Coaster

I thought Monks Walk was a public path not actually owned by Thorpe?

The way they worded some of their earlier responses suggested that the ride would open for 2017, but they never actually confirmed it. I just think it's wrong to claim the ride is being "refurbished" if that is not actually happening - and I'm not sure how they are going to explain to people why the ride looks no different, if it doesn't, throughout 2016.

See, I would have a lot more respect for Thorpe if they were honest about things, but if this is true and the ride isn't being refurbished then they out-and-out lied to me and several others on their social media pages. I really hope they're not mothballing Loggers in favour of Containment's operating costs!

Repainting a ride is an investment that will last for years, and I think it's fair to say that something needed to be done with the Nemesis track.Closing rides on the other hand is an attempt to reduce the day-to-day running costs of the park, not that I'm defending it.

It just seems odd to open a smaller attraction alongside a major investment in the same year, WC16 should be enough to draw people into the park. I'm not against them introducing two attractions in one year, it just seems strange when one of them is a huge new dark ride - especially when Containment is likely to lose popularity after its first season (if Saw Alive and Sub Terra are anything to go by). Have they ever opened a smaller attraction alongside a major one before?

That is a very good point about the Scarefest mazes, and I'm not so much against that - but permanent attractions shouldn't be upcharge IMO. Regarding Containment, I'm not sure why they feel the need to open it permanently in 2016 considering that they are opening a multi-million pound dark ride - surely that should be enough?

I agree that exclusive experiences such as lift-hill walks and the like should be paid extra, but rides and attractions installed by the park should always be included IMO unless they are outside the main theme park (e.g. high ropes at Alton). I realise that you don't have to use the pay extra attractions, but I think that theme parks should install attractions that all guests can experience as part of the entrance fee.

Did I claim that it was a paid extra? No. It's a general comment, debating Pluk's view that IAC should be upcharge.

Is it just me who thinks that once you've paid for entry into a theme park, all rides and attractions should be included? Yes? Okay.

Have they gone completely mad?! Another low-throughput attraction using actors? Why?

Something like this might be a good idea IMO - it would be quite similar to a hyper coaster but without the need to be over the park's height restrictions, and it would appeal to families and thrillseekers alike. https://youtu.be/eWpk14xuB7Q (I would prefer a wooden coaster though!)

Is the rest of it staying?

I'm sure they had three or four rides open last year!

It's good that they're removing it rather than leaving it there to rot. Sad to see it go, but SBNO attractions look really naff, especially when they go across the park!

To be fair, Wild Asia was quite a big investment to the park - but 12 years without a new coaster is too long.

I think if it's in the plans then a standard queueline is all but confirmed.

There is plenty of space at Chessington for a decent new coaster IMO, but it may be a case of reshuffling existing attractions to make room. Crazy Cars and the Truckers ride take up far too much space for what they are, and the latter could be relocated fairly easily - then if you remove the fountain feature between the two, there is ample space for a new ride.

That's what I'm hoping, because at the moment it seems that Aspro need something to kick them back into action!

Any further news on Oakwood's Sleepy Hollow investment?

I think that's unlikely in all honestly, am I right in thinking that there is a queueline in the plans?

I agree to an extent, but I would argue that the laser shooting aspect wouldn't be needed if the ride itself was able to entertain people without it, as it seemingly was as Terror Tomb. I quite like Tomb Blaster (never experienced the original ), but it's quite bland in that some of the scenes (e.g. the final snake scene) become quite tedious if you aren't shooting the targets. This refurbishment would have been a great time to reintroduce it as a ride with a small backstory (maybe a different-but-similar one to the original), but nevertheless it's good to see it being revamped.

Very pleased to see Moffatt stepping down, I haven't enjoyed the show anywhere near as much since he became the show-writer. No series in 2016 is disappointing to say the least.

I'm genuinely shocked (but very pleased) that they are spending £800,000 on redoing Tomb Blaster, it was in need of a refresh for a number of years so it's great to see it getting some attention! Wish they were removing the laser shooting aspect though.

There's plenty of decent ones! Interesting interview though, though it doesn't really give anything else away!

That's unfortunate, especially for what is recognised as one of the best operated parks in the world. I'm totally against rides closing early, guess it must be unavoidable though.