MattyMoo

Some of the eyewitness accounts are particularly harrowing... One witness said teenage boys at the front of the cart were saying they "wanted to get down".

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/7176586/BREAKING-Passengers-stuck-on-new-9million-rollercoaster-after-it-broke-down-45ft-in-the-air.html?CMP=spklr-_-Editorial-_-FBPAGE-_-TheSun-thesun-_-20160526-_-News-_-477415847-_-Imageandlink Non story alert, but I share because it just goes to show how shocking the "journalists" are - article says the new area cost £9m, the title says the ride cost £9m. Idiots.

Will be interesting to see how Alton & Thorpe recover this year versus 2015. A delayed new ride is probably the last thing they want at Thorpe after attendance figures like last year... Would never have thought Legoland was the most visited UK park, wow.

It seems complete from the outside anyway

I quickly made up my own start to a Daily Fail article for opening day, it made me laugh and that's all that matters (Only joking guys, don't h8 me m8)

"Archive" knows his/her stuff

They would've been better off just having "Coming soon" on the advert if you ask me.

Jartpower confirmed.

I just hold the bags, don't look at me, I know nothing...

Can you not share that on here as I've now had loads of people ringing my phone

I can see there being an AP preview still - just not in May

*If* that is the case - they have 11 days and counting!

I've seen a few Hitler Reaction Videos in my time but that's very very good "Don't worry, we'll go on the Flying Fish" I await the next update in June.

Thanks for that insight Ricky I had no idea the heat makes such a staggering difference.

Thing is, that tube carriage was outside for quite some time! I don't think the project was far enough into construction to allow a ride vehicle to be put in over Christmas, as I recall from construction updates/photos? Just speculating...

If this is the case, which I believe it to be too - we've only seen one tube carriage on site so far, unless they've snuck others in without people seeing (which I wouldn't assume to be the case considering how often anything remotely - or not even - that interesting gets photographed!). I'm just thinking - if it is to open with just 1 carriage, then - although joked about previously - think of the throughput

Can't find the link to this m8 can you post it plz?

Only Thorpe know the answer (or truth) to that one I'm afraid! You would think that all maintenance would be done during closed season but gremlins can get in...

Can't see them opening a ride on a Tuesday, personally... not the "done thing". You never know though

Now less than 2 weeks left of May... that advert better be right This just appeared on YouTube:

Early bird tickets end on May 30th folks, so I'll be booking shortly https://www.thorpepark.com/events/ministry-of-sound/

It's amazing what people pay for... never understood buying old maps! Can staff members get in trouble for flogging those DBGT pin badges?

This one for sure <3

I did find X quiet last week on Wednesday - seemed far louder in the queue than the pyramid. As said though - lights and lazers were all impressive.

Mods - if this is better placed elsewhere, please move! I'm fascinated by what people will pay for on eBay that's theme park related so thought I'd start a topic to discuss/share odd items etc. relating to our beloved Merlin Theme Parks. Some recent auctions I've found - these are "Sold" items, not unsold items with high start prices - real life money changed hands! I've omitted some listings for genuine old-skool memorabilia (Thorpe Rangers etc) as I can see there is actual value in that... I do know that everything has a price depending on how much people want it! Air Pin badge: £82.00 Thirteen Staff badge: £72.00 Alton Towers 2016 & DBGT Staff Badge £50.00 - really?! Set of 9 New Pop Badges: £31.00 - I don't get these at all...! DBGT Staff Pin Badge: £25.00, £20.00, £19.00, £17.00 - hope TP don't ask for these back Stealth Large Mug: £20.00 - I have one of these, maybe I should give it a clean up and sell it! CWOA Silver VIP Pop Badge: £21.01 TP My First Coaster Pop Badge: £21.00 6 Legoland Pop Badges: £20.00 Colossus Large Mug: £20.00 TP IAC Pop Badge: £14.50 (Shameful!) TP 2015 Staff Badge: £12.50 Angry Birds Land Staff Badge: £12.50 On the flip side though, I just bought a Smiler keyring with all the mini marmaliser items on for £2.50 delivered which I thought was very reasonable