JoshC.

*sigh*I dunno what it is with this place, but on here I never seem able to say what I mean...I'd write the articles in such a way that the GP could gain the basics, but the majority of the articles is the meaty stuff that fans would be interested in. That way, the GP get what they want, have the oppotunity to become a fan and fans get what they want from a fan site. No snobbery or elitism involved.And at no point did I say and 'Enthusiat only' site. A site that would aim towards fans, but still give GP info.And Marc, I think you don't offer that, as do others I've spoken to, but you think you do. I guess that's where a lot of this has boiled from..

The point I was trying to make is that the audiences will what different depths of knowledge about the park. The GP will want the basic depth, touching on the slight more in depth stuff, whilst the fans will want a small amount of basic, with quite a lot of depth. Well, if I was running this site, in your position, I would aim to go for one audience - either create a GP friendly site and forum that singles out the fans to a greater extent, or the other way round. From my posts, you can probably guess I'd choose the latter option, but that's what I personally would do. Oh, I completely understand that. From posting articles on other sites, I know everyone differs in how they write, and that getting a consistent style from everyone is ridiculously complicated. But what I'm saying is that some sort of style, 'formula' if you will, is thought of so that each article is consistent to having the same amount of GP and fan-wanted info.

In my eyes, I can't see how it can work towards both groups. The majority of the GP are interested mainly in the basics - what the ride is called, what it's like, etc. Quite a lot are also interested in height and speed as well, and about the records as well - probably. But they don't really care beyond that; in all the experiences I've had anyway. The audiences therefore, are interested in two very different things, I don't see how you can keep both sides happy, giving them enough information to suit both needs. You said about the FN article you wrote in 2008, it didn't gain a good reception from the GP. Some of the articles that are being written now aren't gaining a good reception from fans (in saying this, I am not speaking of every fan, or everyone on this site, but from fans that I have spoken to). I can't see how it can be balanced out properly. As for the style of the articles being totally subjective to the author, I don't see that as right. I understand that everyone has their own styles, but surely when running a site, a consistent style should be concentrated on?

Ta. :blink:Though I think it's only Hotel guests allowed in Wild Asia...

Right, sorry for late reply, been having poor internet connection on my laptop recently.... Fair play. However, when a site is aimed primarily towards fans, then surely it should be ignoring the GP to an extent? In my eyes, it doesn't do both. I see informing as being non-judgemental in all ways, yet by giving direct links, it's a sure form of advertising. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for promoting parks and the industry, but there's a rather fine line between actually promoting these parks in a way that doesn't fall into just plain advertising them...And whilst I don't disagree it all starts from somewhere, I can only see a very small majority of people who are purely from the GP (who, as you say, some of the articles are partially aimed towards) turning into hardcore fans. I'd go as far to, riskily, say that the articles are actually damaging the forum, with a high amount of members who post for a few days then leave, ruining the aim of the forum - to create a community and a place for the like-minded to discuss... Again, I'm going to say how this is a fansite. No matter how many people visit the site, it shouldn't lose it's aim just to conform towards the public. I'm fine for a short paragraph giving something that would appeal to the GP, but most of the articles should be geared towards those who are actually going to discuss things further - the fans of this very forum. Mikey said about the articles allowing for debate and discussion on the forum from the articles, but I'd disagree personally, and sometimes see there being 'not enough meat on the bones' for fans to go from, leaving to silly and superfluous discussions, or just no discussions at all...

Rather noobish question from to be honest...Park opens at 10, but does Explorer Gate open half hour before then?

I read what he said as a gentle hint to go somewhere else, or find gradually replace this forum with another more suited to her posts.So basically agreeing with what Holly said to an extent.

Whilst I don't disagree with you, isn't half the point of a forum to create a community?Yeah, okay, so Gemma doesn't post theme park related posts, but she's still part of the forum's community. And if a forum doesn't have a community, then what is the point?

Big dark clouds all across the sky, lots of rain and Thorpe today.This will be great!

This.The amount of times when friends and teachers assumed I was going out with a girl when we were friends was silly.Slightly ironic, we barely speak to each other now after a boy/girlfriend type argument...

So... you're saying the articles a wrote to appeal to fans and the GP? But isn't the whole point of a FANsite to appeal to just the fans? Exactly, it helps purchase tickets, as it is ADVERTISING the event. It isn't informing of the event, it is selling it. That's the whole point I'm getting at...

No real point to writing them? Isn't the point of the articles meant to be to inform readers of what is going on? I'm pretty sure you could easily write articles that includes the 'personal' touch that TPM wants, as well as informer readers of what is going on, without advertising the park, or using similar techniques to the park.As for not being since the official link, I honestly do not know, as I didn't really become interested in this site until it got the official link. As for insane, yes, it is solely a marketing word. However, words such as 'thrilling', 'extreme' and 'insane' have regularly been used by the site in the produced articles. Those words stood out to me when skimming through random articles. And, for example, the Sun Scream article uses the word 'extreme' 5 times, all of which is used to promote the attractions that the park is offering. And, perhaps coincidentally, the park would use the word 'extreme' a similar amount of times in articles of a similar size that would be released to the GP. It is very frustrating how the two seem so alike and this place has turned into a marketing tool - be that accidental or not!

Me with a(nother) moan...The site itself has slowly turned into an advertising tool for Thorpe - and I personally think it's stupid. I understand the site isn't independent and that, but is there a need for this place to become Thorpe's second marketing mouth?Let's have a look at part of the most recent story, about Sun Scream: Why the need to say "extreme rides"? Marketing spew, isn't it? And why exactly should a fan site, official to the park or not, be convincing us to go to the park? No other site I know of persuades people to go to parks in their articles. And let's go to some a few months back, such as Peter Andre: The need for a direct link is? And yet again, 'thrilling' is there why? Oh yes, marketing the park, how could I forget!?I've lost count as to how many times I've seen words such as "insane" and other marketing-related words.As said, I've tired of it. We've been reassured many a time that the park are in no way associated with writing the articles, so why does it sound like they are writing them!? Think that's all..Josh.

For anyone who watched Robot Wars, you may remember a Robot known as Dantomkia (Dantomkia's Wikia Page). For those too lazy to check, it was one of the better Robots, famously flipping Chaos 2 out of the arena, as well as other famous Robots such as Panic Attack. It holds the record for most Robots flipped out of the arena, as well as the second fastest victory (8 seconds). I know the creators of the Robot, and also drove it a couple of times in practice fights, which is epicly good fun might I add.

It would have made the attraction much better yes. And it would have pleased so many.However, they get two attractions out of it, plus much more marketing from it. From the park's view, they have done everything right. It is a shame, I do admit, but it is something that we unfortunately can't help. :/

Firstly, great read, thanks for that.However, for Thorpe Park, it is far to unrealisitic.Firstly, the maze has to appeal to everyone. Your ideas focus too much on the specific details that only die hard Saw fans will care about. As it is, everyone can relate to the maze if they know the concept of the film. Secondly, the budget. They could not fit all that in unless it was a major investment.Finally, the boat would sink. 41 tonnes it already is; 45 maximum. Sorry, brilliant ideas but not for Thorpe.

Mhmm. An interview with Haunted Attractions did say that they could add another room, but I don't know how exactly it could work out.

Always forget about that one... :$

Corrected?

That's why I hate to ask. But I can never believe someone who says their sure, when they have nothing to back it up - especially in this industry..

Not mentioned anywhere on their site...How are you so sure it is a prototype...

THORPE PARK is online. What is this!?!

Hate to ask, but any sources you can provide from Gerstlauer to prove this?

That doesn't make it a prototype. Just really makes it a upgrade / newer version; Eurofighter V1.1 if you will.Ste, though I don't disagree, Thorpe have SO much more compared to others.Also, Marc, you say that Thorpe use complicated technology. Inferno's pre lift is nothing more than a design. Rush and Slammer were nothing more than upgrades to previous versions, at best. And yet AT use much more complicated technology; look at Th13teen for example..As for the blutooth technology amd stuff, it's not THAT complicated compared to ride systems, is it?Agreed with Benin; no ride at Thorpe is a prototype.