JoshC.

I don't question that it advanced the park and increased the popularity. I agree and understand that. However, why does EVERY OTHER ride have to be these huge attention grabbing rides? Other parks have a much more balanced ride count, with a couple ATTENTION GRABBING rides, and then these simple rides dotted around.

Neither and a bit of both at the same time.I'm worried that the park are blinding themselves in getting these Firsts and these X-est rides, that they could slowly forget the 'simple' option is the best. By all means the park could still introduce rides with record breaking features, but I'm afraid they're more focusing on getting the record than the ride.By all means the park could advertise these records. But look at Th13teen. That is more being advertised as The Ultimate Coaster now (I think). Granted, I hate that, but in the world of marleting, I'd prefer that to thrusting a World First in mind again.

That's a bit of an U-turn in ruling, isn't it?

Just some food for thought after the start of discussion from the 2011 new ride topic...With this Storm Surge ride having the capability of my marketed as the “World’s tallest Rapids Ride”, in is yet another step into the X-est direction.Go all the way back to the days of RMC, in 1995, when Project X was coming to light. Little did anyone know that this would end up being, in my eyes, the biggest project for the park – as not only did it attract everyone’s attention towards the park, it created a formula for the park that they seem to follow by the word now...Needless to say Project X opened in 1996 as X:\ No Way Out. It was the “World’s first backwards and in the dark roller coaster”. Now why do I think it was the biggest project for the park? Well, RMC were a small company in comparison to Tussauds and Merlin – in fact, they were just small. Also, it really did turn heads. Popularity of the park increased greatly, and Thorpe Park was slowly being ‘put on the map’, so to say. It was the only attraction since Thunder River, yes, all the way back in 1987, which led to no new attraction the following year. I’d go as far to say that X:\ No Way Out gave Tussauds more of an incentive to buy Thorpe Park in 1997; the park has well and truly showed its potential.Anyway, back to the point in hand. X:\ No Way Out was a “First”. You then jump to 1999, the introduction of Pirates 4D. Such a simple, and common, attraction everywhere now. However, it was the “First 4D experience” in the UK. A big marketing campaign about “You have to FEEL it to believe it” was set. We then go to 2000. Tidal Wave dominated the landscape at Thorpe – as hard as it is for some to believe now. However, it was the first ‘X-est’ from the park. Marketed as “Europe’s tallest Water Ride” – and at 85ft, it of course was. Now, the big one, the ride that many say truly put Thorpe ‘on the map’. Colossus. If you’re on here, you should know it was the “World’s first 10 looping roller coaster”. Sound similar? Sound like the other major ride from 8 years ago? Thought so.2003 brings us Nemesis Inferno. Is it a world first? No. Is it a European first? No. Is it in anyway an X-est? No. Yet it still ends up being the “World’s greatest roller coaster experience”. Needless to say that compared to its twin, that is a big bowl of baloney. But doesn’t it sound a lot like the two other major coasters? Fast forward to 2005 and we are presented with the great S&S attractions that are Slammer and Rush. But of course, they’re no ordinary rides, they’re yet other ones for the record books. Slammer, “Europe’s first Sky Swat” and Rush, the “World’s tallest Screamin’ Swing”. Yet another first as well as the first “World X-est” the park introduces. And we still had Project Stealth to come next year...Hmm, can anyone remember what we had in 2006? It was this small attraction, but the name always escapes me. Something odd, like... Humdinger? Oh wait, that’s it, Project Stealth is Stealth. Anyone remember how it was marketed? Ah yes, “Europe’s tallest and fastest launch coaster”. Might I actually compliment the park here, as many thought – and still to this very day – think it is the tallest and fastest coaster in Europe, but many seem to forget about the ugly PMBO. But anyway, 2 more X-est records for the park. What’s this, 2 quiet years... IN A ROW!? Go steady Thorpe.But, as we all know, 2009 was the year many were waiting for. A brilliantly themed coaster. Many argue that we did not get that, but hey, that’s beside the point here, 2 more records for the park. The “World’s first horror-movie themed roller coaster” and the “World’s steepest free-fall drop in the world”. Not only that, but it is the “most extreme one”. So here we have yet another first, and yet another X-est. Again, I’d like to stand up for the park here, and say how the media unfairly used Mumbo Jumbo’s opening (of the steepest drop – which is controlled – in the World) to attack the latter claim. 2010. The park fit in yet ANOTHER first – the “World’s first all-year round horror maze”. Not only that, but it is the “most extreme one”. Really start to tire of this marketing spew that it’s a FIRST!!And then, 2011, we could be seeing the “World’s tallest Rapid Ride” plastered over. Lovely...Actually, I’ve forgotten how you’ve got the UK’s tallest Log Flume in Loggers Leap – just thought I’d throw that in here. So, to list everything I’ve said. Here are all the ‘Firsts’ the park have had:World’s first backwards and in the dark coaster (X:\ No Way Out)UK’s first 4D cinema (Pirates 4D)World’s first 10 looping roller coaster (Colossus)Europe’s first Sky Swat (Slammer)World’s first horror-themed coaster (Saw – The Ride)World’s first year-round horror maze (Saw Alive)And all the X-est:Tallest Log Flume in the UK (Loggers Leap)Tallest Water Ride in Europe (Tidal Wave)Tallest Screamin’ Swing in the World (Rush)Tallest and Fastest Launch coaster in Europe (Stealth)Steepest free-fall drop (Saw – The Ride)And, possibly, the Tallest Rapids Ride in the World (2011 attraction)So, why am I saying all this? Well, I’m not only peed off with the constant “We’ve got the first, we’ve got the X-est, that means it’s the best” marketing. However, what I’m worrying about is that doing all this is stopping Thorpe from advancing. They seem so caught up in getting these Firsts and these X-est that they may slowly blind themselves and forget that a theme park doesn’t need to have those things. Look at Chessie, they are doing exceptional well. AT, similar to Thorpe, yet they only do it every 4 years – thankfully. I’d also go as far to say look at places such as Oakwood and Drayton Manor. They are doing very well, and only have what, one of these X-est or Firsts in the park – if that. If they had the marketing and investment that the Merlin parks receive, they’d be real threats towards Thorpe. Also, with the 2012 coaster, which looks like to be the B&M prototype of their version of an Intamin wing rider. You can already smell the First or the X-est in it somehow. So Please, Thorpe Park, don’t go down the route where everything is X-est this, First that. It really is not the way a theme park should, could, or will work out. (Oh, and one more thing, thanks for reading ).

<3Every time I see that, I see an ice cream cone rather the 'love heart' it represents. Please tell others do too?

In 2008, the Eurofighter was the only thing planned.They couldn't simply just plonk any coaster there...

^ Took / taken Media GCSE - and probably did / will do very well!

We're in the Chessie section now.. :huh:I completely agree that Chessie has taken the biggest step forward this season, however, if you look at the years 05-09, the park did well and truly stagnate whilst the zoo advanced. First I've heard about Chessie surpassing Thorpe though. My post was more focusing on preceeding seasons, as opposed to this one.

I think everyone has got the panties secured now... :huh:Also, can anyone offer a concrete explanation as to why the TP forum is locked to members? Ryan did give a view, yes, but nothing concrete.

Still no harm in asking to be honest. If you get a leinient member of staff, you may get lucky.

Hmm...Jump in the deep end, do Italy. New credits, and then an excuse to learn another language? :huh:That, or win the Lottery and do both..

I'd say Germany, more parks there. :blink:But if you've already been to Germany, but not Italy, then that is a toughie... :S

I find it just as annoying when I have no idea where the place they ask is, then a few seconds after they've gone, I remember perfectly.

You are correct - there is a rumoured deal. But it is, for now, just a rumour.

I think Dive Machine. Simply because of the tagline featuring 'dive' in it. I can't see B&M making a new type of coaster that can be marketed similar to one they already have..

Whether it's disowned or not, no.The last thing the park needs is another multi-inversion coaster, that is second hand and probably rough.

Cheers; corrected now.

I think that sending Nemesis to Chessie makes me smile more.

Storm in a Teacup (Sorry, I know sometimes it's SITAC )

Wow, haven't done one of these in a while. :DGot to the park at 20 past 9ish where I met up with Andrew H. Park was very quiet looking and, for a good while, was quiet - which was of course good!After hellos and that, we went towards Stealth which was actually working at the start of the day (don't die of shock people ). Nice front row ride followed by another. T'was good. Then headed to Inferno for a good as usual ride. Good to see the mist is still working. Wandered over to Loggers, after which, it aptly rained a little. The ride photos were rather out of time though, couple of seconds early I think. Shame, especially considering we'd pulled some nice poses. At this time, Saw Alive was practically a walk on, so did that, for a very 'scary' experience. It's true to say, we were shaking in our boots, and didn't want to go any where near the dark. So we headed to X. Very short queue inside the building which was good. Novelty of the lights on has well and truly worn off now for me now.Park started to get busy now. Think we wandered over Colossus and headed onto Slammer for an okay-ish ride, though loading is TERRIBLE for the thing. Then wandered over to the Flying Fish, taking the Cool route round. Rumba and Teacup times were had; Rumba is a fail of a water ride, Teacups is just brilliant. Wandered back over to CC for a quick pop on CCR - which has been ride of the season for me so far. Wandered back over to Amity for a spot of Burger King; were going to eat in Sunken Garden but Stealth had decided to close down. Afterwards, we saw Sam and Matt for hellos and then popped into GS so Andrew could see Morwenna (I think ). Left just after one. Considering that, I think this is a good Ride Count...Stealth x2 (x1 Front Row)Inferno x1Loggers Leap x1Slammer x1Saw Alive x1X:\WTF x1 (x1 Front like Row)Rumba Rapids x1Teacups x1Flying Fish x1CCR x1Cheers Andy

Ah right. Cheers. :DWill sort out Lego tonight / tomorrow. Don't be surprised if I start making my way round other parks as well..

Cheers for the additions. :DTo be honest, I've bo idea what SA is, I saw it listed as an attraction on a site (forgotten what one). Will try and find the link though.

Benin, we already knew Mack were amazing! You are right indeed! It is an awkward one to decide on, so dunno what to class it as..

Yeah, sure. :DNow just need to sort out what time, where exactly yadda yadda yadda. :DPM me or whatever yeah?

Well, as a small project, I've been researching what Ride Manufacturers are at what park. Just been a bit of randomness to be honest. Anyways, I've done the 3 major Merlin parks and here's the results:(Not sure about everything to be honest. If I've made a mistake or something, feel free to correct me . Also, I know some people don't class In House as a manufacturer, so that's why they're separated from the rest, and why the manufacturer count is x / x+1.)Thorpe Park Manufacturers:B&M (Inferno)Intamin (Colossus, Stealth, Rumba Rapids)Gerstlauer (Saw)Vekoma (X:\WTF)Mack (Flying Fish, SIAT, Loggers Leap, Rocky Express)S&S (Rush and Slammer)Fabbri (Detonator and Quantum)HUSS (Zodiac)Mondial (Samurai)KMG (Vortex)Hopkins (Tidal Wave)NV Aquatic (Depth Charge)Severn Lamb (CCR)Metallbau Emmeln (Mr Monkey's Banana Ride)Berzatton? (Chief Ranger's Carousel?) In House (Saw Alive) Not counting OG rides. That's 16/17 Manufacturers. However, if we include White Water West for the 2011 New Ride..17/18 ManufacturersChessington Manufacturers:Zamperla (KOBRA, Jungle Bus, Berry Bouncers, Tiny Truckers)Maurer Söhne (Rattlesnake, Dragon’s Fury)Mack (RMT, Dragon Falls, Tomb Blaster, Bubbleworks, Sea Storm, Sea Dragons(?), Safari Skyway)Arrow / S&S (Vampire)Zierer (Monkey Swinger, Griffons Galleon)Barbieri (Tuk Tuk Turmoil Dodgems)Interactive Incorporated (Temple of Mayhem)Huss (Black Buccaneer, Rameses Revenge)Fabbri (Peeking Heights)Berzatton (Carousel)Supercar Leisure UK (Toadies Crazy Cars)In House (Canopy Capers, Hocus Pocus Hall)11/12 manufacturers.Alton Towers Manufacturers:B&M (Nemesis, Oblivion Air)Intamin (Rita, Th13teen, Congo River Rapids)Maurer Söhne (Sonic Spinball)Zierer (Twirling Toadstool)Mack (RMT, The Flume, CATCF, Duel, Battle Galleons, Marauder’s Mayhem, )Huss (Enterprise, The Blade, Ripsaw)Chance (Submission)Pinfari (The Beastie)Kompan (Space Adventures)Poma (Skyride)Zamperla (Heave Ho)Vekoma (Hex)WGH Transportation (Tractor Ride, Riverbank Eye Spy, Doodle Doo)In House (207 Driving School)11/12 ManufacturersNow, the number of rides each Manufacturer has in total at the 3 parks:Mack: 18Intamin: 6HUSS: 6Zamperla: 6B&M: 4In House: 4S&S / Arrow: 3Fabbri: 3Maurer Söhne: 3Zierer: 3WGH TransportationVekoma: 2Berzatton: 2Gerstlauer: 1Mondial: 1KMG: 1Hopkins: 1NV Aquatic: 1Severn Lamb: 1Metallbau Emmeln: 1White Water West: 1Barbieri: 1Chance: 1Pinfari: 1Poma: 1Kompan: 1Interactive Incorporated: 1Supercar Leisure UK: 1Interesting, ey?