JoshC.

Was that by any chance the Harvester in Ottershaw? Because if so, I was also there yesterday evening, though having a Katsu chicken and a Rocky Horror...

With all these reversals, you do have to wonder that if SW7 is poorly received, if Alton would close it after a week and decide to build a different coaster instead...

Thanks for that Sid

Didn't know where to post this really, but anyways... With articles on the site / posts by Hob Bot, how hard is it to check over spelling and grammar? Without being rude, there's pretty much mistakes in every single one, from just simple spelling errors to annoying things like the using 'your' 'you're' incorrectly. Sometimes, half of it just won't even make sense. I understand no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, but it just feels like they're posted without being reread or checked over at all, and that doesn't really reflect on the site well.

It was just a matter if time before something like this happened. After all, they've tried other cost-cutting methods, and they were reacted to badly. However, it's a shame as to that the rides they had to choose. Th13teen is their new coaster, and is still popular, so to open it an hour later isn't the best. Air being near to Sub Terra means that the sensible option would be to go for that or Nemesis afterwards. I guess it's not that big a deal really, but still a shame. As for people saying it will affect people's day, as they have to go back and forth to areas... As someone who doesn't visit reguarly, when I went last year I found myself revisiting areas of the park multiple times - in fact, I went to Forrbidden Valley, Dark Forst and X Sector twice. I still got on all the rides I wanted to go on and more; going back and forth didn't ruin my day at all. Yes, it will be a pain for some, but I don't think this is that big a deal - plus, look at the other options we could have had...

Hope it does kick the bucket to be honest. Seems to have a bit of a hassle all the time, and is hardly a good ride that's bringing in the crowds.. A shame nonetheless, as Thorpe have seemingly put a lot of effort into it over the years.

Doesn't the MTDP say the little game zone by the Fish and Chip area is a potential flat spot? If so, could it be possible to utilise the area for an attraction that could go in P4D? For example, having it as a queue area then have a bridge to the now-theatre for the ride? Or perhaps even ditch the chippy? Or would that be farfetched? I too have heard rumours of an attraction going in the theatre, but size and a suitable queue area large enough would be some of my concerns... Just outta interest, what's the footprint of Venegence?

Yet another brilliant viral from Thorpe! Great to see the park putting the ride back in the limelight just before half term, what with the Swarm bit in The Sun yesterday as well. Can they do no wrong with this?!?

Thorpe just don't do SRQs it seems. The plans for Swarm showed one, but or was dropped in favour of a front row queue. There's always the debate about how well SRQs work anyone, amd that they make things worse, not better. Personally, I think if a queue is designed to suit one well enough (arguably Stealth's and Swarm's designs were poorly thought out...) then there's no problem with them.

Pretty much what I was thinking.. I'd be surprised if those guests were from Germany, Holland or France, for example. As Pluk says though, there are some beautiful areas at Chessie, and there are many good parts to it, with good atmosphere and detail. Just get some more investment and upkeep into the actual theme park and not the zoo and they'd be so much better.

A few words from me about my trip yesterday; -Admissions were working very well. However, doesn't look great when people who had hired out Lakeside for the day got to get in early through the AP queue. Saw a lot of people confused / a bit annoyed that people were getting in early. Wouldn't it be easier for them to enter much earlier / through staff entrance? -Staff were very good, all smiling and helpful; very good to see. -Swarm was running brilliantly. -Nemesis Inferno had a couple of blips during the time I was there, a bit sad. No other breakdowns that I saw though. -X was good. UV lights during the ride are a great idea. Would like the music turned up a little more on ride though. As a side note, there was a small closure to clear up sick when I was in the queue, and the announcements for it would barely audible - needs sorting out. -Annoyed that the whole Saw Alive path is closed off now. Means having to walk over Colossus hill, which is a bit mire effort. . Seriously though, would have prefered them to jut close the entrance to the queue off, and keep the walkway and benches as a quieter area, just to satisfy my laziness. -Mexican place has changed slightly, and for the better. More choice and customization. Made a great thing even better! The place was the busiest I'd ever seen it too. All in all a good day. Was there from half 9 to half 2, and got 10 rides done, included 2 back rows on Swarm. Quite easily could of had more had we not spent ages eating lunch, and would have stayed longer to utilise Swarm's 20ish minute queue, but after the sunburn I got on Friday, my arms were on fire... .

So how long has this age restriction been lifted? Saw no sign there yesterday, and everyone of all ages was free to go on. No changes seem to have occurred, though the operator was telling people to sit down more often (though, more likely because there were silly people standing up / changed seats than a change...) Woo for the restriction being lifted. Many have been quick to shoot Thorpe down for putting it in place, but it seems the lifting of it has just been ignored...

Double post. Unsurprisingly, the photos I took yesterday don't show the LEDs. Can't wait to see them when it's not sunny; will look so much more effective. Also, love how the water jets have been increased in power, especially on the helicopter turn around. I knew they'd been turned up a bit, so thought that I'd get a little splash, especially being at the back. I'd have LOVED to seen my face when I realised just how high they were, would have been priceless. I was just shocked till the last inversion from it. Cements the chopper turn as the favourite part of the ride for me, and back-eight as my favourite seat.

I tried to take a couple of photos yesterday, don't know how well they've turned out though - will check tonight. Worth noting that in sunlight, they're hard to notice (as sorta expected I guess). Also, the 3 lights for eyes light up in a sequence, as opposed to all being on constantly.

Look as though I got my wish - Thorpe now have Swarm bears! Similar to the Oblivion bears really.

There's a Saw one as well. I don't know how much they are this season, but they've been £7 the past couple of seasons. They probably cost between £5-£7 though. There's also a Vampire one at Chessington and a Nemesis one at Alton.

I apologise on behalf of myself and all others taking exams at the moment for focusing more on revision and our future than ensuring this forum isn't quiet. I really and truly am sorry. Anyways, not like there's anything really important or exciting to discuss at the moment, is there?

To all those worrying about the closeness of the fire... I assume that would mean the zero-g roll, which is more or less above the engine. Thus, no worrys about getting burnt. Should look very nice from onride if that's the case!

Well, it could be worse at least. I remember on my first visit to AT and Skyride was down practically all day. It didn't spoil my day one bit, and if it had been open, all it probably would've meant would have been maybe an extra ride, and not as much enjoying walking round the park. I much prefer this idea to closing the park an hour early or not opening actual rides; the lesser of the evils if you will...

ME LIKE! :D Might have to pop down to the park this weekend then..

I really enjoy it to be honest.. Yeah, there might be better things out there, but I'm more than happy with what we've got with that piece there.

Failrace. Somewhat disturbing..

So you're pretty much justifying the charges made by Merlin parks because it's more expensive elsewhere? Taking the example of Thorpe, paying any sort of money to park a car between two logs on a bit of gravel is quite frankly silly. To be honest, pretty much all car parking charges are ridiculous, but we should be thankful that at the moment it's not any higher...

Wow, that X-Flight POV makes it look really fast - much faster than the other wingrider POVs I'd say. And good news about Verbolten - even if it is a bit of a Th13teen rip off with the theming idea and some of the sequencing, it is the new ride of 2012 I'd most want to ride outside of the European..

Great work guys - thanks for that Mr9 and every else!