Sheepie

Following rumours about slashed operating budgets, Alton Towers have reduced operating hours accordingly to 4pm on a large selection of the open season.http://www.altontowers.com/events/opening-times/#tab-themepark-mar

I thought this was a lovely photo taken last night! From Twitter:

Official testing footage from Europa Park!

Two posts above yours dude... yeah I noticed. I think it's just nature own weathering though and lots of muddy feet walking over it. Looks good with a more distressed feel, tis good!

If someone had shown me that photo 5 years ago, I'd have never predicted it was from any Merlin park; perhaps in Europe somewhere. That is total credit to the entire team who worked on the ride. Visually, this ride is a classic and built for longevity. I love how weathered the paving slabs look already. Fabulous. I can't wait to browse all of the pictures over the next day or so.

I wonder if we'll see the ride appear on any breakfast/ news/ daily TV shows over the next few days. Media Day tomorrow.

Christ on a bike. That is an impressive piece of scenic work there! Dominating!

Apologies. Funnily enough my comment had nothing to do with TPM whatsoever and was related to a forum for theatre technicians. Though my original stance still stands, a little initiative and thought into things work wonders.

You have no idea!Smidget... unfortunately everything I have to say about her is inappropriate for the forums. That's just how she rolls guys, don't judge.

People who lack very basic common sense/ initiative with things when they've most likely been given the information already but are still confused so they sign up to a forum and ask the all very important question:What do I wear?

I don't think anyone here is saying it is a negative thing to try something new for Swarm's opening. From the information that is publicly released, we know the park are holding an event across the first few days. We know that there'll be actors across the area and we now know that there'll be a band, at least for the actual opening day.Whilst the band may not be my cup of tea, I do think it's cool that any fuss at all is being made. I think we've been so spoilt with this entire project that we've begun to take things for granted. From the sounds of things there will be a few more surprises in store, indeed, in-keeping with the ride's theme. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that front. Less than two weeks people!

I'm bored on this dull Sunday afternoon and decided to browse the Merlin Entertainments site. Going through their press releases, I found an interesting article about Merlin Magic Making.http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/en/press/merlinappointsfirstgroupcreativedirector211111.aspxAbout a year or so ago they made all creative aspects to the business a clear separate entity on the Careers website. It seems that Merlin are trying to push more focus on these avenues and I do believe we have seen some results of this already. From the Press Release it also seems to suggest that they aim to provide a service to non- Merlin theme parks as well.

A 1990 Tussauds Group (when they bought Alton Towers) were an extremely different company to what is now Merlin Entertainments. Not only that, the theme park industry has evolved so much and so has the culture of people. Back then Tussauds' parent company, Pearsons owned CWoA, Madame Tussauds, Rock Circus and a couple of other minor attractions (forgive me if I'm wrong or have missed any).Very limited or vague market research was carried out because essentially, there was little, to no theme park industry in the UK and to a certain extent around Europe. Back then it was all relatively new and relied very heavily on industry experts from the theatre and film industry to know what would entertain an audience. It wasn't until the 1980's that Britain saw it's first modern day adaptation of a theme park in CWoA.In today's age people have become a lot more savvy to the entire theme park industry and in a tough economic climate where a company is owned by an investment bank who expect substantial profits and repayments, mainstream is what has to be on the cards to ensure a beyond satisfactory profit is made.

I'm with you there Benin. I do understand Merlin's stance on the issue. They have to keep things as mainstream as possible because they want to appeal to as many people as they can.Though in truth, it is companies such as Merlin who do have the power to be able to change a culture and perception of these coasters.

It's not Merlin's view of wooden coasters. It's the public's perception of them that make them reluctant to build one; as studied through market research.The Great British Public is who we have to blame.

I'm probably in a minority, but I'm really glad they didn't go through with those plans. I'm all for a wooden roller coaster, those plans just never really impressed me.Technology has come so far since then regarding wooden roller coasters. I'm sure GCI would do wonders with such a unique and interesting landscape.

I'd keep my eyes peeled on ITV's ad breaks this evening!

That gave me goosebumps and really freaked me out. Could they be going down the Thirteen route and having a few teasers as well as a main full length advert?Amazing promotion.

Wow, you commute 120 miles each day? That is commitment my friend! I'm sure what I'm about to say has already crossed your mind but honestly, the quality of your life is not necessarily dependant on the amount you earn. £40K to £25-30K is quite a jump down, and that is one hell of a plunge, however, as you say you live closer to Chessington which means you save on travel costs plus you get more time to yourself each day. I guess it depends on whether you're happy in your current job and what made you apply for this position in the first place. If anything, it'll certainly be a fantastic experience for yourself. I'd go along to the assessment personally and see what you think of the role.Welcome to the forums by the way- I've been thoroughly enjoying reading your posts and what you have to say!

When I first read these comments I thought you were on about the "official" content for the site, not comments made by the general public! Although I'd imagine the odd typo does occur. Spelling mistakes made by guests' reviews though makes it seem more personal and genuine, I can see why semantec have allowed it.

I just want to point out that the advert is being shown at Showcase over at Bluewater. It was played before a showing of the Woman in Black.

Awesome news Adam! :DYou're on the list- it must have been a temporary glitch!

Alright there duckies!?So we have a confirmed date for our meet. I'm very much looking forward to it! Those of you visiting the park the previous Saturday- be sure to look out as there will be various members and a whole horde of theme parks enthusiasts at the park that day; no doubt you'll bump into people you recognise, say hey! :)Rounding off the details then:Sunday 25th MarchSwarm Fire Engine (Proper picture to be uploaded when one becomes available)11:30am-12pmPlease confirm your attendance by using the nifty buttons in the first post.

I totally forgot TTF were going. I'll be sure to come and gatecrash your meet Astro! (Love TTF )

I'm planning to attend the Southparks meet that day. I'm guessing there will be a lot of members attending this day who will be coming to the following Sunday's meet. I'd imagine that Saturday will just be one big enthusiast meet with various different forums. But yes, I'll be on park along with many other enthusiasts.As long as the people who go to this and are planning to go the following Sunday turn up to that meet then awesome!