Chaz

So, Saturday. Got there for opening. Walked up to Angry Birds 4D Experience and all the over-enthusiastic staff were going crazy on this "first ever public performance". Took out seats and... No water No air No seat movement No leg ticklers Just the 'room effects'. Upon exiting the ride, Thorpe management were standing there asking everyone "if they enjoyed it?". I had to step in, explain the issues that everyone experienced. An engineer went running in to 'fix it' and I saw it again about an hour later and it was pretty good actually. The Dodgems aren't bad either but I can imagine that queue-line being horrendous. Who the hell puts Fasttrack onto Dodgems??! Detonator: Bombs Away is just Detonator with a black bird on the op unit, a new main sign and a some more new signage around the ride. The soundtrack/announcements etc. were the exact same as the old ride, but louder? However, saying that, the whole area looks ok. It was a cheap (cheep) investment but I reckon it is a good one! Give it 5 years when the I.P is dropped, hopefully we'll have a new 4D film still using all those pretty sweet effects, some dodgems (which I think every theme park needs) and our old Detonator back. But yes, was a good morning Saturday, and if they keep that little red character out and about it would appeal to the families they are so trying for.

As in the car sticker with the Smiler logo and altontowers.com/2013 on the bottom? Yes I have loads (don't ask). Just pm me MattyMoo

There was no real complaint against Thorpe Park regarding the asylum. It was the only marketing they could do outside the Lionsgate budget. If they did this marketing move (like the broken dummies on Swarm, seance on Saw, ghost Monk on Storm Surge, employee to collect puke etc) using any Lionsgate material they would have lost the contract. They use led their own brand. The police stated they hadn't received a complaint. Don't believe everything you read. It's the perfect marketing to grow speculation on a retheme for next year, as well as advertising an attraction they already had. It's sad but roller coasters and rides don't make headlines, where made up stories do.

Most rumours suggest May 18th as AT have called a press conference on 17th but there is no confirmed date yet.

^those bears were dotted around the old CCR layout, they have just been moved towards Loggers now, with the rest of them.

Oh Jesus look that that photo, I'm hoping they are replacing the 'rock work' there. That looks awful and the history associated with this ride! No wonder he's retiring this year! Please, for the love of god, put it back. I could cope with the 'wooden look' of the rest of the ride structure theming but not this bit!

Went on Monday (18th), Slammer was working all day (that I saw). We left approx 3pm but it had been operating fine since opening. However, one entrance was still blocked off by benches (by Colossus fasttrack).

^yes, I have one. I still think we'll see better merchandise added though (with ride branding/name etc.). But they will most probably also sell some with the Smiler on it.

Huh?

Feels like its going to break down? Care to explain? How can a ride feel like its going to break down? It's a very reliable ride and mosey shutdowns are due to customer illness.

Water tower will never work again (as long as those pesky bats are still living there). Although with the fireball being hooked up last closed season maybe we'll see that working again in the future?

I have also heard this, from someone who worked within The Santc. Possible plan is to have the maze up for Feb half term- to keep viral marketing basically. Don't know if plan is to keep it further than that, we'll see eh?

Charge the touter and free the boss, of you break the law (which he did), you should be prepared for someone else to break the law to stop you. 2for1 tickets clearly state not for resale and this guy obviously couldn't read so make him pay for every 2for1 used that day. And then punch him again (from me).

Would someone please tell Thorpe Park this. I feel it's vital information that might make the queue more efficient and the exit less frustrating. As mostly it's always one member of staff when I visit! And that's weekends!

In reality, if we are going to get a re-theme it'll be a bit of paint, new filters on lights, new music etc. it isn't going to be anything special. We won't get spinning cars etc- the way way we all speculated we would get rotating 'pods' on Sub-Terra, it just isn't going to happen. I honestly don't this rumour is true and without verified sources I'm surprised some of you do.

You say new? They are 10years old now. Meaning they have lasted longer than the originals.

Monk's Walk

Haha. Point taken.

He probably knows more than Merlin tbh. On Saturday, again, they over-filled the park (not to capacity but the at park was full and people had to park around the streets). This meant it was almost a necessity to buy fasttrack for the mazes- I don't mind doing so. So for Asylum, Ex10 and The Curse it was £13 each and then £3 for The Passing. That meant the two of us paid £30ish. So, with many many doing this (as much so Colossus and The Passing sold out), where is this money going? Don't say towards actors wages and maze progression because that comes out of the increased prices for FNs. It goes into the pockets of Merlin's management. The same goes for the parking fees; they're meant to pay for the car park maintenance and refurb, again not done. A business should care about their clientele and not over-fill, over-charge and, essentially, bully people into paying extra to do the rides they want when they've paid so much in the first place. All restaurants, photo booths etc were so understaffed, and The Swarm (AGAIN) opening on one train...they knew this would be a busy weekend! Saying that, I had a really good time Saturday but the people the park market too simply makes trouble for themselves and it seems the staff and fighting a loosing battle.

Used to be the days of 1xsecurity with 1xpolice. On Saturday there were no police, and 4minutes after Saw Alive opened an actor was punched in the face and the man held and eventually cuffed. Also noticed a 'fight' almost break out in the 360 bar with a drunken thug arguing with bar staff. 8 security...yes you read correct...8 security had to calm him down. I say bring back the police and a zero tolerance policy!

So, the same 4D film Drayton has/had. Interesting. Anyone know with DM still has it?

Those signs have been used in that maze for at least two years now. The Asylum will stay the same (albeit the usual slight change of layout). E10 will return with the same layout (I believe). The curse won't change, unfortunately. I believe Se7en will not return and will be replaced with a new attraction. Sent from my iPad

So did I, but there were clowns...added to the freaky atmosphere!

Supports aren't deep- they attach to the footers above ground level. Why would you want a ride under the Swarm? Do you mean under ground? Impossible; it's infilled land. That's why there's no tunnels or anything, it can't be done.

^ that's where the actors (army-like) were based with their tenting opening weekend. Prob the same, was that half term or something? That might explain it.