RobD
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Posts posted by RobD
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Before I post anything, I'll make no secret of the fact I did not attend the event, (and am basing this on videos I've seen), but, I'm once again struck with a feeling of how overwhelmingly publicity based this event was. Stir up a bit of controversy by burning a statue of a celebrity, blow up a firetruck and market the swarm... and have a rave with fireworks. I know it's all pitched at a specific audience, and I risk yet again encroaching on the is Thorpe Park a 'theme park' anymore debate, but,regardless of opinion, I feel the event was an easy cop out. It was basically a bog standard firework event, just like those in many (public) parks across the country. Is this special? Not really. Does this really create an emotional response from the public? Not really. I pitch this event against PortAventura's summer fireworks; yes, I know the parks aim at two very different markets, but the difference is obvious. Why can't the UK actually bother spending on anything. I won't turn this into a rant about how much Merlin's rake from every customers wallets comparatively to their international rivals, but simply say, for a group of such size, they really do know the meaning of doing things on the cheap.To give comparison; PA's firework event.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGqUVfGI188(if anyone wants to watch the second half, links are on the video)that's how it's done, Merlins, and your nowhere near.
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^ Could not agree more, it's amazing, just SO wrong for Fright Nights. So so so wrong. But also amazing. Part of me weeps, the other part LOVES Samurai ahaha. More suited to Thorpe Blast, I would say.
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Because I'm super proud of myself for this, here is Samurai's FN11 music!
so terrible it's unreal.- holtjammy16, Sidders and Luke_A
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I'm aware, for example, that Rush played it's pre recorded announcements all the time, that doesn't bother me, I guess all they could so is assign daytime and night time announcements to different audio buttons, for example, the breakdown ones as a temporary measure. But that would probably be ignored. What I'm referring to, is park wide audio. In 2007/2008, at music changeover at 4pm, particularly in 2008, they played the, basically it's now fright nights jingle, and all the audio swapped, that was pretty epic. Now, it's basically one standard, inconsistent loop, or VERY similar SAW tracks. For example, 2007 saw Colossus with a loop that continued into all ambient areas of lost city; it's the track at the end of Rush's FN offload this year. This was consistent, and worked well. We now have music from a whole host of action scenes in SAW, this does not work. You need ambiance for areas and places without action, ie: Colossus station, lost city area. Action scene music works well for, basically, action scenes; so ride sequence music, Stealth needs intimidating music, etc etc etc.That's basically what I miss, for example, the effort put into Rush. It was consistent and a SOLID but temporary retheme, it was consistently a haunted playground. From the chalkings, to the cob webs, to the test dummies placed in the bushes and on the catch nets, it work VERY well, looked very good, and was a atmospheric, atmosphere creating solid theme. The same can be said for the efforts on Inferno; when Hell froze over. It was relatively solid, (although not as good as Rush Playground) made sense and just worked.This is what fright nights lacks, we now have action tracks (and eurorave on samurai), I site vortex as an example, it's old music/audio ('Let all the powers of earth conspire' etc etc) was great, now it's some mental guitar music from a action/horror movie scene. Just doesn't work. Get the audio consistent, and right, and you can create such an atmosphere with minimal themeing. Lets say, £20 per ride in cobweb/chalk/whatever, plus recycling of old ride spares/test dummies, and the park would look amazing, is this a big ask, well, simply, no. Not for a park which charges £5 per maze fastrack (Especially compared to PortAventura, which can afford to essentially blow up £thousands every night in July/August, and charges less for relatively similar attendance figures). Get it together Thorpe Park. For such a big player in the European amusement industry, you sure know how to look (comparatively) total crap.ALSO, desperately want to know the fright nights track on Samurai, SOMEONE PLEASEE know what it is ahaha!There is a small sample, now tell please! ahaha (so bad for fn).(edit) FOUND IT FOUND IT FOUND IT!Thats been the case for ever, before and after project link rides have had individual audio changed and that will play all day, until 4pm when the park area music changes
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Well, just been to the park today and the fright nights audio is once agan dire, lacking any of the consistecy of 2007/08 when there were distinct area themes, we now have ride specific audio (such as rush announcements which arnt linked to central control) and everything else is a standard loop, ie: Colossus station plays the same as stealth... terrible, dire lack of effort once again, it really cant be that hard just to assign the tracks used a few years back, which were all royalty free...Oh and the less said about Samurai the better, it has a full on eurorave tune for the cycle, so has been entirely pikified, but then plays its usual fn music for loading, eugh. So inconsistent. However, I love the eurorave tune, does anyone have it or know what it is? I'm certain its a public domain club track from the 90's or early 00's, It's horrible as fright nights music, but works so so well for samurai in the dark, unfortunately the first outweighs the second (but I still love the tune).Also disliking vortexs music, please could the likes of Mr neilfever go back and show them how to do fright nights well? :')
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Yayyayayayayayyayay! Finally doing the audio right without the need for a number of guests to complain.
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...except when the restraint system is designed to work in such a manner. Again, sighting B&M, the restraints are safe provided the seatbelt fastens. Think of larger riders, they may get only one or two clicks out of the restraint; does not render the ride more unsafe for them; your argument is null and void. If the bar locks and the seat belt fastens it is safe. The bigger risk here is from ejection; ie: skinnier rides falling out. It's kind of a touchy subject, obviously rides staff will try and pin you, and you are not usually allowed much freedom in the restraints; thus the reason people have tricks to gain, in most cases, what is simply a comfy ride. Just don't take it to extremes, and your'll be fine. Common sense should always apply. For example, the three click challenge for a skinny person with very narrow shoulders poses a much greater risk than for a larger person with very broad shoulders (it may well be the case the normal position of a harness for a large person is simply 3 clicks). It's all about common sense and if you don't feel confident enough in knowing your own dimensions or the limitations of safety systems, play it safe and endure being pinned.And just to hit on another topic, a seat belt WILL hold you in should a ratchet fail. We should firstly remember rides work on a principle of greater positive G exposure than negative; the maximum negative G exposure to a rider is certainly no more than -2g. Therefore, the highest force that could be exerted across the seatbelt in order to bring it into full tension is twice the riders body weight, 2g. This is a safety critical back up, thus the reason Intamin belts are rated to 12kN of force before failure. This means, for your typical rider of mass 80Kg, a force of 15g would have to be exerted across the seatbelt for it to fail. Now you tell me, if that isn't going to hold you in during a restraint failure, I don't know what will. To further prove my point, the most recent design of Irvin parachutes used for military aviation use the same locking belt as Intamin restraints. If these are not going to hold a rider pinned in their seat by G forces, then every time a para-troop goes for a jump, they should expect to die...4. Restraints can send at any locked points. And any of you clueless morons that think a 'three click challenge' is anything cool, or fun, then stop. I'm not being a killjoy, however that's a lot less clicks that the restraint is able to pop. Keep your bloody seatbelt on.
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Just a question on audio; is it the full swap over, ie: 'we're going to push you really high' on Rush etc, or just the park wide loop with rides audio unchanged?
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Gotta love that foreground shot of the LC12 posters in the second screen grab...
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^Rush My real baby
Stealing Neilfever's pictures, but, quick guide to Rush...Ok, you can ignore the big panel with lots of blue buttons to the left of the picture, that's just audio (announcements etc), you just press the button for the announcement you want.So. You sit in the console, people are off the ride, and there are guests waiting to board. You first press the green button just above the 'e' in fever to open the gates, people board, your hosts close the restraints (using the restrain lock buttons on the swings), then your hosts go to the exit gate/batching area. Then press the red button just to the left of the green one to close the gates, flick the harness release switch (the middle switch in the cluster of 3 at the far right of the panel), and the lock exit gate switch (hiding neatly above the audio box). The screen in the middle of the panel provides air pressure information, provided the pressure is right, the ride area is clear and the attendants are giving the thumbs up/pressing the button by the exit gate, you press both big green buttons simultaneously to begin the ride cycle (bottom of the panel, at either side). Rush does it's thing, when it stops, exit gate is released, and when the air pressure is correct, you flick the harness release, and hey presto, your back to where you started. -
A massive part of me wants to vote Alton, purely because, ever since 2007, Thorpe have let me down in terms of themeing, music, and all the changes that make fright nights as a pose to rides in the dark and mazes. There is a huge difference. While Alton make near enough no attempt at themeing, their mazes are fantastic, and, the fact that every subsequent year isn't worse than the one before, as is the case at Thorpe, Alton pull it back a bit more (admittedly, I've only been once to Scarefest). I really don't want to vote though, Fright Nights have a place in my heart because it was fantastic in 2007, and pretty good in 2008, but then again, when you come back, year after year and find it even worse than the one before, I really shouldn't give them any loyalty at all. I just hope to god this year is better than last year, but, we shall see...Vote goes to Alton. Thorpe just let me down year on year.
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6' 1" here, and I only ever had head banging when I was about 10, the same applies to Corkscrew, I tend to find, now, that my head is above the restraints, so at best I get a jaw bashing.I do accept there is little leg room on Colossus, but, it's not the worst, I find Maurer Sohne spinners far far worse, and much more uncomfortable/cramp inducing. I also barely experience any roughness at all on Colossus, but I suppose when the benchmark is Furius Baco, a car crash feels smooth compared....But, I personally don't mind a ride which offers a different experience per seat, even if some seats are terrible. Again, Furius Baco is a good example. If the overall experience is better than the pain, it's a good thing, it's just a matter of finding the point where the two balance out. Certain seats on Baco left me feeling as though my ribs had been broken. Pure pain, no fun, yet, selected seats on the front row deliver, what I would consider, one of the best rides in the world. It's that positive that keeps Baco in my top 10. Colossus is the same, just, nowhere near as good, but also a lot less painful, so it balances out as up there with my favourites.Nothing wrong with a bit of rough, but Colossus goes over the line if you have any height on you...
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OMG YEH, SO IZ NUMESIS INFORNO COZ ALTON HAD SUM XTRA TRACK, SO FORP WAS LIKE YEH NUVA RIDE.Seriously though, do you honestly think a theme park would invest £12 million in a ride, only to start building it and think, oh damn, didn't realise 205ft was higher than our tree line.... better donate this one to the rollercoaster charity shop.Just, no.Although Stealth was an accident, because Alton Towers didn't know there own height limit.. Thought I'd throw that in
- Drawin, Mitchell, Coaster XTREME and 1 other
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I suppose I'm in a minority saying I like Colossus. Even if it is rough, it does add a few unique elements. For those who enjoy hangtime, you can't beat the quad rolls, and as far as themeing goes, for an off the self design, it really doesn't get much better. In terms of a terrain coaster, I honestly don't think Colossus is far off nemesis. In terms of themeing, it really reaches it's potential.It's not a B&M multi looper, but then again, it doesn't really try to be. It exists purely to break a world record, and, compared to the Chinese version, I'm pretty happy with the way Colossus turned out.
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At thorpe, your day admission is all you need. In the UK, the only park which requires separate admission is Alton Towers, where your day admission pays for the theme park and one maze, and a separate ticket is required for 2 further mazes. Hope that helps
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It is true, I assure you. It's being like that for the last few seasons, it's not a major problem at all, it just means air pressure in either half of the piston is lost slightly as the ride is in operation. I have a very reliable source on this.And NeilFever, that is how the ride is meant to perform, in reality, it's very different.I would tend to side with the argument of saying that Piston Slip Rings are loose as being false - if it was then the ride would surely not pass it's functional test with LTC - especially after the amount of modifications that TP have had to make the the bloody ride.When swing A turned up on site back in 2005, they found the thing wouldn't mate up at all with the two supports that hang it off of the top of the ride. A lot of welding work had to be done to make sure it fitted up; so I presume LTC then went an inspected everything to make sure it's up for S&S guidelines.
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Because Swing A is broken, and has been for years, is the correct answer. Weight and wind have little impact. It's to do with the piston rings allowing air pressure to escape.All kinds of reasons. Different weights at the ends of the swings, wind direction and force; things like that.
This is how both swings should perform. Essentially, swing A slacks, so in an effort to keep the ride in synchronisation, the PLC (ride computer) slows swing B, thus the reason for powerful swings until the first full height swing, then, a worse ride from there on. Alone, swing B is excellent.Only one swing today, but Swing B was absolutely flying. Best ride I have had in ages, really pushed 100 degrees.
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Erm, no, the real reason is much more simple - it's mechanically much more complex to build a ride with pods that swing freely, rotate around a hub point and rotate again around a third central point, which is wired up throughout. Think about it, if there were electrical connections to each seat in the pod, the pods would not be able to rotate freely without wires getting tangled. A more complex design could be used, but lets remember a Mondial top scan is designed as a fairground ride that is easy to construct and dismantle, reliable and avoiding needless complexities such as electrical connections across every rotational axis in the ride to each individual seat. You will also note exactly the same seat configuration on Zierer's star shape model. Visability isn't a problem; the vortex operator can see very little, you just use your platform staff to communicate when all riders are ready.Good point; would probably require a lot of CCTV dotted around the platform and end up making the ride platform looking more like an extension of Jigsaw's lair as opposed to...a loading platform.
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^Depending on when your going in June, it may be open 10am until midnight. There is plenty of time to do all the big rides once and catch a few shows. As you have never been, if it's a midnight opening, make sure you stay for Fiestaventura, it's a massive show that displays on the main lake at about 23:45 (in 2009 it was fri/sat/sun only, but I think it may be back to every night). Either way, it's an amazing show and certainly not one to miss.I'm returning for the fourth time for a week in July, and I would argue Portaventura is one of, if not the best single park in the world. Every detail has been designed and considered to maximise it's potential, from the location of paths and rides to create excellent views to the ride layouts and shrubbery which help to create a feeling that the park is multiple times larger than it really is. It puts every single theme park in the UK to shame and quite frankly makes Alton Towers look like a fairground. I'd pay upwards of 44 euro to enter, and whatever you pay it'll be worth every penny. Just be prepared for queuing in heat, it's very tiring and can get exceptionally hot during the peak of the day, something quite strange for us UK lot.
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Firstly, it was upgraded. I have it on very good grounds. This rumour it wasn't is just that. The head engineer of the ride in 2006/2007 happens to be a friend of mine, so I'll put to rest that it was a change in measurement, it doesn't take much to change the acceleration rate, just a laptop that you plug into the system.Secondly, you guys over rely on RCDB, it's just an enthusiast site, run by normal people, it doesn't complete a theme park census or manufacture questionnaire to gather information, it relys on contributors like you and me. I have corrected it on several points, consider it more a wikipedia, less a manufactures handbook.Well, in 2006 when it first opened, it was advertised as 0-80MPH in 2.3s.In 2007, it was 'upgraded' to under 2s (1.9 as RCDB states). It was never modified, just Thorpe changed where they were measuring. I think 2.3s is the time from the beginning of launch track to the end of it, 1.9 being the actual reaching to 80MPH.So, in other words, pretty sure it's 1.9s - though not 100% sure
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Firstly Ricky, I would argue the enthusiast world is rather more significant than you give us justice for. Our expectations are not unreasonably high, we expect the park to live up to it's reputation, which for me, is to produce a ride that meets the standards of the other attractions in both Thorpe Park and those at other Merlin's entertainments attractions. I wouldn't produce a massive post like the one I did if I were just here to slate Thorpe, as with many of the other members on this forum I am passionate about Thorpe Park, and feel they have let both their reputation and the image that I perceive of Thorpe Park down. Whilst this is a criticism of the attraction, it is also constructive as lessons can be learnt. I would also like to know the depth of your research with regard to the comment 'So far I can only see the park have had positive feedback from Storm Surge'. You only have to read this forum and the comments of people who went with friends to see this is anything but the case. I also like the way that our opinion is insignificant and the flaws myself and a lot of others highlight are also insignificant.... because you can look past them.My arguement is simple. A world class park should produce world class rides. Not necessarily expensive; world class to me does not mean a huge, themed B&M, it means a well themed ride, with pride of place and the ability to take you into it's theme. I come back to a carousel in Disney; it's most certainly a budget attraction, but it is pulled off to such a degree that it adds to the image of the park.May I stress that we the enthusiast world are quite insignificant. Our expectations and views are so high that the park(s) simply don't have the budget to please us. If we got everything we wanted then the park would never make a profit. Yes this is a low budget investment, and as far as I'm aware the park never actually paid for the ride but only the transport to get the ride into Britain.So far I can only see the park have had positive feedback from Storm Surge and I gave them positive feedback as I did feel the ride was very fun to ride. Yes the ride maybe an eyesore but that can be looked past (by me) when I have an enjoyable ride shoved under my nose. May I also stress that the shrubbery that has been planted was planted, what, in the last couple of weeks therefore I needs time to settle into the new environment and then start growing. I'm sure it will be the same as Saw when at first it looked like twigs were in the ground but then a few months down the line the outerparts of the queueline were filled with shrubbery so much so that in most places you couldnt see the floor.
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Well, what a disgrace of a new ride. I haven't even ridden it and I feel obliged to comment, just after seeing the pictures! Bearing in mind the principal of a theme park, yes, theme park (look out for a certain fanboy coming back with how TP isn't a theme park),you have to consider the overall experience to create a good attraction, it's not just about the ride itself. This attraction literally looks like it's on the fair circuit and has stopped in Thorpe for the weekend. It's not even attempted to be themed to fit into the amity area, infact, it looks just like Octopus Gardens, only with one ride, not 8 or so. Now, looking at the ride as a standalone (because that's what it is, lets be honest), it's an even more feeble effort at themeing than Saw: The Ride. Infact, it bears significant resemblance to Saw: The Ride. Fire Car/Police Car, no greenery/no greenery, little effort put into anything away from the station/little effort put in.... etc. The lack of anything green and overall effort does actually work for SAW, but certainly not for this. If this is supposed to be the second coming of tidal wave (essentially what a storm surge is), why is there not drowned buildings, destroyed paths, a re-themed mega store? Not only this, but this eyesore has been dropped straight in front of the entrance, so to greet every eager and excited guest, ready for the nations thrill capital is a ride that....
I cannot find a redeeming feature for this ride. To me, a ride is more than a few drops and coming off and going that was fun. It's the overall experience, the ability a ride has to take you into a different world and make you truly feel lost in a visual, and sensual experience. The only world this ride will take anyone to is that of scrapheap challenge and I imagine this reflects the budget. I didn't think Merlins would ever fall intot he Rita trap, yet they've finally found something that gives X://NWO pride of place. I hope to god this ride only lasts a season or two, or atleast sees some heavy themeing put in place over the season. Lets take a look at Merlin's water ride heritage, just to show the ability they have to deliver excellence:looks sh!t
And Thorpe get a true treat with:
We've all heard of six flags car park coasters... here's Thorpe's car park river rapids.
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I do have to agree with all the above. 2010 was VERY reliable for Rush, but, unfortunately, Swing B was not performing for most of the season. Swing A was fine.Ricky, highly doubt it has much to do with the compressors, they simple squash the air, the PLC won't begin a cycle if the ride doesn't have enough pressure. I suspect it's the new pistons, or something to do with the electronic control system. Swing B outperforms swing A, so the PLC doesn't deliver it as much of a push after the first full height swing, to Swing B, to somewhat equalise the motion. This leaves Swing B with a 3 poor full height swings, but Swing A does pretty well throughout.Still love Rush, Stealth is getting to a point of being better though. Shame, because Rush really was excellent in 2007/2008.
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Just thought I should mention that, since last week, fastrack prices have now been reduced. Stealth is now £5.00, and the packages £10.50, a little bit more reasonable. Did this have anything to do with us? Don't know, but it's only a good thing I suppose.
Port Aventura
in International Attractions
Posted
BUMP! Interesting that so few people seem to share my experience of PortAventura. It is the best park in Europe, and rightfully so, built by a Busch/Universal/Tussauds collaboration, you would expect nothing less. It has an excellent but small collection of fantastic rides, beautifully set in themeing that leaves everything the UK brings to the plate looking like a shabby half arsed attempt at decorating a fairground. It's immersive, believable, and most importantly makes you forget the outside world. It achieves total escapism, something the UK parks are miles away from. I could list for days, but firstly, rides. PortAventura brings quality over quantity, and I do believe it works in their favour. They haven't made the same mistake as Thorpe Park have in cramming many rides into a limited space, loosing all sense of theme. They have Stampida, an excellent roller coaster with plenty of re-ride value, offering a very different ride depending on which side you choose and where you sit. Designed by John Wardley, it does exactly what a re-ridable coaster should, it doesn't blow your mind with one element, it delivers consistent fun. Dragon Kahn is very much the same. It's relentless, it offers a long ride and is a classic B&M, far better than Nemesis (sorry, but it is). Baco is AMAZING (when you get the correct seat). I'll not deny that the wrong seat causes pain, but find the right ones, and it is fantastic. The main problem is there is no pattern to the roughness, it's actually down to several factors, including wheel wear, type and temperature, and so varies daily. The remaining rides offer fun, well themed attractions that fit beautifully into their surroundings and are either visually stunning or just enjoyable. Then there are the shows, they just add so so much to the overall package.The other significant selling point to PortAventura, is the themeing. We rant and rave constantly about Thorpe Park's music, because, the music is practically all the park offers in terms of themeing. PortAventura, has fantastic music and even it's own theme songs, something people would be crazy for in the UK, but this goes unnoticed at PA, because the eye candy is enough, without everyone immediately jumping to 'theme' music to establish 'theme'. Everything is excellently executed to deliver not just a theme park but a destination, suited to everyone, from 5 to 75 (as demonstrated when my entire family went there a few years ago), that is not just about rides, its about an experience, a place that is just as enjoyable to walk around, to be in and to enjoy the sights and sounds of, without the rides. It uses its rides excellently, in the summer months using Hurakan Condor as a show for one ride cycle per evening (Fantastic). Not only this, they don't skimp on costs. The park charges LESS than any Merlins park for admission, and LESS for fastrack, yet offers 10am to 12pm opening hours for 2 months solid in the summer, ending every evening with a fireworks show that must cost over £20,000 per night, and attracts an audience of 10,000 people per night (also awarded the best multimedia show in the world award). This is clearly a recipe that works, attracting around 1 million guests per year and being able to retain the majority of it's UK audience, with the vast majority of (tourist) reviews rating the park as one of the best holidays they have ever had. Simply put, it's amazing. It's a theme park, doing EXACTLY what a theme park should. It retains guests based on quality, the experience it gives and it's ability to provide a timeless experience for every member of the family. This is something UK parks are yet to achieve, and are, in every case, far from.