If think the point being raised is the fact that these attractions are as good as it gets in the UK. Ok, there may be similarly poorly themed and ran parks in the US, but there's a hell of a lot of world class ones, which the UK just doesn't have.
Hyperia has been such a let down, as with everything Merlin, the project has been budget cut left, right and centre. Viewing plaza has been cut, cattle pen fencing, base train models, a 30 second ride for an expected 4 hour queue on peak days.... and no theming apart from some gold paint.
Merlin just never do anything special, they always go for the cheapest option possible which is why the UK really needs this project to go ahead. We need a park that won't cut quality for the sake of saving a few $$, a park that actually tries to be innovative and immersive and world class... not something that looks like a couple of lads from the pub have thrown together in a few days and called it good enough, which is the feeling Merlin always give off. So yes, Merlin may charge under $50 a ticket, but I still always manage to feel ripped off.