Leaderboard

So it seems following what I believe was a successful late night opening this Saturday just gone they are opening again until 10pm this Saturday as well...

A full review will be happening once I've ridden Icon more times, but for now I'll just summarise in brief. A very fun coaster with lots of unique elements, the changes in direction are frantic at times and there is lots of airtime to be had. I found that both halves complimented each other perfectly, with one of the highlights being diving through the mist-filled tunnel (you literally can't see ANYTHING) and into the second launch. The ride ran efficiently on two trains both mornings, and I believe they will be running all three at peak times. The atmosphere in the ride station is superb with the audio blasting out, and whilst landscaping/audio installation was still taking place (as the rides doesn't officially open until Friday, this is fine), here are some photos of the decoration around the Icon area. Pleasure Beach have done a great job at styling the ride well with a fantastic entrance feature, small water feature in the rock garden, memorial posts (to those involved in the project) dotted around the layout, and the first section of the queue-line is lovely. Loads more photos can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/TheParkUpdates/ A full review will come in the next few weeks

Almost........There........

- The maze was advertised as having more rooms. - I’m not criticising being sent around alone, I don’t like the fact that there are no warnings at the entrance / before you enter that you may be sent around alone. There were disabled people with wristbands who were quite distressed from being separated from their carers and forced to go alone despite objecting. - My point was that part of the fear is being chased by walkers who would be trying to bite you in the tv show. I said that they would obviously never do this. You lose that fear of being chased when they’re just pushing you around awkwardly. - This topic is titled SPOILERS - It may be simple to get actors at this time of the year but it’s hard to feel the ambience of Halloween on a warm, light summer evening. - Fright Nights was so overrated and overcrowded last year with a terrible preview event, a handful of mazes of which one was only a decent length that had multiple e-stops both times I went. (None at Tulleys) Fortunately it was the first year I went to Tulleys which is a far superior event to fright nights. (With 8 mazes, 9 this year as well as staying open to midnight) I’m certain that unless there are significant changes, I will most definately be missing Fright Nights. Hence this is why I am criticising this free attraction in good time for October.

Chessington. It is arguably one of the most iconic and notable tourist attractions in the United Kingdom and naturally enriched in facts and history. Opening it’s doors in 1931, Chessington Zoo was born and was once the largest private zoo in England as a result. Years passed by and Pearsons brought up the zoo. When the 1980’s arrived, the zoo was believed to be in decline and Tussauds (part of Pearsons) had the challenge of rejuvenating the attraction to a new generation. Special effects designer John Wardley was one of the key people working on this project, which would transform the failing attraction into one of first proper theme parks in the U.K. In 1987, the attraction reopened as Chessington and was believed to be successful. Built on a relatively low budget, some of the park’s attractions included the powered coaster Runaway Train, cult classic dark ride ‘The Fifth Dimension’ and tradition logflume, Dragon River. It is the latter we shall focus on here (with good reasons to follow). During it’s early years, the Dragon River was richly themed, from it’s giant Buddha, Dragon tunnel and rock work, which dominated the ride’s lifthills and surrounding area. It’s Asian architectural design and landscaping perhaps once regarded the ride as one of most richly themed attractions out there. Some say the water was even dyed once to further enhance it’s then mystic theme. Years later it would became renamed as Dragon Falls. (Above) The ride during days of past when theming was complete. N.B not my photo (Theme Uk) As the years passed, the theme park continued to grow and progress, however Dragon Falls through time became neglected and poorly looked after. In 2005, a large proportion of theming and rockwork was removed but not replaced, leaving the second lift and other surrounding areas to be exposed and naked from their former theming. By the time 2013 further theming was removed, including the rock faces on the main drop and remaining rock work on lift one. Once again, these were not replaced, likely down to being condemned and sufficient budgets not being provided. Around this time, the ride was threadbare of theming on the most part, with the once grand drop area looking like this: Compared to what it had once been, the general state of the ride was bleak, empty and something of an embarrassment. A once themed attraction striped threadbare of it’s once grand and striking appearance. The tunnel was also chopped in half, making a barely dark experience around a ‘back of house’ location. For five seasons, the ride continued to operate in this delapidated state. Apart from a safety upgrade, only the Buddha, Dragon and station received modest touchups. As nice they were, this didn’t do much to help a ride in a shadow of it’s past. Then in 2017, plans came afoot to refresh the ride and surrounding area including Dragon Falls, which would be given a retheme with new features. Joining alongside a brand new Amur tiger exhibit, the ride would form part of a refreshed area Land Of The Tigers. Though not without it’s fault, this would be the biggest overhaul on the attraction during it’s 31 years of existence. whilst zombies and flames invaded other Merlin attractions, Chessington was busy finishing off it’s Tiger area. Eight months after the closure of the original area, Land Of The Tigers opened to the public. Aside the new enclosures, Chessington’s flume was somewhat reborn with a new identity known as Tiger Rock. The new updates drop area for the ride looks tigerrific One of the biggest updates to the attraction is the brand new Tiger rockwork element, which the boats pass under during the final drop. This offers a great new element of excitement and interaction both on and off ride, looking much better than the previous eyesore in the previous years from the ride. One of the best updates (from a personal perspective) is the station. There is a lot more atmosphere in there now, from it’s new soundtrack to the new artwork and lighting displayed on the side walls. I really like how they’ve kept the oriental theming and enhanced it with things such as lanterns. There’s also a cool tiger effect that activates every couple of minutes too, which is an interesting feature. The exterior updates look nice enough too. Whilst not without it’s faults, Tiger Rock joins the theme park and zoo are one. As long as the enclosures meet sufficient requirements, this may be the best way forward for much of Chessington, by becoming immersed in rides complimented by animal experiences. The tunnel features are an original touch, but the fences aren’t the most attractive. The project has seen changes I like a lot, but others not so much. The tunnel after lift 1 epitomises this. The inside is finally back to it’s original length at long last, accompanied by some random effects/models which really complements the experience. However, the exterior looks hideous, ugly and out of place. Whilst a brightly coloured Dragon would never fit within the new theme, they could’ve done more from the hideous mess that awaits there now. Lift two still doesn’t look great especially without any theming. The added fencing on the side makes it look somewhat worse, but is to probably prevent injury from those less able to remain seated. A limited budget from Merlin likely prevented ‘non safety’ enhancement on this section in the first place, which is a shame really. The picsolve unit has been moved, and creating a new ride shop. A small one there too I should point out. Lift one looks a little nicer with the new decorations. Conclusion: Land Of The Tigers has breathed some new life into area and Flume ride, giving it a fresh identity on the whole as Tiger Rock. Whilst not without it’s flaws, the retheme can be seen as a much needed upgrade, from it’s stunning station to the impressive new theming on the main drop. It’s a shame some areas couldn’t have seen more work, such as theming on lift two and tunnel exterior, however I doubt they were offered enough budget to carry those out sadly. Whilst it’s no Chiapas (and was never supposed to be), I like most of what they’ve done which is probably now my favourite U.K. flume ride, which isn’t difficult to be fair. It may not look as good compared to it’s early years, but is much better than the ones between it. Seven Out Of Ten.

Good news! https://www.looopings.nl/weblog/10094/Parc-Asterix-kondigt-spectaculaire-nieuwe-lanceerachtbaan-aan.html *hopes for a clone*

Assuming it's not changed (was it really 11 years ago I started there?); that is correct.. 16 to host and 18 to operate...

Genuine question, why? Surely you get more value for money when you get to go to all the parks and the midway attractions rather than just Thorpe? Why not just get a Thorpe one if you only use it there?

Yesterday’s trip was great fun. Kudos to Matt Wise and Marc for organising this trip. Double the parks, double the fun. Too many highlights to count, but that group ride on Tidal Wave was tonnes of fun (though very wet).

I thought it was great (much to Cooper's annoyance hehe) and in particular the pre and post ride sections. It has been cleverly thought out and I loved the darkness in places. The canteen section was fantastic as well with the live actors. A much better attraction than X!

It was just more of the same really. The maze wasn’t any bigger. The groups of actors made it a little better than usual. Didn’t start off good as seeing the derelict Slammer up close kind of pissed off a few of us. Then we were separated from everyone we were queueing with. Then I was separated and sent around on my own which had some good interaction with all the actors but my girlfriend was not happy about. I think Thorpes rule of letting the actors touch you takes away takes away some of the psychological fear. You had to push your way through at some points. I kind of get you’re being mobbed by walkers but it’s kind of awkward that they just block you as in reality they’d be trying to bite you which they obviously can’t do. It doesn’t help either doing the maze in May rather than around Halloween where I’d be more in the mood. I wish it was more clear if we were going to be sent through alone before going in. Left rather disappointed and annoyed. If that’s the extreme version (best version) of a fright nights maze, I don’t think I’ll be coming back for fright nights this year. The maze is just too short. I’d happily visit Tulleys instead this year with thier huge mazes, loads of actors who can scare you without touching, themed disclaimers and descriptions of the maze before going in.

Rode it again today, loved it, enjoyed it much more than yesterday. Awesome coaster.

Brilliant trip today guys! Was nice to be able to do two parks in a day.

Not to mention not everyone gets weekends off work and needs to confirm annual leave in advance. Otherwise sufficient cover may not be able to be provided resulting in people unable to go. Not a criticism but something that must be kept in mind for everything.

It's not helped by the personal point scoring that seems to be going around a LOT of Twitter accounts recently... I'm not a fan of Sanbrooke or TPW but another account did basically grass them up for the image in question (why I'm not sure, I'm 100% certain Towers keeps tabs on plenty of relevant media accounts themselves), for some reason... I've unfollowed the account as a result because it wasn't needed to be done in such a public setting (if Towers REALLY cared about it, they would have contacted Sanbrooke directly to discuss it) and for such blatant point scoring (it's not the first time I've seen them do such nonsense)... It's sad to see the UK scene becoming really petty these days... Regarding cameras on rides, it's gotta be a common sense thing right? A flat out ban on all rides is just an over-reaction (so expect Merlin to do this) and will not be a great sign when someone gets berated for taking pictures of their kid on Sea Dragons...

I don't think this is being emphasized enough here. Towers' responses are blunt and edging towards rude. Regardless of what the rule is or isn't, their tone of voice over Twitter stinks in this instance, and in many others. Saw a tweet where someone was asking for bus times to/from the park, and their response was effectively 'Google it'. That's dreadful. The team running responses to social media posts clearly are terrible this year and need complete retraining on basic customer service and basic social media skills. Terrible image for the park, despite being so easy to get right.

Exactly this. AT are wrong to have tried to publicly chastise someone who has in reality followed their own rules. As Barron says, to put it down as 'all rides and attractions' would include monorail and skyride. But that is clearly a nonsense, so clear unambiguous signage at each ride entrance is how it should be managed. There's nothing wrong or inherently dangerous with filming on the rapids.