Benin

Don't have to move it (assuming the curent existing queue doesn't change, which it doesn't have to, it's good enough as is really bar a bit more theming dotted around)... I think the 'official' reason for it's removal was that the ride couldn't cope with working with 3 trains... By this, I think they meant the staff can't due to the obscene amount of stacking that occurred the last few times I saw it on 3 trains...

Chessie's Fake Nando's is actually the worst Merlin food outlet in all the parks... Why they got rid of the pub for it I have no idea... It's absolute turd...

Surely the contract renewal will cost money as well? Hence why the ride is so poorly themed outside with those amazing 'props' from the film, cos all the money went on getting the name in? I've always questioned Merlin's choice of IPs though, what with Saw, Ice Age and Shrek (Towers Farm retheme idea that fortunately died before it happened) are all essentially dead or dying franchises with minimal lasting appeal, especially when you compare to what Drayton and Paultons have done with clever long lasting IPs... Maybe they were cheaper...

I'd be happier if they would run 3 trains again... Sigh, give me early 2008 operations again... Those were the days...

I've had some pretty awful times at Glass House (hour wait, forgotten orders, the infamous no salt of 2009)... It's improved recently though, like most Merlin outlets, should defo try it again Dan... (Though it's not a PATCH on Woodcutters <3)

If by update you mean get shiny new tvs then yes... Cannot change perfection...

Why would they have to remove the kiosk? No need either when it makes money...

1 - Dunno, didn't eat there, looked to be the same if not similar though... 2 - The usual repaint of the interior 3D effects making them look 3D after a year of wear and tear... At least they do it...

Could easily make the wall go along to the lockers... Boom, themed connected queueline... Themed entrance would be made of joy, but the odds on it happening are as ever, quite low... We can but dream...

It would be suicide for the park to deliberately close one of their biggest coasters for the busy period of October, especially as Fury cannot cope (and vice versa with Fury closing and the effect on Vamps)... Let alone closing Bubbles... As for the shop, don't get too excited, it's an awful mish mash of colours and whilst the empty look at the moment doesn't help, I dunno what good merch will do to it... The only thing left for Chessie to do with that area is gut out Bubbles and make it a decent darkride again... Same ride system, completely new theme and redo the exterior whilst they're at it... Piece of absolute turd thing it is and it gets worse every year...

It was playing... It was good... If URGH ROMANCE </3

Went yesterday, not toooo much to report on... Lots and lots of random bits of work seem to be on the agenda this year, Creaky Cafe looks really good, the green not as in your face as the pictures make it seem, inside it's a bit basic really but it's a definite improvement... The facade work in Translyvania is weird, allllll the way along the front up to the backside of Chips Ahoy... Interesting to see how that develops... Lots of old theming on the floor, tempting to take some home really Didn't see any work on Vampire's gate (indeed, a train was casually chilling down there though)... Zufari might be lucky to open in March, LOTS of dirt hills and such... But you can't see much from the Wanyama area because of this so... Not much to report because of the sheer lack of places to get to at the moment... Hocus Pocus has had the usual repaint of everything though, and Bubbles looks worse every year, nothing ever changes sometimes...

This There was also a trailer for Despicable Me 2... ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN!

To be fair, Storm Surge does look like a giant, multi-coloured, unthemed pile of turd... So that was rather accurate...

Groundwork takes the longest time to do... Especially looking at that little 'slot' section... Also, how black does Blivvy look?

Apart from a LOT of work on the top end of the site, including some dug down gaps for the track and your aforementioned footers...

X Sector was never confirmed to be open for half term (because March or May opening, it still would have been a construction/testing site)... I have a feeling most of the merch might well be logo only with minimal name (at least I hope so, I at least want a magnet for work <3)

I don't get the panic... There are worse animals we could eat, and we eat effectively EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL ON THE PLANET ANYWAYS... Oh it's not beef... Oh wells... British Media Over-reactions </3

Double post, but when there's long slender track penetrating a giant wall, who cares?

Roast & Relish Amity Kebabs Merlin's own food stuff is so, so damn good these days...

And best themed ride of 2013 goes to.... Bellewaerde Park in Belgium, this indoor/outdoor Zierer coaster will boast a long pre-show (think Legoland's Dragon) before going outside and back in... The concept art and theming so far look BRILLIANT...

Erm, yeah, whatever the hell that means... Personally, since I'm not the one calling other people pathetic for not sharing the same opinion as you, I'd like to think I'm rather safe from any SCARRRRRRY wrist slapping I might get from the 'big boys'...

Allowing other opinions, it's not for everyone...

Why are other opinions so offensive and 'wrong' to you? You're assuming a lot about other people's opinions on here and generally posting a lot of rather and undeeded personal attacks on those who have a different opinion... To call someone pathetic and then have a go at them for being abusive? Priorities are certainly not in order, and your arrogance and dislike of people disagreeing with you (indeed, we ALLLL have our own little sources and many of us have experience working at the parks, we know our stuff) is just extremely off-putting to everyone involved... You mention giving you respect... With your style of posting, you ain't gonna get any of that from me...

The thought of some enthusiasts having shares in Merlin scares me...