JoshC.

I wonder if this was the original plan, but they realised it was just too hard to achieve safely / H&S denied it? Would explain the long delay in having it become operational and the H&S troubles they had..

Oh my goodness - IT'S HERE! Can't wait to check that out next week.

Don't get me wrong, I sorta enjoy the franchise, but the third one totally ruined it in my eyes. It was unnecessary, created plot holes and lacked any real scares. I'm just glad they've decided to bring it back more or less to present day, that way they can pick up where the second film left off and sort everything out; bring closure to the main story, and leave it with some dignity and substance, before it does turn into Saw (even though I quite enjoyed VI and VII.. )

Let's hope they put this franchise to rest after this one...

All about opinions, ain't it? Depends on what you want from a coaster too. If you want a smooth, free flowing coaster, then Inferno is perfect for you. If you want an intense coaster which comes in two parts, Saw is for you. Also, if you're not too keen on your head being smashed in, Saw may not be your favourite...

Oooh, loving the look of that! If this works out, I wondr if it will spark a new generation of woodies?

Love the name actually; simple and to the point but also quirky. They really seem to put a lot of emphasis on THAT cave as well, hope that all goes to plan. Nonetheless should be a brilliant attract for the resort. On a separate note, the Africa theme is spreading - could that mean that Forbidden Kingdom is going to join in properly with Africa as well? Would create a great, large African area if rethemed to fit in properly..

This offer is returning and the first tokens can be collected from next Saturday; it was advertised in the paper today.

Really? Always thought it was one of those things that was popular in just Britain and kinda known in the US.. Shows how much I know about Britain's international status really...

I watched the Opening Ceremony as well. Admittedly, I was not planning on doing so, but I sorta got suckered into the hype of it and decided to watch it. I really did enjoy it, actually. It was a brilliant story piece full of British humour, which is exactly what a country's Opening Ceremony should be. People were complaining that it was 'too British' - I'm sorry, what would you want instead? To be fair, there'll be some things people won't get (Rowan Atkinson / Mr Bean playing the piano was CLASSIC, though maybe an example of things that won't be fully 'got'), but when showing off Britain, there'll be many things other countries will not get. The inflatable children character villains, five rings going up in the air and the lighting of the cauldron were pretty spectacular as well (though I almost feel as though the introduction of the young athletes lighting to pieces wasn't as good / clear as it should have been). Couple of negative points from me as well. Dizzie Rascal performing, though I understand why to a degree, I personally just feel that he isn't 'good enough' to do something this big, but heyho, it happened, and I guess he did alright. The James Bond / Queen thing was good, but the jumping out of the helicopter bit was a bit...anti-climatic and it felt a bit like 'Oh, why?'. Also, Paul McCarthy?! Just why in my opinion, so many more choices which would have been better in my opinion... So yeah, really enjoyed it and a huge well done to everyone involved it! The one other thing to gather from it would be this - if anyone asks what 'Britishness' is, or what it means to be British, I would tell them to watch this Opening Ceremony and that would explain it to me perfectly.

Haha, I had that happen to me on my latest visit. I genuinely thought I was hearing things when I heard my name in that snake-like voice...

I prefer back right the most for the water effects, though either side back row (usually on the outside) are my favourites! Front row comes rather close though!

It certainly is strange, I agree. Enthusiasts certainly do seem to 'put it down' if you will, whereas the public absolutely love it. Perhaps it's down to the fact that flying coasters have developed for the good and later version have been much better, and enthusiasts 'appreciate' that much more. Isn't Air the only flying coaster in Europe as well? It might well be that it's quite unique to guests, and hence enjoy it much more? The gimmick of it as well is one guests still lap up today. Also, when you look at Oblivion for example, that;s still regarded as one of - if not, the - best dive machines there is. Had that ride type been bettered so much more, I believe that Oblivion would be in the same situation as Air is now. I don't think Air consistently ranking as the least favourite B&M in the country is a testament to the ride and the enthusiasts' views on it. Though those comments see it as boring, it does what it's meant to do, and it does it well. It's just that what it's meant to do isn't that much...

Apparently Rita has reopened today..

Not gonna lie; really don't like the way they've done. I much preferred Saw's 'story first' approach, followed by you on ride (and uninterrupted). Also liked how Saw's featured the whole lift hill, as opposed to just near the top (I guess you could say Saw doesn't show the first part of the ride, but you get my point - the lift hill can show some nice expressions I think). Swarm could've had a really good, minute long back story made - in fact, it could have just been made from all the little blipverts we saw leading up to the opening and the first part from the TV advert and that would have been more than enough. Quite disappointed with how it looks, and I'm not sure any more if I'm willing to part with £12/£13 (guessing that's the price?) for it...

Some people may find this slightly amusing... http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/6/Merlin-Entertainments-Group-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_194026.aspx The Sub Terra adverts were complained about as they were claimed to be racist, with all the fear being induced by the black man in the advert, as opposed to the Nemesis egg. Needless to say, all is fine and nothing racist was found..

Yeah, was said over Facebook or something wasn't it? Certainly suggests Boiler House won't return.. Not to sure on Alton's positioning of mazes, as last season wasn't Carnival of Screams in the BH tent as well? Only time will tell I guess... (Oh, and to make this post vaguely on topic, woo Fright Nights! )

Has anyone got a place on one of the focus groups then? Wish I could've made it, but unfortunately I was busy..

From what I've heard (and seen of the car park), it's been packed. As a large amount of visitors will be on school trips which have been planned for a long time, the weather isn't going to put people off. I'd expect the rest of this week to be heaving. I dunno when schools break up, but presumably it's this week / next week; so there's bound to be a fair few school trips going on into next week. Then, after that, it's summer!!!

Don't see any reason to panic just yet.. A little rumour plus something referring to chainsaws (ie, more than one, unlike Asylum's one) is nothing to worry about. Would be interesting if it did happen, mind, considering it's probably Thorpe's most well known maze. Personally I couldn't see it fitting in at Scarefest - don't know why, really, but I just don't - but then again, never been to Scarefest, so would be hard for me to comment.. XD

Thorpe's target market is teens-young adults, though I think it's specifically 16-30. What with FN being their main event, I'm not surprises they're making a focus group for 18+; they'll want to attract those people more I guess. I too would love to see a Curse replacement. Would love to see Thorpe continue to push the boundaries with the mazes as well; perhaps have a 'recommended for 15+ (or 18+)' so they've got more options open to them. Only time will tell I guess

Can't remember how many times I've said this with regards to Swarm, but I'll say it again... Brilliant. Top notch stuff. That is all.

Arguably, adding anything to the top would make it worse, as it would show how bad the rest of the ride is.. I'd much rather them put more effort into theming Swarm, or any other major ride on park, than this turd which hopefully will leave the park before the decade comes to an end... (Of course, in an ideal world, we'd all want every ride to be themed / look amazing, but treating as a choice under such difficult economic times, I know which option I'd rather have...)

Adz over on TTF posted this, with regards to the holes: He's normally reliable for most Merlin things, so it looks like we are in for additional theming! Whatever it is, a huge kudos to Thorpe/Merlin. It sounds as though they may well be responding to some of criticisms that the area wasn't immersive enough, so have decided to add in more theming as a solution. Can't wait to see this!