JoshC.

Probably going to be a bit controversial and say I did have fears before the ride opened that it *could* feel like two rides stuck together. Fortunately though, based on reviews I've read, that doesn't seem to be the case, so all good I guess! Seems as though Alton don't have much luck with trims though, ey?

Really glad to hear that! I'd have loved to have gone, but of course couldn't make it. Do hope we see these continue, and with a bit of tweaking and a bit more advertising, hopefully they'll become popular and successful events.

As I said in Shoutbox Monday evening, I hurt my ankle whilst playing a bit of casual football. Turns out I've broken it, even though I haven't been in that much pain around walking around on it since.

Interestingly, I have the complete opposite view to you about the zero-g roll Tommy. It really was a surprise for me on my first ride. I didn't find it awkward, but instead elegant - the way it shoots you into the air and then seemingly stops, making you 'feel' the inversion, is fantastic. I've never felt it's an unnatural break in the ride, as you're feeling the inversion, which I've always seen as a point of the ride's inversions. I much prefer Swarm's zero-g roll to the likes of Nemesis and Inferno's. The corkscrew I agree with a bit more. Though I do think the entrance to it is perfect, as it continues the forcefulness of the helicopter turn, the rest of it is just there; nothing wrong with it, just not amazing. It's actually the only element I preferred backwards, strangely. I get a feeling it was more thought of for the visual effect, as it does look great with the train going 'through' the inclined loop.

People will no doubt see this, but it's worthy of posting again (and so it's easier to discuss without the need for mods approving every post): http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/10105-themed-areas/ I guess the FN map could be a 'sneak peak' of the style we get in future seasons too. The 'lots of changes' seems to fit in with the possible rebranding being discussed too, so could be an interesting and exciting season! Dear Thorpe, if you read this, please bring back CCR. Love Josh and the rest of TPM

Didn't know that you could get more than one; to be fair, I never made use of the offer in the end! It's still a nice offer to have really. I have a refill capsule too, but if I ever wanted a hot drink, I'd take advantage of it, or if I was with non-AP people. Also works nicely for non-refill capsule holders too. Must admit I am surprised at the amount of moaners on Facebook (well, as surprised as you can be by people moaning on Facebook!)

One of the MAP perks have changed... https://www.facebook.com/notes/merlin-annual-pass-official/2-for-1-drinks-for-merlin-annual-passholders/10151516748237732 The free hot drink after 3pm is no more. Instead, after 3pm, you can get 2 for 1 on any drinks (as opposed to just tea, coffee; hot chocolate), and it's avaliable at 2 outlets, not one. So, no longer is there a freebie with no catches. Some people are getting a bit worked up about it because you have to pay and because some people have got the drinks capsule. Personally, I think the drinks capsule argument is a bit silly - not everyone gets it, and you can still use it for hot drinks, and get one for a friend or something. Yeah, okay, so you now have to pay for this, which isn't great, but it does make the offer a bit more appealing to some, especially if they're with someone who doesn't have an AP, for example.

Didn't know the best place to put this, but here seems sorta suited... Thorpe have posted this photo on their Facebook earlier, and on Twitter a couple of days. It's not a new coaster, but they're just saying how 'awesome' it looks. Maybe trying to see if people agree at how awesome it looks and they're considering a similar feature for their next coaster? Regardless, still good to see the park just having a bit of fun on social media. Also quite liking the little 'wars' Thorpe and Alton are having over Twitter with their rides..

Really random question, but does anyone know if there's a track layout of Grand National floating about anywhere?

For me personally, I just don't rate Asylum. I've only been in it 2 or 3 times (and once in The Freezer in 2003 or 2004 - forget which - which was sorta similar if memory serves me correctly), and it failed to wow me in any way. I just found it very boring and samey, and just left me with a bit of a headache really. I can see why people find it scary, but to me, it just feels very bland. On the other hand, I've found the likes of Se7en and Experiment 10 (well, in 2011 at least), to be very good and provide scares all the time - overfamiliarity didn't affect my experience at all. Also, correct me if I'm wrong anyone, but when the rides had the additional theming and such, wasn't that down to the staff of certain ride areas, who were putting in the extra time and effort to just add something a little extra? Bar the mazes, there's been very little put into park for FN by the park/Merlin, which is indeed a shame..

Why does there have to be something new though? There were 5 mazes last year, as well as roaming actors and a small show in the Dome (which wasn't well advertised..). As much as I'd love for Curse and/or Asylum to be completely changed, I'd be almost as happy for the park to focus on improving the overall experience of Fright Nights, inject more cash into the mazes, roaming actors and maybe a little extra (another attempt at a scare zone, small show, etc.).

An impressive top half finish for you pluk! I didn't really look at after the first few weeks, then checked a couple of week before the end of season, where I was comfortably at the bottom..

Trains stall, that's an unfortunate thing that will happen with coasters. I think the reaction is more the fact that it's happening to Smiler so soon after it has opened, and after all the delays, I don't think anyone wants to see it closed, whatever the reason. The reaction is (or maybe I should say 'should be') about the fact Smiler is having more downtime, which is unfortunate for all.

Apparently Smiler has stalled during tests this morning, and X Sector was recently evacuated (according to TST's Facebook), with staff saying Smiler won't open today. Could be down to new wheels possibly? At least is managed to stay open for the first couple of days at least, when it was likely to be busier, but not great at the moment!

I've just checked this to see the final results... Erm, was there a prize for last place?

Aren't a couple of the fatheads still on the back of this year's gate map? Might be wrong, just seem to remember a couple there? Either way, they are pretty much gone. It's good to see Thorpe are heading towards a more family oreintated market. A larger scope of people for the park means they have more opportunity to make (more) money, which should see more investment (hopefully) - so it's only a good thing really! However, what I wouldn't want to see Thorpe do is do a complete U-turn. Thorpe should still focus on being a thrill park in my opinion. There aren't many parks which solely focus on thrills, so it's still a gap in the market. But it doesn't mean they can't cater for everyone - a couple of family coasters, family-friendly rides, etc. would be key. I think it would be a shame for the park to revert back to your typical family park. Would also love to see the areas reinstated more clearly. I'd also love to see things like the MoS nights continue. Though not my cup of tea, they're doing well, so I can't see why they couldn't continue in a 'Thorpe Park Resort', if you will. Just as long as there's other nights for families, it could work. Thorpe just need to experiment a bit more with what the public like and do not like; then it's fine and dandy. Personally, I think it will be a few years before things slot together perfectly. Until then, Thorpe need to experiment a bit more with out of hours activities and add a few more family-orientated rides before they'll reach what is my ideal scenario for the park.

Just sat my last 'major' exam of the year (ie - one I have to pass or else I'll have to resit it or get kicked out...) today, and dear me it was horrific... Literally everyone has found it horrendous and extremely difficult. Fortunately it was probably my favourite module of the year, so despite the extreme difficulty, I should be 'okay', and hopefully the marks will be scaled up to reflect the hard questions. Nevertheless, this question didn't fail to make me laugh and proved to be the silver lining of the exam: Part (viii) - remember people; equations get afraid too!

There really should be an Intamin Meme on the internet.

I doubt we'll see the charge for Passing lifted; I always thought the reason for it was to keep the number of people going in the attraction down due to low throughput and stuff. Personally, I thought Passing was good, and with some tweaks this year, should fit in great with the FN line up (and if the queue time slot melarky is sorted out so it's stricter...). As I said on the previous page, I'm all for revamps of the mazes (especially Asylum and Curse), but I'd really want Thorpe to stick with the traditional conga line maze as much as possible. As much as E10 and Passing will pull in the crowds, you do how to wonder for the long-term stability of the idea. Sometimes sticking to basics means you can perfect the method - take The Sanctuary at AT. Traditional conga line maze, and yet each scare was thought out brilliantly and made for the best scare maze I've been in.

This. I think my feelings on CCR and whether it should open again or not have been perfectly clear since the moment it's closure was announced... (stuff it; if Slammer mucks up again any time soon, just close it permanently and reopen CCR with the savings... )

That specific quote seems to also be (partly) mentioned in this article - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-22689609 (which itself has parallels to NST). I'd be interested if this Mr Sim rode NST before or after the tweaks that were made, which, from what I've heard, could make a world of difference to opinion. Anyways, that itenery looks great. It's a shame that the 'big parks' with all the money don't really bother to celebrate things like this in any way; if a small park like PH can do something that sounds so great, then pretty much all parks should be able to.

That is probably the most depressing sight I've seen at a theme park...

Can't wait till my trip in July to try this out. All in all, it seems like an amazing addition to AT's line up, and if the reviews I've heard are anything to go by, it is a great ride. I'm not buying into any hype (especially the whole 'better than Nemesis' stuff), because of 'new ride syndrome', but I am excited. Anyone heard any rough ideas on throughput along the grapevine? I read 600pph on Facebook, though surely that's utter rubbish.

Woo, glad this was able to happen! Unfortunately, it's the day I come back from uni and because I have to collect results in the afternoon of that day too, I probably wouldn't be back in time for it. So gutted as I was one of the people asking for it and would have loved to have been there. Have fun though guys!

Currently the quoted queue time is a lovely 3 hours... http://www.ridetimes.co.uk/