electricBlll

I can see that the Kobra is going to be a proper Chessington-style ride, which the theme park has really been lacking for the past ten years. That snake head looks great, much better than I expected and very real. Billy's Whizzer also has a great immersive detail about it, judging from the photo. Chessington's classic rides seemed to slowly diminish in recent years, with no new rides replacing them. Thankfully, and it is thanks to Merlin taking over, many improvements have been made. And now they have gone right to the top and installed a good new ride! My little friend definitely wants to show me something. He flies ahead through the jungle and waits until I follow. This land that I am walking through seems quite strange. I am making my way through plants and trees and it feels like we have been walking for ages when we come to a clearing and suddenly there is an enormous SNAKE! It’s as tall as a building, so tall that I am terrified of it as it comes out of no where! The snake is so big and I am so scared of what it might do if it sees me that I hide behind some trees. I am drawing a picture to show you just how tall it is compared to me. As I draw he suddenly moves and makes a loud, swishing noise. I can’t help but let out a scream as I run to follow my little friend back into the jungle. I am not sure where he will take me next, but I hope it is somewhere not so scary!Here is the new update, by the way. Could this point to the snake being an animatronic like already mentioned? It would be very good. Unlike her drawing, I mean TONAL SHADING?!?

Is that what is happening? They would be great improvements if it was.

It is not that I dislike the overly stupid cartoon characters on every page, but I am not used to them and they seem... STUPID.But I don't want to make it sound like a bad move, we all have our own opinions but I think it can be argued both ways. I does suit the theme park's theme in a way and is more fun, but it is a total joke!:angry:Apart from that, yes, I like it. It is a shame they don't have their own photo galleries, but the new layout, format and information is a great update. The colours are better and the ride pages are better, but the whole thing is teeming on the dge of ridiculous! And have you read some of the other things on that page? It is obviously trying to appeal to chavs I actually have no idea who they are trying to appeal to but they sound insane whoever they are.

I only really noticed that Rumba Rapids was in such a bad state last year. Although I have not seen the power shower working since about 2005, I assumed it was because it was too cold for guests and had been turned off. When I visited at the start of 2009, it was clear that the theming was fading and much had been broken. One of the best parts of the ride was the squrting lizard at the entrance, which for some reason has been turned around and cut off from the water supply! Does anybody know why this is? I do remember one year when it was out of action because the pipe was broken. The bridge is covered with cobwebs and peeling paint, just more evidence that nobody seems to care about the ride anymore.I did like the waterfall that had been fixed earlier on in the year. I had never seen it before and thought it was a great effect. The next visit Rumba Rapids was closed and after that I noticed the waterfall had gone completely, with a bare patch outlining where it used to be. Thanks for the information, it sounds really bad that the theming just fell off like that! That was also the first time I noticed the new lights in the tunnel. The old sound effects were still playing, and they were slightly eerie with nothing but darkness to accompany them. Further on in the tunnel were the new glowing LEDs, which may be a really cheap and tacky replacement for the 'Source of the Current' scene but it did the job at least. I don't like the way that Thorpe Park took that view on it, though; if they want to amaze riders then don't go for the least amazing option and stick a few light in. Also, the purple glow that used to light up the overhead pipes and waterfalls opposite had gone leaving absolutely nothing. Most people probably wouldn't notice there is even a waterfall there if it was not for the noise.Here are some not so good photos I took inside the tunnel. With the flash on you can see, under the LEDs, some old theming still in place or covered in black cloth.

Yes, I understand, but it is still not as good as a theme designed and built for Alton Towers by Alton Towers. However, I am sure most other people will appreciate a Sonic theme, so it will be a popular change for 2010 no matter what deal is done.

According to Towers Times, the brochures for Alton Towers have been updated to show Sonic on the front of a Spinball Whizzer car...But once again there is no proof as the 'image was so small it was impossible to get a photo of'! I guess it is evidence enough, but I really don't like the idea of sponsorships. It just takes away the unique-ness of a ride and replaces it with advertising 'stuff'.

I agree that an indoor section sounds like a weird idea. If it is true then I think it will be going in the queueline or station as a few other people have suggested. Remember that the queue goes under the airtime hill and behind the ride, so there is plenty or room around the back of Beanoland near Peeking Heights for something like an indoor section. I personally think it does not need one at all, but it would be great to queue inside an immersive, themed room like a jungle, before going into the open and seeing the ride.The Kobra should be a really good ride for Chessington, being the first large investment for a few years, along with its giant snakes and fountain theming.

It sounds like this ride is going to be a step forward for Chessington. I am glad they are rebranding for 2010 because the theme park was getting very delapidated before Merlin took over and its image faded. Also, I heard that the Kobra will have indoor sections somehow. Wild Asia should be great when it opens this year!