TraX

I remember it looking pretty new and exciting There was an odd show that took place with random Animatronics from the roof too.. only happened to see it twice, prob never worked after that.. Alien War on the lower ground and then the double-decker drop tower.. the one that gave me my fear of drop towers-think that ended up at Portsmouth?? Shame it became such a dive for most of it's life after..

You can bet your life that's the route marketing will go down this year, to try rebuild faith.. 'ALL RIDES ARE OPEN!! ALL RIDES ARE OPEN!!' I think this whole thing depends on the crooked town facade that will cover the staff road - but even then - as 3D as they can make it, it's never going to be like going in and out of the caves, which lets face it, made the whole thing, and made RMT much better than it was. What we'll see now is a brown Flying Fish with building facade and flat queueline.

I would LOVE Disney, or anyone else to battle against the Merlin Monopoly currently going on. I mean if it's not this, it would be another SEALIFE attraction.. Quality, not quantity please!!!

Well if Falls and Runnaway got stripped of rock work, you can be 100% sure that EVERYTHING at the park was checked, and Rattlesnake passed.. Do remember the bell tower was removed and replaced and re-painted mid season, and the wind turbine was taken down and has never returned, so it did loose a bit..

Or a giant compass with the lands on would be cool.

Bet Thorpe have had their beady eye on this one...

Chessington Buzz just spotted the Holiday Inn's official name change from May 13. This gives the marketing department a March launch for Scorpian Express, a May launch for the Safari Hotel, and an August launch for the Azteca one..

Unlike the marketing image, the original concept art showed a very metal, built creature - maybe something the locals have thrown together to scare off people ? (haha ironic!)

Do you think there's a point where so many attractions themed to look run down Vs ones that actually are run down, just mix together and make a whole park look run down? Honestly, there's not much difference between what is themed to look run down, or ones that actually are?

Well, painting would be a start to lift a knackered looking attraction.. unless hey, it's themed to look run down and or destroyed!

Full page blub on Angry Birds 4d in the new feb edition of Parkworld. Nothing too exciting to mention, but the blurb says that 'guests will be able to enjoy in the comfort of a brand new 326 Simworx effects theatre'. Also mentions that Merlin Magic Making are doing the theming for the area. Whilst Thorpe will be the first to have it, they are eager to roll it out into other park's worldwide.

Current view of the hotel, from a pic put up in a staff area.. 163 days until opening. http://postimg.org/image/oexqz1a4t/

The fire 100% has nothing to do with this attraction. It is not connected in any way, shape or form! The project manager from Zufari is leading this one, and as already said it's being done via Merlin Magic Making.

The park are always going to say 'there's more to expect'.. Whilst the Mexicana re-paint is a great thing, a flat cattle pen queueline.. no tunnel to interact with the track, and a backdrop, which is only there (or will only be there) to hide the staff road around the back, is all a little underwhelming. Fire and water effects, as everyone has already touched on; will be gone in a month or two. The train is currently being painted a rust colour in Wild Asia, it's all only coming together now - last minute. Whilst yes, Market Square is a great thing opening it up (and adding a nice detail), I can't help that falls still looking like rubbish, and what looks like a shadow of it's former self at Runnaway, all feels like a punch in the face. Both attractions in their day were top class. I know it's not always good to look back, and we should go forward, but boy oh boy... they have stepped down in their scale. As I've said, if it's pulled off I will be thrilled. If not, then Merlin Magic Making should hang their heads in shame.

I don't agree tbh.. as already said; it's 'forgotten bog-land' queue is nothing to be proud of. The grandstand queue would have really stood out, rather than another dull wooden fence queueline.

Oh. Yeh, it looks like it's certainlly gonna be like that! I think there's a lot of 'Rain Forrest Cafe' inspiration too, certainlly for the dining side of things...

Odd to see the Loggers tunnel gone, with the first drop exposed from the air too..

Thorpe was in the Metro today.. 'taking in people who have been hit by the floods..' (Suprisingly they forgot to mention they are the 'thrill capital'... Angry Birds.. or maybe sending out a flood water sweeper... or other such pre-season nonsense)

Chessington have updated the hotel info.. Two hotels, not one. A few images of what the rooms will look like, plus the two different hotel logos.. Looks good. 3rd of August... http://www.chessington.com/our-hotel/chessington-hotel.aspx?tabname=Azteca%20Hotel

I'M SO GLAD they kept that queue line! I'm sure the dodgy animatronics are gone, but I thought that old log flume had a huge amount of character (Shame they took the wrong one down!) If I remember correctly, that's quite a long pathway down too...(with no fire exit)

To be fair, it's very on brand, and they're using the chessington theme again, which is great.

Can. Not. Wait. To. Ride. This. Totally suprised these coasters haven't given B&M a run for their comfy greatness!

Just spotted the new Chessington 2014 advert. Looks great, with some jazzed up Zufari stuff, with 'the park' on the horizon. Mentions the still totally unbuilt hotel and Dragon Falls looks great - they must have replaced the stone faces, as they're showing them off again..... (Grrr).. No word on Scorpian Express though...

Market Sq is a positive step, and could become a nice 'center of the worlds' if they don't stick down some crappy flooring and bland old signage. If it's themed well, it's a great step. They do seem to have a run of bad luck though, with the empty patch of Creaky Cafe, and a knocked down zoo building by the Chicken Shack, there's a lot of rough edges. I'm just more concerned that they rip down an enormous amount of theming, which should have been maintained LONG before that happened, and with Falls 'we know it looks bad, send us your ideas and it will be re-developed for next year!' signage that went up all over Mystic East.. What will people think if the rumours are true, that infact nothing has happened with Falls after all..? Thats's why people are negative. We've seen it before. If Falls remains a shell of it's former glory (which it WILL), then marketing need to consider removing the iconic stone faces OFF all the marketing shots and website images, as it's false advertising. If every theme park could photoshop awesome theming onto their rides, well Drayton Manor would look a whole lot more appealing!

Boiler shack: 100% Gone! Pathway through cave: Still there.