JoshC.

Trains could well be at the site this week. The park at one point said it could be as little as a 3 week turnaround from track completion go testing, so we shall see! Also, some photos from me: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/KgAM24fu1eLR4atk/

Agreed. Looking at some of the stuff they've done at Stealth, it shows they are the ability and wherewithal to do detailing. But even then, they've gone for a lot of blocked primary colours there too. The brightness and freshness is great, but it would be even better if they just added that extra bit of depth to it. From what we've seen of the Colossus shop, the new paint job looks brighter, and has a bit of detailing with the celestial extras. But it's just doesn't have that interesting depth that the old version had. It just seems a bit Legoland-y.

Damn I'd forgotten about this. Swarm was also meant to have a viewing area of sorts that took you up to the helicopter. There's a reoccurring theme here....

Where's the stupid post guy when you need him? Nowhere to be seen? I'll fill in... Ding dong, the Express is dead Which Express? The Rocky Express.

Move over M. Night Shyamalan, there's a new best twist...

The lack of viewing area is a real shame. At the same time, it was always in a silly location, since it could only be located after going on the ride, or by going through the exit shop. So logistically it was a bit weird. Still, that's not enough to have put a damper on it. Just wish it could have happened; overlooking the lake and getting the view of the ride would have been awesome.

I like the map, but I certainly see the criticism of how it makes everything flat and nothing stands out. It's a bit of flip from a few years ago when they coasters looked (exaggeratedly) huge, and everything else looked completely pointless. It's a very functional map and pleasing on the eye though. As I say, I like it. Though yes, it would be nice to see it evolve in the future to develop a more 3D-feel to it. Something towards a Phantasialand-style map would be awesome:

To note it here: The new map has confirmed Hyperia will have a 1.3m height restriction The map also shows the ride shop will be called Hyporium and a sweer treat stand, Cloud Nine Treats, will also be located nearby. The park have also confirmed that there's no backwards row in the passholder group. Also, looking at the new map, the queue entrance shows massive wings akin to the ride logo. That could be a pretty cool visual for the queue entrance!

The lift hill grows

Yep, the lift has been installed. As tactic said, they've been vocal about improving accessibility, and I know behind the scenes there has been a genuine want to improve accessibility too. I know they've looked at a lot of options to making Hyperia as accessible as possible to as many different people as possible (whether some of these ideas come to fruition remains to be seen). Also, the Inferno lift was working again last season (I don't know how long for, but it was in use for at least part of the year!)

The Sparkle Project is giving Colossus' entrance some new stuff: Interestingly, the park have said that there will be "No blue on the entrance, but it will have the stained glass effect" (Passholder Group)

Interesting one that. It's on the load side, but away from the entrance to the station, and too far in to be part of a front row queue, or where staff would stand during dispatch. My best guest at the moment would be a storage room, either for computers which might control AV in the station or for staff uniform, if they decide to have themed/styled uniforms for the ride. Could also be used to store evac equipment, etc. Or they're forward thinking, and they'll put the computers that run the VR in there when they chuck compulsory headsets on in Year 3 😉

The Shark Cabins were only on a temporary planning permission until the end of this month. They are now set to stay longer. Whether the park are still, long-term, considering a "permanent" hotel is unclear. I guess we'll wait and see. But I guess for now, there's more important things to focus on.

Yes it is and if you think otherwise you're delusional.

The park have recently announced that this year's Mardi Gras event will be taking place from 29th March to 14th April, as opposed to in May. They also currently have an early bird ticket offer, where if you book for a visit before 25th April by the start of March, your entrance ticket costs £29. I'd say both of those show that it won't open in April (as it's the park's way of getting people to visit). May still feels possible. I'd say track will completed by mid-March. Given there's already been a lot of electrical work, 2 months for testing, landscaping, styling (which has also already started) feels plausible. So yeah, I'm saying mid-to-late May is likely the aim at the moment.

Simple, effective. I like it.

Whilst the park have been pretty good at tarting up the park in recent years, I will hold my breath on Slammer's removal. They've said it before (internally, admittedly) and they've publicly said stuff that hasn't happened or been delayed (Tidal fire, Stealth SRQ, etc). Obviously it makes sense to remove it and put a ride in its place, given the proximity to Hyperia, but we shall see. As for Labyrinth, obviously it's been a prime spot for Fright Nights mazes. And of course, it's good to have a permanently set up maze, rather than having to re-build a maze each year. At the same time, it's not the largest space, and with mazes being upcharge, I'm not sure they can create a standard maze which is worth the £10 charge.. So it might be a prime spot for a different type of experience. Whether it's an alone experience, a non-maze experience or something else, I think that's the direction the park should go with that space, if they choose to use it for FN. I'm also not sure 4 upcharge indoor mazes is the way the park needs to go.

Been open for 3 seasons, which is the standard IP contract that Merlin used to go for (especially for smaller attractions). Certainly possible that the Black Mirror IP expired and the park chose to not renew, especially since Merlin seem to be erring away from IPs

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3DwDhTt2jh/?igsh=cXZmYjBrYTR4dTdl The main drop is twisting up

Top 25 European parks? oooh, that's a doozy of a question... 1. Phantasialand 2. Parc Asterix 3. Efteling 4. Thorpe Park 5. Walibi Holland 6. Walibi Belgium 7. Djurs Sommerland 8. Heide Park 9. Legendia 10. Alton Towers 11. Movie Park Germany 12. Linnanmäki 13. Toverland 14. TusenFryd 15. Hansa Park 16. Plopsaland 17. Fårup Sommerland 18. Tivoli Gardens 19. Hellendoorn 20. Legoland Billund 21. Liseberg 22. Chessington 23. Energylandia 24. Legoland Windsor 25. Bellewaerde This was difficult and probably would change order. Legendia I visited 6 years ago, and I hear the park isn't as good as it was then. So that may change. I'd be interested to go back to Liseberg and see how I feel about it; I just didn't vibe with it when I visited 7 years ago.

The main lift hill tower is rising:

Update on the Colossus work. The shop is feeling a bit less Legoland-y now:

Swinging Seashells has been scrapped and will not return anywhere.

This is a photoshop, along with the poster's other post in the Hyperia thread. @towersnurd we are all for people sharing their thoughts of how they want things to look, and sharing photoshopped images. But please make sure you say this. If these aren't your photos then link where you found them.

The monster is well and truly reborn...