Mattgwise

Yes that jungle track is pretty good I agree. I'm a fan of all the new music just not liking the new Colossus and lost city track playing through Colossus when the previous track was miles better. I feel so much more of the old track could have been utilised in its new track and maybe I'd have liked it more. The previous track would literally have people humming to it at most sections of the track, even the non enthusiast guests. I don't think I've seen a soul do that with the new one, except for maybe the one main section of old Colossus theme that was kept.

I agree, it doesn't suit the ride. The previous theme was perfect. I think the new track worked well for the Lost city area, just not Colossus.

Yep - I hope this could end up being a positive. Upon reading your comments, some very valid points there, and if it could strengthen the theme park division as a whole then it could mean more investment. Time will tell (if this even goes ahead)

This is not a good idea in my view and apologies for those pro merlin but this is just my opinion which is what the forum is about after all. Busch Gardens currently is well looked after and maintained. If Merlin get there hands on the place. Landscaping will become poor and overgrown with weeds, rides and infrastructure will never get cleaned or painted regularly, effects will become broken etc. Just my view. Maybe I'm wrong (and would like to be) and hopefully due to the sheer competition out there I could well be.

Extremely unlikely/near impossible as lumber jump has been placed where the track would have to run and part of that area also turfed over.

As Han30 has said defo come just need to get over that initial nerve wracking hurdle. I only started out this year back in March and already feel a regular member of the group having now been on 4 meets this year and getting to know a fair number of the crew quite well. I wish I'd had the bottle to meet up sooner and regret not doing.

Awesome trip Ryan. Thanks for organising. Still recovering from sleep deprivation now haha.

Let's complain at the false advertising haha

Sounds good I will tag along if you don't mind

Put me down please.

Yes agreed Ryan. I am very much looking forward to this and have high hopes for once.

Slow dispatches really with the train sitting/stacking in the brake run for considerable amounts of time a lot of the year. I don't like the new system where you are told which bay to go to in the station either.

I am pretty sure the old trains didn't have seat belts on the restraints which would have been a factor into slowing down loading since the current trains were put in place.

Steel Vengeance announced at Cedar Point, looks awesome. Some facts mentioned in the live video on Cedar Points FB page: 205ft Tall with 200ft drop making it the only hyper hybrid 90 degree drop 74mph 5,740ft long 4 inversions. A phenomenal 27.2 seconds of airtime making it have more airtime than any other coaster The ride breaks many records for the park as a whole as well including: Most coaster track in 1 park: 11.4 miles Most steel track in 1 park: 11 miles Most coasters over 200ft: 6 Most rides in 1 park: 71 Most coasters in 1 park with 90 degree or more drops: 5 Really hope I can get out to Cedar Point next year. The park have partnered with Planet Coaster and there will be an update at 5:30 containing the Steel Vengeance coaster.

Chessington are just laughable sometimes. Post on their FB page to celebrate national rollercoaster day says: "did you know in 2002 Vampire became the WORLD’s first floorless rollercoaster?!"

Yes agreed, it is great for the lost city area, but not great for Colossus. That area should have been left untouched with the original Colossus theme.

There is still an option for just day tickets, but yes once you get to the ticket pop up it only has entry+fastrack and Fright Nights. https://www.thorpepark.com/tickets-passes/tickets

There is was a sign Saturday saying for all day tickets head to the annual pass building.

Beach and Flying Fish has been playing Tidal Wave loop of WWTP radio I believe since last year.

Totally agree and it would be the only way to add a few more years of life to the ride. Although wouldn't want to lose that iconic arrow suspended lift hill sound ?. The train stopping in the station has always been an issue. Generally surprised there hasn't been a way of sorting that out.

The overall track is longer but I find this much more repetitive than the old one. The old track consisted of completely different sounding parts ranging from slow, upbeat and tense bits. This new one essentially repeats one aspect of the old theme many times, throws in the island theme and then just sounds slow and samey for the rest.

Who remembers this. I used to be obsessed with this as a kid in the 90s.

Rare video of a modern train vampire running with three trains and slowing/stopping on the lifts back in 2010. You can see a train already at the top of the first lift as another leaves swoops over the buildings in Transylvania as it was at the time.

Had a listen of the Colossus soundtrack yesterday and personally I prefer the old one. It is too slow paced, echoey, overplays the island melody and it just sounded blander. Shame as I love the island soundtrack. Who knows it may grow on me. I guess Nemesis Inferno will be next so made the most of listening to that yesterday, even if it did keep cutting out. Yes, noticed yesterday, Tidal Wave area of Amity was much louder than before, a big improvement. As Marc said, it is good to still be noticing dead zones and speakers that haven't worked for a long time getting sorted out, so good job to the team:)

Alton Towers have done mazes as paid extras for years and it works. It might help reduce the queue for it. But then again saying that everyone has always been used to paying extra. Down here where it has always been included is sure to cause moaning, complaining and whining from the guests.