Flipper

I can’t comment; a lot of their reasoning on rejections amongst what I’ve heard have been that they’ve allegedly got a “high rate of returners” - which we all know isn’t the case. That said, I know Revolution for example is the same ride team as the last few years.

I’m one of the few enthusiasts whom didn’t visit this weekend. I was debating the Sunday and decided not to after the Saturday reviews. As others have said the park is a total mess. Being from Blackpool, I’ve seen and heard legitimate people being turned down for work this year, even with theme park experience and having worked for the park previously; yet I also have a friend who finished around May last year who got phoned on Thursday asking if he’d like to work for them again as ‘they are short’. Allegedly certain rides (Skyforce for example) didn’t open simply due to lack of staff although this is just a murmur. The Park had it right years ago when it was half a park running into November, and the opposite running in February; but now with more rides (Icon, Skyforce etc) alongside the woodie’s requiring the strong maintenance the park is just pushing itself too far. Allegedly PMBO was handed back for testing and training less than a week before reopening; and it was merely the end of January when PMBO and Revolution trains were seen in pieces in the North car park - they’ve ran on far too tight timeframes this year.

Taken from TowersTimes Confirmation Dungeons will be/utilize the existing boat ride, and be merely five show scenes. I say this in comparison to say Blackpool Tower Dungeon which is a ten 'shows' format; or Warwick's '50 minute experience'. I rather expect this will be somewhat shorter; at maybe a thirty minute experience which would make an up-charge rather questionable in terms of value.

I recon its quite easy to do as MattyMoo has said. The keys will be branded to the car; walk up and down and you'll find it. There's no indication still as to if the car was valuable etc so it could have been a bigger target. The bigger concern should be that bag rooms consistently lose wristbands and so forth, and such an occurrence is frequently happening (wrong belongings handed out). I kind of agree with the removal of bag rooms they're just not needed and I hope SAW, Stealth and Swarm follow suit to Towers as soon as a logical solution is found for SAW and Stealth.

Agreed. Vulcan felt hit and miss with actor locations which was a shame but where there was actors it was very hands on. I had an actor grabbing onto my ankle, and kept ahold whilst I kept trying to walk forward. I still, have never had a run through Platform that makes me like it. Whereas on the other hand I still found SAW one of the strongest mazes of the night for the second time this year. At one point I turned around and saw that four actors from the first room, electric room and a pig mask had joined the conga line; and then they started trying to break the back of the group apart. The energy and delivery they’re aiming for in SAW is just fantastic this year in my view. Blair I felt was weaker last night; but two actors I found notably really strong on my run in preview night were in the pre-show so maybe that hindered it for me. The rest, meh. DOD/Sanctum is an improvement but for me I still find SAW probably the best of the night and then I’m completely torn between Creek and Vulcan as I really enjoyed both; but Creek felt stronger on Preview night.

Don’t see all the hate for Vulcan. I quite enjoyed it. Felt like Moth hitting lämp the amount of walls I walked into. But genuinely, quite enjoyed it. Safety briefing: “If you find it becomes too much, remove your hood-“ Maze audio: “Keep moving, do not remove your hood!” Was a very fast moving story. ?

Debatable. Am I still the only person on this forum who does not rate Icon at all? I have no problem with anyone who does I just feel like I’m missing something that everyone else sees? And I still can’t help the feeling that it’s all well-and-good praising them for Icon, but the park is still a bit of a shamble. The whole of FY4 now it’s been chopped to bits looks ridiculous and repulsive, especially when it’s your main route to a brand new ride. Operations are always hit and miss. Valhalla never seems to work, and Christ it went under a refurb a few years back to simplify its effects, yet they still don’t work. National’s operations have gone to pot. Ice Blast still skips the word ‘Playstation’ I mean come on Blackpool, it would take maybe an hour to re-record some new audio for it And then you say about effects not working, audio not working; cool. But look at the other attractions, such as Revolution (with broken audio) or the arcades that are falling to pieces. The whole of the standards of parks in the UK bar a few independents has gone down the pan, and for me, Blackpool is one of the dossiest.

Still confused how Terror at Amity High can’t be a scarezone when it’s just actors even without theming; when Towers tan Freak Show and the one in Forbidden Valley - which was literally just people with chainsaws - and continue to advertise Ancestors and this new Galactica AIRways thing as attractions when they are, oh, just actors. I also see other people’s points this year was quantity driven. Don’t think they were as bad as some are saying but yes, even compared to Scarefest it lacks; and nothing is coming close to Big Top etc.

We had a carnation of Negan at start of Living S**tmare too on the previews; albeit I did make comment that he looked more like Rylan (and thus, scarier - sorry!) For me I found SAW far out the strongest, and had the two best runs through SAW ever. I love the free flow of the maze now they’ve ditched the shoulder-holding, and I hope it stays this way. Platform just didn’t do anything for me as per, nor did LN; likewise it didn’t in summer. For both I just find the old school grunt and click approach doesn’t phase me. I second thoughts on Dead Creek and Blair, both surprisingly strong(er) than expected and for me better than Platform or LN. But equally quite a long drive between those and SAW. SAW had me several times over a couple of go’s, and once on the floor; something which only Big Top and Sub has managed until now.

As others have touched upon; there is no reference of TWD:DOD on the image, despite confirming it; and two more are covered up. The text saying about an outbreak in dockyard makes me think there could be roamers, and the biohazard is completely unknown as yet. However the marquee curtains have been drawn for a while now, and SWARM could cater a biohazard story alongside it. Aside from this, the image clearly is ‘Page 12’ in the corner which, seems random, and awkwardly suggestive of 12 attractions, as surely it’d have made more sense to call it ‘Page 10’ otherwise. As it stands though, it’s not overly enticing me. Naturally, I’ll give it a go; but I don’t feel enthralled like usual.

I still find it completely, random, that Blair Witch could possibly return. I understand it’s looking likely; but with Timber Tug in its entrance, and the fact it’s a Lionsgate IP maze it doesn’t make logical sense. I was never a fan of the Lionsgate mazes. For me, BW I never had a good / exciting run; likewise with MBV; and Cabin, I just felt was a bizarre take on an awful film and it never particularly enthralled me. But then I was always an advocate for Big Top and Studio’s one year (never did Asylum / pre Studio days). In honesty, I don’t care for Platform either. So without BT, it does look like a disinteresting year for Fright Nights for the reasons others have already stated.

I would also love to know who deemed the selling point of Icon as the UK’s first double launch when Blackpool’s own website highlights the Revolution as launching twice... * Credit to Ryan Nixon and his podcast for highlighting the Rev webpage for the clarification on that.

It really doesn’t fly around. I love BPB. Grew up with it. Supported it from near and far and worked there over three departments. Icon for me is disappointing. It’s the UKs slowest launch coaster and feels it, and the two pops of airtime and one turn with force for me doesn’t make up for a meandering lacklustre ride with a station that reminds me of a Wetherspoons bathroom. Wild Mouse was as others have said a H&S nightmare. And if these murmurs are true about future Mack projects being booked in, I could easily see a Mack Dipper going into that and Trauma’s space. Whilst I very much doubt that a new ride will cost an old every time; they are pretty much out of space now...

For a Pleasure Beach enthusiast I’d expect you to be more factual. Parking traditionally has fluctuated as stated based on car park and time of season, amidst the five they actually own; North. Watson Rd (Bowladrome). Arena. South. And the rear car park behind Grand National. £15 to park is ridiculous especially in Blackpool when the Yeadon Way car parks are a short walk away and significantly cheaper. It’s always been my big hatred element of Pleasure Beach; they charge extortionate prices for the additional facilities, and so on, which puts a massive price tag on a day out - not to mention the pressure it puts on the surrounding roads and residents because of their parking fees.

TH0RPE PARK have also dropped this. Look closely.

IF this is to do with Fright Nights it does suggest a lot towards SAW. Considering Jigsaw’s working title was SAW: Legacy and the usage of barbed wire, time etc etc. it is suggestive that SAW could be seeing an overhaul (or Alive at least) which would make sense with Jigsaw rebirthing the franchise, and Jigsaw 2 in the works.

I've not been to Efteling, so can I just clarify that Python is identical to Magic Mountain at Gardaland? It's the standard looper design? So both now run with VR and, scarily, based on review, Merlin are running it better?

Nexo Knights Kingdom Castle... sorry I keep picking on you I don't mean to. It will be known as Haunted House. Just the same as it's known as Atlantis over Atlantis: Submarine Voyage. It's solely to reflect what it's all about. I don't think Ghost works whatsoever.

Disagree. Yes Alton are running on a shoestring budget but they're still trying to recover so it's expected. But that aside; they're trying. Yes there's lots of downsides, but look at Nemesis. It's looking great and they've invested into its future. Something keeps occurring around Sub Terra so we can only hope there's a future plan for it. There's murmurs of work being done to Cloud Cuckoo Land to bring the area back and re implement CATCF as an attraction (albeit without the Charlie IP). Yes things aren't great but with a park like Towers it doesn't phase me the staggered openings as most guests are heading straight for Wicker Man anyway, and its no different in my view as Blackpool's staggered openings. I'm just thankful that we've now got a more-or-less full ride line up again (bar CATCF and 4D as we know ST is dead) and that cuts were made in Splash and Tree Top Quest over the theme park experience. Thorpe is doing good in my opinion. They've made the entrance look acceptable from something very run down and grubby; they've tried with TWD - and I'm still happy its not VR on a ride, plus I haven't ridden it yet - and their operational calendar is amongst the strongest it's been for years with late night openings in Summer, and frequent 6pm+ closes. Great hotel rates to drive footfall which reflect the product offering in price and the return of the Annual Pass deal which is welcoming for the general public. And I'd argue good for Chessington too. Yes there's flaws, but again, they've not had a bad start to the season. People are very quick to highlight the negatives but aside from Tomb, the park isn't looking too bad. I for one am excited for Land of the Tigers, and I think this year they've really tidied up the park somewhat, to a degree I've already visited twice and usually I go once a year. I 100% respect, understand and see your viewpoint. But I feel there's too much negativity for the parks which are all trying really damn hard to recover, rebuild, and carry on after having budgets slashed left right and centre, when on reflection, we've seen Towers add one of their best coasters in the last decade, whilst refurbishing attractions back to a fresh state; Chessington bring a needed area refurbishment with new experiences to help themselves grow; LEGOLAND riding on the back of Ninjago: The Ride with the Haunted House breaking ground finally; and THORPE utilizing assests they have to hand in the form of Walking Dead and looking at their marketing and operations to grow themselves as a park.

This makes me want to go back to Cedar Point so badly

I stand by what I said before. Who knows that X was the plan. There was so much rumour and suggestion around the Swarm, even VR, who’s to say they didn’t opt for this as a better option within the budget?

Maverick seems to be marmite amongst people. I think it’s absolutely fantastic. I agree it would be improved with lap bars but at least the OTSR are soft and flexible unlike Stealth, Rita etc. so there’s no pain. X2 I’ve been quite lucky with. I’ve done it a few times as I always buy the fastrack as it’s so damn hot when I go. It’s just crazy and all the audio and effects that go with it make it amazing IMO. And I know A LOT of people really hate it.

Sam it’s great to hear you enjoyed and braved the Wicker Man. It’s a top ride for me too now at Towers. My brother has ASD/Autism so I can appreciate how difficult it is to find the confidence to try these rides. Wicker Man really is fast paced; and if you can do that and Galactica (and you’ve done Thirteen?) I would totally give Rita a go on your next trip; followed by Nemesis and Oblivion and Smiler. You seem to be like my brother deep down you enjoy the rides but you’ve gotta jump that hurdle! :-)

I had an AWFUL meal in TGI Fridays tonight. And I love TGI Fridays. But it was a mess. And I feel hurt.

I agree with Mark9 unless you factor in poor time planning, or similar you’d have to be quite dazed to manage two rides. Albeit at Towers this year you have no food options from WM to Valley bar RCR, which takes time. Flicking to the one before I used to very much agree about not being an Intamin fan, but as the years tick by, I realise they are my favourite manufacurer at present. Millennium Force makes me crave to ride another Giga (or Expedition GeForce), the Accelerators are great fun and I personally find Desert Race a good ride (it’s smoother than Rita), and I also enjoy Baco in small doses as it does bruise me. And then, there’s Maverick... which leads me onto my unpopular opinion: Maverick at Cedar Point and X2 at SF Magic Mountain are my favourite coasters. And I’d dare to say I love X2 so much I feel it was worth bankrupting Arrow for. *mic drop*