Alton Towers to build wooden coaster, says environmental impact will be minimal

That is awsome, I like how everything looks so natural and how they build thier rides around thier enviroment. I have never been to alton but I've seen pictures and thier rides and coasters seem to blend in.

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Coasterbuzz: Where it's okay to scream like a girl

i'm pretty sure where i know where this is going to go in, i think the drops are going to be into the valley by the forbidden valley- which i think anyway is small (but still wif awesome rides). I'm hoping for the council to approve:)

Hmmm...I just might have to make a trip in a year or two. I absolutely LOVE rides that integrate with the terrain. For example, my favorite rides at Magic Mountain are the Revolution, Gold Rusher, and Ninja because they are all build on and around the mountain.

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"Know thyself!"

Sounds like the locals are pretty strict! Can't build above the treeline, can't be loud, can they alter the land? If not, it sounds like the locals have been playing Roller Coaster Tycoon a little too much... ;)

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

I think the locals just like the place to be quiet, and rustic, etc. And regardless of how quiet WE think it'll be (trees blocking the noise, etc.), it really is going to come down to the *expectation* of a loud coaster that presents an "eyesore" to the community. Thinking of what AT did just to get the project to this point, it sounds like a pretty sizable investment has been made just to present the idea in a favorable light....

Like I said before, their neighborhood makes Knotts' locals look like enthusiasts...;)

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Dr. Thrill IS my family practitioner
Sweet Tea...it's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20030326/ap_on_fe_st/georgia_sweet_tea*** This post was edited by rollergator 3/26/2003 5:21:07 PM ***

MarimbaGuy, what park do you think some of those RCT scenarios is based on??

-Nate

I know, I thought of that after I posted, but didn't bother editing my post.

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

...and since Chris Sawyer is from England, he made that an integral part of RCT. I personally hate those scenarios because 1) it's annoying to have a ceiling on your rides, and 2) one of the fun parts of RCT is being able to see the rides you've created, and if a majority of them are underground then it cuts down on the experience. Although they sure do make for so creative layouts.

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It's still me, here from the beginning back in 1999. Add 1500+ posts to the number I have in the info section if you care about such things.

Rollergator said..."I think the locals just like the place to be quiet, and rustic, etc. And regardless of how quiet WE think it'll be (trees blocking the noise, etc.), it really is going to come down to the *expectation* of a loud coaster that presents an "eyesore" to the community."

NO, this is just the facist opinions of Old People, this is a very common problem all over england, facing basically ALL the poor Theme Parks. People in the UK don't like things changing ( Nimby Syndrome- Not IN My Back Yard) so oppose most things like New Rollercoasters even if the "New Thing" will bring people and bussinesss and jobs to the area. Sam

I think these building restrictions actually make Alton Towers a better place to visit. What struck me on my visit to Alton two years ago was its seemless integration with the countryside. Its central theme is still the castle and gardens, and the coasters are designed so that you almost have to "look" for them when you're walking into the park. It's quite a different theme park experience, and for someone who couldn't find enough superlatives to describe Busch Gardens (Williamsburg and Tampa Bay), I was surprised that neither could really compare with the natural beauty of Alton Towers. Needless to say, the way in which the coasters have been integrated into the land, with the use of large excavation ditches on Nemesis, for example, really makes for an unusually thrilling ride experience.

I'm not British, of course, but I don't think you have to be to understand the guarded position some have taken on this new construction. With that said, I'm sure Alton Towers will do a fine job with their new wooden coaster, and land laws aside, it'll be a better coaster for it in the end.