James6

Yes, I think it was something to do with the spiral lift not having sufficent access, if it had an e-stop for example and needed evacuating.And that is just not going to happen I'm afraid, I would like it to but being realistic , it won't.

I agree completely, that's terrible if it's not been open, especially when it's been raining

Express parking is £15 ( a rip off) but is right next to the entrance, otherwise yes it's a long journey to the car parks which cost £5 anyway unless you have an annual pass.You do then have to take the monorail and every single time I've ever been the Monorail has been open first thing, I've never had to walk.The monorail then drops you off literally straight outside the entrance. Hex will not be what you expect it to be , lol. In my opinion it's the best dark ride in the UK ( not that there's many of them) but I wouldn't describe it as "fun" ! If your staying at the hotel, there is a path to the hotels which saves you going back to the entrance/exit, however this is only if you are a hotel guest otherwise it's a long way back to the entrance.Another tip , get there as early as possible, for example, if you have an annual pass or have pre-booked, then get there even before 9 ( only like 5/10 mins) to be the first and your already ahead of everyone, if your not and you can't get in till 10, get there again , 5/10 mins before 10. There was another big tip which I've just forgotten but it'll come back to me

When did they do this?I knew the trains had some work done over last years closed season, was it then, or more recently? :)Thanks

Colossus has never hurt me to be honest, yes it's bumpy, but not in a painful way , it's easy to brace yourself in a way where it doesn't hurt.So what changes have been made to the ride? I think I've missed something

No problem , like I said anything specific, just ask!Don't miss out on the Runaway Mine Train, it's very underrated although before it's accident it did run a lot faster.If it is surprsingly busy and your in a rush to get straight to Forbidden Valley, take the Haunted Hollow, it's basically just a shortcut through the woods with a few bits and bobs lieing around, much quicker than going all the way round through Katanga Canyon and you will definately/ should beat everyone there. If you go towards Battle Galleons but almost head straight on , thats where it is but you'll find it easily on your map.Trying to think of anything I've found out from my trips !Oh , if your girlfriend loves roller coasters, then on Oblivion , tell her not to pull it down really tight, not so it's unsafe ( and illegal) but just so there 's a small gap, you then float all the way down the drop and its sensational. If you do this on Air as well you sort of hover between the seat and the restraint a couple of times. :)On charlie and the Chocolate factory, I don't think you have a choice but 1 elevator is crap but one is actually really good, there practically identical in terms of the film they show and there appearance but one is a LOT LOT better in terms of the movement's it makes and is actually really fun, wheras the other one is boring and barely moves, hopefully they'll fix this soon so they both offer the same experiance. So try and go in the right hand side ( I think it's the right one) elevator when you get off the boat, it'll make sense when your there.

In the hall of the mountain king , or something like that, basically the Alton Towers music/theme tune. The one you hear on the adverts and in Towers Street.

ERT isn't really ERT but if you can get there for 9 and are able to use it, do.As your going in a couple of weeks, when schools are back it's not going to be that busy.If you were going in the summer I'd have some more tips but as it's not going to be heaving it won't make a huge difference which order you do the rides in. Even so, upon opening at 10, I'd head staright to Forbidden Valley and do Air first, then Nemesis, then head up to Ug land and Rita, you've now got the coasters which get the 3 biggest queues out the way. Oblivion may get a big que but it moves extremely quickly.-Nemesis is a MUST ride, if you do one thing that day , do Nemesis, it's running fantastically at the moment.-Take your time, take in the surroundings and theming.-Alton Towers is HUGE, probably bigger than any park you've ever been to and especially if your going for the whole day, take your time, lots of people make the mistake of rushing around for the first few hours and at Alton Towers, that can't be kept up and by the last few hours, your to knackered to do anything.- Single Rider on Spinball Whizzer is usually the way to go.- Duel never has a long que so on the way to Nemesis or Air, don't stop at it, or any other ride for that matter-Air is great at the front but best at the back, so go as far to the back as possible and save queueing ages for the front.- Nemesis, again best at the back but great at the front, although the way it's running at the moment, it's world class in any row.- If you want a quick re-ride but your girlfirend isn't in the mood to, Nemesis' single rider que moves lightning quick, as if in 4/5 per train.- Hex is a great one , not going to spoil anything if you've not been before, lets just say , neither you or your girlfriend will expect the finale.- Your a guy, therefore don't do Submission, it's the one of only few rides in the world I will tell people NOT to do. - Rita, depends how tall you are but the further back in the train you go, the more uncomfortable it is, as near to the front as possible.- Ripsaw, if you don't want to get wet, do the first few runs of the day ( after Nemesis and Air)- Battle Galleons, it's terrible, even in the middle of summer it only had a 10 minute que, there's a reason for it. It's just so boring and unless you want to get pounded by chavs with water guns, leave this one out.- Sharkbait Reef, the Seaife centre is a great place to have a relaxing walk round, a nice break.Not sure what else to add, will update if I think of anything else. Just do what you feel like and you'll have a great day , :DEnjoy!Hope that's helped and any more specific questions , feel free to ask me :)Edit: Enter through the turnstiles like normal, and probably even general guests will be as well, but at the bottom of towers street, you are held there till 10 ( opening for the general public) but just show your annual pass to the staff guarding the chains and they'll let you through anytime between 9 and 10, you can then go to whereever you want in the park before everyone else.

Great Trip reports you 2, Paul, when I went on Tuesday I think the majority of them were on, they were however very quiet.A-Kid, I think you need to write a guide on how to get on so many rides !

Yep , thats the way it's always been when I've gone, it's a shame as I really would like to try the back.

Wow, well done :(I bet that was a surprise!

Excellant Trip report :(Really enjoyed reading it and like you said, you were very lucky, or just in the right place at the right time

That does ring a bell.I'm gonna miss Beanoland, I like it's scenary/theming, like the tree house, the fountain and the general look of the place. The buildings are really well themed although I do definately think it's the right time to retheme it and I think the plans for it next year are brilliant and I can't wait

I for one, can not wait !It's going to be , IMO, the most exciting season in a long time. Saw just didn't quite do that for me in the way SW6 has.And the new area at Chessington looks very exciting as well

Ah actually it may be, the Chessington wesbite would probably state Beanoland had now closed, I may be thinking of the Ice Age 3 temporary attraction which definately did close on the 31st of August.

Yep :(1 week left guys. :(Get your entries in

I am pretty sure it was supposed to close on the 31st of August.

Of course!, Completely over-looked the change of $ to £, My apoligies! :(I'll try and find a picture for you of the already operating Pilgrim's Plunge at Holiday World which has the same restraint system.

Nope it was Arrow, who are now defunct, but there assets were purchased by S&S, the manafacturer's of Rush and Slammer

I thought it was $10.5million Which I agree is a hell of a lot to spend on a water ride and as someone else mentioned, the name is terrible. There not actually over the shoulder restraint's, there just lap bars that come from behind you, hard to explain without the aid of a picture. :(I've read on another forum that this sort of thing has happened before where a sort of "filler" attraction has been built and then the year following a major addition was made.Either way I still dream of visiting Cedar Point and is something I need to do before I die

2003 :(And I personally do find Vampire smooth, but it does something at times which I think other people have described to me as "shunting" which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it doesn't make it rough or anything

This looks fantastic, makes me want to buy and iPhone/iTouch just to try it out

2 words... Big BrotherApart from that I could say that I could probably watch anything if I absolutely had to.

I don't think it's Chessington's best ride, but it's definatley one of them.And I agree completely with everything else,It's location is also fantastic for the ride, the que is brilliant, and it really does give some great, intense airtime.Like you said the staff are brilliant unlike the Blade's who are totally uninterested in there job. A must ride for anyone visiting the park and certainly a hidden gem

How long does it usually take for Chessington to reply to an e-mail? I have sent 2, both regarding different things and to both have not recieved a response.Thanks