Cernuschi

First Big 3 in UK: Megafobia Colossus Nemesis Inferno

Have a look at my video on the majority of parks in Florida Disney World it towards the end... If not, they used to send out a documentary disc for free if you requested an information pack online. Don't know if they still do this but you can have a look. It was very detailed without spoiling anything and covered everything including parks, waterparks, hotels, and other attractions.

Alton Towers take note: This is how you build a coaster in time to open for the new season. Get all groundwork and main construction completed before winter draws in. Loving the layout and colour scheme. Just waiting to see what the trains look like!

Towers have now put a message up on the homepage saying the Smiler is closed and will open soon. Although I bet people will miss it as its in tiny white writing under the top icons.

Merlin should take note from Europa Park for opening times (and everything else), open until at least a certain time (7:30 at Europa) and then announce an actual closing time on the day depending on how busy the park is. - Well in the summer anyway but surely it could be implemented for Halloween? It really does work wonderfully.

In regards to the rusty mesh, I believe I saw an image of it being welded on before, therefore you cant paint it before welding (well the contact patch anyway). I'm sure it will be painted at some point (hopefully).

Great report. I went last year during the summer period and even though it was busy, the park was so efficient that I managed to do all the coasters at least twice! It really is a fantastically run, beautiful park!

Thanks for those simulators. Any ones in particular you would recommend as I probably wont fork out for them all? Tommy - Yes the game is totally free from what I can see so far. Thrillville-ish yes in terms of looks, but much more freedom with coaster creation.

There's a neat little roller-coaster game that's currently trending in the App store. It called Coaster Crazy and you are challenged to build a number of different style coasters to meet challenges. The game is developed by Frontier (responsible for RCT) and I think some of the features are really good and would be brilliant if there was to be another RCT. For a start there is no default grid (it is an option) allowing you the freedom to create roller-coasters with various features, banking angles and elements. Think of it as a simplified No limits created for the iPhone. There may be no other rides or actual parks, but I would like to think of this as something that can be developed into a top class RCT4 (well the design style anyway). Obviously its a very limited game being for a mobile, but I really feel this may be some good news regarding future Roller Coaster games. Download the game and share your thoughts?

This is something that has been on my mind for quite some time. It's fine people saying that they don't think a topspin is suited to Thorpe (myself included). The question is, is there a flat ride that is actually worth the park investing in that they can easily fit in? For me the answer is not really, I think the best option is going down the dark ride route (though whether a good job would be done on it or not I'm not so sure). I just can't think of a decent flat ride out there that is suited to the park in terms of space, throughput and high thrills, and offers something the park don't already have. Just my opinion.

That just looks incredible. I cannot wait to visit this stunning park in the summer. On that note, does anyone know anywhere to get cheap tickets or vouchers, and does anyone know how busy it gets in August (I'm assuming very, but I'll only be there for one day and would like to do as much as possible)?

So I went to Alton Towers today for the first time this season with the rest of the Loughborough University Formula Student team.Lets start on a high. I have never seen the park so beautiful at this time if year. The weather was brilliant and it just emphasises the beauty of the park. I don't just return to Alton for the rides, but the whole experience of being in such a lovely location.Queues were light as you would expect for a Monday, with the longest queue being 20 minutes for Nemesis Sub-Terror.On the subject of Sub-Terror, what a complete was of time it is. Some of the 'ride' is done well, but its just a short, rushed, and confusing ride.Ride Count:Oblivion x2Sonic x1Rita x2Thirteen x2Air x1Nemesis x2Ripsaw x1Blade x1Nemesis Sub-Terror x1Kongo Rapids x1Runaway Mine Train x1Flume x1Hex x1Duel x1Highlights:Beautiful day with very light crowds.Nemesis was running superb.Very friendly staffLow-lights:Sub Terror was just dreadfulSmall bit of downtime on Air but nothing serious.Here's some pictures taken with my IPhone:IMG_0115 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0104 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0117 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0110 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0111 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0101 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0113 by DCernuschi, on FlickrIMG_0098 by DCernuschi, on Flickr

Went on this ride today. Just going to sum it up rather than repeating what's already been said by other posts.The ride is an absolute waste of time. Yes the themeing is fairly well done, especially on the inside. But you just come out thinking, 'meh, is that it?'. I would not queue any longer than 5 minutes for this poor excuse for a ride which is so called the scariest underground experience. The story is so rushed you don't really have a chance to take in what is actually happening.I really don't know if the added (fixed) effects will make any difference to my opinion. It was just an over hyped disappointing addition.3/10

Not to keen on those Wild Eagle trains, much prefer the Swarms.

Is that a helicopter I see in the bottom left?

With those LED guns it would be cool if there was some sound effect which happened before you go under the plane and the engine blows up!Standard those trains look amazing comment!!

Nice to see that the maintenance bay is going to be hidden by themeing by the looks of it.

With the tidal boats, they seem to empty as they go up the lift hill. I would assume that their is a valve system to stop water entering the boat when it is in the water. The rapids ride must have some space under the floor as the flotation ring lifts it fairly high off the water, although again I'm sure a valve system of some sort would still be needed. (These ideas could be wrong, just providing a suggestion).Not really sure what they could do with Storm Surge if not a similar idea.

If what has been said is true, it will absolutely smash LC12 in terms of adrenaline. Maybe LC12 can provide a better ride experience, then again this Thorpe, and Dollywood aren't exactly shoddy with their themeing (Mystery Mine is incredible).

The reason why it was suggested that the track is not for Thorpe is because the customer reference on them were the same for the ones which were heading to Dollywood. It may not be primer, but by the sounds of it that track won't be coming the the UK. As you said we will have to wait and see.

Yes Sir. They used it for school educational events, basically a small conference room on the top deck. It was actually quite nice inside.

It just looks outstanding. The whole landscape and size of this beast is incredible. The 10th August could not come soon enough!

I heard that too. I think Disney were really upset about not being able to use it as Universal got the rights.

The funniest thing happened today. My sister went to the park today and I asked he if she saw any new posters for a new ride and she said no. I though that was a bit odd after seeing the photos posted. So about 10 minutes later at the dinner table I quietly said "The end is coming" which caused he to look at me in shock. She explained how she saw a man who was being really scary saying all these things and being escorted by security. I laughed so hard as she actually thought he was a genuine madman!I eventually explained to her the reason for it and she seemed to think it made sense. It did make me laugh how she couldn't link this with a publicity stunt for a new ride although is 14.

I went for The Incredible Hulk. Its one of the most intense coaster I have ridden and loved every second of the ride. I shall also be trying out HRRR in the summer, but I'm more looking forward to Cheetah Hunt (I know its not Universal).