Graeme

I linked it because of the post before mine. It's the easiest way to get an idea of queue times.

http://www.ridetimes.co.uk

I got back from Europa Park on Friday,was there for 4 days and it was around my 12th visit to the park. Still love it and I;m still seeing little details around the park that I had missed before. I've booked to go back in October this year too as Halloween makes the park a totally different place, also going at Christmas for the first time this year. All in all, europa Park has me hooked! Also worth noting that I git a free room upgrade, just down to engaging with the park on twitter....

I really hope Insider isn't. From a member of high standing inside the park, his/her attitude stinks. So Insider, If you are member of staff inside the park, your attitude from a Merlin employee stinks. Otherwise, people are entitled to their opinion but I believe that every paying guest be it by purchasing a MAP or a £60 ticket on the gate, deserve a good quality of service and to have reasonable expectations.

Yes I understand that, but Seaworld grew more in percentage terms as well as in actual numerical value....Seaworld of all parks! Anyway, I digress. I;m sure DBGT and several ride closures at Towers in just what Merlin need to bring the guests back and build brand loyalty!

Seaworld managed a 0.3% increase on their attendance last year with all the bad press etc..... Merlin managed a 0.2% increase, the lowest in the top 10 park groups and that's worldwide. 100,000 extra is all they could manage. Says it all.

I would imagine their european parks fairly pull in the guests, from what I've seen, they're looked after far better than anything we have in the UK. First time in 10 years that I haven't renewed my MAP and actually.....I don't miss it one bit, I have renewed my EP one for the 5th year in a row though. Merlin have more than one ride being delayed against them in my eyes, they just constantly screw the majority of projects up and do not offer value for money

Yes that's me on the back right hand seat

The one thing I would say about Europa Park is that if you haven't stayed in one of the resort hotels then DO IT. Even if it's just for one night. I appreciate that the nearby B&B's are great value for money but I think staying in the hotels only enhances the whole EP experience. I used to be firmly in the camp of "why pay the extra money when I can stay in a B&B" but now I always book the on site hotels, Bell rock being my personal favourite. I now visit the park at least twice a year (8 nights in total) and never get bored of it. Total perfection.

Europa throughputs are down to 2 things..... 1.Efficient design of the rides 2.Efficient staff..... No conversations in the Silverstar station of "Oi Shaznay, you going to the staff social later" Albeit I'm not fluent in German so this indeed could be happening but the staff work whilst talking.

Simple Lack of real competition in this country, why spend money on presentation when people will come anyway.

This just makes me laugh....people are disappointed when Merlin/Thorpe screw up....its to be expected nowadays! they can't even run a simple 12p a ticket promotion.... I'm not surprised it's been delayed twice now....not one bit.

Derren Browns Fail train! CHOO CHOO!

Now this isn't a bad idea...... Imagine a Heston Blumenthal type menu, where things don't taste as they seem. Like a burger from the burger kitchen tasting nice! THORPE PARK...you can thank me later

Rivers of light that is due to feature at AK has been reviewed to the press. My understanding is that this is the middle part of the show

The complete disrespect that some people have for anything or anyone. That's it!

On opening day of Thirteen I was really peeved with the experience, that was because I read too much into the marketing of it. Now I have acceptance of what the ride is and what it's trying to achieve, I think it's a fairly decent family ride. The only gripe I would have is the outside section, they could've done a lot more and it still doesn't feel very forest like! Still, taking it as a family ride, it's a solid ride. I'm not sure the £12-15 million (IIRC) price tag was worth it though!

I thought VR could work really well on a flying coaster....it doesn't IMO. First off, what a FAFF! headsets replaced in the pouch by staff, after being cleaned by staff, restraints then raised. new riders get on, pull down the bars but not allowed to remove VR headset, you have to wait for staff to take them out the pouch. They then get wiped again and given to you. they then have the faff of making all seats are locked correctly and off you go. The lift hill is really good with the VR, the audio is also nice, then it's all just a bit rubbish. You lose all sense of any forces from the ride and the picture quality on the VR isn't that great and shaky whilst on ride. The video doesn't really give you a sense of flying at all. My headset was tight to my face and it was still shaking around and ended up really hurting my nose. The VR actually makes the ride seem even shorter than it already is and adds nothing to the ride for me. Now I've experienced it once, I wouldn't be bothered if I never went on it again. I have been fortunate enough to ride the Alpenexpress with VR, that was a much better experience and far more re ridable. I don't think VR is cut out for inverting coasters. Towers have tried to polish a turd and have ended up with doo doo on their hands. The original Air was a far better experience. One thing that is very noticeable is the lack of screams from people going around the ride, there isn't any thrill to it anymore (some would agree there wasn't any in the first place).

I am a big advocate of the Europa park hotels, they give you a true resort experience. Have a look at the dates you are going for Bell rock and see if they have an economy room going if you want to save a few quid. the only difference with these rooms is that you don't get a view, it's literally a brick wall outside your window. They also do these at Coloseo but the rooms are right under the bar so could get noisy! I understand all the B&B's in the area are of an excellent standard, you can find one easily through booking.com.

It's not a case of "I'm annoyed so I won't go" it's a discussion as to why this happens at Thorpe every single year! Yeah it's Merlin, yeah as enthusiasts it's to be expected and yes we know rides can be temperamental. Is it acceptable to happen year after year...no. As for not going, this is the first year in 12 years that I have not renewed my annual pass and I can honestly say, it was the easiest decision that I have made. The Merlin parks this year are a complete joke!

And Colossus.................. I just can't fathom out how they get it so wrong every single closed season, 10 years this has been going on!!!!

It's a brave move saying that the swarm will be back open on Friday! Could The Swarm and Rush be closed for staffing purposes perhaps? If so...sort it out Thorpe

Good times, was the best purchase I ever made....considering the names were supposed to be on it for a year

ERM........I am lost for words.... Occasionally the lift hill slows down but 90% of the time that I have been on it, I have been left dangling the brake run for a minute or so. there are always harnesses that need rechecking..... Throughput gets even worse when it's only on 2 crafts as they often do on off peak days, I imagine it'll still be the case this season too.

It's disgusting that they took so long to announce the closures. They must've known they were coming, otherwise the entirely accurate rumour would not have started back in November. It goes to show what I have said for many years, Merlin do not really give a toss about their customers or guest experience. They are a brand that have let customers down time after time. Whether it's annual pass "sales" or closing rides for a season without any real notice. Merlin/Alton....whoever, need to create a brand that guests think "yeah that's the mark of quality" a brand that people are happy to shout (positive) things about, a brand they can feel associated with....they've failed at every opportunity. Yes, I will visit Thorpe this year before my pass expires, Yes I will visit Alton once before my pass expires (only because I have a free nights stay). Beyond that....I will take my £1500+ that I spend on Hotel stays within the merlin group and food etc etc and take it elsewhere. I view Merlin as a very unethical company....pulling a fast one on their customers where possible!