JoshC.

That was the most popular name in a poll last year, though partly because it appeared twice... https://uk.toluna.com/polls/5098013/A-UK-theme-park-is-considering-opening-a-ride-based-on-the None of those names seem particularly appealing, though I'd have preferred The Gruffalo Riverboat.

Just out of interest, how many dark rides have you done that involve screens? I completely get your opinion and stance; theme parks are one of the few mediums that can put you in a 'real' place with real things, and get you to interact with them, be that by zooming past them on a roller coaster, slowly moving through them as things happen all around you or whatever. However, that doesn't mean screens (and in turn, VR) have no place in parks. For me personally, I love Maus au Chocolat at Phantasia, at the use of screens allows it to do what it does - there's no way you can create hundreds of mice-shaped targets running around a chocolate factory causing havoc with real theming and make it look believable. And look at rides like Spiderman and Forbidden Journey at IOA; screen based rides which are almost universally adored. Yes, screens might be everyday things, but that doesn't mean you can't do extraordinary things with them. I only ask if you've done screen-based dark rides because I'm curious as to whether you just aren't keen on the idea, or if you've just not liked any you've experienced, or what. I know in the past I was somewhat unsure of the idea of the idea. Whichever it is, I hope you get the chance to experience one which could show you that not everything has to be real.

I'd say it has a place. With VR becoming more widely available, I reckon the fad of chucking cheap VR on roller coasters (see Six Flags' attempts) will die away very quickly and lose all appeal. And I don't see VR roller coasters have too much of a long term future - having them as optional add-ons seems like an okay idea, or having them in special events, but that's still an awful lot of work for what it is and that effort probably could be spent elsewhere in most cases. However, high-quality VR used in an appropriate manner certainly has a place. It could be the new-age simulator attractions. It could be used as a way to disguise unsightly ride systems. It could be used as a way to distract people from movements (such as how DBGT does - you think the train movements are all to do with the VR, and forget / don't realise you're actually moving until you leave). So yeah, tl;dr - VR has a place in theme parks, just not on coasters, thrill rides, etc

A couple of pictures of the Old Town area courtesy of 'UK Theme Parks' Facebook...

The animal motive is working well for Chessington though. Incorporating animals or real-world areas into attractions has worked well for the park - Scorpion Express, despite my personal opinions, seems to have gone down well. Wild Asia is probably the second-best investment Chessington have made this century. Zufari further integrated the park and zoo and has been received alright. The zoo itself is still a big draw for people to visit the place. etc Yeah, they've gone a bit mad on the Africa-side of things, but the animal theme and integration between zoo and theme park is one of the few good things Chessington had/has going for it. So I don't see an issue with having a carousel whose aim is to try and show that off. It's basically what the old one did - show off everything good about Chessington!

I must say I wasn't hoping, expecting or really wanting a new facade / exterior. Might be in the minority, I don't really see what it could achieve or what they could do, aside from further distancing itself from Bubbleworks? Like don't get me wrong, I'm all for little details and everything, so maybe I'm just not thinking creatively enough to see what it could achieve. Totally agree however about a paint job which fits with its surroundings. So no investment and letting things literally rot away is better than a complete redo of a dark and a new carousel after the old one needed replacing? k

I imagine most people (even non-enthusiasts) have put 2 and 2 together by now, so it'll be interesting to see just how much they announce. I'd hope for a bit more than a name reveal, but that's all I see them doing unfortunately.

Clearly you don't remember the likes of 2009 and 2011, and their investments... Hint: There was none.

Just for the sake of posting some awesome shots of the coaster, a bit of an update on the Goliath repaint, courtesy of Laurens Van Heerde...

Though no great surprise, got an email today saying that the traditional MAP sale will be starting on January 1st. No word yet of how good a deal they're doing yet however...

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!