terrortomb

It’s been 10 years today since the horrific Smiler collision.
 
BBC News are running coverage about the accident, but for some reason are glossing over the fact that the 2 injured riders raising this are doing so to raise money for the air ambulance charity who helped save many lives that day.
 
I still can’t get over that it actually happened to be honest. I remember seeing the footage on the news and feeling devastated that it happened at Alton Towers of all places - somewhere many people cherish as somewhere filled with joy and happy childhood memories.
 
I also remember visiting in the week after the park re-opened, and how empty and weird it felt being there after what happened.  A very sad time for everyone involved, and for all the staff.
 
I can’t help but wonder what Alton Towers would be like today if this incident hadn’t happened.  To this day, their reputation is damaged, and they certainly took a huge hit in the months and even years after the incident.  Perhaps the park would have been prosperous if this hadn’t happened, or perhaps an incident was waiting to happen anyway given the shortcuts that were being taken.

Really cool post I found on Reddit, where a users dad manufactured the original Vampire trains (read the comments for more info).  Some awesome pics!
 
[Bat] hand and fabrication of cars at Arrow

NEW "World Premiere" - FULL TOUR Disneyland Paris 2025
 
New entrance to Studios opened today.  Looks pretty decent!

So I visited Efteling for the first time recently.  This park exceeded my expectations, and I was going to say its a Disney quality park.  However, considering Efteling is older than Disneyland, should I be saying "are the Disney parks Efteling quality?"
 
We spent 2 days at the park arriving around midday on the first.  We didn't realise there was a national holiday, so the park was quite busy, however queue times averaged around the 30min mark, with Danse Macabre having a 60min queue pretty much all day for both days.
 
Symbolica - Loved this ride, the level of theming was very high, and refreshing to see they didn't resort to using screens inside the attraction.  There is a bit where all 3 cars face a balcony, which would have been an ideal place to put some screens, however there was a lovely diorama with butterflies so props to Efteling.  Also great to see the park celebrating their mascot Pardoes by giving them their own attraction.   I also loved the fact that you can choose between 3 different alternate endings, however we only got to experience the one.  When we returned to do a re-ride at the end of the 2nd day the ride had closed for technical issues and didn't reopen.  
 
Vogel Rok - Awesome indoor coaster, decent amount of theming in the queue.  Quiet forceful in some places.
 
Joris en de Draak - loved these dual coasters, probably one of my favourites of the whole trip.  Loads of fun pops of airtime.  Loved the little details, such as the flag spinning at the end to signify the winner and the flags dropping in the station on the winning side.
 
Droomvlucht - loved this ride, the sets were impressively large.  Also was not expecting the spiral ending.  
 
Pagode - I've never been on this type of ride before, and we rode it as the sun was setting.  Beautiful views across the park.
 
Python - I was surprised at how well this rode and was quite forceful.  I think its great that Efteling decided to completely re-track and keep its first major thrill ride, where other parks would have removed it.
 
De Vliegende Hollander -  this ride was amazing, the level of theming in the queue and the station blew me away.  Reminded me of PoTC.  The bit of the ride that goes into complete darkness with the fog actually made me a bit claustrophobic, and the ships "jumping" out of the dark were a nice touch.  The coaster portion was decent, and we got lightly splashed at the end.  The area theming was amazing as well.
 
Baron 1898 - decent ride, amazing theming.  Probably the only "let down" ride of the trip (and I use that term loosely as it is a world class ride) as the only other dive coaster I have been to compare it to is Oblivion.  
 
Carnaval Festival - loved this, reminded me of Small World (although the tune is not as offensive as Small World haha) and Toyland Tours.  Love to see these old school attractions still running.
 
Fairytale Forest - we spent around 2 hours in this, and we missed a lot.  We underestimated how big this area is!  My standout for this first visit was the Indian Waterlillies.
 
Danse Macabre - this attraction was the standout attraction for me of the whole trip.  I don't think there's much more I can say about it other than its incredible.  We waited both days until it got dark to ride this as the darkness really added to the atmosphere.  I would say Efteling have knocked it out of the park with this ride, its so well done.  Probably the best POV I have seen online is the DLP Welcome one (link here: NEW RIDE Danse Macabre FULL ON RIDE - Efteling - World Premiere Dynamic Motion Stage).
 
Park Ops - this is an extremely well run park, each of the F&B units had at least 3 staff in them, and the park and toilets were spotless.  All of the attractions were running multiple trains/cars and the queues moved quickly.  On our 2nd day we guesstimated they had a gate figure of around 10-12,000 and the park just swallowed it up.  Each attraction appears to have been built with throughputs in mind, and considering the park doesn't run a fast track system they appear to do well with this.
 
I got asked by a member of staff on a coffee unit what I thought of the park, and when I gave my feedback (which was positive) they said "thank you".  I got the impression the staff were really proud to work there, and took ownership of it.
 
We ate at the pancake restaurant Polles Keuken (amazing pancakes, although I would recommend pre-booking as the walk up queue can get quite long). The thematic elements in the restaurant added to the whole experience.  We had lunch/early dinner at the Het Witte Paard restaurant.  This was was around 15 EURO for a decent hot meal and drink which is amazing VFM in my opinion.  In fact, the whole experience I felt was really good VFM, with park tickets costing 38 EURO and parking 12 EURO.  My only gripe is that the hot drinks were all one size (small) and were 5 EURO, but this wasn't a big deal.  We also ate at the Fabula Restaurant which was very good.  The indoor play structures looked a lot of fun for the kids.
 
We visited the Winter area that they had just finished setting up which was very well done.
 
Park merchandise was very good, and I spent a small fortune on gifts, something I rarely do at a theme park.  They also sell the various scents from the attractions which was a very unique thing to see.
 
Parkwide and attraction sound/music were on point and very memorable.  
 
Entry to the park was quick and efficient, and the park entrance building is amazing!  Construction on the new hotel looks like its progressing well, and I'm sure will be an awesome addition once it opens.
 
Attractions we missed:
 
Fata Morgana - closed for maintenance
Villa Volta - didn't get time to get round to it
Pirana - didn't get time to get round to it
Raveleijn - they were running one show a day and we set an alarm to ensure we would be there on time.  However we forgot we set the alarm and the alarm went off when we were in the middle of the queue for Baron.  
Stoomtrein - didn't get time to get round to it
Max & Moritz - didn't get time to get round to it
 
I'm sure we missed a whole lot more as the park is massive, but gives me a reason for a return trip!
 
All in all, an amazing park.  This park and Phantasialand are filled with magic, wonder and whimsy which I think is missing from a lot of theme parks now.
 
We stayed at the Center Parcs De Vossemeren onsite hotel which is around a 1 hour drive from the park.  We payed 40 EURO (each) a night for 3 nights which included access to the waterpark and breakfast!  We took a day out of our trip to chill at the Center Parcs which was awesome!
 
Can't wait to see what Efteling do next!
 
 
 
 
 

we have all had enough of this thing.
 
 
nothing cryptic about it anymore.
 
 
it just doesn't work.

Will we be tracking Hyperias opening time everyday this season or is this just a March/April thing?
 

Apologies for double post but by all accounts, Hyperia has operated successfully since opening. Hopefully the issue is now sorted...
 
 

I've noticed that Mondays especially have become busier - possibly people having long weekends I assume.
But yes - mega quiet periods seem to be few and far between, the quietest is September before Fright Nights start, really. 

Yep it's gonna be an interesting day in this heat, I certainly wouldn't have picked it had I had a crystal ball. See those coming in the dome from 9:50! All welcome

Prior to the pandemic we ran trips to other parks including AT, CWoA, BPB Port Aventura, Toverland and Phantasialand but with not much happening at Thorpe attendance to all meets gradually declined so for now we will just trial Thorpe meets this year. If these go well or more interest occurs we will look at other park trips for 2023. 

Here's the official news: https://www.efteling.com/nl/blog/nieuws/20220124-nieuw-hotel-en-vernieuwd-themagebied-in-2024
 
So we'll get a new attraction opening in 2024, with a throughput of 1250pph, as well as some sort of 'theme world', which makes me think this investment might see more than just the attraction. No news on what the attraction is yet, and I'm still a little hesitant to refer to it as a ride just yet. The park will spend 25 million euros on this new investment (for comparison, Symbolica was 35 million)
 
The park will also open a new hotel in 2024, next to the main entrance, so that it will overlook Aquanura (the water show) and the Fairytale Forest. It will have 7 floors, 143 rooms, 2 restaurants and a spa, and represents a 50 million euro investment. For comparison, the most recent hotel offering (Loonsche Land) cost 30 million euros, and the previous (Bosrijk village) cost 52 million euros, but both of those have pretty substantial outdoor bits too, which seems less like with this hotel.

Forbidden Tomb is not returning, in name, nature or anything outside dreams.

Legoland's new area, Mythica, has been fully announced now:
 
https://www.legoland.co.uk/explore/theme-park/2021/
 
Rides:
Flight of the Sky Lion. Flying Theatre
Fire and Ice Freefall. Spinning family drop towers (like Tikal at Phantasialand, and the ones in the new area at Paultons)
Hydra's Challenge. Rethemed Squid Surfer
 
The idea for the area is that any time a 'creature' is made out of Lego, it actually comes to life in an alternate world. The Flying Theatre in particular is about travelling to this other dimension, and meeting some the huge creatures around the area. I believe these creatures are sort of amalgamations of real-world animals, to create that fantasy-feel.
 
The Legoland app will also allow you to scan some of the Lego models around the area to see them come to life on your phone (AR technology), which if works could be great.
 
Other things:
-There will be a 'Creature Creation' area for kids to build their own creatures 
-The Fish and Chips restaurant is being rebranded into The Hungry Troll Restaurant. Not clear if it's serving the same food, but looks likely imo
-New character, Bitsandbobs, a unicorn like creature, seems to be pushed a bit
-There will be 13 'large' creature models, using over 2 million bricks between them
 
 
It's a really cool idea imo. It's nice to see something different and unique, away from all of the Lego sets, whilst creating something that feels very Lego-like. It's the sort of thing Legoland parks should be doing. Some of it feels a bit ambitious, and I do worry the Flying Theatre might be a bit rubbish with bad throughput (if the other Lego flying theatres are anything to go by), but on the whole, I think there's lots to be positive about here.
 
Area is set to open May 29th, assuming they're allowed to open the Flying Theatre with Covid restrictions

Looking forward to some cringe for breakfast
If you are a grown man and want to ride this coaster, make sure you get down early in the day #goodadvice

Who's Ghost Train is it? Covid's Ghost Train until June 21st at the earliest 😆

Have removed a couple of posts from here - Regardless on your opinions on Nick’s music - fair play to him for organising this - just looked and I saw he’s raised almost £600 to donate to a mental health charity and no one deserves to be berated for that - that’s significant amount especially during these times from such a niche market.
 
Whilst I get it may not be everyone’s cup of tea I think it’s great people when people l come together and do things like this which will ultimately benefit others more in need, especially in times like this!

I think it looks great!! so for, this isnt the finish product, remember this isnt opening until next year and there is still lots to do. Dont criticis until the ride is completely finish. This is probably the best investment chessington has done since the original Vampire/Bubbleworks/ Transylvania years

Very interesting insight into your wants and needs here gents.

Europa Park, as previously mentioned, will be reopening from May 29th. It's been said they will max the daily capacity at 15,000, a quarter of their usual capacity (just for a fun comparison in park sizes, 15k is around Thorpe's capacity these days I believe...)
 
However, to book tickets you have to get in a virtual queue (similar to buying concert tickets and the like I guess). At time of writing, the virtual queue has over 28,000 people are is estimated to take an hour.
 
Will be interesting to see how it levels out in the future, and what this means for booking park visits in general over the next couple of months.

Might as well start another bandwagon.
 
Best Theme Park Restaurants 

5/ Rollercoaster Restaurant- Alton Towers. Probably my favourite UK park restaurant, I love how they’ve used the  ‘food loop’ Concept and that the place is
also dedicated to past and present coasters. I personally enjoy the food here too. 

4/ Tivoli Foodhall-Tivoli Gardens. Great variety here, plus the Smorrebrod (cultural delight) were absolutely delicious.

3/ Silver Lake Saloon- Europa Park. I love the food and I love the atmosphere and think I’m a sucker for most Wild West style places. Reminds me of Smith and Western a little. 
 
2/ Polle’s Keuchen- Efteling. This place is something of a masterpiece to the point where the food is almost secondary. Charming surroundings, meet and greets and amazing thematic set-pieces Which perform often. The pancakes are great too.
 
1/ Rutmoore’s Tavern- Phantasialand. I adore the cosy setting and theming plus the food is divine. It’s like stepping in time to another world or something!
 
The Worst Theme Park Restaurants 

5/  Woodys Burger Bar-Oakwood Theme Park. Bland quick service food, the burger was tasteless and inedible to the point it makes Burger Kitchen look like Five Guys.

4/ Aus Fastes Des Rome- Parc Asterix. Barely food and more processed than Jedward’s auto tune. Cold, tasteless, bland and did I say processed? I didn’t favour to much of Astérix’s food but this was something else!

3/ El Paso Dinner Buffet- Port Aventura.  P.A has become infamous for it’s terrible food quality and that is true. Expensive, inedible food that makes eating a chore as, opposed to enjoyable. I ate something so bad here I thought I was going to vomit!

2/ Jerome’s Grill- Port Aventura. I’ve had some lovely Pizzas in my time dining, the one I ate here wasn’t one of them! Disgusting, plastic, oily and more tasteless than a series of love island. Probably the worst pizza I’ve eaten, those cheap supermarket pizzas are gourmet compared to this travesty. 
 
 
1/ Piratengrill- Plopsaland De Panne. I never thought Port A.V. could be topped for disgusting food. Apparently not. The burger here tasted terrible to the point I struggled eating. To make matters worse, it was horribly expensive and they took so long serving I thought I’d be seeing CHRISTMAS there.
 
I miss going places.

5) Thorpe Park TPM meet 2013. There was something just so special about this trip. Whether it was the fact it was snowing, freezing cold, the most awesome people on a trip or just everything put together I don't know but it was just brilliant. To Peaj and Dara riding Tidal Wave and being drenched for the rest of the day or sitting in Calypso BBQ with hot chocolates and coffees. 
 
4) Disneyland Paris Fandaze 2018. The end of the 25th anniversary celebration really but this was a trip where many rare characters made an appearance as well as meeting the (at the time) CEO of Disneyland Paris, Catherine Powell. It was a long day but a fantastic one.
 
 
3) Europa Park 2006. I met my future husband on this trip so it has many, many special memories for me. Travelling through Rust to the Lidl from the Tipi village. Getting drunk in a field and several of us falling into a lake. Getting on Silver Star for the first time. Travelling the diamond mine and avoiding the bears, seeing the metal dragon. Such a great trip.
 
 
2) Walt Disney World 2011. When building up to Florida, it was Universal and Seaworld that I wanted and craved. But once the trip was over it was the Disney parks that captured my heart. This was the trip where my boyfriend and I were chosen to be in the Jammin' Jungle Parade which was utterly wonderful. I'll need forget this amazing trip.
 
 
1) Chessington 1998. I wasn't an enthusiast of any kind, I was just really obsessed with them. I used to draw pictures of the Vampire with its classic bat trains all the time. This was a trip long time coming and I remember sitting outside the Bubbleworks, eating my McDonalds and looking up and watching this beautiful train swoop through Transylvania. It caught my attention and has shaped my theme park life really. To this day I love the Arrow suspended rides but Chessington is where it all started.

Not sure how appropriate it is to post this, but feel it deserves a mention..
 
Any stock that Thorpe Park had bought that they expected to use during the time they're closed has been donated to the NHS. No doubt plenty of other parks and companies are doing similar if possible, but it's great to see all the same.

Also a keyworker as a teacher, although working from home except for Thursdays as they've put us on a rotation to cover the students coming in and try and minimise contact at same time.
 
Outside of that, finish two point hospital and then the new DLC coming out next week, finish rise of the tomb raider, kingdom hearts 1 and 2 to replay again on Xbox one after loving it years ago on ps2 and some Netflix thrown in amongst some other games! 

It’s sad, but I think this was a good step to take. Well done Mattgwise and fingers crossed for the future 

It’s sad, but I think this was a good step to take. Well done Mattgwise and fingers crossed for the future