Liam T

Yay! My favourite meet of the year, I shall be attending (if its the 17th December!) & I have a hotel booked so no need for me to go rushing off after it's finished. P.S. Luke/Mer I'm doing my research this year so I will know any unexpected surprises you plan to take me on!

I've wrote my full review of DBGT... located HERE

WARNING - This review has very STRONG spoilers Choo Choo... No this isn't Runaway Mine Train, this is MY Ghost Train (Well actually it's Derren's, but I got to experience it last weekend). Delayed for two months, a hype built higher than Kingda Ka and being the largest investment in Merlin HISTORY! I, of course, had low expectations. EXTERIOR I'll begin my review on the outside, we were greeted by a 90 minute queue in the baking heat, so I had lots of time to sink in the exterior, unfortunately, most of the poster theming had been destroyed by the guests'. Apart from the huge red shed that Thorpe has proudly placed at the front of the area, the actual building itself is well themed and the music was loud, maybe a little too loud (is that possible?). Apart from the AWFUL photo spots, the queue itself wasn’t that bad, the baggage room was well themed and the batching area kept the hype going… now it was time to go through to the pre-show. INTERIOR The pre-show started, with the worlds lamest ‘jump scare’, Derren waffled on about fear (I did pay attention, honest!) and another lame jump scare, although I did appreciate the special effects, this pre show felt like it was actually him talking to me, not just a video. We move onto the main room and I was taken aback, the train looked incredible and really looked like it was hanging! I have no idea how it’s done, the way the trains are hidden is actually the most mind bending thing about this attraction. The VR headsets come on and the story begins, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... The scares begin and I was already screaming before the video started, the whole first VR section felt so realistic and I was immersed in what they was saying, I had the young man, old lady and old man so I got to experience a difference in the stories, my 3rd ride on DBGT 1st VR experience was the best VR I have ever experience, so crisp and clear. So after my knees were attacked by Thorpe’s ride host, we moved into the second part of the attraction, after a lot of shouting and confusion, this huge train comes swinging towards us, the effect would work well if they had more smoke and less lights but I still jumped back in time. Onto the second train and off we went, this time the story got confusing for me… why the explosions? Where’s Derren gone? Is Derren a member of the Green Party? But the demons did scare me, but the extremely long gas section made me loose interest and I could feel myself wanting to remove my headset, next thing I know, we’re falling to my second home, 5,4,3,2… an abrupt ending and back to reality. We exit into the highly themed shop and I had experienced the ghost train. Pros – - The physically train and underground theming. - The first VR experience nearly made me fall off my seat - The ride system works SO WELL. Cons – - The whole ‘sub core’ story comes out of nowhere, it feels like they’re two different plot lines happening throughout the whole attraction, Derren Brown & Sub Core. - Second VR section comes across very out there, making me confused to what was actually happening. - Making me change my pants because it scared me THAT much. Overall Review: The newest major UK theme park attraction, was certainly an experienced I’ve never had before, the plot line and lack of physically theming let it down for me, but it did what it was created for, to scare you. I’m unsure how this will keep up in a few years’ time, the technology is far too underdeveloped for how much it gets used and was already straining when I visited, I have a strong opinion that VR is NOT the future of theme parks, but that’s a debate for another day. Trolley Dolly 7/10

I'm sad to see Molly Crowe go, the maze felt completely different to anything I experienced before, the ending was incredible! Skin snatchers sounds very interesting though, I wonder if they will be all in the Towers this time? This sounds like it would be better outdoors...

Shocked & sadden to see ANY theme park incident, my thoughts are with the family of those involved in this crash. It brings up some serious questions about the maintenance of that ride, and how it was able to de-rail like that! In good ole Daily Mail fashion, our favourite rollercoaster crash victims was available to leave a comment, I won't link it as that'll just fuel the fire. I fear what this, with the Smiler crash will do to peoples opinions of Theme Parks

It could be possible that even tho the ride would be pirate themed, the actual buildings could be themed to Katanga Canyon, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. The amazing 'Nemesis94DJW' (famous for his The Smiler no limits recreation which was very accurate to the physical ride) has recreated the SW8 plans. Credits to Nemesis94 & DJW

I come onto the forums to see the first signs of life at DBGT, and y'all complaining about a SIGN. I'm please to see its actually testing, hopefully this means the ride will be open this month! The social media team are still keep hush so who knows.

WOOD. I'm always excited by new Alton Towers investments, and especially one that we've been crying out for years. Yes this might not be the massive valley wooden rollercoaster we hoped for, but its a GCI wooden rollercoaster, with large theming elements/pre-show and a possible(?) launch! The documents state this will be finished by December 2017 (we hope, we all know how Merlin's large investments are with time schedules) for a 2018 opening.

I'd rather the opening be delayed than have another Sub Terra 2, look how quickly word of mouth spread that the ride was awful, not even the improvements could fix the already tarnished reputation. And now that ride is closed, maybe permanently. DBGT seems complete, it just needs that seal of approval from Derren & Thorpe before letting loose on the public and the ever so harsh enthusiast community, so please everyone REMAIN CALM.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!.. Just kidding, looking good & refreshed guys! Will look better once the new skin is on and everything is a little cleaner.

GALACTICA This is my mini review of Alton Towers Resorts newest addition, the space travel/VR/flying coaster/retheme/2002 ride that is Galactica The Area - The area feels alive compared to last season, the music and new sound effects work well, the station building doesn't look clunky and out of place. I really like the nod towards the original air paving with the Galactica logo in the pavement! I'm bias when it comes to sci-fi/space themes because I do like space but it doesn't come off as tacky, the whole theme feels well thought out and well present. Boarding - The boarding experience is very painful, everyone around me was getting very inpatient and the smell of baby wipes can be too much, we got asked to move rows because one of the VR headsets on our row wasn't working, which was concerning as the ride had only been opened 4 hours that day by this time. Once seated, putting the VR headset on was difficult, so difficult I forgot to adjust my screen (not like I could see anything with no glasses on!). I have huge ears so I spent a good few minutes trying to unfold them! I felt a little confused as I was just sitting there for an extremely long time, staring at the logo, which no sound or music playing. The Ride - Overview - It could of been better, but it could of been alot worse. The boarding process as painfully slow, and the video wasn't exactly synced with the ride or made sense at points but, and this is a BIG BUT. VR is the thing on everyone's tech lips, and the ride has got people talking, it'll certainly a Marmite ride, but the GP on my ride came off speechless and excited, and so was I. It'll bring people to the park but in 5 years time, I'm not sure what the future of this ride could be? 6/10

I had the pleasure of experiencing this today... Full review coming soon but just some points to make about it; It's an improvement on Air. The music is incredible, works really well in the area. The portal element is one of my favourite theming pieces in a UK theme park, the sound effects timed with the ride's dispatch works really well, a new focus point of Forbidden Valley. Pringles. The VR headsets are HEAVY & very difficult to adjust (especially with no glasses on, I'm blind as it is!). It's very immersive maybe one of the most immersive experiences I've ever been on.

Here we go... Though advertising before any planning application? I mean obviously not all rides need planning permission but I expect a secret weapon to have some form of major landscaping that needs permission! Though obviously this is very exciting to see, I do wonder could this be the first none-coaster SW?

This whole project is like Swarm backwards but on a massive scale, that frightens me. It's already been mentioned this is going to be Alton Towers most staffed ride, a title which N:ST once owned... look how that turned out. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited by VR, space and even a ride that didn't have a theme, getting one. But if the risk is loosing a very "simple but efficient at what it does" ride to a gimmick, then I'm praying for the future of Alton Towers & their management to wake up. This screams short term, I just await the 2017 season when Galactica is just Air with 'portal' head-chopper.

Here's praying for the return of the tunnel & the introduction of filtered water...

The building and surrounding area looks great!* That paving though, seriously? You can literally see where they've ripped up the pavement on one side and replaced it but left the miss-matched patchy other side! Also where is the clock tower that was in the plans? *although the pictures does not show the big red warehouse side of the attraction so I'm holding my breath.

There is no excuse for closed rides in reality when you're paying over £50 PER A PERSON to visit, unless they're planning to do something to 'improve' these attractions (which I doubt). It's interesting to note that Sonic Spinball has been renamed Spinball Whizzer on the ride times website, did Sega decided not to renew the sponsorship? It's certainly going to feel different on opening day, I'm nervous to see the outcome of this season.

I'm glad the themed areas have returned, lets hope some of that translates from the park map into the actual theme park. Although 'The Jungle' is the worse name for a themed area, ever (compared to what it was originally called).

Well it's an improvement, not really the greatest of improvements but I'm glad they're adding themed elements to the fence. Although one problem... Rita? Best Ride Ever in 2005?

I feel like the theme will be watered down alot, the key focus of The Smiler will be the worlds first element. I can see alot of the things (including merchandise) replaced with references to the inversions instead of the correction theme. It'll be disappointing if they do, and I hope I'm wrong but it feels like the logically thing to do when you theme screams 'correction of the body & mind'. It'll be also interesting to see if the TLC programme will move onto The Smiler after this year has passed, I hope so because the ride looks like a mess at the moment, with Nemesis recent re-paint, a 22 year old ride will look better than a 3 year old ride!

Very impressed with the Nemesis repaint so far, for a 22 year old ride. It looks brand new! Interesting how they've decided to change it up slightly from the original, I'm just praying all this Nemesis TLC does include the rivers & smoke effects! A new looking ride is great but its all the additional features that add to the overall experience. Also that station looks alive, we may need to call the Phalanx back!

I should be here for this! Give me 2 weeks and I could get an official confirmation for you... Mummy Mer, you can stay with me & leave your stuff in the room this time

I think this was a day alot of enthusiast (including myself) have been waiting for. I'm glad The Smiler has finally got confirmation, I was worried due to the court case it would postpone the opening. I'm surprised they've decided the first Saturday of the season to open it, but the sooner the better. As for that certain victims comment in that certain newspaper... Thats all.

It certainty looks fresher, though I understand some peoples opinion on the white, I must admit, the area already looks alive rather than a dull, ageing ride. A full re-paint is what Nemesis deserves, I'm just excited to see what else they've done too the ride area, please please fix the bus smoke!!

I just had a play around with the game, a different concept to The Smiler game... very 'Temple Run'. The music is very 'Helix' (also a source on TST has confirmed this is the new ride music) which I love, so it'll be exciting to hear this around the ride area! Though I feel like 'VR' doesn't appeal to many people... its just exciting to have a new refreshed ride!