JoshC.

Right, let's throw out some facts: -VIP passes were limited to 1000. There are, at most, 1000 VIP passes out there. -There are 11 theme parks (including LegoLand resorts) that the VIP pass gives access to. -There are also tons of Midway attractions (I really can't be bothered to count how many...) Aside: To my knowledge, VIP passes were only targeted to the British market and there is not a similar thing available in other countries. I *think* Mysterio Ka's point (and others as well), is that there are 1000 VIP passholders out there, and a ton of attractions they can be used at. Last year, Merlin attractions had - in total - 62.8 million visitors apparently (source: Merlin Entertainment's website). So, regardless of how many times these VIP holders visit the attractions, they make up a tiny, tiny, tiny percentage of all visitors. As such, the chances of actually coming into contact with a VIP passholder is very small and won't affect your day. Personally, I'm don't think all the maths of that checks out (VIP holders are based in England, so visit the English attractions the most, they're more inclined to visit theme parks, etc.). But regardless, I think the main thing that should be thought of is this - how often does a VIP passholder affect your day? How many times have you visited a theme park and had the day ruined by VIP passholders? In my personal experience, it's been none. Indeed, I only ever saw one VIP passholder, and that person was actually in my group, and they were actually using Reserve n Ride at Thorpe that day anyway. So I really don't think the VIP is horrendous in the sense that it leads to ordinary guests having their day adversely affected. Of course, there still should be a balance of the system. VIP passholders shouldn't have complete control of their day - allowing them to choose rows is a silly idea, giving them re-rides is silly, etc. From what I understood, the idea was that you got a free unlimited Fastrack at the theme parks, and that was it. I don't have that much a problem with that, given the price people pay for them. The trouble comes when people expect too much from that, or don't follow the rules of the pass. I think that situation is down to advertising of the pass, and the way it's been set out. tl;dr - I don't have much against the VIP pass. It's a high-end product that is targeted to the few. However, I do have a problem if it's abused / not used correctly. I think the name of the pass is a bad idea (call it 'Platinum' or something maybe?); as being a 'VIP' gives the idea of being more important than others, as opposed to just paying more than others.

Naughty me double posting, but oh well... I've got a conditional offer for a Masters course! It's been a bit of a long road to get to this point following a couple of rejections and not being able to find the reasons for them, but I've finally got one from Warwick. So if all goes very well this year, I'll be staying on here at Warwick for another year, before hopefully moving onto a PhD (which I'd actually like to do at Warwick anyway, so staying for another year is a good thing..).

Happy birthday Liam! (Look CoasterDude, other people use this thread too!)

We have a construction update! Pictures from AT's Facebook. Looks nice.

Couldn't help but laugh at "Rattlesnack" on the Chessington list you've posted there...

Fixed it for you both

I think the reason given was that the ride had been called 'Project Stealth' during design and construction, and everyone had gotten so used to calling it Stealth, that the name just sort of stuck (even then Edge and apparently Humdinger were names floating about). So I don't know if it was last minute per se, but it was definitely decided late on in the process, when they had another name in mind.

4 assignments due this week = StressedC.

I bet if you were read Chessington's disabled guide for Hocus Pocus Hall it would give the exact same warning!

^The map indicates that it will have a photo point. I'm fully expecting a green screen with some props that you're meant to hold at some point before you go in the maze. Would love to be proven wrong though!

With regards to the mini... I'm pretty sure a few years ago the mini had relevance to one series, they used to always throw in random vehicles into the campsite (one year I'm pretty sure they had a double decker London bus just in the middle of the jungle...). Adding them is a quick and easy way for theming, yes, but I usually don't mind it if there's some thought put into it, as in the case of Swarm. Saw's is fine too and Storm Surge's car does fit into the idea of the theme; just a shame the theme is very poorly put across.

It used to be a case that Friends and Family day was on the Saturday before the park opened, and AP day was the day after. I *think* it changed last year, and they had the AP weekend and F&F spread out over 2 days. Must have worked out and so they decided to stick with it.

Might be a bit difficult considering the park should be closed by then (unless they've announced on park that they are extended closing time?) But still good that they're trying to open the ride even though there's not long left of the day of course.

I give you Peaj's welcoming face... (Taken from the TPM live feed, where many of the photos are sideways. It's a beta version after all : P )

This thread:

In fairness, this doesn't sound as bad as 2011. Whilst the queue to get in seemed horrendous and unacceptable, I haven't heard or seen many complaints from anyone once they've gotten into the park.

Compare to last year: Looks to be a completely new logo, or at least an on-purpose effect.

From Scruffy Dog's Facebook ADD VEHICLES TO ALL THE ATTRACTIONS

Stealth's sign has been replaced! Photo from Marc over on the live feed: http://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/page/livefeed

But surely it would be better to do something special that celebrates Nemesis how it is; how it always has been?

This is what annoys me at times - the park regularly do these little extra things like stay open a bit longer, and yet instead of them getting praise for it, they get attacked when they don't do it. Ride queues close at 4 this weekend. Anything past that is a bonus. Thorpe doesn't open officially until March 12th. Any opening before that is a bonus.

That's what they are doing though, isn't it? No where have they said they'll keep Swarm open later if it's busy, and neither are they obliged to. Indeed, the reason why they kept it open to 5 last year was because of a mistake on their behalf.

That a fair point; didn't think of it that way. The way I see it is they still had limits put on them and were designed to be events that would be quiet - fingers crossed this weekend will show that even a full quiet event will still be quiet!

They probably won't release the capacity because people will either: -complain that the number sounds too large -complain that the number isn't reached so they could have gotten in So it would probably end up being a lose-lose. I don't get why people are doubting that Thorpe will limit capacity appropriately. Whenever they've send that they are limiting numbers for an event (especially ones with reduced line ups like Feb half term and Summer Nights), numbers have indeed been limited and the queues have certainly been fine. Why the need for the over-the-top worrying and questioning of it? It just seems odd to me...