JoshC.

For any Doubting Debras over the name, an announcement is due on 8th January, which will no doubt include a teaser video, name release, etc.

Visited the park for the Winter Tail event (Christmas treat for my baby brother - wouldn't dream of thinking of going if he wasn't Gruffalo-obsessed for the record). Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's not the best event. The ride line up of Gruffalo, Adventure Tree, Tiny Truckers, Treetop Hoppers, Hocus Pocus and Amazu hardly sets the world on fire. All the Christmas stuff requires tickets, even though it's all included for free - seems very faffy. I guess it's to stop people going in multiple timrs, but frankly for the cost (£20 for AP holders, £25 without), if my brother wanted to decorate a second Gruffalo cookie, why on earth can't he... The Father Christmas set up used Trick or Treat wood as per, which meant there's about 5 or 6 different Father Christmases, and it wasn't disguised very well. The presents given to the child consisted of a choice of some cheap, discontinued Chessington tat (a basketball, a notepad, a small teddy or some stickers), none of which were wrapped up, which is very much a substandard grotto. Adults got a free hot drink (which was easily the most watered down hot chocolate I've ever had) and gingerbread cookie. So yeah, not a great event. My brother enjoyed it enough (mostly because he got to ride Gruffalo far too many times), but that doesn't excuse the poor standard. Not that I think anyone else on here is in the target market for this, but yeah, avoid.

Wonder if there was anything about construction going vertical...or burgundy-coloured passports... (From the park's Facebook)

If a video of a guy talking in Polish in front of some track is your sort of thing, then boy have I got an early Christmas present for you... Don't understand a word of Polish so no idea what the guy is saying, but yay, more track.

Has it really been 8 months since there was any worthwhile updates on this? Wow.. It's a nice sandy gold colour, I like it. Seen some people moan it's not as gold as concept art made it out, but meh, it looks fine to me. I saw this and thought to myself 'there hasn't been too many new coasters of that colour'. Then realised I couldn't think of any examples from the last 4 years aside from Helix and Baron. Blimey. At least with this, Walibi Belgium's new thing, Fenix at Toverland and FLY in 2019 we're getting a nice brighter mix...

That's a lovely shade of blue...

Also forgot to mention that funding had been approved for 2 more of the 2020 coasters.. The 'multi launch water coaster', will feature 5 inversions, launched of up to 62mph and a max height of 35m. Dare I say...Aquatrax?! The mine train will feature 3 lift hills, 3 trains seating 30 people each, and a length of at least 1200m (almost 4000ft), which would be comparable to Colorado Adventure at Phantasialand in length. Their fourth proposed coaster for 2020, a tilt coaster, is still awaiting funding to be guaranteed. What companies will be involved for these coasters isn't confirmed. Given the parks track record, if say Vekoma for the mine train is almost a certainty. The water coaster feels more like an Intamin thing, but I wouldn't rule Mack out either...

The Gruffalo joins these other prestigious rides to have won best new attraction.. 2011 - Raptor 2012 - The Swarm 2013 - The Smiler 2014 - Ratatouille 2015 - Baron 1898 2016 - Taron / Klugheim 2017 - The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (Please can someone explain how Helix didn't win best new ride 2014??) The thing with these awards is people tend to vote for stuff they have ridden, rather than looking at things more generally. Symbolica had quite a low ridership (and, in general, interest) this year, which partially explains its lack of victory. Also why Shambhala took its crown back as best international coaster, due to the Port Aventura meet. It's a bit of a mix. There are plenty of people who can't go abroad due to age, money, other commitments, etc. (though you'd be surprised at how cheaply you can do some parks abroad if you want to!). But equally there are people who could, but don't, instead choosing to visit the same parks over and over. If the hobby truly captivates and interests you, sooner or later you'll start exploring and looking further afield, going to new places as well as old. Just some people go later rather than sooner. It's their loss though, since it means they don't get to experience the awesome rides that are out there...

2018 - Phantasialand wins best international park, Mega-Lite riots and gets banned as a result. Easy.

^I was surprised at how close it was between Icon and SW8; I fully expected Icon to run away away with it! It was surprising to see how few votes some of the big new European things got - would have thought one of Valkyrie (Liseberg), Avalon (Toverland) or Hyperion (Energylandia) would have gotten completed the Top 3 based on previous years. But alas, a huge RMC is clearly mouth-watering for many! Also, a thanks to anyone who voted for me - mucho gracias!

After a trickle of votes over the past month, I can now officially announce the winners of the 2017 TPM awards... PARK AWARDS Best UK Park 1) Alton Towers (12) 2) Thorpe Park (9) 3) Blackpool Pleasure Beach (6) Best UK Coaster 1) Nemesis (14) 2) The Smiler (4) 3=) The Swarm (3) 3=) Stealth (3) Best UK Flat 1) Rush (6) 2=) Detonator (4) 2=) Samurai (4) 2=) Slammer (4) 3) Time Machine (3) Best UK Water 1) Valhalla (14) 2) Tidal Wave (6) 3) The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (3) Best UK Dark 1) Hex (13) 2) Valhalla (6) 3) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (4) Best UK Scare Attraction 1) The Big Top (9) 2) Chop Shop (5) 3=) Platform 15 (3) 3=) Sub Species: The End Games (3) Best Themed UK Experience 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (6) 2) Hex (5) 3) Valhalla (4) Worst UK Ride 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (7) 2) Storm Surge (5) 3) Colossus (3) Best International Park 1) Europa Park (11) 2) Phantasialand (5) 3) Efteling (3) Best International Coaster 1) Shambhala (7) 2) Helix (6) 3) Taron (3) Best New-For-2017 Attraction 1) The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (7) 2) Symbolica (4) 3) Red Force (3) Best International Themed Experience 1) Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom (4) 2) Wizarding World of Harry Potter (any) (3) 3) The Flying Dutchman (2) Most Uncomfortable Ride 1) Furius Baco (5) 2) Colossus (4) 3) El Condor (3) Most Disappointing Merlin Moment 2017 1) Everything, or words to that effect (5) 2) Budget cuts, in general (4) 3) Slammer closing (3) Best-Looking New-for-2018 Attraction 1) Icon (10) 2) Secret Weapon 8 (9) 3) Steel Vengeance (5) Best Manufacturer 1) Mack (17) 2) B&M (9) 3) Intamin (2) MEMBER AWARDS Best Member 1) @BaronC. 2=) @Ryan 2=) @Felicity 3=) @Benin 3=) @Marc Best Team Member 1) @BaronC. 2) @Ryan 3) @pluk Best New Member 1) @Mega-Lite 2) @Jodie 3) @Mark9's reappearance Best Quality Posts 1) @BaronC. 2) @Wumbamillio 3) @Coaster Best TPM Meet 1) Port Aventura 2) Chessington 3) Christmas 2016 Most Knowledgeable Member 1) @Wumbamillio 2) @BaronC. 3) @Benin Most Dedicated 1) @BaronC. 2) @Marc 3) @Timber Creek Most Sarcastic 1) @Benin (!) 2) @Mitchada04 3) @MattyMoo Most Likely to be Banned in 2018 1) @Timber Creek 2) @Coaster 3) @Mega-Lite Funniest Member 1) @MattyMoo 2) @Benin 3) @Martin Doyle Friendliest Member 1) @Mitchada04 2) @he who shall not be named 3) @Kerfuffle Biggest Fanboy/girl 1) @Timber Creek 2) @BaronC. 3) @Marc Sexiest Male 1) @Mr. Fish 2) @Timber Creek 3) @Ryan Sexiest Female 1) @paige 2) @terrortomb 3) @RubyRed95 Storm Surge Award 1) @Timber Creek 2) @Coaster 3) @Martin.C Cutest Couple 1) @Martin.C and @Martin Doyle 2) @Timber Creek and @terrortomb 3) @Mer and @Stuntman707 Member You'd Like to See More Of 1) @Jart 2) @BenC 3) @WWTPRadio Congratulations to all winners! Wear with pride your victories. Well done to Mack for taking down to B&M stronghold of Best Manufacturer. pluk can have a drink knowing that Time Machine has finally made it into the top 3 flat rides...even if Slammer has sneaked in that list despite never opening...

After a trickle of votes over the past month, I can now officially announce the winners of the 2017 TPM awards... PARK AWARDS Best UK Park 1) Alton Towers (12) 2) Thorpe Park (9) 3) Blackpool Pleasure Beach (6) Best UK Coaster 1) Nemesis (14) 2) The Smiler (4) 3=) The Swarm (3) 3=) Stealth (3) Best UK Flat 1) Rush (6) 2=) Detonator (4) 2=) Samurai (4) 2=) Slammer (4) 3) Time Machine (3) Best UK Water 1) Valhalla (14) 2) Tidal Wave (6) 3) The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (3) Best UK Dark 1) Hex (13) 2) Valhalla (6) 3) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (4) Best UK Scare Attraction 1) The Big Top (9) 2) Chop Shop (5) 3=) Platform 15 (3) 3=) Sub Species: The End Games (3) Best Themed UK Experience 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (6) 2) Hex (5) 3) Valhalla (4) Worst UK Ride 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon (7) 2) Storm Surge (5) 3) Colossus (3) Best International Park 1) Europa Park (11) 2) Phantasialand (5) 3) Efteling (3) Best International Coaster 1) Shambhala (7) 2) Helix (6) 3) Taron (3) Best New-For-2017 Attraction 1) The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (7) 2) Symbolica (4) 3) Red Force (3) Best International Themed Experience 1) Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom (4) 2) Wizarding World of Harry Potter (any) (3) 3) The Flying Dutchman (2) Most Uncomfortable Ride 1) Furius Baco (5) 2) Colossus (4) 3) El Condor (3) Most Disappointing Merlin Moment 2017 1) Everything, or words to that effect (5) 2) Budget cuts, in general (4) 3) Slammer closing (3) Best-Looking New-for-2018 Attraction 1) Icon (10) 2) Secret Weapon 8 (9) 3) Steel Vengeance (5) Best Manufacturer 1) Mack (17) 2) B&M (9) 3) Intamin (2) MEMBER AWARDS Best Member 1) @BaronC. 2=) @Ryan 2=) @Felicity 3=) @Benin 3=) @Marc Best Team Member 1) @BaronC. 2) @Ryan 3) @pluk Best New Member 1) @Mega-Lite 2) @Jodie 3) @Mark9's reappearance Best Quality Posts 1) @BaronC. 2) @Wumbamillio 3) @Coaster Best TPM Meet 1) Port Aventura 2) Chessington 3) Christmas 2016 Most Knowledgeable Member 1) @Wumbamillio 2) @BaronC. 3) @Benin Most Dedicated 1) @BaronC. 2) @Marc 3) @Timber Creek Most Sarcastic 1) @Benin (!) 2) @Mitchada04 3) @MattyMoo Most Likely to be Banned in 2018 1) @Timber Creek 2) @Coaster 3) @Mega-Lite Funniest Member 1) @MattyMoo 2) @Benin 3) @Martin Doyle Friendliest Member 1) @Mitchada04 2) @he who shall not be named 3) @Kerfuffle Biggest Fanboy/girl 1) @Timber Creek 2) @BaronC. 3) @Marc Sexiest Male 1) @Mr. Fish 2) @Timber Creek 3) @Ryan Sexiest Female 1) @paige 2) @terrortomb 3) @RubyRed95 Storm Surge Award 1) @Timber Creek 2) @Coaster 3) @Martin.C Cutest Couple 1) @Martin.C and @Martin Doyle 2) @Timber Creek and @terrortomb 3) @Mer and @Stuntman707 Member You'd Like to See More Of 1) @Jart 2) @BenC 3) @WWTPRadio Congratulations to all winners! Wear with pride your victories. Well done to Mack for taking down to B&M stronghold of Best Manufacturer. pluk can have a drink knowing that Time Machine has finally made it into the top 3 flat rides...even if Slammer has sneaked in that list despite never opening...

To be fair, the tracks continued to play in the queue (both indoor and outdoor) I think, it was just the ride area where it didn't. Gave it a bit more of a memorable feel and was just fun.

Lech is at Legendia though (albeit that's like an hour away at most) Energylandia has the Vekoma launch. I've been looking at it myself and entry prices for both parks totalled at around £30.. Hotels are cheap too so it's a cheap cred run at the very least...

To be fair, the size of the stage and standing area wasn't that bad. It was always aimed to be a more intimate style concert, and the numbers they wanted / needed they justified having anything much larger. Obviously something larger or more permanent could help the park if they decided to do it again, but I don't think it is wholly necessary if the park wanted to try it again. Personally though, I don't think they should bring the event back. It didn't work out (for a variety of reasons in all likelihood), and if much rather see them focus their time and budget in something which will improve the park on a more well-rounded level, rather than a quick new event. In saying that, if Thorpe go ahead with their 10-10 days in summer, they will need something else to help people break up their days. The draw of just 12 hours at Thorpe rides might not be enough for a fair few. Setting up a stage with some small music performances or a couple of shows as a free extra would be the perfect way to help add to the line up then.

It has now been officially agreed with local planning authorities that the RMC will go ahead (with Vekoma involved as the European middleman if you will like with Wildfire). Length will be 'at least' 1300m, as well as the stats above still holding true. One condition is that the coaster is open 'by April 6th 2020'. No word yet on if/when the other coasters might come to fruition, but given the crazy level of investment, and quality of some of it, I imagine it won't be long before we hear about them...

Seeing track installed and in greater chunks is making me warm to the colour scheme a bit more which is good. Nothing else to say other than it's looking great!

LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO GO. PLEASE VOTE. SURVEY MONKEY IS HUNGRY FOR VOTES.

Don't see the need to compare it to Thorpe's since it's completely different circumstances and such, but at least Thorpe's looks fun and something you'd expect from a theme park. This looks more like something for a university or a small start-up business. In fact, the flick on the R is common across many UK universities, for example...

Toverland have revealed that their new logo. Personally, I don't like it; feels very corporate and bland. Didn't need to change what they had really.

IMA score have become a brand in their own right now; in a way, becoming the B&M or John Wardley of audio. What they produce might not always be the best, but they've got a reputation and proven track record for producing good things, and making sure that we're getting something that has had effort and thought put into it. It's sort of a safe bet and reassurance that we'll get something at least half-way decent. And normally, they produce stuff which people respond to well and enjoy both in and out of context, which is win win really. As I've said earlier, it's partly the way the industry is heading. People are seeing audio more and more as a piece of merchandise and a way to either link back to their visit(s), or for more hardcore people to enjoy as something to just listen to back home. IMA score are one of the best at the moment who create music which works well on park, whilst also being easily enjoyed out of context, which not only fits with what people want, but makes people want it more.

Votes close Friday. Please vote. I'm begging you. I'm a human being. Let me have my dignity back.

First hearing of the audio of Avalon.

This is very much a response to the way the industry is going as well. Many parks sell their audio now (not just ones who have IMA score, but others like Efteling and older Movie Park Germany stuff for example), and as it happens more, the more fans - and the public - will come to want and expect it. There is obviously an argument to be made that parks need to make sure the audio sounds good in the park first, and I know some have had issues with that (either by just not liking the music or because of technical stuff that I won't pretend to know anything about or notice). Hopefully we won't see things go too far to the commercial side and instead have it treated as a bonus thing for those who enjoy the music (sort of like how Phantasialand are doing it), but tone will tell. It's good to see a lot of tracks on there, and 2 CDs worth too. Hopefully it's not the end of the IMA score conversions, as there's still parts which could do with better audio (Swarm and Saw in particular, but things like Storm Surge and Rumba could benefit too if the park choose to go all out). I enjoy the new music the park is getting, and I'm a sucker for a CD..

Exciting dirt picture from the park's Facebook... Boring track picture from SkyScraperCity... Track is similar to that of Flying Aces at Ferrari World, which makes sense since this is a 4 per row train design..