MikeC

No one was laughing anyway?

The worst is when people actually take their phone to the dinner table, and send texts/Facebook during the meal. My family and I find such behaviour deeply offensive.

Thought this picture was worth sharing. Taken earlier today by Tatenhill Aviation:

I did actually think about adding more options, but we could be here all night. I'll fix the poll anyway

Ah, say no more. Starbucks coffee is bloody awful.

Interesting! Well it's certainly a nice touch having the ride team themselves around the area, I'm not 100% sold on the uniform, but I suppose it'll grow on me. A white clinical outfit would have suited the theme perfectly. @Fred - that look absolutely horrendous! The park had no choice but to close IMO.

Oh that's only because you've never had a good one Espresso should be rich and roasty - never bitter!

Which do you prefer I love my coffee and can't get enough of the stuff. Tea just doesn't cut it for me.

I'm not so keen on the uniforms. I guess if past actors are anything to go by, then this isn't the official outfit. Still, it's great to see these actors out and about in X Sector. It raises the excitement and hype just a little bit more Fingers crossed this bad weather spell hasn't affected construction work.

Arrived just after 9.00am at a very quiet Alton Towers! Made my way straight to Nemesis, but had to wait due to being the only person on the ride. In the end a member of staff went round with me. It was pretty surreal being the only person in Forbidden Valley. Rita next! The tunnel looks even uglier in real life and is completely overkill. Th13teen was down during the morning, so I did three rides on Rita before heading over to X Sector. Wow, what can you say about The Smiler? This is one amazing project, and the attention to detail in all areas is amazing. I was lucky enough to watch the team install the sea serpent roll. The Smiler actors were a pretty good addition to the area, too. Roll on May! Oblivion looks absolutely gorgeous with its new colour scheme. It was back to Forbidden Valley for some Nemesis next. I grabbed some lunch in Fresh Fish and Chips, and then it was time for The Sanctuary. I’d read several spoilers online about the new and improved Sanctuary. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous about going round again, but at the same time quite excited to see what had changed since Scarefest. The Sanctuary is a little more extreme in places, so much so that one woman had to be evacuated today due to a panic attack. Spoiler: It was great to actually see Dr. Kelman himself today. The batching dialogue is still very much the same as last year. The changes are very noticeable once you go “downstairs”. One room features a cold and misty mortuary, while in another section an autopsy is being carried out on a dummy. The actor in this room frantically jumps up and down, shouting at you to “hurry it along”. A rather narrow inflatable wall connects this room to the final strobe maze. This is the most intense section of The Sanctuary and is accompanied by the rather insane rambling of Dr. Kelman: “You’re the failure - they’re the failure. Join the rest of the failures behind bars. Join us; Get corrected!” The odour of rotting cheese now fills the air, as guests cautiously navigate caged walls towards daylight. That’s it; you’ve made it out Sonic Spinball next (via FV and another ride on Nemesis), and then up to Towers Trading to grab me some Smiler merch. Ride count: Nemesis x6 Rita x3 Ripsaw x1 The Sanctuary x4 Sonic x1 Blivvy x4 Merchandise bought: A “Made Me Smile” Smiler T Shirt An eerily quiet FV Thanks for reading

Some pictures of the latest sea serpent roll inversion from my trip today: I take back whatever I said about the toilet block. The roof support is hardly noticeable, and the landscaping round the whole ride is incredible. Can't wait till May

You say that, but I've also heard terrible reports about Mystery Mine and Speed. It seems to be the Eurofighter curse.

Are you homophobic, too?

It was merely an observation. I shouldn't think the GP will care about a corkscrew transition, either.

It looks ridiculous and gives the impression that more priority is given to an outdated toilet block than a major world beating coaster. The original support work over the toilet block looked awkward anyway.

That toilet block roof worries me...

Alton have had the best part of four months to come up with something reasonable looking, yet we're stuck with this? At least cover it with some plastic ivy or something

I can't say I remember much of the Coca Cola sponsorship, so it obviously did its job well. Everything about the Fanta sponsorship was wrong - It was loud and ruined what is a perfect ride experience. The awful slogans just took the biscuit.

Agreed! There are very few occasions where designer gear is actually better. My Diesel jeans are still going strong after six years I tend to place a lot of emphasis on being smart and making a good impression. Fashion isn't everything!

A picture of the 2013 map showing the new attractions on offer: The park itself is looking as good as ever. There aren't nearly as many improvements as last year, although it's interesting to note that most of the effects and lighting were working on Pirate Adventure today. It looks like the floor has been painted in the Apocalypse station, too.

If I didn't know better, I'd say this was a wind up.

People screwing up your food order isn't exclusive to foreigners. We're talking McDonald's here - hardly Michelin Star standard.

We also have to remember that as a EU country, people from similar nations are free to come and go as they please.

I'm sorry, but what do you expect in a capital city?