Benin

*laughs in Novgorod*

Couple of goon groups did construction tours yesterday. The launch at least looks to be better than Icon's. The rest of the area seems to be decent. Laughing at all those who seemed to believe that there was a magical method of increasing throughput. Due to open 15th May so get ready for those 2 hour queues!

And Storm Surge, Colossus, Saw, Ghost Train, Samurai, Zodiac, Walking Dead, Stea............

There's a lot of areas at Thorpe which if they removed the stuff sitting there they could do a decent amount of things with. Assuming the infilling plans are limited these days they'll have to remove things anyway. And there's a lot of old crap that could be binned.

They probably don't mind as it'll end up in the sea before long with the rest of the area.

The old Toytown buildings look dreadful, which is so weirdly contrasted against the nice work done on the Skyway/Arcade building. The green on the entrance is also a bit off. Chessie have always been at the forefront of repainting. Usually because its the only thing they could afford to do with their given budget. It's a shame that the area around the flume is mostly taken up by MASSIVE ENCLOSURE though.

2 day park if everything has a massive queue or is broken all day though.

Think looking at those plans you'll be disappointed there. If I think back to my first ever visit and its telling how much of the balance has been lost. FV had 3 support rides (Air was being built) and now just Blade and maybe Sub-Terra if it reopens. Flume gone for Wickerman. Heave Ho about the only other change down that end of the park. Ug Land had 2 support rides. Now just 2 coasters, 1 of which is always hideously busy and was poorly implemented anyway. Toyland Tours turned into an uncharged attraction. Nah mate. X-Sector had 2 support rides plus Black Hole. Arguably that Smiler is an improvement on that. But again, Submission and now Enterprise dead. CBeebies is an interesting one, but not really as timeless as the Farm/Storybook. We do also have Spinball but again is usually too stupidly busy to bother with. I think stagnant is the best term for the UK park scene. And not helped when you look on the continent and see the differences in development in those 20 years.

The park line up has been decimated over the years to the detriment of the overall experience. Replacing everything with coasters (or poorly integrated Midway experiences) has limited what is available to guests on the day. Flume gone means Rapids and Galleons get everyone wanting a water ride for example. So they get stupid queues in the summer (they did anyway, but at least between the 2 main ones there was a split). The park cutting costs since Smiler crashing has I think exacerbated this situation further, especially when half of the flat rides are older than most on these and other forums. Also limited by this nonsense marketing USP thing. Every new ride is an addition and will benefit the park goer. It doesn't have to be a world's first or biggest thing of that type. It's just another option for riders. That the next project also appears to be a coaster is just, meh. Could've gone for a big family dark ride similar to Symbolica. That they had to hire in some fairground rides shows that SOMEONE knows the issue, but they can't seem to be able to convince whoever makes those decisions to get permanent additions instead.

Blates for Apocalypse.

Bonus boost before the helix spike just to make sure it makes it round the track. Weirder every time as we get closer to opening.

I'd hope the "technology not seen in the UK before" extends to more than an animatronic moving curtain. I mean, I know we approve of mediocrity in our parks but... yeah.

I really miss the days where you didn't have to endure a youtube video to see updates. I don't have the time nor the inclination to be told to like, share and subscribe.

Disney do it a lot (rides being sponsored by weird unrelated companies) for financial reasons. Test Track is Chevrolet if I recall. Can't imagine Thorpe/Merlin need a government entity to be associated with this. They've got enough problems as is with projects going horrendously without throwing money at a theme park attraction. Thorpe will probably use any imagery that's close enough to invoke the idea (such as the destination posters which are VERY akin to real life ones) without needing any permission to use logos, etc. Predicting it'll be the least popular ride at Thorpe is a claim considering the competition and the attraction's own messy history. Black Mirror still exists doesn't it? Whatever the Frog Hopper is called now?

It could be considered thematically realistic to have an old victorian train depot building right next door to a flash modern(ish) train station. Plenty of examples on Network Rail.

Not sure if the facade has been repainted or is a secret level in Powerwash Simulator. Quite like it though. Think the crypt being removed helps it as well as it allows the building to be more focal as not hidden as much anymore. Looks quite foreboding compared to the less grubby version. Probably weirdly similar to the difference in styles between Phantom Manor and Haunted Mansion. Duck rumour is hilarious. Ride would be an instant 10/10 would retheme again if it happens. Head says it's someone having a laugh though.

Looks about as fast as the others tbh.

Eventually the effects will be turned off due to budget/maintenance issues. Get that real sensation of a 2002 ride on Haunted House.

I'll apologise when Abdab is back in Terror/Forbidden Tomb being encased in an iron maiden with a rock opera going on in the background.

Did they ever do the carriage effect justice though? Like you went in on the same level and if you weren't paying attention you could miss it. No idea as never rode it.

Turd and glitter come to mind.

Think more the middle of a field setting and a real combo of the graffiti UV stuff compared to the more 'traditional' haunted house stuff out front gave it a weird look and style to it. But as a PR stunt doesn't really matter.

"An "eerie" and hair-rising new ride will be launched at a Staffordshire theme park next month after a mysterious attraction promoting it opened in London. Alton Towers launched a haunted doll's house on London's Isle of Dogs to promote The Curse at Alton Manor which is set to be opened on March 18. Crowds of people were given a series of "supernatural clues" and teasers including a string of sinister messages. of what awaits when the ride opens. The experience culminated in the first sighting of Emily Alton – the child from the original haunted house, whose demonic exploits inspired the ride. Bianca Sammut, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “The British public remain gripped by a desire to be shocked and surprised. “We hope we haven’t given too many people nightmares with their first taste of The Curse at Alton Manor and their introduction to Emily. “If visitors thought this haunted doll’s house was impressive, they will be in for a serious surprise this Spring. Our experts have been crafting new and spectacular special effects and visuals that have never been seen before from a UK theme park. “If you feel you’re brave enough, join us from March 18 to uncover the secrets of her transformation from a once sweet and curious child to a vessel of evil.” As well as showcasing spectacular visuals, which the recent pop-up doll’s house alluded to, The Curse at Alton Manor will also bring special effects that will be a first for a UK theme park - from twisted projection mapping technology that transports riders into Emily’s own dollhouse, to mirrors that play tricks by blurring the line between reality and her demonic world."" Well I can eat my hat (one of my many hats) then. But it's actual confirmation of the plot involving Emily Alton rather than random rumour. The pop-up thing looked weird though.

Recreating that Staines vibe. Will still look OK when not maintained as a result.

Top quality from MMM /s. Why do Merlin always fall down on detailing? As an entry sign it's cheap and will be ruined fairly quickly, but would a big archway have detracted from the mountain (?) focal point? Strange design decisions.