JoshC.

The HTC Vive does sound very exciting. I've been looking at some reviews of the pre-release version and they've all be largely positive, and it does sound like it is one of the best VR systems available at the moment. It'll be interesting to see just how much the VR will be part of the attraction. It's been stressed that this isn't a VR experience, but instead VR simply plays a part. But just how big a part? Just the pre show? A section between pre show and main show? That's what's got me curious. Whilst it's true about the large amount of online media, it's still nowhere near the scale of marketing of which a major attraction should be receiving less than a month before the park opens. And that large amount of online media doesn't help get guests through the gate if there's no opening date set.

Totally called it In all seriousness though, I had been expecting a spinner for a while now, so this is a pleasant surprise. The things I've heard of Skyrush have all been ridiculously positive, so a Mack take on that, seemingly crossed between a Eurofighter, has the potential to be incredible. Really looking forward to this! Also, Mack have said over Facebook that these cars are their 'BigDipper' cars. Will no doubt be seeing a few of these spring up soon I'm sure.

Great to see! There were some clear work on it at the beginning of last season, so this had obviously been in the works for a while; maybe they needed to wait for something before they could operate it again? Does anyone remember how often it used to drop water back in the day? Every 15 minutes? Every 30 minutes? Hopefully that's the time they've set for this season

My point was more I don't really care that much about the themed design of the trail, but more the practicality of accessing it. Since I'm normally all for little details of theming, it was meant to show how big a deal the removal of that step was to me. But ah well

Theme parks of course

Just to try and get people using Chat again, would anyone be interested in a form of Chat Quiz / Game sometime soon? Would be happy to run one some time next week say if there's any interest...

On a completely different note, who likes themed bins? EVERYONE OF COURSE

Out of context, it comes across as some people saying that they don't like to see the parks busy. And to reiterate, I've nothing against people not visiting in busy periods, but it's when people make it sound like they hate the parks for being busy that grates me. However, I don't feel like Thorpe have pulled a fast one or anything. No where did they say that it was returning this year, and all events are subject to change. And they're certainly under no obligation to announce what events aren't returning each year. It's only because someone asked Thorpe via Twitter if it's returning, and they replied it wasn't. So personally I feel like Thorpe are at no fault here. I don't think they ever sold out a Summer Nights? I believe they got very high numbers on some nights, but they never actually sold out.

Interesting. Do you mind me asking your source for that? It's just, from what I've been led to believe, some of those figures seem...wrong, to be frank.

But why? Ferrari Land / PA are wanting a launch coaster that goes very high. Why go with B&M, who have only made one launch on a coaster, when they can go with Intamin, who had a proven track record in building exactly what they wanted?

Last season, a summer event was always advertised, though it was never clear if it was a replacement for Summer Nights, or an addition to it. Thorpe did seem keen to mention that whatever it would be called, it would follow the SN pattern of opening for a few hours in the evening with a selected line up. It seems that once they decided on how to market Island Beats, they decided to keep the Summer Nights name too. This year, they haven't advertised any particular summer event, so it seems unlikely that there will be one at all. A real shame, but not necessarily surprising. @Coaster Jamie: I was more trying to say how I hate people moaning about parks being busy. If a regular visitor doesn't want to visit when it's busy, then that's fine, but don't complain that the park is busy, thriving and doing well. Should have made that clearer.

I thought that too (especially in the first one), but I just don't think the picture could be that badly compressed / taken from a bad angle to make the track look that bad. And the second photo shows the track not looking that straight either! Even if they correct it though, it still seems really uncomfortable - you come down a 300ft+ tower, travel along a straight bit before going up a comparatively small hill and hitting brakes. Sounds like a recipe for pain to me!

So after Intamin were involved with the technical and engineering masterpiece of Taron, they give us this: (From TPR)

True. But as we've seen with Legoland, if a council believes that adding (major) additions to the park will make the traffic worse, then they will do as much as possible to limit new additions.

I always hate seeing people saying about how they won't visit theme parks they regularly visit when it's busy. Almost comes across as people saying that they don't want to see parks being successful? Equally about not renewing passes. I'm disappointed that this has happened, but not surprised. Especially after the bad year Merlin has last year. But as has been argued many many times, there just doesn't seem to be demand for people to stay so late in the summer. I don't get why that is in some ways (especially when people are happy to stay late at Fright Nights), but it just seems to be the case. Hopefully we can see it return / being built upon in the future. Or even return this year if there really is enough demand; after all, Thorpe have been willing to change stance on things like this if the public shout loud enough.

Adam has ridden Talocan. Adam does not like rides which spin. Adam does not like top spins. Adam was not Talocan's biggest fan.

Happy birthday to Coaster Jamie; hope it's a Big One!

Thorpe have confirmed via Twitter that Summer Nights is not planned to be returning this year.

To be honest, given they've gotten rid of that step, they could theme it a strawberry field and I wouldn't care.

No more nasty step: (From UK Theme Parks FB).

Interestingly, mindswanted.co.uk has disappeared, and is now redirecting to the ride's page on the main TP site: https://www.thorpepark.com/rides/derren-browns-ghost-train-arriving-spring-2016/

Consistent? 2 B&Ms 4 years apart followed by a presumably naff Fabbri spinner doesn't sound consistent to me.

Good to see the station is getting the attention it needed! The track is looking good too so far, and I believe it is also getting a 'rust effect' of sorts added on as well. Glad to FV is getting a decent spruce up by the looks of things.

Sorry for quoting an old post... I had always been assuming this, but it turns out it's not: http://www.chessington.com/2016/ So it's an original show, except for Easter when Po is about. So that's good, if not a bit odd.

The competition closes tomorrow at 23:59. The winners aren't announced until next Monday (22nd)