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pluk got a reaction from UnderItAll in Adventure Island - Southend
Well one of the 2011 rides didn't make it for 2011, but is on the way for 2012.'Time Machine' is an in house build so should be quite unique. The only thing I think that has been confirmed is that it will invert so should be a thrill ride. Hurri has put some closed season updates on adventure island guide, the dragon ride is being moved to make way and the first shots of time machine seem to be the seating......So it looks like lap bars, not OTSRs, for an inverting flat. Could be very interesting!!
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pluk got a reaction from Luke_A in Adventure Island - Southend
Well one of the 2011 rides didn't make it for 2011, but is on the way for 2012.'Time Machine' is an in house build so should be quite unique. The only thing I think that has been confirmed is that it will invert so should be a thrill ride. Hurri has put some closed season updates on adventure island guide, the dragon ride is being moved to make way and the first shots of time machine seem to be the seating......So it looks like lap bars, not OTSRs, for an inverting flat. Could be very interesting!!
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pluk got a reaction from Graw in Adventure Island - Southend
Well one of the 2011 rides didn't make it for 2011, but is on the way for 2012.'Time Machine' is an in house build so should be quite unique. The only thing I think that has been confirmed is that it will invert so should be a thrill ride. Hurri has put some closed season updates on adventure island guide, the dragon ride is being moved to make way and the first shots of time machine seem to be the seating......So it looks like lap bars, not OTSRs, for an inverting flat. Could be very interesting!!
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pluk got a reaction from Mer in The Smiler
Well that's today written off for me then. Lets get trawling.This is the good stuffhttp://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/upload/PublicAccess/proposedsiteplan%20(37877).PDF -
pluk reacted to BenC in The Smiler
Look forward no further; the plans are online!http://publicaccess....PERTY&module=P3Multiple inversions, under 25m high and with a vertical lift hill...UPDATE: From the Noise Level Report: "Noise from the planned new coaster was modelled based on a similar one located at Thorpe Park. The Thorpe Park ride, “Saw” is the same type and manufacturer as the proposed ride, including a “beyond vertical” drop."Gerstlauer it is then. -
pluk reacted to TraX in Space Station Zero
TOTAL double post, but here's something that I wrote a while back and thought that I’d share it here, for those who never got to experience Space Station Zero and in a bit more detail than above.. :blush:Space Station Zero was one of Thorpe Parks earliest rides installed in the early 80's and was most certainly the most intense ride the park then offered to it’s guestsOf course, many of you would have already been on Space Station Zero yourselves in it's new guise as the Flying Fish. Although sadly even the first time this powered Mack coaster was re-themed and re opened in 1990, it was a completely different experience from thenThe ghosts of Space Station Zero are hard to eradicate completely from the park and the large footprint and old shell of the ride area are still very much in place today.Behind the Walls of the red bricked Georgian House and occupying the entire indoor space that is now KFC and Amity Arcade, this off the shelf Mack coaster became many peoples first big ride.Outside and on the floor in front the main building, the old wooden cattle pen queue line's existence is still there and hidden under a square of tarmac.The doorway into the building is now much lower too. You can still see where the original doorway was, just a few feet above it now.It was at the end of the outdoor queue line, and few steps up a grand concrete staircase that once led brave space travellers further toward their adventurePassing through a doorway, the queue line turned left and into a space station, where you were surrounded with White Walls and windows looking out into space.Silver railings wound back and forth through the small room and cattle pen that was stopped at the front by a chain.Above you in this room was a large open ceiling window that using black lighting, created the vast envelope of space that guests would soon be flying throughOnce at the front of the queue and leaving this room, guests were counted through by a member of staff and allowed to follow the path into a mirrored walk way. This next passage way, where the walls and ceiling were covered with mirrors, created a nice effect and led you finally into the ride station itselfThe ride car would already be waiting for you, already unloaded following it's previous trip through space. The nose of the train tilting ominously into a vast, pitch black tunnel as guests made a move for their preferred seating. There was no front row queue line then. There were no batching gates. From the mirrored passage way, guests filed in and took their seats quicklyOnce seated, guests would pull down their over the shoulder harness and the lights in the White station would go dim.In front a large arch, would light up with a countdown. A booming voice would count to the darkened room; Three.. Two.. One.. and in a blaze of flashing lights; IGNITION, WE HAVE IGNITION!Rolling out of the station, the train turned into the darkness. Ahead, a tunnel of lights lit up and were flashing all around.Leaving here, the ride area opened up as the train speeds into it's first helix and around an odd shape in the middle of the ride area (to this day, I have no idea what this was supposed to be, other than perhaps a small model of the space station we'd just left?)The rest of the ride experience was completely in the dark, there were a few bright lights blinding you on a small section of track before re-entering the ride station. The station was then dimly lit in neon blue where just as today, the ride speeds through and completes the circuit again non-stopOn your final approach into then ride station, all then lights were back on. Your train came to a halt in the once again bright White station and on exiting to the left of the ride train-and much like today, across a dimly lit covered bridge, where you were once again led back outside through a blue building (that is still there to the right of KFC although simply a cupboard today)!In 1990, a new season and Space Station Zero was gone.The ride area had been opened up as Carousel Kingdom and extensively themed, including a large doubled tier carousel ride and Space Station Zero had been completely relocated.Now taking up some of the space of Thorpe Parks model world, beside the tea cup ride, Space Station Zero had a completely new look. The raw ride track placed in the middle of a garden, complete with rushing waterfalls and fish fountain. The ride cars were completely revamped into a blue friendly little fish and more importantly, the over head restraints had been replaced altogether with lap barsI can understand Thorpe Parks management team on deciding to relocate a thrill ride with a height restriction, replacing the over head restraints with a simple lap bar and making it accessible to everyone, as a new family roller coaster, although even now, with the flying fish in yet another new location on park, to this day I am unable to ride without looking back at how the ride once was and every time, secretly riding this mack powered coaster on every trip, I'm secretly once again reunited with the first big roller coaster of my lifeThere’s a little more info and pics on Phil’s brilliant Memories of Thorpe Park -
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pluk reacted to Sheepie in Rant
Double post anarchy. Bringing this over from the Christmas topic, don't want to spoil everyone else's fun!
I enjoy how you've quoted the only part of my post that is partially negative. Let's just disregard the rest of my post that wished everyone a happy, safe and enjoyable Christmas.This has touched a big nerve because quite honestly, I'm at my loneliest at this time of year. A lot of people spend it with their family, friends, loved ones and for them it is a very special time of year. There are people, however, who could not imagine anything more lonely than to spend it with their family. It brings up awful memories for me, of family that are still here but haven't seen in 7 years, family that have died, friends who are far away and it makes me reflect about my life in a negative way.However, I do not for one minute try and bring everyone else down with me; I "do" Christmas for everyone else who love it and clearly brings a lot of joy. It takes so much energy to be selfless and to try and keep the magic up for my brother and sister and to just generally be pleasant about it all. -
pluk got a reaction from Cornflakes in Thorpe Park Hotel
If only they had a reliable, high capacity form of transport to get round to that side of the park already in place. Like a train.Stupid short sighted Thorpe.
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pluk reacted to Sheepie in THE SWARM: Construction Updates
Station update, from facebook!http://www.facebook....68536083&type=1Also:Hmm, I spy with my little eye.... Thoughts?Edit: Oi, you 70 guests that are browsing the forum, register for an account and join in the fun! -
pluk reacted to Graeme in Ride Development
You know the entrance bridge over to the dome? If you look under that, there is a floating office, in which lives a troll.Staff at Thorpe give said troll random drugs that are confiscated by security and in return the troll draws up plans.
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pluk reacted to Kevin in THE SWARM: Construction Updates
Well I would be led to believe that the trains do actually come in parts. So for example, the train is simply delivered as parts and then built up to whole chassis, where they are then taken chassis by chassis and forklifted onto the track. This will happen in the main engineering workshop in accordance with the B&M engineering teams (no winter maintenance is done in any ride workshop in the park except for Stealth, Saw and X:/NWO which have the space and equipment to do this in - it's all done in the main workshop near the Farm) and it will then be transported across.As it has already been shown, RCS are off site now so there will not be a pull through - everything will be tested by the PLC compiler and creator (I.e Consign - http://www.consignll...m/services.html - this is a good site for info on how they do it) and then the train will simply be run out in manual to test the lift, block sections and brake runs out. The train will stall repeatedly (and I mean, repeatedly) until it makes a full circuit.Source: Myself coming from an operational and engineering side at Malden Rushett Land of Fun, and previous Engineering managers at Chertsey Towers.Oh. And another thing.
Haha, ha, hahaha, ha ha hahahaha.You've clearly never worked for Merlin Entertainments before. -
pluk reacted to JAMMYD777 in Port Aventura
Hello there!After the positive response to my Swarm recreation for Thorpe Park's 2012 ride, I thought I would have a go at recreating PortAventura's new ride, Shambhala; set to become the tallest coaster in Europe.Please Comment and Enjoyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQTUcowYuIIJAMMYD778
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pluk reacted to Sidders in The TPM Park & Forum Awards 2011: The Results!
:mellow:He didn't even make it to 2012. Shall we take a re-vote? -
pluk reacted to Mer in CHRISTMAS!
HO HO HO!
Because it's that time of year, so why not? So...what are you doing for Christmas this year? Do you have any traditions? What do you hope to get? Or do you just appreciate the food, music and family etc?
This year I am going to my dad's (with my brother of course) for Christmas dinner, with his parents, then coming back home to Mum's in the evening. She is having her parents over and they will be there in the evening, so get to see both parents and both sets of grandparents, yay! We're waking up at Mum's though, my dad knows it wouldn't be the same if we didn't! Then on Boxing Day, my mum's parents are coming over again for another Christmas dinner, and me and my brother will be there too Don't know what else we are doing regarding seeing the rest of the family, we aren't really a family who make strict plans, apart from inviting grandparents over for dinner as that obviously requires planning.
As for New Year's Eve, we are very last minute and my mum always says how she hates it and not knowing what to do. We usually go round my aunts but it's all good fun because there is plenty of drink, we are not a boring family! This New Years, I am venturing oop north to see Ben. Yay!
We have some traditions! The biggest one is the Christmas music we play. It started off known as "The Tape". It is music my mum's parents played when she was a child, it's Christmas songs sung by Ray Conniff, and his singers So it's kinda old sounding music but it's a big family thing, everyone has a copy of "The Tape", although most of us have upgraded to "The CD" lol. My mum plays it around Christmas time and ALWAYS on Christmas morning, The first song, argh, as soon as it starts it's like...I dunno! Just so exciting and reminds me of being young and eeee Here it is
http://youtu.be/Wcvn-xxkmlI
Christmas morning - we all go downstairs, to the smell of turkey cooking; my mum gets up at around 4am ish to put it in and slow cook it, so that when we wake up we can smell it! Mmm! Mum makes tea, and puts the Ray Conniff music on, we open cards and presents...yaaay! The music reminds us all of being children and believing in Father Christmas etc.
Another tradition is that we kiss this Father Christmas decoration when we get him out, and kiss him goodbye. It's not quite the same now my mum keeps the decorations in a cupboard and not the loft but still :L Here he is:
Also in the background, you can see the stockings my nan (mum's mother) knitted years ago for each of us, with our names on!
On Christmas Eve, I peel the sprouts for my mum :L It started a few years ago and now it's become my little tradition thing I do!
And my mum always buys ham (although I think it's actually gammon, but whatever, a big round piece of hammy thing) and boils it with some vinegar and one pickled onion, something she got from her mum-in-law. It tastes niiiiiiiiice! We call it "Nanny Barbara Ham" lol.
Oh and even though I've seen it so many times, I usually watch The Snowman when it's on. It makes me feel Christmassy and it's cute! Sad ending though! When my brother first watched it when he was little, he cried, bless him!
And one of my favourites...THE CHRISTMAS TRUCK! When Father Christmas rides around town on his sleigh with the fake reindeer at the front, blasting out Christmas music, collecting for the local charities...I always film it and me and mum go out to wave! It remind me of being young and excited by Father Christmas and aah it's just so lovely and awesome and festive!
Oh and of course, we have the traiditonal drinks - good ol' sherry and port. Really nice port - Cockburn's Special Reserve Port! Pronounced "Co-burns" according to my mum, but I just pronounce it how it's spelt hehe! And we always have champagne with our Christmas dinner, woo!
In terms of presents, well it's been a long time since I had a big pile to open due to not having much money but I don't mind. Yes, I do miss that feeling of "Oooh all these presents to open!" but it doesn't make or break Christmas. Plus, I still do have things to open, usually a small thing or two from Mum and a few things from Dad, and of course I greatly appreciate the money receive from family. The music and food and atmosphere, seeing family, seeing people happy, the usual shizz on TV...it all makes Christmas.
So yeah...in the words of Slade..."IT'S CHRIIIIISTMAAASSS!!"
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pluk reacted to AdamY in Parks, Rides And Coaster News
I really would say the only reason for the trains being how they are is an honest realisation from Intamin that they can't do the full wing coaster after trying with Baco. I mean honestly, the ride is going to be a completely different experience depending on your seat, and not in a good way - the people on the inside will always feel hard done by. Who would design a ride like this by choice?
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pluk reacted to AdamY in Parks, Rides And Coaster News
Calling anyone who wants a 10-minute journey of amazement, 90's celeb culture nostalgia and theme park history... Watch this video.
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pluk reacted to Sheepie in Holiday of a lifetime- Florida 2011
Remember four months ago when I got back from America and said I'd post trip reports? Well, I finally got done on uploading the third day. :PDecember 22, 2011 Tower of Terror & Hollywood StudiosBy cheekysheepskiWhen I came to writing my experience of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I decided to take on a different approach. Instead of doing a commentary of the whole park, I’m going to focus on one of my favourite attractions: Tower of Terror.Before I get to talking about arguably Disney’s best attraction, let’s take an overview of the Hollywood Studios.This is my least favourite Disney park; there is something quite awkward about it: it’s layout, the questionable positioning of certain features and the attractions that are on offer.Perhaps I’m being harsh on the park, it does have some fantastic attractions, such as the recently re-furbished Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Rock’ N ‘ Rollercoaster, a multitude of shows and of course, the Tower of Terror. Though, saying it is my least favourite Disney park is like saying you were disappointed with winning £1M on the lottery instead of the £5M estimate. The quality is there, just perhaps the experiences on offer did not resonate with me, personally.Actually, I have changed my mind whilst writing this.. the Studios are fantastic, yet those certain aspects that I listed above prevent the park from becoming one of my favourites.Attractions I enjoyed the most:Star ToursToy Story (though I would not wait in line for over an hour for it)The MuppetsTower of Terror.If you're interested in reading the full review then please check out the ol' blog- http://cheekysheepsk...udios/#more-307
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pluk reacted to Marc in Past Planning Applications
After Runnymede's recent site rebuild its now easier to find past planning applications, some of which are quite interesting including plans from when RMC planned Tidal Wave, before Tussauds took over and gave us what we have today.Just head to http://planning.runnymede.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/GeneralSearch.aspx and enter "Thorpe Park" under address. Enjoy
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pluk got a reaction from Sidders in The Big Bad Movie Topic
Most exciting film prospect for 2012? Keith Lemon the movie is in production! Oooooosh.
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pluk reacted to Fred in Rant
Adverts on child neglect/abuse/starvation.I was on the train yesterday and I saw three (by seperate organisations). All talking about how awful their lives are around christmas, that we're all close nit and have amazing lives, but think of these poor people. Now donateOkay cool, dampen my mood a bit. Yes its thought provoking, but is is seriously affective?Who remembers the advert after seeing them (I've only written it after seeing way too many of them that it's annoyed me to write about it). And more importantly, who instantly texts to send the money from the adverts?I highly doubt it's a cost effective way of achieving funding or getting notice and support for the organisations. Many people, especially in these economic times, paying high prices for trains to do costly leisure activities (or going to work and paying more due to peak time fares) aren't gonna randomly whip out their phones to spend the £3 they want to support them. So how do the adverts pay for themselves? I bet they don't.I hate the negativity of it all, it's very Daily Mail style. For the sake of funding, but surely there's other ways of raising funding (like the ridiculous singers at East Croydon at the moment) which achieves their goals without turning to negativity. Gerrrrrr.
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pluk got a reaction from UnderItAll in The TPM Park & Forum Awards 2011: The Results!
Best Dark Ride: Duel, Alton Towers Ashamed of you all.Other than that, mostly agreed. -
pluk reacted to Sidders in The TPM Park & Forum Awards 2011: The Results!
Three weeks ago today I asked you all to vote for your favourite parks, coaster, rides, members, members moderators etc., and now the results are in, with some very interesting results!This year I'll post the nominee who finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category. In categories where less than three nominees appear, there were less than three separate nominees:The Park Awards:
Best UK Park: Alton Towers Thorpe Park Chessington Best International Park: Europa-Park, Germany Universal's Islands of Adventure, USA Disney's Magic Kingdom, USA Best UK Coaster: Nemesis, Alton Towers Stealth, Thorpe Park AIR, Alton Towers Best International Coaster: Katun, Mirabilandia Bizzaro, Six Flags New England Blue Fire Megacoaster, Europa-Park Most Reliable UK Ride/Coaster: Nemesis Inferno, Thorpe Park Nemesis, Alton Towers Oblivion, Alton Towers Most Uncomfortable Ride: SAW: The Ride, Thorpe Park Rita, Alton Towers Infusion, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Best Inversion: Zero-G Roll Pretzel Loop Cobra Roll Best-Landscaped Park: Alton Towers, UK Disney's Animal Kingdom, USA Hansa-Park, Germany Cleanest Park: = Disney's Magic Kingdom, USA = Alton Towers, UK Europa-Park, Germany Best Flat Ride: Rush, Thorpe Park Samurai, Thorpe Park Detonator, Thorpe Park Best Dark Ride: Duel, Alton Towers Valhalla, Blackpool Pleasure Beach The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Universal's Islands of Adventure Best 2011 Addition: Raptor, Gardaland Cheetah Hunt, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Starry Sky Ripper, World Joyland Best-Looking 2012 Project: The Swarm, Thorpe Park Wodan: Timbur Coaster, Europa-Park Leviathan, Canada's Wonderland Best Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard Intamin AG Mack The Forum Awards:
Best Member: Mark9 Sidders Luke_A Funniest Male: = Mark9 = Valentez Rattlesnake1 Funniest Female: Mer9 Ellie _Lauren_ Biggest Fanboy: JoshC. Marc Luke_A Biggest Fangirl: Mer9 Ellie _Lauren_ Best Quality Posts: = TraX = Sidders Phill Pritchard Sexiest Male: Rattlesnake1 (Tom) Valentez Ricky Sexiest Female: Mer9 SarahSmidge Ellie Best New Member: Valentez SarahSmidge Phill Pritchard Best Moderator: Sidders Mark9 Sheepie Best Administrator: IanNem Most Sarcastic: Benin Fred Mark9 Most Likely To Be Banned In 2012: Kevvy K TPGG LiamT Sexiest Voice: Valentez Sheepie Sidders Most Knowledgeable Member: TraX Diesel Mark9 Remember, it's just a bit of fun really, so let's not start an argument. Hope you all enjoy reading the results and that you all enjoyed taking part! See ya next year!