Benin

Some of the areas need refurbishment. Though Miniland has looked tired for over a decade. There was also mention of a second major attraction added round back of Minifigure Speedway to replace Skyrider. Though whilst Temu Cosmic Spin looks fun coaster wise the interactive element looks really poor. Hope they don't waste money on a B&M junior invert when they might as well get a Vekoma STC/SFC instead.

3 years later.... Resort area planned for 2027. Will go on some older car park area and where the high ropes course stood. LooopingsToverland wil vakantiepark Ithaka Resort openen in juni 2...Toverland zet vol in op een viersterrenresort met internationale allure. Achter de schermen worden de laatste voorbereidingen getroffen voor de bouw... But that's not all. Blitz Bahn is getting spited at some point for something potentially later this year. LooopingsDetails over vervanger van Maximus' Blitz Bahn in Toverla...We zijn weer iets wijzer geworden over de attractie die Maximus' Blitz Bahn in Toverland gaat vervangen. Het Limburgse themapark neemt binnenkort... And thennnnnnnn the park want to expand the Port Laguna entrance area with a big dark ride and other things. LooopingsNieuwe tekeningen tonen uitbreiding Port Laguna in Toverl...Er zijn nieuwe ontwerpen opgedoken van de uitbreiding van Port Laguna in Toverland. In een openbaar document van de provincie Limburg, over een... Exciting future for the park really.

Lol. Towers has had 60+ min queues on stuff in CBeebies Land. Even bloody Sea-Life and Teacups have had queues. Don't think Lego has been much better. And that has the added plus point of RAP using the Fastrack queueline for 90% of stuff.

I remember backlash when Lego first went to digital RAP. I think the main problem with this was the lack of communication on top of not allowing the new all digital system to bed in a bit. Especially when adding in defined dates for when the RAP bookings open up this year. Still, people got what they wanted.

Free if you stay on site within a certain period. So you have to spend the ridiculous hotel rates to get one. "Free" by proxy.

I mean who could've forseen backlash when it was slyly (read not) announced on the same day the first batch of RAP bookings were made available? Surprised they've u-turned this quickly. But I'm sure RAP users won't complain when the situation hasn't changed this season.

The "once per ride" system is what Paultons do (did?), but I guess the complaints aren't often there because the regular queues are reasonable to deal with. Phantasialand is an interesting example. Mostly because they're a nightmare for accessibility. Most of the German parks were in fairness due to the TÜV rulings that perhaps leant a bit too much towards the side of restrictive. One of the reasons not been back for a number of years. I do think continental culture is a massive difference though. Be it between that some countries are behind in terms of legislation or the park itself is a bit blasé towards accessibility. As Towers is my main Merlin haunt these days the main reasoning for the poor queue situation has been ride availability. How many times have both rides in X-Sector or Dark Forest gone down? Then everyone is surprised when the queues fill up suddenly. Definitely a problem has been the various FB groups almost guiding people how to cheat the system. And will say that we've recently done a few trips where we've had multiple RAP users in the group. However the main reasoning for that we're not allowed to leave the toddler unattended in the baggage areas and can't combine Parent Swap.

Now this is timely. Metlin and Nimbus have rejigged the qualifications for RAP as a result of all the various issues they've had over the years. This has, rather naturally, peeved people off, especially as this announcement was tucked away on Monday when they were releasing the first booking slots for RAP this year. What has actually happened? Nimbus have split their "Difficulties With Queues" into two new categories. "Difficulties With Crowds" and "Difficulties Standing". Going forwards at Merlin parks you will only qualify for RAP with a "Difficulties Standing", "Level Access" and "Toilet Needs" box. Naturally a lot of those with neurodivergency based disabilities have been given the Crowds box instead. Here's the thing, RAP in its current guise could not continue. Prior to pre-booking requirements the queues were ridiculous and defeated the point. And of course there was a fair amount of "abuse" of the system through poor staffing (I.e. not writing down correct times) and terrible guests shouting until they got their way. Pre-booking meant a limitation on numbers which worked but being able to book for specific dates was a nightmare when no idea when they would go up. Plus still had a few people unaware they needed to pre-book specific dates in first place. Sadly it's always felt inevitable given the whole "free Fastrack" perception on top of people gaming the system ruining it for those who need it. Fortunately for my end the changes do not affect us. However it should be noted that other UK parks will still accept the Crowds box for their equivalent system. However, why is it such a problem at Merlin parks at all? I've seen it busy at Efteling which is understandable, but at Europa last year felt like we were the only ones really using their system (and they don't even time you out on stuff really). Currently Merlin have termed it as a trial for Feb Half Term. Though it's probably just to let the PR storm settle before main season begins. So thoughts? Who's affected by the change and will you renounce your MAP as a result if you have one? Have Nimbus just randomly allocated you the wrong box for your disability?

I mean that was a different situation though. Tussauds getting their feet under the table and the park needed a big double whammy of attractions given the biggest thing was Tidal Wave.

Another one from Efteling, Halve Maen (the HUGE pirate ship) only says that children under 1.2m must be accompanied. Viable that kids under 0.9m could feasibly go on it.

Merlin really went ham on a few restrictions (log flumes in particular). My cousin went on Pirates at DLP at a few months old and slept through the entire thing. RMT at Towers is min 1.1m though, 1.3m is unaccompanied. It's frustrating really. Little one adored the teacups at Efteling but can't ride them at Towers and you can't really explain why to them. Granted she wants to ride Nemesis but you know. Guess it's just that difference of safety and responsibility expectations. Did amuse me that you can take a baby onto Pirana at Efteling.

The prices at Towers are probably such to avoid hitting the local B&B market too hard. It does feel expensive though considering the lack of overall quality. Though my visits the last two years were fine, wouldn't really wax lyrical about them either. Just looking at possibly doing Efteling for a week in May and one of their 6 person renewed lodges is comparable to Splash Landings price wise. However I know the trip will be just... better. CBeebies Hotel pricing is just awful though.

Merlin are clearly a bit hamstrung financially at the moment. But I certainly don't miss the adding something new for the sake of it period. That's how you end up with crap like I'm A Celeb or Black Mirror.

Closed season bingo!

The area is crap anyway so destroying it is probably the best bet. Towers is depressing at best of times but that section is just dead.