Cornflakes

Woah Woah Woah there friends!
 
Put down your pitchforks! Extinguish your flaming torches and disband that mob!
 
That title is what we call in the industry as "clickbait". A very clever way of getting people into a boring article with something shocking at face value,
Now where as most people include an image of female speed bumps to get peoples attention, I thought I would offer a thought provoking question...
 
How do you solve a problem like enthusiasts?
 
We are a great burden / privilege to theme parks. We think we know best, If a park does something right, we commend them and cheer them on!
However, this is the real world and quite a lot of the time choices made by other people are wrong! Horribly Horribly Wrong!
 
*Cough Cough*
 
Where was I...

Ah yes...
 
This thought of how do we solve this problem became more prominent after the recent news of certain enthusiasts behaving atrociously at the Bubbleworks Goodbye Party.
 

 
Enthusiasts shouting at staff to be on the last ride before it closes forever.
 
Now at first glance this just seems like some people wanting the bragging rights, "Guess who was the last on Bubbleworks!" sort of how we do it for ride openings, (3rd Public train of The Smiler and first public train of Galactica... Just saying )
But unlike ride openings, we don't have to put in effort to be the last to ride something, just turn up last and on you go rather than ride openings where those committed enough will be at the park before the staff, run to the ride as soon as the gates open and be prepared to live with the blood on your hands from those who stood before you!
 
However, there is a more personal connection to being the last on something, people who have grown up with Bubbleworks will have a very strong bond with the attraction, it still doesn't accuse the behavior but that behavior comes as a side effect of passion... And we are not the only ones!
 
Take football fans, we constantly hear of fights starting against team fans due to one beating another, and again I don't condone these actions but this again comes out of passion, they obviously want the team they support to win and unfortunately when they don't they behave in unusual ways as some don't really know how to react.
 
So what is my point? Enthusiasts want to be the last to complete there special bond with the ride, the be the last to share a memory with something so special to them. Now a morbid warning... the closing of a ride is a bit like the passing of a family member or relative. (Where am I going with this...) Some people feel more comforted being there in that persons last moment as that then means that there last moment with them was the last moment they had with that person. As weird as it may sound with rides, some people don't feel as connected if there last ride was a month before it closed, as it would have given a lot more memories out after you. It's pretty petty... but it's human nature.
 
Conclusion: How do you solve a problem like enthusiasts? You don't as they are what make theme parks great, and terrible and... what was my point again?

Last year, a new, independent, scare company burst onto the scene - Twisted Attractions. Opening up in Birmingham in a disused nightclub, 'The Morgue: Live' caught the attention of many people, and got amazing reviews from the scare industry. Fastforward to May this year, and Twisted Attractions had moved to an old warehouse, bigger than the nightclub, with 'The Facility'. The reviews of The Morgue caught my attention, and upon hearing about The Facility, I really wanted to go try it out, but alas, I couldn't for a variety of reasons.
After The Facility closed, it was announced that two new attractions would open in its place for Halloween - 'House of Insomnia' and 'Ward 78'. And, well, I just had to go try it out. And that's just what I did tonight, on the opening night! I arrived just before the 7pm opening and after a slight delay due to some actors being caught in traffic (to which they offered free tea or coffee whilst we waited), it was time for the scares to begin...
NB: I'll give a review of both mazes in the order I did them - I'll do a non-spoiler review followed by a spoiler review (in spoiler tags).
Ward 78
Ward 78 is very different to most scare attractions, in that it's designed to be done either by yourself or in a group of two. Essentially, the maze involves you going through a Victorian hospital ward where, of course, not all is well. The website describes it as follows:

After being told the instructions and signing a waiver, I was given my candle (one of the electronic torch-like ones, not a real one!) and ventured down the hospital corridor...
Non-spoilers:
The maze involves a lot of tight spaces, loud noises and disorientation. Being by yourself already leaves you on edge and the actors take advantage of it; they like to bully you! After a while, my candle was taken from me, leaving me seemingly without hope. This actually turned out to be near the end of the attraction, which involved some nice trickery and a lot of special effects.
Spoilers:
So, all in all, a fun scare attraction. It makes good use of scare tactics and special effects, but I think it was a bit on the short side and needed a bit more to it.

The entrance/exit. Image from ScareTOUR.
House of Insomnia
House of Insomnia is more of a traditional maze; you go through in groups, though there's no need for hands-on-shoulders. The vague idea is about a pair of twins in lived in a house who essentially went crazy due to mistreatment from their parents, lack of sleep and whatnot (from what I understood) at least. Here's what the website says...

Non-spoilers:
The maze starts with an introduction to the story, telling you about the Demurrer Twins. Very nice idea and from what I heard, very cleverly done, however, there was noise bleed from inside the attraction, making it difficult to hear. After that, we ventured into the maze.
The maze is quite possibly the best themed maze I've done - lots of details and consistent storytelling theming about. Each scene follows from the previous and usually builds upon it. The maze is again very claustrophobic and makes great use of a small space. The actors are very well placed and each add to the story line - there's no 'random' actors or anything. The ending isn't particular special and is something that has been done before (indeed, I don't think it's a spoiler to say what the end is, since it's rather obvious from outside, but alas, I shall not say here...). Nonetheless, still very good.
Spoilers:
Overall, House of Insomnia was a very good attraction, again making brilliant use of scare tactics, tight spaces, creating a great story and some top-notch theming. I think the fact that people quickly ended up holding onto one another, even though you weren't required to have your hands on shoulders, shows how unnerving the attraction can be. In fact, the girl being me was seemingly clinging onto my shirt for dear life!

Entrance to House of Insomnia - taken from ScareTOUR.
It's hard for me to compare these two attractions to their previous ones, but I personally think that the creating of two attractions may have been a bad thing. The Facility was one attraction in the same place as these two, and had a Face it Alone feature as well. Instead, they've created two separate attractions, a Face it Alone one which feels like it needs to be longer and have more substance, and an 'ordinary' attraction which should go on a bit longer. Maybe it just needs more time to settle; who knows? However, I guess I shouldn't really complain when I really enjoyed both attractions!
For anyone interested, the cost of both the attractions was £12 (though it goes to £14 on peak days) and I definitely think it's worth every penny! The main issue is of course getting to it, but if you're near Birmingham at some point when Twisted Attractions are running a show, definitely give it a try (they're about a 10-15min walk from Birmingham New Street train station).
A link to ScareTOUR's review, where I got the photos from - http://www.scaretouruk.com/review---halloween-scream-nights-by-twisted-attractions.html
So yeah, all in all, some great scare attractions from an independent company who only have good things for their future!

Me and Toofpikk thought we'd head down to Paramount Park last Friday. It STILL isn't ready, clearly didn't get ultimate planning fastrack, only standard. So we went on a random adventure through a £2 tunnel to some place. We had no idea where though.

They had delicious milkshakes but that didn't help.

This place was obsessed with pink and yellow.

Like this Fireball thing.

Look at the pink and yellow!

We just couldn't think what theme park was obsessed with pink and yellow.

They had an Elvis. Must be America

And a BIG wheel. But that doesn't mean anything, loads of places have these.

See. Pink and yellow.

Back here again. Not sure where this was but we found it 9 times.

Ohhhh. We were at Rage Southend On Sea. No that's not right.

WHY IS THIS PLACE SO BADLY ADVERTISED

All day we were confused. No idea where we were.

Thorpe Park have dodgems. Maybe I was at Thorpe Park.

No Thorpe Park doesn't have the only Archelon in the UK! But I don''t know which park does

Railway. Useful that.

Vortex. It would be so easy to brand this ride with the park it's at!

This is a Gerstlauer. It says so on the seats.

Why would I take a selfie with a bunny when I can't even check in on Facebook as I've no idea where I am!

It's okay though, we found our answer.

We were at a 5 star loo all day I feel so privileged!

Bye bye 5 star loo! Was a great day out.

Two months later, with the dust settled on my trip I already look back with great fondness. I've talked about the theme parks but what about the culture of California. How different is it to the humid and tourist trap that is Florida. Many UK enthusiasts don't venture past the state with all the oranges for obvious reasons.
First thing is people in California are thinner then the East side. Disney World is full of ECV's, California has very few. Florida theme parking is one big bubble of tourists, California is far more about making your own way around without the aid of specially put on buses and taxis. The first thing that struck me about San Francisco is the hills and the beautiful scenery of the downtown area. It looks fantastic from afar, with the golden gate bridge a particular highlight (although Chris said it doesn't look any better the the Humber bridge; spoilsport). As is the culture we had a lot of Starbucks on the trip. It doesn't help that on every block lies a Starbucks or a Chipotle or a Starbucks.

San Francisco is also incredibly hilly, we took a walk around the outer ring and some of the hills are murderous. We wandered over to the Castro, the gay area of San Fran and where history was made. Anyone interested should read up on Harvey Milk, the first gay politician elected into office and subsequently murdered a few months later. The area has an ease about it and is an excellent place to watch an Austrian drag act win Eurovision.


On day three, our adventures took us over to the Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic American landmark. It is a beautiful sight to behold and even though we accidentally drove over it, I had a real appreciation for its significance.

Our destination was actually the Walt Disney Museum, an essential place to visit for any Disney park or film fan. Fantastic place where you see the history of a man who changed the world we live in. From his early days creating Oswold and Mickey to designing the worlds first true theme park. This was a man ahead of his time in more ways then one. Essential viewing.



And then next was Pier 39, home for a bunch of sealions who make a lot of noise and have a lot of fights. Quite smelly too. But this was where we had an American sized lunch which was impossible to finish. We gave it our best shot.

And after four days of Touring this wonderful place, it was time to pack our bags and head to Magic Mountain and onto Los Angeles. Tune in next time. If you want too.

Oddly placed sign in the trees

Odd water slide effect at the entrance.

"You calling my park odd?" Yes.

The Lynx didn't want to argue

That's a Fishing Cat. Odd that it wasn't fishing.

Odd chimp (because there's one of them ) looks at Appocalypse.

This seems more humpty bumpty

Compared to this. This is just weird.

But a good weird.

How odd.

BEST ENTRANCE EVER!!!

AND QUEUE!

This is odd.

But so much fun!

Rainy Shockwave

With odd straight bits.

Designed with a ruler.

Seats were a bit bumpty.

Odd dip before the lift hill.

Poor dinosaur. Clearly wan't a good enough oddity for the main park so got stuck on the train route.


What a strange looking cloud. How odd, it rained in England.

Slowest turn from lift to drop on any water ride. Wouldn't be Drayton if it didn't have an odd feature.

Free Radio dodgems were very odd! Especially as it took them longer to check all the cars were empty than load the ride. Odd procedures.

Urgh. Not odd, not humpty bumpty, just rubbish. Will be getting my vote for best UK ride

Something normal

Phew. Oddness best IP on a ride ever! It's literally the sign, that's it!

Odd, quirky, but great fun

YAY MORE THOMAS!

Percy loved this idea!

It means we'll get duelling bubble people

Back to the oddities. The bats are just weird.

Oddly placed lights.

The odd stand up with no floor wasn't working. So quite normal really.

So let's have some more humpty bumpty goodness!

No Merlin, this isn't a colour you seem to know of. It's green.


Lot's of green!

It has a splash zone, that doesn't get you wet. Really odd.

And just in case you'd forgotten where we were. The oddity makes it good fun, the weather made it interesting, if you made it to the end of this then the word odd will probably annoy you from now on. How odd.

Next month, Universal Studios Florida introduce their 'Diagon Alley' expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It sees the headline attraction 'Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts', the Hogwarts Express, as well as numerous shops from the Harry Potter universe.
As to be expected, everyone is excited about the development. However, why should we be so excited? We've got a newly opened area which is much better than Diagon Alley ever could be - Angry Birds Land at Thorpe Park! Travelling all the way to America seems pointless when most of us on this forum can pop down to Thorpe in under a couple of hours to enjoy the delightful Angry Birds Land.
First of all, let's look at the rides and attractions in each area. Angry Birds Land has a 115ft drop tower, perfect for thrill seekers, some fun dodgems, which are perfect for everyone, and a 4D cinema experience, which again is perfect for everyone. So, here, we have a land which caters for all ages - we have a ride which is solely dedicated for a thrill audience.
As far as thrill rides go, Detonator: Bombs Away! is as thrilling as you can get; there's not many better drop towers around after all. Then there's a good set of dodgems. Okay, so dodgems aren't anything special, you can find them anywhere. But people like dodgems, and if people like something, you give it to them! Finally, the 4D experience is clearly something that's been designed for a younger audience, yet it works for everyone. What's most surprising about it is how immersive the attraction felt - it's a film about a set of cartoon birds, who don't speak, trying to get the precious eggs back from some bad pigs. Yet you feel a part of the film, you can create emotional bonds with the birds, and you feel like you're there with them. For a cartoon, that's pretty darn impressive.
Now, Diagon Alley. We have a headline attraction being ride about escaping from a bank. Escaping...from a bank. Just let that sink in for a moment. And this will have loads of goblins scattered about. Not gonna lie, those goblins looked pretty hideous in the films, I imagine they'll look even more hideous in real life. Not exactly a family-friendly thing to have is it? Especially considering this is already a ride about escaping from a bank that you've broken into (great moral values there!). Now, this ride is apparently some epic dark ride/coaster combo. These types of rides are always risks, since some people's expectations can really shape how they react to the ride. Expect a coaster, you may be left unthrilled. Expect a dark ride, you may be left unimmersed. It's a really, really big risk.
Then you've got a train ride linking two parks together. Now, it will of course be more like a 4D experience, and this all sounds well and good. But it's not going to be easy to create a 4D experience about a franchise which already has so much going for it; very difficult to create an emotional link to the story. I have so many concerns.
Then there's also theming. Okay, Angry Birds Land's theming isn't the greatest, and there's room for more. However, let's step back and look at what Diagon Alley's theming will entail. Firstly, there's a dragon that breaths fire. Fantastic. That's better than anything at Angry Birds Land. However, this dragon doesn't move, from the looks of it at least. Talk about unrealistic! What's the point in having a creature for theming if it doesn't move. You're meant to be in a world where a dragon has just escaped; it's not gonna stand still, lording it over everyone else puffing some fire occasionally. It's going to move.
Angry Birds Land's theming at least makes sense; you're in a snapshot of a game, where some birds have just been catapulted, others are about to be, and so forth. It makes perfect sense to the story. Diagon Alley's dragon does not. Then there's all the shop fronts. They're shop fronts from shops in a back alley in London. Where's the excitement in that? The transportation to a whole new world? You can't get that here. It's basically just like walking down a part of London with shops you've never seen before (which isn't exactly difficult). Poor theming really; it's taken realism a step too far.
There's other things as well. Harry Potter is an outdated IP. The last book was released 7 years ago. The last film 3 years ago. Even if it's still popular, and there's a spin off film series on the way, the main Harry Potter IP is outdated. It's got little more than nostalgia now. It's time to let go. Take away the nostalgia and all we have is a kid's story that finished many years ago, and whilst still memorable, should be left alone, instead of picked away until its dignity has gone away. Angry Birds is about to get its second wave of popularity. There's a major film to be released in 2016. Mobile gaming is still huge, and a new game could easily make it to the top in 24 hours. Now that's a popular and current IP for you.
I think that's all I need to get my point across. Harry Potter is an outdated IP, and Diagon Alley is shaping up to be an overhyped dark ride that teaches bad moral values and a 4D experience which could go really well or really badly. Perhaps not the best family area. Angry Birds, however, is a current, popular, IP, with Angry Birds Land having a quality 4D experience and rides for everyone, which everyone will enjoy. It also teaches good moral values (don't steal, fight for what you believe in, yadda yadda yadda). If that's not quality, I don't know what is.
So save your money. Avoid Diagon Alley. Save yourself the disappointment. Take a trip down to Thorpe Park and bask in the greatness that is Angry Birds Land, and smile to yourself that you're in a better place than some hocus pocus area set about robbing a bank. You deserve it.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, the next trip report has come, which will make your blood bubble. But what tales will unfold as some of you grow stubble, well come on sit down before you get a nubble
Camera, Set, Action! For the TPM Crew: Pumpkin Man, Peaj, TNJonny, StevenVig, James & Co, Ryan, Mr. Fish, Han30, J.S217 & ScaryCoasterBoy

Plus this will be the last Official Meet before this gem gets taken into the movie land of the Angry Birds

The Queue Line's await and due to the horror of the popularity of the event it's something our devil's will need to get used to today

So to start off with they all spring into action by rushing to rush!

On standby for when the victims get off. The two newest Ministry of Joy's recruits Cornflakes & Mer, get ready to Marmalize anyone who dares cross them

But the biggest question remains Who is that pumpkin guy standing next to James & Co.

Styles in a bid to find out, uses the internet on his phone in search for the answer whilst Cornflakes remains in deep thought

Watch out it's the pumpkin guy again! Take cover Oh....actually forget what I said, It's only Han30 sporting her new clothing line.

As it's still quite early in the morning, StevenVig is too tired to work out this mystery, so has a snooze in Logger's Leap whilst he waits for the others

More members of the TPM Crew arrive led by a very eager Liam_T You'll also find EC!, Luke_A, Ricky & Marc

They seem to take so long to be released but Part 1 of 5 always seems to end so quickly. However, who is the identity of Pumpkin Man? Who is Liam_T Scared of? Who will be greeting you back for Part 2? I must get going as my cauldron is boiling and the last thing we need is my potions mucking up the adventure!
Scooby Scooby Doo, Where Are You? We've have a mask to uncover. Scooby Dooby-Doo Where are you? Who is under the pumpkin? So now after the lovely little intro let's get on with Part 2 of 5 of the Bloody Valentine Trip Report.
Cornflakes welcomes you back to this part in the hope you will join him in the Ministry of Joy

Next on our journey, TNJonny, J.S217 & James & Co are getting ready to be spun on the Metallic Monster of Zodiac

Just look at that Metallic Monster spin! (Mind even after all this time I still miss the old colour scheme )

With all the defying gravity spinning the pumpkin mask is blown off to reveal TopsyTurvy15 Peaj begins to cry over the news.

ScaryCoasterBoy cannot believe it was the joint sexiest male of 2013 under the pumpkin mask.

Now that everyone knows who is who - It's off to Vortex & Ryan, StevenVig & TopsyTurvy15 wait patiently for it to begin

However afterwards they all go to Rocky Express & TopsyTurvy15 is not impressed

Suddenly from nowhere whilst Rocky was in Motion a flesh peeling monster named DaddysLittlePrincess appeared

Liam_T was horrified of the monster that appeared, but couldn't run away as Rocky has trapped him

TNJonny, James & Co, TopsyTurvy15, Matt Creek, Cornflakes, Peaj, ScaryCoasterBoy, J.S217 & StevenVig then run to the safety of the SAW Queueline

There we have it another chapter is complete. But why will Mer threaten to kill someone? What is StevenVig trying to smuggle? Where do ghouls go in their spare time when they are taking time off from scaring people? All these will be revealed on the release of Part 3. However right now I managed to download this app called Cartoon HD and it has given me loads of free series & movies and one of the series I've just realised that is on this app is Scooby Doo, so ummmm Laterz
By the end of this part of the journey you would of seen 'Vun, Too, Free' legs of the Bloody Valentine Adventure as the Sesame Street Count would say. But we are not of Sesame Street Nooooo We are part of TPM so let's get back to what they are doing.
The crew have ventured onto Loggers Leap & TNJonny leads the way, hoping no one has seen any blood stains

Han30 is still sporting her new fashion line with Mr. Fish close behind. Marc is still on the phone trying to work out pumpkin man Has no one told him yet!

Another boat of the Maniacs comes down the chute They just keep on coming and coming.

Suddenly the water sprayers turned on (at no cost) and so those off the ride could not resist giving the others a good soaking

Mer then threatens to kill the culprits

It was then time for lunch and so Ghouly Peaj takes a timeout from scaring and tries to blend into the crowd

After being fed, all the Maniacs started getting ready for the Bloody Valentine Tour. On the way though who couldn't resist getting a snap of Inferno

We then waited and waited some more for the tour to start & Cornflakes, Mer, J.S217 & ScaryCoasterBoy wonder what the heck is happening

Whilst the crew were working things out, StevenVig found it the most opportune time to secretly eat some Milkybar Buttons

This menacing bunch would like to eat you in this panoramic shot starring: TNJonny, James & Co, Topsyturvy15, Matt Creek, Cornflakes & Peaj

Then on.....oh wait we have gone past our appointment for today. I will just have to continue this after the weekend. But who are the better ghouls, the ones from TPM or the wandering actors? Who ends up getting an ASBO put on them? Do monsters need a bit of love and care once in a while? The answer to these riddles will be solved after I've got back from Euro Disney! Yes I said those filthy words - Shoot Me
I was working on the web late one night, when my mouse clicked on an eerie sight, For TPM from their slab began to rise, and suddenly to my surprise - They did the mash, Was a TPM Mash, TPM Mash, It was a Blair Witch Smash, They did the Mash, It caught Asylum's flash, They did the mash, Was a TPM Mash..... . Hope you enjoyed that sing-a-long. Now however Part 4 which is the penultimate episode of the Bloody Valentine trip report continues.
Peaj dares anyone continuing onto part 4 to cross his path onto Detonator

Marc is too scared with the dare and hopes Peaj will go away by closing his eyes. However Liam_T is not impressed

Whilst Styles determines if he will live or die - James & Co shows that he can be scarier than the actors

As seriously a cat with a plastic machete just leaves me shaking No seriously.......

However none of them are a match for Ryan, who easily wins the best scarer Poor Fishy his time is near....

All of a sudden StevenVig & J.S217 were plunged into darkness and a mysterious blue light took hold of them

The light teleported them to extra terrestrial race of X where the found other members captured within the ship headquarters

After being experimented on a sliding slope appeared which directed them to freedom.

Ryan who got traumatized over the experience, acts out and soon received an ASBO by not using the given slope

Now escaping to freedom, the ghouls from TPM give each other a reassuring hug to come to terms of what they endured

This chapter must now sadly come to an end as the TPM Mash is played back once again on the radio. But what happens in the finale now all the lights have gone out? Why are TPM members attached to the derriere of TopsyTurvy15 ? Is it that time to release the official group photo for the Bloody Valentine Meet? Come back soon otherwise I'll be coming to get you...
For our conclusion of the Bloody Valentine Meet (Part 5 you know ) Darkness falls across the land, The Midnight hour is close at hand, TPM go search for blood, To terrorize Amusement Park....
And Liam_T has now been found

Cornflakes soul is hard getting down

Whilst Ryan stands and face the hounds of hell and rot's inside a corpse's shell

Liam_T & Mer has found the foulest stench within the air

StevenVig's funk of forty thousand years

And these three ghouls from every tomb

Are closing in TNJonny to seal your doom

And though the maniacs fight to brave it alone, their bodies start to shiver

As no mere mortal can resist Topsyturvy15's human centipede

The evil that is The Official TPM Group Photo Thriller.....

May I take this opportunity to Thank Vincent Price for providing the commentary for the conclusion Part 5 of 5 for the Bloody Valentine meet. Also a big Thank you to all those attended as at the end of the day you are what make the meets happen and also a huge thanks to THORPE PARK for giving us this amazing opportunity of the back stage tour of the Bloody Valentine maze. For me I must admit as the park is extremely busy on Fright Night days, it seemed quite hard to keep everyone together and happy on this meet due to the limited rides we could do together so If anyone has any suggestions of how it could be carried out for next Fright night will be much appreciated . But even so Fantastic meet and so glad that everyone has been having a great time over year and may it long continue!

Hey all, my latest article on CoasterGeek; "Scare mazes, theatricality and the death of originality" is now online!
http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/scare-mazes-theatricality-and-the-death-of-originiality/
Disagree with me? Leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond - Constructive debate is fun

Hey all, my latest article on CoasterGeek; "Scare mazes, theatricality and the death of originality" is now online!
http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/scare-mazes-theatricality-and-the-death-of-originiality/
Disagree with me? Leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond - Constructive debate is fun

Hey all, my latest article on CoasterGeek; "Scare mazes, theatricality and the death of originality" is now online!
http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/scare-mazes-theatricality-and-the-death-of-originiality/
Disagree with me? Leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond - Constructive debate is fun

Hey all, my latest article on CoasterGeek; "Scare mazes, theatricality and the death of originality" is now online!
http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/scare-mazes-theatricality-and-the-death-of-originiality/
Disagree with me? Leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond - Constructive debate is fun

Before you read this is a very tongue in cheek report.
There is a well known phrase that often gets thrown around regarding Thorpe, "If I wanted to look at trees I'd go to a garden centre." So I decided to visit Thorpe and see what gardeny stuff it has to offer.

First of all you're greeted by this lovely lake surrounded by trees!

More of this lovely lake and the trees.

Lots of foliage...

Even more!

Some nice trees with decorative rocks.

An array of trees, I'm spoilt for choice.

Another lake and you guessed it, trees!

They even tried to make it like an experience with the dense foliage.

And more with a scaled up volcano piece that you'd put in your fish tank.

This bunch of trees looks interesting, like they're shaped around an entrance

These trees look well cared for.

TREES!

Even a baby tree!

And themed trees for that ultimate devastated look in your garden!
So maybe the "tree" statement should be more like "If I wanted to look at plants I'd go to a garden centre" because you don't really go out to buy a tree.
So plant wise...

Some nice flower boxes.

Nice selection of potted plants.

Lovely flower bed. The colours are very enticing!

More flower boxes

A nice array of plants and flowers with another decorative rock!

Simple yet very effective.

Look at them all, so pretty

There's so much it's having to fight for space!
So I think that saying about Thorpe is well and truly rubbish. I had a better day looking at the trees and plants at Thorpe than at any garden centre! The only similarity is this...

They had this very expensive ornament called "Slammer." I was going to buy one but apparently it's currently unavailable even though it's sitting right there! The labels on items always lie.
Thanks for reading

"I had a feeling of trepidation when I entered The Smiler’s queue line, in the 2 months between The Smiler’s opening day and the day that I finally rode it, I’d heard some good things and some bad things. I’d heard horror stories of a ride more painful than Saw and a ride that was falling apart only 2 months after opening. I’m happy to say that The Smiler is a fantastic ride, its the best ride Alton have installed since Oblivion – It’s that good."
Read the full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/the-smiler-review/

"I had a feeling of trepidation when I entered The Smiler’s queue line, in the 2 months between The Smiler’s opening day and the day that I finally rode it, I’d heard some good things and some bad things. I’d heard horror stories of a ride more painful than Saw and a ride that was falling apart only 2 months after opening. I’m happy to say that The Smiler is a fantastic ride, its the best ride Alton have installed since Oblivion – It’s that good."
Read the full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/the-smiler-review/

"I had a feeling of trepidation when I entered The Smiler’s queue line, in the 2 months between The Smiler’s opening day and the day that I finally rode it, I’d heard some good things and some bad things. I’d heard horror stories of a ride more painful than Saw and a ride that was falling apart only 2 months after opening. I’m happy to say that The Smiler is a fantastic ride, its the best ride Alton have installed since Oblivion – It’s that good."
Read the full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/the-smiler-review/

"I had a feeling of trepidation when I entered The Smiler’s queue line, in the 2 months between The Smiler’s opening day and the day that I finally rode it, I’d heard some good things and some bad things. I’d heard horror stories of a ride more painful than Saw and a ride that was falling apart only 2 months after opening. I’m happy to say that The Smiler is a fantastic ride, its the best ride Alton have installed since Oblivion – It’s that good."
Read the full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/the-smiler-review/

Source: Fright Nights 2013

Check out my review of The Passing on my shiny new WordPress, CoasterGeek, providing reviews of rides, events and attractions in the UK!
"Disturbing, Haunting, Unique. Those are the three words I would use to describe The Passing, Thorpe Park’s latest & most extreme Fright Nights maze yet…
After hearing many reviews of The Passing, I had low expectations, I was expected it to be crap, to my surprise though it turned out to be my favourite maze of the year. After getting the usual safety briefing (With the addition of warning you about the bags, the look on peoples faces were priceless) we entered the maze, we were lined up against a wall and told of our sentence and that after its all over, we would never be remembered..."
Read my full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/the-passing-review/

I was hoping to have something on the Ice Cream thing as well but that didn't seem to materialise so these two pictures of the only 'snowy' thing they had shall have to do.

Max and Jack are excited for Stealth to set of the snow...

But they are unimpressed when it doesn't happen and Max takes it out on poor Mr Snowman
After our wonderful picnic provided by Jack (no pictures because it was so amazing) we waited for Styles.

Max was going for the creepy look and doing it very well

And Jack's going for the "hey I'm Jack, please be my friend" look

In an attempt to not have to look at the Crash Pad Max uses his super cool shades and the backwards walk

And it worked so he celebrates. And hey Detty

Storm Surge ruining yet another picture to be taken at Thorpe.

But Stealth knows how to get out of its way

The Swarm in darkness

And how the queue looked (and was on all the rides)

And here's a nice group shot of Styles, Jack, and Max enjoying their free ponchos, towels, and hot chocolate.
It was a great afternoon/night with great people!
Thanks for reading

This Halloween! Spixworth Fields Theme Park has been celebrating "Spixworth Horror Fields" running from 13th-31st October, hosting an event of horror attractions, fun family games and fantastic theming!
Here is Spixworth Fields Mania review of 2012 SHF:
The Park
The park themed top to bottom with Halloween objects, right at the end of Farm Lane is the mighty haunted windmill, below it is objects of the previous visitors of SHF...




When reaching the end of Field lane, you reach the first Horror Maze Attraction
The Pavilion

The Pavilion is set in 1943, in a unused pavilion previously used for all the guest seeing the beautiful gardens & house but after a freak unknown accident its been left to rot until recently the theme park open and they re-discovered the pavilion, now its your choice to become detectives and find out what really happened!
The Pavilion maze is stupidly placed but as this was the only major available land, I guess they had no choice... The Pavilion is right at the start of the park, the entrance is directly across from Farm Lane so the queues get very big

The queue line is set in the plaza to the pavilion the maze is set on you start your journey in a cobwebbed room before travelling deeper and deeper into the Pavilions past, beware as you get deeper as you may uncover something horrible!
The Pavilion 6/10
Forbidden Factory
Forbidden Factory is the second horror maze attraction this year, and by far the best...
Set in abandoned factory, the disaster that closed this factory happened in the boiler room yet the rest tools inside the factory have gone, the boiler room remains the same!

There is no blank bits in this horror maze, each room has a story to tell and scares alike, the maze also runs alot faster than The Pavilion and lets shorter queues as it is furthest away in the park! This is one of the highlights of the events

Forbidden Factory 8/10
Finally the 2013 construction site!


Here is an video of the event and a picture of the overview of the park took by the Spixworth Mania Helicopter!


And more photos at:
http://s1270.beta.photobucket.com/user/Liam_New_Tolson/library/RCT3/Spixworth%20Horror%20Fields

Thank you for viewing this blog! See you in 2013!

I loved The Passing, I thought it was a great addition to the Fright Nights lineup that provided some great scares, however one thing that could of been done better was your death.
The only thing that comes close to a simulated death in The Passing is when a gunshot sound is played when you get your picture taken, if this meant to be the simulation of death then it just makes no sense, as in the next scene you get your bag. They cant kill you before you before you get the bag, then it would just be putting a bag over a corpse, it should be done like this;
First, you enter the room with the room with the video, the lights are all turned on, a firing squad then enters, they raise they're weapons and as they fire, all the lights go out and air cannons blast at you, a dim light then comes on, the firing squad have now left, the video then plays, after the video is finished an actor dressed in dark robes silently leads you to the tunnels to begin the maze.
Personally, I think that this is a much better way of simulating your execution, its quick, its realistic (well, as realistic as you can get when you pretend to kill your guests) and its easy to understand, if something like this was this was put in place, it would take out one of my major gripes with the maze.
Thanks for reading

I loved The Passing, I thought it was a great addition to the Fright Nights lineup that provided some great scares, however one thing that could of been done better was your death.
The only thing that comes close to a simulated death in The Passing is when a gunshot sound is played when you get your picture taken, if this meant to be the simulation of death then it just makes no sense, as in the next scene you get your bag. They cant kill you before you before you get the bag, then it would just be putting a bag over a corpse, it should be done like this;
First, you enter the room with the room with the video, the lights are all turned on, a firing squad then enters, they raise they're weapons and as they fire, all the lights go out and air cannons blast at you, a dim light then comes on, the firing squad have now left, the video then plays, after the video is finished an actor dressed in dark robes silently leads you to the tunnels to begin the maze.
Personally, I think that this is a much better way of simulating your execution, its quick, its realistic (well, as realistic as you can get when you pretend to kill your guests) and its easy to understand, if something like this was this was put in place, it would take out one of my major gripes with the maze.
Thanks for reading

I loved The Passing, I thought it was a great addition to the Fright Nights lineup that provided some great scares, however one thing that could of been done better was your death.
The only thing that comes close to a simulated death in The Passing is when a gunshot sound is played when you get your picture taken, if this meant to be the simulation of death then it just makes no sense, as in the next scene you get your bag. They cant kill you before you before you get the bag, then it would just be putting a bag over a corpse, it should be done like this;
First, you enter the room with the room with the video, the lights are all turned on, a firing squad then enters, they raise they're weapons and as they fire, all the lights go out and air cannons blast at you, a dim light then comes on, the firing squad have now left, the video then plays, after the video is finished an actor dressed in dark robes silently leads you to the tunnels to begin the maze.
Personally, I think that this is a much better way of simulating your execution, its quick, its realistic (well, as realistic as you can get when you pretend to kill your guests) and its easy to understand, if something like this was this was put in place, it would take out one of my major gripes with the maze.
Thanks for reading

Check out my review of The Passing on my shiny new WordPress, CoasterGeek, providing reviews of rides, events and attractions in the UK!
"Disturbing, Haunting, Unique. Those are the three words I would use to describe The Passing, Thorpe Park’s latest & most extreme Fright Nights maze yet…
After hearing many reviews of The Passing, I had low expectations, I was expected it to be crap, to my surprise though it turned out to be my favourite maze of the year. After getting the usual safety briefing (With the addition of warning you about the bags, the look on peoples faces were priceless) we entered the maze, we were lined up against a wall and told of our sentence and that after its all over, we would never be remembered..."
Read my full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/the-passing-review/

Check out my review of The Passing on my shiny new WordPress, CoasterGeek, providing reviews of rides, events and attractions in the UK!
"Disturbing, Haunting, Unique. Those are the three words I would use to describe The Passing, Thorpe Park’s latest & most extreme Fright Nights maze yet…
After hearing many reviews of The Passing, I had low expectations, I was expected it to be crap, to my surprise though it turned out to be my favourite maze of the year. After getting the usual safety briefing (With the addition of warning you about the bags, the look on peoples faces were priceless) we entered the maze, we were lined up against a wall and told of our sentence and that after its all over, we would never be remembered..."
Read my full review here - http://coastergeek.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/the-passing-review/