JoshC.

Whilst the stations I've seen don't get gritted (though, to be fair, I only ever see 3) I'll give the staff or whoever the kudos that they actual shovel it or something, cause the snow was pretty much cleared when I saw it on Tuesday, whilst most other places had snow / ice. Also, whilst I'm not the ranting at Ricky personally here (as so many people do it, and his was the easiest to quote ), how hard is it to differentiate between YOUR and YOU'RE!?!?!

I do believe it was at 'Behind the Loops' back in 2008 Thorpe said that they are not a theme park, nor an amusement park. They probably wouldn't even class themselves as a thrill park.They classed themselves as an 'experience park' (can anyone who actually went confirm / deny this?). They aim to give a variety of experiences, not just thrills. For example, you can experience a horror-film themed roller coaster, and a maze based around it. You can then experience being launched up 200ft in under 8 seconds. You can experience this, experience that, etc. etc.If they are an 'experience park', then theming is part of the experience. Theming is part of the experience whenever you are on any sort of ride, even the little fairground rides. So yeah, even if Thorpe aren't a 'theme' park, they still have much reason to theme their rides..

They have outlined in the MTDP that the 2012 coaster will not exceed 50m (~164ft) and the 2015 coaster will not exceed 40m (~131ft), which is at maximum 60ft above the height barrier (or 45ft, if the height barrier to 115ft like some have said in the past). But yeah, they can't go to about 100ft over the height barrier. Stealth was a special, one off thing if you will. Making more 'skyscraper high' rides will dwarf the other rides and make them seem futile. Also worth mentioning that, as the MTDP mentioned, the main island (basically, the entire part currently accessible to the public) probably won't exceed to height barrier, due to the positioning of the rides. However, on the further islands, they can have these specially placed high points, which cause minimal sight pollution to the surrounding area. Again, Stealth was an exception to the ruleAlso, mentioning the MTDP, whilst I was flicking through it a couple of days ago, it mentioned how when the coasters like Stealth (ie - tall ones) are painted to a colour that fits the sky, much like how Stealth was painted white, and this would be likely for other 'high' coasters. Just a thought...

You see, this is an interesting point you raise. Should the actors keep into the roles you see in the films or try and scare you?Whilst being in the role of the film has a very... nice ambience, it doesn't provide what Thorpe advertise the attraction to be - a scare. So, having people jump out at you will be the best way to scare people, and that's how they'll do it.

For a stage, 70sqm isn't that large. They could. However, if this stage gets built, could it be a hint that the arena is leaving? After all, it's a pretty big space that is used for awful little nowadays.Although I think this MTDP did outline the arena to have a refurbishment, though that could more be a second choice...

Oopps, always thought your real name was actually Bill. Ah well, hi Peter. Keep with the Blue, suits you

^ Oh, terribly sorry, where are our manners?Here, have a humbug, on me.

Erm, I think I live closer (or the same distance) to Thorpe than you, been going just as long - if not, longer - as you and I don't bang on forever more about the place. Yes, I love Thorpe and all that and it has been a part of my life, but it hasn't turned me into a drone who only ever speaks about Thorpe Park (and only ever says good things about it at that)...

Bringing this back up, I know...Been looking through the MTDP again. It mentioned in it that in 2012, they are considering an open air stage and whilst scanning through, found a bit more detail:"In terms of the open air stage, it is proposed that it would be used for the purposes of “low­key” ground level family entertainments such as jugglers and acrobats and would be centrally located within the core area, immediately south of the elevated section of ‘Stealth’. The stage would be small (measuring approximately 70sqm)."South of Stealth is that nice grassy bit as shown above. Interesting, good to see them considering non-rides for family entertainment too.

I disagree with this. If the theme is pulled off well enough, then the story could be adapted come 2013. For Stealth and Saw, Thorpe advertised them as a priority for two seasons, and would likely to do that again. Advertise it saying 'The world is coming to an end in 2012, blah blah blah' and in 2013 onwards create some sort of story saying the myth didn't come to fruition, but an explosion is coming... Or some sort of clever idea. Hmm, interesting. But I think it's looking at it a bit too deeply. Not saying it's implausible or anything, but it's just a bit too 'out there' in my mind..

Arguably, work has been going on on all 3 islands.. Also, the MTDP stated that Island C (aka, the island behind Flying Fish) and not Island A (island behind Stealth) would be used for the 2012 coaster. So yeah, your proof is little more than a slightly educated guess in my view...

You're gonna fit in on this forum perfectly..Welcome Mark!

The reason why I'm saying it's advertising the ride is because it has a tagline; creating a build up - hype, if you will.If this ride doesn't come, then I personally won't be annoyed, it'll just be the ride that never was.And I'm not having a go at Thorpe either. The image there is great! However, I'm just hypothetically saying, IF this ride cannot be constructed, then Thorpe could be it a bit of a pickle with a few people. This website is read by many many more people, not just enthusiasts.

Okay, I don't care that you don't want to know who works there, but some people are responsible for the effects who work specifically at the park (as far as I'm aware). Basically means that effects should realistically be maintained all year round.Hmm, interesting. So, because you - one person - would prefer an updated version, you believe that most people would? Who wants the same old ride? Arguably, quite a lot of people do. Also, who wants the same ride - why not have a completely new type of ride altogether? There once was! Can't remember if it was when it was Thunder River or RRR, but there once was a time when there were loads of water pistols scattered around the course. Ah, memories.

You're looking at that from such an enthusiast perspective. The majority of the general public probably have no idea what the MTDP shows, where to find it or possibly what it even is. Also, I highly doubt you've got loads of members of the council who are avidly looking at sites like this. However, when you type 'Thorpe Park' into google or most search engines, this site is usually in the first 15 or so results. People can easily access this and see it. So, for those thousands upon thousand of people who don't look on fansites every day or are keen searchers of planning applications of random councils, then this will be a surprise. This will be an announcement. This will be something to go 'oooh' or 'wow' over. This will be something to spark interest. In my eyes, that is advertising. And the fuss then lies on if the planning application is actually passed, because if it isn't, then Thorpe could be in a bit of pickle, don't you think?

People at Merlin? So, you're saying there's no one at the park who is responsible for looking after the effects, and it's all down to a team that covers all Merlin parks? I think you've mis-interpreted my post. I'm saying that not every ride has to be the best ride of it's type. Some rides do have to be simplistic and, to put in how you worded it, 'crap'. Of course rides need to be at their best as much as possible, and I'm in no way saying that. Also, what would the general public prefer? An entire new ride that they've never seen before or a new ride that's 'the same as what they had here before'?

You see, what I highlighted annoys me. Take park would have been open for what - hour and a half, 2 hours? In those 2 hours, people could easily just chuck rubbish in the lake, it doesn't mean that they haven't cleaned it out. The fact that you say still makes it seem that it's been left there for ages, when it could easily have been an hour or so. And, if you expect somewhere to just magically appear and clear it up, you are being a bit naive...Poorly maintained? I agree with that partially, but that's not just Rumba Rapids. A lot of the effects slowly get worse as the season goes on. Take the Inferno tunnel. Beginning of the season, mist everywhere. End of the season, practically no mist. As for the colours, yeah, they're not the best, a bit of an eye sore, but at least it was an attempt at creating a theme. People would have been moaning a lot more if it was generic brown fencing...I don't really know about that many other rapids, and yeah, there are tons better out there, but you can still enjoy Rumba and, being at Thorpe, it suits nicely as a break away from the big rides. Not every ride has to be the best...

I must be one of the few people who don't mind Rumba Rapids. Yeah, the colours are a bit of a sore. Yeah, it's short. Yeah, you don't get that wet. But I still enjoy it. It's one of those rides where you can be in a large group or a small group and go round and have a laugh. Plus, it's suitable for everyone. Whilst it may not get you wet, you don't want every single water ride soaking you to the bone, and there's still times when you can get a bit of a soak on there. It could easily be improved, but if people enjoy it, why not?

^ One word that summed up the entire article: rumours.So to say we've 'known' this for nearly a year is ridiculous...

Bare in mind the MTDP outlined a maximum length of both the 2012 and 2015 coasters of 850m. Montu and Kraken are about 1200-1300m in comparison. Still, Colossus is 850m, and that's an okay length coaster..

...And Project X - X:No Way Out ;)Arguably, Calypso relates to Nemesis Inferno, due to it being central to Calypso Quay. And I heard something that it was called Project Odyssey because it was originally planned for opening in 2001, and there's the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Not sure whether that's a bunch of rubbish or not though...

What exactly do you mean by 'work'? Could mean so many things to be honest...

I never said Thorpe are even getting that style of ride though...You just can't be sure that Thorpe are not getting a prototype, surely?