JoshC.

Ahem... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150518294479815&set=vb.214001328660864&type=2&theater WE ARE ALL LEZ COUGAN!!!! Oh, erm, and banned for banning me for the same reason Sidders did a couple of pages back.

When was the last time Depth Charge even featured on an advert by Thorpe?! In recent times, the only time I can think of where they had a different advert for summer was 2011, when Saw was said to be 'more terrifying than ever'. Even then, that was just footage of the 2009 advert with a different voice over. If recent discussion is anything to go by, looks like we'll see more of a focus on 'something for everyone', and possibly a focus on summer fun (what with the water rides mentioned) and such. I do look forward to this!

Banned for having a silly-sounding username.

Banned for having ridden Swarm more times than me!

I don't know if I caught it at a bad time (and I did visit during the Preview Weekend last season; thought that shouldn't be an excuse), but I found it a bit boring at times (especially at the beginning), with long sections of nothing happening and a few story line inconsistencies. And, most importantly, the scares weren't anything special. Carnival and Sanctuary are a lot better, and I'd happily say Se7en and Experiment 10 (well, in 2011) were more enjoyable and scary as well. The trouble I have with criticizing it is I can't answer the question of how to improve it. Nothing in the maze feels unnecessary; it is obviously well thought out and is executed pretty well. But, to me, it just doesn't 'do' anything for me. Maybe the actors need re-positioning a bit and just the odd tweak here and there may improve it massively to me? Maybe I just caught it at the wrong time and the problems I had were ironed away? So yeah, would love to see it revamped, but would also love to try it again, and see if I was just unlucky.

Interesting, my view of it was VERY different. Here was my original view, the night of getting back from my first trip (which was for the AP Preview Night): In case you can't tell, I was rather cynical about it (which may have played a part in me enjoying all the more - I had zero expectations, so maybe anything would've had a glowing review?). Whilst I wasn't scared, I did enjoy it and thought it was a good little attraction all in all. I will admit that the last sentence of me saying it was "better than any mazes" is, in hindsight, most definitely wrong, and probably was just the 'new attraction' factor. I will also say that as FN 2010 went on, the scare zone got worst (the actors had masks, they played about with the smoke effects, etc.), and as time went on, I felt it just wasn't up to the same standard as it started off as; shame. I'd love to see Thorpe do a scare zone again, but I also quite like the roaming actors we've had the past couple of seasons. Would rather roaming actors than a scare zone actually (if it HAD to be one or the other); especially as Merlin scare zones are very 'maze-like'.

I think it's more a case of The Towers need to be open as ruins, due to local council agreements or something, regardless of the popularity and longevity of the opening. Happy to see Sanctuary return, though I do hope TotT gets a major revamp this season, really didn't do anything for me last season. Would like to see CoS return, as I enjoyed it, but at the same time, it would be nice to get a completely new maze, and I can't see another maze added to the line up. My personal preference would be to see CoS stay one more season, and have this season be a complete reva,p of TotT.

Can't really judge a lot from it, due to all the reasons above, but I do like the look of the car going round the track. Looks lovely.

What you do have to remember is this is a one off incident (I don't know of any of topsin where this has happened; recently at least), and if the park decide to reopen it, it will be safe, etc. and will never happen again. Incidents happen, and always will do. To be honest, out of all the incidents that could happen at a theme park, getting stuck in a seat 20ft in the air isn't the worse thing that could happen. Bits could fly off a giant swing, and nearly hit your feet, you could break your wrists on launch coasters by not preparing properly, etc. Or you could just ride an Intamin...

I don't have a particular order, but here's some of my top ones... -Europa Park. Does this need explaining? -Phantasialand. Black Mamba, Winjas, Colorado Adventure and the park in general just look top quality! -Fuji-Q Highland. Takabisha, Eejenkia and Dodonpa are 3 coasters high up on my 'list to do'. -Efteling. Love the concept of the park. -Mirabilandia. 'Cause the reports on here have been glowing. -Dollywood. Dolly Parton; must be good. -Heide Park. Looks like a good, fun park. -Islands of Adventure. Two words - Harry Potter. -Cedar Point. It's big and stuff. -Six Flags Magic Mountain. See above reason. Distinct lack of Disney parks here. Whilst I'd never, ever, turn an opportunity down to go to any of them, I dunno, I just don't have them as high as other parks - which confuses me as well.. These parks are more 'big trips' for me, there are other parks closer to home (Oakwood, Flamingo Land and Drayton Manor for example, the last of which I was meant to visit on Friday, but instead will visit October-time) as well, and there are other parks I'd love to visit - Parc Asterix, Holiday Park, Port Aventura, Hershey Park, Gardaland spring to mind. I'm hopeful that 2016 may be 'the year' where a few of European parks are ticked off, though a German trip before then could be a possibility...

To me, Stealth just isn't what I want in a ride. I'd be lying if I said on my first ride I wasn't blown away by the launch, but it quickly wears off. Even then, after my first ride, I would have happily said I preferred Inferno and Colossus to it. I still enjoy it, and the launch is decent, but it just doesn't impress me. I guess the reriding of it plays a part, but other rides haven't worn off on me, so I'm not quite sure...

If Drayton does have a General Development Order on certain areas, we could see some form of major ride. Unless I'm mistaken, Smiler's site was covered by a GDO and hence all they actually needed to apply for was the buildings and theming, and the highest points of the ride. Would've thought by now there'd be some form of work visible for a major coaster, unless they're planning not to open at the begin of the season? I guess time will tell..!

Sorry Alex, that award is going to be mine this year. I mean just look at me: To be honest, it's quite frankly a travesty I didn't win it last year... Do look forward to this year's awards; even if we're only half way through the year. XD

It featured on ITV News earlier. They spoke to a couple of teenagers who said how 'they thought it was part of the ride for the first few minutes', before other methods were tried. They said about the discomfort of the restraints and that they've got bruises on their thighs. Certainly not great press for Chessie. Personally, I do hope it gets replaced by another thrill ride to be honest. It was on it's last legs as it was, and to me, this just says it needs scrapping ASAP.

I finished on Friday, and now have the countdown till next Thursday when I get results. :S

Does that even need an answer (lap bars of course!) Upside down or inside out?

I don't see the 'it's new, give them a chance to get it working argument'. Surely it's no different and no more difficult to update than the old system? Hopefully we can see it reflect queue times more accurately though; we as enthusiasts do sometimes forget it is some people's only way of judging queue times. Though at least the times shown are much larger than the real ones, and not much shorter. :tongue:

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/LatestIncidentsContainer_16061310.asp#.Ub4dbvnVBlg An article/mini report from the fire brigade, giving a couple more details.

www.itv.com/news/story/2013-06-16/40-people-stuck-on-rollercoaster/ A story to watch I guess... EDIT: So apparently, Rameses Revenge is a coaster...

Banned because you're the most likely to be banned this year, and so should be.

I've always thought that it would run a maximum of 4 trains. Pretty sure it said in one of the earlier press releases that there would be '64 passengers on the ride', or something along those lines. Would love (and hope) to be proven wrong though!

1) Open 2) 180 minutes 3) 3 trains.

10 years ago now - http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/history/plans/woodie.htm They were withdrawn, and never seen again.. *cue overly dramatic music*

Banned, 'cause it's the rules of the game. :tongue: