JoshC.

Sounds very good!I may pop along; depends on what time I finish college that day..

Well, it's not 'blown up' in the sense of smashed to pieces; just badly singed and ruined-looking. I'm not fussed that much tbh, but just seems a bit odd really - why buy a whole new fire engine when they can reuse one that fits the bill perfectly?

Looking at how 'nice' that fire engine looks makes me wonder why they haven't used the fire engine they blew up over fireworks? The more ruined look seem more suited. Meh, here's probably a reason behind it..Also, that website states a 'flaming fire truck', so it will be interesting to see how that goes down with a water effects adjacent to it...

Did anybody say 'CHEEEESSSSE'?

Most rides are taken apart over closed season; even Rocky Express probably is at some point or another..Agreed with the woodie thing; I thought it was just conveyed rumour, not something that was actually considered!

10th birthday, 11th season, as you said.Interestingly, it is technically Fright Nights 10th birthday this season (and 11th season), but the 10th season of FN was classed as the 10th birthday.

I think you might mean the Thrills Workshop, as in front of the MAD house is the coach park..

This was back in 2009; probably was my first proper snowman...

The current MTDP states there'll be no new infilling up until 2016(?), and I can't imagine much more going on after that. As for the development zone that hj16 was talking about between Vortex and Alive, I can't imagine much infilling going on there (well, new rides at least), because it is quite close to the main road, and I can imagine noise issues cropping up. I'm pretty sure there was some rumour about Saw being the closest Thorpe would go towards that main road because of noise and such, but that could be a load of twaddle really..I think we'll find that infilling will becoming less frequent and more difficult to achieve with Thorpe in the next decade or so. I don't the point of draining the lake (as mentioned above) is a feasible one, and the 'best' method would be to 'lose land' elsewhere (like what has happened with the area once known as Thorpe Farm), but they are surely reaching their limit there.http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2090607_thorpe_park_set_for_new_rollercoasterIgnoring all the directly related Swarm stuff in that article, even councillors are realising that Thorpe are soon going to reach their limit. To be honest, I don't think need much more land than they'll be planning to have once they've installed a 2015 and 2018 coaster (assuming that there'll be ones, and they'll occupy islands A and E, of course); it's just a case of Thorpe using their land efficiently..

The one they blew up at 'Blow it Up' is still sitting exactly where it was left at the end if the season; in the car park. Yep, interestingly, they've got a completely new fire engine for Swarm! I think this may be why they've decided to not put the fire truck in the pond front-first; though it won't look as natural, the interaction with onlookers will be better, especially if they're having it with fire effects!

That's the thing, I don't understand what is happening!From what I can gather, they've got this plan to have a safari experience, but if that doesn't get the green light, they have an alternative plan to move the rest of the zoo there? In turn, that would mean they have more land which can be used for rides and the 'theme park', as opposed to the zoo. The way I see that alternative plan is, if they can't expand the zoo even further, by adding this safari experience, Chessie are almost going to give up with the hard work they've put into integrating the zoo and the theme park, bung the zoo onto the land which would've been taken up by the safari, and then be able to work on the theme park.Of course, I'd love to see the best of both worlds, with balanced investment in the zoo and theme park, but I don't think that resorting to moving large parts of the zoo to elsewhere on their land to be able to invest in the theme park (which, as said, is more or less what I gather from this alternative plan) would be the wrong way to go about it.But, hopefully, we won't see this alternative plan come to light as the safari experience will get the green light from the council and all will be good..!

I'm confused by the alternative plan; to me it says 'Oh, if we can't expand the zoo even further, we'll give up with our efforts on improving the zoo, bung it all in one place, and focus on our theme park'...Let's just hope the safari experience actually gets the green light, and then gets followed up as planned.

Gotta love the that the one of the final things you see before you twist will be the terrifying, thrill seeking, FLYING FISH!!!

http://go-merlin.co.uk/files/2012/02/preshow-e1328207352329-630x153.pngAlso found on RGG.People can say what they want about Chessington, but this investment looks brilliant. Looking at those plans, I'm not too fussed about the lack of theme park investment - this sort of experience adds a new dimension to the zoo and what Chessington can offer. I'd say it can be said that when it comes to the zoo attractions, Chessington are making them more 'interactive', rather than just walking past a few animals in a cage / behind a fence / whatever, which is only a good thing in my eyes.Now the downside of this. I said that this investment 'looks' brilliant. If Chessie pull this off as planned, I think it will be brilliant. However, people will - fairly - look back at Monkey Kingdom and how that looked brilliant. I just hope that Chessie follow through with this and it looks and as they've planned it. Annnd, also, that they soon begin to realise that they need to bring back a balance in theme park investments, and zoo investments.

Not to start over-speculating in the construction thread (), but I think it could work being all nice and new depending on what sort of story they're going for.If the story is exploring devastation immediately after an attack, then of course there needs to be extra work done to 'theme' the bricks and such. However, if they're going for a more 'there was an alien attack here, but we've now secured the area to be explored by the public..then, OH NO, the aliens were hiding in church' sort of story, then new fences and bricks would work..Of course, I'd prefer the former of those two scenarios, especially as that makes more sense, and a little bit of theming (like damaged fences and burn marks on the ground, for example) actually goes a longg way.

Anyone else getting the feeling that that satellite dish could be part of the theming to do with the ORP kiosk?Pretty sure the plans show it being themed to a reporter van; a bit like ones seen in films that have the rotating satellite dish?As a side note, the more and more I think about this, the more and more it seems like Thorpe are trying to create something you could see 'in a film'. The theming is of an extremely high and detailed scale, and a lot of the features could well have what one could relate to 'a typical film scene'; people were saying about the blades on the helicopter spinning, even if they were broken, a bit like you see in films. If that makes sense to anyone...

Double post - OMG ANARCHY!!!As promised in the PTR, my first video! It's not the greatest, I know, but hey, it's a start. As said, there will be more to come at some point or another.

YAY - another university rant!I've got an invitation to a two day course at Warwick Uni, my top choice, for extra help with the additional exams I have to sit. It's basically about tips and tricks, and other things too. The thing is, they aren't on consecutive days (one's next month, one's in April) and it's quite difficult to get up there. For me to get there on time, I'll have to leave my house at about six, pay about £40 quid for each of the days to travel up there. It's one of those tough choices where it's something I really want to do, but it's going to be hard to find the money to warrant doing it... Just argh :@

D'oh; edited to please the pendants.. ;)I must admit, going through the monkey and bird bit made me realise why I hadn't been through it in so long...

A new year, but my same old PTRs! :PNow, this was my first Zoo Day at Chessington ever, as far as I remember at least. The whole reason for it was to take advantage of the half price MAP deal, and it was felt it would turn out as a better family day out than a trip to London. It also made for a better chance to take videos with my new pocket camcorder, which hopefully will lead to some videos in the next week or so (when I have more time to sort them out; as mentioned later on, there's one currently on Facebook..)After arriving just before 10, all three of us were sorted out be about 10 past which, considering there was a bit of a queue, isn't bad at all. One thing I noted was how one group tried to get half price MAPs, but didn't know that it had ended early, and they weren't impressed as you can imagine.. For the most part, however, anyone who tried to purchase a MAP either had an email to warrant it or were prepared to pay full price, perhaps oblivious to the fact they could've got it half price with a bit of pro-activity!My new AP! I'm not blue, unlike last season, but I have a nice white line through my head...The weather for the day. It was a bit chilly, but there was no rain at least!Our day started off by trying to watch the otters being feed, as the show was just starting. However, with a crowd of people round, we opted against it and made our way to the Trail of the Kings instead...With the gorillas seemingly asleep, we moved straight to the lion and tiger enclosures. They weren't too active either, really, but were in plain sight, which was nice!Lion.Sleepy tiger.The lioness was quite active.I can't remember the last time I saw the leopard at Chessington, but today I saw it! It was quite active, perhaps waiting for a feed or something, but I genuinely was glad to have finally seen it. XD I took a video, but no photos. So, like with many things throughout this PTR, it will be a case of 'watch this space' I'm afraid!We made our way to Sealion Bay, and a show was due in 10ish minutes, so we decided to wait around. I got some epic video footage, but for now you'll have to deal with a few poor-ish photos...Swimming..More swimming.*More photos of sealions coming soon*After a quick hot chocolate break, we decided to go to Bubbleworks, see how opening it over Zoo Days was doing. I must confess myself impressed at the fact that most of the scenes were actually working well, but not perfectly, and that it felt just like it was the middle of open season when it should be at it's best.Whilst we're in Transylvania, may as well chuck in a couple of Vampire-related pictures...Never noticed this fake tree thing, so decided to take a photo of it all special like...A quick stop in the Chessington Shop, and...Chessington will have more than 1 new thing in 2012 - they've got new TOYS!!!!Seagull Skyway anyone?So, after a bit more wandering round, we decided on lunch. The Chicken Shack was open, despite it not being advertised to on the website / map, which I guess is a good thing, and that is where we decided on. After just sneaking in a table, it was obvious that it was a busy; every table was full. The staff were, however, working fast, which I guess is a good thing. However, I feel that the speed of service compromised the quality. The food we ordered was not good; the beef burger was greasy to death, and the chicken was very dry. The chips much to rave about either. We complained, about were given one of the meals refunded. As glad as we were that we were given some compensation, service should never come to this point, and this was certainly the sour note of the day.After an uneventful walk through the Monkey Bird and Garden for the first time in a good couple of years (probably since 2008), we made our way to Wanyama Village and Reserve, for my second visit since it had opened. I liked the place when I first visited, shortly after it had opened, but it was always something which was put lower down on the list of 'things to do', when taking into consideration the theme park as well. This is indeed a shame, as my visit today realised just how much I like the atmosphere and the general area. Will definitely try to fit it in on future visits!The central water piece.Ostriches. I took a photo of one of these shy little things, but the picture didn't come out well. Ah well, here's the factfile..Meerkat adoptions! My name is here! (Also, you can play spot the other TPM member..)I love the meerkat enclosure at Chessington; so many photo opportunities.From the tunnel.All standing up straight.The king of the mountain?This is where Wanyama stuff ends. As a side note, anyone who has me on Facebook, there is a short video at the 'peak' of Wanyama uploaded if you want to have a look. I hope to upload to Youtube or something too.I don't care how old I am, I have always wanted to have an arm-span as long as a vulture's Condor's wingspan.. ;)There was also a visit to the good ol' Sealife centre, but unfortunately most pictures didn't turn out alright. There will most definitely be more pictures and videos to come from my trip, but there'll be uploaded later during the week (I still have one more exam, you see...), so as said, it's a case of watch this space!I'll leave you with some photos of the AP / ticket queue as we left at about half 2 (with a 3pm close..) :oFor now, that's all..

Officially, it was one carer if the disabled guest could walk unaided, 2 if they cannot.However, if it was a party of 3 with a disabled guest who could walk unaided, customer services usually allow 2 carers.

Dunno why, but in a Harry Potter mood this evening...

I must agree that the process can be quite demoralising, especially with people who receive multiple rejections with little reason. In a way, I think that the process needs a serious rethink, as people are judged too much without reasons behind the creiteria thought of. The new proposals of applying after results are got is a good idea, but no good in practice - but that's a whole different argument.. My college do not stop anyone from applying to Oxbrideg if they want to, as they have the mindset of 'If you don't apply, then you don't know if you'll get in', if you will, probably because they've have students that would seem weaker still get a place. The thing is, Cambridge 'say' that GCSEs aren't of much importance, and they're taken into consideration with the secondary school (so, in a sense, 'good' GCSEs from a 'bad' school could be seen as the same as 'great' GCSEs from a 'good' school, and better than 'good' GCSEs from a 'good' school, if that makes sense).; based on the feedback I recieved, this seems a bit of a stretch of the truth. I'd be interested, if you don't mind me asking, whether you go to a college, or stayed on at your secondary school for sixth form there, as I know that it's a case that some sixth forms are quite strict about GCSE grades and applying to Oxbridge, because of the taking GCSEs in context with the school idea.. In a way, I do see where they are coming from, you're right. However, it is more a case of two dodgy module grades, which both have explanations behind them, stopped me from even getting an interview. I was more hoping that they'd make some sort of leeway, and allow for the odd bad day, which happens to everyone, which annoys me more. To be honest, I'm more disappointed about the fact I didn't get an interview than an offer, as, simply put, I feel the reasons aren't a reflection of how things really are. Goes back to Sidders point of demoralisation a bit I guess..And, of course, it's not like I've ended up with nothing - I'd already got an offer from my second choice uni before the rejection, which I was more than delighted with. Furthermore, it usually gets ranked higher than Oxford when it comes to my subject, so as you say, Oxbridge isn't everything!I completely agree with your last point (well, in a gneral sense as opposed to your school, as that would seem slightly stalkerish ). Some B grades, for example, are totally underated and people see them more as a burden to their application as opposed to a success of their studies. I know many a people who seem like people from your school, and treat B (and some A) grades as 'failure'.. For the record, I never felt that Cambridge was the only uni to go to, but it was of course my first choice. Anyone who's ever been rejected by the first choice will know the disappointment, and slight upset, that it causes the. It's not different when it comes to Cambridge. And the thing with social lives at Oxbridge is, I'd say, completely blown out of proportion. I know people who have successfully got a place, and people who are currently there, and none of them are this 'snobby, uptight, posh' people that are well known to Oxbridge. I don't deny that there are a lot of 'that type' of people there, but there are plenty of other people who are much more 'normal' if you will. When I was fortunate enough to stay at Cambridge for 3 days during term time, it certainly gives a clear picture of what students are like - and I'd say that, for the most part, they're just like any other university students. And of course there's people who hate it and don't 'fit in', but I'd say that that happens at all universities.

^Agreed, not a big fan of those trains. They 'look' too much like trains, where it shows the body of the train so much (wow, that sounds very dim..), and not enough like an eagle.Swarm and Raptor seemingly cover the body much better..

Okay, perhaps a rant-that's-not-really-a-rant rant coming up, which some people may find pathetic / whatever, but something I need to get off my chest...Much like many thousands of teenagers my age, I applied to university this year. As I believe I've said on this forum, I applied to - and got rejected by - Cambridge. Now, before I carry on, I'm not ranting about being rejected from Cambridge - after all, I applied for one of the most competitive courses at one of best universities in the world; I in no way expected to be able to walk in. However, I was rejected before interview, which obviously disappointed and slightly upset me. Now, this rejection was back in mid-November, and I immediately applied for feedback on my application - I thought that there was a very very good chance of me getting interview (as the college I applied for interview at least 90% for each subject), so I was somewhat confused as to where my application had gone wrong.Two months later, and contact with my Tutor had finally be made. So, there was one main reason highlighted as to why I wasn't even given an interview, which was that my grades 'didn't show potential in getting A*AA at A-Level' (their standard offer). In reality, Cambridge only really cared about three of my subjects, and they even said that (to a lesser or greater extent) when they sent feedback, and they were Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I've already got an A* in Maths (a bloody good achievement which I'm proud of, for the record), so it means they don't see the potential in getting 2 A grades in Further Maths and Physics. The reason was because my 'Statistics grades in Maths weren't close enough to 90%' (I got an A and a C, the C I've resat after a bad day. Stats is my weakest part of Maths, and their least desired Maths Modules..) and 'because I got an E in my Physics practicals' (which was explained in my application, due to poor teaching of them, as admitted by my teacher. For what it's worth, everyone else in my class got a U in the practicals...). So in other words, they're main reason for rejecting me was because of one bad day which happened to have 2 exams, and having a weak module score in one unit. According to my college, this is the first time they've heard 'module grades weren't close enough to 90%' as a contributing factor to rejection.What the real rick in teeth was with the feedback was they said that they 'would've liked to have seen more A*s at GCSE'; though it wasn't a big deal, I get the impression it was a nail in coffin. Okay, I only got a full A* at GCSE, which is below the average of a Cambridge applicant. However, I came from a below-average school and my particular year only scored 33% 5 A*-C, so to come out with the GCSEs I got surely shows that I have some potential? Okay, so this probably sounds really whinny and pathetic to some people, but basically what I'm getting at is simply I'm just a bit annoyed that out of all the possible reasons for not even getting an interview was that they couldn't see any potential in me, even though it was a couple of modules which looked a bit 'concerning'...