Flipper

Today was, erm, sort of a prime example of the 15 people rule. From what we were led to believe, Samurai's hydraulic oil (or whatever it's called, it confuses me) overheated blah blah so it basically E-Stopped itself; and brought itself down under its own momentum. What was funny about this was engineers had to manually bring it down by leaking the hydraulic rams or something technical that I don't understand, and in doing so it ski-wift itself; meaning gondola five was literally flat against the platform, and the whole of Samurai was parked in a weird way. I feel sorry for the operator; and the riders at the time a-like, it must not have been pleasant trying to get guests to mind their legs while they literally got plonked down. Credit to maintenance though, they had it back running a few hours later (I'm guessing once it had cooled down).

I'd like to hope it's less than that. Personally I would just like to see it fixed up. They're running out of room to put crack detection paint!

That's a hell of a lot planned. Although doesn't really suggest they're going to go out and build the next Duelling Dragons Equally, I intend to be visiting in a few weeks for the first time, so much looking forward to Minion Mayhem.

I'm not sure myself the difference between copyright and trademarks, I know that sounds really thick but it's never been something thats affected me. All I know is I was under influence that theres nothing restricting the use of Prof. Burp anymore; and that the music can now be used royalty free. *shrugs*

Just want to throw it out there, Thorpe had a TV advert earlier which was a shortened version of the Sounds of Summer, but was introduced as 'Thorpe Park presents, cheap family breaks' or something - with no image nor name reference to Shark, just saying visit the website to find a cheap break at Thorpe.

Its a difficult one. Theoretically the ride system is supposedly able to hold you in by the lap bar. On the flip side, the shoulder holders act as a way to hold you in an upright position. Safety wise as far as S&S are concerned, they are not essential. I think it's merely there just for comfort (I said disagree because I dispute that without a shoulder restraint it would be a safe ride. Surely it'd allow people's torso's too much movement to be safe, but thats another day)

If what I've been told is correct, then yes. You could draw identical plans to Prof Burps Bubbleworks; have them trademarked for say ten years, and build it using everything the same, even the music I believe; and Chessington can't do anything.

I'd have to say Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland in both Paris and California - both different but the same if that makes sense. In the UK I think I'd have to say Valhalla is good, but its black curtains and a few SFX, so I'd have to swing more towards Hex I think.

Maybe it's just closed because it's knackered and they're finally taking time to do some work on it? *keeps dreaming*

Awkward. https://paultonspark.co.uk/attractions/rides/270/stinger-roller-coaster

I don't think contract was the right word; I think I was linking it with Imperial Leather by accident as I wrote that sorry. I mean, the theme, it's not got its copyright over it anymore I believe. Obviously if it was recreated by another park; Chessington wouldn't like it, but I don't think they can do anything about it anymore.

They can be trimmed, although I only recall being notably trimmed on one ride; and you notice it as it crawls through the knot and the corkscrew (it's the first airtime that can be trimmed if I remember correctly). Most of the time I believe it doesn't trim. Or I've been lucky on my six rides or so. (I don't particularly like Smiler if I'm honest).

Morgan and Benin have hit it on the head, size and cost doesn't warrant it. The only company who make replacement trains or restraints is Vekoma, who make new SLC trains now (even ones that are four wide) although the two wide can be placed onto any standard SLC track, and features very similar restraints to the new B&M style. And in that sense, it would be a wise investment for rider comfort. With the B&M's all it does is fix a problem that doesn't exist. And I'd loosely argue that the new style restraints are less accommodating for those of a bigger, female, top half. Or so I've heard from friends.

That might not help those whom are nervous, but yes, the shoulder holders are there for peace of mind. I disagree that they do absolutely nothing but OG is right in saying the system registers the lap bars and not the shoulder holders. That aside though, for anyone who's never been on it; I'd honestly recommend giving it a go. Yes it can be a tad uncomfortable, but it's exhilarating especially on your first go. I'm a bit like the flip of Han, I am absolutely terrified of Rush and I'm not afraid to say it. Yes I've been on it twice, both one day after the other back in 2012; and I hated it and haven't set foot on the ride since because I don't feel comfortable with the lap bar, nor do I feel there's enough for me to hold on to (I hate swings anyway, if you've been on Vortex with me, you'll know how bad I am). But Slammer is nice. You feel nicely secure; and like I said, I feel more secure in Slammer than any other ride. And it has lovely handles to hold on to

I know; although it was in talks a few years ago about closing also. Back in late 2010 my friend whom had worked there for a few seasons as an actor said that he'd been told, along with the rest, that the attractions "future" was undetermined and advised to seek new employment as opposed to riding out the winter until the usual reopening in February. He did however go back in 2011, as the attraction did reopen and offer the acting crew their jobs back; although he did accept a job with Alien Attack (and then declined it for Pasaje) and eventually moved onto the Blackpool Tower Dungeon where we remains to this day. I am led to believe that the Pasaje Del Terror at Blackpool is now subsidised by the management team there; who I believe own it and operate it under the licensed name. As a brand I believe it has collapsed; as the company no longer hold a website, nor do they hold anything more than a Wikipedia suggesting that attractions still exist outside of Spain (the company's origin). Although London's collapse was apparently down to leasing issues with the landlord of the Trocadero; it is reported that the whole attraction was "removed" - so it begs the question why it was never relocated; since it was suggested to be popular and turning profit. With regards to the Trocadero itself, I find it strange how Sega pulled its attraction plug. Considering when you research the SegaWorld branding, it stayed strong for many years after; with attractions across the UK (albeit without rides) including the recently defunct one in the old Bargate Centre, Southampton which went around 2011 I believe, when the centre closed down. Having visited the Trocadero in late 2011 early 2012; I do recall it being dismal and a bit of a dump, with a lot of 'unfriendly characters' loitering within it; however it did serve as a link from the Underground station, homed a cinema, and a few shopping units on its main floor, which, to my memory did include a couple of brands, and wasn't in a bad state. The Trocadero's website is still live too; giving an insight into what remained until the end, and possibly could still be trading at present, as by the sounds of what I've read the ground floor and basement are to remain; with the upper levels (ex Saga levels) becoming a new hotel; and the lower being redeveloped into a mall once again, including the introduction of a TK Maxx this year. You can also find the cinema (operated by Cineworld) stating access is still available by the main walkway, and via an escalator directly into the cinema. I appreciate everyone who has memories of the Segaworld. But I think it's just as great to see a London historical building being leased into new life, than left to become a disgruntled mess like it was. Does anybody know if / when the guy who own's Thorpe and Alton's land sold it on? Because if he was holding the land in the latter days, surely a discussion with Merlin about creating an attraction haven must have been considered - or at least you'd think if they have good rappour with this guy. Also, sorry; old and defunct tourism locations interest me highly

I just want to take a moment to say that theoretically Slammer's bars are more securing than a normal OTSR. For example if I go on Vortex, Samurai, or any ride with OTSR the tops of the bars don't come anywhere near me, nor does the main section, I always seem to get pinned into rides predominantly by my thighs. Whereas Slammer's bars are very adjustable, so the two shoulder holders (for a better term) come and "rest lightly on your shoulders" - or can be rammed to hell and high heaven against your shoulders; just like the lap bar can be. There is absolutely no movement in those bars if you don't want them to be - you move far more in Samurai or Vortex. People need to not shrug Slammer off as a ride for it's bars, it is as good as if not better than a standard OTSR. Also, Slammer is a very big step from the standard S&S rides. They love building with air, and all Slammer uses air for is to raise and lower; the rest is using motors like Samurai. So from a manufacturer who's used to building tower rides using air, and even Rush which has a higher air-relevance than Slammer, it was a bit of a new leap for them. Finally, I also didn't know it had different cycles? All I know is you press three buttons consistently, the ride goes up, does three rotations each way, and comes down...

I had no idea what this was about until someone mentioned Pasaje Del Terror, and then it clicked where we're talking about. I never experienced it as Sega, but I have seen it in recent years with the defunct Pasaje in the basement. Apparently Pasaje closed "Friday January 7th 2011" (quoted from Wikipedia). There's no explanation as to why it went. I thought the brand had died, but by the sounds of it, it was a single closure. Segaworld died in 1999 when Sega ended sponsorship, and it became something called Funland? The original Segaworld floors remained until 2002 and then were closed off, leaving vending machines blocking the old escalator (which was ripped out in 2011). Apparently it was also used for Madonna's music video, "Hung Up" (random). Apparently its going to become a hotel and a TK Maxx. Really random. Its a strange one. I think by the sounds of it the drop of Sega and Pepsi sponsorships killed it to some degree; and the fact the building ran to despair. But then, Namco in City Hall booms. So it's a weird one, considering the Trocadero's location being probably just as prime.

If I'm thinking right, that little hidey hole by the stairs has been emptied as someone was trying to show me it, could be wrong and thinking of a different place though. Equally, I was always led to believe that Professor Burp's theming designs, music etc. is no longer under contract; so it could theoretically be recreated by anybody now, whereas originally I believe Chessington had some kind of royalties over it?

Disagree. I find Smiler doesn't give a great deal on those hills; can't quite put my finger on why though, I just find Smiler lacking in comparison to SAW, or well, pretty much any airtime in any park. But like I said, I can't figure out why I think that.

When I refer to testing the water I refer to it on the basis that Legoland has a high intake of 'short holidays' and weekend breaks from all over the UK. Chessington played safe originally by building with Holiday Inn. And Towers was a bit of a no-brainer considering 90% of people have to travel distance to reach it. Chessington and Thorpe, in my eyes, have always had a much bigger bulk of one-day visitors; and to be frank I'm surprised Chessington's hotel ever actually worked, but again it's worth noting that all three London-area parks have offered holiday packages, with localised hotels and have results from that in the precessing years. Clearly Thorpe haven't seen figures that prove it's feasible for them to open a full hotel; otherwise they would have done it by now. Merlin are hot on Resort Theme Parks - that's coming quite obvious. I just truly don't think there's enough backing in the figures yet. - - - With regards to Benin's post; there isn't any logic in the madness of the pricing at the hotels. Last year I had a five day holiday to PortAventura, inclusive of hotel at the park, tickets for the theme park and water park, flights, and transfers for little over £500. I know it's a little different to what you're comparing to; but to charge £500 for a stay in the UK - well, you might as well go abroad.

I respect and understand your points guys, but I think Fred hit the nail on the head. If it ran like it used to, with at least one bar checker on each end; and two individual batchers; and two individual operators, the ride cycles can be increased significantly - I'd say almost doubled to what they currently are. Yes the cycles are slow, but if it was staffed up again, the loading process time could be significantly reduced in my opinion. When I say capacity dream, I mean in reflection to rides like Samurai; Quantum; Vortex - from my understanding Slammer can achieve much higher. With regards to popularity, I think it's hard to tell. No, it doesn't always attract huge queues but then, at 48-per cycle; and it does frequently run relatively full on a busy day; I think its a queue line that's hard to judge. It just never really gets a chance to build much more than 15 minutes nowadays. But maybe it's just my views on it. I could be completely wrong.

"The runaway train with a sting in it's tail" Is that really being used? If so, sounds like a rip of Paultons Park when they launched the Stinger. "A sting in it's tail"

I would dare to say it's their way of progressively testing the water. No, it's not ideal. But I don't think they can truly reflect if a hotel would be financially feasible or not at Thorpe. Crash Pad had a very varied occupancy rate; I mean, I haven't seen Towers, Chessington, or Lego offering rooms there and then at £40 a person. So I would suggest that the Shark Hotel is a cheap option for the ten-years which means they can monitor it's occupancy rates, try different techniques, different advertising; and use it almost as research towards the future permanent hotel. Just my opinion.

So she likes to attempt to create psychological ties in her themes on a budget? Budget is pretty noticeable I'd say; and the psychological theme is apparent from the three you've named.

Aside from the 'worlds only' tag it has now got; it has the potential, when run with a fair staffing, to be a capacity dream for a flat ride (in theory). It also is relatively popular, in the form of, it's daunting and people seem to desire to go on it due to its horrific appearance.