JoshC.

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!

The first world problem that is the 200 photo maximum per album on Facebook..

Which would, in a way, be a reason as to... not remove? (I do get why they probably want to remove it, just for the record).However, on a pre-book only FN date, when you're getting train fulls of visitors (the majority of whom where families with non-teenage children), it seems that it is not an unpopular attraction in that sense.

Interesting to note how today, on both of my rides, CCR was practically full, and there was a small queue outside for most of the trains I saw.Coincidence of the fact it is now closing, or showing that it's not necessarily unpopular?

As I said earlier, I don't agree with a fair few of the points they raise, however I still feel that the idea is one that can have some meat to it.I don't know how many people would agree with me, but I'd say that science never provides us with facts - but only with theories which have the most worth and justification to them. I'll ignore using the example of how a few centuries ago, the general consensus was the Earth was indeed flat. Instead, I'll use (possibly an even more controversial) example of light. According to Einstein, basically, nothing can go faster than the speed of light - however, a recent experiment may have actually disproven this. If this turns out to be the case, this would be a brilliant example of how there is really no hardcore 'facts' in science, but instead just very good theories. I will now state here that I do indeed think that the Earth is NOT flat, but instead a shape that is more-or-less spherical. Why? Simply because that is what we have the most worth and justification to believe. It does not, however, mean that I think outright that it is the case - if there is more worthy evidence that would, in turn, suggest that the Earth is flat, then, well, the rational thing to do would be to believe that it is the case. I'll have a good read through everything later, when I have more time on my hands, but I'd be very interested to see just how much worth is in some of the claims that are given.

Saw a couple of guys up there today, presumably taken photos. They must have been up there for at least half hour / 45 minutes, so were certainly taking their time in getting what they wanted!Also looked as if they were taking in the general view from the top, taking a few more photos of the landscape and that - would love to see those photos too!

Some points there I'd totally disagree with, but the whole concept and debate is one I'm interested in. (In fact, I remembering arguing this very point some time last year on this very forum to much controversy and disbelief ).Very interesting indeed.

I'm not going tomorrow, but out of curiosity, where did you hear this idea of special promotion for Swarm? Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else, so this is the first I've heard of it.Would be nice if something haven't, seeinghow Fright Nights has left the promotion area for Swarm dead...

That, and Depth Charge has pretty bad capacity. To be fair, even in its heyday, I don't remember a 'queue' as such for CCR, at Canada Creek or the farm, I doubt they'll bring it back. Fish was a complete different situation (ie, having to be removed to make way for a new ride, not due to costs / lack of people on it), and is one that can be enjoyed by everyone, even the thrill audience (granted, more as a relaxing-ish ride). Not saying it definitely won't happen, but I can't see any reason for them to bring it back after closing it.

OMG; look at that! It's THE SWARM, over there on the left!And some guy showing off that he has a Premium Annual Pass...

I knew it would be a matter of time before someone bought this old argument into this. I don't want to regurgitate the same old points about this, but really when you consider how much the actually park at Chessie has stagnated the past 6-7 years, I can see why families chose Thorpe over Chessie sometimes, regardless of how clear each park advertises to their target markets. I completely agree with all of this. Depth Charge is 21 next year, so really that's coming to an end of its life span anyway. And with Storm Surge being similar to it, I really can't see that lasting much longer. Neptune's Beach, though popular in summer, could be used much better I think, and the rest of Ranger County is waiting to close really. Also, considering how CRC is closing at 3pm on Fright Nights shows that it's an attraction they can afford to close. The trouble with the 'family rides' is that SIATC and Loggers Leap aren't really 'family' rides any more, with their new height restrictions. So, really, the only 'family friendly' rides will be for kids that are 7 years and up at this rate. Still a shame at how CCR is closing; absolutely gutted.

Surprised they didn't implement the idea of charging for ice cream cones following how well they did with the idea..

A very sad day for me. This is basically the only ride that I've ridden my entire life; well, since I was 6 weeks old. CCR always has had an honorary space on my Top 5 Thorpe rides as it is something that I just enjoy that much. To hear that it will finally bite the dust is pretty darn saddening to be honest.Well, at least I've got the memories from it!

Gotta love the name of Chinese coasters... By the sounds of it, it could well be similar to Colossus, except with another vertical loop.Then again, hasn't a park bought Intamin's 12 inversion coaster now anyone, so this won't be 'Most inversions in the world' coaster for long

Even as someone who has a slight bias towards Utd., I could not help but laugh at that...

Maybe I'm missing something here...The ride itself (as in the track and supports) has in no way changed since the plans were released. Up until the last few days, no one has really said 'Ooh, I'm not sure if that wing is going to fit; it's gonna be really tight', etc.Now we can see just how tight of a gap it actually will be, and how well planned that element will have to be to be safe, people are questioning whether it will happen? I don't get what all the concern, or fuss, is about... Same with the tower really; don't get why people I so concerned that it won't happen, when we're looking at a construction site that isn't even half-finished yet.

The more I look back at my secondary school, the more I realise how bad some of the stuff was..The was this one kid in my year who had ADHD, yet seemed to use it as an excuse for everything. In DT, he 'stabbed' a girl in the boob with a compass for, well, no reason. And another time stabbed the same girl with a freshly sharpened pencil. Same kid also threatened to jump out of a first floor window in a Spanish lesson; the teacher just said 'Go on then'. Most windows were bolted up from then... :LI could go on with so much more, but I really can't be bothered. I go to a college where the most dangerous thing that's happened is the canteen staff burning cookies and setting the fire alarm off, so it's all good.

Me on the front row of Colossus, in the dark, a couple of weeks ago.And when I pull a face like that, people wonder why I rarely do it more than once a season?

Couple of reviews from me...InsidiousSo, I watched this film last night for the first time. I wanted to see it when it came out in cinemas, but didn't really have the time, money or effort to be honest. Which is a shame really, as I would have really enjoyed it in that environment. Nonetheless, I've finally got round to watching it. The film is acted superbly well, and has a strong story line to go with it. In case anyone doesn't have a clue what the film is; family move into a new home, child falls ill, scary house things happen, they move, more scary things happen, paranormal expert comes in, and then even stuff goes down. The last part of the film goes a bit overboard with the paranormal stuff, and the ending is perhaps a little too open ending for my liking, however, it is still blooming brilliant.8.5/10Paranormal Activity 3I watched this this afternoon, with only 3 of us in the cinema - the benefit of watching a horror in broad daylight I guess. Now, I know many people aren't a fan of the franchise for one reason or another, but I have a soft spot for it. I didn't find PA1 or PA2 particularly scary, bar the odd jumpy bit, but I liked the plot and the portrayal they both showed. I also was keen on how well the second film tied in with the first, with seemingly no plot holes created by it. From here, BIG SPOILERS lie ahead, since this is basically my review on each the whole thing, not just a broad one like above..Now, when I heard that this was yet another prequel, going back to 1988 when they were kids, I was slightly concerned. 1988 camcorders were hardly the best first off, and with them both being kids, we know that no serious harm will come to them, as they start off fine in the later films. But I kept an open mind. The film starts off in a more present day, with the Katie we know dropping off tapes labelled 1988, about a year before the first 2 films were set. Then, the film flashes to the beginning of the second film, showing that the tapes were stolen; something not previously mentioned. Then, somehow, we're viewing the tapes. It does not work like the other two; it's not being treated as 'found footage' that we are viewing, we're just watching some shots from 1988 for no reason, yet it feels exactly like the first (ie 'Night 1', location, etc.). Also, the quality of the cameras - my god, they were amazing! Seriously, they were just as good as the ones used in 201-oh... One thing I was looking forward to with the date was how the camera quality would have the chance to enhance the viewing experience, and perhaps even create some scares. This did not happen. The only thing that showed us the age was some fuzzy bits when cameras were shaken violently / turned off. Now, much like most of these films, there's a believer, non-believer and the one with extra-ordinary gifts. Kristi has an 'imaginary' friend called Toby, which seemingly has a dark side. Her mum is a total no believer, and her mum's boyfriend (Dennis) is the guy filming all this stuff, and Katie is just sorta there. Even after seeing dust land on an invisible human, and then shook off, it is near-on impossible to convince people something is up. Cameras are set up (including one on a fan which pans side-to-side, which works very well!) and stuff starts to happen.. There's a couple of fake scares, but also some tension-building moments (one involves a floating blanket for example). One of (the plot's) most stupid moments is when one of Dennis' friends plays a game of Bloody Mary with Katie (despite seeing some of the weird stuff that's gone on), which has bad consequences... Yet, after all this, the girls' mum doesn't seem to feel the place is haunted, and blames the cameras (sounds familiar, no?) Around this time, there's a very woolly tie-in with the second film, about how the girls' ancestors could be part of a coven which brainwashes girls to have sons (with the second film discovering the demon wants the first born male, following a promise from the family).After a loud, jumpy and slightly predictable scare, the family moves to the girls' grandma's house, after feeling the house is haunted. That night, a car pulls up to the house and the girls' mum investigates. After a couple minutes of waiting, Dennis goes searching for her. She's disappeared, the girls have disappeared and he goes on the hunt (with his camera, of course). He sees shadows and such, and is led outside to find the girls' grandma and other old women (the coven, presumably) to which he runs away. Loud noises and stuff moving occurs, including the girls' mum's corpse chucked at Dennis from the top of a flight of stairs, then he finds Kristi, and hides in a closet. After a couple of minutes, it is safe to come out. Katie is near her mum, seemingly crying, so Dennis approaches her to comfort her. The demon possesses her, and then throws Dennis' body, then runs away. The grandma then comes, and watches an invisible entity attack and mangle him, before the girls (and 'Toby') accompany grandma upstairs, unphased... The screen blacks and the film ends...What the actual god is my response. It is such a stupid ending, which creates more questions than it answers, creates some confusion as to why other things in the other films happen and even creates some plot holes. The plot in general was woollier than an unsheered sheep. As said, I liked this franchise, and was interested to see how well they'd handle the plot a third time round. By creating another prequel, they've successfully milked the cow and ruined the franchise's decent story, and evaded the trickier questions, like what happens to Katie now, why has the demon chosen her as the full-time host and so much more. All I can say is, if, I repeat, IF, they go for PA4, they should push the boat out with it, stop with the silly prequels, explain what has happened in the present day and bury the series with a bang and some dignity. 4/10