JoshC.

So many factors to take into consideration, a simple free fall calculator would not do it justice.No one knows really. And, to be honest, I don't think many people will really care so much so right now, y'know, when construction hasn't even started yet. It will be around the 55-60MPH I'd guess..

Oh yeah, Gerstlauer's first holding brake coaster isn't it? I guess that is still sorta like a free-fall?

Firstly, Mumbo Jumbo is a controlled drop, and is only 112 degrees. I believe a French park is planning / building a 113 degree El Loco though. :mellow:As for this Eurofighter, one of the strangest coasters I've ever seen by pictures and videos, I haven't read anywhere whether the drop is controlled or not. This will definitely be the steepest drop in the world (if you don't include Screaming Squirrels of course, which most people don't anyways ), but whether Saw will lose it's silly record or not, that's not confirmed?

Wonder if anyone can help me. Does anyone know when Phantom Phantasia first opened at Thorpe? I know it had been around since the 80's, but not when. Also, if anyone knows when it was rethemed into WWH? No real reason, just curious.

Ooh, another school rant coming right up..Head of Politics says we have to do an exam question a day over the Easter holidays. He says that an exam question is part a, b and c. Anyone who doesn't do all 17 essays gets study leave cancelled.I get major stressed, etc. etc. Mum emails my tutor, who speaks to the head of Politics. 'Oh, I would have been content if they answered a part a or b or c a day. As long as they've done some questions, I don't mind.'WHY!!!!

I caught a glimpse of that a while ago, shortly after the Saw Alive fire. Just passed it off as something related to that.Interesting, though...

The more I look at it, the more I have been thinking that!

Haven't Universal got some rights to the robotic arm effect till 2015 or something? Probably just a myth, but I heard something like that...

Sci-fi = science fiction.Therefore, anything 'sciencey' that is not true would be a 'sci-fi' theme. So, an end of the world, apocalypse is sci-fi.And when I say alien theme, I mean some sort of story behind the ride. A bit like how Nemesis is themed to the alien monster and that.

More and theory, but so as not to spread the same discussion on different threads... From LC12.netPossible hint towards some sort of alien / monster being involved in the theme. If that were to happen (similar to Raptor in some ways I guess) I'd be very happy!

I spent too much money on Vampire merchandise today...To show off the XXI bear in all it's glory..

Part I on my photo heavy Trip Report. More to come in the next couple of days... ^_^So, set out to the XXI event today. After a couple of troubles, got there at quarter past 10. Now, I'm kicking myself over this. Outside the entrance (by Wild Asia) there was a Vampire character there, speaking to guests as they were going in. He was incredible at keeping in his theme. He even had an umbrella to 'protect him from the sun'. He spoke to me quickly, saying "If you see an animals escape, run as fast as you can..." To which I replied "But what if they're bats?" "Ah, the bats are fine, they are friendly..." Epic. But why am I kicking myself? I didn't ask to get a photo with him!! I didn't even take a photo of him! It just slipped my mind. :doh1 Anyway, just before we got out APs scanned to go in, he comes back from nowhere "Do you mind if a jump ahead, the sun is bad for me..." Again, just epic. Really wished I got a photo.I hope peep doesn't mind me stealing this. It was the guy on the far left of the photo - he was incredible. Kudos to him! :clap Anyway, headed down to AS and got my nan's wristband.I love this pond. Greenery and sprinklers = nice photo.Whilst waiting for the wristband to be collected:I remember being mesmerised by that as a child...After all was said and done, went over to Rattlesnake. My nan hates the ride, so me and my mum queued up for 5 minutes. I love this; definitely one of my top 5 rides still. We headed off to do Kobra, but many photos were taken on the way...Whilst leaving, saw the poster about the Vampire XXI event. Thought a photo was necessary; that's why we're here after all.My obligatory 'this is how the weather was' photo...Designated smoking areas. They are working effectively might I add. I absolutely love this theming!We had a fun ride on Kobra. I must say, I have forgotten how enjoyable it was - but also how much I hate the announcements and how painful it can be. Rather than go on another ride to wait until the next major ride, we decided to go to Lorikeet Lagoon. However, the Lorikeets hadn't been eating well recently, so we warned before we bought the nectar (which has gone up to £1!). Photo times happened of course:A group of them.Eating an orange, but no nectar After a bit of convincing them and some patience, they did come for some nectar. All good.After a great deal of time spent in Lorikeet Lagoon, we wandered over to the other side of the park:Oh yes, Twilight Zone time!I'll give a review elsewhere in case people don't want it spoiled. My mum and nan weren't keen on it for different reasons, I enjoyed however. Went in it again straight after (by myself) and a little later. Afterwards, we headed over to Vampire:Meh, random theming, but I like the fact we were able to ignore it. Also, I like how the exit is now divded into two, so disabled guests can get past easier. Got straight on, and absolutely loved it. Long live Vampire. Bought an ORP of it too. *Okay, I'm going to leave this for now. I've got so much to say, but not enough time. But don't worry, it will be finished!*

I honestly thought that was just me being slightly paranoid or something.. Seems as if this will be down longer than I originally thought, if no work has still been going on...

This is brilliant from Thorpe - I just love this. Great way of getting it in the public eye! Be very interesting to see what hints are dropped as this progresses...

And the fact that it's Easter Sunday!

Yeah, we're voting for regular AV. AV+, whilst more proportional, is more confusing what with the whole preference voting and a second vote for something else (don't know all the details of AV+).What I'm interested to know is when people say they don't want AV, they want 'proportional representation', what system would they like? STV? AMS? I'd much rather have FPTP or AV than systems that rely on silly formulae or quota to decide a result.. And don't get me started on the Regional Party List...

Using that logic, out of the given options of AV and FPTP, AV is better as it's more proportional. Unless you're saying that FPTP represents peoples' views...That, or I've completely misunderstood you

I agree that it's not the easiest of systems to understand; that is its weakest point. In fact, my Politics teacher at college explained it to us wrongly (twice) and explained it differently to another class (wrongly again!)

Whilst I understand that view, I don't want PR.What's the point in having a proportional system that means strong and stable government are out of the question? With PR, I think we'd be seeing more and more of these 'rainbow coalitions' that was discussed at the last general election, which I think is just a step back. Don't get me wrong, I don't think AV is the greatest system in the world, but it's a step in the right direction. If we were to swap to full out PR now, I could only see it have terrible consequences.

So, with the referendum just 16 days away, what's your view? Will you actually vote? (Seeinghow quite a lot people on here aren't eligible to vote due to age, this will probably end up being slightly more hypothetical, but meh).For those who have no clue what I'm on about... On the May 5th, a referendum about whether general elections is happening about whether general elections should switch from the first past the post system to the Alternative Vote (AV). It's binding, so whatever the result, that's the final answer.Personally, I support the yes campaign! Whilst AV might not be the simplest of systems, nor the most proportional, it's a step in the right direction. I'd much rather a slightly more complicated system, that allows us to have proportionality but still create strong governments, than a system that's disproportional but almost always creates secure governments.So yeah, discuss away.

I know a couple of people who quite enjoy.I just find it a bit boring really. Blood rushing to my head isn't the greatest feeling either..

It wouldn't be so bad if the sponsorship sorta reflected the whole idea of the ride. Then again, you don't get many things that you can sponsor to some secret government facility... Maybe Merlin should try for some upbeat themes in future?Anyways, not the biggest fan of it. Could be worse I guess, but could be a heck of a lot better...

Bubbleworks sponsored by Maynards.http://www.maynardsayschew.com/CHEW CHEW CHEW, CHEW CHEW CHEW

I'm still surprised by the sheer number of little kids that go to Thorpe!And now with Loggers, Teacups and Surge's height restrictions all up - the beach must seem more and more attractive for a warm day...

I really should learn to read all topics before I post stuff...I posted this in the merchandise topic half an hour after Ricky put it in here...