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Didn't read the talk of article but the talk of saving sea life centres from decline is amusing since the theme parks have all declined IMO under Merlin. There approach centre's on short lived fad brands and the latest technology as stated, Thorpe Park being a prime example DBGT, the walking dead the ride and Love Island lates (REALLY!) rather than focusing on fad rubbishy events and the latest technology why not stick with the tried and tested and general upkeep to provide a better experience for customers. I haven't been to a Merlin theme park for 3 years now and I really don't feel like I've missed out on anything at all, I'd much rather save my money and go a theme park elsewhere in the world or blackpool pleasure beach where the industry is competitive and the rides and parks are of much better quality and upkeep IMO. I totally agree on the prices not being warranted for just over £50 I went to Tokyo Disneyland and that is far superior to any Merlin price, asking the same price as that feels like day light robbery and all the bad reviews show many feel the same.

Innovation in the industry is a good thing, but in some cases Merlin are needlessly complicated, look at the Ghost Train! The heavy reliance on VR makes the attraction incredibly unreliable, and ironically the best parts of the attraction are the non VR sections! Honestly I think Thorpe could of done a Vekoma Madhouse with a pre-show and that would of been better than The Ghost Train! Its the more simple aspects of the attraction that are the most enjoyable IMO! Like the theming and final Dungeon style effect. Using new technology and doing different stuff is good, but if the technology is unreliable and inferior to a more traditional ride, then whats the damn point? Merlin could of easily built a madhouse/tracked dark ride for fractions of what The Ghost Train cost and it would of been more reliable and more enjoyable!

This is very exciting, wonder if it'll be like the 90s PB series - "get the damn thing open!"

There has to be a balance when using new tech, there’s no doubt a place for it as time and technology is evolves - it’s easy to blame merlin all the time, but without being part of the conversations between Merlin and the suppliers it’s impossible to know what was promised!

Thing is, lets take Derren Brown, its not the companies behind the implementation of that ride that will get the complaints and a reputation for poor reliability, its Merlin. They can blame the manufacturers all they want, but when it comes to it, Merlin knows the risks and pursues it anyway.

“When I started in 95/6 every single SEA LIFECentre was in decline,” he says. But we stopped the decline, and turned it around.” In the latter part of 90s Vardon plc started putting all their money into health and fitness. “It was a bit like a cuckoo in a nest, elbowing out the others,” says Varney. “We weren’t getting any capex, so it was a good thing to go up for sale.” He could be describing the plight of our parks in the current Merlin Midway empire! We need someone to stop the decline and turn it around, I don't believe Varney will be that someone.

Really good article with Nick Varney here - actually think he addresses what you say about ghost train too! “When the tech works well, it can offer the chance to create “even more mind-blowing immersive experiences”, he says. However there is a caveat. “A lot of suppliers out there are not delivering on their promises. You create demand, customers queue up, rides break down, and equipment doesn’t work: you end up disappointing a lot of people. It was a point I raised at the IAAPA GM’s breakfast.” “We’ve quite had a lot of issues with this. You want to be innovative but you always have to balance it with how certain you can be of a high level of delivery operationally with new rides and attractions.” https://blooloop.com/features/nick-varney-merlin-entertainments-ceo/

Kebabs can be rather tasty and it's definitely improved by asking them to leave the pita bread out. You get quite a lot of food for the money. I think Fin's has upped its game this year too, consistently decent pub quality (especially their fish and chips) and they have improved their beer selection.

It used to be Calypso/Bush BBQ Probably BK now.

Chessington was decent today. The park wasn't too busy and operations seemed marginally better than our visit last year, also ride availability was excellent throughout the day with only a couple of breakdowns. I mean sure, it's becoming bland and stale like all the Merlin parks and has completely lost its character, but was a fun day today.

Thorpe has lost its identity with this obsession for tacked-on IPs.

It suits Thorpe to a tee these days.

I haven't seen them working this year, they looked like they were in a bit of a state and neglected again last time I went on TW.