Benin

Benin saves the day again *sunglasses smiley* Josh, are we gonna need the Thorpe opening countdown when it's open? Not really... That's what I meant by replacing it, as most meets won't be announced until then anyways... Recent topics should really be replaced by posts instead... Makes much more sense...

Not really... Where the "Merry Christmas" message was? Plonk down a "NEXT TRIP/MEET" reminder (which then doubles for advertising it as not everyone will visit the topic)... The countdown? Replace that with a scrollable list of Meets over the course of the year... Done... Of course as well, having a go at someone for forgetting and suggesting better reminders doesn't make for good showing either...

It's a LOT easier to turn a ride forwards than backwards, the main problems that occur when turning a ride from forwards to backwards are due to the backwards seating position... NWO facing forwards is probably the most logical thing Thorpe can do with it, to prevent having to turn on the lights to reduce vomit covering half the exit... Besides, there isn't much in the way of logistics to change for NWO, or any force for that matter... Besides, when facing forwards you can anticipate the drops and turns (to a degree on an indoor coaster) more so that isn't a big issue... Swarm (apparently) would only have the two back rows turned backwards... Now THAT'S a logistical nightmare...

SW7 is actually going to Thorpe?

I don't remember any bubbles in the original... That's because it didn't need them, instead, it had other beautiful things to look at... Sigh............

Usually the reason you don't see flat rides commonly appearing at fairs (like Boosters let's say) is because of their dire throughput and design to be transported rather than permanent (see Samurai)... Tbh, fairs are fairs, and whilst their rides are run faster, it's because they are temporary fixtures... Theme parks must think long term, and as such, cannot afford to run rides at extreme speeds and long settings, otherwise they'd potentially break after a while and become a maintenace burden (like Samurai)... Look at how Blackpool had both a Zierer Starshape and two (to make up for lack of throughput) Fabbri Boosters, both are now gone (though Bling suffered from the closure of the South Entrance in my opinion more), which goes to show that not all flat rides would be successful in a theme park environment just because they are good at the fair circuit... Two different parts of the same industry...

Double Post

I think our lack of animatronics is linked to our distinct lack of ride upkeep... See also, Bubbleworks retheme, how many stationary figures are in it now compared to the original? They are also excessively expensive... A shame but there are defo other methods to use in the modern industry...

How cheap you looking for Towers hotels? Travelodge Uttoxeter is an option, as are a few small hotels in Stooooooke (which would probs be best if you were sans car)... Another thing this topic can be used for, people asking questions about trips...

I hope they do sommat with the purple wall of plain... Either way, seems most of the theming remains...

It's random opening times were probably because it was broken... The park will try and get 100% open rides (although they don't do this regularly), and at least with an hour to go they're still aiming to open it, rather than not bother... And the park didn't lie about why it was broken, it just didn't tell anyone, because they don't have to actually tell the guests what the problem is, don't wanna cause rumours being spread around via social media...

So as the new year is getting along I'm sure many of TPM are looking at their calenders and budgets, so where are you going this year? Perhaps a jaunt to the well visited Florida and Orlando, or expanding the horizons in Europe... Or maybe even going to a non-Merlin park in the UK (the HORROR)... So my plans so far for the year are: - DLP in March - Denmark in June (Farup Sommerland, Djurs Sommerland, Legoland, Bon-Bon Land, Bakken and Tivoli) - New York in August (Coney Island) And potentially more, but these are the definites (2 are indeed already booked)... What about the rest of TPM?

This... Especially as I felt like the harnesses were going to maim me on my last ride...

What if it's been delayed in construction for an unforseeable reason? Unfortunately right now, it's just speculation whether or not the ride will be open... Unless an enthusiast has links to the construction team and their new construction schedule as it's defo been changed due to an unexpected discovery during excavation (Wait... What? That sounds strangely familiar) causing construction to be delayed and plans of construction method changed... Such is the way of construction and engineering... A problem arises, a solution is found, and sometimes that comes at a price of the time-frame, I should know, experienced that enough in my work...

Is it all the theming? Like the walls and statues or just the trees? I would imagine the planting might be gotten rid of to increase seating capacity... The fake trees being gone would be disappointing... But I would imagine seating capacity might be the reason behind it (unless it's a general revamp of theming and they will be replaced)...

Vengeance is by far one of the biggest pointless attractions I've experienced... Made no sense and the guns? Worthless... Dungeons you turn up and show your MAP at the Priority Entrance (closest to London Bridge station Tooley Street exit), time shouldn't be too much of an issue...

Hopefully just the one, I dunno how many Blackpool's Dungeons has, but the Tussauds there had about 20 (possibly an exaggeration, but there were at least 4)

Weren't those the limited edition mugs sold during Scarefest? Rehashing products ftw!

Absolutely no space in County Hall for a coaster, and as said, the Amsterdam coaster is apparently absolutely awful and pointless... New boat ride and Sub Terra style Extremis is what we're getting, as well as new scenes... Considering the amount of space County Hall has (or lacks), it's the most we could expect...

Looking good, the lighting will no doubt be the icing on the cake... Such a difference to how County Hall's insides look... And better than Death Trap I'd imagine

Here for later reference and use...

Air (4) Battle Galleons (4) Congo River Rapids (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (5) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (5) Runaway Mine Train (5) Skyride (5) The Flume (4) The Gardens (7) Th13teen (6) Gardens + Flume -

Cos I couldn't answer Sidders was right anyways... Rocky Express Supremacy ftw!

Rides like Spinball/Fury just don't work on Fastrack, if Disney can't do it, no one can... As for the summer pics, least it was only summer, like that at Thorpe most weekends... Indeed, it's half an issue of guest mentality as well... The amount of people I saw at Chessie buying Fastrack when it wasn't needed was just silly at times (especially Ultimate ones) so any intelligent business would be wise to jump onto what is effectively a giant cash cow... Of course the way the Fastrack is done is way too abusable at times (I should know, that's what Fastrack shots to avoid that burdenous 90 minute Saw queue are for), so the system is a problem (naturally)... I'm a reasonable fan of Q-Bots after my experiences with them, but when you get guests wanting to make the most of their day and willing to spend the money for it... At least we Brits like queuing, the Americans are a lot worse (Buy ALL the Fastracks we can!) And that standing still was probably due to everyone wanting to go on Rita turning around and doing Thirteen instead, can't blame breakdowns as part of a Fastrack issue when they sell combined tickets (Dark Forest) as well... Towers will probs do a Thirteen and not sell any Fastrack until it settles in I reckon... Doubt a full queue will equate to 90 minutes this time though... Not that I can go to opening day anyways... *shrugs*

It's a daft viewpoint, like saying that last year I wasn't gonna go on Swarm because it would be popular and busy... No point not going just cos a new ride will unsurprisingly be busy...