JoshC.

The current rumour I've heard circling round is that if Geister is the one to go, they'll be basically closing off the whole of China so they can actually do something with it. That in itself will be difficult to deal with though, given the China entrance, hotel entrance, routes round the park, etc. It's the crazy sort of thing Phantasialand would do though...

We're approaching the 48 hour mark - don't forget to vote. This is by far the closest vote we've ever had, with multiple ties at the moment. Your vote will make all the difference!

Now that is an interesting question. I would say no. Simple reason being that Phantasialand will have their time scale pretty set. I am under the impression that Rookburgh did experience some delays last year with groundwork, but the park obviously have a target they're working towards. When rumours float around, especially as long as these have, there's usually something behind it. No smoke without fire if you will. So I fully expect something to be closed down.

Thing is: 1) They won't cost £250 a night 2) They'll be themed, because it's Phantasialand 3) All things point to this hotel being within the park area (somehow), making it very different 4) If they did cost £250 a night, I'd moan and wouldn't stay there

Yes, yes is it!

I believe the main issue with new Intamin trains is that they're wider than Colossus' are currently. So for Thorpe to introduce new trains (which make a noticeable difference to the ride experience), they would need to make station alterations, lift hill alterations, new clearance testing, etc. On top of this, new style trains on track designed for old trains could significantly alter the ride experience in unpredictable ways, so it may not even make a difference. In other words, new trains would cost a significant amount of money (we are talking literally millions, probably more than Thorpe have spent in the past 2 years combined). And there's a, albeit small, risk it may not make any difference. Of course, that doesn't mean there's not stuff Thorpe could do. They just have to think a bit outside the box to come up with an alternative way to improve the ride experience. But sadly, they won't put the energy into that. Frankly, the best thing for Colossus would be to tear it down and build something new. But again, ain't never going to happen...

I think we're looking at something more akin to Shark Hotel / Stargazing Pods, but better quality. Picture at the bottom gives some idea about the size of rooms, and calls them 'Aeronaut Tube Rooms'. Certainly possible that it'll be a sort of modular style hotel which is easy to build, very compact, etc In that case, it would make sense for it to be a cheaper alternative.

Oh, and out of nowhere, Phantasialand have announced that Rookburgh will include a new hotel (somehow). The steampunk-themed hotel will be called Hotel Charles Lindbergh... Damn Phantasialand. Just when you think you know what they're doing, they throw this out there..

Interest seems to have dropped on this a bit... Anyways, couple of photos, first of the site from KieranInc on Twitter, second of the finished wall from Wartreck on CF...

I was a bit disappointed by the food on my last visit; Polle's was particularly disappointing to the point where I didn't eat a dessert from there... But all my other experiences with the food on park had been flipping good tbf.

Since UK parks aren't taking photos of dirt, have some of Karma World from Walibi Web...

The park has more thrilling rides than, for example, Chessington does, easily. Between Baron, Joris, Flying Dutchman, Vogel Rok and Python, they've got a strong quintet of attractions which is fantastic for any family park. It seems weaker due to the UK bias towards thrill rides, and Efteling's want for more traditional experiences. Of course, if pure thrills are what you are after, the overall spend it takes to do the park will put it lower down the list. But it's definitely a park worth it.

Oooh, have fun! And yes, I fully expect this to open in April 2020!

It's going vertical... (PabloA on CF) Not even Hyperion was vertical this time last year... Definitely one to watch is this.

Installment the second... Some facts (with Robin Hood's in brackets)... Length: 1085m (1005m) Speed: 57.2mph (49.7mph) Height: 120ft (105ft) The drop out of the station goes into a 45 degree outward bank turn, which is now built (but I can't seem to put a picture of it in..)

There's one week left to go on voting, and it is genuinely one of the tightest votes we've had in years. Your vote will make all the difference in pretty much every category, so please vote!

The restrictions changed last year, where the park decided to be more strict following long-term considerations after the Smiler incident. Each ride has operating conditions set out by the manufacturer. In many cases, these aren't strict and have several variables related to them (a ride running for 10 hours straight is not going to stall the second the temperature goes 0.1C below the recommended temperature, for example). Merlin are now following these recommendations strictly though. Following them strictly means that if the temperature does go below 0.1C or whatever, even for a second, the park stop running the ride, and require the temperature to be at the minimum operating temperature for a set period of time thereafter. It's a ridiculous system, as with something as complex as rides, a flat cut off condition - bar for extremes - is a bad idea. So the conditions aren't new, but how the park view them is.

Tbf Linnanmäki looks like a solid enough park as it is, just lacked the killer ride. Taiga should take it from a 'visit one day park' to a 'let's plan a trip specifically for this' park for a fair few European enthusiasts. Keep forgetting Walibi RA is getting their Gerst next year. It's slipped under the radar somewhat after the initial buzz. It's got a non-launched semi-shuttle ending, featuring a switch track to get you back to the station, I believe. Still not sure how I feel about that fad..

Track is going on place, as can be seen on the park's Instagram...

Okay, back to Linnanmäki, where Taiga is almost complete... Source 2019 is going to be so much fun with this

*Checks votes* I see you've yet to vote, so make sure you do otherwise it may not win...

Gardaland bring back Sequoia Adventure after a couple of years being SBNO Heide Park bring back Colossos after a couple of years being SBNO. Alton Towers bring back the CATCF space into use after a couple of years being SBNO. Chessington bring (back) a 3D glasses maze after a couple of years (of 3D glasses) being SBNO. Your move Thorpe?

Sorry, yes, the STC is the new SLC effectively. See the Vekoma thread for a bit more detail - There's also a fan made POV that's been made...

Keep those votes coming in folks, I don't want to have to beg every other day for votes!

Well this is what no one expected... Not even a duelling coaster investment, but a new Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster and Junior Boomerang. The STC features an inversion, and should be the first to open in Europe (an STC is rumoured to open somewhere in the world in 2020). The STC looks fun, and combined with the potential interaction of the Boomerang, it'll be fab to ride imo.