stretchy

They are ok. but they look a bit of an after thought as they are only in one section of the queue line. If it was all along the whole queue then it would look quite cool.

The thing is, everyone thinks that the theme parks have an infinite source of money to 'plow into the parks'. Merlin as a whole were hit quite hard by the Smiler accident. They have no option but to cut back. BUT they are trying. The TLC shows that.

12pence tickets (yes 12 English pence) anyone? http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/thorpe-park-tickets-for-just-12p-limited-number-available-friday-25th-march-10am-2409541

Yes Steven, you are welcome to join us. Sorry for the slow response. I would think that there will be a fair few people going that weekend.

I will be there Friday/Sat with a number of the nerds.

It is interesting how this doesn't seem too have been picked up by any American parks.

Can I just say to everyone, if they are going to partake in alcoholic beverages, on this trip, they should a) be old enough and DRINK RESPONSIBLY (I personally interpret this as only holding one pint at a time, otherwise you spill them and it would be irresponsible to waste beer. I will, of course, be confiscating beer from anyone I see holding more than 1)

The thing is, you wont need to know who Derren Brown is to ride the ride, which means that as time goes on, and Derren drifts out off the stage of modern celebrity then the 'Derren brown' character in the ride can just become a fictional character. OK so the IP doesnt bring any new people, but at that point in the rides life, who cares. People will be drawn to the park with the new 24 looping mega wooden coaster. The ride may just gradually slip off the Derren Brown name and just revert to Ghost Train.

Do you mean marks face on Derrens? Done. I also got rid of those annoying dolls

I would have also thought that HTC would have been involved as they headsets are obviously not going to be the same as the public pre-order ones. I would guess that they are custom builds. What also might be interesting is if HTC are heavily involved then maybe there will be other specialnesses to these machines. We also may see HTC using it as a launch vector when the Vives are released too. Which would be more advertising for the ride, which is definitely a good thing.

Yes, this is, I hear, the new entrance, that will be available for hotel guests and possibly annual pass holders.

I have repeatedly said this over the past few years. TLC should be an on-going thing. not a spring clean once every 10 years.

I find it odd that no one has commented on where that picture was taken from.....

Here is an article on the new star wars land being built over at the US Disney parks. Had a couple of tings in that I didn't know but mostly a rehash of whats already known http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/22/star-wars-disney-parks-concepts/

Can I just chime in with a quick English lesson, and I am not meaning to go against what Tommy said, at all. I would just like to say that language is vitally important on a forum. The words you use convey much more than you often mean' e.g. When StevenVig said it is worded as a statement of fact and not his personal opinion. If he worded it as Which is, I think what he intended to say, I don't think Coaster Jamie would have felt the need to defend all the people who had dabbled in this experiment. What I am trying to express is the need to differentiate between a fact and an opinion. My science teacher used to drum into us the following saying "Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but facts only become facts is they adhere to the scientific principle". My English teacher would then embellish this by stating that "if you have a fact word it as a fact, if you have an opinion, word it as an opinion. If you word an opinion as a fact or a fact as an opinion, someone will take offense". If I am truly honest ,when I read StevenVig's post I was a little offended even though he said no offense. I was offended that it seemed to me that he had neglected to comprehend the first post of this thread, that said that implied this was about ideas and not final designs or artistic skill. So with all of that in mind. As Tommy said, we didn't find a logo we liked. Does that mean you still can't have a go? No! Throw your ideas in. Does that mean that the competition is over? No! I think that if someone comes up with a killer logo then it will, as the name says, kill this logo, Does that mean that we are staying with the current amazing logo? Sometimes it is only by trying other things that you appreciate the things you have. The need to change was driven only by a feeling that the current logo was becoming dated, at the moment we have proven that it isn't as dated as we think, But, as I have said above, if someone comes up with a killer logo then it will, as the name says, kill this logo, And most importantly HAVE FUN!

There is a good chance I may be attending this, along with a few of the Nerds. Will confirm closer.

If you have visited two different theme parks I would like to know why you chose to visit a different theme park instead of returning to the first one you visited? It is totally about Rides for me. I live down the road from Alton Towers (13 minute drive). So go there at least twice a month normally. There are 3 rides I do at towers as a rule. Nemesis. - Still no experience like it. 13 - really fun little ride. Hex - I love watching the reactions of people in the ride room but also really like the darkness of it. Do you think that innovation such as new rides, shows, new areas of the park or improvements to existing rides, shows and the use of mobile applications and devices could have caused you to return to the first park instead of visiting a different theme park? That depends on the innovation, If that innovation is a new thomas the tank engine area then no it does not tempt me to visit. If that innovation is a new ride/event/gadget that excites or interests me then I will. Mobile apps tend to help you first time you go (navigation etc) they dont tend to drive repeats. I would also like to know how your experience was affected by the park's use of technology (e.g. mobile apps to find out wait times or to book fastpass tickets)or by new rides, shows and themed restaurants? I always use ridetimes.co.uk for alton towers ride times. That makes me decide where to go within the park. I disagree with the concept of fast passes so wouldnt buy them.

I should be free both weekends. I will try and find us somewhere interesting to go in the saturday evening again. My car will also be available for any of you coming up by train who want ferrying around from station to travellodge/travellodgeto towers etc.

I've been there a few times and its one of my favorite parks, to be honest all day the queues wont be that bad. Mumbo tends to be the longest wait because they tend to operate on 1 car. Hero wasn't open last time I was there, but I haven't heard good things, so if its unpopular then I don't expect it to get queues. Advice. Do mumbo early Don't bother with the monorail, you can walk faster. You will get very wet on the water ride. Don't expect good rides, the park doesn't have the money for Merlin style attractions.

I didn't realise that the trains hibernated for winter on their sides. But there again, if they are on their sides maybe trains are like fish and it means that they are dead AND 'SOME GIRL' WAS RIGHT! Welcome to the Ghost Train!

I think I am the only person who prefers it backwards. Edit. I have to allegedly clarrify the above - I prefer riding Swarm backwards.

I have heard rumors that Thopre are now patroling monks walk to quell the throngs of fanboys congregating down there and taking pictures. So it is odd that they post a tempting photo from there themselves. That looks like an invitation to me.

How about one of these? http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/24/the-vr-arcade-of-the-future-sundance/

Just a comment re: Go Ape. Even though I do love Go Ape, it's often too cold to do in November. If you want something to do in cold wet weather then may I suggest Go Below rather than Go Ape (Think Go Ape but in a cave in Wales). http://www.go-below.co.uk/

Did anyone watch the periscope feed? you can rewatch it at https://www.periscope.tv/w/1lPJqgNEzAnKb. At 0:37 Andy says - (I think) ....in high vis jackets making sure its ready and rocking for may. I think that is the opening time they are aiming for peops. To be honest I am quite happy with this. the May opening worked extrememly well for Smiler. There was a lot of buz around park and people definatly came back once the ride was open. EDIT --- By the way, some of the periscope comments (they all come up) are quite amusing.