JoshC.

This image was posted by 'Rollercoaster5000' over on TTF: A Studios North van has also been spotted on park.. A bit strange really, so just what is it for..?

I thought the electronic, £5 all day lockers were slightly bigger than the pay per use ones?

Technically Liam, Furius Baco is Europe's fastest winged coaster... [/pedantic] Anyways, my rankings: 1) The Swarm. Love everything about the ride and it sits firmly as my favourite ride to date. 2) Nemesis. Brilliant, brilliant ride. The location makes it so unique and it just has this 'feel' to it which makes it special. Only just pipped by Swarm in honesty. 3) Nemesis Inferno. Fantastic ride which flows really well. Great layout all the way through, and has a great mixture of force and elegance. Also love it when the the tunnel is full of mist and has all lights on. 4) Joint Oblivion and Air. Really difficult to separate the two. I do enjoy Oblivion, even if it is a one trick pony. When I first went on it in 2006, I guess you could say I was at the point of being scared - something which I don't think has happened to me on any other coaster since. I love the story and theming, but feel it lets itself down at the end and just needs something a little extra to finish it off. Air, on the other hand, is a good, solid ride. That's it; nothing special. I enjoy it, but it doesn't blow me away. Perhaps worth noting that, with Air and Oblivion, there's nothing wrong with them, as they're ranked highly in my favourite coasters, but they're just not really that close to other three B&Ms in this case...

Ah, right past my college. Didn't bother going to see the relay as I don't really get the point of it tbh, but ah well. Seems the majority of people involved with it / who watch it enjoy themselves, which is only a good thing!

Gotta be Inferno. I love Inferno's layout, theme, audio - the full out experience. Though not the best example of a B&M invert, I enjoy it each time and is one ride I always love to go on. Colossus has a great layout and audio. However, it's ageing badly and isn't that comfortable. There's just something that doesn't draw me to it; I like it - don't get me wrong - but I just don't feel the need to go on it when I'm on park. I guess you could say that, unfortunately, it's the bad experiences you remember the most, and Colossus has a few bad experiences with its roughness. To be honest, Colossus doesn't even rank in my top 3 coasters at Thorpe... Inferno quite easily for me.

Is pretty good with Photoshop! (Well, I presume THAT Storm Surge picture was made with Photoshop...)

Has reached 200 rep points, and is probably rather happy at that!

Pretty much the only thing I'd think we can safely know about SW7 is that it's a Gerstauler (always get a sense of satisifaction spelling that correcting first time! ) and it's some version of a Eurofighter (could be, say, a Eurofighter V2.0 for example). Oh, and where it is and it'll be a world first, if you wish to be pedantic... Personally, I don't think a vertical launch will occur. Looking at how the car goes over the vertical 'bit', I'd hate to imagine how that would feel at any quick pace. So, for sheer comfort reasons, I'd expect it to go over that bit quite slowly, which would mean either a slow launch, or a launch which means it goes over the crest slowly (both of which are pretty pointless in my eyes) or a standard vertical lift hill. If I'm honest, I'd be disappointed if there was any launch at all on this - it seems like an unneccessary extra which will add little to the ride, bar an increase in reliability issues and perhaps discomfort... I'd say the world first will either be something to do with how cars, though no idea what, or a 'Th13teen trick', where something happens inside. Rumours have been going around about 'inverting track', where the track itself moves in a circle to invert the train. Again, something which I think is unlikely, but just something which is reguarly thrown out there.. If this ride is half as good as it looks, I'll be more than happy. Even happier if it has lapbars.

Regarding ride planning applications.. Storm Surge and other flat rides came out around the summer time (July-August) I believe. Saw Alive came to light during October/November time, however. Depends on what - if anything - Thorpe will do next season. Look at Sub-Terra, that application was sent in Autumn time I believe. Thorpe said in the Questions to TP section that they've got more time to decide what they'll invest in as it's a small investment year, so there's still plenty of time for planning applications.

If Thorpe ever got a woodie, I can see them exploring putting this sort of element in (if it works on this coaster). Marketing could do wonders with it, as the public would lap it up. Can't wait to see videos of trains going through that!

Oops, turns out Pterodactyl opened to the public yesterday... Thank you, brilliant FL marketing team, for bringing this to the public's attention...

Pterodactyl opening this summer; obvious dinosaur theme. New coaster rumoured for 2014, but that's about all that's known at this stage as far as I know.

Personally, I thought a winged coaster was enough of a selling point for Swarm. If Inferno's 'gimmick' is having the track above you and your legs dangle, then having nothing below OR above you should be enough of a gimmick to sell. Then there's the whole inverted drop thing which - though maybe not as marketable - could still be shown to be pretty special. Perhaps the public aren't too dazzled by this though? Maybe all they want is the world's first or world's only ride; after all, Colossus and Saw both had 'world's first' attached to them, Stealth can sell itself with it's height and speed, though was a European record at the time as well, and Inferno had the typical 'World's greatest' tagline shoved on (I think). Swarm was a UK first and Europe's tallest - and that's all they've really done. They've used the word 'unique' for the drop, but nothing about how it was a world first drop or anything. Maybe the public really are quite narrow-minded (or perhaps tainted by marketing in general) and believe that if something isn't a world first / record breaker, then it's unlikely to be any good... Let's just hope that isn't the case though, ey?

Ah right, was unaware of that. Completely understand it's hard to predict things like that and other things like taking of a train and such have to occur - but yeah, just a suggestion.

Massive thanks to Thorpe Park for doing this - an ERT, tour of the ride area (as well as the chance for a lift hill walk) and workshop after park close for free is something well and truly brilliant for any park to do. Somehow managed all 11 rides, though my shoulders have felt a bit tender today.. The tour was great too; my personal favourite being walking under the final inversion. Also great to meet some people for the first time, always nice to put faces to names and a thanks to everyone for being friendly and such. (Annnd, a thanks again to whoever offered me a lift home - though I've forgotten who that was now :$). One thing I'd just like to say though - if we're lucky enough to have another ERT event organised, I think the 'advertised' start time should be say at least 10 minutes after park close. It was said the ERT was 6-6:30, and we didn't get on till 20 to 7 ish? I don't have a problem really with waiting around and that (did leave more opportunity to chat to people), but it just allows people to ensure they can get timings right with getting home and such. (Not a grumble - if it is coming across that way - as after all, there needs to be a bit of time given for staff to have a break, get organised, etc., but just something to consider for next time I'd say ). Again, thanks to Thorpe and TPM for getting this organised, and - fingers crossed - we'll get a similar event at some point in the future!

The Swarm is based on an alien invasion / devastation scene. Very easy to understand in my opinion when you look at the ride area. Okay, some people may get confused by why there's a church there, but hey ho, really can't see making it overly complicated. As for not knowing about it, it's one of the most common themes about these days (devastation, end of the world, etc.) in not only theme parks, but films, TV shows - everything. Really, there's not a lot to know for it. Then there's even the queue line TVs, which explain exactly what's happening. Could be some negative reactions from the public being conveyed there, but almost definitely opinion, and not fact. The ride theme had been decided to be an alien invasion / urban devastation from early on, so they'd have done research to ensure something as trivial as 'not getting it' did not occur...

Number 12 I'm almost certain is Saw Alive.

I can attend - woohoo!

The past couple of seasons there's been the AP evening on the Thursday before FN starts, would be surprised if it didn't return this year to be honest. As for one after the season closes, can't see that happening, unless Thorpe decide to close the park to the public a day earlier, which just wouldn't make sense really..

So then, went to Chessie today with the family for our first visit since the park fully opened. We'd gone to a zoo day in January, and were more or less happy with the place (though learnt to avoid the chicken shack..) Now, the past couple of seasons, I'd been enticed to go to Chessington earlier in the year. In 2010, Wild Asia drew made me go during opening weekend, and last season I went to celebrate Vampire's 21st over Easter. This season, however, nothing has yet made me want to go to the park (well, probably not the best way of wording it actually, as I love going to Chessie, but nothing has actually made me want to go back, I've wanted to go back of my own accord, as opposed to what Chessington have done - if that makes any sense...). Nonetheless, we went excited and looking forward to the day.. One thing which really has stuck with me about the day is the staff. They were brilliant, absolutely brilliant. From platformers and operators being helpful and always having a smile on their faces (and the latter effectively using the PA systems on all the rides), to staff who were just walking round and being funny and chatty (one commenting on my Swarm baseball cap, and one waving to us whilst we were on the Skyride). It's little things like this which turn a good day into a great, and all the staff deserve praise for how well they were interacting with guests. *Claps* As expected, the park was very quiet. Only a couple of school trips were going on, which didn't really affect the standard Tuesday crowds I'd assume. Longest queue I saw was Tiny Truckers, which was apparently 10 minutes according to the queue boards, and longest we queued was just a shy over 5 minutes for Dragon's Fury; all good. On top of having good weather - sunny and warm, but not too hot - for most of the day, our choice of day was pretty much perfect. Though we knew we'd pretty much not need it, we went to AS to get my nan's disabled wristband. The card was only signed once during the day, which was for Vampire for 10 minutes, even though they were struggling to get a full train.. Not complaining, as it's not like it really mattered. It was kind of the Skyway team to also let us exit through the entrance (due to there being less stairs, making it easier for my nan), as I know some staff usually frown upon random things like that.. Another stand out point of the day was Bubbleworks, for all the wrong reasons... Our boat seemed to have some pretty bad issues, as for the duration of the ride, part of the bottom of the boat was skidding along the bottom. Almost certain it wasn't to do with how we were sitting in the boat, as however we positioned our selves, part of the bottom would always skid. This meant we were always tilted at a precarious angle during the ride, with the water being rather close to the edge, and splashing over quite badly following the boat behind us dropping before the final scene. Two boats also caught up with us, and all in all, the experience wasn't a pleasant one. We were waving at security cameras (and shouting, which I guess was a bit pointless, considering they don't record sound, but ah well...) for most of the ride for attention, but none was given seemingly, which again, wasn't the greatest of experiences. The issue was brought up with AS, who assured as the security cameras would be checked and the boat removed for inspection. As said, almost certain it wasn't to do with how we were seated, as no matter how we balanced ourselves, it made no difference... Dragon's Fury was brilliant today, probably got my best ride ever on it - SO spinny. Enjoyed the likes of Black Buccaneer, RMT and Lorikeet Lagoon as well. Also watched the Madagascar show, and I have to say, I'm not a fan. Nothing really I enjoyed if I'm honest. Though, to be fair, I guess it is aimed more for children / families, and I'm not the biggest fan of the franchise, so if I don't like it, then it's probably true to the franchise and suits those who enjoy this sort of thing. Will say though, it is a good quality show, so congrats there. Went for a spin on Kobra as well, which was good fun. Loved the operator, who was great with interacting with everyone. Also, he was able to slightly confuse me for a short period of time - thanks for whispering my name across over the PA system and making me slightly paranoid that I was hearing things. Nonetheless, nice to get a chance to finally meet you briefly (as, no doubt, he'll read this!) One thing which has annoyed me with Chessie this year is their need to staple 'NEW FOR 2012' in shops, signalling that new merchandise is in stock. I doubt many people, if any, actually care if there's new toys, teddies and sweets in shops, people are more going to care about how good the park looks and new additions they've got in the park and zoo... Little bug bear of mine at the moment. Also, with this week being National Insect Week, the park had a few insects 'creepy crawlies' on display near the exit of Rameses Revenge. When we went past, you could even hold stick insects or a millipede. There were also little things being given away, pencils, rulers, etc. Nice little thing from the park there I'd say! So, that is that really. Despite Chessington's lack of drawing power to me this season, I really enjoyed my trip. The staff were brilliant, and the atmosphere was great as well. Many are quick to slate the park for one reason or another, but despite all the criticism, they have a LOT of positives about and I'm pretty sure most people who are going there are willing / wanting to go back again. However, I think we'd all agree that the one thing Chessington really needs is a bit more investment in the actual park - a new coaster and another general ride or two would do the park some real favours. Hopefully next year sees the first of a couple of large investments to come in the next few years! (As a side note, may add a few pictures to this post if have the patience too; my laptop seems to hate me at the moment...)

Love it! Would love to see something like that at Chessington..

"If I wanted to see plants (and trees), I'd go to a garden centre...". Probably the first time EVER I've heard a complaint about too many plants there Liam (though I do sorta agree) Just goes to show that with Merlin adding these post-apocalyptic themes that they still need to do a lot of upkeep, despite what people say...

Ah, good. Well then, I *should* be able to go, though can't be certain till the end of the week. (By the way - thanks Thorpe and TPM for organising this!)

Just out of interest, when is the event meant to finish, roughly? Presumably the history of Colossus and exclusive extras are after ERT?