UK Attractions

From what I gather, the annual Scarefest hearse has appeared on Towers Street once again (earlier than normal too I think?), so it seems appropriate to start up a thread. And to start things off, there's been some reductions to the opening hours, with the first Mon-Fri of the event being cut for 10-9 to 10-7 (linky - http://www.altontowers.com/useful-info/opening-times/#tab-themepark-oct). A bit of a shame, especially as it won't even be dark by then, but I guess it could be a lot worse. Many on other forums are kicking up a fuss about it, so it will be interesting to see if we see another infamous Towers Reversal there... As for what attractions we'll see, there's be…

Was planning on putting this in the 'Parks / rides / news' topic but then realised it's locked So here's a new topic... The 226ft Mellors Starflyer has returned to the South Bank as of today and will be residing there until 29th September as part of the Wonderground. So if you're around the area pop on for a ride! The spinning mouse coaster has not returned for this year. Starflyer was priced at £7 last year though I am unsure of prices this year. Never have I seen it less than £6 at other locations.

I thought there was a Brean topic, but can't seem to find one so thought I'd make one! The ex-Hastings "Speed Wave" Mondial Top Scan is open at the park until September. Unknown if it will return to Hastings, or go travelling again after it's temporary stay at Brean. The ride is still owned by the Hastings owners but is on loan to Brean.

Quite inevitably, here is the ultra super, duper, amazingly cool poll and the choice is simple. What is your favourite (so in other words, the best) rollercoaster at Alton Towers. Make your choice and then you can discuss it if you wish or not. Or whatever. I chose Nemesis because its just pure relentlessness from start to about 2 seconds after the vertical loop. But you may choose differently. And below are some pictures of those rides, just in case you've forgotten what they look like. Edit - I totally forgot Rita. The Smiler - The Worlds first rollercoaster with three different opening dates. Air - So technologically advanced it got superseded by two other f…

As I personally think these individual events at our favourite theme parks don't get enough attention or discussion (as its not all about the rides) I thought I would create this to put all these mini events held throughout the year in one place rather than loads if mini topics that disappear into Oblivion (Scuse the pun) The next event at Alton Towers is ALton Towers live which has quite a lot of artists for a theme park standard and the concert is 8 hours long - I myself am really looking forward to it. The artists don't get me wrong are not outstanding but they are a lot of the current artists we hear in the charts nowadays. And hope that more of these come in the f…

Today the Some friends and I went to the Merlin Annual Pass Preview Day at The Trafford Centre, Manchester. I have done an annotated picture review of it. The photos arent as good as my usual photos. My camera is rubbish inside. The Sea Life itself is in a section of the Trafford Park. It is pretty well hidden. It was only when I moved closer I noticed it. Inside you are greeted and pay your entrance, get your photo. Then you go into 'The Turtle Experience'. Inside you are greeted by the above lady who explains to you all about turtles, starting with that they have been around since before Dino's existed. They use projection mapping on the floor to s…

I know this ride is hated lol but might as well start a topic to vent your hatred or love for the ride. Plus for the first time in a few year both arms were working together in sync for an hour until one broke down midday according to Towers Street.

hi. so when you all go to chessington where do you eat?. and what do you think of the prices and the quality of the food (I'm gonna get a mod to do 1 of these threads for thorpe!) personally, I love eating at the chicken place in the forbidden kingdom- it's so tasty... I love that kind of chicken I also eat at burger king sometimes- though I strongly dissagree with chessington getting rid of mcdonalds.. I do prefer that

I am intending to visit Alton Towers on the 18th July with some friends, and I would like to know how busy it is around mid July. Do schools go to Alton towers on this day or is this, hopefully, a quiet day? Thanks.

Hi guys, A really late question (as I'm going tomorrow) but can anyone tell me any information on the photo pass this year. I know when I went last year it was £20 for 5 photos and I got 20% off with my premium pass. Is this the same this year or has it changed? Thanks jjh123horry

Well it's March and The Smiler is opening in May and The smiler discussion forum started the year Th13teen opened so why not start talking about SW8. I understand its March and The Smiler one was started in August but no matter, the TT discussion started last year in may so I think it's a crackin' time to start discussing as it were. Write what you think will be the next big Alton Towers ride is gonna be in your opinion, as well as what area of the park (excluding X-sector cos that would be stupid) and what theme you'd like to see. Let your imagination go wild! Lets discuss!

So Zufari is down on the Chessington website to be opening on the 20th March 2013. Here's the picture on the website: Do you reckon it will open before this date on the annual pass preview days? Could this date be the one for the website as it will be the first time the general public will get to go on it rather than advertise it being open for Passholder day?

Whenever I go to Alton Towers, I go for 3 nights and can't stay in every single night, so I end up going out somewhere. Some good places include: The Bull's Head, Alton Village - great food and drink, and friendly locals who remember me every time I go back! The Star, Cotton - only been here once, it's an OK pub. The Old Swan, Wetherspoon, Uttoxeter - although not the liveliest Spoon's, it'll do for me. The Master Potter, Cheadle - a nice big pub, only been here once. Uttoxeter is a very basic town with not much to offer (especially at night), but it's handy for Tesco on the outskirts. A trip is never complete without popping into Bargain Booze for a deal, and then a…

Not sure where to put this topic but going to put it here for now anyway! Was reading around on some other forums and a discussion started about whether you think there should be or shouldn't be actors for SW7? Personally I think I'd like to see roaming area actors rather than queueline actors similiar to what Thorpe Park did with The Swarm on the first couple of opening days. With The Swarm actors it really created an atompsphere when you walked up to the island and had army officers shouting at you and you had the vicar walking around and of course the injured people. I'm not sure what they could do with SW7 though other than what they did at Scarefest with the Dr wal…

I didn't know if there was a topic for this or not but I am wondering something anyway! Guys if you have a merlin annual pass is it free to access chessingtons zoo days or is there a £5 event fee? If you don't have to pay do you need to pre-book or do you just go and scan your pass on the turnstile as normal? Thanks

Discuss anything to do with Longleat Safari park here!

What do you think of the new carriages compared to the classic suspended swinging coaster car which vampire used to have?

What are the queues like for most of the rides? I have been before but we have always had priority passes from complaints - one time we were all given ultimate fastrack for free!!

Awesome news coming out of AT today! From Towersstreet news: http://www.towersstreet.com/news/view/?article=1350588946

Well this should be very interesting! And very good competition for Merlin http://news.sky.com/story/994756/paramount-park-plans-to-rival-disneyland-paris

Has the SW7 secret just been released? Thanks to towerstimes

I was looking through the park's local planning authority and saw this: http://maps.kingston...245&strHeader=Y The details say: 'Erection of a three/four storey 69 bedroom hotel extension, a play/performance area and the erection of a single storey extension to the existing hotel for bar/restaurant and leisure use' Sounds interesting, but I hope Chessington can get a ride for 2014 though. EDIT: Pictures are now up on the link... Luckily they're not shipping containers!

Angry Birds Land has officially arrived in the UK - Sundown Adventureland opened it yesterday! Yesterday sees the first Angry Birds activity park hit the UK. Sundown Adventureland, located in Nottinghamshire have placed an order with the Lappset Group, a large manufacturer of playground equipment for the UK’s first Angry Birds activity area, due to open to the public this weekend. The £250.000 investment for the park, who exclusively look of attractions for under 10′s, reviled the world will include several large play units, a mixture of themed swings and roundabouts and a giant dummy catapult to replicate the Angry Birds world. Paul Tomlinson, Park Manager at Sundow…

I think they do. They haven't had a major attraction since Dragon's Fury!

Yes - finally, York has something worth going for (apart from its culture, it's beautiful city, it's railway and museum, it's Jorvic viking centre, it's Minster and it's Park & Ride systems).. It is.. the CHOCOLATE MUSEUM. Unfortunately, I am **** and do not provide photos. But seriously, in all seriousness, it's ace. It's like cadbury world, but about a billion times better (it helps that it wasn't opened in 1992). Learning about the history of chocolate, the history of chocolate in york, involving Rowntrees, Nestle and the Terrys brand. There are a couple of mentions of Cadbury and Kraft, but York hates them as Kraft are evil gits. So, what happens here? Wel…