JoshC.

That King Nemesis sign nay as well have been made from the get-go.. :DAgree with the tightness between Air and Oblivion and Rita being last; Th13teen needs to be a couple of places higher though. XD

(Split into 2 posts due to number of images per post restrictions)With Rita out of the way and a quick toilet break achieved, we noticed Th13teen trains carrying passengers.. Th13teen had reopened! As this must have been fairly recent, we decided to venture to the woods for a second time. Though it did end up being a longer queue than we expected (probably the longest queue of the day at just under 40 minutes), we didn't really care - we all enjoyed the ride. I don't think I really need to go into much detail about it again, but even after knowing what experience awaited me, I still found it enjoyable and a great ride - to me, it is far from a little kiddie ride with a one trick pony ending. It gels together well, but suffers from trims and terrible marketing. In some ways, I think it would have been better to go for a more upbeat theme for it to have been more of a success. Anyways, enough rambling on about Th13teen, here's a few more pictures from the queue line:The hooded figure.The half-swallowed up van.The second Th13teen ORP. I seem happy... :DSo, with Th13teen out of the way for a second time, it was time to bid farewell from the Dark Forest for good this time, and time to go back to secrecy with the X Sector and finally ride Submission. Windows on the way there.Nice weather complimenting a nice scenery.It was raining earlier?So, we finally reached Submission. Unlike last time, when there was a full queue, we were greeted by a near-on empty queue - it pleased me muchly. It was quite amusing watching the cycle prior to ours - when the ride was hung upside, a 5p just dropped to the ground; certainly made everyone around chuckle. Now, I've read a few reviews of people saying that the restraints were more than a little bit uncomfortable, so I was slightly worried, especially as they reminded me very much of a Top Spin's restraints. However, ever being squished in at the edge of the row against the side barrier, I found them quite comfy. Granted, they weren't like air's, nor were they they most comfy thing around, but I couldn't see a reason for complaint. Anyway, as for the actual ride itself, I found it very much like a Swinging Ship, Magic Carpet and Sky Swat all thrown into one. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, but I dunno, it was just great fun. It gets the best bits of them and turns it into something that works really well - it's just a good ride. However, what spoils it is the theme and the theming, or the lack of it. I didn't hear any audio for it, couldn't see any sort of theming and it just felt like and 'here's a ride plonked here, you queue for it, you ride it and you leave it' job, which is not what AT rides are like. Despite the great ride experience, I felt short changed by the lack of everything else, which is not great really..Now, in a sensible move, we wandered over to Sonic Spinball for a spin. Now, after my go on it last time, I rated the ride higher than Dragon's Fury at Chessie, which seems to be against the general opinion. I more put it down to riding Fury more often more recently, but a second go sounded good to see if that was the case.Nice shot of the Towers.Spinning around.Random photo.Just in case I forgot what ride I was queueing up for...You can guess where I was trying to get the car really..And I failed.Last one.I one thing I like about this more than Fury is the queue line. The little games make the queue seem that little bit quicker, and the actual queue layout is not as painful as the cattlepen of Fury. That, and interaction (sorta) with the ride itself. The half-full queue did move quickly really. As for the actual ride, we got a great spin, better than last time, on it due to get the weighting right. However, there's just something about it that didn't really give me the same feeling as last time. I don't know what it is, but I just don't rate it as highly any more. After all is said and done, I think the ride experience is as good as Fury, but I think Spinball's queue line clinches it for me; it still has that slight edge over Fury. Spinball ORP.The SBNO Beastie lies behind the fence of dullness.After some more treking, it was last ride of the day - Runaway Mine Train. After missing out on it last time due to it being closed because of the valleying incident, it was nice to be able to do a complete run-around of all 7 coasters. As I said, I like mine trains and this one did not disappoint! I enjoyed the theme, the theming, the interaction with CRR, the layout - it was just an enjoyable ride. One niggle was the operator, who seemed very half-hearted when giving announcements, even the 'Choo Choo' she gave sounded a bit 'Why am I here?' (I don't think it was 'Choo Choo Lady' though, it's worth saying). Apart from that, a great little mine train.Nice bits of theming work well for me.Speeding past.Despite the lack of enthusiasm on my face, I am enjoying the ride!Couple more photos before I round off:Congo River Rapids. Was disappointed not to get on any water rides during the trip, but the bigger rides took priority. Could have fitted this in at the end, but didn't fancy a 3 and a half hour odd car journey home wet..Another view of the Towers.Nemesis wins it for me!That's my trip really. As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was certainly worth the wait. The weather was just what we wanted, the staff were more or less all brilliant: chatty, friendly, helpful and added to the day. The rides were brilliant as well - it was just an amazing day. Popped into the shop in Towers Street to pick up the ORPs from the day and did a fair bit of shopping; bought: the Monorail Mug Pack, Nemesis and Th13teen mugs (I'm a mug for Mugs, okay? ), Th13teen hoodie, Th13teen bear, replica Th13teen necklace from the advert, Th13teen paperweight and Alton Towers Monopoly. Okay, I splashed out more than a little bit, but this was basically my holiday for the year. The only real problem I have with AT was the wasps - there were tonnes of the blooming things around, and it did make getting drinks a bit of a nuisance. Apart from that, the place is absolutely perfect. I can't wait for my next visit - whenever that may be!

The rest of my Alton Towers PTR... ;)After Th13teen was out the way, along with a bit of shopping, we have Rita a miss due to a relatively large queue. Instead, we headed over to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - a ride we missed out last time, despite really wanting to try it out.I was surprised that we got through a nearly full queue quite quickly. The little 'pre show' if you will is interesting, though after seeing it upteen times, it loses whatever magic there was to start with. The boat ride was okay I guess, though I was more interested in ensuring water didn't fill the boat up - it was only a couple of inches from coming in! It sorta reminded me a bit of Bubbleworks, not in a good way; instead, it was the way of 'this could be a bit better'. The waterfall caught me out and was the highlight of the attraction - I thoroughly enjoyed that part. The TV room was a bit of a bore really, it just seemed a bit shoehorned in really. The glass elevator was what I was looking forward to about the ride, though, it was a bit of a let down. I guess where it's more a kiddie ride it is doing it's job, but I would have preferred to have Oompa Loompas involved heavily in the ride, to give it a charm.From the start of the queue.Twirling Toadstool followed.Next up was Twirling Toadstool. Not going to dwell on this ride too much; much like any of these types of rides, it needs some sort of added effect to be worthwhile - that's why I find Monkey Swinger at Chessie much more enjoyable! Now, probably the ride I was most looking forward to. Hex. I'm pretty sure saying that word makes loads of fans hyped; rightly so. The queue was out of the building, yet it moved quickly and painlessly. The inside queue was different and imaginative and the TV screens and general setting kept us all more than entertained. It certainly sets the eerie tone that is required. At the time, I felt the pre show was being dragged out a little too long, and it was struggling to keep the attention of some people that I saw. However, on looking back at it, I think it was actually pretty much perfect. The Octagon room was something I really liked and the theatrics involved impressed me. As for The Vault; I had heard about it, but had no idea what it involved - fortunately, this ride had remained pretty much unspoilt for me - I found it absolutely amazing. It left me confused, slightly spooked yet highly entertained. Whilst you can pretty much guess you're not upside down, you really do think you are. The Vault is probably one of the best experiences I've ever had and it was certainly a powerful one!Really does sum the ride up perfectly.Now it was time for a wander over to the Skyride. After it being closed practically all day on my last visit, it was somewhat of a relief to have it there, meaning that long walks and extra careful planning weren't as prominent in our minds. The Skyride.Of at Forbidden Valley we got and it was indeed lunch time. After a little mix up of where what food outlets were where, we ended up having the in house Fish & Chips. Mixed reviews from our group of the place - I happily enjoyed me sausage and chips, but everyone else wasn't keen on the batter on the fish.. Meh, enough about the food really. To let the food go down a little, we did some Ripsaw watching:Top spins - fun to watch, but not to go on.Casually hanging around, y'know.Wet wet wet!After watching a circuit, it was time to 'prepare for air'. Now, last time, I enjoyed air for the simple fact of it's elegance, and how it does the job of recreating flight. However, I was disappointed by the lack of any sort of force whatsoever - something it needed to give it that little extra something to make it special. That, and it needed some more theming, just the add to that overall experience. Of course, like with all the rides, I tried to take it from a clean sheet and see where that got me. Some piccys:Wooosh...Air > Oblivion. Air < Nemesis however.That twist.If anyone looked at my shoes during the day, they'd have thought I was an air-obsessive, but nope.. Train close up.More on that twist!Ride review time.. I forgot just how comfy the seats are - it's certainly something that I think is a key to the ride's success! However, my main views about the ride stayed the same. It's elegant and is certainly a very comfy ride experience - but it needs that little something more. A bit more force, a bit more theming, just something a bit different - something that would have made it much more special than it is.. It's certainly got the ingredients to be a world class thing, but it's like it was under-cooked or something...Superman pose for the ORP had to be done!It was time to go back on ourselves and take the Skyride to the Dark Forest to get Rita out of the way. Some highlights from the way back there:Naff signs. Hate them, spoil every bit of atmosphere created in an area - sort them out AT!Pretty views from the Skyride.Rita from the Skyride.A train awaiting the horrors inside the crypt. As said, Rita was next and we seemed to catch the Dark Forest at a good time. Rita had quietened down to a 20 minute odd queue and Th13teen was down due to 'disturbances in the Forest'; love that announcement! So we joined the queue and awaiting the launch coaster. One thing I really like about Rita's queue line is how you get a good view of the ride, and even a bit of Th13tee, which keeps you entertained and doesn't make queueing feel as bad. Rita nearing the end of her 'escape'.Love this centre piece bit of theming! Top notch.Speeding away from those evil powers of the Dark Forest...Pesky wraiths.As for Rita herself, I'm not her biggest fan. At least it now roughly fits in with the area theme, which is something, but I don't like what they've done. From the announcements to the ORP cover, it's just not that good. I like the control cabin, but that's about it. I think we all know that the only way Rita would ever fit in is in some sort of racer theme, The ride itself is okay I guess, the layout is interesting, but it's just too rough for it to be enjoyed. I know some dislike the first turn after the launch, but I don't find that too bad...more half way through the circuit, that's when pain kicks in. In short, not a bad coaster, just not a very good one.Rita ORP. I prefer the Queen of Speed casing.

It was a bit naff really.I mean the ending was stupid (spoiler of the ending now..) I hope this series starts to pick up, otherwise it's going to lose my viewing...

I believe that Thorpe were planning to hold the event for 3 days, like with previous events, but the council limited it to two. Not necessarily a bad thing - probably means bigger budget per show springs to mind.

The Swarm adverts probably won't appear on TV till about March time, when the park is actually open. Much like with Saw and Stealth and presumably the other coasters.They'll almost certainly be teaser trailers on the internet and stuff, for those who want to know, though. Anyway, Saw..The advertising was just to get people thinking about the big thrills again, and having it as 'more terrifying than before' suited perfectly..

Last time I went on Depth Charge, they were playing the chart music.. In fact, in a fair few of my recent visits, chart music has been playing all the way up to Flying Fish. Prior to that, the Fish had Depth Charge's music...

Really? Darnit. :DThought I remembered seeing it when I had a look, but couldn't be sure. Ah well, as you say, it deserves some more mentioning.. XD

With regards to the short layout, thorpeparkjack and I were speaking a while ago about that, and we think that the height of inversions and other elements may take a fair bit of speed out of the ride, so it goes through them quite slowly, thus dragging the ride out as it were. Jack fears that may make the ride boring.. :closedeyes:From your rough(ish) calculations Sidders, we know that after the main drop, the speed will probably reach between 55-60MPH (I think that's what you got anyways..haha), and I worked out a rough average speed of the inclined loop (which comes after the second inversion) to be 30MPH. Just random thoughts really, but it seems quite likely that it will go through a lot of the main elements with some sort of elegance and slowish pace to it - which may help in the experience of taking in the theming and near misses, especially on that inline twist!Again, just some musings really, but I'd say that despite the short layout, the ride will last quite a while, and will certainly give the opportunity to take in the surroundings...

On the top image, near the middle, you can also see an overturned car which seems to be on top of the station building, which also seems to have some interaction with that inline twist.If all of this comes together, that inline twist will be something quite special...!

I'm certain that Sunken Garden will not be leaving for this project. It will have to make way sooner or later, but that time will not be next year.

I honestly hope that they still have some sort of log flume after SW7, if what is being implied becomes true. Losing a log flume temporarily is bad enough; losing one forever would be a poor decision in my eyes.But otherwise, all sounds very interesting.

Whilst I don't fully know Liam, I'd guess that around Christmas time they're slightly reduced, so that might make it more worthwhile. Other than that, I wouldn't think there's a 'best time' to buy one. :blush:Also, whilst I don't have any figures, as of yesterday, the positions of the greatest roller coaster are unchanged since Fred's post, but Th13teen has been on a big rise (probably due to the FB push that there's been).My personal rankings, after my visit yesterday:Nemesis Th13teenAir OblivionRita:lol:

So...Tuesday 16th meant one thing for me - Alton Towers! It had been over 5 years since my last visit, and I had been waiting since the moment I left to go back. Strangely, I did not get at all excited about the trip. I knew it was coming, I was looking forward to it, but I didn't have 'that feeling' prior to the trip. It was just another day as far as I could tell...So, we hit the road at 5 in the morning and made good time getting there, arriving just before 8, an hour before ERT. We had a stretch and wander round and made our way to the Monorail gates. It was then, watching the TVs showing the rides, that I got excited and it has sunk it that I 'was really here'. The Monorail opened a little later than was expected, apparently, but it didn't matter, we were first ones on it. The weather at 8am. It was meant to be cloudy and rainy, and that's how it seemed to be going.Strawberry Monorail!We queued up at the Advanced Ticket Collection to collect my cousin's and uncle's tickets. However, much to our annoyance, it didn't open till ten to nine, meaning that queues were already building at the turnstiles, despite us being there way before most of the people there. Granted, it makes very little impact to the day, but it's just annoying knowing, if they opened the Advanced Tickets point earlier, we could have been in there that little bit earlier. This also brings me to another issue I have, with ALL Merlin parks, the AP entrances. Call me stupid, but wouldn't it make sense to have an AP queue, a queue full of some of Merlin's most loyal customers, move quickly, or at least quicker than the ordinary queues? It happens at Thorpe, it happens at Chessie and it happens at Alton. I was a tad annoyed that my uncle and cousin got in the park a good minute before us, despite them have a longer queue to get in, because of the slow procedures of getting AP holders into the park. Fortunately, this was probably the only problem I encountered from the Towers in my visit.Corkscrew <3Standard fanboy shot.A very nice image for the entrance to the park I think.Now that's outta the way, I can get onto the actual park. It's going to be slightly mundane in the sense of it's going to be me going through what I did in what order, but it will be much more deeper and interesting than that (I hope!) - it just helps me remember all of the day's doings. :lol:With the original plan to do Oblivion, Hex and possibly Rita for the ERT, which would then set us up for Th13teen once it opened, we were going to stick to that. However, on a last minute spur, we opted to do Nemesis. I dunno why in the end, but there we go. A tad unsure on the best way to get there, a staff member told us to go down Haunted Hallow and then through Gloomy Wood. Not necessarily the quickest route I think, but certainly an entertaining one!Haunted Hallow is just that nice light heartedness that I love about a theme park. It's interactive, engaging and humorous - yet it's got that underlying tone of it being something a bit more serious and sinister. I don't know when it opened, but I don't remember going through in 2006, but it is certainly a nice little touch there! These two little characters were a specific highlight.After what felt like a lifetime of walking (I've gotten in a bad habit from Thorpe it would seem, of being able to walk half metre from one ride to the next...) I started hearing that roar, that music - it could only be my favourite ride in the country, Nemesis. The theming on this thing is superb!Wait, what!? A cat in the Forbidden Valley. Ah well, added some more humour to the day I guess! tehe Have to agree with that sign.I have some serious love for this.Vertical Loops on B&M Inverters are quite photogenic.First ORP of the day, and I look ugly...A long walk around the queue and we were greeted by a nearly empty station and a train just leaving - just the way we like it! We headed straight for the back row and after a small hold up, we were winding up the lift hill. It was a bit rougher than I remembered, though I sort of expected that, but the ride was simply incredible! It just flows so well and everything fits perfectly together. Riding it again made me realise just why this was my number 1 ride. Needless to say, I bought an ORP (which was an increasing trend during the day, with 2 photopasses bought, due to the rarity of my visits) which isn't the greatest expression of me as I caught my ear somewhat painfully before the photo was taken..ah well!After a very looong walk, we reached the secret government facility known as X Sector. This was perhaps the most disappointing area for me on my last visit, due to be underwhelmed by a back row Oblivion and missing out on the anticipated Submission to a huge queue. Of course, only Oblivion was on the ERT, so Submission had to be saved for later. Much like Nemesis, the queue was a walk on - just a shame it was a blooming long walk! I remember from my last visit the queue line videos being a real highlight of the entire trip, so it was a slight shame missing out on them, but you can't win them all I guess. Greeted by a car moving out the station, we headed straight to the front row we disappointingly missed out on last time. As I said, I was underwhelmed slightly by Oblivion previously, but I was surprised just how much the front row experience adds to it all - it certainly moved up in my ranks after that front row ride. However, it's just too short and too much of a one trick pony. That, and when you are waiting to get back in the station you here 'There is no happy ended, etc etc' you're left thinking 'Err, oops, looks like there is' - it just spoils the whole atmosphere, and the whole story. I like the theme, I like a front row drop, but it's just not doing it for me. Anyway, photos:Approaching the not-so-secret secret government area.The hanging on the drop also seems to be shorter than I remember, strange..Pit of pitness.I'm a bit red in this ORP! :$I love this marketing campaign, simply brilliant. However, the Lord of Darkness can compel me as much as he likes, I'm not going to vote Oblivion!It was nearing 10, which meant it was nearing the time for Th13teen to open. We walked over there with the hope of a relatively short queue, being able to beat guests who were not part of the ERT. By the time we got there, there was a long queue outside the queue and it quickly became apparent the ride was not open. We decided, however, to join the queue (which was just under Rita's launch track) and bide our time. By about quarter past-ish, it was open and we were pouring in the queue, which oddly had no extensions open. From the time it had opened, we queued about half an hour with it on 2 trains, though I was expecting them to have had 3 on when it opened. As for the whole experience of Th13teen... I thought the queue line, though slightly unimaginative like some other queue lines at the park, was nice. I liked the subtle theming around and how it keeps you away from the ride, keeping as much as a mystery as possible. The audio I loved - it built up the atmosphere, and way always interesting to listen to! Then, getting to the station, I love the Tesla coil they've got, along with the girl's scream and the counting to thirteen - it is all just amazing! I've heard some people moan about the roof being little more than just black sheets basically, but I think it adds to the whole idea of the ride, with the restoration works and that. Whilst it's not brilliant, it's certainly better than the fake scaffolding and such which makes it just feel incomplete. One downside I think is the onboard and offboard announcements, by what I assume is meant to be some sort of Wraith. It slightly feels out of place and a bit dull - it just doesn't work, but I guess that could just be me.Now, the actual ride. I'm going to echo what many people have said: the outside is little more than a glorified mine train. Now, I know some say this is a bad thing, but I like mine trains - so a glorified one is all good in my books! I'm not a fan of the trims, like everyone else. It wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't painfully noticeable, but you can feel the train slowing down so much, it's just cringe-worthy! That first drop should be something special, not a missed opportunity. I was, however, a big fan of the zig-zag bit prior to the second lift hill. As for the inside, I knew what was coming, so nothing shocking. It did, though, take me by surprise still, and the actual drop did feel a bit, well, short. I was expecting it to last a little longer or something; personally, I think it is slightly weak, though that could have been because I knew what was coming. The backwards section is fun as well. Oh, and I absolutely love going back into the station. "How should we get them back in the station? Should the train just casually roll in? Naa, let's launch them in!" Being caught between the switchback and the offload station to get the third train on was interesting to watch, but they could have at least let us off first rather than wasting five minutes of our time stuck in the train helpless. Anyway, photos:%20http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300915_2354159216459_1324550230_2825249_6890866_n.jpgCan't say I wholly agree, but true to a degree.I really like the signage; it's perfect!'If you go down to the woods today...' don't forget to pick up your van.Saw this in the queue and it made me chuckle. However, I strongly disgaree.The ladder is the type of subtle theming I liked. The scaffolding, not so much.Rita was quite photogenic from the queue line though - keeps you entertained that little bit more I guess!Unlike with the other two, this was my first time on the ride, yet the ORP was the best looking shot of me so far. How interesting..*Okay, I've been at this for nearly an hour now and I'm starting to get a little tired. I'll return to think soon, hopefully tomorrow where you can have the joy of my venture down to Cloud Cuckoo Land, my eerie first experience in Hex and so much more! Hope you enjoyed this first part *

Seems like the end is truly coming for the beach. In honesty, I can't remember seeing the smaller side open for anything but the Curse. As others have said, it usually closes just after August anyways so it's not that different in any way. Though, when it is open, it's still quite busy and popular...I hope it goes, gives more space to the area, especially for The Swarm. Extend the grassy area behind it slightly more, add a few benches and a little fountain or feature and there you go. Though, I think I remember the larger side being a location for a flat ride...

Oh yes, for some reason I imagined myself face forwards..weird!

Well, you didn't announce it really, unless this is what you call an announcement: That is just a cryptic clue in my eyes.

I don't know how often 5 trains are used, but I believe the transfer track is just before the offload station, but just after the very last set of brakes.I think if you look to your right juust before the offload station you can see it.

Well, those words were not mine, just so you know..

Don't worry though, I'll leave you to do all the mechanics and physics calculations when it come to The Swarm and that...

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2097877_tats_the_way_for_thorpe_park_mad_familyThorpe Park can seemingly be involved in little things now and worm their way into local and national newspapers...

Okay, so 5 trains, each holding 10 people. Taking 1000pph, that means 200pph per train. 200pphpt means that each train does 20 circuits an hour, which means 3 minutes for the train to be loaded, complete the circuit, offloaded then back to the unloaded station. The circuit takes just over 2 minutes to complete, which means that everyone is going to have to get on and off blooming quickly and staff are going to have to be working ther socks off to reach that. So that it certainly theoretical.I'd say somewhere between 400-600 is much more likely on a day-to-day basis...

I'm not signing, but a thought:There is some subtle theming around Storm Surge. You've got bits and bobs on the control box, the pipes close to the Kebab place, and the odd other bit here and there. If they wanted / planned to add theming to the box at the top, surely they would have done it with the money that was instead spent on that theming. After all, I think more or less all of us would agree that theming at the top of the ride would be better than little bits at the bottom of the ride. So, it seems Thorpe could have some sort of reluctance to do so. Also, I'd prefer whatever extra money given to theme the top to go on another ride, one which is more popular, has a longer life left in it or be left for Fright Night theming budget. There's my little two cents. Best of luck with the petition though, take it to Mike Vallis regardless of the number of names and see what comes out - sometimes strange things happen!

One thing that confuses me about the tank...There are some track marks behind the tank, which look realistic as if it has moved on the grass, but only for a short while. How would that work if the tank is real? I just don't get it... Here's a pic of my showing where the track marks start:

I retract the above statement, following the first picture being taken of track today...From Go Merlin: http://go-merlin.co.uk/theswarm/