MikeyT

Haha! That has been everyone's reaction around me when I've been on it. It always cracks me up. It's worth a few goes just to listen to other people's reactions.

So now that I've had time to recover from an awesome few days at the resort; I'd thought I'd do the obligatory trip report :lol:The plan was to get to the resort in the early evening of the 23rd, so the kids could enjoy the water park, and I could enjoy the bar . After hitting dreadful driving conditions and traffic, we got there a little later than expected, but still had enough time to mooch about for the evening.As we entered our family room that slept up to 6 people, there was a moment of hysterics as everyone was just so excited to be there. I looked out the window, with the echoes of Nemesis in the background roaring over to the hotels, and the faint humming of the resort theme at the monorail station; watching various themed trains entering the station- I'm at Alton Towers.Mum and I just relaxed and enjoyed the quiet whilst my step- dad took my brother and sister to the water park. I notice little carvings engraved into the rock face: sea horses and fish, and other little easter eggs that I'd not noticed before, it's that sort of detail that I find really amusing and make me love the creative team all over again.Each time I visit, I forget just how beautiful the place is. It really is a magical experience for me, which is something that gets stronger each time I visit. I feel like I've escaped in every sense of the word, physically because the theme park is in the middle of nowhere, set in stunning countryside and also emotionally as I let themed environments become absorbed and lived.Queue times across the resort were bearable. Rarely did we have to queue more than 30 minutes for any ride. Both days were taken at a relaxed pace, just enjoying the park and what it had to offer. I didn't take too many photos, mainly because I just wanted to enjoy the experience rather than live it behind a camera lens.I keep forgetting just how awesome the three B&Ms are at the park, even to this day, with more technologically advanced rides with more to boast about, the ride quality on these are a huge credit to the UK. Oblivion does need some serious TLC though, however the ride itself still blows me away.I got so much joy at seeing my family have a great time, all the laughter and amazement. It just elevated the whole trip for me. Duel was also a favourite, going on that twice in a row. Not only has it received a huge amount of attention recently, it was so much fun watching the family compete against each other. Love the Skeleton Corridor now, the scenes are permanently on now rather than a quick flash.Same with Hex, it's now much improved upon my visit back in May, there are a few minor things that need to be seen to, but for a first time/ casual rider the ride was still mind blowing for them and they didn't know any different. I was surprised to find even my sister said it was "awesome" and she doesn't particularly like special effects shows all too much.I had a bit of an emotional moment on the second day, waiting on the viewing platform just outside the turnstiles, looking out over Towers Street. Hundreds of guests waiting for the park to open, music blasting out, the buzz of people getting excited about their day ahead- it made me think: Alton Towers is truly something special and unique to the UK. It's that atmosphere and stunning natural beauty that help to make it one of the most popular theme parks in Europe.

So after riding Thirteen three times over the last few days, I can honestly say that I love this ride and is up there with the other Secret Weapons for me.As coaster enthusiasts we sometimes over-analyse everything, perhaps becoming too narrow- minded about how roller coasters should be. I get so fed up of reading and hearing people that say roller coasters are automatically rubbish if they don't go upside down, go really fast or pull enough G's to give you a brain haemorrhage.Yes it has flaws, as with the entire area, but I'm willing to overlook them briefly because my overall opinion of the ride is so high. The queue moves satisfyingly quickly thanks to speedy loading procedures. Didn't queue more than an hour, even when the queue was at the entrance.There were five people in our group, myself (20), brother (6), sister (9), Step- dad (40) and mum (46); so a real range of ages there, each and everyone of us with our arms up, laughing and screaming with huge smiles on our faces.The station atmosphere is just awesome, in fact it was so awesome, I found myself not caring about that awful cloth on the ceiling. The ride itself was faster than I remember, with a good few pops of air time. It's beautifully smooth. My brother freaked inside the crypt, and the whole train screamed in shock as to what was happening. I've got to say, it really is a cracking ending to the ride.As we enter the brakes, I look at my brother as we emerge from a cloud of smoke in the station, his face showing confusion and shock as to what had happened, before shouting, 'AGAIN!'Indeed, every time I went on it, everyone around us spoke of how much they enjoyed it, not expecting the crypt section or helix, or better than expected, more people were enjoying it than not, that's for certain. Three times on it as well, it's fantastically re- rideable.I cannot wait to get back on it again.

Leaving for Alton Towers very soon. Spending a couple of days there with the family. Brother is looking forward to Thirteen a lot, he's become obsessed.I'll try and take lots of photos and post a Trip Report when I get back.

Some days I look down, afraid, afraid I will fall, and though the sun shines, I see nothing. But I hear your sweet voice, oh come and go....You tell me softly, that you love me so.

Just listened to some Kelly Clarkson demos (naughty Mikey!); didn't think it was possible to love her even more, I was wrong.

This x 1000. The interaction between staff and guests is what makes this ride a favourite of mine at Chessington. The ride is calling out to have costumed staff possibly more than any other at the park. I used to love it on days where it wasn't as busy where could could spend a bit more time interacting with guests- wishing happy birthdays, that sort of thing!

Yeah, sort of, the Skyride does go over it. Alton's landscape has many hills and deep valleys. One possible location for a new roller coaster would use the valley so it could have enough height to have a decent layout. Does that answer some of your questions?

Basically, the ride manufacturer was called in, to do some repairs on the track and also to try and prevent the ride from valleying over the camel back on the Lorikeet's side.They ended up putting new wheels on the Gondola, which unfortunately has slowed the ride down quite a bit, ride doesn't reach the top anymore, literally no feeling of weightlessness on the camel back.

I believe the only parks that offer a free service are the Disney Parks (and even they were trialling an upcharge not so long ago), Even Disney have their issues with it, but luckily their parks can cope much better because they're bigger and have more attractions, plus their rides have just the most insane throughputs.I find it does work quite well at Alton, they don't seem to sell so many that they cannot cope- they seem to have got the balance just right.

Hello auntie Shannon :P(Seeing my auntie today, haven't seen her in months!)

Meant to be leaving now- since I've moved it now takes an extra 45 minutes, making my total journey time, door to door, 2 hours and 30 minutes. But a certain person is not waking up or answering their phone! So angry! HA!

Anndd Today's special day belongs to Benin!Happy Birthday Benin!

Oh dear! Sounds like the southern parks had a bit of a mare today! Totally feel for all those staff today, absolute nightmare situation.

I have to say I've actually had both excellent experiences and terrible experiences of customer service at all three ex- Tussauds Parks. It can be very difficult within the rides team- especially where there are high throughputs and you're going like the clappers to keep queue times acceptable, to properly interact with guests, though you can be pleasant and diplomatic and respect guests. Obviously rides where you're in contact with people for an extended amount of time, you can interact a lot more.Also with retail, they really are awesome, I've never had a bad experience with any retail outlet at any of the parks. You're more than welcome to PM me if you want any info about jobs there, but let's keep it off the forums! Yeah, again, on the whole I've had a positive experience with the staff, though if someone is looking a bit down then I tend to start conversation with them, asking how their day has been, with the hope at the back of my mind that they will be encouraged to do it back to other guests.

All Merlin parks have daily morning briefings and evening de-briefings. This is where staff are given feedback from the previous day and usually games designed to help motivate the team. On top of this all staff have to attend an intensive induction which they have to complete before they start work. This gives them park information and training in customer service. Though there is more that can be done.Not having worked at Thorpe, I can't really speak on behalf of the staff there. At Chessington though, last year I think they had the balance just right for the rides department; teams weren't too big, which meant you would get really close with your team mates, my area in particular also had some great team leaders who worked their butts off to make sure we were having a good day. We would do morning games and if we weren't too tired in the evening we'd do evening games as well. Hide and seek! We had great area socials, and a lot of the time our Team Leaders would do things for us out of their own pockets.Sorry, going off on a tangent- I think Thorpe have the problem of the clientèle. The amount of times I've seen the staff there being spoken to like a piece of dirt; they spoil it for the rest of the general public who treat the staff with respect and aren't receiving the best customer service.There are ways the park could help (though I must admit I've rarely experienced bad customer service since 2008), having a more thorough incentive scheme being at the heart of it. Taking a page out of Holiday World's book, guests should be given tokens (just as an example- could be anything) which can be handed over to staff who have provided excellent customer service. I think the parks do something similar but this should be everyday.However, what I've found is that guests will either give it to the staff members at their first ride, or realize they still have it at the end of the day and just give it to anyone to get rid of it. The way to get round this would be to have these tokens in shops, at till points, in guest services, ride photo points. Of course this would involve trusting the staff not to just take them. Each department could be given a budget each month. The more tokens, the better the prize.Just a suggestion anyway. As you can see I'm really passionate about this sort of thing. Of course this is a more elaborate way, there are many small ways which could help improve staff motivation and morale and therefore customer service.

No I don't think they were either. Though I did much prefer the deep red lights rather than the mix we have today. As the mist was so thick back then, the red actually glowed so well.

Yeah that's true. There aren't too many "blown" speakers throughout the park.

In an ideal world, you'd start all over again, working out each problem, one by one. You'd get Bose in to replace every speaker that's broken and get an engineer (that knows what they're doing) to go through the whole park with the right amount of time and resources.It's a shame because Thorpe does have some impressive, very expensive equipment in place, the fact that they're just sitting there is a bit of an insult!

Going to Chessie on Thursday! Yaay

I've always found the opposite. I have long legs as well, but always go for the back of each car. The floor in the back is flat, which means I can actually extend my legs out if I wanted to, however the floor in the front of each car is tilted upwards which means I can't move my feet at all once I'm pinned in,

I have many thoughts on Thirteen now. Perhaps a few more once I've ridden it again next week.I reckon the reception of this ride will only get better as time goes on. Much like Hex, which didn't live up to many people's expectations in its opening year, It wasn't until tweaks were made and in subsequent seasons that the ride has not only been a hit with enthusiasts but also with the general public as well.I think the main thing that raises people's expectations beyond what the ride delivers is the superlative language that was used in the viral marketing. Such as the ultimate coaster, and phrases such as "never has so much theme park technology been used all in one ride", or something to that effect.This may have backfired on somewhat as it may deter people- ie, the intended audience for the ride and instead attract people who are perhaps expecting something more thrilling from the ride.However, once all the PR stunts have been forgotten, we're left with the main promotional tool for the ride, and that is the TV advert. Now this is something that I think was very well done, and believe the ride delivers. The look and feel of the ride is conveyed very well here. Some would say again that it will scare the intended audience, however I think people are all too quick to patronise children; they love to be scared as well and deserve unique attractions that are thrilling for them.This is Thirteen's niche I think. A ride that a very wide spectrum of people can go on and families can enjoy together.I found that youtube review really fair personally. The ride does have its faults, yet taking everything as a whole, it is a solid attraction for Alton Towers and a worthy replacement for the Corkscrew for me. It shows that Alton has taken a huge risk investing in Thirteen, I've never known a ride to divide people's opinions so much, some love it, some hate it! I personally think it could have been something more, yet I still love it.

Found this amusing review of Thirteen whilst browsing Youtube. I'm sure I recognise a few names at the end there

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! Have a lucky day

Both Gates open at half 9 ish, however on Lodge side you're held at the containment gates until 10. On Explorer side, you're allowed into Wild Asia I believe.