MattyMoo

Never mind all this - has the kerb and "road" (and yellow lines) now disappeared that were once outside Detonator and P4D? If so, then Angry Birds Land gets my 100% seal of approval. I've yet to visit, but my thoughts are: 1. I like Dodgems in theme parks personally, as they are a fun ride that are often overpriced and poorly maintained at funfairs. So I am for having them - but agree, that entrance really isn't much to write home about. (Beanoland dodgems ftw, RIP). That said, Dodgems are a nice queue eater to take people away from other rides, and all in all - I think they are a very good addition to the line up and variety of rides. 2. That Detonator retheme is epic isn't it? What a lovely sign. And a nice little reminder of the old Detty and "theme" with the old photo booth signage next to it. I'm sorry but it's these little things that really wind me - and others up - how easy is it to take down an old sign, or just paint over it? Did no-one see it there? Did no-one think that anyone else would notice or care? I mean, your eyes are going to be drawn to that big fibreglass model to the right of it, so chances are you are going to see it. 3. Big thumbs up for having the P4D cinema in use again, I'm all for SBNO rides/areas being used up. SAW Alive to be used for something more worthwhile next please 4. I wish Thorpe had splashed out on longer length new queue time boards, as much as I love them 5. I like the area entrance arches, mainly because they are tangiable, touchable, 3D structural metalwork - designers/Merlin are to be commended on those as they are true to the game and look impressive.

Talking of when rides will go - said it before and I'll say it again, the vast expanse of wasted land that the SAW Alive queue takes up irks me greatly considering it's only operating for a few weeks every year now.

Sophie didn't sign up for all this aggro

Put me down as a possibility on this one - it's just a bit of a mammoth trek from sunny Pompey

I can exclusively reveal that this extra arrangement is everyone coming to Becky and my flat in Southsea and pointing and laughing at our questionable CD collection.

Sophie All criticism of Angry Birds Land thus far is now null and void.

I vote Paultons - I haven't been since I was about 5 (!) and also it means that my girlfriend Becky will come along

What a brilliant and informative post Diesel, thanks Always good to know more about how my favourite ride behaves!

I've asked this before, but - will we ever see the back of the "road" (as seen in the photo above) Never understood why there's any need for it, the light vehicles at Thorpe are fine to drive on brick paths etc... and as to why there is a single yellow line on it is beyond me. Assume it dates back to the RMC days?! Just seems a bit odd

I see the new website links to their Tripadvisor page... if they are going to do that, it might be an idea to employ someone on the social team to reply back to reviews/allegations on there...! http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g642238-d216468-r204553280-Thorpe_Park-Chertsey_Surrey_England.html EDIT: I see they do have someone who replies back on there, they must be a few days behind

I took great joy the other day at tooting some 10-12 year old cyclists who were meandering all along Clarendon Road, riding 2 or 3 a breast, cycling like utter idiots - little pleasures eh! (Not insinuating that you are a bad cyclist Sarah, not at all - just reminded me of the incident ) Agree though - there are certainly some "interesting" characters in Portsmouth - moreso central Portsmouth than Southsea I think. My bugbear is people who think the WHOLE of Portsmouth is a 20mph zone... so infuriating

£16 for a red Angry Birds plush? I won one of those for 30p in a claw machine at the bowling alley last year, maybe I should put it on eBay and retire And yes, I concur - Fastrack and Dodgems is a bad bad thing...!

It seemed to have a pretty steady stream of riders on Monday afternoon, was certainly popular! Even had a queue forming!

As per my Facebook status yesterday - Rock Rage was down on Southsea seafront (I was 99% certain it was Rock Rage when seeing them set up from a far during the week but couldn't be sure as they normally advertise when Rock Rage is in attendance) - anyway, we missed the cheap rides on Friday (99p! Bit different to Winter Wonderland ) - went down yesterday and it was £3, but I had to chicken out, getting too old for the spinny churny vommy rides. It does fascinate me to watch though

Who'd have thought a few years ago that there'd be all this love for 17-year old X! Just goes to show what you can do with a bit of effort. Can you finish the ponds off properly in the middle of Flying Fish now, Thorpe?

Yep, thumbs up for the look of Amity Fish & Chips. Interior looks great too.

I'm always of the mindset that transparency of information to guests is a good thing. You never know, little Jimmy could be a massive fan of Zodiac, and since Thorpe are going for the family appeal approach again they have to bear that in mind If Jimmy's Mum and Dad know before they set out that it's closed, they can buy him a McDonalds on the way to make up for it!

Lucky they didn't check Thorpe's tone of voice in 2013 or it would ALL BE VERY SHOUTY AND IN CAPITALS!

Rumba, Bubble Works and Dragon Falls all fit in the same category - don't ride them now, and keep your memories from 15-20 years ago (when they were decent, maintained rides) in tact.

Ah, SAW Alive, a particularly well used area of the park currently.... I will also withhold judgement on Angry Birds land until it's all in place - keeping things positive though, I'm pleased that P4D appears to being renovated well with this mention of seats - good to see a SBNO ride being redeveloped, SAW Alive next plz? As a side note too, since there was a photo or two in the TPM update, the more I see of the new Thorpe Park branding the more I like it (I've said that before, but I will say it again) - you could argue it's boring, I personally think it looks slick and modern and even if you aren't enamored by it, it's a vast improvement on cheap and nasty misbehaving big-heads in-yer-face everywhere.

Unfortunately I'm not one of those people Agree though - it's been in desperate need of a refurb - and reroute - for quite some time. It was pretty boring and tired looking when I last went in 2011.... can only imagine what it looks like now!

Weclome Tarin Good to see new names on here!

Yep Rocky Creek saved me from a complete wipeout of £0 back too!

Pinch punch first of the month...

I remember the batching door, yes! Certainly added suspense to the ride (especially since I was younger) - plus of course, you wouldn't see anyone getting off the trains so they were mysteriously empty when you got on!