Coaster

Nemesis was starting to look very tired so it's great that they are spending the money to repaint it, and it looks fantastic going by the photos - although the white is probably an undercoat. It's great that they are finally starting to improve the aesthetics of the park, it's something that has needed doing for a long time IMO.

An interview with Derren Brown about the new ride, apologies if this has already been posted! https://youtu.be/k3mcDUT6TQ8 Interesting that he's careful to call it an "attraction" rather than a "ride" when asked what it is.

Latest construction update: https://paultonspark.co.uk/lost-kingdom/2016/01/4861/lost-kingdom-construction-update-january-2016

A Junior Boomerang would be a better investment for Chessington IMO, especially considering that they are in dire need of a new coaster of some sort - although high throughput would be preferable.

Posted to the PWH Facebook page earlier today: https://www.facebook.com/PleasurewoodHills/ It looks like they have demolished Tales of the Coast, which isn't really a surprise - I think it was a case of knock it down before it falls down! I'm intrigued to see what this development turns out to be, I've heard rumours of them having picked up a second hand coaster but nothing concrete. Realistically I'm not expecting a coaster, a flat is probably more likely but it might not even be a ride.

At best it's a "new experience", not a new attraction - that suggests that the ride is brand new, which it isn't.I don't want to work in marketing, but when they misadvertised Thirteen people went expecting too much and it backfired on them. I think this could be similar - if people go expecting a new coaster then it could cause a negative reaction, something which could have easily been avoided. As for using the wrong coaster track, I know they always do it but that doesn't stop it being misleading in this instance.

It's Air but with goggles on your head, it's not new. If they were advertising it as what it is, which is an idea bolted onto an existing ride then I wouldn't have an issue, but they are blatantly trying to sell it as a new ride - the track in the advertising pictures is completely different.As for the public, they make up the majority of the park's visitor numbers so I think that their views are fairly important.

Lost Kingdom will open on 17th May 2016. https://paultonspark.co.uk/lost-kingdom/

I think that has to be their most cringe-worthy "world's first" claim yet.Also, I don't like how it is being called a "new ride" (on BBC news). I can see the public reacting negatively to this if they go to Alton Towers expecting a new ride, something which could have easily been avoided by marketing it honestly.

Hmm, I thought Europa were the first to use VR headsets on a coaster? In which case Alton's claim is not valid. As for the concept itself, yawn. It's an interesting idea and I'll give it a go, but it doesn't really appeal to me.

http://draytonmanor.co.uk/record-breaking-year?utm_medium=SocialSignIn&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Park Good news for Drayton!

That's exactly the point though surely? Their opening hours are spot on for a seaside park.

Fantastic opening hours throughout the summer!

^ It's wrong though, they could at least have the decency to announce the closures on the ride pages/homepage (and think of proper excuses).

Reducing the number of hours it is open on off-peak days would have been a more sensible option IMO (see Drenched at Oakwood), closing it completely is just not on. As for the ride being knackered, I have no doubt about that being true (it seemed to creak a lot last year and was just generally grotty looking), but that's what maintenance is for! Also; What sort of an excuse is that?!

Such a shame to see another attraction close, especially Safari Skyway as it was quite significant in Chessington's history. It does seem as though it was neglected quite badly in recent years, the track was in quite a state.

When the parks actually do something worth praising! Anyway my thoughts on how the parks are operated is completely irrelevant in this discussion.

I haven't experienced the Shrek attraction but it annoys me when people's posts are dismissed as "moaning" or "nit-picky" just because they aren't completely positive. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion IMO.

1. Nemesis 2. The Smiler 3. Sonic Spinball 4. Thirteen 5. Oblivion 6. Runaway Mine Train 7. Air 8. Rita Can't rate Octonauts as I haven't been on it. The first two are the only ones that really stand out for me, although I do enjoy Spinball and Thirteen quite a lot.

Where is the watchtower going?

BPB is celebrating its 120th season this year, and the park opens in February for "WOW Weekends" up until the last weekend in March, from then on it's open every day until the end of the season. £15 wristbands when booked online during "WOW Weekends" is a steal really considering that it's a full ride lineup (well, it has been every other year and I don't see why it'll be any different this year). In other news, Amanda has said that nothing major is happening in 2017, so I think it's looking more likely that this new project will open in 2018 or possibly even later.

The thing is, you would expect at least a low level of creativity from the so-called "leading theme park operator in the UK" - or any theme park for that mater. In fact I'd be disappointed if Funland at Hayling Island came up with a name as uncreative as that! The concept itself looks very good, and I will be trying it if I visit Towers in 2016.

I know I will be visiting BPB and Thorpe but aside from that it depends on other commitments and where we go on holidays etc... Blackpool Pleasure Beach (but probably not as many visits as last year unless operations have improved), Thorpe, Oakwood, Lightwater Valley, Flamingo Land, Drayton (probably), Alton (if anything's open), Paultons (probably), PWH and GYPB (maybe), Brean (maybe). Probably a visit to Chessington during main season as well to remind myself why I only visit once a year. I would like to visit Adventure Island at some point as well as Dreamland, but unlikely to be this year.

I really don't see why Air needs more than just a general refresh - of all the rides at Alton in need of substantial work, I would have thought Air would be one of the lowest down the list. Personally I don't rate it at all but the public seem to like it and there are other rides at the park which would benefit from the money.

Having seen the state of the track today, it wouldn't surprise me at all if it is closed throughout 2016.