JoshC.

So, Saturday was the day for me - the last visit to Thorpe for the 2011 season. I must say I was a bit sceptical about the Blow It Up event, unsure as to how the park would cope with visitor numbers, or how what they were planning would work. Well, due to one thing after another happening in the morning, we arrived at 2pm, which reduced time spent focusing on the park to 4 hours (we aimed to get to our positions for the fireworks at 6ish). A crane that greeted us. The whether wasn't particularly sunny or warm either.. Collecting pre-booked tickets. There were 3 windows open, which was to cover everyone - pre-bookers, walk-up tickets, etc. A bit silly in my eyes, and with no music playing as well, it started the day at the park on a low note. Blew it up.Would've liked to have seen them!'Test run' of the fire engine, to be blown up at the end, to sort it's positioning and timing out I guess..Side view.Any point in the Depth Charge ORPs now?After a quick visit to guest service was out of the way, we made our way round to...Flying Fish! This sorta sums up my season to a degree - not fussing with the big rides, and going for something nice and relaxing (and getting views of The Swarm too... ). A general lack of music, atmosphere and staff activity meant it wasn't the greatest. After the Fish, it was evident that there was a serious lack of atmosphere around. Music, even just the chart music, was seemingly sparse, and there was a lack of anything really. I just felt like I was walking down the local high street, except instead of shops, it was rides. Not the greatest feeling to have at a theme park.. Also, Fright Nights theming was still around. Yeah, I'm fine with the mazes still being up, but what's the point in having their signs, info. boards and park-wide theming around when it is not Fright Nights!? It just feels like Thorpe couldn't be bothered. At this stage, it really felt like Thorpe blew this event up...FN theming still around..One positive was how the park didn't really seem that busy, for one reason or another. Maybe people were waiting later to just watch the fireworks? Maybe people were holding off till Sunday? I dunno, but whatever happened, I liked it.. Random point - sign in the Thorpe Megastore. Never noticed it before.. XDAfter some general wandering around, I saw this...Slammer was, yet again, closed. Okay, seriously, this ride is starting the get on my nerves. It's reliability, though improving, is still shockingly bad. I mean come on, doesn't it seem ridiculous to say a ride's reliability is improving, yet is being closed for around a month of a 7 month season, 6 years after it opened!? (Personally, I'd wish Thorpe just shut it down now, and the money they would have spent seemingly always repairing it could go on keeping CCR running instead, but hey ho.. :whist )We made our way over to CCR for the last ever trip around Canada Creek.. To say it was a bit sad would be true. Much like with my previous visit, no photos, as I'm 'saving them' if you will for something a little special...watch this space I guess! One thing I will say though is that, like with some of my other rides on CCR this season, the driver tends to go to fast round the circuit. Okay, I'm fine with going through the barriers quickly, to shorten the time the barriers are down. But after that, it should be a nice, slow, relaxing journey around, not whizzing round like Stealth. A shame really.After CCR was said, done and given its goodbye, more wandering was had. Saw Alive was on the cards after an above average experience over FN, but it has temporarily closed with an alarm going off. A bit of bad luck more than anything I guess.. Photos from the way there:Have some trees been cut down?Fright Night theming by the turn before the inline twists, which was still there...Random Saw photo.Place where fireworks are let off.Though I said it wasn't busy, there was a large queue for Zodiac.. Surprised people are prepared to wait quite a long while for a fairground ride in honesty.Rush had a short queue, with original audio playing (though the end announcement must not have been working, as the op was saying it rather monotonely at the end of each ride...). Rush was as good as ever really; no fault to it.. RushhhAfter some more wandering round and a pop into the nachos place for a quick snack, it was nearly time for the fire performers. Now, in honesty, they weren't the best. It was a bit boring, a bit awkward and the performers seemed a bit lost as to how to cope with the set up. There was no accompanying music which didn't really help, and a lot of the tricks they did are pretty standard - it's never good when you do a performance like this and people start walking away saying they know how it's done. There was one stunt I really liked though - holding some fire on a 'stick' in the mouth - very good! In short, the performers were a nice idea, but didn't really ignite the crowds... I'm on fire! Shame I can't say the performance was flaming good here, it would have been rather punny! (Also, you can play spot the TPM member )Fire twizzling.We popped over for lunch/dinner at the Bar 360 Grill, as we had to go to the bridge for 6 (due to having disabled access within out group). We got there just after 5, and, well, it was a bit of a shambles. Yes, it was busy, but that is no reason to justify messing up on our order and failing to tell us the food would be about 45-1 hour wait (which we only found out about after half an hour). The food wasn't the greatest I've had either from Thorpe in general - they blew it up a bit there...Anyway, we made our way to the bridge afterwards, with hot chocolate in hand and waiting for the burning of the effigy. As soon as the huge model was being brought up, it was evidently Jedward! A bit of a shame being side on for the burning, but the display was good. Also like how they used some of Jedward's song quite well within it. I've got a video, but it's seemingly taking forever to load... A couple of (poor) photos though:On fire!The wait went quickly and the lights across the park dimmed. Excitement overcame me; I could not wait. The performance was outstanding, well coordinated and the song choices worked well. The bring up over the fire truck early on in the performance got loads of people very excited as well - on the video I recorded, all you can hear for about a minute is 'What's that?', 'They're gonna blow up a fire truck!?!?', etc. The only bug bear I had about the performance was how the DJ (who was good, nonetheless - even if he did originally get Swarm's opening date wrong, hehe) had to say 'Hold on guys' between the end of the fireworks and The Swarm audio / explosion. The actual audio and general piece gave me goosebumps, and still does when I watch it over (and when I watched it last night down my street). It is very effective and well created. The explosion was amazing as well - the heat from it was amazing! A photo of the fire engine afterwards; sorry about quality.So, the actual fireworks display was pretty spectacular, and a great way to end the season. Well done Thorpe! :clap Not much else I have to say now. Another little teaser is that in the coming couple of weeks, I'll be doing a 'Review of the Season', which will basically be one great, big, epic PTR for you all the enjoy! Hope you've enjoyed this little TR and thanks for reading!

-Audio is my main bug bear. -Colossus paint job would be nice, especially as it's 10 next year, but I wouldn't be THAT fussed if it wasn't (same in case of Inferno).-Entrance refurb would be nice, but I'd prefer them to not rush that, so if it is worth waiting for, them I'm fine.Not something I'd like them to do over closed season, but still something for next season nonetheless:-Some sort of actors/mascot(s) roaming around the park (heck, even having a Lez Cougan in Swam's area would be great). Little bits of entertainment like that go a long way.

Saw > Stealth. Longevity and theming are the main clinchers. Stealth's audio and lack of killing your neck were positive which make it a hard choice.Saw > Tidal Wave. For the simple fact that it can be ridden all year round. Tidal Wave has better audio, theme and theming, but I just can't ride it unless it is boiling. And even then, I struggle with that amount of water being thrown on me... :SSaw > Colossus. Theming and I enjoy the ride slightly more. Quite close in some ways, especially as Colossus has a more interesting layout, better audio and doesn't try to brake your neck..

Inferno > Saw. Ride experience and audio clinches it.Inferno > Colossus. Ride experience, theme and theming pummels it for me.Inferno > Stealth. Ride experience, longevity, audio and theme are some of many reasons. In other words; Inferno wins.

To add to this conversation...I live over 2 miles away from Thorpe Park. I just stood at the end of my street and saw and heard basically the whole show (including the audio)! The only thing I didn't really see was the actual blowing up of the vehicle, though I saw the fiery flashes and loud bangs of course. :PBeautiful show and an amazing way to end the season - well done Thorpe!

Lookalike a bit of what should have been seen as banter in this topic went a bit far...Despite Inferno being practically my favourite ride on park, I agree with Jack in that it's not that forceful. The vertical loop and one of the turns (honestly cannot remember which one mind) bring force for me. However, that elegance, mixed in with forceful points, is exactly what I love about Inferno. I find Saw much more forceful (well, intense, for a better word) and have greyed out on it once before. I guess people react differently to G-forces on rides.Though, the really funny thing is, Jack moans that Inferno lacks any force, yet has no problem with Air and absense of any force whatsoever... ;)tl;dr: People are different!

Quick brief of my views:-Chart music all around park; did not like.-Fire performers: were a little boring.-Burning effigy (of Jedward): good fun, great way to wet the whistle.-Main display: one of Thorpe's best firework displays I can remember. Park itself was a bit below par I think; all views will come in a TR tomorrow.

Amazing. That is all.

What were the reasons B&M decided to pursue their own Wing-Rider concept?Are there any ride concepts from other manufacturers that B&M wished they had 'thought of' first?(As a side note, if this is general B&M stuff we're asking, why's it in the Thorpe Park subforum? I know Swarm is a B&M, but why stick a B&M topic in a Swarm area? :S)

Looks like it's one of the times to 'agree to disagree'. :PI think it adds a whole new dimension to the story, and like what it has done. I do look forward to how they go with it and how much of a story link this will have with the ride itself. I think what it also does it helps when it comes to actors promoting the ride (and ones that will be around when the ride is open, with a bit of luck), as it doesn't restrict them to having a single actor for Lez. It could be that this idea is just being done to make it logistically easier for them, but I'd hope that's not the main reason..

^Depends what they do with it really.My theory would be...One Lez has said how 'The Swarm' are an alien race which have invaded and go inside your ears, brainwashing you (or along those lines at least). So, The Swarm brainwash everyone into thinking that they are someone / something called Lez Cougan, and that they should spread their message (of what, I dunno, but some sort of alien-like thing), but some 'Lez Cougans' are fighting back (typical film story of when someone is brainwashing you I guess), spreading the warning that it is not a roller coaster, but instead a way to infect and brainwash you, etc. etc.Shameless speculation on my part, but I think they could certainly create a realistic (or, as real as you get with aliens) story line with this one, which is out of this world...

Love the video concept!Not a fan of all the Lez's, but still, brilliant video - can't wait for the story behind this...

^With Saw's though, the pre-footage bit didn't show much any new footage that they hadn't already recorded for internet virals (I think), so it could've been feasible. I guess where the concept was new though, it is understandable. It does depend on what else they include, but I would really hope and like that it was up and running more or less when the ride opens, or at least within the first week (to be reasonable).

I wouldn't say I love them, but it makes sense.After all, the park don't open the on-ride photos late, so why should they with their on-ride videos? That, and I'd like to see my facial expressions first time..

Not something that I'd like to be included within the DVD, but a general view about the DVDs:I'd like it if they were available when the ride first opens, as opposed to a couple of months later, a la Saw..

I might be mistaken, but I think Thorpe tend to require a grade C or higher in GCSE Performing Arts / very similar qualification?

I don't think he was disputing that it's part of the T&C, but more arguing that fact that it's silly that they're actually doing it..Tbh, I think there should be standard and premium TPAP if they want to charge for such events.

http://puu.sh/5Oyq*Does not let me post as an image for some reason *

Yep; I think they changed the way they the measured the time or something? Thorpe advertise their main coasters for two years now it would seem; the year it opens, and the year after. Hence why we had Stealth in 06, then the 'Stealth v1.1' in 2007 and Saw in 09, then the extra of Saw Alive in 10.Will be interesting to see if that happens with Swarm, and how it happens..

Anyone who's interested in finding out what the routes for Asylum, Hellgate and Se7en back in 2006 were should check this site out http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/magazine_23a_01.htm]HERE[/url].Pretty sure the Se7en one has remained unchanged, Hellgate's seems the same, but unsure about Asylum. Experiment 10, I could more or less recall, but don't know any link that shows one.

According to Thorpe's Facebook, Experiment 10 will be on the Xtra Factor, not the X Factor.

^Is one day younger than me! Think it was late 08 / early 09.

Used to change his signature reguarly with different 'Rules of Life', which I found highly entertaining.God, that was ages ago..

So I visited Thorpe again today, so here's another PTR! Basically, the reason for me making 3 FN visits this is, what with me starting uni next year, and with my uni choices being a fair way away from Thorpe, the chances are that this will be my last Fright Nights visit for at least 4 years! Anyway, this'll be one of my briefer PTRs, but I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless. :)After collecting our pre-paid tickets (which we bought this morning, considering we wouldn't have been able to buy them at the gate - silly, eh?) we got into the park just after 11. As expected, it was busy.It was sunny, which was better than the past couple of days of rain.Busy car park! MAHOOSIVE queue for Advanced Tickets! Much like most fanboys would do, I decided to do a bit of Swarm spying...Certainly makes an impact.Sorry about the appalling quality, but Swarm banners in the dome. Don't remember these being up on my last visit..Okay, I'm not going to go through 'We did this, we did that' all the time now, but instead just a nice general overview. I was glad that I wasn't stuck in a boat ankle deep in water this time on Storm Surge. However, it seemed as if there was a boat in a similar situation and when the operator says you're feet need to touch to floor and 'It's only a water ride, you're bound to get wet' in response, it is a bit poor really. Also disappointed by the lack of any spin I seem to get now... Guys up the top of Swarm, probably taking photos for the Developer Diary.Liking the views of Swarm you get on Flying Fish. Of course, no photos from on ride itself, but instead a selection of photos from around the general Fish area:You can just imagine the trains elegantly flying down that now..Me taking a photo of a guy taking a photo. Why does roller coaster construction always make me feel a bit perverted? Work on THAT trim!The Missing Wall near Stealth.FN theming. *Shock, horror*Another necessity of the day was a couple of goes on the beloved CCR. Of course, my last go will come next Saturday, but a couple of goes now can't hurt, right? (No photos, for a reason, which I'll reveal at a late date - the suspense! )Now, for critics of the lack of FN theming (basically everybody, me included):Decapitated body bags. It's a nice touch, but this should be a park-wide minimum in my eyes.A quick mention of my visit into Saw Alive today. It has really improved, with actors doing incredibly well. There was one actor who literally appeared from no where, and seemingly disappeared - kudos to her. In general, though not a scary experience, it was an enjoyable one. 3:30 had came, so we decided to do Experiment 10 for one last time as well. We started queuing up and gates opened at 5 to. At about 10 past-ish, when we were near the front, something happened inside the maze. What exactly I have no idea, but considering the queue was evacuated, it must have been something of importance. I really have no clue as to whether it was a technical issue or to do with a guest / actor, but there you go. Fastrack was given to all those who waited the 10-ish minutes before the queue was evacuated, valid for Asylum or Experiment 10. We decided to get some donuts, and wait a bit for the Barry and Stuart show. Couple of blokes went through that door; didn't see them come out. Like the little details such as a bit of 'blood' on the side of the door. (Also, some may find interesting, just as you go in that door, there's a sign saying ear protection must be worn. Lil' bit of trivia I guess).Queue evac. Notice the police? hmmBarry and Stuart sign.As we were queuing to get into the theatre, the roaming clowns came around. Photo times were had of course!I ask for photo; he just gives me a stare as if he's about to cry. Love how well he stayed in character.Evils?THIS GUY! <3 He had the highest, squeakiest voice I've heard and was absolutely hilarious. I was genuinely laughing with him; he deserves tonnes of praise!Some girl wanted a photo with him, but when she gave her friend her phone, it stopped working. The clown started telling her to hurry up and such, before going in a 'strop' and saying he had enough - more a 'you had to be there' moment; hilarious nonetheless!What you lookin' at?Hurry up!He gave up...Anyway, Barry and Stuart were great. I didn't get the chance to see them last year, so really did not know what to expect. They were a good laugh more than anything, with their slightly twisted, low-brow humour. Some of their tricks were quite 'simple' shall we say, but they pulled them off beautifully, so I don't really care about that. As many have probably said, the ending is rather weak, predictable and does not do the show, nor Barry or Stuart, justice. Shame really. However, a solid 7/10.By this time, we went over to Experiment 10, and as the queue wasn't too long, we just queued up for it, rather than using Fastrack. SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD: It has changed a little now, in the sense that the groups you are dispatched in are HUGE - like 24 people huge. How does that work you may ask? By putting people the little rooms in twos. Personally, I don't think it is as effective, but ah well. Also, another bug-bear of mine, the actor who puts you in the cell talks too much really. That experience should be brash and in your face, not 'Put your hands on your head, quickly, in here, don't come out, don't take your hands off your head'. It doesn't work as well that way; it should just be 'IN HERE - NOW!' like how I experienced it on the AP preview night. The lack of actors in the second bit disappoints me still - as I said on my previous visit, more actors in the second half. As Fastrack was not used, and we didn't want to do Asylum, I got them put under my name on the system - aww yeah. That concluded in evening really, just around six-ish. I feel in the three FN visits I've done this year, I've certainly done the event justice and have been left with a brilliant vibe from them. Now all that is left is to wait to see how big Thorpe 'Blows it up' next Saturday, for my final visit of 2011!