Ian said:
I wouldn't say that it's a bad attitude to have, Sue, but let's not put a sheep in a pair of Mr Wolf's slacks here, it's not a thrilling ride experience. Significant and interesting yes, but thrilling no.
It doesn't have to be thrilling though (sorry Ian, I know what you're saying, and I agree with you; just quoting you and replying to Ben :lol: ). It's essentially the country's oldest (and biggest.longest) kiddy coaster. It has a very low height limit to ride and is both historically interesting AND better than a Big Apple.
If the ride was closed, then guaranteed it would be replaced by a
modern POS Pinfari or something (yes, POS stands for 'Pinfari Or Something'
).
I agree it's not worth getting teary eyed over because we're missing a fantastic piece of thrill engineering (this isn't the Crystal Beach Cyclone, Belle Vue Bobs or Aeroplane Coaster we're talking about here), but it is what it is - a simple, mildly thrilling family ride from the heyday of coasters.
As for the rest of the stuff, I'm in two minds. Personally I've always loved the idea of the heritage park. Done properly it could be as popular as The Black Country Museum or Beemish. As Ben says though, is it a bit too niche? Is it too singular. Both Beemish and TBCM may be Victorian "towns", but contain a variety of different sights, mines, cars, trams, farms, schools, shops, etc - there's a good chance there's something there that will spark interest in everyone.
However, there are some really curious attractions people don't see any more. As bone breaking as KSM is, it's a fantastic coaster (like Blackpool's Wild Mouse) simply because it's so insane. It's not fettered by modern h&s and rider comfort design restraints. It's thrilling because you feel in constant danger of life and limb, which is something you just don't get any more.
I think in Margate, the park will succeed. It needs something, and I think (as New Pleasureland has shown) that even if you throw in a load of **** together, you can still have a successful seaside park if there's enough draw. The problem is, Southport is a busy place but Margate is dying. NPL succeeds because Southport is draws a crowd naturally. Margate are relying on the park to bring a crowd in and help the town. I just don't know if it can do that?
