JoshC.

Being totally honest, aside from a vague standard shape and colour, they look nothing alike.

Maybe going underground and doing some "routine excavations" will help Chessington find some new rides?

And the award for longest name of a scare attraction ever goes to...

The exterior music is now working.

There were 7 rides in and around the Octopus Garden area where Storm Surge stands now (you can see where some of them were by how they've filled in the land!). They were all very small though. So a flat ride could fit there. I'd be interested to hear what sort of flat ride people think could go there though; both in terms of space and adding to the Thorpe line up. Storm Surge might have its flaws, but there would be an obvious gap in Thorpe's line up without it.

With budgets like that, is no surprise they're doing well But it's great to see the park doing well. 17.5 million euros could easily get the park pretty much any type of coaster they wanted really..

Thunder storms can close quite a few rides down (for obvious reasons), but only when the storm itself is taking place. Light to medium rain only closes down one or two rides (usually smaller rides), and heavier rain may close a couple of the coasters. Rain can of course make some faster rides a bit more uncomfortable, but it can add to the experience! If it's raining in the morning, it usually puts some people off visiting, so it might end up being a bit quieter too.

Totally agree about the Slammer operator and team in general. Summer Nights have always had quite a relaxed atmosphere, especially when ride queues are non-existent, and just adding in the bit of humour really was a highlight!

Given there was apparently a pretty major issue with the attraction this afternoon (which is why it closed after operating for a short period of time), it was good to see that the park managed to reopen it for Summer Nights tonight. It perhaps wasn't on top form tonight, but still a very enjoyable attraction for me!

On the past 10 years of Bubbleworks...

Apologises for changing the subject topic, and for the odd question, but have you (or anyone else) got any more photos of the 'circus adverts' that were in the second tent?

Don't know if there's any hype for this here, but there's going to be a waterfall feature at the back of the building... Sourcey: http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/6060/Efteling-test-waterval-bij-nieuwe-attractie-Symbolica.html Also, massive shout out for the hi vis jackets; they look awesome.

The Fright Night barriers on the Saw island blocking access to Saw Alive are simply there because that pathway is currently a dead end during Big Top construction. It looks like once Fright Nights starts there'll be plenty of room of access to that pathway next to Big Top, so it's likely just a temporary measure.

Photography and videos have always been banned from all of Thorpe's (indoor) mazes. Doesn't stop people trying mind. Strictly speaking, last year during the AP / media preview, it was only meant to be the media guests who were allowed to film within the mazes. But it just wasn't enforced properly. Might be one reason why the media preview is on a different day to the AP preview this season.

It says on the text at the bottom 'choose who roams the island'. Unfortunately the picture didn't come up very well. You'll just have to take TPM's word for it...

I think more young children will be scared of this: than they would have of this

Derren Brown's Ghost Train has now reopened to the public.

You all do realise that viewing and discussing the article will only lead to more articles like this in the future?

http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/6020/Efteling-bereikt-hoogste-punt-van-nieuwe-miljoenenattractie-Symbolica.html The highest point of the Symbolica building was installed today, at a height of 29.8m - didn't realise the building was going to be THAT tall!

I feel like this has been posted in the wrong thread or something...

hmm, I going to disagree with Amy and Marc and say that Saw Alive is one of the more difficult to navigate and lead. Quite a few of the scenes have a lot of smoke effects, which mean that even though it's not particularly dark, it's hard to tell where you're going. Also, a few of the scenes are quite open (especially in the first half), making it less obvious where you need to go if you don't know the route.

http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/5903/Efteling-investeert-in-toekomst-Python.html 'Major repairs' apparently, and there's been more rumours of actual theming coming too.

Also, European enthusiasts make a big deal out of Efteling refurbs / refreshes (a recent example being the recently announced Python work). One has to wonder why theme parks need a platform to show how they're improving the little things in the first place. 'Regular' guests shouldn't need to be that invested in the tiny things anyway, and the guests who do care should spot them without being told.

You say that Merlin won't care about our feedback (by "our", I assume you mean enthusiasts), yet surely wouldn't the universal hatred for nu Bubbleworks from the enthusiast community be one of the reasons the park have finally decided to put a clean slate over the attraction? And if you mean "our" as in everyone, then of course they're going to care about the feedback. Just because something is popular(ish), doesn't mean it can't be (dramatically) improved upon. People are too sentimental about the theme park industry at times. Bubbleworks isn't a bad ride, but that doesn't mean it's good either. It panders to children's likes, of simple, bright colours, a catchy tune and running water. Children love that stuff, so they'll enjoy Bubbleworks. If it was anywhere near a good ride, it would offer something for everyone else, like a bit of humour or something. Part of me thinks the only reason Bubbleworks is popular in this day and age is because young children like it, and so the rest of the family tolerate it for the sake of the younger members of their family.. I see nothing wrong with reusing some props. If they've decided to incorporate something into a scene, and they can repurpose it to a high enough standard, let them reuse it!

Though nothing major, some areas around the station, bag room and photo point have seen a new lick of paint whilst the ride was closed. Obviously this is something that should be done as standard anyway, but reckon it's something worth noting, since some people would no doubt overlook it..