JoshC.

All good posts come in the 3s... Plopsa have published some pictures of Heidiland's theming; our first real glimpse of the area's theming in real life... For comparison, here's the concept art: Though the late opening is a shame and probably did hit the park a little bit this past summer, it definitely seems to be for the best in the long run that thing opens up fully themed...

Normally I'd apply a sense of optimism when seeing things half-finished, and hope that whatever they've got planned will fit in and just generally look nice when complete. However, regardless of what they do, that green and blue combo won't fit in with Transylvania. It just won't.

The thing is, regardless of how much the park tried to push away families and exclusively target thrill seekers, families with younger children were still visiting. And equally, people who wanted a bit more variety than just pure thrills were visiting and getting a bit fed up during their visit. There's nothing wrong with exclusively targeting thrill seekers, but if people outside that market are still visiting - and then complaining there's nothing for them to do - it forces the park's hand a bit.

Still haven't done AI, so assuming I'm not broke and I can get a lift I'll be there.

I'll see how money is looking but stick me down as a Maybe for now!

For anyone planning on doing Symbolica, the park are aiming to open it for July 1st next year. Seems to be the park's go to opening date, with Baron and Joris both opening on that date. Source: http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/6658/Geplande-openingsdatum-van-nieuwe-Efteling-attractie-Symbolica-bekend.html

Don't forget that permanent staff are still there and will probably use the staff entrance to get in. Just like any work place, they've probably got Christmas decorations stored away somewhere that they'll whip out every year.

Or just standard closed season maintenance.

Seems like any new destinations for Ghost Train will still include demons if that edited concept art at the end is anything to go by.

Cracking banter guys

To be fair, Thorpe do probably have the best flat ride collection in the country, so they'd naturally dominate anyways. Don't worry though pluk, Time Machine did receive some love! Must admit I was surprised at the lack of votes Skyforce received for Best Flat though... Can I also say how disappointed I am that Towers won Best UK Park. Says something about our expectations of parks if we think the best one in the country is one that closes down several attractions, adds cheap VR to a coaster that didn't need it, and tarts things up as a knee jerk reaction...

Walk on during the day; 20 odd minute wait to get into Winter Wonderland itself mind.

So yesterday's meet was the first time I'd actually done the London Dungeons, and I have to say that I was disappointed by it. Far too many dark spaces, no doubt there to go for the whole 'ooh it's creepy because it's dark and you can't see' vibe, when all it is is boring. Came across as a bit too disjointed as well which was a shame. And I really didn't get / like the Ripper Pub scene; like why are you going all supernatural, ghost haunting, on us? Drop Dead was really disappointing too. I liked the boat ride though, so that's something.

Did Olympia yesterday during the day. It was only running 2 trains; 1 running and 1 in the station loading, so no awesome looking train interaction. As a coaster, I found it very average. The 2nd and 3rd loops provided decent force, but everything else was very standard, quite repetitive and just quite...meh really. The shoulder restraints are awful too and did provide some discomfort, which is a shame. However, it's still a marvel in its own right. For a travelling coaster it's very impressive; it's hard to believe that it is a coaster which wasn't stood there 6 weeks ago, and won't be stood there in 6 weeks time. In that respect, it's nothing short of outstanding. But as a coaster, it's meh.

The Member Awards are now up, and all winning members have been tagged - congratulations to all! Thank you for your patience. Except Mat; clearly all that bag holding has made you an impatient moo... Oh, and thanks for all the votes guys!

Looks like we'll have to introduce a 'Most Disappointing TPM Moment' award next year...

People of TPM, the time has come! The votes have been counted and verified, after some delay. And so the time has come to reveal the winners... PARK AWARDS Best UK Park 1) Alton Towers (22) 2) Thorpe Park (14) 3) Paulton's Park (5) Best UK Coaster 1) Nemesis (8) 2) The Smiler (7) 3) The Swarm (6) Best UK Flat 1) Slammer (16) 2) Rush (12) 3) Samurai (8) Best UK Water 1) Valhalla (20) 2) Tidal Wave (13) 3) Congo River Rapids (4) Best UK Dark 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train (13) 2) Valhalla (8) 3) Duel (7) Best Themed UK Experience 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train (14) 2) London Dungeons (4) 3=) Valhalla (3) 3=) Lost Kingdom (3) Worst UK Ride 1) Storm Surge (16) 2) Derren Brown's Ghost Train (11) 3) Colossus (3) Best International Park 1) Europa Park (16) 2) Phantasialand (8) 3) Islands of Adventure (5) Best International Coaster 1) Helix, Liseberg (8) 2) Shambhala, Port Aventura (6) 3) Taron, Phantasialand (5) Best New-For-2016 Attraction 1) Taron / Klugheim (16) 2) DBGT (6) 3) Lost Kingdom (5) Best International Themed Experience 1) Tower of Terror (7) 2) Klugheim (3) 3) Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (2) Most Uncomfortable Ride 1) Colossus (8) 2) Furius Baco (6) 3) Saw - The Ride (3) Most Disappointing Merlin Moment 2016 1) Derren Brown's Ghost Train - various reasons, from late opening, 12p ticket issues, general ride experience / availability... (26) 2) Loggers Leap closure (5) 3) Multiple ride closures (4) Best-Looking New-for-2017 Attraction 1) Symbolica (7) 2=) Ferrari Land, PA (4) 2=) Gruffalo attraction at Chessington (4) 2=) Volcano Bay (4) 2=) Mystic Timbers (4) 2=) "There's actually new stuff for 2017?" (4) Best Manufacturer 1) B&M (22) 2) Mack (21) 3) Intamin (6) MEMBER AWARDS Best Member 1) @BaronC. 2) @Matt Creek 3=) @Phill Pritchard 3=) @Wumbamillio Best Team Member 1) @Marc 2) @Peaj 3=) @Mark9 3=) @pluk Best New Member 1) @Josh3103 2) @Stuntman707 3) @Roodie Best Quality Posts 1) @BaronC. 2) @Wumbamillio 3) @Ian-S Best TPM Meet 1) Blackpool 2) Europa Park 3) Fright Nights Most Knowledgeable Member 1) @Wumbamillio 2=) @Marc 2=) @BaronC. 3) @Benin Most Dedicated 1) @Marc 2=) @Matt Creek 2=) @BaronC. 3) @Benin Most Sarcastic (aka 'Benin's Sarcasm Award') 1) @Benin 2) @Matt Creek 3) @wegloo Most Likely to be Banned in 2017 1) @Cornflakes 2) @Coaster Jamie 3) @ChessingtonSam Funniest Member 1) @pluk 2) @wegloo 3) @Matt Creek Biggest Fanboy/girl 1) @BaronC. 2) @Matt Creek 3=) @ChessingtonSam 3=) @Coaster Jamie Sexiest Male 1) @Matt Creek 2) @alexander 3) @Peaj Sexiest Female 1) @Amarghh 2=) @terrortomb 2=) @Matt Creek 3) @Mer Storm Surge Award 1) @Coaster Jamie 2) @ChessingtonSam 3) @Matt Creek Cutest Couple 1) @Ryan and @Amarghh 2) @Mitchada04 and @J.S217 3) @Marc and @Mr. Fish Member You'd Like to See More Of 1) @Jart 2) @Han30 3=) @Coaster Jamie 3=) @Phill Pritchard 3=) @David B

Unfortunately I spontaneously combusted during today, so there will be a delay in the posting of the results. Tomorrow evening maybe. It is at this time we see true TPMers (The Patient Members).

As expected, Plopsaland have gotten a new environmental permit with no issues. Saucey - http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/6652/Plopsaland-krijgt-nieuwe-milieuvergunning-maar-wel-onder-voorwaarden.html

24 hours (and maybe a couple of minutes) to go! Assuming I don't get a high influx of votes at 7:59 tomorrow evening and I don't spontaneously combust, results will be posted tomorrow evening...

Better article for those interested: http://www.diarimes.com/noticies/camp_tarragona/2016/12/14/un_incendi_afecta_ferrari_land_12502_1093.html It appears the fire affected a theatre and a 25m high replica of the Campanile Tower that are in the area. Eyewitnesses suggest that the Tower might have to be knocked down Fire is now put out and no one is injured. It's not believed to be a terrorist attack despite some local's concerns / rumours. The rides themselves are okay. An official statement from the park: Rough translation (found on TST): EDIT: Here's a recent-ish picture from pa-community... The buildings on the right are the ones affected. As said, the Tower is 25m (82ft) high, as there's rumours that may not survive. The white building was also rumoured to be a flying theatre, though no clue how much tech was in there. And apparently one of the S&S towers might have been damaged..

Found a brief news article - http://www.ara.cat/societat/Incendi-Ferrari-Land-Port-Aventura_0_1705029713.html In Spanish and the translation via Google isn't great for me. Hope no one is injured!

Snazzy photo update: Source: http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/6638/Fotos-zo-ligt-de-Goliath-in-Walibi-Holland-er-nu-bij.html I really like the blue over the green! Though in some ways, the green and blue combo works really really; shame they couldn't do some Lost Gravity style design.

These puns are causing an increase in keyboard Warios by the looks of it. I still don't see any basis for claiming the area will be lacking detail, and be basic or boring other than going off the "Nintendo games aren't as detailed as other games", which seems like a stretch of a comparison to me.

Ah yes, my mistake - all the other Merlin RockNTugs are Zierer. Though they have the same capacity and theoretical throughput, so I'd guess any differences are purely just down to how the manufacturers design the vehicle. Many of the rides you suggest have similar issues to the ones spotted at Thorpe though surely? Only a couple of them are truly designed for theme park environments, and many of them could still be seen on the travelling circuit. Though yes, there are some rides you mention that do fit the bill! I guess the crux of all the discussion so far has been that people's opinions of these rides are hinging on whether or not they're themed to fit in with wherever they're going (again, assuming they'll be at Thorpe). And I guess that's something we'll have to just wait and see on. However, I do personally think that the rides themselves are attractions which Thorpe needed anyway, so in terms of the actual ride experiences, we're gaining a positive!