Benin

Could be worse, could be the $15+ American parks charge.It's more the subject of upsetting the status quo with these, having something for free being taken away is something no-one likes. And considering we're only just now coming into it, when you look at our friends in Europe and America, well it was only a matter of time.

Drayton have announced that they will be charging £2 for car parking during their Christmas Events. I'm assuming it'll continue through to the main season.

You know what, I reckon this would have been so much better suited to the family audience it belongs to at Legoland Florida...Still don't know why Thorpe wanted it... Unless as a long term replacement for Depth Charge, but it still begs the question, "WHY?"...

^To be fair, looks are EVERYTHING on a ride, and Oblivion is in a right old state atm, both the track and cars are in a desperate need of repainting, made clear by the redone train this year, which looked tonnes better than the rest...

I do wonder how intense the ride actually will be. Considering the difference between Air and Tatsu, it could be something like that.But on the other hand, the seating will provide a much different layer/direction of stress and strain in both the track and train, so I'm holding my breath until I think it will be as intense as say, Nemesis. I sense the Wing-Riders could well ride very similarly to each other in a sense, without a huge amount of forces in any direction.

More pictures can be found HERE! Including the beginning of the interaction with Atlantica Supersplash...

A mod should probably be doing this, but I'm up and bored so...We've derailed the topic enough, someone was good enough to open a topic for the Inferno discussion HERE. Let's leave this for some good old fashioned question time.For example, THAT Dive Loop, who designed it?

Dev diary says it's all complete for the inclined loop. Good to see one over here considering how rare they are in general.

Yay for a pointless 200ft hill when the rest of the ride hugs terrain more than a person attempting to save a rainforest.

Nice to see SOME Merlin parks have their marketing departments in the right place.So Swarm can now say they've stolen bits from Raptor AND Krake ;)In seriousness though, with the Swarm marketing, there has been nothing that I haven't liked that has come straight official from the park.

^Pics and/or video please k thanks.

Why is Inferno the Best Coaster at Thorpe Park - By BeninNemesis Inferno has a problem, what with the selection of name, it already directly references the more famous and better Nemesis at Alton Towers. But of course, being a B&M Inverted still doesn't make you awful, the purpose of this point is to investigate why Inferno is the best ride on the park today.Firstly, the theming and atmosphere of the ride is very well done. Tussauds knew how to do interaction, whilst we can see this with Colossus and Stealth as well (though Stealth's interaction is more of a plonked down on flat tarmac approach), Inferno's is on the same level as Colossus, with both pathways and queues going around and under the layout allowing all to be involved underneath. What can edge it here for Inferno, is the extra effects (when working), allow an extra dimension to the experience that Colossus cannot as it lacks effects, instead solely focusing on the ride. And Saw has no interaction with the path or queue save for the first drop and inversion, so that's out.Theming, like all at Thorpe is sporadic at best. Inferno's case here lacks the back end of a volcano. However, where done it does have a decent level of theming, like the others really, once again when it comes to theming at Thorpe it's very much a smaller thing, rather than something that MAKES the ride. The volcano is probably the best themed icon in the park though, better than the flat panelled warehouse on the opposite end of the park.Music again competes with Colossus, as the other two use external music which while suitable to each, will not be included in the results here due to lack of 'creativity' from the park. Both Inferno's and Colossus' themes are brilliant, and suit their own rides perfectly. The edge again might go to Inferno because it is unique to the ride and park, whereas Colossus can also be found at Heide Park.And of course, the rides. Hard to compare them directly as each one is different in vast quantities and qualities. However, Inferno is the smoothest ride on the park, followed by Fish, then Stealth. One of the most common complaints from Saw and Colossus is the head-bashing suffered from guests. Countless headaches and pains have been experienced across the boards and forums which for this post means Inferno is certainly better than Saw and Colossus before even getting into the nitty-gritty of the ride experience.Inferno also provides a fair bit of true intensity into the ride. Like the Batman's where the first part after the lift hill comes from; blacking/greying out occurs regularly at the bottom of the first drop and the vertical loop, something that doesn't happen anywhere else on the park due to g-forces rather than head-bashing. Like it's predeccesor as well, Inferno is quick around the course, allowing little time to breathe, but it also takes it's time around the elements as well, allowing the thrill to be consistent throughout the attraction. Compare that fact to Stealth, and the way in which the thrill there comes from two distinct sections (the launch and the drop back down) and it's clear the Inferno is also the most substantial ride at the park, allowing a mixture of elements in a relatively short space of time with a good start, middle and end. Colossus has a weak ending and becomes excessively repetitive during the ride, and Saw whilst with extended dark ride section, lacks the consistency when outside to complete the job.So in conclusion, Nemesis Inferno is quite clearly, the superior ride at Thorpe Park. For being more consistent, more substantial, more smooth, and more fun than the other 3.

Lol, just lol.Maybe Thorpe should steal the 'Hanging' show that Knott's Berry Farm do at Halloween events for next year's Fright Nights. Hang a celeb, then blow one up, suitable times.Although, being offended by this just shows how Daily Mail our country is these days. Such a lack of taking jokes these days. Probably the people who complained didn't even understand why effigies were even being burned and just thought Thorpe were taking the piss (which of course they were, but not maliciously).Just PEOPLE!

Might call the RSPCA for that. Poor cat.

I blackout more on Inferno than many other rides in the country, including Nemesis.Says a lot about it don't it?And isn't Saw meant to be bashing people's necks in nowadays? You say you disagree with most of the post but then only disagree with two points you lift out. Not sure if you're trying to support his post or disagree with it.

Plus for Mark (and myself and Neilfever) we've been on Raptor, so we know how Swarm should be riding in a way.And since Raptor was bloody good, Swarm should be just as if not better. Raptor essentially got me more for this project than just the construction alone.And who would say no to more B&Ms?

9-5?Good to hear they're expanding the zoo days... Just wonder if 18 (from park close) days is enough engineering times for Bubbles to be checked over...Also good that it's two indoor rides, good show...

This pageI tell you something that annoys me, universities creating courses which have absolutely no actual credit or give you the skills to get out into the world. Take for example this;http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/19/harry-potter-course-durham-universitySorry, but studying things like Harry Potter should be left to the English Literature people, or indeed the Language. Trying to determine social context from it won't help you get a job (which is the main purpose of uni), and this is the main reason why universities were (since with the higher fees, fewer are coming) so full, is because of poxy degrees like this which are absolute crap.

I got a Masters Degree in Engineering for THIS!Bloody excellent, been too long since an addition to the UK has gotten everyone this excited. And looked this pretty.

Inclined loop to be finished before the corkscrew then?

Awesome sauce. As Mark says, one of the best soundtracks at Thorpe and certainly suits it better than Scream's music (which is still good, just fits it's own ride rather than Detty).

Best ride you have been involved with and why?Did you think your Wing-Rider concept would be as well-received as it has been?Will you ever delve into incorporating launch technology in the future?Slightly late to be posting a topic which will be popular eh Marc?

#firstworldproblems

Madagascar sponsorship? Hmmm, if Towers can't provide a decent area for Dreamworks, I doubt Chessie can with about 1/10th of the budget ;)Shall have to see on it... But something needs to be done (that also involves blowing up Truckers)...