AstroDan

To be honest, the entire Diamond Mine cave on the Tirol Log Flume at Europa-Park is being removed this closed season for a similar problem. Rotting, moulding - disgusting really.

The theming is good. Not quite Black Mamba or Wodan, but damn good all the same and certainly one of the better themed major rides in Europe. I love the cute French jokes in the queueline! The wheels were changed - I think I just expected a litle more intensity. It has a very unique layout, but aside from a couple of 'eee' moments, I just felt it fell a little flat.

Bah! Oz'Iris did NOTHING for me. Yet most people who rode it seem to rave about it. The first drop was amazing, then it just sort of... meandered? Aside from Inferno, I'd say it's my least memorable B&M Invert to date (although one of the Dragon's wasn't brilliant, I forget which).

Compelling attractions? Mack Launch? B&M Invert? B&M Mega? Vekoma MK-900 M? Mack Young Star? GCI Woodie? The above, thanks.

As said previously, it is highly unlikely that AT would ever be able to open a Towers based scare attraction year round, due to their obligations to keep the ruins open to visit. I know that personally, visiting the ruins is something I love doing in the main season, and if they were not fully accessible, it would be to the detriment of a day out at AT - the ruins really do add in to the magic of the theme park.

It wouldn't suprise me if it were free. The capacity of The Sanctuary is pretty good - and they'd probably rather lots of people experienced it to get the marketing for SW7 out of it.

I have heard that The Sanctuary may well be open in February Half Term. However, main season I very much doubt due to Alton Towers' obligations to keep the Towers open as fully as possible as part of their remit with English Heritage.

Good post on the previous page, although three staff on a ride entrance at Alton Towers? Not sure what's going on there. The park lacks budget these days, and this is why Enterprise only runs on 1 member of staff (compared to 2 or 3 on Zodiac), and Submission only runs 1 operator and 1 host, thus meaning both arms cannot run. Rita and Th13teen no longer have an entrance host as a matter of course, and neither does Oblivion. Air and Nemesis do, however.

That sometimes happens when the ride has little to no queue, in order to balance the ride. This is why they painted coloured strips around the gondola's. "Please only use the green striped gondola's" etc.

Enterprise is just having further refurbishment. It had a fair bit last closed season, when all the gondolas were repainted. Now, the central hub is being replaced.

The Sanctuary. By a mile. It was like being in a story.

I have really enjoyed reading the past few pages of posts, and I have to say - it mostly shows up for me the difference between Thorpe Park and Alton Towers. I visit TP around 3 - 4 times per year, and Alton Towers far more. Alton Towers, even on quiet to medium days, ALWAYS open rides on maximum capacity (unless there are technical problems, which is unusual) - and work backwards from there if it's quiet enough. Even when the ride was WALK ON - Nemesis would have 2 trains running. At no stage whatsoever, aside from Feb Half Term, did I see the ride on one train all season. It would run with next to no queue for several hours on end. It remained on 2 trains until ride close on the last day of the season, when it was completely walk on. Rita also, if it's very, very quiet (I.e. walk on) - will still run two trains. Only when there are no people to fill both trains, will they close off rows 2-10 on one train, and just use the front row (this keeps front row queue moving). However, they'd not take the train off- just incase it gets busy again. Air nearly always runs a 2 station, 3 craft service - unless there are technical problems. The same can be said for Th13teen, which always opens on 3 trains! Only when the ride is totally walk on will it reduce to two trains, and that is very, very rare.

2014 Rollercoaster The construction of the 2014 family rollercoaster, which will be Europa-Park's TWELFTH coaster!!!!, was officially launched today: The ride will be based around the IP "Arthur and the Invisibles", directed by Luc Besson, who is also working on this ride. It is a partnership between Europa-Park, Mack Rides and Europacorp (Luc Besson's film company). Although the name seems bland and dire - the ride is a dark ride/rollercoaster hybrid, and a prototype powered suspended coaster from Mack Rides. It will open in 2014, and complete the full development of the Enchanted Forest (following Phase 1 in 2011 and Phase 2 which is coming in 2013). In addition to this ride, the park will add a carousel, family mini drop tower(s) and a catering outlet.

There were several helicopters and aeroplanes flying over Alton Towers today, when I was there for the Carribean sleepover last night. So presumably TT have their pilots up today, no doubt photographing the latest. I was up there this morning with TS, but we don't have the facilities to fly over the site. That said, there is quite a lot of new track around the mini bus car park area - I will try and sort out some photo's. The track just seems to be everywhere...!

You know... speaking of AT Hotels popularity - I rang earlier for a room this coming Saturday and guess what? Both hotels are entirely FULL! It's Carribean Beach Party weekend. In Closed Season!

They are spending in the theme park. 2013 will see the £18m coaster, and 2014 a major IP family area. The next 2 seasons should be the best in a long, long time for Alton Towers.

Images of the lodges have surfaced via the planning portal, today. They look brilliant! Magical! I really hope this goes forwards! http://www.towersstreet.com/news/view/?article=1352138785

That DMP logo is hideous!

Well, if there's anything bizarre or technically innovative about SW7, then I would expect teething problems. It wouldn't be an SW without them!

I think SW7 will be fine. Judging by Speed, Anubis and Fluch von Novgorod - all great rides.

I think it all seems a little Efteling Bosrijk! Which is no bad thing:

Concept Image: Very Hobbit!

Awesome news coming out of AT today! From Towersstreet news: http://www.towersstreet.com/news/view/?article=1350588946

I am delighted that you 'didn't fall into the trap' - but I hate to say it, even Alton Towers fell into the trap and were believing their own rhetoric. If Alton had properly assessed what Th13teen was, then the marketing would never have been so riddled with what were effectively lies. Morwenna Angove said at the Th13teen event in mid-2010, that a lot of the marketing was "bull s**t" (and that's a quote). No matter how much a park wants to get its name out there, they should never resort to that. Hence my point about AT believing their own rhetoric during Th13teen's development process. The complete inadequacies shown by Intamin that led to the trim brakes being added, further compound the ridiculous nature of Th13teen's campaign. Of course, Th13teen now is generally received for what it is, because they no longer label it as this, that and the other. On the current park map it states "this world first freefall drop coaster" - rather than what they said back in 2010. That's perfect for it and I am delighted that the park can boast a quality, themed family coaster - with a trick! Perfect for Alton in their current demographic. AT addressed the thrill market with Th13teen, much like they will be with SW7. The main difference is, however, that SW7 is clearly a thrill coaster - rather than a family coaster which relied on a small freefall mechanism to make it into some monstrous, white knuckle thrill machine.

Indeed not, but I am sure Colossus, on opening in 2002 was far better received than Th13teen was, on opening, in 2010.