mrmonkey

So Sod it, I've never been and think its about time I took myself off to Orlando - the home of theme parks! Basically I just want some advice from those that have been. Core park essentials for me are to do all the Disney parks (although possibly excluding the water parks/ the water parks aren't a priority) and Universal studios and Islands of Adventure. BONUS parks would be seaworld and BUCSH Gardens! but Id rather spend multiple days at the other parks to get all the the attractions done than fitting too much in/rushing! So in terms of where to stay - where is the best to do a Disney and Universal combo? Can you stay at a Disney hotel and easily get to the Universal parks? How long would I need? budget wise 2 weeks is prob max - Hense why I'm thinking about limiting parks BUT IF anyone things 2 weeks IS realistic to fit ALL parks including seaworld & Busch gardens in..... let me know! What time of year to go to avoid the crowds/public holidays with REASONABLE weather - I don't care about it being hot or anything! I don't even mind it being cold as long as its reasonably dry! Any good websites to use to book flights hotel and Park tickets? or agents to go to? Any ££ saving tips? deals? OH - and if anyone wants to join me - open invite

Really Looking forward to see how this lovely little park develops - Visited last year.... and would love to go back next year when the new coaster is open!

DOWN....TO...THE....WIRE........LOL! thanks btw

True! I see the similarities - I'm just thinking of flats which are unique in the UK!

Any news on Ninjago Opening date? ;))

A themed version of one of these???

I agree with a lot of what you say - It has potential, but Current management/ownership doesn't see it! One thing I will add is that Chessington can't Jettison its zoo - they literally are not allowed even if they wanted, I'ts in there planning provision that they retain the zoo! I think they were heading that way in the 90's before realising they could expland but only in animal exhibits!

An example of a VERY well themed zoo is the award winning Pairi Daiza park in Belgium IF Chessington had vision - they could develop such immersive environments - I'm in no way saying Chessington should copy them and just become a zoo - I'm giving an example of the scope you can go to with theming and incorporating animal habitats. its just an example of what COULD be achieved! https://www.pairidaiza.eu/en Also check out the chinese cultural sections - I could imagine mystic East being themed to such an extent!.... thats what I mean, Chessinton may be small and limited but it COULD pack a visual punch if it wanted to. Also to prove that zoos aren't 'not popular' or 'exciting' - because this place looks beautiful, and theres obviously a market for it!

Well how come this boat attraction at Singapore zoo was launched in the last couple of years? and other similar installations have been made around the world?...not in the 80's but now! Chessington need to retain their zoo - its part of there conditions - and in many parts of the park they cannot develop as a theme park , so why not install something like this? Surely this is more exciting than walking around the zoo (which I still think IS exciting btw). I don't think they should use space in which they could build other attractions such as coasters - I'm talking about how the zoo area could develop in the coming years. It would also be very appropriate for the target market - and as for having ZUFARI too - well they'd compliment each other - you'd see different animals on each attraction, and a truck and boat give differing experiences anyway! I agree teenagers COULD find it boring etc etc, but think about grandparents taking their grandkids - its perfect! Its about balance, yes Chessington need to develop new exciting rides and add a new coaster - but I'm thinking of Chessington as a package, as a Resort - and how it could improve both its theme park AND zoo.

Also I'm thinking in terms of Thorpe opening a Woodie in 2020 or 2021 - NOT next year competing with SW8 - a couple of years is fine for a new ride to 'not compete' or overshadow another parks attraction! Also It's all down to marketing - 2 different rides could have very contrasting images and marketing campaigns - And thats down to Merlin - in fact thats what Merlin are good at - marketing. Also think of RITA (2005) AND STEALTH (2006) very similar style and theme of ride - within a year of each other!

Alton will be restricted by height with their woodie - So I'm imagining something like Mystic Timbers or Invadr. Thorpe on the other hand could build a much taller woodie - and perhaps one with an inversion (RMC) Also Altons I think is going to be a GCI - Other makes such as Gravity group and RMC give different rides. Also there are many parks especially in America that have multiple woodies in the same park, which all ride differently and compliment each other - so Alton & Thorpe both having a woodie really would not be flooding the market! In a way I also wish Chessington would get a small Gravity group model too

To be honest - I don't think anything could be 'out of place' for Thorpe, its so mish-mashy as it is! I think you UK could do with a new generation woodie - and Thorpe is one of the best sites due to planning restrictions and space!

True - I'm just thinking of the Way Chessington is heading with focus on the zoo and animal attractions - its perfect for the target audience - and elevates it from being a 'zoo' to an 'animal theme park'.

Thorpe Could really do with an RMC or indeed a large gravity group with inversion like the ones being installed in china!

True - doesn't mean Chessington can't do their own version!

Chessington should so develop something like this around its zoo:-

Warning - Spoilers!! Okay - I want to do do a full right up of my (our) day at Chessington at some point but in the meantime, heres what I thought of the Gruffalo:- Considering I'm an old boy and remember the original Professor burbs Bubbleworks from within a season or 2 of it's opening, I am filled with sentimentality and a natural criticism of Modern Merlin and IP attractions. However:- I really did enjoy the Gruffalo for what it was, I appreciated its newness and freshness and found this preferable to viewing a decaying classic - which previously just made me sad! This is now a stand-out piece of theme park immersion for the UK, The visuals and multi-sensory effects really excited me and drew me in, In particular the use of 'scent cannons' throughout the ride and a good balance between animatronics and projection effects! in particular I was impressed by the 'waterfall' effect which made use of projection onto textured scenery! I experienced instant comparisons with Europa park's Arthur attraction, which can only be a good thing! A downside Is the obvious Dead-spots and blank walls, with no effort in some areas to hide Vents, Pipes, wires, electric plugs and staff hatches! In other parks these would have been hidden with strategically placed screens, drapes, foliage etc - particularly when you look up and can see the warehouse corners! I think with the newer slower pace of the boats means you have longer to notice all of this - as well as it depending which way your facing - a case in point being the first scene with the giant book - if you face the other way (viewing the rest of that room) - you see a badly painted blue wall! Some of the animatronics could have done with being a bit more complex too - I know the characters are cartoony - but a moving jaw here and there would have added to the whole and added a further dimension to the 'fibre-glassy' look of the figures! The thing that concerns me with the Gruffalo like with many other merlin attractions is - 'Is an attraction only as good as its first season' - once the effects start to stop working - the ride will quickly loose its magic - It only works so well due to the sum of all its effects working! Another thought was the last room - the 'finale' - this could do with a lot more 'magic' - something climatic - it just feels a bit 'meh' - all the best effects seem to have been used earlier in the ride! - saying that I loved the fog projection before re-entering the station! (how long will that work for). THE other problem is the rest of Chessington now needs to catch up with the Gruffalos level of Immersion!

Ive NEVER been to legoland funnily enough - so am definitely up for this!

Haha seen this - changed! I've got this annoying predictive spelling thing on my laptop!

Eek its gone 8 - but this is my confirmation

Cool what flights are people on? and what hotel are people staying in?

So Hansa has started its season and launched its new website. https://www.hansapark.de I must I love how this park seems to be evolving - here are is a video of KÄRNAPULTEN testing:- And their new mini-coaster looks adorable

Hows Planning coming along for this? :))

Put me down for the meal too

I'm defiantly coming to this if I haven't already said!