Sheepie

Maybe it's just me, but I don't really consider Nemesis that well themed!

Really pleased you decided to join! Welcome!I know what you mean, it doesn't look finished does it? What we have to remember is, it is unlikely guests will see it too much from the camera's point of view, most of the guests' view point will be from the other side; ie- the themed side. Time will tell I guess!

Station update, from facebook!http://www.facebook....68536083&type=1Also:Hmm, I spy with my little eye.... Thoughts?Edit: Oi, you 70 guests that are browsing the forum, register for an account and join in the fun!

RIP Jaws!

Of course, the Belle, from what I've heard is unlikely to be used as a transportation facility due to issues with being able to use it reliably, safely and practically for guests. It's a nice idea, although does Thorpe even need to have a facility like that?

In an effort to make an intelligent reply ( Graeme) to your post, it really does depend on what you mean. I think you're talking about how new rides are developed, from concept, to design, to construction and ultimately, to opening? It's not really an easy question to answer and there is no definitive, quick or simple phrase.Various park managers, including marketing directors, the divisional director and head of engineering (also other department heads such as rides managers) first sit down and have a meeting about future development. They may come up with a vague, blue sky thinking concept or just come up with the very generic basics of what they want the ride to be (coaster, flat, thrilling ect).There are various people that have to get involved and processes that need to happen, such as funding for an attraction, which on my very limited knowlege, can only happen once Merlin Headquarters have approved the plans and concept (who also, don't forget, are borrowing money from Blackstone).Before that though, there will be various meetings with Merlin Studios about what the park want; the type of experience they're after, the concept theme. They will do concept art and continue to have meetings with the park. Once the park are happy, a manufacturer needs to be brought in to see if they are happy to be a part of the project. So, the Studios will contact B&M, Intamin... whoever and present them with their brief for what they want.For a coaster for example, the Studios and Park work very closely with the manufactuer as to what layout they would like. There may be specific features that the park want; such as Swarm's first drop/ inversion. So there will be many ideas brought to the table from both the manufacturer and the studios/ park.Once a layout is decided upon, the studios draw up plans for the ride that will be submitted to Merlin for approval and also potential planning permission. I'm unaware of who exactly draws technical drawings of track- whether it's the manufacturer or the studios. However, all scenic elements, including any buildings will have to be drawn to scale with colours and materials all shown with a key, this is carried out by the Studios and are the plans you see when viewing the application online, such as The Swarm.Concepts will be presented to Merlin for approval, this will likely contain more concept art and the basic premise of the attraction. Marketing will likely be a part of the presentation as they will most likely want to outline how they're going to market the attraction to the public; remember, Nick Varney is a massive believer in Marketing.The develpoment gets approved ( ) and an agreed budget is set for the project. The Studios then mostly outsource a lot of the work to freelance companies and third parties who specialise in a particular thing. For example, a special effects company will be employed for any effects (take Swarms water splash for example) and specialist scenic design companies will make big scenic elements for the attraction. Very recently I have discovered that the Studios are run very much as a separate company to the attractions. Quite simply, the reason they outsource a lot of the creative work is because it is cheaper than the company that is supposed to be affiated with them and they often do better work. There are exceptions to this, but on the whole that is the case. I do wonder if this is likely to change, with Merlin's recent new structuring of "Merlin Magic Making". This is outlined on the recent Merlin half-annual report and also on the careers website. Perhaps we could see more emphasis on this in the future.Meanwhile, a specialist construction company will follow the project through, from groundwork, to track completion. So many peolpe will be involved, from electircians to programmers. The park will be busy too, as they will likely be affected by the construction of the ride, such as closing the area off, providing access to the site, facilities for the staff, compiling a schedule for all people involved, marketing will be busy on their strategy (which has a massive detailed process of its own) and everything will just be hunky dorey.Eventually the ride is launched, the ride makes loads of money for the park, enthusiasts debate about it and blame all sorts of people if they hate it and likewise when praising it (even a wiff of John Wardley being involved and his name is used as though he was the soul designer, even though he provides minimum input on new Merlin Attractions). Ultimately, Merlin will take all of the credit for it, including Miss Candy Holland (Creative Director for the Studios) and the process shall begin again for their next development.I'd just like to add- this is a very brief account based on my own, sometimes uneducated knowlege about the process, having spent 11 years following the theme park industry online, I'd like to think I have a decent amount of knowlege but obviously you can't know everything. I could be totally wrong! Hopefully it wasn't too boring and that it answers your question.

Totally bringing this back from the dead, but if people are wondering what the effect mentioned above was like, a very similar one can be found in Hocus Pocus Hall.

http://www.nolimitsc...er.de/news.htmlLooking incredible. I can't wait to buy this thing. Looking likely to be another couple of years though isn't it. Exciting new features such as storage track and manual block mode.Loving the new sounds for that B&M coaster.

Naughty!

There will still be a lot to do onsite. A lot of things need to happen before the ride can be signed over to the park. Geo is correct; all sound equipment needs to be installed, lighting, including emergency lighting, the ride needs to complete a certain amount of testing hours and health and safety need to sign things off. Of course, you have pathways, general landscaping... the site team are going to be extremely busy in the new year. How exciting!

Double post anarchy. Bringing this over from the Christmas topic, don't want to spoil everyone else's fun! I enjoy how you've quoted the only part of my post that is partially negative. Let's just disregard the rest of my post that wished everyone a happy, safe and enjoyable Christmas.This has touched a big nerve because quite honestly, I'm at my loneliest at this time of year. A lot of people spend it with their family, friends, loved ones and for them it is a very special time of year. There are people, however, who could not imagine anything more lonely than to spend it with their family. It brings up awful memories for me, of family that are still here but haven't seen in 7 years, family that have died, friends who are far away and it makes me reflect about my life in a negative way.However, I do not for one minute try and bring everyone else down with me; I "do" Christmas for everyone else who love it and clearly brings a lot of joy. It takes so much energy to be selfless and to try and keep the magic up for my brother and sister and to just generally be pleasant about it all.

She was probably the sort of person ITV's chairman had in mind when Tim Minchin's song that was meant to be on Ross' show was cut at the last minute.

Love the time of year, hate actual Christmas Day. I'm not here to bring everyone down, I just wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope that everyone is safe and is spending it with people who are close to them.Love you all. :)Mikey. x

I'm looking forward to seeing the plans updated- after Christmas/ New Year. What I find interesting is that the planning outline doesn't suggest a new ride building replacing the old tent. Just "associated buildings". I would love for this to be an indoor coaster which would eradicate a majority of noise problems.If this is an outdoor coaster, I can honestly imagine more problems for the park. It does seem all rather backwards thinking, at least to me, to apply for permission to build such a big project here, whilst looking at the ongoing noise issues a select few of the neighbours have with the park.Saying that, I think this is great news, especially for X Sector and Oblivion; assuming these will get re-furbished and properly (I am looking at you Dark Forest), which as we know, has been left looking rather sorry for itself the last few years. Would be awesome for Alton to win the current court case and then for the planning permission to get approved. Big two fingers up to the Ropers!

I wasn't talking specifically about Swarm's area, I did mean the park in general- just to clarify.

I agree Mark, though there are several planned to be installed according to the MTDP. Thorpe do already have some great flats. I'd definitely like to see a support ride, whether it's your traditional flat ride or something a bit extra, who knows!

I think it'd be good to have a flat ride or two to support The Swarm, as long as they're creatively themed up to the same standard as the coaster. Maybe 2013 season or 2014.

Merry Christmas from Walt Disney World!

I'm not a fan of the colours either and also question the point of the train configuration, but then again, this is why I don't go to amusement parks because I'm much more about experience and story rather than track and train. I would expect the lowest level of themeing from an amusement park.

But you see, Intamin could build the World's best roller coaster and Benin and Mark would still hate it because it's Intamin.

I get that as a whole package, such as the look of the trains and the colours of the track, it may be disappointing. I also get the questionable seating arrangements. If this was in a theme park, I'd agree that it was a factor going against it. However, in an amusement park, I fail to see how any of the aesthetics of the track and train affect the actual ride experience. As long as it's comfortable, reliable and thrilling, what else matters?

I feel like I'm in such a minority, but I think the track layout looks really good! It shall all depend on the restraints I guess. Cheetah Hunt has softer restraints but even then the coaster is so smooth anyway. I wonder if we shall see straps as seen before on Intimidator 305 again?

I'm glad you're still reading them Mark. Hopefully people haven't lost interest because I've taken so long to get round to uploading them!

Remember four months ago when I got back from America and said I'd post trip reports? Well, I finally got done on uploading the third day. :PDecember 22, 2011 Tower of Terror & Hollywood StudiosBy cheekysheepskiWhen I came to writing my experience of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I decided to take on a different approach. Instead of doing a commentary of the whole park, I’m going to focus on one of my favourite attractions: Tower of Terror.Before I get to talking about arguably Disney’s best attraction, let’s take an overview of the Hollywood Studios.This is my least favourite Disney park; there is something quite awkward about it: it’s layout, the questionable positioning of certain features and the attractions that are on offer.Perhaps I’m being harsh on the park, it does have some fantastic attractions, such as the recently re-furbished Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Rock’ N ‘ Rollercoaster, a multitude of shows and of course, the Tower of Terror. Though, saying it is my least favourite Disney park is like saying you were disappointed with winning £1M on the lottery instead of the £5M estimate. The quality is there, just perhaps the experiences on offer did not resonate with me, personally.Actually, I have changed my mind whilst writing this.. the Studios are fantastic, yet those certain aspects that I listed above prevent the park from becoming one of my favourites.Attractions I enjoyed the most:Star ToursToy Story (though I would not wait in line for over an hour for it)The MuppetsTower of Terror.If you're interested in reading the full review then please check out the ol' blog- http://cheekysheepsk...udios/#more-307