Han30

Watched it a few times now (feel bad but morbid curiosity plus I can't figure out if it is real) - it does look a bit odd the position he came out of the ride. I've seen a load of fake accident vids that people put on youtube (purely to get views) and this just looks iffy. If it is real then that is horrific

I wish they would replace the laser guns in there - either they are crud, or my aim is shocking! Would love them to bring back Abdab aswell but that's like asking for Prof Burp to return dammit

A half done station - that'll look great

Haha good point! I quite like the portal/stargate/massive ring with spikes - looks pretty cool (I'm easily pleased!) Can't really pass judgment on what they've done to Air, sorry, Galactica..... but will say that as much as I really loved Air, to say it was lacking theming would be an understatement. From a personal perspective, I won't be using the VR head sets (glad they are optional!) - got nothing against them and if the theme was different I would try it out. Kinda gutted the theme is Space as it is one of my biggest fears (I get palpitations just looking into the sky)

Wow James that seems strange reading that - I forget you are now cracking on a bit (just kidding!) hope you enjoy the bar work! I'm still out of work and hate it - my anxiety and depression have been ongoing for a long time now. For the past 6 months I have done cat fostering for Cats Protection which I have enjoyed to the point of adopting my foster cat - I should have been adopting the 2 that I was fostering but sadly one of them had to be put to sleep 2 weeks ago after several health problems. Now means I won't be able to foster other cats but I have said that I am very interested in helping out the charity in other ways. I really should complete my Aromatherapy course as it means I could work as an aromatherapist but I started the course back in 2005(!!) so I don't know if they would even allow it (I have had a lot going on since 2005 - moving twice, losing my mum, recurrent health problems etc) the course does specify that you can do it in your own time but maybe 11 years is taking the pee?! Frustrating as I only have one unit left to do and then a practical. Bah

Good trip report - and some nice pics! When I went to AI I found the staff to be really friendly - one in particular who was busy singing and dancing away! Is it a typo or did you actually go on Time Machine 5 times?! Are you insane? That is the most intense ride I've ever done and I was convinced one (or all) of three things would happen - 1) I would vomit 2) I would faint or 3) I would die Only ridden in once - never again, could barely walk afterwards!

I have a keyboard, a large recorder (forget what its technical name is - only got it because I really wanted a flute or clarinet and couldn't afford one!), also have 2 chinese bamboo flutes, an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, an electric violin and an irish tin whistle - plenty to go around although I take dibs on the tin whistle - I can play a mean tune out of my nostril

Sorry but your post made me laugh - I think it can be an age think (no offence to your mum here) but I've started doing it generally if I stand up after sitting for a while - although it's more of a 'eeeeee' noise than a grunt. Thing is when something annoys you you tend to focus on it more which makes it worse!

So, Merlin are doing away with Merlin Memberships - not a huge shock considering they weren't taking any new memberships since 2014 (I think). I've had mine since July 2013 and am kind of gutted as it meant spreading the cost plus not having to faff about with renewals. The good thing is that they are taking last payments this month and then those who have membership will still be able to use their pass until September - so 6 months free. Think it is going to be difficult for families with memberships as it means renewal involves forking out a wad of money in one go so potentially losing custom. Was good while it lasted...

Will try to get to this one - last Chessie meet I attended was great fun

I could do with some suggestions for what to watch - haven't bothered with any of the soaps for almost 2 years (did catch one episode of Eastenders once at my sisters and there were 2 funerals in it - depressing to say the least). I have Netflix but can't seem to find anything interesting on there at the moment, or I may not be trying very hard As for AHS - I was really disappointed with Hotel - I loved the murder house and asylum - coven was ok and freak show wasn't too bad. I possibly didn't give it much of a chance - watched the first episode and thought "this is a bit odd" but hey - this is AHS. that's kinda to be expected but the next episode I couldn't focus on. Think I need something to watch that doesn't require a great deal of concentration

I don't envy retail workers since this bag tax has been implemented - have respect for anyone that works in retail anyway (having worked in retail myself and dealing with a-hole customers) - my younger sister works at Tesco and has had on more than one occasion a barrage of abuse thrown at her because bags are now 5p - it's 5p dammit - are people that tight that they get worked up over 5p? It's not retail workers fault at the end of the day - oh and people really should decide whether they want a bag before they finish paying - bahhh

That cracked me up maybe more than it should have! Turd just needs to be removed IMO

Sheepie!!! Where you been hiding?! Anyhoo back on topic, the name of the ride doesn't inspire me much (but that said there are worse names for rides). I really hope the ride is a big success for TP - I won't judge it (well apart from the name!) until I've experienced it in March. can understand why some people seem a bit 'meh' about the whole concept but we've been in desperate need of a dark ride at Thorpe since Wicked Witches Haunt. And the amount of money it has had put into it I hope it's good

I got to go on it when I was 33(??!) - The ride op did look at me a bit weird cos I didn't have any kids with me - he probably thought I was not the full ticket

Hi - I "think" I have one (will have to have a look - having a sort out and have put all my theme park merch in a big pile) - If I find it you can have it - free

Have to say I'm gutted - it was one of Chessies original rides although it has looked awful for the past few years - I've not actually been on it since 2013 as every time I have been to CWOA since, it has been closed. Not massively surprised about the decision to close it - yeah it is old but as said before, could have lasted maybe longer if it was taken care of. I remember the first time I rode it back in 1990 - it was so shiny and yellow! Would be great if they built a new monorail with a different route - won't hold my breath however

I would love to learn first aid and also CPR. Read a really sad story about a 6 year old that died from choking on a grape - not the first grape incident which has resulted in death sadly. I did a brief bit of first aid at college when I was studying child care which came in handy when my niece who was about 7 months old at the time started to choke whilst I was feeding her - luckily I managed to dislodge the offending food item by whipping her out of her chair and putting her across my thighs and slapping her back. Nice one Pluk for what you did - not sure I would be able to sleep after an experience like that!

Would love to make this meet - hopefully see y'all there!

Great topic - reminds me of when I won 4 tickets to Thorpe Park back in 1996 but couldn't go because no one wanted to go with me

Your MAP and tickets were only scanned once?! Ours were scanned every time - maybe I just look dodgy or it might be due to not turning up until around 4ish. I know events are free for premium pass holders and there was a bit of an uproar about the whole £1 booking fee for FN to guarantee entry but honestly I think even if they charged everyone a small fee it is still a bargain - would rather pay a fiver to spend a few hours at a relatively quiet park than the event not even being available - can see a lot of people being displeased if SN doesn't return - but then IF they were to charge everyone to access the event that would probably go down like a lead balloon too

True - just to add; the cost involved in restoring rides, especially rides as old as Loggers I would imagine wouldn't be cheap

Agree with this ^^^ although we don't know exactly what is being done to Loggers - I would imagine it would be something pretty extensive to have to be closed for an entire season. The whole "family" thing is puzzling - they are changing their target market yet Carousel went last year and next year no Loggers - I guess Carousel had to make way for the new ride but could they not have plonked it somewhere else?! I miss it. When Mr Monkeys goes I am gonna lose my marbles!

Brainiac Live is a fab show so a return of that would be good (when I saw it I expected it to be boring but I was pleasantly surprised) Summer Nights - Maybe they will add this to the line up at a later date, who knows. I would honestly be gutted though if it doesn't return. The first year that Summer Nights ran was significantly quieter than the past 2 years so it has obviously gained popularity. On my first Summer Nights back in 2013 I didn't have a pass and paid the full £15 and got on so many rides I felt it was good value (especially when you consider that if you went on busy day you could only buy 3 fast tracks for that price and then queue on top of that). This year I went to 9 Summer Nights in total - yes it was busier than usual but still a great event (apart from the ticketing problems on days where Island Beats was on) - it was even more value for money for people without passes as the time for Summer Nights was 4-10pm differing from previous years where it was 7-10. Made it much cheaper for people to spent time at the park - I did often wonder if anyone paid entrance price (even using BOGOF) to be at the park from 9.30/10am until 6pm when they could shave a considerably amount and just turn up at 4 - with the added bonus that the queue times were reduced in the evening. Although Summer nights were slightly busier this year (could be due to some of then tying in with Island Beats) I do wonder how much the park actually made from the events. Island Beats never looked very successful and I can't see how they could have made much profit from it (unless I'm being a doughnut which is a possibilty). But from a budget point of view, keeping rides open until 10pm means extra runnings costs aswell as staff wages etc. Pretty sure a lot of people who went to the events would have been pass holders which, if you are Premium are free - even if everyone paid the £15 I don't know how viable it would be from a profit point of view when you consider that the event has limited availability. I have a standard pass and personally had no problem paying a fiver each time because of the amount of rides I got to go on - much rather that than succumb to buying fast track! I hope SN returns but wouldn't be at all shocked if it doesn't - although I may cry a little

I've been reading the news on the horrific Paris attacks and I don't even know how to put into words how I feel about these scumbags who are going out killing innocent people. They are vile, disgusting, evil, low life, cowardly - arghh it makes me so angry. What gives people the right to go out armed with guns and shoot down people - in the name of religion? They believe what they are doing is the right thing in the name of their "god" - well, I'm not a religious person but I'm pretty sure any "god" wouldn't want such atrocities. I hope they burn in hell. Jeez, I actually despair - the world we are living in today is a scary place. And it's scary that people daily are being brain washed into carrying out such atrocities. My thoughts are with the families of those tragically killed during yesterdays attacks and those who were injured - those also who witnessed everything that unfolded which must have been horrific. I can't imagine the terror that they must have endured at the hands of those extremists. It makes me sad to think that this is becoming more common place - it actually does scare me - not to the point of not going anywhere but I do wonder when the UK will be hit - surely it is only a matter of time. They have killed people of their own religion, they don't care who they target, be in old people, kids, it doesn't matter to them - they don't care and it's scary to think how these attacks are carried out - that a handful of gunmen can kill so many people - that people are willing to blow themselves up in the name of religion - it's bulls*** #prayforparis