UK Attractions

With Chessington officially opening tomorrow, I thought it'd be interesting to start a topic based on Chessington's media coverage- after seeing some interesting pictures yesterday/today aimed at promoting Madagascar Live ^^Very nice way of getting the word about and creating attention, and the idea of the animals in the city even fits in with the story of Madagascar itself! :DAround 5.20pm today I also heard the end of a Chessington television advert downstairs but didn't see any of the advert itself! :(It is very nice to see that despite their low investment in Chessington, Merlin are still serious about getting people through the gates and that they're giving CWoAR som…

Discuss Beanoland here!

You may not of heard because of all the hype for Sub Terra, but there's another "cool" new attraction opening at Alton Towers this year!Post your reviews and thoughts here in the brand spanking new, Ice age: the 4D Experience topic!

So with the news that a B&M is to open at Thorpe for 2012, lets discuss a ride that will be celebrating it's tenth birthday next year. Air, B&M's first flying rollercoaster opened in 2002 and is quite unlike any other ride in Europe. Swooping up and over Nemesis and with an emphasis on the thrill of flight does Air inspire you or do you hate it and have been put off flying ever since.For reference, French ride enthusiasts love it. But do you?!

In comparison to last year not as impressive but could still be promising none the less! It's the Zoo's 85th anniversary so for half term the zoo will be open (as expected) with some guest animals, exclusive shows, animal feedings and a host of other activities available. Ride line up: - Hocus Pocus Hall All guests have to pre book tickets including Annual pass holders but this is free of charge. Thoughts!?

So our resident trolley dolley linked this rather awesome, drool-worthy video in chat and it had to be shared! Look at how red the blood is on Nemesis! And how colourful Corky looks! Enjoy

Does anyone have any pictures of plans from old rides at Alton Towers?

A Halloween special for everyone, vote here on what you think of Chessington's classic Transylvanian rollercoaster.Open for it's 20th season, the Vampire has been thrilling riders since 1990 in either bat themed cars or leg danging carriages. It's seen an extensive refurb and was Tussauds real start into stunning rollercoaster designs. Through Vampire John Wardley learnt many lessons that he would incorporate into Nemesis, Oblivion, Megafobia, Air, Dragons Fury and Th13teen.Vampire's legacy is well known in enthusiast circles.. but just how good is the ride?

I used to visit here all the time when I was a kid for one reason. It is designed for children. All the enclosures have viewing points designed for children and activities at each enclosure (like how loud can you roar even though they have no big cats ). Drusillas is also well known for having a set of large and good play areas. Many of the places I visited as a kid I can't remember very well but Drusillas is one I clearly and fondly remember! Park map for those interested. Anyway, opening this Saturday is a new land with a few rides, Hello Kitty Secret Garden. Included will be a tea cups, car ride and a frog hopper. It's not much but for a family zoo of this size i…

What is everyones thoughts on the 2 4D shows in the London Cluster what one is your favourite and why? and what would you like to see in the future added to them etc?

Just was reading on Towers Times and Alton's MTDP for the next 10 years has been revealed.I'm just going to quote a post on that site as I wouldn't be able to put it in my own words effectively. Personally this all sounds great to me It's a shame to hear Spinball Whizzer possibly leaving, Yes it has terrible throughput and sticks out like a sore thumb but it is a great little ride. Your thoughts ?

Rumours going around about a Harry Potter theme park in the UK.Harry Potter theme park Here's just one of the news articles..

Note: I intend to keep editing this post as time goes on and more years are released. Hi guys. During the coaster consultations in 2021, Merlin released an attendance graph showing all their parks' attendance figures since the early 1980s. I had some time on my hands yesterday evening and decided to try and extrapolate some slightly more precise guest figures for each park from this graph to try and determine the precise(ish) attendance trajectory of each UK Merlin park from the earliest year listed here (1984 for Alton Towers and Chessington, 1983 for Thorpe Park, 1987 for Windsor Safari Park and 1997 for Legoland Windsor). For some idea, this is the ori…

Does anyone know how to find the chained oak tree in Alton?I do. I went and found it last year.I was impressed by it's size. There is certainly some truth that the chains have been there since 1821.

So Nemesis at Alton Towers is without a doubt one of the, if not the most intense and amazing ride in the UK. So is it the best invert in the world?

Londons Death Trap is the newest of all the horror maze/shows, things.And I was wondering is it different from any of the other horror mazes? Reviews online suggest you really get into the action by putting your hands into holes and searching for missing keys an so on and so forth.Has anyone visited? If so please share reviews and comments.

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.

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pleasure-island-theme-park-to-close/story-29738706-detail/story.html Sad news, it's always a shame to see a park close and yet another bad sign for the UK industry. Gutted that I never got to visit, and unless a miracle happens I won't get to.

Didn’t know where to put this so decided to create a new thread. Mods change as you like! The North Hamptonshire Telegraph are reporting that Wicksteed Park has gone into administration due to the financial impact of the corona virus. It is also believed staff have lost their jobs and will apply for redundancy packages. Such a great shame this has happened for the park, which is also home to a classic water chute ride too.

Does anyone know how much bounce back tickets were for next day park entry last year at Alton Towers? Or indeed how much they are likely to be this year?

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…

Sadly an incident at M & D park Motherwell, the Tsunami ride seems to have shed a carriage onto another area with several injured. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-36635086 Now see this has already been aired,sorry.

I know this sort of comes under hocus pocus but what actually is it and how does it compare to frights at TP, thanks for your replies and any good vids or pics are welcome

Sorry, but I need to have a rant and rave on this. Last week I went up to London for the day. I went to the Science Museum to find that attractions that I am waiting to see are still closed and may never re-open.Firstly, level 2 of the "launch pad" has been closed since about November last year. It was called digitopolis and is being refurbished. It was meant to open about April this year. Nothing has happened in almost a year. They have taken everything out of the floor, taken the "box sign" down that was hung up and lit. Why change this? This was fascinating, yet useful and knowledgable for kids!Secondly, the Food For Thought exhibition has been closed since the summer …

I'm mainly talking about places to stay and eat here - but it doesn't matter. There's a nice little village called Kingsley Holt, specifically a nice little modern cottage which we make an annual trip to - one road village with a lovely community, two pubs (The Blacksmith Arms, which is closer and The Railway [Inn?]), the latter serving wonderful food and is owned by nice people (who used to own the other pub on our first two trips). 15 minutes away from Towers by car, 1-2 hours, 15 minutes in the other direction is Stoke and Birmingham, Manchester is about 1-2 hours away and there are LOADS of football grounds (Stoke, Birmingham, West Brom, Walsall, Villa wh…