Chaz

If anyone has been to Shrek's Adventure! London you'd know the Bus screen structure is, in fact, a temporary structure. I assume the room is protected in some way, but it's a temporary dome placed over the Bus system. I wouldn't be able to say yes or no to if this is the same kind of thing. Having been on the Bus, I hope that this ride does include a variant of the system - not for the whole ride, but for a way of us to "get to where we need to be" I hope it is included.

Just tried to book Operation Lockdown for one of the 2 dates we are there this year, to be told they are only running on 4 dates - starting 24th Oct. So, I am assuming they're only planning on running both weekends, no weekdays. I will try again nearer the time if more date's are announced, there is 3 of us proper up for this!

Not my photos, but we have gone vertical! Photos credit to TheCodeMaster (via Dan C on TowersTimes)

Guys, next year. Don't get too excited. I assume this Tomb thing is, indeed, for Hall'O'Ween.

Internally, but mainly on the day. When we were waiting to go in, the staff were saying how they had 1000 tickets sold for Saturday, which was more than Wed-Thurs-Fri put together, so they were all a little nervous. I understand opening day wasn't as great as they had expected. But I think the more reviews that come in, the more attraction it will receive.

I was sceptical; it worried me that Merlin were investing heavily in (what I see as) a dead Franchise. I didn’t see the point of it, but I went in with an open mind. Some spoilers below… We entered 15mins before our timeslot, there was no queue up until the photo point, where we were kept back to allow the next section to get less busy. The staff were great (ok, they were 4 days into their new jobs) and very smiley, chatty and great with kids. It was all themed brilliantly. The queue walls are covered in decals, these won’t last 5mins with the general public – which is sad – but I hope they are kept maintained. After the photo op the “short” queue to get into the lifts seemed to last forever, it was quite boring and the airport-style announcements were slowing driving us both crazy. The lifts (there are 2) hold about 5 people, and are used for both entering and exiting the attraction – not ideal. And not a great first impression. Once out the lift, there was another queue (yay!) but it didn’t last long. We then got our photo taken with Donkey (which the staff are happy to take them with our phones/cameras – which was brilliant) and then onto an over-enthusiastic host. After hearing the usual safety stuff, off we went. I won’t go through exactly what we experienced but all I can say is that even if you don’t like/care for Shrek, go for the bus! That was incredible. I’m 26, know how the theme park industry and it’s rides work, but for 3/4mins I believed I was actually flying. That tech is incredible! From disembarking the ride, everything was themed from floor to ceiling – was incredible. The kids loved the whole experience, all adults had smiles, and I loved it. I even fell for the ending, you truly believe you’re in the story. It’s a shame tickets aren’t selling at the moment, but I hope as reviews start coming in they’ll be getting more trade. In short – if you can go, just go! If you have kids, they’ll love it. There is much interactivity with the children, a few adult jokes and the way the actors interact with the CGI characters (including tangible props) is fantastic.

I had a roll back a few years back - not a great thing. Just end up sitting there for ages.

Because they can manipulate the system to make it believe a car has stalled. So, the computer is seeing a stalled car somewhere on the track. Then they send a car round to see if it is possible, in anyway, to send it past the block section that leads to the 'stalled car'.

Zoo animals have no monitory value. I can't remember what the giraffes at Chessie were swapped for (we were told during our feed last year), but they basically trade animals to help programs across different attractions.

I have a question; noticed on Sunday a further change to Oblivion and I don't understand why. I get the "This ride is perfectly safe..." stuff, makes sense. But in the station it has changed: "For some things there is so rational explanation, there is no way out, there is no happy ending to this story. Welcome to the unknown, welcome to eternal darkness, welcome...to...Oblivion..." "For some things there is so rational explanation, there is no way out, there is no happy ending to this story. Welcome to the unknown, welcome...to...Oblivion..." Why just remove that one line? The video shows the camera zooming out when he's talking so it just cuts to the next section. Interesting.

Just to add. This was upgraded at the request of the manufacturer. ATR agreed for them to do their thing. So, my guess would be that other ABC drop towers (maybe just top-loading ones) will eventually get the same treatment.

And what if they are? The park is right to keep it closed until measures can be put in place to ensure the fault on The Smiler cannot be replicated.

Saw's hardware is similar to that on The Smiler. I'm not sure on the software side of things, but my assumption is they aren't too dissimilar. So it makes complete sense that it remains closed until they know 100% what happened. Like the way Spinball closed when the catwalk fell off Dragon's Fury many a year ago. It's being cautious. I would like to think Rage and Speed would still be closed (even if in 1 train operation) but I understand these are back open and operating fine. If it comes out that it's a block/hill/break/sensor issue then these rides could be putting people at risk, even on 1 train.

This! Something obviously went horribly wrong, but accidents happen. The ride was 100% safe. As safe as every other rollercoaster you've been on (minus the Chinese Knockoffs of course). Rather than speculate, we need to wait to see if we hear anything as to why it happened and hope that it is impossible to replicate on any other coaster.

This.

Who? Madame Tussauds were always known for only having real famous people. With this Star Wars expansion I was so excited. And they've done this? I actually don't even know who these 2 are. This is obviously a Merlin thing.

^They used too. Well, it used to happen at TP anyway. Even during FN's (when they were open all month with the event).

Let's remember the old Project names for major rides in the past at good old Thorpe Park. They don't really have anything to do with the ride theme (in some cases) and I suspect that, with social hype everywhere now, they place words in to throw us off. 1) Project X - Became X:\ No Way Out, but didn't really give anything to the 'theme' in the name. 2) Project Odyssey - Became Colossus, I guess this hinted at the theme slightly but nothing to do with the final name. 3) Project Calypso - Became Nemesis Inferno, this was in the Calypso Quay area of the park, nothing to link to a volcano theme really. 4) Project Stealth - Became Stealth, but was this it's original name? Debatable. Many think the Project name stuck more than the proposed names for the attraction. 5) Project Dylan - Became SAW: The Ride, maybe the IP wasn't finalised until the last minute but this had no links to the franchise whatsoever. Named after a Project Manager's cat? 6) LC12 - Became The Swarm, not a hit at all at the theme. Suggested an apocalyptic theme but that's about it. No aliens, nothing. So, is WC16 there to throw us off? I'd rather we didn't have an IP and maybe be themed around the 'Island' itself, actually unearthing a secret which lies beneath (but dear God not during excavation works). I think we're in for a good ride here, this country needs a solid dark ride. Thorpe needs a large ride that isn't a roller coaster, they also need more indoor rides. Thorpe also needs a solid family attraction to return their investment and grow the brand in the marketing direction they are going. I just hope they don't go through that many budgets cuts. Come on Merlin, show the world what you can do!

TBF this has always been a benefit I have enjoyed. Bit miffed they're taking it away, especially (as stated above) after the big push in January. What they should do is put T&C's out there that state anyone with a pass purchased after April 5th 2015 won't get this benefit. Or state that any 2016 passes won't include alcohol discount. Meaning we know what we're renewing into. Anyway, I hope things will change once/if the Paramount park opens Merlin will have to up their game for customer loyalty.

I went in with very low expectations. I came out with a massive smile on my face. Hats off to Thorpe Park for not only giving us a great event last night but also for producing a pretty decent 'cheap' attraction. We went in at about 7pm and were put with Nicola Mclean (no? me neither) and her children. She was a 'celebrity' in the show a few years back apparently, I have since learnt she is an ex-Page 3 model. Anyway, the first scene was full of little surprises, as was the rest of the maze to be honest. As mentioned before, the themeing is world-class, wow! I couldn't imagine that being in the same shell as The Freezer/The Asylum/Studio13 - incredible. When I put my hand in the first 'catacomb' it was poor, not much going on, felt naff, found the 'star'. Then I decided to swap for another; full of gunk and straw - was nasty = brilliant! The rest is a bit of a blur but I didn't think much of the chambers (not sure they worked correctly to be honest) but the finale was incredible! What great fun! Again, the free photos were a great touch. I really hope they all start to appear on social media and, therefore, advertise the park so that Thorpe Park/Picsolve see this and think about doing more free photos. Anyway, in a nutshell; I was ready to be disappointed last night but cannot stop raving about it this morning. I know it was the preview event and that the actors were new/over-staffed so I just hope the budget keeps the attraction running like this during the off-peak season.

I'm off there tomorrow. I just cannot understand how so many rides are closed on opening day. Now, don't get me wrong, things will break and with it being cold and some rides being old, this is likely. I'm sure this is the case with The Vampire. But, how on earth was this not sorted a few months back. It seems these parks (at the moment) start the rides up a matter of weeks/days before the park opens to find it needs a major part replaced. If they had closed it down properly in November and then began their maintenance procedures on it in early-mid January we wouldn't have had this issue. Bubbleworks was open at Xmas, so why is it closed now? That's just poor planning. Dragon's Fury was in pieces, given, but was testing last weekend (on one car). Now, they knew it was being stripped, filled and re-built. We didn't have an overly-cold winter nor did we have the snow we have seen in recent years, so what was the delay? I also have a friend who booked to stay at the hotel this Saturday, and booked the Safari experience to feed the Giraffes; forking out over £100 for her party. She was contacted yesterday to be told the safari vehicle was down and they couldn't fulfill her experience this weekend, but have offered it to her the following weekend (when she isn't staying). This is yet another blow; they've had 5 months to sort out any issue, they cannot expect to have happy customers if they simple open like this. Think about other (worldwide) parks that are open seasonally; not only do they get their new rides to open on opening day (like the old Merlin way) but they have all their rides up and running. Some in worse weather conditions than here. I am a huge Merlin fan, as are a lot of us, and therefore we are sometimes the first to jump in and attack them but sometimes it is justified. Ride downtime is fine, it happens, but if budgets have been cut then this needs to be fixed. It is awful.

Been following you on FB for quite some time now, no idea it was you. Really looking forward to this. Thank you!

To be fair, the map only shows the select rides and there are signs everywhere outside the park (including the entrance screen) that states what rides are open. We popped in for 3 hours yesterday (Brainiac was brilliant IMO). There was a nice, relaxed atmosphere and when the sun began to come out it was pleasant to walk about. The staff were also on top form (but they usually are right at the beginning).

Yep, extra day added. I would advise anyone planning on going this week/weekend to put off until Monday if you can.

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