Flipper

Personally I don’t eat KFC at Thorpe, and I actually haven’t since around 2008 I don’t think (is it still themed inside?) Burger King I do occasionally but for me I just find the pricing of them too inflated just because they’re in Thorpe especially considering it’s so much cheaper to eat BK in say Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I’m not a massive fan of any Merlin food. I kind of have my go-to’s and for me I don’t care for Burger Kitchen either. Although I find Fried Chicken Co nice at Towers (less so at CWOA I don’t know why) likewise Pizza Pasta at LEGO or Towers over Thorpe. I even steer clear of Fins now, as I much preferred it as Bar 360. So for me, if KFC and Burger King disappeared I wouldn’t be too bothered; not like I was at the loss of Pizza Hut (which was always worth the queue, and the agree-bargee for food) but I would want to see something different brought to Thorpe’s lineup, be it in the form of Smokehouse (albeit that would probably replace Bush BBQ) or Chicken Shack. Just please no more Costa’s, I have Costa :’(

No matter how many times I look, just not warming to the snake skin. Would have preferred solid gold but can’t have everything!

The doors were removed off Oblivion and Nemesis’ holds alike a few seasons back I believe. So I imagine this will be no different. As an ex-Ride Host the bag cupboards give endless headaches with doors (thinking Inferno) because people constantly crowd around them or pull the door etc etc. the only one that ever worked was AIR as we locked them into position. I believe Thirteen’s bag room has also been removed, and a fence has been extended around the batch area so fastrack (and maybe disabled?) will go up the right and main queue will queue through on the left. I’ve not seen what the platform set up is now though, but I imagine it’s going to make a three train operation pretty much a thing of the past / pointless moving forward. Universal’s locker system does work... I guess would work better as it isn’t as busy; Dragon’s for example had an awful locker system. Having said that Six Flags also utilise the system and it works well. To my memory X2 had the best set up, locker system at the station platform, but obviously that’s quite a slow loading ride with an entrance and exit together etc etc.

I don’t care if I’m two months late (soz). It never has a queue cos they keep extending it. And yet it’s one of the worst pizza buffets Merlin have... maybe I just miss Pizza Hut too much. Much agreed about post comments about a rollercoaster restaurant and such, would be a great move for somewhere like Thorpe I think. I’m surprised Smokehouse hasn’t moved into BBQ yet though. Would also question what would occur with BK at Old Town if / when the contract goes as surely they won’t have two Burger Kitchen’s in Thorpe?

I wouldn’t be surprised if “Egypt” is the next area to be redeveloped at Chessington. Rameses didn’t have a particularly strong preview weekend, and I am surprised it’s outlived Ripsaw given it was older and the target market of CWOA etc. With Land of the Tigers coming in; I could see a refurbishment coming for that area soon, along with the demise of Rameses; a rebranding of Tomb Blaster (and away with its current queueline) and a new interaction of animals and rides again much like LOTT is going to be which could also link Zufari into it somewhat. Tomb has always been weak in my opinion. It just sort of exists for me at Chessington and I’m not sure why. Merlin just have far more fun shoot rides IMO such as Duel, Ramses il Risevigo and I’d dare say Laser Raders. *mic drop*

Hard to say. In an ever changing industry with regards to product development (look at companies like Mack at the moment, spinning, vertical drop, launched rollercoasters like WTF) it’s always hard to see what’s around the corner. It falls a lot to budgets and how the creative teams see it fit and best invested. Merlin could tell the team they have the budget for an Intamin Giga, but the team have to them decide do they build a unthemed Intamin Giga, or build a ride from a ‘cheaper’ manufacturer such as Gerstlauer with theming and preshows etc. So it’s always going to be tough to predict what’s coming! One thing I think is a given is I doubt we will see Merlin introduce another B&M (or Intamin) for a while. I strongly think the view is now focussed more on experience rides with pre-shows and post-ride experiences than a 60second rollercoaster ride. Everything has to be marketable as something eye catching now.

Agree to disagree. Motor Action is one of those shows which actually pulls people in a bit and is one of few scalable shows that Paris currently offers. So without this, I’d dream/hope to see Fantasmic and/or World of Colour added into the mix to replace it as a night offering at least, if not another ‘daytime’ show. Likewise with the tram tour, it wasn’t great but at least it was something a little different for Paris. Re: the Tower. As much as I want you to be right, it doesn’t mean anything. Benin is right if the licensing has/is ending then the Tower will change. As this is yet unannounced if/when/how it will change it makes full sense to show it in its current form on the concept art, otherwise they’d be announcing change that hasn’t been publically confirmed.

My my my, you guys, you made me swim back with your comments! Okay. So. Things to consider, some has been touched upon. New director of Thorpe in the last year or two, so that brings a new opinion, view and strategy of the direction they want the park to go into. Comparing this to DBGT is a bit stupid to be frank. Okay it’s opening year wasn’t great, and then, the creative team seemed to change slightly (I'm not speaking any names in my posts) and suddenly the experience was significantly improved. It’s the same team behind this, and to be honest from a theming and concept side, following on from DBGTROTD and Living Nightmare I think this could be a pretty well thought out and produced project, despite the IP/horror/height restriction change. Someone touched upon Old Town kids rides and Slammer. Firstly, the Old Town rides were in Weymouth Sealife. Why put them into storage if they can be put into an area. Without them that corner of Thorpe would be Rocky on its own. And Slammer, well it’s still standing. It might not be set to run again, but we don’t know what’s happening there; let’s be honest. Someone touched on budgets. Yep. Bang on. Merlin’s had a tough year in the UK and yes, as many know anyway, LEGOLAND parks and midways are where the money is. Hence why they’ve not bought or opened any theme parks without a brand. Even the rumours of SeaWorld/Busch have an element of brand identity within their sale. The company has spent a lot of time growing Heide Park and Gardaland to push them in their local rankings; and has invested as needed into the UK parks as they’ve gone along (Thirteen, Smiler, Wicker Man, Swarm, DBGT...) unfortunately there’s gonna be a cross of budgets. Thorpe is doing satisfactory for the company so much like CWOA and LEGOLAND the money is invested at present at Towers to try and regain footfall. And finally, bearing in mind people know full well where I stand on TWD (even the mazes) TWD did unfortunately do amazingly well last Fright Nights. And whilst people look at this year as ‘X Retheme’ to the general public it’s the year of TWDTR, SAW: Alive, Late Nights etc. It may be a small investment but my god, they’ve been clever. To a paying customer there is basically the Fright Nights appeal (to a degree) for most of the year with the 10pm closes and scare mazes. I think don’t knock it until you try it. And even then just be patient. There’s a lot more behind the scenes than ANYBODY could truly understand I’m sure that swings these decisions; and have trust in each individual that they want the best for the park the same we do. And for the love of god just try and be polite. Positive criticisms and all that; as these teams work damn behind the scenes I bet to bring things like this to reality; it’s not REALLY fair for people to rip it to shreds before they’ve even physically seen the entrance, let alone ridden it. Flipper, out. PS Flying Fish is a family ride. Could suit a non-rider parent, a disabled adult, a young child. You can’t tarnish it as a ‘baby ride’ when actually it can cater to many more than you may initially think.

I’d be intrigued to know if a new ride could be inclusive of a tracked or rollercoaster ride; as it converts to approximately 80ft (just over) - so if you reflect that; rollercoasters such as Spinball, Fury, everything at Paultons Park; looking further afield Mine Bender at Funspot (the launched woodie); even rides like Mystery Mine (85ft and I know eueofighter, just a height comparison) all fall under that 80ft marker... so actually; if this does cover rollercoasters and so forth; there is quite a lot they could do without saying too much... The only thing that based on that article would prevent it being ‘secretive’ for a ride is the ride stations / buildings / theming as that height envelope is 16ft for buildings... enough for a kiosk etc. but not much else, really.

On preview night there was images of ‘fancy’ lights around Amity projecting onto KFC and things; as well as some around the DBGT neither of which seemed to be present on sunday night; with the one opposite KFC obviously collapsed down as if ready to be removed again. There just off the top of my head; potentially being fixed or whatever but seemed a shame as there was so much shown on press night and a defiant amount less on Sunday.

SAW Alive will be under a separate contract to the Lionsgate one that ran through Fright Nights. I would imagine it’s either contracted to match that of the ride, or is on a infinite licensing where they pay a set amount per annum to hold it. The way I view it is the day SA goes will be the day the boat is scrapped. Personally I don’t see this buzz for a refurb idea. Sure they could redo it and probably make it even more immersive but there’s no issues with the scenes as they’re all relevant and the acting is strong and on brand. Why fix something that isn’t broken; there’s plenty of other areas of the park which could have money and budget spent to redevelop and improve before I’d touch Alive.

I thought it was doing that on its own?

So, having experienced them all; I stand by my point last night. I’ll try and do a quick and polite summary. Big Top 6/10 For me it has been better in the previous years. The whole set up of the maze for me just wasn’t working. You have a really strong start with the strobes; but it felt lacking of actors. Then you venture through into the mirror maze which; just; why. It doesn’t achieve anything (sorry) but when it was on the beach it worked. This is LITERALLY a mirror maze with an actor in clear view ahead. Likewise with the doors. I managed to experience 1 and 2. And aside from the Jack in the Box; again it felt like it was a lacklustre scene and IMO not worth removing other aspects from last year for. Equally the ‘clown wash’ didn’t have an actor in at all; which left quite a long stretch with no interaction. However; the energy the actors were proving was great. I just felt the maze set up doesn’t give them the playground of what it was last year. Platform 15 4/10 OK so I agree it’s improved a lot. The first walk with the audio and train effect really brought something good to the table; and the village was great. But I kind of don’t understand what’s going on? I don’t really understand why it’s relevant to trains either anymore now the conductor is gone, and yet, referenced in the walking script? And again I just find the end tunnel has no effect much like last year; and without the finale to make you run out the door for me the maze really finishes when you enter the tunnel. SAW: Alive 4/10 Ive come to accept I have a soft spot for SAW Alive. The experience is consistent; it’s always very on brand; and it does what it’s meant to do. To me it’s more of a visual experience as there once again doesn’t seem to be the jump scare, or touching aspects of the others; but I do feel it’s had weaker seasons. Was great to see pig masks and a lot of interaction across the group from all actors; with some even breaking people apart which I’ve not experience before in SAW.. but as above it’s not a maze that for me is designed to jump scare you it’s much more a beautiful visual, creepy experience. Sanctum 5/10 Okay so this again sits as second for me but simply a second from a lacklustre bunch IMO. I’ve not seen TWD so I’m not going to moan about the sets themselves; as I don’t know or understand how genuine they are to the shows. What I did find with it through two runs (day and night) was a lot of consistent; thought out; acting. This isn’t a jump scare maze. I’d call it a horror walkthrough; and it’s so common to find this kind of attraction filled with actors that grunt at people and click their tongues. Sanctum is much more. It’s contact-heavy; focussing hard on interaction; and they’ve really tried to make something out of (really) very little. It’s a short experience but the actors really do go for it. And it was nice to see actors interacting heavily in queue / safety speech / exit walkway with actors banging and clambering fences as you walked back down past the attraction. It’s fun, it’s quirky, it’s not the scares I look for (same as SAW isn’t) but I’m throwing this one a gold star as it really is quite enjoyable as an experience IMO. And finally! The Walking Dead: Living Nightmare -rating at the end- So much like SAW and Sanctum, it’s not a jump scare maze. But for me; it just wasn’t really anything. The tactics and enthusiasm was there from the actors but it just, it didn’t phase me or anybody in my maze group I’m afraid (maze group as in, the whole group not who I was with). It’s not jump scares, but there’s also no hiding positions; or any real positions that seemed to be recreating anything? With SAW I can accept the “I’m in a trap” and Sanctum I can actually see a purpose for each character (ie cook; walker; being gorged on whilst lying on a car) but with this it just didn’t seem to have that? Again maybe I’m missing something as I’m not clued up on TWD; but yeah I just felt completely out of touch in it. Even now I’m still confused by what was supposed to be scary, and what was even going on if I’m honest (answers in a quote below, thanks). And for that reason it gets a 2/10 for me solely for its set design and actors actually seeming to be enthralled with their work; albeit if it wasn’t paying off. Didnt see any roamers; and seems a lot of the fancy lights from media preview have gone already. Someone else mentioned about Big Top audio; I only noticed it in the strobe maze after that, don’t recall hearing it so if it’s meant to be there I’m at a loss. There’s also no audio in the queue area around the maze? As a whole on park tbh I just didn’t get that Fright Nights feel like I used to; it didn’t seem to have the blaring Halloween tracks, or the theming aspects or anything like that which I’ve seen/noticed in recent years. And whilst I prefer the director to the ringleader, again I agree it doesn’t seem quite the right fit this year for me. For those who really like it this year, fantastic. We all have different views. For me it isn’t up there whatsoever; and I do put more or less all of it down to the way the mazes are built and the effects they’re going for.

So I'm gonna be trying them out tomorrow so I guess then I can give a true opinion of them... One thing that I am finding so far this year, as I just don't care for spoilers etc. so I've seen pictures and videos and reviews; is they're all very very hit and miss. Generally it seems The Walking Dead isn't what anybody was hoping for with short mazes and low-scares (but, I guess a lot of budget may have gone into the theming? And seriously how scary can you make zombies nowadays they're such a done thing really. I mean is the TV show even scary? Moan moan, yep still huffy it's not AHS ok moving on). One thing I am hearing though is the acting aspect in Sanctum is really strong; despite the maze actually being a very simple scare zone (or walkthrough I guess). I'm trying to keep open-minded for my visit and runs; but I'm not holding much hope out. From what I've read, heard, and seen of Big Top I think I'm going to have preferred last years' experience - although I'll put my cards on the table and say I preferred last years interiors; with the first year's three tent set up as for me it felt more like a Circus with the three tents. I just think it's a great shame that these Walking Dead attractions are short and seemingly quite controlled in how they're scaring; and I equally think it's a shame that they fiddled with Big Top after it had such a highly-regarded year; when attractions like SAW which should be a bit of a limelight attraction this year with Jigsaw coming out next month is left to just 'exist'. Having said that; I didn't rate any last year but Big Top as the overall experiences were fairly tame; especially compared with Towers' (although I still begrudge paying for their attractions and still don't think they're worth the cost). And moreso now having done Horror in Texas (apparently its been redone since last year) at PortAventura the other week - now that to me was a clever maze. Great length, and great usage of actors... a LOT of actors, holy hell. And now I just don't think Thorpe's going to cut the grade. Too much focus has come onto 'IP mazes' over quality IMO. 2014 was my first visit. Studio 13 was my outright favourite maze. And then the Big Top has been since. IP mazes just don't cut it. AND to just finalise my rant; even an American Horror Story maze, probably, almost indefinitely, wouldn't have been fantastic.

The latter. I'm sure there are people who've worked on it more recently than I have but aims to my memory were around 850-900pph and it often achieved 950-975pph.

We don't know the reasons behind that decision though to be fair. They've trademarked the name of one maze and not the other, for example; and for all we know there could have been a second IP or concept planned along with potentially even a scarezone which may have fallen through or been cut for this year. It does seem odd we were told scarezones etc. and then end up with two identical IP mazes. To be fair they could have just given it a complete new identity, and kept the concept. I never did Asylum as back then I refused to venture into mazes; and then when I did we had Studio ? I'm glad we have the strobe maze in Big Top but they could have/should have/could still revive a full strobe maze with a different identity.

Might wanna wipe your nose, there's something brown on it. You're never going to please everyone all the time. But on this one I agree with Benin; slapping an IP out there isn't always the best way when Towers etc. are doing perfectly fine and delivering higher quality mazes. Do I care it's an IP? No. Am I bothered it's The Walking Dead? No. It isn't MY thing, and like Benin said some zombies don't scream Fright Nights to me. There's a reason it's not a major thing for Universal anymore and small-parks like Moviepark have it. It's gonna pull in the crowds; and okay cool it's being considered a big Fright Nights awesome. Still feels like it's been overhyped and under delivered. Benin and Baron have hit it on the head.

Not disputing it should be a big year with such a large IP onboard; and I only hope that it paves the way for continual refresh and similar events moving forward (I.e. A large IP being involved) - it just isn't for me. But that's me! I'm sure if it was *ahem* American Horror Story the tables would turn; I'd be queuing from tomorrow morning and other people would be sighing. It doesn't. It seems unlikely they're going to announce anything further now; unless Thorpe have another IP up their sleeve that they think will have big impact and/or are waiting to tie it in with something (such as a new season starting) - but I very highly doubt it now. Although in my mind I am a little sceptical and I am wondering what is going behind Swarm and what is (if anything) going along Blair Witch as fencing I believe is being set up in both locations? I'm also a bit sceptic in the sense I'm wondering if something else did actually fall through as short notice hence having a trademarked TWD attraction, and a, outdoor scarezone.

Oh don't worry I'm not questioning S&S whatsoever. Rush, Slammer, Ice Blast, Cliffhanger... Christ I could go on with rides that just don't run as intended. I just think your comments towards Mark9's opinion were a little unthought; as to be honest, Fabbri kind of are awful.

I am with you on this sadly; I was really hoping for something else alongside TWD, and I feel that this has almost too much presence now to a degree that as I haven't seen it, or care for zombies etc. that I feel a little alienated as the other three just aren't really making me itch for Fright Nights. I'd like to believe this to be true; as I still feel REGARDLESS of what it was suggesting, the teaser images running up to today and the props image pointed at more than what's been announced. However a good friend who's in on the project who didn't discuss details; claims that it's fully announced (alas only The Walking Dead).

Quantum. Fabbri. Made so badly it's themig fell off. The end. Sorry but Fabbri are pretty crap. Granted Detonator is OK to ride but it's still a pretty poor design ride. The fact they had to uncover its motors to protect it from overheating says a lot about that; and the fact it leans slightly...

Completely understood. To follow that up it was tried in 2007 and 2008; Haunted Hollow Live. Which was pretty much dropped in favour of Duel: Live after its trial in 2008 (eventually becoming Skelvin's). I believe they also tried Hex: Live at one point (?) none of which really stuck. Which is a shame, as my first Scarefest was in 2010 and I really enjoyed Duel: Live/Skelvin's I understand that the current Freak Show Scare Zone didn't fit last year; but; I kind of loved it? I really like the new set-up they've got with the scarezones in that they're just there on the path. I just wish there was more personally!

Isn't that in effect what they do with Pop Badges though, especially nowadays? I'm pretty sure the questionable adults on the pop swap pages whom hold thousands of them complained that staff wouldn't swap their personal badges from outside the resort / charity badges that they purchased. Plus even I recall how much of a painful experience it was and that was a few years ago. I remember having a parent hold up the entire operation of an AIR station because she refused to do a badge swap at the exit gate exclaiming that if I left her I'd walk away and she wouldn't get her swap. I also remember being shouted at for refusing pin swaps of pins like my Allstars badge at Thorpe and Merlin Way badges - which were earned and personal for me and in no way under a policy to be swapped. Whilst I'd love it to be like Disney; I just think it's got a long way to go before that happens, both on what the park supply to staff; and how parents adults people guests interact to get them.

"Hi Ashleyrose-66, Thank you for taking the time to contact the Alton Towers Resort...." Wait no, I don't do that crap anymore. It really sucks that you felt the magic had gone! For me I think they've done alright all things considered; but I do agree the sudden loss of the IPs with Charlie and Ice Age have left Cloud Cuckoo Land in an abysmal state - but I do expect they have a plan for it; considering Driving School experienced a full refurbishment. It will probably come about for 2019/2020 IMO. But yes, family drive has turned to Cbeebies now and fair play really, it's seemingly doing them wonders. Runaway Mine Train in the rumour mill is waiting on a part to be shipped hence its closure, but agreed it couldn't have come at a worse time. I think if they could have kept Charlie, they would have; but with the ride so heavily intertwined with the IP its difficult to 'do a Bubbleworks' so to speak and rip the IP out and keep a base theme thats the same. I do completely agree with Galactica. I haven't experienced it with the new headsets yet this year; however last year they weren't great. I like to think in my head they do perform better than Derren Brown's considering they're on a roller coaster - but 'its good enough' isn't really, good enough. Its one of those technologies that just isn't ready IMO. It's the same with rides like Rock'n'Rollercoaster at Disney and Rip Ride RockIT at Universal; where the audio often crackles and falls from sync - it doesn't work properly yet. Equally I've never understood the blurriness on Galactica's VR; as you don't get this so much on DBGT - yet both get cleaned? I haven't visited Towers since March/April this year; and whilst I'll be back for Scarefest and Fireworks; I don't feel the need to rush back either. I'm now in Southampton so I know the pain of going up. But I'd definitely not let one bad visit knock you back; and I'd definitely recommend trying some special events such as Fireworks and consider maybe trying again next year when hopefully more rides will be available and/or refurbished.

Its solely going to be there through the combination of it being opposite SW8 and with the courtyard being a vacant space. If you wanted to be sceptical you could dispute that Sub Species should be in X Sector due to it's 'ahead of time' storyline which kind of escapes me as everybody seems to talk through that damn pre-show. EDIT: Or FV as it's aliens / sewer mutants. To be honest, I don't really understand Sub.