MikeyT

Yeah, from what I've seen the outside queue and ride area does look a little disappointing. Ride area should improve in a few years, and small things in the outside queue make a huge difference. The biggest flaw for me, from the pictures I've seen is the tarmac exit path- not very spooky is it?

So after my Vampire post, it's got me thinking about Th13teen a bit. I've read a lot around the internet commenting on the theme's target audience in relation to the actual ride experience, some saying that the fun, family coaster does not marry up with the edgy, sinister theme for the ride.Well, I think, as mentioned earlier, children absolutely love being scared. I'll use Doctor Who as an example- in which I'm not ashamed to say, has really freaked me out at times, (thank you The Moff ) but it also turns out, they're usually the favourite episodes from each series. Now, it's a family show, meaning children and adults can sit down together and enjoy it.That sounds pretty much like Th13teen to me. I haven't ridden it yet, but from everything I'm hearing, it sounds like a cracking family coaster, with a sophisticated theme, which doesn't patronise children or the family audience with bunnies, rainbows and clouds (though Cloud Cuckoo Land is fantastic ).I also think not having a cohesive story works for this sort of theme. Which has come under fire from various people, saying the story doesn't go deep enough. I think what's there is there but leaves things open for interpretation, letting the guests make up their own minds about what's really going on. I think that has much creepier connotations than any storyline could deliver on.

Well I think the Vampire and in fact the whole of Transylvania was a fantastic addition and truly saw the concept of the theme park coming to Britain. It brought together the fantastic atmosphere of the theatre and put guests in the middle of it.There is an image knocking about somewhere (which may actually be posted whilst I'm writing up this post- got a feeling it's going to be a long one!) but I can't for the life of me find it. It showed the station at its prime, in my opinion. The biggest changes to the station were of course the gauze that covered the ceiling and draped over lights. Then there are the air gates which replaced the big, imposing, coffin- like loading bays from before.I think Health and Safety may have had something to do with the removal of the gauze in the station, and also with the extra lighting at the entrance to the narrow corridor that leads to the station. Lighting is a big issue for me, it has improved greatly this year, with lots of eerie green. It did, at one point, look much like a disco, with lots of multi- coloured lights, not really fitting in with the "Vampire's Lair" themed station. It's still something I think can be greatly improved on- having a spooky blue on the exit platform rather than the red they have currently. Blue and green create a real spooky atmosphere when put together.Regarding your question about children finding things scary; here's my thoughts. I would argue that on the whole, it takes more to scare children now than it did, say 20 years ago, mainly to do with the way our culture and society has changed in the past two decades.I do remember being terrified of the station at a young age, and I imagine a lot still are now. But with anything like this, I turn to things like Doctor Who- children love being scared. Actually, not just children: secretly, we all love it, although people cope with it in different ways. This is why Scare Attractions are so popular, we love it. Vampire is not intended to be a sinister attraction, it's very tongue in cheek in terms of its execution, but thinking back, being terrified is what made me love Vampire from so early on, and is one memory I'll never forget.This also applies to the theme of Thirteen to me, but that's for another thread, in which I feel inspired to write in....

I agree with you to an extent Dan, and I bet Mark does as well, although there are some rides that are more suited to it than others. Bucaneer, Runaway and Rameses for example, are absolute dreams for that cheeky, guest interaction. Vampire has such a dramatic atmosphere ready that it doesn't particularly fit with the ride. I think that's what people are saying.

Themed uniforms are awesome. It's a no brainer really, everyone says how the staff at the parks make a big difference to a guest's day; the relevant uniforms help to make staff even more part of the experience. Guests love it, and I rekon they will be more reluctant to complain to staff and causing problems whilst they're trying to help guests on and off the ride.

I'm with Mark on this one. Being gay is a small part of me, it is part of what makes me who I am, and I'm not sure if I'd be the person I am today or have the same close relationships if I remained straight.

I'm also back from my first CWoA trip of the season, and have to agree with Fever, seriously the park seems to be on steroids. There is something about the park that I just can't put my finger on, there's something in the air; a great atmosphere that hasn't been as prominent in a while. It's fantastic.Words can't really describe it, you have to be there to feel and experience it yourself. Wild Asia is wonderful, and brilliantly designed, it has such a distinct feel to it, I love it. I could nit pick about Kobra's queue, and little things like the lack of trees but overall it's flaming awesome. Kobra also took me by surprise; it's such a fun ride that I could do over again.I think a lot of people forget that theme parks are supposed to be fun. We've got so used to new additions around the country being designed to intimidate and frighten people, so I think it's refreshing to see a ride that makes no claims, but is a solid, fun experience.I took a few decent pictures today, mostly of Kobra, but I'll be going again in the next couple of weeks to get some more material for CWoA Mania. Here's a few:

For those of you that didn't know, CWoA is now on Google Street View!Various other Merlin Attractions are also on it, including Alton and Thorpe.

I'm going Chessington on Sunday with my family, going to be the first visit of the season. I'm so looking forward to it!

Basically it was a lot longer, and the outside was themed like a cave, with the entrance to the tunnel an opening in the rocks. This had to be taken away due to the increased clearance for the new trains.

Which shockingly, isn't too far off some of the coasters in the park (albeit on a bad day). I think I was one of the only people who used to really love working on Peeking. I did do it on 18 pods during 2008- I think the ride liked me

Welcome Will and Alice. Hope you both have a blast here (oh god how cheesy did that sound- I like it ).It's nice to see more people from down here in Kent!

It sounds totally pathetic, but I got really emotional when I had to leave my auntie's dog yesterday. He kept looking at me with the right hump, making me feel so guilty.

I'm really pleased about this news, they will have quite a few decent attractions once this is all finished. The Sea Life centre there, I thought was actually fantastic, really well themed, so I welcome more Midway Attractions.

I wonder how long it'll be before a bubble pops in someone's eye, and they will no longer be able to use bubbles due to health and safety.

Yeah, the snake broke in 2008 when we were using five train operation during the summer, and it hasn't worked properly since, unfortunately. I do the same, I rarely ever use the shooting element on either Duel or Tomb Blaster. There is a lot of potential with Tomb Blaster to have both a great story, whilst still having the shooting element, yet unfortunately, due to budgets and other obstacles, isn't possible at this stage.The new station announcement is terrible, and I know that it is pretty high on the list for things to be redone, hell, get me to the Studios and I'll do an awesome one myself Mattia- The rolling ball music was available somewhere at some stage, however I can't for the life of me find where it was hosted. If you're still interested, send me a PM :DOh, the new lava cracks in the Fire Pit scene make quite a difference to that room, I approve! They are situated by the meeting point for staff during ride evacuations.

The skeletons in the snake pit scene have been there for the past two years, possibly longer but I can't remember.

What a fantastic trip report! Thanks very much for posting, I found that such a great read.Seems like you had a great day at Chessington, I really cannot wait to go myself.

I'm pleased to see that they're now staying open until 6pm on weekends. There were numerous comments made by guests last year that it should remain open for longer. Good times

Michael Gambon is indeed in it. It's not in that press pic of Dumbledore's office, but there is a projection of him directing everyone to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.If anyone has been on Disaster, then it's the same technology that's used on that projection effect,

Absolutely stunning pictures of the inside queueline for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. There is a press release that comes with this, but I'm just so lost for words right now, I physically cannot post it. Just wow.*Books flight to Orlando*

I am so boreed!

Ellie is the best spooner ever

Wow Steve you've really sold yourself well with that post! Haha

^Haha but where isn't nowa days!Official welcome to the forums guys