MattyMoo

I tell it like it is Creek, I tell no lies

Blades not spinning on SAW still FYI. I like the pigeon coop you have to go through on the final bit of the track into the station

I can't see it myself... they've never done that before. Overheard conversations in the small queues we were part of today suggest having the "Ghost Train this way" signs up as well as the shop open but the ride not does more to wind up guests than to encourage promotion for the thing.

Slammer behaved for our ride today. Fair play to Merlin for keeping the slamming going for another year at least, I do love the ride.

The park was very very empty today. Don't think I've ever been there when it's that quiet before. Maybe they were being careful especially with so few guests on park.

Yes can confirm Colossus, SAW and Inferno had downtime as soon as it started raining - and at no point was the rain really that heavy. We were out in it so we know Was a bit annoying - I did think it was odd when explaining it to my non enthusiast mates as to why Nemesis Inferno was shutting as I was sure that wasn't normally the case with rain (there wasn't even any wind today either). The "uncomfortable for riding" message was played then a few minutes later the ride was closed with an announcement from the control room. Was a minor annoyance for us today (as everything was walk on/5 mins anyway) but can see this being a big cause of delays if we have a "British summer" Colossus and Nemesis Inferno peaked at 15/20 mins after shutting down. Highest queue I saw was IAC when it was raining outside at 25 mins. Did that for the first time ever today. It's cringey I'm sorry, I give it until the end of this year. Found the whole thing rather odd and awkward , the theming was pretty good though. Spotted that Colossus has heaters under the track in the station (but then I haven't been since October last year). I witnessed a lift hill stop on Storm Surge in the rain but that could've been someone messing about in a boat... team member was on the stairs. Was super glad to get on Slammer today <3 Persuaded my mate to go on when I explained how rare a ride it is. Samurai was testing late in the day. Shout out to the crazy team member on SAW singing "Put Your Hands Up" and then asking me what he should sing (I suggested Macarena and he did haha)

The area by the BBQ where the Heras temporary fencing is (with "The Island Is Changing" branding) looks particularly unfinished at the moment... but there is stock in the Hydration station shop already Was having a chat with the chap in the shop - he was working on the 6th and said there were a lot of unhappy people! 13th isn't going to be happening. I'd expect at least a week's notice so Thorpe can try and build some hype to the delayed opening date.

I was on park today and Studios North were still out with paint pots and resin guns - and working on the sign AGAIN So think 13th May is just a little bit out of the question. Maybe the end of May is pushing it... The door was open in the building near the refreshments booth, saw some sort of electronics in there- as soon as the chap in there realised I was peering through the fence though he shut the door haha. On a different note, non enthusiast friends who I was with thought it was a complete mickey take having the ride shop open when the advertised opening date of the ride itself has been delayed. (Park today was dead today FYI and had an awesome day - guy on SAW singing as he loads was very enthusiastic to say the least haha)

I'm on park tomorrow so will see how things are running... but I guess it's going to be just a touch quieter tomorrow vs. the first sunny weekend of 2016.

Enthusiast brownie points > NDAs

"Film short" - typically short films are 15/20 mins long so that would make sense.

Yes they are!

Probably so people don't think it's opening/opening later?

Now why would they go and have the media day on the 6th May I wonder...

Really like this, good stuff Thorpe. Fastrack - meh, they have to make money, doesn't bother me that advert.

Because it's got chipboard behind it, it looks like they've boxed in the arch it sits on as an afterthought.

Don't think those are pistons, looks like piping to me! Assume that shop sign(s) are temporary?

It's not rated PG13 because that is an American classification PS. Look how narked Derren is in those photos that the train has been delayed

Can't see it being ready for my viist next Wednesday 11th if they haven't even got the disabled queue in yet - but I might be wrong... fingers crossed.

Could be on site filming some promo perhaps.

Trying to cash in on any bit of media exposure whatsoever... course not. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3535290/Alton-Towers-crash-survivor-Vicky-Balch-reveals-bizarre-Tinder-messages.html

To avoid having a step and/or for disabled access I guess?

He (or she) is everything I aspire to be but never will be. I am slightly hopeful that I'll be in luck for my 11th May visit but if not (which is probably the case from the sound of things) then meh, I'll ride when I go for MOS. I was sort of hoping it would open on time so I don't have to avoid spoilers for months on end

To be honest with the silence of Jart for the last few weeks, we really should've seen this coming.

Yep the scroller now says May 2016 - Date Coming Soon