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Alton Towers | Wicker Man | GCI Wood

That suggests more chance of a launch, right? I think it's got to be launched, it's perhaps the only thing that could prevent this from being a nondescript and dull coaster and I'd like to think that a park like Towers wouldn't let that happen to a new coaster, nevermind the first new one in 5 years.
 
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Overview of the site.

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The first drop progress.

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The Lift Hill.

Credit Coaster Bot

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The theming structure has been covered, It is speculated that the theming detail and pipework is being put in.

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View of Lift Hill and the Theming Structure.

Credit TowersTimes Facebook.
 
I love that first image, showing the wider perspective. It really shows how far the lift hill sprawls across the site.
 
First update I've paid attention to in a while.

Entire structure does look quite impressive, this thing should look quite good from around the park.
 
I just realized, at 2:30 in the video, is it me or does the final turn into the brakes look outerbanked?
I'd hardly be surprised, usually GCI coasters have banked brake runs to increase brake efficiency, and a lot of those times, those brake runs are banked the opposite direction to the previous banking - so it might just be that.
 
So, aside from the 'theming structure', any clues as to how extensive the theming will be? I'm trusting that the shipping container technique has ran it's course now and judging by the cost, this should be substantial... for Merlin.
 
I'm trusting that the shipping container technique has ran it's course now...

How so? Has the cost of shipping containers risen so sharply that they're no longer the cheapest option for themeing? If not, I wouldn't count on Merlin to stop using them...
 
^ Let me rephrase that. I'm PRAYING it's ran it's course.

I dunno... obviously they could just stick to that lazy effort, but the theming structure is hopefully an indicator that they are willing to go a bit more 'out there' in terms of visual/interactive elements. Please Merlin, think of the kids.
 
Dropping and accelerating through that sound tunnel is going to be a real highlight. Hope they add some lighting effects in there.

I may have missed this but do we have a highest to lowest point in ft? The elevation looks quite steep although not as dramatic as Nemesis.

What makes Nemesis so special is the pacing and accelerating throughout the first half of the layout, hopefully this will have similar pace constantly generating speed throughout the first half. A normal chain lift hill will actually be better for this as you will get the gradual acceleration throughout rather than a burst.
 
I may have missed this but do we have a highest to lowest point in ft? The elevation looks quite steep although not as dramatic as Nemesis.

What makes Nemesis so special is the pacing and accelerating throughout the first half of the layout, hopefully this will have similar pace constantly generating speed throughout the first half. A normal chain lift hill will actually be better for this as you will get the gradual acceleration throughout rather than a burst.

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This pic from the page before really makes it look like theres at least 80ft+ from the track at the bottom of the site to the top of the lift, especially looking at the size of the builders infront of the part where it changes gradient.

Not seen it in person though so...
 
So a while back I explained that SW8's 'Wickerman' theme might be a decoy. And recently more evidence has risen to support that...

Someone on TTSP, bearing in mind the theming structure might be a dragon, has found out about the Myaminyami and I had also found some interesting information from Wikipedia regarding the Myaminyami.

Heavy earth-moving equipment roared into the valley and tore out thousands of hundred-year-old trees to build roads and settlements to house the workers who poured into the area to build a dam that would harness the powerful river. The BaTonga’s peace and solitude was shattered and they were told to leave their homes and move away from the river to avoid the flood that the dam would cause.

By the way, a Myaminyami is an African Dragon thing and people think SW8 will be in Katanga Canyon...

So what do you lot think?
 
Just whacked a few lines over to highlight the distance from the lift hill crest to the very bottom of the lift. You can compare the vertical line to the builder on the roof for some perspective.

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