of ride availability but there is no easy fix for that and I think is just an unfortunate season of life for them. I hope the top spin proves to be a popular reliable ride.
I do think this is actually a positive move you take it from there perspective whilst I don't agree with removing rides, The Blade was 44 Years old and not getting any cheaper to operate so by removing it you can replace it in the future the capacity lost from blade will be taken by Toxicator temporarily, The Alton Towers Dungeon rarely had a queue if ever so it won't effect capacity and that spot is better for something else would love the boat ride to return to main ride line up. And Flavio's was temporary anyway so going back to its owner. We are going to have to endure some pain for the park to move forward its been a difficult year that is not going to be fixed over night a lot of the rides are aging so will be coming to end of life I really hope though Merlin do have a plan to sort this out and the next CEO is both a businessman but also has the passion for theme parks.
Once again another indoor space ready for occupation - that's R-CADE, Dungeon and the 4D building. The signs are certainly there, they just need the $$ injection to do them all justice
Yeah... I think that's the disappointment here. For a park that prides itself on heritage and history they certainly scrapped this one fast enough. I'm all for a balance of nostalgia and replacing old rides for new ones but at least celebrate what you had and then introduce something new instantly to replace it. We have neither..
Blade 44 year near enough expected to go this year and it did end service life steel already damaged likely weaker now from age and fff needed better replacement don’t mind going back pws going for a theme replacement twist (so many different names for same) and the dungeons need Reinvented dark ride but don’t how possibly it with the mazes inside
@@LiftHillsandThrills the furnishment was only done on the ship itself none of the steel work touch to my understand and plus motor too think your talking about talk 70 fits all the issue but it not cost effective use of time then buy replacement ride and reliability (but think wasnt much issue with it the blade)
I feel like project horizon was most likely planning permission for their bid for a Minecraft themed area. I don't think we will see that building being built now. Merlin as a company has struggled for a while now and I think towers may need to consider ways of improving the park. It does need something new and fresh. Personally two more flat rides would be good and remove Rita and replace with a new coaster. Not sure what the expansion of the park could be but merging David Williams with Dark Forest as a new larger area might do towers some good, obviously dreaming too big as I doubt they would put that much budget towards that.
Alton and Chessington both had Minecraft lands proposed but Horizon had various other iterations proposed for the ride and even another IP was linked to Horizon before Minecraft. The ride is still going ahead as of this moment in time but more cuts could be the death of it
I think balde is going as the deal with huss was already made before cuts and the blade replacement is coming sooner than we think and i think that the all 3 new huss rides are going to go in for next year and thats why they are closing the blade. I think if nothing was going where the blade was they would keep it running till it brakes but i think the huss deal was made before cuts so mabey 2 or 3 new huss rides for next year??
Not sure I agree about Flavio's. Yes it was a funfair ride but at least it was themed to David Walliams World and it had only been there what? 3 years? David Walliams World is going to look very sparse now with Gangsta Granny being the only ride there suitable for all ages.
I mean 'themed' is a bit of a stretch, it was very much in funfair set-up / presentation. Carousel, Burping Bottom ride and the cars at the end will remain but they need more
Yeah I mean, the first two I'm not bothered about but they need replacing... or even just add a quality dark ride inside Dungeon building and that'll do. More indoor attractions needed if they're to ever be a 365 park one year
Hear me out. A horror themed boat ride in forbidden valley with the pink nemesis water that is part outside part inside/underground with aliens jump scaring you in the dark. Budgets won't allow it but I can dream. Aha.
Question that needs to be answered. If money is such an issue why spend all the money on building a concrete box to put the ride on when they could have saved a lot off money by just putting on the ground and used the money to go towards another flat ride and why is Chessington get yet another major investment would have it made more sense to use that money across the all the Merlin theme parks.
@@Kyle-Russell They are throwing a LOT at Thorpe, just like they are at Chessington but Thorpe's is more stuff we'll see in 4-5 years time as opposed to Chessington's 2-3 years time
I said this and I got absolutely mauled for it haha that was a waste of $$ in my opinion but it is the best madhouse around so... it depends how much you like madhouses I guess
Can't they just get a new ship in and either keep the name or retheme it??? I don't mind about Favio's Fabulous Fandango going, however-The Alton Dungeons, that should never of been an extra fee to get in! Also for me The Dungeon attractions around the world should always be separate from a theme park/castle etc What would you like to see there instead a new Dark Ride or bring back an old one from the past like: Around the World in 80 Days????
I have been saying Blade: Extra Sharper... coming soon! haha purely because I wouldn't put it past them but jokes aside I genuinely have no idea what's happening to the park but none of the news coming out lately is good and no shiny new Top Spin will make up for the countless number of negatives the park are emitting by the dozen. I'd love a fun themed immersive dark ride the likes Towers / the UK has never seen before, but you need $$ for that mate!
Thank god Blade has gone 😂 I don't like rides and my girlfriend got me on it for the first time during the 2024 scarefest... it was not a fun time for me and it took me a good hour or two to recover 😂 Despite my delight though, I agree the removal of all these rides is a huge gut punch to the park... they need more rides, not less, not the same; so as far as I'm aware the removal of Blade lowers how good of an addition the new ride is as one of the huge positives there was increased capacity 😐 I bet you're glad you'll never have to say the name of flavios fancy flamingo again 😂
@LiftHillsandThrills it was a stupid name 😂 the removal of that ride does make me wonder what's in store for that part of the park now... more closures incoming, or perhaps a retheme? 🤔 I'm sorry to hear that you're on a bunch of medication, and I hope you're doing as good as you can be 😄
@@LiftHillsandThrills I'm sorry to hear that 😔 I don't know your situation, but I hope that it can improve and that next year brings you all the greatnesses and health you deserve 😄
@@danielcarr1608 Yeah, a few folks know but not many that’s for sure. I’m quite a private person for someone who’s face is online daily 😂 but thank you Daniel, means a lot 🙏
I hope when crowds drop next year, management see it for what it is. Not a downturn in the industry but an absolute shit show as usual from AT and another ride gone for kids under 120cm. If there’s a lesson in how to run a once successful business into the ground, AT is just that.
As still the most profitable Merlin park I genuinely don’t think they care as they’re very analytical based so as long as they hit KPI’s which they still will (the public won’t care what rides have gone they’ll still go because it’s AT but their experience may differ)
@@LiftHillsandThrillsthey might start thinking twice when they’re only getting on a couple of rides all day (and when they break down when you’re already an hour into the queue) Just wait for Bianca’s announcement 3 months late when she announces that the sky ride won’t open because they’re just adding a bit of theming 😄
Bad move to remove Blade. Very disappointing. AT seemed to drop off a cliff mid-season. 1st time in years i didn't bother going for scarefest. Judging by reviews i didn't miss anything. I know the new topspin is now there but I'm not sure that's enough to get me interested in visiting next year at all. Id like to see a VR augmented walk through like the one at Portaventura. That is something I'd not mind upcharging for. It was only €5 and really enjoyed it. They could use the old dungeon building or the new compound building - put it to use until next Halloween then change it back for scarefest.
@LiftHillsandThrills I'm sure it will be good and i did enjoy ripsaw and this will be a step up mist likely. Had a good visit early in season around May, but with how things have dropped later this season its just not enough on its own to get me excited to visit.
One of my favourite channels all your videos are very entertaining keep up the good work I know how hard it is to run a you tube channel as I have one for my singing but have made it over 1000 now so pleased with myself but enough about me , wishing you all the best for the future and hope to bump into you one day to say hi 😀😀
Over 1000 is amazing man, just think that's a community hall or a lower league football ground at capacity all there supporting you, liking you as a person and appreciating what talent / content you bring to the table. Congrats! I appreciate it man, I never understand why people watch these of course but I want to prove you don't need a fancy camera, a fancy set-up etc to get views. People have to invest in YOU and I'm so grateful people listen / watch despite me confused as to why they do haha Happy Holidays my friend
@ thank you , I just find you down to earth and you always reply to me and I think that’s what the appeal is , I have been on a few coaster tours the last few years and met lots of new friends , I’m not a hardcore coaster person but I love the atmosphere of parks , I love singing and composing music that’s my other passion and I have over 5500 followers on tik tok I think that’s probably a better platform for me but I just work in a factory normally so it’s nice when people watch what you have spent hours creating anyway I’m rambling lol
I’m a bit sad about The Blade. It was one of the first AT rides I went on, and I only went on it twice. I kinda hope they just put a new pirate ship in its place, named something to the effect of “The Blade: resharpened”. It’d be interesting if the park trialled an Intamin drop tower in Forbidden Valley, which would be in a deep hole and have theming akin to the tragically lost Apocalypse at Drayton Manor.
It would need to be a GIANT hole and for that area I just couldn't see it but they sure do need something as empty space is being created all over the place now!
Cheers Paul and it hasn't stopped me going out I'm just quiet.... so instantly folks know something is wrong haha I have a video to shoot with a client on Wed... if I'm like this it's going to be bloody terrible! aha
i think the Removal of Blade will prob make as extra Queue Line for the TopSpin, & most people i know not renewing there season passes for least 1-2years like yourself we need somthing to get the Buzz bk on going again,,,, cheers for the Vlog pal,,, tc be safe ^5
The other thing is they have made the merlin magic team redundant that is in the area of the new ride. I don't think Merlin is cost cutting, It feels to me like a reconsolidation of their resources to concentrate on their more important parks.
the other 2 are fine but not the blade 😭 its my favourite ride bc it has the feeling of a rollercoaster but the queue is short 😭😭😭 im never going to alton towers again
Alton towers will never be the same without the wonderful rides like alton towers dungeon,and brilliant ones as well but I hope its symbolica the palace of fantasy ride at alton towers woth new characters pardoes and pardijn
Got photo proof on Blade, do Dungeons once a year just to show friends / folks who haven’t experienced it. Flávio’s I only ever did at Xmas or random family days out haha
If asked would I swap the 3 for the topspin, absolutely yes! Given the dungeon was a paid attraction the capacity isn’t that much different. Blade doesn’t hit the same in 2024, not worth saving in our opinion. Gio agrees and he’s part of the future.. he also said bring back Charlie and the chocolate factory as he never got to do it 😂 Also Flávio’s was a shambles, hardly even got going, embarrassing sitting on it to be honest, span awkwardly slow while parents watched wondering why there is a grown adult on a kids ride 😂
That's a 'content creator programme' answer if ever I saw one! haha I love you dude but there's no way you just span the loss of 3 attractions in favour of a Top Spin as a positive haha
@ It’s nice to know the love is mutual ya lil beaut 😂 Honestly the honest opinion from us, similar to how I felt when I heard the log flume was going.. I wasn’t pleased but realised if asked I would swap that for wicker man all day long. I’m so in love with the idea of the top spin that I have my blinkers on, I’d honestly swap it for those 3 in a heart beat. I hope more flats come but it’s not a huge sacrifice
@@HushHushFamily it’s a massive loss for that end of the park with a now empty building and one less kids ride (even if it’s unthemed shite) but Blade going sends Forbidden Valley backwards considerably unless there’s a plan in place for that space with immediate effect
@ Il be honest, I don’t even remember bothering with blade when ripsaw was there. Any loss is of course a loss but losing ripsaw hit so hard, it was a huge part of the total experience for me, both on ride and off ride as you’ll know yourself, it 100% hasn’t been the same without it where as I doubt il miss blade or flavios . All the editions of the indoor boat ride were a huge part being a kid too (apart from the dungeons) but let’s face it, we lost those a long time ago to be replaced with an up charge attraction. I hope to see something take the space of blade, it will be interesting to see if it’s an awkwardly empty pit for a while
@@HushHushFamily I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed empty for a while or they dumped a picnic area or some sort of gaming unit or temporary thing down in that dip but yeah... it just feels like a chore going there now and that's why I need a good break away from filming it. I can go here and there with friends as it's local but I'm talking less than 5 times all year next year... there's no motivation for me to go when I just don't enjoy it anymore
@LiftHillsandThrills yep it is now 39 years old in 2025 and still going strong despite its waterfalls being turned off once but now its back to its glory 2026 will mark the 40th anniversy of the river rapids
More cuts after more cuts but today's certainly cut the deepest as The Blade will be saying goodbye after 44 years of operation as Alton Towers' oldest ride. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Leave your thoughts below
Alton: Let’s improve capacity by adding a flat ride
Also Alton: Let’s remove three flat rides
Well 2 and a dark ride but yes.. I get what you mean aha
Blade feels like a step backwards but I don't mind the other 2 going. Towers needs flats and if they add one a year, they will be in desperate need of SW9 by the time the capacity has been restored
It was only just recently refurbed!
I don’t even need to watch the video. We all saw this coming. Its a fucking disgrace… building one ride, and closing two, plus an immersive experience with a ride system. Merlin are supposed to be strengthening their UK themeparks in response to Universal arriving, not cutting down Alton Towers’ already pitiful depth in ride selection. Unless Alton Towers is planning to bring back the bloody Thunderlooper, nothing is going to go in blades plot, so that’s one flat irreparably gone, there’s no way Flavio’s gets replaced, with how badly Walliams World is doing in bringing guests away from other areas, and you already know the dungeons ride system will not be used. For a park tight on space to build Alton Towers really is throwing away way too much. This is not the same park that was owned by Broome, Tussauds, and by Merlin in its early years, this is a cooperate monster that only cares about profit, not supporting the local community through job hires, the heritage of the site, or creating magical experiences. I wish other people weren’t blinded by their Nemesis Reborn tinted glasses and saw the true state of Towers, delaying (potentially permanently) two HUSS rides, pushing back Project Horizon, and removing rides that will not be replaced. In 2015, ride closures were acceptable, but we’re nearly a decade after crash- it’s absolutely unacceptable that the amount of rides at the park is still 5+ plus bellow what it was a decade ago when you include these new rides. Alton Towers is nothing special, none of its rides are special. The smiler is a rough rattly mess that might as well be made of pig iron, Rita is an absolute maintenance nightmare, Galactica is so shit they had to pretend it was meant to be graceful to cover up for the fact that they couldn’t afford a thrilling layout, wickerman is mid tier at best (woodies are meant to have airtime), and Nemesis Reborn was a waste of money to rebuild, given that it does not compare at all to european coasters when it comes to thrills and theming. Towers could’ve easily built something world class like a maverick style coaster launching up the hill, but no. They always overpack the park so much that queueing isn’t even worth it, and I’d rather walk around the gardens, or perhaps the towers, but oh wait, they can’t be arsed to keep the historically important structure from collapse. Absolute disgrace when even bloody Tayto Park is getting better investments than you 😂
Sorry for the rant Sean 🤣
I'd still watch the video... y'know... indulge me haha if I have to read all of this long ass comment then you have to watch my long ass video! haha
@ I’ll get to it later 😂
Such a shame Towers is the way it is now though
W opinion
Totally agree thunder looper- it was amazing and shd never of been removed ! Not been to AT on new improved Nemesis! They are taking really good rides out and replacing with Crap! Rapids is shit needs re theaming there's no thrills and spills on rapids like big drops water shooting from everywhere! Needs something like the water ride at Tampa Bushe gardens ! Cheaper food outlets just greadyness ! Buck ur ideas up AT
@@SmudgysCoasters haha fair but you hit the nail on the head. The magic is being stripped with each and every decision and it’s a shell of its former self
its always good news whenever we talk about towers now isnt it. i used to love my home park but wow is the park shocking now
I mean... it kind of proves my point about not vlogging there anymore... I can't deliver balanced vlog content inside the park anymore when even this discussion content is just bad news, bad news, bad news but there could be light ahead... it's just going to take some time to get there
I'm 6'5, so I can't go on most rides with a height restriction, and the blade being replaced with the new topspin next year just adds another one I can't go on. I know that sounds selfish, but I love theme parks, and the more height restrictions that come in just push me away from them sadly. Appreciate the video ❤
Appreciate the comment!
dude you tall!!!
Top spin isn't replacing Blade there in 2 different places?
@@Jchris26 They are in 2 different places, yes but I meant more than 1 in 1 out for next year
I’m very concerned for the future of Alton Towers, chops and changes left and right and no new coaster in sight. Merlin are in deep trouble.
Merlin are fine and most likely will be fine going forward, Towers however... I'm really not sure. There are plans in place for a brighter future it's just if the higher ups will give them the means to execute these plans
@ Merlin are fine in a general sense, but the days of them trying to rival the Disney parks are well and truly over, Universal are ahead of them now and yeah that whole thing is done.
@@bane5921 I mean they could never compete with either of them really but it is what it is 😢
@LiftHillsandThrills the training back in the day was positioned that they are the only rival to Disney. Would love to know what they say in the merlin magic training nowadays
@@zokse1823 Rival...... Camelot
God, Alton is in trouble now. I do hope they manage to fix the budget problems, but I'm not sure if they actually will at this point.
It's looking bleak but there are things planned it's just whether or not the $$ will be there for them to do any of it
Yeah get well soon Sean x look forward to more news as you recieve it and are able to share ❤
Thank you!
Just saw an article saying they were getting rid of one of the oldest rides there, and nearly had a heart attack thinking they were getting rid of Oblivion or Galactica. Shame to see the blade go, but glad to have Galactica and Oblivion for a while longer
Crazy isn't it, River Rapids is now the oldest ride on park
Oof, bad news. I think there’s two key things Towers needs to do for next season. 1. Overhaul the food outlets. People won’t pay a premium for the rubbish they continue to serve. 2. Reduce the parking charges.
It'll be a strange season next year that's for sure
The problem I have is that they take these rides out but take years to replace them I wouldn’t mind if they replaced them with some high quality rides quickly, at the moment it’s one in one out which doesn’t help with the capacity at all
I agree going to be a tough season next year for them
That's the issue mate, if all of these were removed and favio's was replaced / Blade replaced and then plans released for a refurb / new ride inside Dungeons we'd all be like okay, cool. That's expected of the top tier European parks... sadly... we know the story all too well here.
Can't believe they didn't let us get our last rides on Flavios!!! 😂..fuming!....I just wanna time travel 5 years to see where they're at.
It can't get much worse than it is now that's for sure
You could just go to the fair 🙂
@neilcarter9576 I was being overly sarcastic. Think you may have misread the tone.
@@CatsnCoastersopps sorry 😄
@@neilcarter9576 HAHA sorry... made me chuckle.
Theorising Brain, with the Chessington redevelopments (Minecraft World), could we see Monkey Swinger and the Jungle Bud re-located to towers? I can see them putting Monkey Swinger in dark forest at Minimal costs, as it already semi fits with the theme, so with some minimal theming changes it could work, same with jungle bud, it could easily go in dark forest or can move to Walliams world. I reckon that the 2 relocated flats from Chessington will be moved to towers, then with the Huss Deal, can see something going in the arcade, ie a Brakedance, then I can see something going in X sector, maybe a Booster, can go with a Marmalising theme with Smiler.
Really Unrelisticly, I know Blade is dug down into a hole, could we see a Huss 40 seater swing going in the hole, could just about work with the height restrictions!
It's very possible, Tuk Tuk was instantly linked to the R-CADE building but I don't think it could fit, although I haven't checked the dimensions
@ It is Incredibly Tight (down to the Milimetre almost) but could just about I believe, however I believed that was marked to stay at Chessington? Wouldn’t be surprised though if when wild Asia closes we get Phalanx Bumpers for the summer
@ only Kobra is staying, everything else is going into storage / relocated
@ In which case I would suspect Tuk Tuk in the R-Cade, Monkey Swinger in Dark Forest, Jungle Bud in Walliams World or Dark Forest, then see a 40 seater Huss Swing in the Okace of Blade and then a Huss thrill ride in X secror
Ride and Access statement for Minecraft world confirms Jungle Bus will be used in the Mexicana redevelopment. Swings and dodgems in storage
hmmmm , Huss Breakdance 5 for the arcade building perhaps?
Watch my video from a year ago, it gives you a rough idea but sadly without much cash to splash I would expect nothing other than 'Blade: Even Sharper' coming 2026!
Wonder when these cuts will end. Wonder what they have planned to replace these rides. Hope you feel better soon Sean. I know how you feel I've had a bit of a cough and cold further past few days xx❤
I felt ever so rough at Tulleys but nothing alcohol couldn't numb for a few hours!
@LiftHillsandThrills sounds like a good plan lol. Hope you feel better soon xx
I feel your pain, my home park is closing a parachute ride, cable car ride, huss topspin, b&m standup coaster, the world's tallest drop tower and the world's tallest operating coaster all at once with no warning.
Madness
Great Adventure? Yeah. Really bummer.
I can’t believe the blade is going because that was a pretty cool ride even know it were just a pirate ship but with a blade format.
Another head scratcher of a decision. I'm sure there's a plan here I just can't quite see what it is
Thankyou for all what you do in TH-cam! Thanks for bringing great Insightful honest videos! ❤
Thank you for putting up with my poorly set-up ramblings!
Glad I went on blade 😊😊😊😊😊
The fact that guests weren't told it was leaving so they could have their last rides on the parks OLDEST ride is quite disgusting... not gonna lie
my friend got one of one of the last rides
This means that Alton Towers essentially has TWO FLAT RIDES. TWO. In a park of this scale, they have TWO. I’m not counting CBeebies Land or Heave Ho because they’re meant for kids. I’m on about flat rides which families and thrill seekers can enjoy.
And also, man I know nobody else really did, but so LOVED Flávio’s. So sad to see that and Blade gone, without announcement. Let’s just hope they are replacing them with a record-breaking launch coaster
Flavio's / Twisters in general are great rides. This one did overstay its welcome though. I don't think anyone would have minded if it was a permanent flat / themed etc instead of looking as they all did... out of place
This makes me genuinely sad. This is the ride that me and my daughter love going on every time we visit. It's one of the first rides she went on as a 4 year old, at the time. Now she's 9 and we still love going on it when we visit every year. I also loved going on it as a kid, so this one has real sentimental generational value for us! AT say it's reached the end of its technical life, but if that's the case why did they spend time and money repainting it for just one season? Makes me think it still had life left in. I'm just glad we got to go on it when we visited earlier this year. Going to have a drink and toast the memories!
🍻
I am gutted when I was leaving scear fest this year blade was on a 0 minute queue and I was debating wether to go on it are not and said it be there next year so didn't I wish I had now. Love the blade.
It's a shame they didn't tell folks about it beforehand. Bit of a sneaky Kingda Ka moment here
@LiftHillsandThrills I no it is a shame it was the first ever ride I went on as a kid at towers.
@@stevenlimb9076 know*
I wouldn’t be against a new pirate ship at Mutiny Bay but Dark Forest and X Sector are desperate for new flat rides
They are indeed
The park started off so strong, and then it took an oblivion dive down. When a Drayton Manor pass seems to be more of vaule than a merlin one, that gives an indication of how shite It must be. Merlin need to buck their ideas up, and give this park a major overall, becuase by the time they've faffed around it'll need kne.
It is a real shame, there must be some very tough decisions being made by Towers currently and as a fan it's genuinely heartbreaking to see them in such a state
by the thumbnail i thought the skulls ment battle galleons so i put this 'i will be at battle galleons funeral also i think i was on the last ever ride or at least one of them as i was on there at the end of the season' cos i thought battle galleons was closing
That still stands!
Got to admit I don’t like pirate ships 🙈 but getting rid of the blade is such a bad move. My daughter will be upset, she’s under 1.4 but getting to the point where CBeebies is a little too young for her (she’s a thrill seeker and loves the wickerman) considering not renewing our passes until things get sorted 😢
She’s nearly at 1.3 so any recommendations where to go next year with a 8 year old thrill seeker will be very much appreciated ❤
A family theme park with very limited family rides isn't a good look is it?!
Phantasialand. My daughter loves Fly and Taron and she has done since just 1.3m, almost 1.4m now.
@@christianwilcox456 I second this! I went back in November and it was an amazing park! F.L.Y. is so cool and one of a kind, and Taron is just such good fun!
I don’t really care about dungeons and we all knew Flávio’s would go at some point due to it being a funfair type ride, but why would they remove blade? It’s one of the only half decent flats there
I mean Favio's and Dungeons made sense but yeah Blade is a weird one... just ready for retirement I guess but now all of this work bringing rides back and they go and lose 3 in one day....
In a trick that Merlin himself would be pleased with, AT continue to find ways to make the park offering even worse, when you already think it's hit rock bottom! There is one simple question to ask for 2025... what's the draw to the park? One Huss Topspin isn't going to bring in the revenue. There HAS to be a plan to get everything back on track though, doesn't there?...
There is but it all depends on other decisions from higher ups that determines if it'll ever be executed or not
Unlike the US, Merlin hasn't (as far as I know) got a rival operator that it could merge with. Not that I'd really advocate that, however in a credit squeeze it could be an attractive option? I'm no business guru but maybe Merlin might need to lose some of its park brands, eg Lego?
@ I’d genuinely sell Towers at this point and keep your park monopoly firmly focused on the southern based parks and allow AT to thrive independently
I’d like to see a new flat ride each year for the next two years whilst investing in other areas of the park before a new coaster is considered. Something new to get the customers in whilst doing ESSENTIAL work.
👏
What a Stupid thing to do. 1 step forward 3 steps backwards 😅 meh at least the Sizzler will be back on the FairGrounds 😊
That's true... where they can't be hurt anymore! aha
The fact that the most reliable new coaster this year is an intamin, prototype, tire drive(in a rainy country no less!) needing 12 different tests, and having 3 launches plus 2 cycles, is still the most reliable 2024 coaster, says a lot about how awful merlin reliability this year.
Got that right
I really hope that were going to see more than just the top spin next year now, as that alone is not enough for the park in its current state. Mad to think that a month ago, we were all thinking about a new flat and Galactica re-theme and Forbidden Valley being completely finished. Now were looking at more holes in the area and Galactica still standing out like a sore thumb, as well as other removals around the park.
The dungeons weren't popular, and Flavios was just a fair ground ride, so the removals are not a huge surprise in that regard. Nor is blade on the basis of how old it is. But to get to a stage where they're all removed and (seemingly) no replacements planned, is hugely concerning.
I think you hit the nail on the head there... remove each of those rides and it's very much expected due to age / popularity / temporary status but the manner in which it was done with zero replacements announced or planned is worrying!
this reminds me of gru standing in front of that whiteboard but it says "we add a flat-ride to increase capacity, we remove 3"
hahaha YES! aha
dude 2 vids in a day WOW(btw im quoting jhon wardly)
haha I know, they just couldn't wait until tomorrow could they?! Hardly call these videos can I... I just sit here and chat shit haha
@@LiftHillsandThrills language!!!! (im joking )it takes me the best part of a month to edit one of my tutorials and 1/2 of them don't even get uploaded!!!!!!
@@Salmakesmovies You're definitely a quality guy... I'm quantity I possess no skills for 'quality' haha
Not too fussed about the dungeons purely the fact it was a upcharge blade is a blow but had a great run and tbh flavios days were numbered after Retrosquad left the park but I hope the dungeons and flavios areas will be incorporated into project horizon
I hope so too although I wouldn't mind a stand-alone boat ride back inside the Dungeon building. That's one space they could revive and make great again
@@LiftHillsandThrillsthat would be nice in the dungeons building as long it remains included in admission
sad news😢, but atleast we get the Huss Top Spin next year.
Hmmm...
I imagine the dungeons will be staying closed until scarefest and amigos in the afterlife will make a return seeing as all the theming is still in there
that’s a sad state of affairs if that comes back 😂 it was a very once and done pop up attraction
Hopefully a modern Toyland Tours will replace the Dungeons
I'd love for it to be something more original than just dragging up old rides again trying to recreate the glory days. We've done it, seen it.. it hasn't worked. Let's move on
It’s a shame they couldn’t have a drop tower or do a indoor ride like bubble works or something. I was hoping galactica would get a retheme too
Galactica was 100% getting a retheme, there was concept art and the full works but it looks as though that's now on hold with the loss of the MMM team and recent budget cuts
Replace it with a Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage😎😁. Jokes aside, it would be a perfect fit for a park like AT. Since Efteling build it also in a location that could not exceed the tree height limit.
That would be great, I'd love one of them at Chessy in the Minecraft land too though to be fair aha
@LiftHillsandThrills Universal and Disney have visited Efteling as well, so we might see more of them show up.
People were sad about the closure of kingda ka. But FLAVIOS FABULOUS FANDANGO. Truly a tragic loss of our time
I'll be mourning the loss of Flavio's for the rest of my days. Kingda Ka could never live up to it and that's why... it's gone... whilst Flavio's is moving to pastures new
Yeh they should have left blade alone. Great vlog and if you do go to port vale vs walsall how about a vlog that would be good
Hey Alan, we can't VLOG anything on the pitch mate so it would be as boring as 99% of all the others vlogs that have had to do that now, so it's a no from me I'm afraid buddy!
@ oh yeh the game will be on sky so no vlogging it as sky wouldn’t allow it and we all know what there like.
Also; Hot take: Huss Magic or Break Dance-5 in the former spot of the Enterprise. Liseberg is opening a Break-Dance 5 as well and completely indoors.
Yeah that Liseberg model would be perfect in the R-Cade building personally
I think they will or shd put a malstom kinda ride in the blades place ! I grew up with Blade though very sad ! Not bothered about other two rides ! Shd relocate blade not get rid of it ❤
I can't see where the $$ will come from but someone did mention Chessington rides from Wild Asia being relocated which is plausible
Do you not think that with the current relationship with huss that they may have secretly done a deal on a brand new swinging ship?
Or am I just gutted over the loss of blade........ absolutely have no feelings either way to either dungeons or flavios
Until the other two Huss rides are revealed (if they ever are) we couldn’t possibly say 🤷♂️ Blade 2: Even Sharper could be a reality!
FV was looking like good "finished area with ST, Blade, NR, Galactica and the new ride.... now it's back a step... but they have to have a plan to get back on track... it's getting silly... rollercoasters that go down and.. nothign else! maybe the Skyride will come back next year?
It's time and time again proving why I have no enthusiasm to vlog the park next year... I hope for a MUCH brighter 2026 onwards
I genuinely feel they are running this park into the ground at the moment. This was once the UK’s best and most loved theme park. These days it’s just cuts, staggered openings, abysmal operations, poor park hours and lack of love and care. It’s a pale imitation of what it used to be. Costs a fortune to go and the overall experience is seriously poor! Don’t even get me started on the food. Such a shame.
It really is... it's why I've stepped back from vlogging it in 2025, naturally I'll still go as its on my doorstep but from 100+ times a year, down to 40+ last year down to less than 10 this year I can't even see 5 visits next year there... it's sad.
@ I live on the south coast so not exactly round the corner. Used to visit probably three or four times a year. Since 2020 I’ve only visited once a year. Genuinely feel every year the experience is getting worse. I’d much rather visit Paultons Park and Thorpe Park these days. This never was the case. Alton Towers was a place I adored. Scarefest last year was the biggest rip off ever. That Daz games maze is utterly atrocious and your charged extra for a two minute long weak experience. This park needs investment or a new lease of life fast! The Merlin magic news is terrifying. Feel it’s going to get much worse before any improvements are seen. I agree with what you’re saying. They are killing this park and so upsetting to see.
@@ronnieparrettharris Yeah... it's a real shame just seeing it crumble piece by piece every season and propping it up with nostalgia is like resting your entire future on the foundations as brittle as the dover cliffs edge just waiting for it to go... at any time
Knowing Towers they will probably move flavios into the arcade building and hype it up as a fantastic new ride next season.
I mean if they did my statement of that building being utilised for a ride would be correct and I can tick that one off the list with only Beaver Creek returning to pleasure beach being the one rumour I’ve ever got wrong well not wrong, it was considered, just shelved 🤣
Alton Towers next year if there are no SBNO rides will have 44 rides that is more than what they had in the 90's and will have 1 less next year due Skyride being back and Toxicator opening to off set the closed attractions
Doesn’t cover up the fact that 3 have gone without notice
@LiftHillsandThrills No it does not change that fact but still the capacity should not be hit too much
@@joecandish3923 Ah yeah I get you. No, I think you're right there. I'm not liking this Joe... 2024 has been the year where I've agreed with you 99.9% of the time... look at us... look at us
In all honesty, how big were the queues for these rides? I would hazard a guess most people in this chat haven’t ridden Blade in years. I think the argument any of these rides helped to reduce queues on other attractions is misguided. I personally think this was a good move from AT in the long run, and we will look back and be thankful someone took the decision to remove these aging and unpopular rides.
Flávio’s / Dungeons makes sense but Blade certainly doesn’t especially after a recent refurb. You’ll be surprised at just how many people went on it and enjoy it and it’s also a ride that’s a Segway for those too old for CBeebies but too young for the big rides. With all of that aside removing 3 rides replacing it with 1 is the issue here, I don’t think anyone will be thankful for this removal especially as absolutely nothing will be replacing any of them for quite some time it seems 😢
Such a shame. I loved the Blade! It was fun and a great pirate ship. Flavios going as well is a loss for younger thrill seekers.... Couldn't give a stuff about the dungeons! Good riddance to that one and maybe when they get a little cash again they can put something good back in there!
Let’s hope they do in time and it’s gonna take a lot of it
Could we be seeing the end of David Walliams Land. For me it just don't work, that part of the park is a bit of a dead spot and the whole area need a adrenalin injection
It does need a bit of a reskin!
I am optimistic. I never went on Flavios, the Dungeons was good but it should not have been pay to ride or shouldn’t have been inside the park and old Blade had come to the end of its life and was in the wrong area. The top spin is a very good purchase and AT will make the best of it. Ripsaw was an old favourite and will be a total new experience for a new generation. I think there will be another flat ride and the arcade building is one possibility if planning doesn’t go in anywhere else. Two new flats rides with one being good is a good year for me when AT would benefit with a few new flats.
It doesn’t solve their crisis of ride availability but there is no easy fix for that and I think is just an unfortunate season of life for them. I hope the top spin proves to be a popular reliable ride.
Oh I’m absolutely positive there are replacement plans but all signs point to that not happening for a LONG time. Lets hope I’m wrong
No one speaks about the dark forest arcade building being used for nothing
People have to actually visit that area of the park to notice that one first mate! aha
I do think this is actually a positive move you take it from there perspective whilst I don't agree with removing rides, The Blade was 44 Years old and not getting any cheaper to operate so by removing it you can replace it in the future the capacity lost from blade will be taken by Toxicator temporarily, The Alton Towers Dungeon rarely had a queue if ever so it won't effect capacity and that spot is better for something else would love the boat ride to return to main ride line up. And Flavio's was temporary anyway so going back to its owner.
We are going to have to endure some pain for the park to move forward its been a difficult year that is not going to be fixed over night a lot of the rides are aging so will be coming to end of life I really hope though Merlin do have a plan to sort this out and the next CEO is both a businessman but also has the passion for theme parks.
More pain to come Joe but there may be brighter times ahead in two or three seasons
@@LiftHillsandThrills No Pain, No Gain
@ all pain zero gain so far
Well at least it will mean a reduction in gate prices next year 😁😆🤣
You must be joking...
I am hoping with Flavios removal they use the 4d building again since the queue line for flavios blocked the entrance/exit for it
Once again another indoor space ready for occupation - that's R-CADE, Dungeon and the 4D building. The signs are certainly there, they just need the $$ injection to do them all justice
Where did you find this info?
It was an announcement made by the park today
44 years of service and zero celebration. Sad 😢😢😢
Yeah... I think that's the disappointment here. For a park that prides itself on heritage and history they certainly scrapped this one fast enough. I'm all for a balance of nostalgia and replacing old rides for new ones but at least celebrate what you had and then introduce something new instantly to replace it. We have neither..
What is happening with the theme parks nowadays?!
I loved Blade sm as well I am so angry and sad 😭😭😭
It's a bad day this one... the worst thing is like I said the other week... there's more to come...
@@LiftHillsandThrills NOT MORE!!
the european theme parks dont have these issues......and are cheaper to get into too
@@SNORKYMEDIA Agreed
Blade 44 year near enough expected to go this year and it did end service life steel already damaged likely weaker now from age and fff needed better replacement don’t mind going back pws going for a theme replacement twist (so many different names for same) and the dungeons need Reinvented dark ride but don’t how possibly it with the mazes inside
It was only recently refurbed... it's a real shame... with nothing looking to replace any of these in the short term
@@LiftHillsandThrills the furnishment was only done on the ship itself none of the steel work touch to my understand and plus motor too think your talking about talk 70 fits all the issue but it not cost effective use of time then buy replacement ride and reliability (but think wasnt much issue with it the blade)
I feel like project horizon was most likely planning permission for their bid for a Minecraft themed area. I don't think we will see that building being built now. Merlin as a company has struggled for a while now and I think towers may need to consider ways of improving the park. It does need something new and fresh. Personally two more flat rides would be good and remove Rita and replace with a new coaster. Not sure what the expansion of the park could be but merging David Williams with Dark Forest as a new larger area might do towers some good, obviously dreaming too big as I doubt they would put that much budget towards that.
Alton and Chessington both had Minecraft lands proposed but Horizon had various other iterations proposed for the ride and even another IP was linked to Horizon before Minecraft. The ride is still going ahead as of this moment in time but more cuts could be the death of it
They should also l9wer the entrance price way too expensive! It's costs me 60 by time drove there got into park petrol food then drove home !
It is pricey!
Slammer to be relocated to the site of Blade.
It's a bit too tall I reckon aha
@@LiftHillsandThrills They're cutting the arms in half.
@ 😂😂
I think balde is going as the deal with huss was already made before cuts and the blade replacement is coming sooner than we think and i think that the all 3 new huss rides are going to go in for next year and thats why they are closing the blade. I think if nothing was going where the blade was they would keep it running till it brakes but i think the huss deal was made before cuts so mabey 2 or 3 new huss rides for next year??
I'd love for you to be right but I don't think we'll be seeing too much for a bit now in the new additions dept. I hope I'm wrong though
Not sure I agree about Flavio's. Yes it was a funfair ride but at least it was themed to David Walliams World and it had only been there what? 3 years? David Walliams World is going to look very sparse now with Gangsta Granny being the only ride there suitable for all ages.
I did forget about the carousel but that's probably because it's just a bogstandard carousel, barely even registers.
I mean 'themed' is a bit of a stretch, it was very much in funfair set-up / presentation. Carousel, Burping Bottom ride and the cars at the end will remain but they need more
Im sad that blade closed
:(
😢 so sad
:(
Im calling it Thunder Looper 2 is coming for 2026 cuz they love reintroducting new rides 😂
I called Blade 2: Even Sharper
@ What about Blade Reborn: Resharpened
@@BackToTheMix Blade IP with Wesley snipes marketing it
Boneshaker: re-energized
Flavios and dungeon I've never done so dosnt really make me sad but for Blade am really gutted 😢
Yeah I mean, the first two I'm not bothered about but they need replacing... or even just add a quality dark ride inside Dungeon building and that'll do. More indoor attractions needed if they're to ever be a 365 park one year
@LiftHillsandThrills yh I really loved toy town and chocolate factory so something similar be awesome 👌
Hear me out. A horror themed boat ride in forbidden valley with the pink nemesis water that is part outside part inside/underground with aliens jump scaring you in the dark. Budgets won't allow it but I can dream. Aha.
Where would that go?! Haha Dungeons boat ride would be perfect for a creepy little ride
No clue at all. 😂
Question that needs to be answered. If money is such an issue why spend all the money on building a concrete box to put the ride on when they could have saved a lot off money by just putting on the ground and used the money to go towards another flat ride and why is Chessington get yet another major investment would have it made more sense to use that money across the all the Merlin theme parks.
Southern UK parks are prioritised with an inevitable Universal park on the way
@@LiftHillsandThrills they are not throwing money at thrope and i am wiling to bet there wont be any more re-track work done on colossus
@@Kyle-Russell They are throwing a LOT at Thorpe, just like they are at Chessington but Thorpe's is more stuff we'll see in 4-5 years time as opposed to Chessington's 2-3 years time
What a massive shame. Gain a flat ride and lose 2.
A massive shame indeed
Get rid of Hex it's c??? Tbh waste of time put something better in there ! Needs to be like universal in Orlando bring in some good water rides!
I said this and I got absolutely mauled for it haha that was a waste of $$ in my opinion but it is the best madhouse around so... it depends how much you like madhouses I guess
Grim. Just…grim.
:(
Can't they just get a new ship in and either keep the name or retheme it???
I don't mind about Favio's Fabulous Fandango going, however-The Alton Dungeons, that should never of been an extra fee to get in!
Also for me The Dungeon attractions around the world should always be separate from a theme park/castle etc
What would you like to see there instead a new Dark Ride or bring back an old one from the past like: Around the World in 80 Days????
I have been saying Blade: Extra Sharper... coming soon! haha purely because I wouldn't put it past them but jokes aside I genuinely have no idea what's happening to the park but none of the news coming out lately is good and no shiny new Top Spin will make up for the countless number of negatives the park are emitting by the dozen. I'd love a fun themed immersive dark ride the likes Towers / the UK has never seen before, but you need $$ for that mate!
I think they will bring in a new pirate ship ride. Like for like replacement
Blade: Reborn
@ May be the Nemesis Craft or ship
Maybe the putting Kingda Khan in the Blade hole 😂😂😂
I made that joke earlier it didn’t go down well 😂 folks are way too sensitive over pieces of metal
only if they reduce it to 50ft high to fit below the trees....
You won't be vlogging..........i won't be going..........and al see you in the next one 👋🖐
Byyyyyeeeeeeeeeee 😂🤣
Thank god Blade has gone 😂 I don't like rides and my girlfriend got me on it for the first time during the 2024 scarefest... it was not a fun time for me and it took me a good hour or two to recover 😂 Despite my delight though, I agree the removal of all these rides is a huge gut punch to the park... they need more rides, not less, not the same; so as far as I'm aware the removal of Blade lowers how good of an addition the new ride is as one of the huge positives there was increased capacity 😐 I bet you're glad you'll never have to say the name of flavios fancy flamingo again 😂
Mate... I've had way too much medication to even say my name properly let alone Flavio's Fabulous Friggin Fandango! aha
@LiftHillsandThrills it was a stupid name 😂 the removal of that ride does make me wonder what's in store for that part of the park now... more closures incoming, or perhaps a retheme? 🤔 I'm sorry to hear that you're on a bunch of medication, and I hope you're doing as good as you can be 😄
@@danielcarr1608 I keep going matey, I'm a walking sick note 99% of the time haha I make up for it in smiles and talking rubbish on camera haha
@@LiftHillsandThrills I'm sorry to hear that 😔 I don't know your situation, but I hope that it can improve and that next year brings you all the greatnesses and health you deserve 😄
@@danielcarr1608 Yeah, a few folks know but not many that’s for sure. I’m quite a private person for someone who’s face is online daily 😂 but thank you Daniel, means a lot 🙏
AT is in the worst shape its been for a long time…
I agree Paul, I don't remember a time when it's been worse, it's sad to see :(
Rita will be closing in the years to come.
Oh absolutely and I look forward to seeing it crumble! haha I am NOT a fan
@ same, the ride has a lot of downtime these days it’s clearly on its way out
I hope when crowds drop next year, management see it for what it is. Not a downturn in the industry but an absolute shit show as usual from AT and another ride gone for kids under 120cm. If there’s a lesson in how to run a once successful business into the ground, AT is just that.
As still the most profitable Merlin park I genuinely don’t think they care as they’re very analytical based so as long as they hit KPI’s which they still will (the public won’t care what rides have gone they’ll still go because it’s AT but their experience may differ)
@@LiftHillsandThrillsthey might start thinking twice when they’re only getting on a couple of rides all day (and when they break down when you’re already an hour into the queue) Just wait for Bianca’s announcement 3 months late when she announces that the sky ride won’t open because they’re just adding a bit of theming 😄
@@neilcarter9576 Hmm... it's a little quite on any announcement front... and rightly so... not much to shout about currently
Bad move to remove Blade. Very disappointing. AT seemed to drop off a cliff mid-season. 1st time in years i didn't bother going for scarefest. Judging by reviews i didn't miss anything. I know the new topspin is now there but I'm not sure that's enough to get me interested in visiting next year at all.
Id like to see a VR augmented walk through like the one at Portaventura. That is something I'd not mind upcharging for. It was only €5 and really enjoyed it. They could use the old dungeon building or the new compound building - put it to use until next Halloween then change it back for scarefest.
I'm the same, done a top spin before... I doubt it'll look as amazing as it could do.. so I'm not too bothered around racing to ride it.
@LiftHillsandThrills I'm sure it will be good and i did enjoy ripsaw and this will be a step up mist likely. Had a good visit early in season around May, but with how things have dropped later this season its just not enough on its own to get me excited to visit.
One of my favourite channels all your videos are very entertaining keep up the good work I know how hard it is to run a you tube channel as I have one for my singing but have made it over 1000 now so pleased with myself but enough about me , wishing you all the best for the future and hope to bump into you one day to say hi 😀😀
Over 1000 is amazing man, just think that's a community hall or a lower league football ground at capacity all there supporting you, liking you as a person and appreciating what talent / content you bring to the table. Congrats! I appreciate it man, I never understand why people watch these of course but I want to prove you don't need a fancy camera, a fancy set-up etc to get views. People have to invest in YOU and I'm so grateful people listen / watch despite me confused as to why they do haha Happy Holidays my friend
@ thank you , I just find you down to earth and you always reply to me and I think that’s what the appeal is , I have been on a few coaster tours the last few years and met lots of new friends , I’m not a hardcore coaster person but I love the atmosphere of parks , I love singing and composing music that’s my other passion and I have over 5500 followers on tik tok I think that’s probably a better platform for me but I just work in a factory normally so it’s nice when people watch what you have spent hours creating anyway I’m rambling lol
@ I really appreciate that Nigel and keep at it man! Got a good base of numbers there, sky is the limit!
@ thank you 😀😀
I’m a bit sad about The Blade. It was one of the first AT rides I went on, and I only went on it twice. I kinda hope they just put a new pirate ship in its place, named something to the effect of “The Blade: resharpened”. It’d be interesting if the park trialled an Intamin drop tower in Forbidden Valley, which would be in a deep hole and have theming akin to the tragically lost Apocalypse at Drayton Manor.
It would need to be a GIANT hole and for that area I just couldn't see it but they sure do need something as empty space is being created all over the place now!
Bring back Thunder looper. Hope you feel better soon mate.
Cheers Paul and it hasn't stopped me going out I'm just quiet.... so instantly folks know something is wrong haha I have a video to shoot with a client on Wed... if I'm like this it's going to be bloody terrible! aha
Great video Sean
Cheers!
@ you’re welcome
Shit show again next year then 😂😂.
Afraid so
alton towers peak was in the 2000s, now they're struggling. Can only be money issues
Seemingly lots happening behind the scenes, hopefully one day it gets better
But blade not the best ride tho surely can’t be upset about that 1 lol
It's more the removal of 3 rides with 1 new one coming in... 1 step forward 3 steps back
@ we wanted flat rides right ?
@@chrisjohnsonadventures Not really the point though is it haha not sure anyone would have wanted even one removed let alone 3 rides gone
i think the Removal of Blade will prob make as extra Queue Line for the TopSpin, & most people i know not renewing there season passes for least 1-2years like yourself we need somthing to get the Buzz bk on going again,,,, cheers for the Vlog pal,,, tc be safe ^5
It's too far up for that, the queueline for Toxicator will be contained around the ride and up the steps to the platform. Thanks for checking it out!
no i can’t let flavio go 😂😂
haha RIP
The other thing is they have made the merlin magic team redundant that is in the area of the new ride. I don't think Merlin is cost cutting, It feels to me like a reconsolidation of their resources to concentrate on their more important parks.
It’s still cost cutting but you’re right too in terms of redirecting $$ towards other assets
the other 2 are fine but not the blade 😭 its my favourite ride bc it has the feeling of a rollercoaster but the queue is short 😭😭😭 im never going to alton towers again
😞
Alton towers will never be the same without the wonderful rides like alton towers dungeon,and brilliant ones as well but I hope its symbolica the palace of fantasy ride at alton towers woth new characters pardoes and pardijn
I wouldn’t ever say the dungeon was a wonderful ride but each to their own Michael!
Has anyone in the comments actually ridden these rides in the last few years?
Got photo proof on Blade, do Dungeons once a year just to show friends / folks who haven’t experienced it. Flávio’s I only ever did at Xmas or random family days out haha
@ yeh once a season kind of rides. Not a huge loss….if they’re replaced. Should tear down David Walliams land though.
If asked would I swap the 3 for the topspin, absolutely yes! Given the dungeon was a paid attraction the capacity isn’t that much different. Blade doesn’t hit the same in 2024, not worth saving in our opinion. Gio agrees and he’s part of the future.. he also said bring back Charlie and the chocolate factory as he never got to do it 😂 Also Flávio’s was a shambles, hardly even got going, embarrassing sitting on it to be honest, span awkwardly slow while parents watched wondering why there is a grown adult on a kids ride 😂
That's a 'content creator programme' answer if ever I saw one! haha I love you dude but there's no way you just span the loss of 3 attractions in favour of a Top Spin as a positive haha
@ It’s nice to know the love is mutual ya lil beaut 😂 Honestly the honest opinion from us, similar to how I felt when I heard the log flume was going.. I wasn’t pleased but realised if asked I would swap that for wicker man all day long. I’m so in love with the idea of the top spin that I have my blinkers on, I’d honestly swap it for those 3 in a heart beat. I hope more flats come but it’s not a huge sacrifice
@@HushHushFamily it’s a massive loss for that end of the park with a now empty building and one less kids ride (even if it’s unthemed shite) but Blade going sends Forbidden Valley backwards considerably unless there’s a plan in place for that space with immediate effect
@ Il be honest, I don’t even remember bothering with blade when ripsaw was there. Any loss is of course a loss but losing ripsaw hit so hard, it was a huge part of the total experience for me, both on ride and off ride as you’ll know yourself, it 100% hasn’t been the same without it where as I doubt il miss blade or flavios . All the editions of the indoor boat ride were a huge part being a kid too (apart from the dungeons) but let’s face it, we lost those a long time ago to be replaced with an up charge attraction. I hope to see something take the space of blade, it will be interesting to see if it’s an awkwardly empty pit for a while
@@HushHushFamily I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed empty for a while or they dumped a picnic area or some sort of gaming unit or temporary thing down in that dip but yeah... it just feels like a chore going there now and that's why I need a good break away from filming it. I can go here and there with friends as it's local but I'm talking less than 5 times all year next year... there's no motivation for me to go when I just don't enjoy it anymore
:( I like flavios it was such a cool ride... sad to see it go and the oldie of Alton Towers is now
Isn’t Rapids now the parks oldest ride?
@LiftHillsandThrills yep it is now 39 years old in 2025 and still going strong despite its waterfalls being turned off once but now its back to its glory 2026 will mark the 40th anniversy of the river rapids
@@ShadowMilkCookie-u7z I'm sure they'll add another Congo themed barrel to mark its anniversary