Coaster

Personally I would prefer the X:/ No Way Out retheme, as long as it was an actual theme, not just an improved clubbing ride.

This is hilarious! Quite clever though to be honest

Tbh if it really does turn out to be the back row(s) of The Swarm being turned backwards then I have mixed views on the matter. But to be honest, I still sincerly doubt it. "BACKWARDS" could still mean X:/No Way Out couldn't it? (The first letter of each word spells Backwards.)

I agree, although the park's entrance has always left a lot to be desired tbh... (Horrendous temporary fencing queueline for tickets and rotting wood on all the entrance buildings, peeling paint etc...) Would benefit greatly from a refurb of the whole entrance plaza in my opinion! As for the new bridge however, !

The Swarm won't have any seats turned backwards! It is a ridiculous suggestion and I feel sure that it will not be the case.

A windseeker is very unlikely to happen at Thorpe. It would have to break or at least be near to Stealth's height to be of any relevance (something which is very unlikely to pass planning permission, at least until after 2016) and doesn't really appeal to Thorpe's target market, as it is not a thrill ride as such, more a fun height observation ride. Personally I think that as long as it included fountain effects and at least a bit of theming (Similar to Rameses or Ripsaw) that a topspin would fit in really well at Thorpe. Quite where though I'm not sure.

I don't like this new system and don't think it will work well. Are they really saying that if you purchase one with your current annual pass then you will only have a few months of use with it? If so then that is appauling, why can't they just issue you with a second card with "Drinks Capsule" written on it that you have to show to the member of staff. And on top of all of that, I don't want a hole punched in my Merlin pass!!!

This is a great advertising method - although a bit weird if you are not a theme park fan and have never heard of SW7. Does anyone else think that there is a lack of PR online though? With The Swarm at Thorpe last year there were loads of videos giving away clues about the ride, but in terms of official ones from Alton Towers regarding SW7 this year, we have had nothing so far. At least they aren't doing another Th13teen though and saying that it will have an age limit etc...

Just a question regarding Zufari - does anyone know the expected capacity/throughput of people per hour that it will have?

Ah that explains it then. Wonder what it will be...

But... We don't even know if "Evolution" is an X:/ No Way Out refurb or not. We have only had one clue so far. Whilst it is likely to be a refurb or X:/NWO, we don't know yet.

Looks amazing! That inversion will be crazy, twisting through another one at the same time. But seriously, they have only done that much track?!

It's going to be amazing - but I am having a hard time picturing 16 seater trains on a layout as compact as that.

I meant with the old X:/ No Way Out theming and soundtrack. But actually it could work I guess

I agree, if this is what it is going to become then I would rather it stayed as X:/ No Way Out. Let's just hope that "Evolution" is a theme rather than something to do with music/clubbing. Although it might not even be an X refurb.

Well done Oblivion Best Alton Towers ride imo

Vengeance is a ride at the London Dungeons - a 5D cinema with all the seats on a floor that spins while you shoot the ghosts on the screen. (Except that the guns don't work.) http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/london/en/attractions/vengeance-5d-ride.htm Vengeance is not moving when the Dungeons change location, hence why so many people reckon that Vengeance will go to Thorpe. Based on the first clue I am thinking that an X:/ No Way Out retheme is the most likely thing.

I liked Vengeance, but I always thought that it would have been a lot better without the guns - because they didn't do anything. Therefore without them people wouldn't be spending the whole ride confused about why they wern't working. (Obviously the storyline would need to be changed then etc...)

Air (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (3) Nemesis (5) Oblivion (7) Oblivion + Air -

Yeah, I can't remember the website but the leaflet had red banners next to Th13teen and Sonic spinball, both of which said "NEW FOR 2010". I think the ride was advertised as new as well on the website but not 100% certain on that. I do remember TV adverts with Sonic's voice saying something like "Come and ride my new ride, Sonic Spinball at Alton towers" though.

I am not really talking about Thorpe, just merlin in general... Such as Sonic Spinball being advertised as new. But actually I'm not sure if that false advertising was a decision made by Merlin entertainments or Towers themselves.

They won't be building a new coaster - we had The Swarm last year and if a new coaster was being built then it would have been advertised way before this. As much as I would like one, it is very unlikely! It will probably be the usual merlin tactic of advertising a refurb as a new ride.

It could be the return of the Tidal wave fire effect, this was rumoured a lot last year when they were installing The Swarm and there was work going on to that piece of theming during the 2011/2012 closed season.

- Going to Blackpool in the Easter holidays - At least two 3 night trips to Alton Towers - Visits to Thorpe and Chessington throughout the year (live quite near and have a MAP.) - Oakwood theme park sometime in the summer break - Want to visit Drayton Manor as I have never been there

I think this could be a refurb of X:/ No Way Out - I hope so because it really needs one. I wouldn't like to see the trains turned forwards though.