AstroDan

It does get 750 per hour. I assure you. And I didn't say it was one of the best - I used the word "intense" - which I do believe it is. Certainly more intense than Winjas Force, Crush's Coaster and Dragons Fury. But, in a theme park, better? Probably not. Just because on the theme/landscaping side of things, it isn't so hot.

I wouldn't say Sonic Spinball is a "terrible" ride. Sure, it's not exactly Alton's greatest ever - but there's nothing wrong with it; the main problem being the 750-an-hour throughput. It's actually one of the more "intense" MS Spinners I have been on if truth be told. Of course, I am not saying I would wait more than 30 minutes for it - I simply wouldn't - but the ride itself is pretty darn popular. I agree the theme has always been questionable though, but it and Rita are all down to those dark DIC-owned days when Tussauds were just shoehorning attractions into Alton Towers.

They look funny but good, if you get me! Sort of arms waving all over the place and the like.Something else that is working, that I haven't seen for years (in fact, I can't ever remember seeing them) - is all the pinball theming around Spinball flashing (more like strobing every now and then)? Does anyone remember this? Also, there are pinball noises around the ride?

Fury actually bores me. It just has no oomph at all (well, other than the 1st drop). However as a theme park attraction I do prefer it to Spinball - as it liaises more with the surroundings.I appreciate I am in the minority when criticizing Fury, however.

This barely warrants a thread. It's literally - some new lights, a smell pot, a sign saying Skeleton Bay and some spider crabs...For me it's actually less interactive than what was there before!

Changes in Duel as follows:- Return of the "hand in the jar" to the indoor queueling - it twitches!- Return of the "mysterious turning book" on the couch by Emily Alton's doll house - it will turn in time.- New Zombie's coming out of the windows- Audio fixed before the Trommel- New candlearbras in the windows, these are visible from outside the rideOther changes around park:- All Nemesis waterfalls working (Nemesis running really fast for so early in the year!)- Nemesis smoke billowing all over the place by the Atomic Tours bus- RMT smoke billowing as the train passes (sadly, ride running very slowly)- New food/drink kiosk replacement for vending machines in Air queue although this is not ready to open yet- Lots of new merchandise - CWOA/TP/AT Top Trumps for example, no doubt will be available at CWOA and TP too from March,- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was only open on 1 lift on Sat/Sun as a replacement for Twirling Toadstool as Toadstool needed a part. Should swap back again today (Mon)- Changes expected to Refresh@Spinball for main season opening- Annual Pass office has been refurbished (although more to complete for March)- Guest services has been refurbished (although it's not complete - will be ready for March)- New turnstiles at the theme park entrance- Frog Hopper refurbishment to backboardRides operating as follows:- Spinball 5 cars- Air 1 station / 2 crafts- Nemesis 2 trains- Oblivion 4 shuttlesAlthough the park was soul-less (as it usually is in February), there seems to be a fair bit of momentum about ready for March. Queues over the weekend were not very long - with Air generally the longest at around 20 minutes. Spinball occasionally went to 30 minutes in wet weather. Charlie was also quite long, but as stated it's set to close again as of today and was only opened in emergency to compensate for the lack of Twirling Toadstool over the weekend.Ride availability over the weekend was generally very good - with some rides suffering short and sporadic bursts but nothing major that wasn't cleared up in a short time.The Emperor Grill at the Alton Towers Hotel is by far the best restaurant on resort. It's absolutely excellent.

Alton has opened this morning for it's "free" day - with Facebook Events. Apparantly there's a big screen and free WIFI at the entrance plaza to help guests!

Everyone seems to be slagging off the line up... but come on. It's a FAMILY concert and JLS are pretty damn hot property at the moment. This is just what AT need. I am sure they'll announce more specific concerts like last year's P!NK gig soon, too.

Excuse Double Post!Alton Towers LiveThe first of 2011's live music events to be held at Alton Towers will take place on Sunday, June 19th. Headlining will be JLS in front of the ruins, with McFly, The Saturdays and Eliza Doolittle all with sets from 5:30pm until late.Admission is £55.00 per person which includes theme park entry, the concert and car parking!http://www.altontowers.com/alton-towers-live/

The only negative about Feb at Alton Towers, is that since most of the returning ride teams will be back tomorrow for their induction and re-training, it means that a lot of the "spruce up" of the park is not done until the period between February and full opening. As a result, the park looks far from its best.I guess it's still better to have the rides open for our enjoyment, than nothing at all though.

Alton will be ready. They make even have 1 or 2 rides on standby (much like a few years back) in case the event is busier than expected. I recall Hex opened as a bonus to cope with crowds. The only ride that will be on lower throughput is Air to my knowledge (2 crafts) - everything else should be on maximum.

I can never classify things like this. I would definitely have Nemesis top with Stealth second. Following that, rides like Oblivion, Knightmare, Megafobia, G. National, Speed, Valhalla, Hex, Rush, Rita would all be in contention but quite what order or where I wouldn't begin to contemplate. And before anyone says, I know that makes 11 coasters. But like I said, I just don't know!Would be nice to see a bit more Knightmare lovin' here... it's an amazing, classic coaster!Must say... suprised to see so few people voting Nemesis in their top 2 or 3!

Bah! Whenever I see pics of this I am like, should I have gone here? But I went with the Heide/Hansa combo for April. Still... this looks brilliant fun!

Shockingly, I too prefer Air to Manta. I didn't enjoy the Pretzel Loop experience at all... finding it far too intense. Air is not an "amazing" ride, it could be better with better experience in the tunnel and surrounding area, but it's a very popular ride at the park and overall I believe it does a very good job.I vote "good".

They already had two small Spider crabs... they're probably just converting a small area of the attraction!

How was RC Racer? As bad as it looks?

The disabled policy, at Alton Towers at least, is not generally designed for people to avoid waiting. It's designed to improve access to the ride.Unsure on Thorpe, but AT's policy is getting much stricter for 2011 as on some rides, such as Sonic Spinball, it was becoming a farce last year.I have never found Thorpe quite so bad with regards to disabled guests using the exit, fastrack is another matter entirely, though.

Lap Bars would be hideous on Saw. The ride is intense with some very quick transitions. I feel therefore that your upper half would be thrown about too much.

Graphic 2011, shows the artwork for the Fairytale Alley that's opening this year (along with the other new attractions, which don't feature here):

Krake is as direct response to the small matter of Fluch von Novgorod down the road. I am going to be testing both in April - Krake looks great, if a little short. I hope the theme is good.

I disagree. This ride could be something of an adventure. Time will tell, but it will be I think. Also - the figure 8 is to be themed if I recall. With re: Silver Star, the trims do not "ruin" it. Utter geek claptrap in my eyes and always has been. Sure, it slows it slightly - but they have also been replaced by magnetics now and the first one doesn't do a thing. Silver Star has never been renowned as an intense thrill fest anyway. Does this also mean any ride with a MCBR is automatically "ruined" because it will get slightly trimmed?I do love a ride like Nemesis where there's no interruption but sometimes in the name of keeping the ride in top shape, capacity and/or other - it's needed.

Unless there's a long queue and you get the short setting, which we named "Misery Castle". No voice, no half shot and bounce at the start. Just lights out - up - and bounce down. Utter pants.On the standard/longer cycle it's great though, not quite up there with TOT for the overall experience, but they did a very good job on Mystery Castle!

When I visited Europa-Park over the new year, Matterhorn Blitz had 8 cars on, although they often run more in the main season - they have 12 cars for the ride in total.

EGF is run very slowly.First, they walk up and check the seat belts. Then they walk back down. Then they walk again and check the lap bars. Then it's dispatched. SO slowly. Silver Star has LED's at EP so they can verify if the bar is adequately closed. EP's operations are pretty much unbeaten from my experience. The queue's just move so quickly. Even their Wild Mouse gets around 950 people per hour.For the record, new for 2011 at EP- Interactive, suspended pedal car ride called "Vola da Vinci" in the Italian area.- Replacement dark ride for Ciao Bambini, set to be a voyage around Italian cities and landmarks called "Piccolo Mondo" in the Italian area.- New "Fairytale Alley" between England and Austria. Castles and buildings are being built based around the Brothers Grimm.The new hotel is also being constructed through 2011 ready for opening mid-way through 2012.

Europa-Park.No exit passes.No fastracks.Just high throughputs all round.Amen.