alexander

Samurai is one of the best flats at the park and would be such a shame to see go. I hope perhaps this will in a way be a benefit for them that they need to maintain their current ride line up better and hopefully they will do something about Colossus and some of the other existing rides which are just being left to rot as it goes. Hopefully it'll be back in action but obviously not to run on it's highest setting.

I remember the first time I went to Knott's and I queue'd for Perilous Plunge (only for 15/20 minutes) or so, and I was so small that the straps wouldn't go tight enough on me so I wasn't allowed to ride, I was so gutted!

Went today and arrived about 2:30pm, I haven't been for a few years so it looked quite busy but god was I wrong, there was no queue for anything all day other than the front row for Vampire. I really forgot how beautiful Chessington really is and the foliage growing around is really lovely. I headed to Vampire first and despite the long winding empty queue I enjoyed the screams of the train over head and headed straight in to the enclosement. I forgot how dark it is in the queue leading up to the dispatch area, the station looked great and atmospheric with the old organ player still functioning (was surprised this was working) along with the lighting. The station could do with a clean but I suppose the cobwebs contributed to the eerie setting I got on about the 5th row back and I was pleasantly surprised how intense it was, I think it has gotten better with age. The drop down into the tunnel in the second half of the course was really quite intense swinging along the tracks which completely took me by surprise. The ride attendant was very enthusiastic and congratulated us on 'being alive'. The only thing I'd criticise is loading and dispatching was a bit on the slow side. I headed to Dragons Fury next and the cattlepen queue was horrendous, although, no one was in it. I enjoyed this a lot and I have to say I love the speed of the lifthill, looks like it needs a bit of a lick of paint and the brakes, well, hurt. Next I moved on to the Wild Asia area and was really impressed with the re-theme, the area looked really great. Kobra wasn't unavailable, they seemed to be cleaning something off of it but I saw this throughout the day and found out they were cleaning the whole park free of dust. So on this note I headed towards Monkey Swinger and enjoyed a very 'individual ride' with just two other people, mind I managed to get a little more wet than I bargained for. Dodgems were next and they were a lot of fun except I had some woman on her own moaning at me for bumping into her. I know it's Dodgems and everything but what do you expect? Wandered off and about again and because I was already wet I thought why not keep up the trend and go to Rameses. The Madagascar area looks awful by the way! The host was very playful and was a right crowd pleaser as there was more people watching then riding! I sat back middle row, got reasonably wet first time and then he took us for a second round on a more intense setting and I can honestly say I was absolutely soaked. I decided to not opt for Tomb Blaster in the end as I didn't have too much time - might I add the fences look horrendous. Runaway Train. An old favourite of mine and I hadn't been on it in about 5/6 years. Raced around the queue dripping with water and got into the front seat. The staff were very pleasant and addressed me as the 'drenched driver' and asked why I was so wet. After a white lie about a dip in the pond he asked if I had come on to have a bit of a tumble dry. It's nice to see people enjoying their work! Rattlesnake was next on my list and it smelt great in the caverns, kind of similar to the Alpine coaster at Europa Park. There was no queue but it hurt (in a good way?) and my elbows took a bashing. Dragons Falls was closed unfortunately although it insisted it was going to open that day on the board when we bought our tickets, strange. The setting is so beautiful and I wish I had taken some pictures! I had a last run on Vampire - back row - and enjoyed sweeping over the pavements and small crows. Finished with Hocus Pocus hall but I didn't really rate it too much as I wasn't really pay attention or interacting inside as I had to get going. Have to do a major shoutout to the guy on the turnstiles selling car parking tickets on exit. He asked us how our day was and everything and we got into conversation about car parking prices and he proceeded to tell me Alton Towers is £6?!?! I told him I was meant to be going Thorpe today (didn't in the end unfortunately) and he said it was rammed so I took his advice and decided against going. Didn't manage to get many photo's but here are a couple! Pardon the quality, they were taken on my phone! http://imgur.com/a/LE4TN Can't say I was impressed with the late opening times for certain attractions, it didn't affect me though as I wasn't there till late!

I will be going Friday so hopefully it'll be quiet as most people will be back at school, I'll try and get some pictures in and also do a ride report of what is and what's not working!

I swear to god the time before last I went to Thorpe in March it was very quiet and getting dark (March time) it was about 4pm and the cycle was the most intense and longest cycle I have ever endured on it. Now I don't know whether the cycle was on 6 but we were on for a VERY long time and flying all over the place.

Turbo was my first upside down coaster too! Haven't been for a long time though as it's so expensive!

^ wow, that is impressive! if I hadn't read your post about the reverse drop I would have not expected it at all! looks like I might need to take a trip there then

Went today, sorry for the late update I was knackered after I drove back. The park wasn't 'packed' as it were but it wasn't quiet, it would've been nice for it to be a little quieter so I could have 'whored' some more re-rides with my friends but the longest queue was about an hour which was for the Swarm. Most of the larger rides were between 20-40 minutes so overall it wasn't too bad

I'm going tomorrow, hopefully it won't be too busy, I'll let you know what the queue's are like tomorrow around about 1pm-ish

Gutted that I'm on holiday as I would love some ERT on Colossus! Have a good time though all of you, maybe the 'exclusive stuff' is an announcement of refurbing the whole ride for it's tenth year? God I hope so!

anyone got anymore photos?

I go on Tuesday so I'll post my report here most likely Tuesday evening EDIT: 26th June Trip Report We actually got into the park about 10:30 whereas it opened 10:00 because we were waiting for the other half of our group, the weather during the day was actually reasonably warm but got overcast towards the later half of the day. Probably around 20 degrees it was! The Swarm x1 - Right Side - Rows 4&5 weren't working on both sides on both trains, neither were the water effects but the LCD eyes were and they looked brilliant! X:/No Way Out x1 - Lights were completely on so it was great to have an insight of what was inside and the track layout with my own eyes. It looks like a lot of repainting and refurbishment have been done to the corridors as it appeared to be a lot darker but the lights on in the 'main chamber' just ruined the atmosphere along with the awful techno music. Rush x1 - It was on a short ride system but as always, it packed a punch and I loved it. Rumba Rapids x1 - Hardly got wet but it's great when you're with a group of friends trying to avoid getting wet. Nemesis Inferno x1 - The fog/mist unfortunately wasn't working in the tunnel however the ride was running really well, one of the best rides I've had on it to date. Loggers Leap x2 - Having a boat full of heavy lads and forcing our weight to the front meant the impact of the splash was a lot bigger and we got well and truly soaked. They need to get rid of the awful green lighting in the first drop tunnel though. Colossus x1 - Not as rough as I remember from last time but it's in a poor state, still enjoyed it though regardless. Saw x1 - Broke down for about 15 minutes but again the ride wasn't too rough as I remember and I actually enjoyed it without having a tonne of head banging. Stealth x1 - Front Row - It was amazing today. Tidal Wave x2

I was joking I wish Chessington had some more share of the investment it really is depressing Anwyay Thorpe, anyone have ideas which could be a new unique flat?

I think they'll remove Mr Monkey's and the Carousel only because they don't advertise themselves at a family theme park. That's what Chessington is for. I can imagine because of the lack of investment Chessington gets, they'll transport Mr Monkey's to Chessington and fit it in somewhere.I like the idea of a ZacSpin actually, they could perhaps reiterate Mr Monkey into it (could be themed as falling from treetops) considering the area would fit the theme perfectly and then one of the classic rides would still have that more remembered feel to it. I can't say I would be too bothered about the removal of them but I'm sure others would be. It really irritates me though that they don't remove the SBNO rides, seeing the Railway, Safari (you can still slightly see it behind the fence) is just depressing.

It was pretty dead today, managed to get 5 runs of the Swarm and we didn't even whore it, queue's didn't breach the 10 minute level all day for it, the longest queue was for Colossus, Stealth and Nemesis at 20 minutes. Possibly more because the two Intamin's kept breaking down. Here was my little review I posted on TowerTimes! THE SWARM - Right - 2nd Row - OutsideAfter seeing the pictures I couldn't contain my excitement upon spotting the B&M beauty on the dual carriageway to the park but it really is even more stunning in the person. Because of it being a week day, there was no actors, however all staff were friendly and encouraging the back story and publicity stunts about people losing limbs. Much to my amusement a lot of chavs believed them The queue was if that long, 5 minutes. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't seem as short as it would have seemed and the ride was really 'fun'. The ride is not the most intense in the park, but it does pack a punch; the highlight of the ride for me is the turn around to the corkscrew past the helicopter. It's a great addition to the Thorpe line up, however, Colossus still remains my #1 at Thorpe but it comes in close second/third. The theming is great but walking around that cattlepen is a headache. I don't think there's any problem with the fencing though, I enjoy the balance between the mesh and wood. Still no fire effects I'm afraid but the water effects were rising a lot higher than I had seen from videos!THE SWARM - Left Back OutsideI was disappointed. The staff were very laid back today and let us choose where we wanted to sit and I couldn't wait to see what I was missing out on. Not a lot. It was a bit rougher, a little more intense, the highlight being the seat being pulled under you on the left side but really I didn't take any of the ride in.THE SWARM - Right Front InsideBetter than the second row. I have to say I'm inclined to say I prefer the right side, I might be in the minority but I guess it's mainly that turn and the incline. Highlight of the day so far.The Swarm - Right & Left - 5th Row OutsideThese are the BEST rows. Some guy was trying to explain that this was the 'Th13teen' of seats (pun intended ) that to keep hands and legs in unless you want to lose a limb like the test dummies. It had the perfect balance of speed, intensity and the narrowness of the misses. I personally prefer the right side, just for that turn, however, I'll let you judge for yourself. It was exhilarating.

I think I'm going next Wednesday/Thursday, do we know if it's going to be particularly busy? It's a school day and during the week so I imagine it wouldn't and hopefully the main hype of this weekend would have died down!

I'm seriously considering coming tomorrow (well today now) as it'll only be one lesson at college I'll be missing but I'd have to leave early in order to get back to work for 5 so I'm kinda trying to balance my ideas right now!

that interior is so nice! I'm really impressed so props to thorpe, I was just thinking that'll be such a shame when there's heavy rain that it will ruin the theming but then I remember it's an apocalyptic theme so the rotting wood is only going to add to the authenticity of the theme!

it's bit of both really but it's mainly because I can't get the day off work! I will, at some point, attend one of the meets, hopefully anyway!

I really want to go but I have college that day and I literally know no one off this forum as it is

gutted after seeing the picture of the woodie and Colossus still hasn't received any tlc nice pictures though thank you!

they could theme the ride to the idea that the destruction has just begun or it's still on going or in the midst of things so not everything has been destroyed as of yet, possibly anyway.

Neil, that is starting to look so beautiful

I really like the idea of having more actors/ride staff in costume, I know it's more than not likely to happen because of the expenditure, just going to reiterate my points about what I feel needs to be improved, I know it's a thrill park, but this is what I want to happen! - Fix the whole sound system in the park, give it some atmosphere, no top 40 music, just the ride soundtracks.- Refurb Colossus, it's in dire need, it's gotten so rough it hurts my head. Nemesis could use one maybe soon too.- Add more theming to Storm Surge (or even better, remove it! ) and add more theming to Stealth. It is one of the major rides I feel really lacks. X and the Flying Fish have better theming as it stands. The idea is good but it needs more. What 'land' if we were going by lands does it belong to by the way?- More to the SAW islands and sort out the queue.- Sort out Rumba Rapids, get rid of the awful 'rumba' brand and bring it back to its former glory.- Get rid of the defunct Mrs Hippos Safari Ride or whatever and the rails of the CCR because, like someone else said, it's just horrible seeing rides that have died out to just sit there rotting away.- Change the 4D cinema into something that actually suits the place it belongs or get rid of it and put a new flat in there.- X No Way Out - Change the theme, KEEP it going backwards but remove the constant break stops, I like the idea of the themed pyramid idea of Egypt, then it can belong to Lost City as Storm Surge and X next to one another clash. Even though they've ditched the lands ideas now.- Clean up the park and the park entrance, new paint job to make it look newer, paint the rusty rails and remove chewing gum.I'll add more when I can think of them!

I love that!