Mattgwise

Great reports, Karnan looks great, shame about its reliability. Where you off to in the states? Il be out there end of May to Cedar Point and Kings Island.

Prior to the pandemic we ran trips to other parks including AT, CWoA, BPB Port Aventura, Toverland and Phantasialand but with not much happening at Thorpe attendance to all meets gradually declined so for now we will just trial Thorpe meets this year. If these go well or more interest occurs we will look at other park trips for 2023.

We also have the two rides opening later this year. Only shame is ALL new attractions are low capacity, but it will certainly create more rides to spread crowds than now.

We will look into potentially meeting up in the summer time and possibly Fright Nights, early on in the event. Any meets we plan will be posted in similar fashion to before. Keep an eye out in the next month or two. In the mean time If you are interested in meets resuming please let me know here so I can gauge interest.

Very concerning to see over the last couple of seasons the capacity reduce on Tiger Rock. Had noticed for last two seasons gaps between boats in station during loading but today was on another level with just 11 boats in operation (it has around 26). I guess in fairness the ride is well over 30 years so it could be that some of the boats are coming to the end of their life but think they need to repair or replace. Some pics from in the station...

In that case it really is just a shame they can't send it more frequently of which I am sure I had heard there was a reason they don't though can't remember exact details.. The Parc Asterix one Oxygenarium regularly has 4 boats on the lift. Anyway won't really affect me as with that pool of water in the boats I simply won't ride these days.

Seems to be a theme of broken seats across park today. -Four random seats out of action on Vortex -One random seat out of action on Samurai -Two seats out on one of Nemesis Inferno's train -A storm Surge boat on the circuit taped off - Why they bother having more than 4 boats on this thing is beyond me, theres always 3 or more boats stacked before station, with lots of upset guests struggling to keep their feet out of the paddling pool in the boats I mean of course i'd rather them be open but this is (bar Vortex) unusual for Thorpe at start of season (if at all tbh)

Tidal Wave has got part of its pit drained, suggesting lengthy work usually? Anyone got any idea what's up? Closed all day and only had one boat last week which was on the transfer crane today.

Audio is a a bit of a mess at present. There's a High number of broken speakers and areas silent (though these speakers seem to work after hearing announcements), or playing incorrect audio. It's quite concerning given the almost parkwide overhaul of the speakers with the RFC replacement. - Nothing down the jungle area and outside Old Town BK -Angry Birds playing across most of Jungle and half of Amity including SiaT. - Detonator audio not working, some great staff interaction though - vortex queue playing Lost City Imascore cuts in and out - no music working at Saw (speakers work for announcements) -only one speaker appears to play the Rush queue audio. - Swarm queue no music -extension area of Stealth not working (these have never worked since the overhaul) Theres probably more but just some I've noticed in my couple of visits this last week and a bit. Many of these speakers are looking a bit worse for wear as well with rust and stuff on them

Mist has been very reliable the last two seasons or so and nice to see, but it hadn't worked for the start of this season. However today whilst queueing half way through day it just came on, so was guessing it just wasn't switched on. But nice it's back, makes a difference.

Swarm had its jets by the helicopter fixed for AP days and soaked the riders. Since then mist has appeared from the helicopter but the jets are near enough not working with them struggling to even reach 2 or 3 cm as it zooms past. That said there is now mist working at the fire truck and the jets work just after the train passes. Am I optimistic these will last? No. Every time over the last 4 years or so they've tried to repair effects they last a week or two. Swarm Shop is also back open. VID_20220327_140753.mp4

Lots of controversy this evening. They closed the ride well before park close claiming there isn't enough lighting in the area.

So, errrr scrap what I said, it's literally the operating cabin, roof to queue and 1 lifeguard viewpoint that's 'reverted' back. It's still in a sorry state, the tunnel bare and no audio at all..

On the whole (excluding that Gruffalo fencing you mention) the park looks the best it has done in YEARS. I'm glad they've not used what should happen anyway as some marketing fad like the Towers Loving Care updates a few years back. This sort of stuff should JUST HAPPEN! Shame I'm still not optimistic for this to be kept well and touched up annually. so let's enjoy the freshness while we can.

Refurbished back to its original colour scheme it seems. Wonder if it's old quirky soundtrack will return? Images screenshot from Jack Silkstones Monks walk update here.

Some interesting choices. Once again feels like confusing messages about what direction they want to go. Theres more insight into everything new/updated/changed from Jack's annual behind scenes video. Interesting that they've shyed away from Rumba Rapids and it's mostly reverted paint job/refurb.

No one knows. Try to stop worrying about it and wait until the park say something OR March 25th you can visit the park, see for yourself and then tell all of us the final outcome.

That isn't Timber Tug Boat. The ride going there is from Dreamland, Margate.

Angry Birds 4D Experience (5) Black Mirror Labyrinth (5) Colossus (5) Depth Charge (5) Derren Brown’s Ghost Train (2) Detonator: Bomb's Away (5) Flying Fish (5) King Pig's Wild Hog Dodgems (5) Lumber Jump (5) Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride (5) Nemesis Inferno (7) Quantum (5) Rocky Express (5) Rumba Rapids (5) Rush (6) Samurai (6) Saw - The Ride (5) Stealth (5) Storm in a Teacup (5) Storm Surge (5) The Swarm (6) Tidal Wave (5) Timber Tug Boat (3) Vortex (5) Zodiac (5) Timber Tub Goat - Samurai +

On the Facebook page... https://fb.watch/aS9L_GIe5W/

Yes I remember that being the case. But it's been able to sit there red and yellow for a ridiculously long time since it was put up with no issue. That's what is a bit daft.

This is what is daft. If they had no money scrap the repaint. It looks better in its slightly faded red with yellow than that horrid new grey and black.

It's better than nothing 😂

Yep, consultation period over and now they review until end of Feb. I'd expect to hear something application wise between late March and start of May.

Whilst Phantasialand has some outstanding attractions and areas (Taron, Chiapas and likely Fly/Rookburgh) I simply cannot place it above Europa Park. The park is tiny, always feels congested and just doesn't have enough to do as a resort. I'd say this park is fairly overhyped by many enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong it is great still and I'd continue to visit every few years, but if I had a choice of where to go out of Phantasialand and Europa, I'd pick Europa. Europa Park is a complete resort and has such a variety of things to do and whilst the Coasters may not be as good as the likes of Taron they are still incredibly good fun with the likes of Wodan, Silver Star, Blue Fire etc. The fact you can find something new in every corner and can just feel relaxed walking around or hopping on a transport ride (or 3)for hours on end makes it far superior. Then there's the other aspects of the resort from the incredible Rulantica, hotels to explore and Silver Lake Saloon