JoshC.

That's one of my favourite theme park pictures I've ever seen. :)Glad you had a great trip; really does show how far behind the UK is with it's standard of parks...

If I'm honest, you went on a bad day. The beautifully hot weather attracted many more people than a usual Saturday. It was just a bit of bad luck about the amount of people. :/

Cheers for that Matt; very interesting read. :oI still think 7 rows is right. Even if 8 rows would of had a 99.99% success rate in completing circuits, there;d still be .01% unsuccessful circuits, which would be a .01% too many..

I do not know the definite answer, but I'll have a crack at it..Having an extra row would cause a lot of extra weight, meaning that more energy would be lost during the ride. For example, taking into account Newton's 2nd Law (Force=Mass x Acceleration - F=Ma), and rearrange it, acceleration = Force/Mass. The (g-)force of the ride would stay the same no matter what, but if you increase the Mass with an extra row, then the acceleration would decrease. This means, there'd be less speed and it would be harder for the train to get round the track - and probably cause it not to complete the circuit more often then not. Therefore, if they wanted an extra row, the circuit would have to require a larger lift hill, shorter circuit, smaller elements; etc. so the train could complete. As this would probably affect the experience of the ride, they've probably stuck to 7 rows, as opposed to 8. Things like this are usually taken into account when designing rides, of course.Again, I do not know the answer, and I've used probably there upteen times. However, it's just my understanding of Physics that I've got and using a bit of guess work, this is what I've always believed to be an answer to such questions for any coaster. Of course, if I'm wrong, someone will say and give the right answer. Hope this has helped a bit though James.

I shall bring this topic back.Staff have been very good this year; very interactive and friendly. Most notable for me has been the member of staff on Rocky Express. He continuously uses the PA to interact with the guests and he really helps the attraction get the family feel it rightly needs. There also appears to be the great man on Vortex, who sounds amazing, though I haven't had him on any of my rides. I also love the staff on CCR who work well with everyone. Of course, big well done to the Alive actors for starting to come together to make a great experience. EDIT: Took away names; forgot about that. XDHowever, on a personal note, great to see friend of the family Michael (the cleaner) around. I'm still amazed he's working at the park; though I'm just as amazed he remembers who I actually am! (Yes, yes, I know abut the contradiction, but he's a family friend, so that should be okay? )

If we get another ride in the UK that even comes close to the class if Nemesis, I'd be amazed. If I'm honest ste, looking at you ride count for that day, it's rather good. I wouldn't grumble that much at it..

I have got some on ride footage of the train lurking around somewhere. Tis on one of those mini tape things somewhere (shows it's age really ). I'll ask my mum tomorrow if she knows where it is and if she can dig it out. If not, over the summer holidays, we may find it when we sort out all the hidden cupboards. :oEDIT: I think the Hawling Hank is a Picnic Area (according to the coding) and then maybe a children's play area? But I have no true idea.

Tad harsh there Peter?To be honest, I disagree with your ideology completely. If queues are incredibly long on the day you visit, it puts you off going completely? That's how I've read it anyway. I can't see how you can say that. I've been to TP, for example, on days where al extensions for all rides have been open and queues have been stupidly long. But that's never put me off visiting again. I just can't see how you are able to say "I doubt I'll go to a park again (or for a very long time) because I queued for a long time one day." Look at Th13teen for example, on it's opening day it had queues of 20 mins at one point!And, when I went last - back in July / August 2006 () on a very warm day - queues were very bearable. The longest queue I queued was 80 mins for The Flume - then 50 mins for Rita and Oblivion. And yet I still got every ride done apart from the rapids, Submission, Hex and CATCF (okay, RMT as well, but it had closed after the crashing incident). Personally, I think you've based your thoughts on one bad day and then kept so narrow minded about it.

So ste, can I ask 1 question, if you went to Thorpe and had to queue the ridiculously long queues you did at AT, would you be put off visiting there again?

I shall most likely be going on this meet now.

To be honest, for me personally, I have found this to be the first episode of the series I've actually liked. I'm still not keen on Smith as the new doctor, he seems a bit of a Tennant impersonator to me. Next week's episode seems very much like one from a couple of series ago - where they were trapped on the ship and met the 'devil-like' creature - was that 'The Beast Below'? Then again, everyone has their own opinions!

Well, this week's episode was for me the best of the series. In fact, I'd go as far to say it's in the same league as Blink and the 'Are you my mummy?' (don't know the name ) episodes. When the 'Dream Lord' said congratulations, I thought it was a weak ending, but then the real ending was much better! Everything worked well and it was quite a creepy story line. As I said, one of the best episodes.

I know! 4 days after my last exam I'm off to AT! Oh wait, there's a topic for that.. I think I shall also be planning a trip to Chessie over the Halloween event. From reviews I've heard from previous years - as well as this year's excellent form, it's gotta be worth a visit!

I'll be going at some point in the May/June half term, then going a couple of weeks later after my exams have finished - so probably last week of June. Absolutely can't wait!

My half term trip is looking much more exciting now. :unsure:Also, with the Unlimited Photo downloads, does that mean you can get as many as possible at Chessie for £20, then still use for £4 a photo at all the other parks?

Lucky sods.. . Inset day I take?I'll be at school - writing an RE exam. My plans are tomorrow as a maybe, and 1-2 trips over half term.Also considering June 7th - start of study leave and no exam!

I heard it on Bank Holiday Monday, so..

Yeah. That photo is an understatement.

You know you're a fanperson when:You know more about the rides than the staff do.You have theme park music on your computer / phone / iPod / etc.You sing along / hum along to all the music at parks.

Very bad..

Looks like Cameron will be PM soon...

I see where you're coming from and I completely agree. One was I see the resolve that matter is to have the entire queue outside (like Alive), but then that spoils the idea of it slightly. I personally think a dark ride would be excellent for the park's portfolio. With their constant improvements to effects and theming, the park are beginning to show the effort they can make into an experience. The thing is, I don't want in the MHFS spot. To me, I see that more as an opportunity to have a flat which could use the opportunity to have some interactivity with some of the tree landscaping - it is something that the park also needs.

Basically, it feels strange not saying on a regular basis that rides are down and being unreliable. It was a tongue in cheek comment which failed basically.. XD