JoshC.

Helix

With regards to Thorpe, I doubt many Europeans make their way over the UK for Thorpe. Alton I'd say is a different story (Nemesis must surely be a huge draw?). However, how many 'regular people (ie non-enthusiasts) go to the likes of any of the European parks (bar Disney)? I doubt many have heard of the German parks (with perhaps the exception of Europa Park possibly, since that is hugely popular?). So I expect very few regular people will go for those parks; if they travel abroad for a theme park, it's likely going to end up being Disney / Orlando or the like. There's very few parks which I think try to attract people from other countries in Europe (hard for me to say really, since I haven't been to any, but I think that's a fair assumption to make). But what's stopping Merlin trying to reach out to a more international audience? Alton is more ready for it (given they have a top-10 coaster in the world, multiple world's firsts, many hotels, etc.), but if rumours of a large dark ride are true, coupled along with other decent investments, there's nothing stopping Thorpe attempting to capture a broader audience. I'm not saying it's gonna be easy, nor that it will definitely work, but I think in a few more years, with the right investments, they could give it a damn good go.

Sorry, not being clear. What I mean to say is that after so long of focusing on the national audience, the next natural step would be to try and break through in an international audience. Alton especially will have the more complete resort feel, and Thorpe will be building upon that, so they'll have the resources to do so (even if it's the bare minimum). If there's Paramount trying to attract attention from overseas, there's nothing stopping Merlin doing the same earlier or at the same time. It may not work, but they certainly have that option.

I totally agree that it there should be alarm bells and they should keep an eye on the development of it (like with any rival project), and be ready for when the place opens. However, I think it'll be a natural development that in the next few years, the UK Merlin parks (except Chessington) will have an appeal - and be in a position to handle - to a more international audience. However, at this stage, I just don't think saying 'Paramount Park will be the best thing for the UK theme park industry' or 'This will put Merlin parks to shame' or things anyone can justify saying. More just me erring on the side of caution I guess..

I see what you're saying about the island behind Swarm, as that would also be one of my concerns for a family coaster there (I just can't see a 50m tall family coaster coming to Thorpe!). But there's other ways around it, like using the island for Shark Hotel once that's got for a 50m coaster. A family coaster could also fit in the MHFS spot; it's quite a large space really, and could easily expand out a bit (construction of it may be difficult, but by no means impossible in my eyes). I'm still very dubious about the whole 'Paramount Park are coming, so Merlin better buck their ideas up'. PP may not work out in the UK, it may flop, it may not be as good a quality as what we think. It could be a huge success and leave Merlin parks needing to dramatically up their game. But I don't think the opening of PP in a few years should be ringing large alarm bells in Merlin's ears.

They normally do mention about new attractions in the job description (2012 it read something like '*list of mazes* or in our terrifying new attraction for 2012'; 2013 it was 'Scare customers in one of our new mazes'). However, not mentioning new attractions there is no indication as to whether or not there will be a new one; this just leaves things open. Remember, for the past 3 FNs, there's been roaming actors, and they've never been mentioned on the job description.

-Great big whopping island behind Swarm and Stealth currently unused, -Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari spot currently unused, -Arena, only used in summer and at Fright Nights, -CCR station and nearby area, only used at Fright Nights, -Some attractions are surely ending their life in the next few year, so potential redevelopment spots around the park. Thorpe have many restrictions, but space is not one of them at the time. Also, it would be highly unlikely that a dark ride would be built on the island due to potential flood risks. Either way, they're going to have a flood risk issue, but to build a dark ride (if one ever comes about), it would be most sensible to do it on the core of the park. So, that leaves a huge empty island to build a (family) coaster..

Doh, completely forgot how they're giving the option to queue normally; thought it was just full out RnR. The theory would be that since people are using RnR, there won't be as many people queueing, so queue times shouldn't be any longer (hopefully), even though they'll feel longer. Let's see if what works in theory works in practice though..

I imagine that any physical queues won't feel any different to any other day. Queues on non-RnR rides may be longer, but they won't (or, at least, shouldn't) be any slower, nor should they feel any slower.

LEAKED: The front cover photo for Liam's first music Album... (photo done by the marvellous stretchy!)

I actually quite like the atmosphere when Thorpe is basically dead. It's a strange sense of peace and quiet accompanied with the excitement and anticipation of being in a theme park. Being on an island too gives more of a secluded feel as well I guess. Admittedly, it's something which more suits for something a bit scarier or darker (eg Fright Nights). And you want a more relaxed, party atmosphere for these sort of things. Really glad to hear the likes of Teacups and Dodgems are open though!

SWARMMMMMMMMMMMM

The seats will have different weights, giving them different momentum. This means some may catapult forward at different speeds and in different times, meaning it's possible for them to collide. In theory, if everyone on the ride was the same weight, then there'd be less chance of collisions, as everyone should swing in the same time with the same speed.

Sidders.

A sign from My Bloody Valentine has crept its way into X's queue... (From TPC's Facebook) Because that makes perfect?

Nah, it was for everyone, much like how in the past they had free Fright Night previews for AP holders, but others could still get in. It'll probably get busier like last year though, what with word of mouth and everything.

Revue. (Let's see how many people understand that link... )

Yeah, I agree the "new ride problem" probably shouldn't happen on something as simple as some dodgems. However, my point was it's a new ride, and a problem occurred with it that they couldn't have known about until it had been open for a while. Can happen with any new ride, can't it. I don't really know what the need for sweeping the floor is exactly, so can't really comment there. I'd guess clearance could be an issue though. However, I think at one point, they were closing the ride down temporarily because of it (since it was a new ride and a problem which could well have been unexpected)? Now they just stop operations for a couple of minutes to sweep the floor every 90-120 minutes I think - and do a queue announcement to say so - so that shouldn't be causing any closures to the ride.

Dan probably meant a full day closed. It's had occasional closures, yes, but in fairness, it is a new ride, and the problem of sweeping the rubber on the floor doesn't seem like something they expected.

I think the idea is that it won't be going on any of the islands, and instead be in the 'core' of the park. Only possible places I could think would be replacing the arena, or on the old Miss Hippo spot, but there are still flood risks to think of I guess.

Should be called The RoTayto.

James Bannaird.

I agree with you about BBC IPs not necessarily being risky (if CBeebies shows its worth), but I think investing a coaster-like sum of money on a non-coaster may prove risky, especially since Thorpe's non-coaster developments haven't exactly set the world on fire the past few years. For the most part, the maintenance of effects has improved though hasn't it? Swarm's effects seem fine now, Saw has has it's effects fixed, as has Storm Surge. Inferno's tunnel is running excellently. There's rumours of Tidal Wave's fireball returning. And it's not just Thorpe. Chessington have their fair share of effects - Scorpion Express is still giving fire and water, Zufari's effects are alright. Alton have effects running well for the most part too. I think it's unfair to say that a ride with effects won't last. In the past, yes, the maintenance of them hasn't been great, but they've improved a lot recently.

I've only heard the dark ride rumour from a couple of sources: some guy on TTF posted about it and it was also mentioned on Screamscape as a 'WILD rumour'. So I never really thought about it. It's not until you here these rumours from a good 3-4 independent places that you start thinking it's a bit more serious. As I've said in the past, there's nothing stopping Thorpe having their next 'big thing' as a non-coaster, but it'd require a lot of investment and having it as a huge risk. Considering how 'safe' Thorpe and Merlin have played recently, they'd have to be extremely confident about it. A Doctor Who IP could work well at Thorpe in my opinion. Thorpe have demonstrated with Swarm and Fright Nights that given the money, they can create well-themed attractions (I know some may disagree with me, but personally I think Swarm is one of the best themed coasters in the UK, and the likes of Cabin in the Woods and My Bloody Valentine were excellently themed). So if it's a major investment, Thorpe will do it justice It would very much depend on what type of attraction they go for though that would determine the success of the IP. Then again, that's the case for all IP-based attractions...

The Inferno at Terra Mica or whatever it's called presumably, not Nemesis Inferno. Don't see why, it was closed before the incident and other Intamins like Rita aren't closed. I call rubbish on that.