JoshC.

Thoughts on the new X... Like it just as much as last year's X...I think. The new music is fine with me, the new lights are pretty cool. I noticed there was a couple of points along the track where it looked like 'track was missing' (I think due to how the lighting was rigged up) which was pretty amazing I though. However, it's hard for to tell because there was a floodlight on in the ride area (above the airtime-esque hill after the second set of block brakes). It lit up half the pyramid, meaning that any lights in that area were not effective at all, and everything there was far too easy to see. However, the side of the area not lit up by the pyramid was quite dark and really quite cool to be in. Hopefully that'll be sorted soon. Also, shout out to one of the awesome guys platforming. Full of energy, life and kept everyone entertained; just the sorta staff needed for X!

Samurai was testing this afternoon at about 2ish. Don't know if it ended up opening today, but I'd be willing to bet it'll be open by the weekend!

S&S free spin maybe? Alvey got to try out a test track of it and seemed to scream with excitement over it (when doesn't he though I guess?) and he's making a big deal outta of all this it seems.

In my post, you'll find that I said 'in some cases'. It's by no means a general thing, but from my own experience, I've found that when some people have more money, they spend less, and when they have less money, they spend more. Just a mere observation; sorry for stating it.

I do find that, in some cases, the more money people have, the scroogeier they can be, and the less they have, the more they give money away / spend. When it comes to charity, it will no doubt come down to personality. However, I would say that one's personality is somewhat shaped by their financial situation, especially when they were younger.

I'd completely forgotten about Treasure Island to be honest! Given the rough dates of the other two, it's more than likely to relate to it in some way.

They were found in a cupboard in my house a few days ago and hence I've now claimed them as mine! Here's a couple of close up shots of the pencil: I'm assuming this has no relevance to P4D and that these didn't come as a set. Still, a nice little random thing to have I guess. XD

It's pointless contacting a lecturer of a module. They're there to lecture you, set the assessment method and ensure you are taught everything you need to do the best you can. It you're stressed or struggling or whatever, and you're not in exceptional circumstances (ie - if you're not seriously ill / having personal issues / etc), then there's no obligation for them to be any more sympathetic than a brick wall to be honest. If they're not, it does mean they're a bit of a fail at being a human being, but still. it's not their problem. Would be better off contacting your personal tutor / mentor / whatever personal support system your uni sets up. It's their duty to actually care about you, listen to your concerns, offer you advice and so forth. If they're not doing that, request a change (I did this at the beginning of my most recent term, and it was the best decision ever). It's too serious a thing to just leave. Though, the lecturer in general sounds like a right idiot if he hasn't fully detailed how you're going to be assessed until the very end, and then makes it unnecessarily stressful and difficult for students.

Unusual question, but was there anything near / under the main entrance bridge over the weekend, possibly relating to the hotel? Because there certainly was today; almost looked like a line of shark fins (though that was likely my imagination get carried away)

I know people say Samurai is a cracking ride, but I didn't think they meant literally!

Old Thorpe merch alert... Rubber is from 1994 (as old as me!), pencil case is from 1995; no idea about the pencil.

Some photos of new merch taken from Memories of Thorpe Park's FB page... New resin statues. New clothing. Here we go again...

I'd be more worried of them copying Wodan to be honest!

I've heard April somewhere along the grapevine...

Thorpe do state it in their marketing that it is 115ft though. Even in their Student Pack for example - http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/fd0fb72e#/fd0fb72e/16 It might not be 115ft from ground level or whatever, but they use 115ft in marketing.

Theme music has apparently changed too!

Slap my wrist for double posting, but here's a couple pictures of Scorpion Express, courtesy of Chessington Buzz (who, naturally, are making a big thing out of being THE FIRST PUBLIC RIDERS OMG)... And this one comes from Theme Park Guide... Looks good to be fair, but the main centrepiece of the attraction (ie - the scorpion) looks very meh. Shame.

To satisfy your fetish... He looks chubbier now, so he reminds me off Prof. Burp a bit more now. He's also on the witness protection scheme after being the sole witness to the destruction of Chessington and, specifically, his Bubbleworks factory.

It's running now... Obviously a slight delay for the opening of a new ride. Looks alright; hard to tell from a couple of photos. Better than I was expecting at this stage though!

Very true. However, how many people actually really pay attention to the backs of theme park maps? (Serious question there; I have no idea. But I wouldn't be surprised if people get a park map, open it up, look at the map, see the rides and think 'Well, that looks good, it's that way, let's go there'. Whenever you see anyone looking at a map, they're looking at the main image - ie: the map itself - not really paying attention to the reverse. As I say, I have no idea, but I think just a reasonably-sized image saying 'Angry Birds Land - Opens May!' would do no harm. There's no doubt it'll be heavily advertised on park and that, but, as I say, would do no harm).

But surely if you advertise it on the park map, going 'Angry Birds Land Opening May 2014' and drawing some attention to it, then it may serve as more of a reminder to people about it all. Though I do agree that it's a possibility they'll release an updated / different version of the map later in the season (probably around the time AB Land opens), depending on feedback... I get a feeling that, in general, we'll see Thorpe try lots of different things this season, and respond accordingly to guest feedback.

Nah, that's the Friday before.

One thing I've been a bit confused by with the new map is that all of the 5 major coaster appear quite equal. I'd have thought that Stealth would have stood out the most, especially in this style of map, since it's the icon coaster. I get that in the year of the new coaster and the year after, the new coaster is more of major focus and the 'icon' ride gets sidelined a little bit, but I find it interesting that there's a lot more equality between the coasters at the moment.

Look at what Thorpe's Marketing Director Jason has been tweeting... Linky - https://twitter.com/JasonPWills/status/444219006095208448 Oooooooh....

Having thought about it some more, and seeing a full-sized image, I do like the new map. It's fresh and easy on the eyes. However, I don't like the fact that the 5 big coasters are essentially made out to be the only worthwhile thing on the map; everything else feels very forgotten about and very 'meh'. It needs a bit more emphasis on the other rides (specifically the water rides I think; they seem to be quite a big for the park) and a bit more of soul and life thrown into it. But yes, I do like it, and it is a step in the right direction. Also, here's what I assume is the reserve side: Saucey - http://thorpeparkmania.co.uk/news/13-03-2014/New-Brand-Unveiled