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Sorry if not clear, I did mean families with slightly older children. Just because children are over 12 doesn't mean they are no longer a family. I mean family in the same sense as the park have done with their advertising - children who are still big enough to ride the big rides. I don't imagine we'll see anything like hocus pocus story time, or whatever it is called, but at least one maze which is 'fun' scary more than 'dark' scary, if you know what I mean.

Hello!

What makes you so sure of that, they are making (or at least marketing) the park for families, why on earth would they exclude this event from that vision? I wouldn't be at all surprised to find at least one 'lesser' thrill within the fightnight attraction line up, in fact I'll be quite shocked if there is not. My money is still on a CCR ghost train, based on nothing more than logic.

Saw Alpha Papa yesterday. Wasn't bad by any stretch, but not as good as I'd been told or was expecting really. Funny in parts, a bit slow in others, I think coming straight after the brilliance of End Of The World it felt a bit flat, like the extended tv program it is. Still worth seeing though. 7/10

The one at Battersea was the same one as Dreamland, having been moved there when Battersea closed I believe. I rode the Yarmouth and Dreamland ones many times (in fact that looks a hell of a lot like the 1992 me in the front of the first boat on the clip you posted, but the chances are way too short for it to actually be me, surely!), great old rides. Loving the shark design on the boats, something I had totally forgotten about but remember watching them for what seemed like hours from behind that screen now I've seen that. Good times.

It was supposed to be an oasis of calm full of lush foliage, waterfalls and pools rather than the bare concrete tunnel and corrugated tin roof effect we have now. I have always said though, having been on a couple of the bigger flyers, that air is just the right intensity to give the best sensation for the ride type. Although I'd rather like to try starry rippier or whatever it's called.

Seastorm, for the backwards action! Alien or Predator?

Thanks for those links M-g-g, interesting stuff I had not seen before. I'm sure it did until very very recently, 2 or so years ago maybe when the smoking area came in around there? A part of me thinks it may still be tucked away behind some bushes, have to have a good hunt. Presuming that one was taken from the Skyway I'd love to see a shot from exactly the same angle today, gonna have to try and get one next time I'm there. With the advertising in that style, having areas 'presented by' in a fairly non invasive subtle way which does not encroach on the actual attractions, I actually don't mind it. I always remember there was a big 'in theme' hanging banner strung between the buildings on the path to RMT stating the area was presented by Coca-Cola and as a kid that gave me extraordinary brand loyalty to Coke, I thought they had given me that place! I prefer pepsi now. Same with the 5th Dimension, presented by Hinari, all my ghetto blasters for many years were Hinari thanks to that! That sort of 'sponsoring' is fine by me, it's only when we end up with Oblivanta or Impuble Leatherworks it is a problem. 1990 sounds about right. I'll have a look at some old orps to see if I can match the clothing and confirm it! For now for Chessington I think that is about it, I haven't come across any more. But I know there are a good few that exist that I've not found yet. I have clear memories of a photo outside bubbleworks and quite a lot around 5th dimension (as it was my favourite!) so they must exist and be somewhere. My parents plan to move in the next year or so which will involve a lot of sorting things out, fingers crossed for then. The other thing which which they should have somewhere would be early camcorder, possibly even cinefilm (ask your Mum!) which could be interesting. The next lot to scan are mid 80's to 1995 Alton Towers...

No, it is much smaller than that even! If you look to my Mums right you will see the sealion bay pretty much as it is today. The polar enclosure is on the other side of the photo next to my sister and faced the main path into market square where the meercat/creepy crawly building is now.

'Student' off the BT broadband adverts. In my head that is you, I have no idea why. EDIT: Simon, apparently.

Another little batch of scanning in... Starting with the then new Transylvania, sponsored by Coca Cola don't you know? Yes, I do have the flintstones on my jeans. And what? Not entirely sure where I've taken this from, Skyway maybe. Doesn't it all look open? Back over to Dragon Falls, it looks to me like this view would have changed very little in all that time. A better view of those spectacular jeans too. To Circusland, before it became Beanoland and then Wild Asia. It's some front row hardcore thrill seeking on the Clown Coaster. A short walk through the trees to some genuine thrill seeking, it's a decent sized magic carpet in the spot which would later give way to Samurai. Thrilling enough to give my Dad that slightly concerned face, I loved it. Off to the zoo, and I'm sure the Giraffes at some point lived in the pit that now houses Rattlesnake, but this does not look like it is there? And here's a novel idea, why not have the skyway look over some areas of the zoo for some nice animal views. Could work... My Mum and sister on the cleaner and less crappy looking Skyway. Unbelievably that small bit of rockwork over my sisters left shoulder that is now the little creepy crawly area at that time held a bloody great polar bear! Proof! You were not imagining it Han! What a horrific enclosure for an animal that size! Different times, I know, but the zoo is clearly the area to have improved and moved on the most. Unfortunately it has mostly moved away from the Skyway.

Oh yes, I can vouch for the wooden coaster being a thing of beauty, could ride it all day. Also enjoy Mulan (or whatever it's called) which goes at quite a speed and has the little canopy that comes over the top, but that's about it for me there. Much more fun up the other end of the beach in Joyland with the snails and mountain tubs.

I think Astro Storm at the mighty Brean Leisure Park might be bigger? But that's all I can think of. So X and Astro Storm are all the UK can offer for dark coasters. Oh dear.

That looks like quite a lumbering turd of a coaster.

I don't much care for either of them, but as a radio play pop song to have on in the background the I find the Gaga one more interesting and enjoyable. The Katy Perry one is just bland nothingness that I can't even remember now even though I listened to it about 5 minutes ago. They are clearly fairly meaningless throw away pop songs, I think to try and take anything deeper from them would be difficult. I'm going to guess hardly anyone will even remember either of these tracks a year or so from now; they'll be the pointless answers on pointless.

The Gimp - Pulp Fiction.

Valhalla is worth any journey. Need to get myself back up there.

This is a map of global internet usage. The yellow wave represents day, the black represents night. The redder the area, the more internet they're using. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alcohol consumed per person... Just us and the Russians. Proud moment. More.

Good work Thorpe.

Thanks for that Sidders, that looks like a crazy amount of work! And well done winners, I'm content with my top 10 placing, was expecting worse! Now this has drawn to a close for now I'll put out the feelers for a TPM chat music quiz. Any takers?

Following on from the success of Sidders TPM Quiz how about another, less themeparky, one? Broadly a pub style music quiz but also taking in film, TV, word play and of course theme parks, it's just for a bit of fun. Questions like: Name the band or artist from the clue (First man sliding down a mountain) Name the song from the intro Name the song playing backwards Name the ride from the soundtrack Name the film from the theme I'm hoping to do it live in chat only, so if you'd be interested please answer the poll and if we get some takers I'll do it in a couple of weeks time, and if it goes well maybe turn it into a once a month sort of thing. Pete

Kiddie hurt falling from kiddie coaster http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e6464ec7327445b39185ab2d95a16397/NY--Amusement-Park-Accident Looks like he climbed out. That's the thing with height restrictions, they don't account for a childs ability to understand risk and danger.

I has joined. Squad picked on names I found amusing, so Snodgrass, Ba, Sesseggnonnon (or something), Hangleland, Yaya and Clichy are up. Yeah, I know about football.

0 I win then?

They hate me.