JoshC.

There's a topic for these sort of questions - forum.maniahub.com/topic/7117-how-busy-is-it-going-to-be/page__st__360 [/backseatmod] On Monday, all schools and colleges should be back. Being a 10-5 day, it should be fairly quiet and I wouldn't think queues should exceed half an hour. Let us know how you get on though.

Very true. Dusk doesn't come till about 6ish (even a bit later perhaps) before the clocks change. I guess at 4 is when it does begin to get a bit 'less lighter', however (if that makes sense...)

It's a shame really that they're not planning on opening earlier. Personally, unless the maze relies on being outside, I don't think the lightness outside the maze makes much different - in a way, they are even more effective; being plunged into darkness and terror during innocent sunlight. This. 2011 was actually a brilliant year for it, and I think had Experiment 10 not have had the new factor, I would have rated Se7en as my favourite maze last season.

Saw Alive is advertising as returning (or reopening?) for Fright Nights; so that surely can't be the new attraction. I'd guess that with the tents becoming less popular in the eyes of guests, they won't replace Se7en with a maze in a new tent, so will likely use the old Hellgate area. I just hope that, if that's the case, that it's not a 'Hellgate II' if you will - I found Hellgate almost as boring as Curse...

Asylum - Usual spot; Showcase Experiment 10 - Arena Se7en - Larger side of beach Curse - Usual spot; smaller side of beach A real shame Se7en's gone; loved that maze. As a side note, Hellgate and Se7en both lasted 6 years before leaving; coincidence?

As the charge does not apply to PMAP, they don't need to order tickets from there (as that's where you buy the £5 additional ticket). However, later on, they may as PMAP holders to just prebook on busier dates 'to ensure entry', though it may not be a necessity.

I'm surprised in a way that these areas are always aimed at under 10s. Angry Birds is a HUGE hit with everyone of all ages; I do think there's an opportunity to really extend these lands into family areas for all, even if it ends up as a 'guilty pleasure' in a way of older kids / adults.

Don't forget that Saw Alive wasn't announced until Fright Nights begun, and not officially named until late October, with plans not even submitted until November. If the 4D theatre is to be used for a new attraction next season, then it could well be the case that all that needs to be built is a queue line, VERY similar to Alive's planning application, and then there's no real rush. There's still many possibilities for new attractions for next season, so I don't think there's too much cause for concern yet. 2013 is meant to be a medium investment for the park next year; whether this includes the Snoozebox is unknown at this stage..

A few words from my short trip to the park today. The park was really rather busy today, as expected for this Saturday which is likely to be the last before most school kids go back. Yet again, Swarm opened on just one train. I genuinely cannot understand why this is; cost cutting is not a good enough reason in my eyes. I think Colossus was also on one train today at some point. I didn't do many rides today, as the day wasn't really about doing rides, but rather just a day out with the family. Flying Fish was done, and the staff were great - a real good laugh and exactly what the ride needs. Woo. Inferno was running well today, with the operator pushing throughputs an awful lot, letting riders to board quickly as the train was due to leave in 20 seconds, etc. Was a great ride, as ever. Saw only had a 20 minute queue by the time we made our way over to it just after 11, so we decided to give it a go. Staff we pretty average really, but getting the job done I guess. Good to see all the effects indoors were working and that the problems that were had with it in 2009 have been ironed out - hopefully the same can be said for Swarm soon. Also had a REALLY intense ride on it; greying out. To date, Saw remains the only ride I've ever greyed out on - once back in 2009 after 4 rides in quick succession (the days of SRQ <3) and being slightly dehydrated, and today. So yeah, great ride. Zodiac was also done, with a ride team who really were plodding along, taking their time and so forth. Not really how staff should be at this busy period. I don't think there were many breakdowns whilst I was on park (till 2ish), however. I assume Colossus and Swarm had short periods of 'downtime' to add on second trains (which seemingly didn't help Colossus' queue, which still fills up..) and I saw Rush down for about 5-10 minutes; opened again on 1 swing. The Fastrack queue at about 1ish looked like the photo that Dan posted above - absolutely horrendous! Thorpe seriously need to sort out their caps on the number of Fastracks they sell; there has to come some point where customer satisfaction outweighs profit. Lunch was had in the Bar/Grill 360 and was mighty nice; that double beef burger is beautiful. There was a slight grumble in that the ribs my mum ordered were covered in bits of foil. After mentioning it, we were offered a new meal (even though it had been about half eaten by the time it was released) and given a fair reason (their cooked in foil, and sometimes these things unfortunately happen). Very good service, and in general, the staff in there were great. I now have another reason to curse Merlin as well - more good quality merchandise! Don't know how to describe it, but it's a plastic model of Swarm's train in a box. They're designed very accurately, just missing the bars which join the cars together. I tried to get a picture of it, but it's hard to get a good quality one - here's the best I could get: Hopefully that can be made out alright. Also, standard photo of me with the newly added telephone box: The sound effects are quite nice - long ringing sounds, and the general 'Please help us' 'Is anyone there?' I do feel this could have been a chance to add something more interactive - having it the right way up, though a bit crushed into the ground, and then being able to step inside and hear the sounds much more clearly. Nonetheless, it's still a great addition!

I think the park had to set a limit of between 8-10k on guests due to H&S reasons? Those sort of numbers are quiet, but it maybe te case that the park did reach 'capacity' in this sense?

Well Thorpe have really blown this s#!t up, haven't that? After advertising that it would be returning all around the park, on their website, and on their gate map, then to go back on that decision and cancel the event - seemingly - just doesn't reflect well on the park. Fireworks was well received last season, so it's a real shame that they've really felt that they can't bring it back this season, presumably because of costs. It's not just the fact that they've cancelled the event that annoys me, it's the fact that after advertising it so heavily, they're not going to do it. I do hope that (if the event has been cancelled of course, and they're not just changing dates) there's a reason for this which isn't cost cutting, otherwise I, and presumably many others, will be hugely disappointed and annoyed with the park...

Oh dear... Not going to lie, that wasn't even a typo. The power of the edit button!

Back in 2002 (and maybe 2003?) The Freezer was an actual maze, with dead ends and alternate routes. However, it was a nightmare for throughputs. With groups getting lost and spending ages in there, along with other groups catching up, overtaking, colliding into one another, and perhaps even some groups going the wrong way, an actual maze was a bit of a disaster in some ways. I knew someone who was told which way to go by an actor - who had to break out of character to do so - as they past them a couple of times. I guess calling them mazes adds to the fear - the thought that you *could* get lost. But I think many parks call their long, winding corridors mazes, so I don't think it really matter.

Bleurgh, hate the NHS. Go to see my doctor last September about a lump on my neck. 'Oh, it's a cyst, they're nothing to worry about really. If it gets bigger, come back and we'll sort it out'. Gets bigger and more uncomfortable over the past few months, see my doctor early July. 'Yes, it's a cyst. The thing is, due to costs and stuff, we shouldn't really remove it unless it's absolutely necessary, and this is just cosmetic.' A week later, it's practically doubled in size. See a (different) doctor, given antibiotics and told to see my GP. 'Wow, that's got a lot bigger. It seems like it's infected now. Here's more antibiotics; book an appointment for a week's time to get it removed by me.' (My local surgery does minor operations). Go to book appointment - 'sorry, we don't have anything until the 23rd August.' (bare in mind this was middle of July). Go back a week later for a check up, put on stronger antibiotics - told I've been booked an emergency appointment for 2nd August (which was a week away from when I saw the doctor). Yeah, okay, this is probably getting confusing now, but meh, I'm ranting.. Have to make an emergency appointment on the Monday before it's due to be removed as it's begun to weep. Told by the emergency doctor that it's not weeping (even though it was...) and just keep to my appointment. Was phoned up the day before it was due to be removed and told 'Sorry, your appointment has been cancelled as there's no nurses available to help the doctor' - we can book you in for 30th August.' Just getting a bit silly. I got a telephone appointment with my doctor on the 2nd, and explained the situation, and he said that nurses were available to help him and that my appointment shouldn't have been cancelled! Was told to go up to A&E and just get it removed. Go to A&E, and after about 6 hours, finally removed. I'll skip the gory details, but basically the procedure had to be done differently due to the fact that it had begun to weep and the cyst was open.. Now, as they've left the wound open to heal from the inside, it's been dressed daily for the past 4 weeks, which involves going to my doctor's surgery, spending about half an hour waiting (as they always seem to run late, no matter what...) and then having it changed. It's blooming well taken over my life, especially with appointments basically being between 11-12 daily. It wouldn't be so bad, but after 4 weeks, it's only halved in size. I've been on course after course of antibiotics which don't seem to do no good (my latest course means I'm taking 3 pills four times a day, and can't eat for 3 of the 4 hours between dosages...) and it's only now that the nurses have begun to think 'this is taking a bit longer than it should, even though it should only take a couple of weeks, and about 7-10 days of daily dressing. Now there's the possibility of having to go back to A&E to have it re-cut open and seeing if there's something wrong. It's just so blooming annoying. If it had been done before it grew in size, got infected and 'burst', it would have been so much simplier and easier to deal with, and probably fully healed ages ago. But no, that hasn't happened, in a stupid attempt to save some money (which, in the long run, has probably cost more money than it saved). Just on a bit of a downer really, especially as little hole in my neck has basically ruined my summer...

So then, the Paralympics have started and congratulations to our Paralympians who have already secured 8 7 medals; 2 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes. Great first day. On a less positive note, it's disappointing (though not unexpected) to see the lack of attention and interest that the Paralympics has been given, in general and - more specifically - by the media. Take, for example, The Sun. Their front page focused specifically on how Cheryl Cole and Will.I.Am had been involved in a car crash, and showed the, both blooded up. They were both fine and well, and let's be honest, how many people actually care if a couple of famous people were involved in a minor collision? The Paralympic opening ceremony was given the smallest of showing on the front page, and only about a quarter of the number of pages that the Olympic opening ceremony had. Of course, the Olympics are going to spark more interest than the Paralympics, but it is just disappointing as to how it is covered. Some may think 'Well why on earth do you care? You're a cynic about the Olympics, why should this sort of thing bother you?'. Whilst that may be the case, I just find myself disappointed that athletes who put in so much effort, just like those in the Olympics, aren't perhaps given the same level of coverage. We even have a torch relay which is much shorter and given a lot less attention. It's just a shame in my eyes that an event which is practically as big as the Olympics is given about as much care and attention as stupid things like celebrity lives...

It looks as if it will have a connected spine, and the way the trains appear to be timed from that video (one leaving the 'top hat' just as another begins to do the loop) makes me think it's done because of a connected spine. Not too sure about that though, but it makes sense. Interesting ride from Premier really. That backwards launch thing though - just what?

How is visiting a laboratory and being experimented on by humans related to an alien invasion? Unless I missed the point of E10 completely...

So TPM's FB say that there's a new maze for 2012. Let speculation begin - will Hellgate's old location be used again, will we see an old maze kick the bucket or a new location altogether? Personally I hope they finally lay The Curse to rest - darn awful maze. Swarm-themed maze would be nice as well.. EDIT: It appears I can't read, as it's actually a new 'horror attraction'. Maybe Thorpe will have another go at a "scare zone"...

The trouble is, this leaves the first (and maybe second?) Friday of FN, due to dates they choose. Try and do the AP day if one arises, which is on the Thursday before te event starts, or the first weekend - this is when FN will be the quietest.

Where did you find that?

I guess the birthday thing played a part (clowns make appearances at birthday parties, etc.) and the fact that clowns are a phobia for many people. Not really fussed as to the reason the reason, they really did add to the atmosphere and were a true highlight of last season's Fright Nights for me! (PS - no harm in using the edit button, your comment would still be seen! )

Ah, but there were. A few clowns wandering round the place is what I saw, though I didn't see the birthday cake. I think they stayed around Asylum and Calypso Quay area actually. They were dressed differently to the ones above - they were wearing ripped masks and did act a little bit more creepy than the ones I saw later in the event. (My beautiful face returns again! )

Don't worry Sid, you weren't going mad, roaming actors were around a plentiful last season. They were mainly clowns, and they were regular seen with a birthday cake celebrating the 10th birthday of FN. Whether they were a one off for the 10th birthday thing or not is a different matter - hopefully they'll return as they were amazing. I noticed many lurking around The Asylum's exit, which gave them an extra fright! They weren't all necessarily scaring everyone all the time, but they really did make a very good atmosphere. There were also actors around the Experiment 10 queue line and entrance to the arena, mainly 'employees' doing 'surveys', and there was the odd hazmat suit actor lurking around, though they're not particular roaming actors I guess.. Some photos of the actors: (Both of the above from Total Thorpe Park). And a couple of photos featuring me, as a plug for my 'beautiful' face... (This one was my particular favourite - he had such a high pitch voice :'))

The way that you say that, it sounds like you think AT aren't Number 1 at the moment - is that what you feel? Or have I just misunderstood what you said? Personally, I think the whole 'question' if you will of 'Which park is number 1?' depends entirely on what criteria you use to judge how good a park is. If you use the simple facts of attendance figures, then Alton will be number 1 and will be number 1 for the foreseeable future. AT get around 3 million guest a year don't they? Thorpe and Legoland are each getting around the 2 million mark, and neither can expand much more to cater an extra million guests a year. Thorpe specifically mentioned in their MTDP that they only expect a slight increase in attendance figures, to around 2.3-2.4 million guests a season (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, plucking these figures from memory), so there's no way Thorpe will catch Alton up. If you're judging it on the rides the park have, it becomes much more difficult. For someone who has a bias towards hardcore thrill rides, the rides at Thorpe on the whole are generally going to be rated higher than Alton's rides on the whole. For someone who feels a number one park should cater for everyone, Thorpe may well not even fit in the top 5 parks in the country on that criteria, and AT win pretty much hands down. So yeah, there's no real 'safe' way of objectively saying which park is number 1 if you base it solely on the rides; it just comes down to which park has your favourite rides pretty much. Maybe it should be about how well a park is received by it's target market. Here, Thorpe would do extremely well - their target is young adults, and the majority enjoy thrill rides, being 'scared' and like the 'rave' atmosphere, all of which Thorpe provide. Alton also do well, as they target families, and have the near-perfect blend of children's rides, thrill rides and rides for all the family. However, having that larger target means that they won't necessarily please everyone all the time - it becomes a lot more difficult. Then again, Thorpe are perhaps targeting a certain type of young adult - I won't use the word chav, as that's not it - but it targets young adults with a certain taste and style in things (which, you could say, chavs fall under). There's no definitive way of describing this 'type' of young adult, but they aren't technically targeting the whole of the young adult market, which again means it becomes difficult to please everyone in their target market. No other park in my opinion, however, comes as close as 'hitting the nail on the head' for this as Thorpe and Alton do, but I do think that Alton are just a little bit better at this.. Then you could just judge it on the experience and atmosphere a park provides, which goes to what Sheepie said earlier. Again, I think Alton, especially the staff on the whole, provide a much better atmosphere for the park than Thorpe do. The experience of doing to either of them are pretty equal. Again, both are pretty much better than most of the UK rivals, but Alton do really just pip Thorpe at this stage, tl;dr? Alton are better than Thorpe in most departments, though Thorpe are in some cases, a close second...