Liam T

Guess I'll announce my attendance then! Oh yes! First time since 2013 Fright Nights! I'm coming back to Thorpe Park!! AND added alcohol this time!

I hope all that can vote, do vote. As a first time voter, I started this election knowing nothing, I did my research (though it should be taught in schools) and found the importance and passion in voting! I hope people over the age of 18, are picking up their pencils today I'll be going down to my local polling station at 6pm, lets hope the decisions we make, are a good one for Britain.

On the planning application, it states that the new extension(s) will be themed to match the existing building, windows and all! AHHH! I'm excited, I've read through the plans and it will add that little extra to Alton food line up, which is lacking in sit-down restaurants! I just wonder where they've got the funding from... *side eyes the burnt out Fish & Chips restaurant* . Jokes aside, this looks so good.

I like this one!

While I agree Merlin rollercoasters are good attractions, in my opinion I feel like Oblivion - The Black Hole has been built to a better quality than Merlin's other rollercoasters (Apart from Raptor). Swarm, Smiler, Th13teen & Daemon both have impressive theming but it seems as a whole experience, it's abit hit and miss... I don't know if it's just because it was opening day but it looks like Oblivion - The Black Hole is a 'experience' from start to finish rather than a rollercoaster (e.g like Nemesis). Though I might be bias with my opinion because that soundtrack is aweeeesome!

This is one of the best Merlin rollercoaster investments I've seen, and I hope Merlin use this 'buy a basic model and go to town with the theming' in their future rollercoasters. People are complaining the ride itself is very basic, but like Baron 1898, the ride is part of the theme, you ride the whole experience, rather than the actual rollercoaster. The indoor queueline reminds of Transformers with it's interactive screens and effects, the bar has been raised, and if this is something we can expect with future Merlin investments, we should be very excited... just a shame the past rides haven't been completed to this standard, imagine The Smiler or The Swarm up to this standard, they'd be more highly rated rides, thats for sure!

I don't have the energy to rant about how disappointing every season is becoming. I'm starting to question by I pay stupid amounts of money for a MAP every season to be greeted with attractions opening half way through the day, broken effects and running rides on half the capacity they're capable of.

Don't not fear!.. DJ Trolley Dolly is here! Though I have only 30 minutes left of Day 1, lets get this party started! MONDAY - the first record you ever bought:- Now my first Album was Ellie Goulding but my memory is awful, so I've gone by my iTunes library, and found this gem, which I'm currently jamming too Still a huge tune today, if I don't say so myself

Well it seems like the GP will already love it, but for me, it's another 'why should I travel 2+ hours, spend X amount and make all that effort to come down to Thorpe for another out-dated, rushed IP.' I mean it looks highly themed, compared to 'Angry Stickers Land' last year I have to admit though, on a positive note, it is something different for a park for when I visited for the first time in 2012, It was just full on thrill rides, and it's nice to have that variety Thorpe has been missing. I can't wait for 2016 now, Loose Women - The Ride

Thank you all for the kind comments and laughs! I'm glad I could add some amusement (pardon the pun) during the closed season. Honestly, I do see the pattern between all of these rollercoasters! It makes me afraid of what Merlin may have up their sleeves for the next phase! Till then, anything else you would like me to mock... I mean review? Love of love my little dollies! Liam T x

Welcome to part two of a bored, slightly humorous random blog post on a Sunday Evening! *PRE-WARNING, THIS IS ALL A-BIT OF FUN, PLEASE READ THIS LIGHT HEARTED* Last week, I introduced you to The Merlin Rollercoastermatic Universe, (which is like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just less Iron Man and more disappointment). There's been two main phases since Merlin's take over in (2007/08), the first one is named, hype, and you can read about it here! The second phase is called, unoriginal; The Unoriginal Phase (2012-2015) The Swarm^ (B&M, Built in 2012) - The Swarm started off well, the plans showed us that the UK is getting it's first B&M in 9 years and the theming looked incredible, but unfortunately, Merlin had to step in and create an USP for The Swarm, something all new rollercoaster's had to have now, apparently. Thus the tagline 'The Europe's tallest/UK’s first winged rollercoaster' was created. The Swarm was received well, but didn't bring the guest in, was it because the GP didn't know what a 'winged rollercoaster' is, or maybe The Olympic's being in the same year? No one really knows the answer, but a year later, to try and give this already unoriginal layout and theme another lease of life, they turned two rows of seats backwards and re-marketed it as the new attraction for 2013... The Smiler* (Gerstlauer, Built in 2013) - Let's be very honest here... The Smiler's whole planning, construction, and opening was more messy than me after 5 rounds of Tequila. The opening was delayed, not once, not twice but THREE TIMES. The groundwork being so poor, it feels like you've visited the Alton Towers Waterpark, not The Smiler, and that theme song that just haunts you for the next two weeks. The Smiler USP was very clever, 14 inversions, with most of them being hidden during planning, just a shame 8 of them try to paralyse you. Whats unoriginal about it you say? If I wanted a poorly built ride to disable me, I'd ride Saw The Ride. Flug der Dämonen^ (B&M, Built in 2014) - Flug der Dämonen didn't have a USP, that is because it really was The Swarm 2, the ride cars are identical, the theme is identical, most of the ride elements are identical... apart from that cool looking inversion! It wasn't a world's first, or Europe's first... it was just, a really good rollercoaster, that happens to have ugly white coloured track. Oblivion: The Black Hole (B&M, Built in 2015) - Talking of ugly white track, finishing our wonderful unoriginal phase, is the most unoriginal rollercoaster of them all! Heide Park got a dive coaster, then a winged rollercoaster... Gardaland got a winged rollercoaster... now it's getting a dive rollercoaster, did they get them buy one get one free or something?! The layout looks fun though! Just a shame the marketing and name of this rollercoaster, is literally two rides from X-Sector, and Oblivion 2.0. So that brings us to the present day, Oblivion: The Black Hole hasn't opened yet so we're unsure how the story will unfold, so expect an update in April time, but that is our two phases! What is the next phase? I hear you say... Well unlike Marvel who have released phase 3, we're really unsure what Merlin is going to do. 2016 is going to be Thorpe Park's & Merlin's next big investment, which we all thought was going to be a rollercoaster, but turns out, to be a dark ride... Alton Towers has rumours flying here, there and everywhere about Wooden Valley Coaster, and our lovely European parks might get a flying coaster called, Air - The Blade. Who knows? Thank you all for reading. Trolley Dolly (Liam T) Key: * - World's First ^ - Taller than 100ft USP - Unique Selling Point

Thank you for all the feedback and likes guys!! It really was a random blog post, that was caused by boredom. But I can't wait for you all the read the second part to the MRC. Although this was is a fun, light hearted view on my opinion of the Merlin rollercoaster investments, it does have some truth about it. I do feel like these four rollercosters have something in common, which is being over-hyped at it's time, either that be it's 'world element' or some marketing tagline, it was unfortunate these rollercoasters got plagued with hype. I highlighted the bit which I thought was interesting Peaj, do you think Saw lived up to it's hype because of it's IP name, or do you think it's being the marketing was spot on and the lead up to opening was executed well?

So it's January, which could only mean one thing! ATWP annual maintenance month! And this years maintenance has come in the form of an extensive refurbishment of their changing rooms. Last time I was in the changing rooms (2013), I wasn't impressed. It was very small, dimmed lighted and busy! I was waiting for an unoccupied cubicle for 10 minutes! So this is much welcomed, but it also appears they're adding a dash of colour down there... Leek Signs (who often do Towers' sign work) have shared these pictures on their Facebook of the major transformation of the ATWP changing rooms. I think they look loads better, especially with the Enchanted Village being built, the demand will be much higher. (All images credited back to Leek Signs)

Welcome to a bored, slightly humorous random blog post on a Sunday Evening! *PRE-WARNING, THIS IS ALL A-BIT OF FUN, PLEASE READ THIS LIGHT HEARTED* While watching some POV's, I was thinking about since Merlin took over, and how their four (I'm leaving Chessington out of this as they've not seen a new rollercoaster since 2004) theme parks have had rollercoaster investments in 'phases', much like the Marvel movies! Introducing, The Merlin Rollercoastermatic Universe; There's been two main phases since Merlin's take over in (2007/08), the first one is named, hype; The Hype Phase (2009-2011) Saw - The Ride^ (Gerstlauer, Built in 2009) - Labelled as 'the world's most terrifying coaster', the only terrifying thing was how many break downs it had when it opened and it's ability to stall very easily. The hype very quickly died, when many riders found out, that this ride is really a death trap by knocking the sense out of them at the bottom of the drop. Th13teen* (Intamin, Built in 2010) - This rollercoaster was also labelled 'the world's most terrifying coaster', unfortunately the terror comes in the form of bad marketing, large trim breaks and the fact the only exciting element about it, was revealed on GMTV... Raptor^* (B&M, Built in 2011) - The only rollercoaster in this phase to live up to it's hype, Raptor was a prototype from B&M, the wing coaster, covered top to bottom in theming... it's long, it's themed, and it's a world first? What's not to love! Krake^ (B&M, Built in 2011) - Finally ending our hype phase, was this lovely Dive Machine that comes in the form of Krake, it was tall, looked fun, and was longer then our lovely Oblivion! The only problem? Heide Park advertised the ride falling into the mouth of an Octopus! But when it opened, it seemed like the Octopus theming has disappeared, a public out-cry called out for this theming to be construction, and next season it was... the public gets what the public wants! Next week, we'll discover the second phase, Unoriginal. Key: * - World's First ^ - Taller than 100ft

Zamp or Zierer, I'm just interested to see which Cbeebies IP they use for this. Merlin does have past experience with Zierer, but without planning permission, it's the good old guessing game! I'm expecting it to opened in May 2015, with marketing for the ride to start in February Half Term, I'm glad both the Theme Park & Resort are getting new attractions, 2015 will be a good year for Alton... (in terms of new attractions and opening times )

I prefer the term... cosy! Looking to book one of these for September, it's a different type of theme park accommodation and it fits perfectly with the surrounding area. I'm sure the quality inside of the lodge will be of a very high standard and already in the picture Pluk posted, you can see the area theming coming along! But remember, it's still got four months till opening so there's still a while to go before we see the finishing product.

Thank you all for welcoming me back to the meets with warm hugs!! It was so nice to be reunited with old friends and meet new friends, and experiencing some amazing attractions... Apart from London Dungeons, lets never speak of London Dungeons? P.S THE TAXI RIDE IS THE BEST RIDE IN THE WHOLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM! If I could sum up the meet in one picture... See you all in 2015, where I will be getting back to THORPE

As much as we love to have 'Doctor Who - The Ride', I think Lionsgate have enough worldwide known IP's for Thorpe to choose from... that's if they want to go with Lionsgate, but I would love to see Divergent ride!

At first, I was very excited for this, yes it may of been limited ride offerings, but Thorpe Park is open earlier!.. but like with EVERYTHING Merlin, I have a very bitter taste in my mouth now. £5 charge for an event (The same price as Fright Nights, though I think it was £10 this year?) though not offering full ride availability is disgusting, I pay NOTHING for full ride availability, why should I be made to pay £5 for half a park? I don't get it... It feels like the Standard Merlin Annual Pass card members get NO benefits at all when it comes to Thorpe, and going by the comments, people know it's free to get into Alton Towers, always has been... So there's alot of negativity towards being charged, I like to see what my money is going towards before I pay MORE to get into an event which should be free for loyal Merlin Annual Pass members.

It's been a very long time since I've seen all you guys! And I thought you would of forgotten me!! I'm so nervous, plus I'm getting the tube! I might have a emotion breakdown before even reaching Waterloo!

I haven't been since Fright Nights 2013... I'm nervous! It's like going to the first meet all over again

Colossus (5) Depth Charge (5) Detonator (5) Flying Fish (5) Loggers Leap (5) King Pig's Wild Hog Dodgems (5) Nemesis Inferno (6) Quantum (5) Rocky Express (5) Rumba Rapids (5) Rush (5) Samurai (5) Saw: The Ride (4) Slammer (6) Stealth (5) Storm In A Teacup (3) The Swarm (6) Tidal Wave (5) Vortex (5) X (5) Nemesis Inferno + Storm in a Teacup -

Classic tune from Altitude there..! Reminds me of my school disco days (Side note: Can I this part of this? )

Train tickets booked!! (With the confusion of travelcards?! God damn you south with your many transport options!) I'm excited for my very first ever experience of the London Dungeons and the Taxi Ride!!

Is anyone planning to stay over? I'd like to make a weekend out of this!