Sheepie

Are you going to both parks Ryan?For Disneyland Park, I'd recommend doing the classics- Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor. I much prefer the Paris version of Pirates to the Florida version, which is short and rushed in comparison.Not sure how much time you have there.

Lap-bar technology has become so sophisticated within the last 5 years or so. They are now able to support riders comfortably and safely throughout almost every coaster manoeuvre. Case in point- Blue Fire and Hollywood, Rip, Ride, Rockit. The B&M clamshell restraints, found on their hyper-coasters, are loved throughout the enthusiast community.

Me too, though didn't want to come accross as a know-it-all. I think you're underestimating the amount of work people put in to things like this which will go mostly unnoticed by the average guest. Again, not to expect anything dramatically different, but there are people at the parks who do things like this each year without any, or very little recognition.

Agh cheers Ryan, I'm well and truly freaked now. Gotta love The Moff though.

There will be a lot of repainting, no doubt, and a few minor changes, just like every year (although I don't think it's been painted properly since 2006). Though obviously we won't see anything major until the park decide to do the attraction justice and more importantly, the all important budget to do it. Exactly what I thought the other day. Ah well.

Every once in a while, somebody creates something that is unlike anything else that has come before it. Otherwise the industry would never develop or move on.I just want to throw my penny's worth about that Gary guy- I thought he was hilarious and the entertainment value of his posts fair outweighed any trollage. :PHex though, I would absolutely love for there to be a Live version at Scarefest that is actually an advertised attraction for the entire duration and not just the last two days, by rides staff. I would love to go through it.

Haha! Were you not able to just get a really long broom or mop? Or is it pretty high? Haven't been to Legoland for years.I'd like to see some improvements that are on the same scale as last year. I was pleasantly surprised when the park re-opened for 2010.

I agree with Ryan. I don't know why anyone would want the park to become even more of a concrete jungle. They have added a lot of trees over the years, around ride areas. Although the Colossus queue line area comes to mind- it looks quite appealing with all the trees and greenery.Parks need areas where guests are able to retreat for a while; not everyone can go charging about between rides. Even guests that do charge about, subconsciously the brain will take note of little things like greenery, trees and nicely presented areas. It definitely makes a difference.

Well I wouldn't read into anything that much. I do love the TTF community though. One of my favourites.

I don't mean to play Devil's Advocate, but did nobody else consider that Gary was being sarcastic?My opinion of the Bubbleworks? Rip it out. it's an insult to the previous ride.

The Sheeps is back. ;)I went away for a while but had to come back; let's just say it was a future career decision.

I think it speaks volumes about the park by looking at their Facebook page. It's representing the park. Therefore everything that happens on there is linked with the park's image. You could argue that it doesn't matter as much because of the target audience, I guess. Find it strange that Thorpe don't reply to comments and such, like others have said, both Alton, and Chessie manage it, therefore the argument that they're too busy is a load of rubbish, regardless of who runs it.

Aww wow! Thanks everyone! :DAlthough personally I think Dan should have won!

I can see where you're coming from Tom. It definately won't be to the same standard of Th13teen, or many of Alton's other attractions, and I think people people are making out this "retheme" is going to be something more than it is.I don't think it's any secret that current management are unhappy with Spinball and (old) Rita in terms of appearance, so I would expect improvements eventually, Maybe sooner than we think.

As much as I don't think it'll have indoor sections, it actually sounds like such a great idea now.The indoor section could be the station, and be themed brilliantly, thus bettering the ride experience- will be good zooming through it during the ride. Plus it'd make fantastic operational sense having the station sheltered from our British weather, helping to keep both staff and guests happy.Fun to speculate, but as Rich said, all buildings have to have planning permission.

I don't think they're using originality at all. Unless you mean name wise. Like I said the other day, I think it's just a way in which they can spruce the ride up a bit in the short term, before they decide what to do long term. Plus it gives them something to market for Half Term.Really though, I think a lot of people overlook some of the amazing creative talent that goes in to making some of these attractions; but that's another conversation for another day.

Sorry for the double post, but it was 19 days ago Update from today from Briman over at Orlando United First picture showing progress on Hogwarts Castle, which is surely the most expensive ride building facade ever created. Second picture showing Duelling Dragons (soon to be Dragon Challenge), along with Hogsmeade Village.For many more amazing photos, check out the site in the link above. You can also click here.

I've heard they tried to fix it as well. Too bad some of the engineers don't give two donkies about it and maybe don't put in as much effort in that respect. Afterall, they've got a hell of a lot of pressure on them as it is, I can't really blame them.I would love for there to be a department that concentrates completely of special effects, music, lighting and scenery. At the moment, officially it's engineering who are responsible for ride effects, lighting and music, whilst maintainence who are in charge of queueline issues, however because it is written on the ride's inspection paperwork, engineers tend to do that as well.I think the main attitude is, as they have so much work load, if it doesn't breach health and safety regulations, or bring in money directly, then it's not worth it.Although that attitude has slowly been changing over the last couple of years, so we shall see!

Sadly, I believe knowing the right people is probably majorly advantagous. not just at Chessington though, I think it's like this for most jobs these days...

Hey Carl! Hope you feel very welcome. If you need anything then feel free to pm anyone!

Love your pics! Tidal is so photogenic! Check your pm's!

Interesting! You can sometimes smell it in the Samurai queueline.

LOL! You made up a key! Brilliant.And I do know what you mean holt, I think where everything is just new, possibly a mixture of wood and what they've treated it with?

I don't think it's confirmed, just rumoured. Although the general feeling is that it's going ahead. Unless yu can confirm it yourself, Peter :DI'm in two minds about this really, on one hand, it feels like a step back in a way for Merlin who seemed to be steering away from sponsorships.The way I see it though, they're able to give the ride a spruce up, even if it's just the repainting to that darker blue, new signs, queueline games and some new music and announcements, I'll be happy. Seems as though they're trying to just improve the appearance of the ride in the short term, until they make a decision, whether to relocate, or a more long term retheme.

And that you should, because there's one on the plans