Han30

Just read the article and, well it's The Daily Mail soooo you have to take what they say which a pinch of salt (or bag full). It would make sense for him to speak to the victims before reopening The Smiler out of respect - however after the way he conducted himself with that awful interview with Kay Burley, and even just after the incident he seems to be very diplomatic. If (and it's a big if) he did explain the situation in the way it's described I would be very surprised. I for one hope that The Smiler reopens soon and that Merlin pick up business at Alton Towers but at the same time I can see why the young lady would feel angry at them - all the victims have been extremely dignified following the accident and their bravery has been outstanding - they probably hoped it would never reopen again and if it does then maybe it's too soon for them to mentally absorb (if that makes sense) - in less that a 4 month period so much has happened to them - yes they will be compensated and have already had payments but perhaps it feels like a kick in the teeth to reopen a ride that they thought was going to kill them. Of course we all know that they wouldn't open it if it was unsafe but none of us were there on that ride during the terrible accident or could comprehend how it has affected the people involved emotionallt

I'm quite lucky with my neighbours although one of them does occasionally like to play reggae music loudly on a Sunday!?!? My sisters neighbour is a right sour faced cow and has always chucked her dogs poop over into my sisters garden. Nothing was sad for years until one day when the neighbour didn't know my sister was in the garden and decided to empty her rubbish over the fence - she got a bit of a shock went my sister went ape at her and told her in no uncertain terms to pack it in. The neighbour swiftly came round to grovel and apologise. God the amount of times I've wanted to grab one of her dogs turds and hurl it onto her conservatory roof is unbelievable - I of course didn't but still the temptation was there!

Happy Birthday InfernoMartin - have a spiffing day

Matt - ours are the same apart from the last 2. I want to like Inferno more, I really do - maybe my body can't cope with the forces! Back onto the Swarm - I've noticed this year it seems a lot more forceful (Swarm also as well as Inferno occasionally sets off my asthma which is annoying- I've also greyed out a couple of times aswell) - I think the ride experience of Swarm will only get better - if they could just maybe add a bit more track to make the ride a bit longer that would be great

Was the tired just flat or had it been slashed? When I used to cycle everywhere I had a bike pump attached to my bike which was handy. I'm absolutely useless at puncture repairs though - too much faffing around

I can't see them releasing a press statement about reopening until it is open (if that makes sense) - the media will be on it like flies around poop and Merlin might want to make as little fuss as possible. Just my thoughts but I may be totally wrong. I really didn't think it would reopen at all this season but with whats been going on around the site with works being done its looking like a possibility - who knows. Will be good if it does reopen this season and brings X-Sector back to life

1) Nemesis - just wow. Love everything about Nemmy - whats not to like? 2) Swarm - As said before, could be a tad longer but ride experience and theming is fab 3) Oblivion - fab ride 4) Air - love this but does give me neck ache a tad - very comfortable restraints like the other B&Ms 5) Nemesis Inferno - I like it but for me the inversions are too closed packed together and for some bizarre reason it often gives me a stitch and/or sets off my asthma - I do love the mist (when it's working that is)! Oh and the theme tune

Strewth - are you made of money? I've never been rich enough to splash out on an ice cream at thorpe park I do agree about Swarm backwards being a bit "meh" though - for me personally the best part is the drop off the lift hill and then it's a tad pointless as you miss all the near misses. Hence I've only done it several times - was worred about chundering first time I went backwards as I get motion sickness but was fine - went on it backwards a few weeks ago and felt ill for about 3 hours afterwards But hey - at least whenever you go on backwards you can have cornetto time! And now I want a mint cornetto for breakfast damn it

Although The Smiler is not my favourite ride at Towers, I do miss it - walking into X-Sector and seeing it there looking all alone, dirty and no signage/screen on was odd. And although that blinking tune can get annoying (especially if you are stuck in a 3 hour queue) I have to admit I miss it.....a bit

Hi there Morgan - welcome! As coasterdude said, you've come to the right place! I first visited Alton Towers in 2013 (although been into theme parks for a lot longer) - Nemesis is a fantastic ride (one of my faves). Stealth is brill - have to disagree with you about Detonator though - it is the only ride at Thorpe Park I vow never to go on again - but I am a wuss While I'm here - what is cornetto time?! Made me laff that did

Oooh - is it real though?

Gah well I wouldn't personally go on it in this weather but it is always a laugh watching other people

I'm gonna hold my hands in the air and admit I am basic because - I love The Swarm Like some others I have only ridden the 5 B&M coasters in the UK and I love them all (least fave is Nemesis Inferno because I can't breath on it!) For many years now I've wanted to ride The Hulk and Manta - maybe one day. Mark9 - I'm extremely jealous of your B&M ride count - my face was like this just reading it >>>>> :o Everyone here is entitled to their opinion on what they like and don't like - I love Saw, its my fave coaster at Thorpe but I know others can't stand it - it doesn't make anyone "right". Someone might prefer Flying Fish to all the big coasters but it doesn't mean that they are wrong - its just an opinion. Opinions aren't fact - everyone has an opinion on things which is great because the world would be extremely dull if everyone was the same. I'm not sure calling people basic is the best idea but hey - I can cope with being basic

Happy Birthday Paige and SYNAW

Would many people genuinely miss it at this time of year? I mean, its a nice ride - when it is baking hot but in this weather it is an invitation to get a lovely cold/flu/hypothermia

Has there actually been any access to the Lorikeets at all this season? I love going to see them and buying that nectar stuff - I usually go round several times. As for Rattlesnake - I remember riding it on the year that it opened and it felt quite new - although even back then a bit whiplashy (is that even a word?!) Great to hear it has reopened - always a fun ride, sometimes painful on those turns!

Really saddened to read about Ashok I don't know the lifespan of lions in captivity but he will be missed regardless. There is a lot of debate on the CWOA facebook page about animals in captivity - not sure how I feel about it. I know the zoo keepers will be devastated as they must build up a rapport with the animals they look after. I remember on one visit, Ashok was pacing up and down and looked pretty depressed - made me feel quite sad. Another time I was stood near to the enclosure and it was either him or his female companion who has also passed away but whichever one it was roared - I've never moved so quick in my life! RIP Ashok x

That did make me laugh I've always said I wouldn't fancy going on anything that goes upside down without an OTSR - however I would make an exception for Colossus purely for the head banging I incurred the last time I rode it

I've never bothered doing Charlie and the chocolate factory - take it I've not missed anything massively exciting?! Yup I bet the wasps love those refill cups - eww I just hate wasps so much Throw it away? - I would be throwing it at the wasps like a grenade! And ewww the lake - :excl: :unsure:

Wait, what? Someones spit hit your face?! What were queues like? Sounds like you had a good day - and I agree about Woodcutters - love it in there. Ugh wasps - think I burnt off about 1000 calories running away from the stripey sods (and I never run!) Just realised I didn't do a trip report from my visit to Towers a couple of weeks ago - was a last minute thing but went up with my sister, both of our partners and my 11 year old niece. Couldn't believe how quiet it was in comparison to last year - I really hope things pick up for Towers next season (if not before). Although upside to it being quiet was hardly any queues so managed - Rita x 2 Th13teen x 3 Nemesis x 2 Air x 3 Ripsaw x 1 Runaway Train x 1 Rapids x 1 The Flume x 1 Spinball x 1 (the only ride I screamed on) Hex x 1 Duel x 1 - Still prefer Nemesis to Inferno - Ripsaw was on a decent setting for a change - managed to get several flips - whenever Ive been on it before it seems to just swing! - Smiler made me feel sad - it looked so lonely sat there with its screen switched off - also the track looks filthy and finally Skyride is the most terrifying ride at Towers

That video is fab! I remember going back in 2002 and not riding Colossus (yeah, was a wimp back then despite being nearly 22) - my sister actually took a camcorder with her and we filmed some stuff but its probably busy gathering dust in some random place never to be seen again. That show in the arena looked pretty cool - I remember a show they did years ago (around 1995ish) - I'm fairly sure that a guy would climb up the top of the stairs then set himself on fire before jumping into the water - if I am completely wrong forgive me - I often dream things and convince myself they are real

Well I have an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, an irish tin whistle, a large recorder, 2 chinese bamboo flutes, an electric violin and a keyboard - can I play them? Not really (although I can belt out a mean tune through my nostril on the irish tin whistle!) Would love to be able to play piano - I can just about do the Eastenders theme tune

Cats! I was always more of a dog person until I got my cat from a kitten 5 years ago - we were so close and he always knew when I was upset or feeling low and would lay on my purring loudly. He died last year following a cat fight and I still to this day get upset about it - he was only 4 A few weeks ago I decided to do cat fostering - for a few reasons - I've wanted to do some form of voluntary work for a while and because my anxiety is up and down this seemed like the perfect thing, plus it will help me to guage whether I am ready to have another cat. Saying that though, the 2 cats that I am looking after are adorable - they are so affectionate and the younger of the 2 (they are both females - aged 10 and 5) reminds me so much of my cat in many ways - they look nothing alike but have similar characteristics. Only downside to fostering is having to give them up when a home comes up - I'm actually dreading it - I've got so attached to the fur balls that I know I will be upset. I have been told that I will probably want to keep them (think it is normal when you foster) - but the problem with that is that I would like to help as many cats as I can and if I keep the 2 I am looking after then I won't be able to foster any more. I'm a bit torn about it. Makes me so angry because if it wasn't for Cats Protection, the 2 cats would very likely be dead - the owner dumped them off at a local vet and said she didn't want them anymore and was fine if they were put to sleep - makes my blood boil! Totally agree that pets are like family - I have full on conversations with the cats.....although I'm not sure if that is normal

I saw the third Human Centipede and thought the acting was so dire it was funny! Weirdly I find the first one to be the worse (I was so close to boffing whilst watching it) even though the second 2 are actually more gory. Added bonus to 3rd one - human caterpillar Went to see Sinister 2 the other week - nearly pooped myself - that thing just creeps me out - I swear if anyone is dressed as it on Fright Nights I will hide in the toilets and never come out

I was definitely interested in rides/theme park industry before I went on scary rides (weird I know). First theme park visits were TP and CWOA in the very early 90s but I was a massive wimp back them - actually I was 18 before I went on the Vampire I guess what really got me interested would be when I was doing my advanced GNVQ in IT back in 1998 - 2000. We were doing a module about sensors and all that jazz and got to go to Disneyland Paris to learn more (well, we could have learnt all we needed to know without visiting but I'm not complaining). Found it really interesting learning about how sensors are used on rides and DLP was where I first went upside down, back in 2000, at the age of nearly 20 . Revisited TP back in 2013 after being away from the place since the arrival of Colossus in 2002 (I didn't ride it despite following the construction of it closely - doh!) Finally lost all my wimpiness that year and yeah, I'm waffling