MattyMoo

I don't know about anyone else but it's nice to actually have 3 pages of new posts to read on here - negative or otherwise!

I don't know about anyone else but it's nice to actually have 3 pages of new posts to read on here - negative or otherwise!

You are right, but won't have much hope convincing people that on an internet forum!
I will always prefer the original design simply because it was infinitely more substantial than whatever is being created now. It seemed back then that even the simplest rides could become extravagant and charming without all the limitations imposed by marketing and budgeting that cause so many ideas to struggle in UK theme parks today.
The Runaway (Mine)Train always was a boring figure-of-eight Mack powered coaster with a commonplace theme, and I can't forget how aesthetically shocking it had looked for the last decade. However, with its clever scenic queueline taking you around the whole of Calamity Canyon and the rocky tunnels disguising the actual size of the coaster, it showed a genuine will to make sure the rider had as much fun as possible.
(I'm not sure squirting water in riders faces does not show the same kind of showmanship!)

Mine was already written off after the 2013 season!

Ritas should surely now say:
Keep your heads back. Hold on tight. Protect your face from the red hot splinters of metal shrapnel. You must escape. Go Go GO.

Wonder if it was for safety, when considering Ritas now says:
Keep your heads back. Hold on tight. You must escape. Go Go................... *sips some tea*... GO.

This is smokin' like Inferno.

I was used as an Example <3 so proud .

Defending the good people of this site from derogatory sweeping statements is exactly the attitude to have.
I will apologise for the starred out swear in my first post. That was very naughty of me, I'll give myself some hail Marys or something.

Looks utterly pathetic.

I feel that a part of my childhood has died

Yep, a real "pain in the ass" for George & Granville having to move to Chessie.
I'll get me coat...

'Back drop' you say? My nightmare vision of a giant MDF board with a wild west scene sketched onto it isn't becoming a reality is it?

Well the ride status page has been updated to show Scorpion Express which doesn't say reopening in March, just 2014, as well as Rameses Revenge saying currently closed... So not sure how excited people should be for going at the beginning of the season :/
Also the ride section has been updated...
Scorpion Express - brand new ride experience for 2014
Location: Mexicana
Scorpion Express is a fun ride for all the family and brave young adventurers can experience their first rollercoaster thrill. Watch out for surprises at every turn, with unstable mines guarded by the giant Scorpion anything could happen – try not to get too close!

And this is why I hate m£rlin!

Perhaps now is the moment we refer all correspondence and news reporting on the lovely little Alton Towers animals from TowersStreet to Maniahub.
Personally, I am more than happy if we can thrash out the finances.

Yep, a real "pain in the ass" for George & Granville having to move to Chessie.
I'll get me coat...

Oh dear.
Whoever that person is should still be too busy fixing the other mess they have made to be doing this too.

Yep, a real "pain in the ass" for George & Granville having to move to Chessie.
I'll get me coat...

Feel sorry for the Donkeys having to move to Chessie more tbh...

So I've been reading this little number on Towers Street
http://www.towersstreet.com/news/2014/animals-to-leave-alton-towers/
and I now know what my problem with CBeebies land is.
It's utterly charmless. The thing with Old McDonalds Farm and Storybook Land was its unassuming nature, how it was a nice quiet area, specifically designed for young 'uns to see animals and engage in attractions which were full of character like Riverbank Eye Spy or Squirrel Nutty. When you look at the over head pictures from the TOWERS TIMES CHOPPER OF DOOM, it reminds me of the Rumba Rapids retheme in 2002, bright, colourful and utterly garish and tacky.
It's not even about my lack of interest because it's not aimed at me, I thought Riverbank was a great little ride, the Farmhouse with all the animals singing together was typical of the park during the 90's and I really thought Squirrel Nutty was a top notch ride. I really fear that the IP is going to run riot like a wrecking ball in what was a great little area.

Thunder River looks so much better too, with its nice misty cave. And all that greenery around the back of X No Way Out where Trappers Trail was, now all tarmac and fences...
It seems Thorpe Park hit puberty really badly. Where did all the innocence go?

I have never heard it said aloud like that before!
Did they have permissions for all those characters do we think, or did they just go to the local fancy dress hire place?! Simpler times!

That's a "GREAT" video. It feels so weird to see X "Colon Backslash" No Way Out actually being promoted and looking faintly impressive. Poor thing, it only wanted to be understood.

Yeah and if Samurai was fitted with onboard flame throwers.