General Discussion

Relative newcomers to the coaster manafacturing world, RMC seem to be the current in vogue choice for parks worldwide looking for something a bit new and interesting. While wood purists argue the validity of their hybrids to be considered woodies at all, it's hard to deny the coasters they create sure look fun, whatever they are. Unfortunately not many of us in the UK will have ridden one with none having been built here. Do we want to see one in the UK, and when and where do we think one could be likely? I'm gagging for one, but can't see where one is likely to ordered. Thorpe is probably the most likely? Maybe Paultons? Also, it seems a …

Whilst browsing Facebook, I came across a video of some creepy stories from Disneyland California, and I was wondering if anyone else has a creepy ghost story or two from any theme parks? I've read some stories about the ruins at Towers, but not specifically about rides. If this isn't in the right place, please move it to wherever it belongs!

Hello everyone just wanted to let you all know on 21st/22nd March 2017 you can book stays throughtout 2017 for 50% off at https://www.altontowers.com/holidayclub50march/ with Promo Code : MAP50.

New game revealed last night. Thought I'd start a topic to discuss. Article at end of linkage http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/16/elite-dangerous-studio-debuts-planet-coaster-theme-park-simulator/?utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Venturebeat+%28VentureBeat%29

I decided to put this in General Theme Park Discussion, since this idea could easily be elaborated upon through discussion, but it's also something of a personal request. I'm in my final term of a film and television course at uni, and I've chosen to write my dissertation on the artistic qualities of rollercoasters, using Nemesis (and potentially, for comparison, Nemesis Inferno) as a case study. When I say "artistic qualities", I mean it in the broadest possible way: The architecture of the coaster itself. The ride's theme, both in terms of visual elements and of deeper thematic implications (e.g., what Nemesis' backstory implies about our natural…

So today Mack rides announced they have been testing with Oculus Rif on rides Blue Fire and Pegasus in Europa-Park. Is this a future in theme parks or is it just going to stay a test? Looks awesome, I would love to try it.

I'm sorry if this is the wrong thread, I didn't know where to post it So in May I'm headed to Texas to stay with a friend for a month in San Antonio, then staying for a week in Arlington, we want to go to six flags, probably both Fiesta, and Over Texas, but we want to go multiple times, so we're thinking of just getting season passes as we will most likely go 5+ times during my stay, Because I'm from England, there won't be any issue with me getting a season pass for six flags will there? Just checking if anyone has any insight on this, I don't think there would be an issue but I'm posting here to make sure (:

Virtual Reality has made its debut in UK theme parks as well as worldwide, with mixed reception. In your opinion, does VR have a place in theme parks?

Everyone has that emotion, that plus 1 attraction you've queued an hour for expecting a dull or boring experience, when suddenly mid ride a moment of pure excitement erupts for a few seconds before the ride resumes it's rather bland affair with life... What are your standout moments of awful/dull/average rides? This could be any part of any ride... To start off, the tunnel dive on Vampire and Runaway Train are both memorable moments on bang average rides... Baco's awfulness is at odds with the launch sequence... Most Intamin coasters have that fantastic first drop then meander for ages... Let's try and have some proper discussion eh?

Which parks did you visit throughout the 2016 season, and how many times? If you are visiting more parks over the closed season then add them in as you visit. I'll start with: Blackpool Pleasure Beach - 28 Thorpe Park - 10 Alton Towers - 3 Chessington - 2 Oakwood - 1 Drayton Manor - 1 Adventure Island - 1 Lightwater Valley - 1 Flamingo Land - 1 Pleasurewood Hills - 1 Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - 1 Joyland (yes I'm counting it!) - 1 TOTAL: 51 Overall a good year for me theme park wise, plenty of memorable days spent at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and I visited two new parks in the form of Adventure Island and Flamingo Land.

After the brief discussion about DBGT's entrance sign a while back, I've been thinking about what my favourite ride signs / logos / entrances are. A couple of mine that spring immediately to mind... Challenge of Tutankhamon, Walibi Belgium. My personal favourite. Chiapas, Phantasialand Tidal Wave Huracan, Bellewaerde DBGT's is pretty decent too So share; what's your favourite?!

Recently I visited Warwick Castle and with it The Castle Dungeon which now leaves me only needing to visit York to complete the full set of UK Dungeons and as I left, I was asked what my favourite of the Dungeons is. So I'm going to ask you all your opinions as to what your favourite one is!! For me its 1st Edinburgh 2nd London 3rd Blackpool 4th Warwick Castle I will squeeze York into that list if I ever get round to it!!

Share Your First Big Rollercoaster Down Below,Me I'd Like To Share My First 5: 1.Nemesis 2.Air 3.Colossus 4.Nemesis Inferno 5.Does X Count?[if Not Then Saw:The Ride

These two factors are what divide theme park enthusiasts, there will be people who prefer roller coasters to dark rides or vice versa or maybe even both. As you may know by my signature as of November 2016, I prefer the physical feeling you get at amusement parks as opposed to the theme given. I'm not saying I don't like theme because when it's done with a good physical experience, I absolutely love it (e.g. Space Mountain: Mission 2 or Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror). To summarise, my top 15 isn't made by the theme of the roller coasters but instead the actual force by them. So my questions to you all: Do you prefer the feeling of being out …

I was just wondering what all your favourite theme park soundtracks/Theme Music is? Like for example I love this roller coaster soundtrack on Euro Mir: and I love Samurai's soundtrack too! So what are your favourite theme park soundtracks, they can be a general theme park track like the one they play at towers street or one off a flat or coaster, you could even say which one you hate! I just want to know because I feel a soundtrack really sets the mood and atmosphere for the ride!

As spooky times are fast approaching I thought I'd create a little topic where we could express our creative ideas for potential mazes/scarezones etc. Not park specific either so go wild! The first idea I have is a maze for Thorpe Park, not too sure on a name yet so ideas are welcomed... UNTITLED A maze focusing and playing on the nostalgia of Thorpe Park. Taking you back in time to have your childhood memories distorted and warped into a mushy nightmare. Primarily the characters involved would be the old Rangers. Their severed heads would be scattered around and occasionally they'd pop out whilst the pitch changed carousel song would play, us…

Airtime for me is my favourite part of a coaster but here in the UK we're definitely missing a pure airtime machine. However there's a few nice negative G moments sprinkled across the coasters we have. The camelback on Speed definitely takes the crown for me, it's not particularly sustained but what there is is pure ejector. Honourable mentions go to the second speed hill on Smiler, the camelback on Saw and the drop after the first turnaround on Megafobia in the back seat. What do you guys think?

So you all know of my love for Vampy, but these unfortunately pretty much died out with Arrow. The reason I'm making this topic is that designing rollercoasters is my dream job, and I think I may have come up with a way inversions could work on these (however, I'm probably wrong, so correct me if I am). Basically, I think a long inline twist could work on a swinging coaster, as the swinging would probably work in your favour (if I got the physics right) at the right speed (not too fast, not too slow). There wouldn't be too much swinging during the inversion, however a bit after. Could this work? Please let me know. We do…

What is your opinion on Ghost Trains? Personally I love them! My favourites are Hinzen's haunted mansion that is from holland but comes to winter wonderland and Horror Hotel at Brighton pier. I think a ride like the haunted mansion would be good to replace SAW alive cause it's a unique ghost train in the fact that it's suspended

Feel like people like Peaj and people who did/or have done Brave it Alone would like this. And the question is, would you?

Although I have an annual pass, I was just having a look at the merlin theme park's prices. Is it just me or are they ridiculously overpriced excluding 2 for 1 vouchers! Also do you think parks in the UK should have longer hours and be open till midnight like Disneyland is? Thanks guys...

The report is out! http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_159_241229_160525.pdf Key notes: MK has hit over 20 million, Towers down 25% to just over 1.9 million as Merlin only gain 0.2% overall with Disney gaining 3.something and Universal 11% to go from 40 mill to 44 million guests a year.

Mods - if this is better placed elsewhere, please move! I'm fascinated by what people will pay for on eBay that's theme park related so thought I'd start a topic to discuss/share odd items etc. relating to our beloved Merlin Theme Parks. Some recent auctions I've found - these are "Sold" items, not unsold items with high start prices - real life money changed hands! I've omitted some listings for genuine old-skool memorabilia (Thorpe Rangers etc) as I can see there is actual value in that... I do know that everything has a price depending on how much people want it! Air Pin badge: £82.00 Thirteen Staff badge: £72.00 Alton Towers 2016 & DBGT Staff Ba…

If anyone shouts at me this was JoshC.'s idea to put it here. If you shout you get no sweets!! Long story short, for my Media BTEC I'm doing a documentary on Theme Parks! Specific topic? Not too sure yet, that's where you come in *opens arms* It would be an absolute honour to have input from big fans of theme parks! I want to do interviews etc, also get footage from other parks that you've been to. Expiriences and what not. Forum discussion groups is the main aspect of resources for this topic and you're all lovely *bats eyelashes* so help is much needed. it's in general as it's not specific to one park or attraction as such, was thinking about doing them on ride accid…

Dear All, This is a really random question, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any resources for Theme Park "Floor Plans" or "Ride Layouts". I must admit, I just love looking at these sorts of details when it comes to the theme park experience, and was hoping to find somewhere that shows the Merlin Parks, and maybe a few other places like PortAventura, Efteling etc. I found this account on Flikr that has loads of Walt Disney World, and they are fascinating! - https://www.flickr.com/photos/63631877@N00/albums/ Any others that you know of would be great to see! Thanks, Jammy3112