Benin
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Everything posted by Benin
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I'm sure enthusiasts the world over will be hitting up Windsor for the.... *checks notes* Mack baby coaster.
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There's a few alternative options the parks can alter to improve the system that whilst would have some complaints it's not something that would particularly be a problem in terms of preventing anyone using it. Main thing is one carer. That's all you get. Perhaps in special circumstances you can have two but that's when you can really go all out on PIP/DLA as the majority of disabled guests will only need the one carer (plus on most rides you've only got two seats in a row anyway). Majority of parks seem to use this so why not ours? That being said, it would be problematic towards families. But as carers need to be 16+ (iirc) then it's a weird situation. There's some leeway there as things can also be combined with parent swap in order to accommodate some families with it. Making the system Blue Badge or benefits only is a minefield and should not be considered. Some people can't get benefits but can have a blue badge, and probably vice versa. Hell some severely disabled people are now considered fit to work and have their benefits cut. But that's the government for you. Perhaps DLP's tiered system could be looked at. Temporary injuries like leg casts have one method, whereas permanent disabilities have another. I've not really used it so can't be sure. There's no one answer as you cannot encompass every disability under the sun. However it's clear it's an UK issue, as when using it in places like Efteling or Toverland (not Walibi as it's not the best system, though technically the fairest as you stand at the exit for the same length of time as the queue, but with no real waiting areas), as there aren't as many using it compared to Merlin ones. Didn't see many use it at other parks in UK but I wonder if it's as widely known or if the max one carer system prevents abuse? As for those early morning queues, it's the same at Towers, though at least Thorpe have a separate area. The early morning rush can't really be avoided if everyone turns up on time can it?
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I wonder what the ratio is of RAP users to Disabled ticket purchases (free carer so essentially a 2-4-1). Might make for some interesting reading. Honestly not sure what the parks can do short of ACTUALLY ENFORCING THEIR RULES. So often we've not had the RAP signed, so that in of itself opens it up to abuse and that's before we look at the actual hand out system. To say that the increase of RAP distributed is down to the "snowflake society" is utter nonsense. It'll be tied into an increased awareness (and detection/diagnosis) of mental health issues. I doubt many kids first thought when being diagnosed with ADHD or severe Autism is "omg I can jump the queues at Thorpe Park". I don't really think that the sort of people who would be termed as "snowflakes" would be the sort of people abusing this as a system. I'm intrigued as to how the systems will work in the States this year. But I think the amount of people using RAP here is a culture thing rather than any fault of the parks. And I'll imagine Disney is the worst for it, hence why their modern rides in the States make wheelchair/mobility scooter users go in the main queue.
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They must have an incredibly worn dartboard in the main office covered in various IP options that just didn't make the cut. It's just... Weird? Like it's the sort of thing I expect at something like Trocadero used to be. And it just muddies the constant water of themed park areas against isolated IP based attractions. Just makes it all seem really messy especially given the size of it.
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To me, 10s of millions sounds about right for a theme park maintenance budget? Be interesting to compare Towers or Disney to it. In terms of Colossus needing a retrack, that would likely be the recommendation from whoever's looked at it. Then when pointed out the key areas that require work Merlin have focused on those because purse strings are tight. Which pretty much sounds like any company doing maintenance on things tbh. Everything else sounds like what we've all noticed for years under Merlin. Chronic underinvestment in infrastructure has led to a lot of issues. Plus additions that just haven't worked as planned. It's a tough combination, and we can just hope that the new ownership sees these issues and takes suitable action.
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Give you some due with that coaster list, perhaps the most out there choices I've seen in anyone's top 10.
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If the queue is walk on or 5 minutes then you would find they close it in tandem with the park. But 15 minutes seems to be the cut off at minimum.
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I don't think many parks actually advertised the queue closing time. Had that happen to me at Efteling before. Phannyland is the exception rather than the norm. As we're discussing Taron against Helix, if Taron's layout wasn't just corners then it would be better. Helix's inversions break it up a bit whilst also incorporating one or two golden moments of airtime. Whilst it lacks the theme quality (which in a park with minimal themeing doesn't bother me), the layout doesn't bore me about halfway in. See also the second half of Black Mamba. In terms of Icon it just feels like a missed opportunity. Half the moments of hangtime exist because it crawls along the track, and probably has about the same amount of airtime moments as Helix. Plus the second half is dreadful after a quite fun first half. It's a weird ride and just seems to miss something when compared to the other Mack launches. As for parks pulling out their finger and investing? Well that's up to them to better Icon (which wouldn't be THAT hard let's be honest) with something similar. But do the UK parks have the desire and ability to spend that money? Beyond Merlin the answer is no, as much as I'd love to see Paultons get one in the near future I think we're a way aways from them getting something truly big. I'd imagine a small Gravity Group would be the next coaster for there.
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Didn't they used to have a step for Vortex? My memory isn't what it used to be. It's always easier to get out than in these seats for some so wouldn't be a terrible idea. But I also don't think they'd be used enough to warrant them.
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I'll agree it's odd that you like Icon given the launches on that aren't exactly better than Helix's two.
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I'm gonna disagree with Liseberg. I don't find the layout annoying (and my second visit was with a wheelchair!) And it has an actual good collection of flat rides and a good atmosphere as well, even during Halloween where it was busy (though the wheelchair might factor that, people move very quickly out the way). Very surprised by the dislike of Valkyria too, I thought it was fab.
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In the EU it's known as Storm Denis.
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But adding a new coaster before fixing those issues is like putting a plaster on an amputation. You build a new coaster first and then all these people come and the park is still awful, just with a shiny new coaster, people will notice. Hopefully the new owners of Merlin can kick the parks back into life to cover most of the issues. However the RAP argument is a faultless task, and not one that can be easily solved.
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So what if a few enthusiasts travel for a coaster? That won't fix the park's other faults. Walibi added theirs on the back of a long term plan of changes (whilst the owners are seemingly heavily involved in given the additions to the other parks in their group). But when you go to Walibi the park isn't in a complete state of disrepair, adding crap small additions that cost all the budget to run. The food doesn't cost the earth, the operations aren't terrible (nor are they good), and they certainly didn't invest millions into the "future of theme parks" to see it fail. What's missing from all Merlin parks is a viable long term plan. Though Chessie and Towers have suffered less as they sort of have one, Thorpe has chopped and changed almost yearly. Redo NWO to become family friendly, change it to adult orientated theme. Add family theme area to park in attempt to get them to visit, then give up after a year. The first thing the park needs to do is improve the infrastructure in preparation for the next big thing. Through sensible small additions building up to whatever massive coaster they build. But that'll only happen if Merlin have not only a plan for the park but to invest correctly and not focus on crap USPs that don't help the park progress.
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You really don't need kids to go Paultons, it is a very family orientated park after all. No different to a bunch of adults going to Chessie.
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Wouldn't be surprised if when booking online anyone who clicks on a parking ticket will have to input vehicle registration. Which makes some sense. I think cost and logistics will be why many parks haven't done it. Bearing in mind supermarkets only really use it to charge for overstays in some areas, and airport car parks to just let advance payments in.
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*Looks at Lightwater and Mingoland before sighing*
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CAD mostly
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If they did a Hex scent though I'd be all over that. Is Morwenna in charge of marketing these days?
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As someone who doesn't do mazes even I enjoyed the event. Probably would've a lot more if it hadn't chucked it down on my visit mind but then again Untamed in the rain was lush. I also did the Zompirate buffet thing, which was mixed. Good idea but having everyone on long tables makes it awkward when the people opposite are clearly vegetarian and you're stuffing your face with the various meats they bring to the table. Decent actors again mind even if lost on me. From what I heard the maze quality varied. Though that might be done to standards more than anything. Clinic was too expensive so wasn't done but the praises of Below were sung. The scare zones also varied in quality but the carnival and firepit areas were utter standouts as I prefer that aspect of these events. Would recommend the q-bots though. Even the silver level one was beneficial on the visit as it allowed to queue whilst waiting for a maze. Not many others using it either making it great in terms of whoring Untamed and time efficiency. The RIP pass for the mazes I think also saved money and meant you could visit at any time rather than a slot. Plus got you the buffet. Slightly better than Belgium's version but the quality was similar.
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That's a nice blue.
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I found the guy who escorted me around Matlock Bath lovely actually. I even sent a thank you email afterwards. That being said I'll certainly be offering a trip to the new Gulliver's with the nieces and nephew when it opens
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If one thing is for certain you can tell the VR was added incredibly late on, even if it's the main part of it. The whole thing sounds like it was designed in a day.
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#doitforthecred Could be worse, could try and steal random children to get the cred like the Americans do. P.S. Log Flumes aren't creds.
