Han30

I rode Slammer 3 times on Thursday - had only ridden in 4 times prior to that (always at the front with the exception of one time second row from the front) - proper chuffed that I managed to sit at the back and not soil myself(!!) - a guy I sat next to was talking to his mates and was saying as the ride stopped "who thinks of these types of rides" - some of the stuff he was saying made me laugh but I think because he had not ridden it before he was probably a bit anxious. Regarding the safety of Slammer, I have full trust in it (although I do sometimes wonder where I would land if I got ejected from my seat but that is due to my over-active imagination!). I can see your point here with Slammer - it has had a considerable (putting it mildly) amount of downtime and a lot of work done (and money spent on it) - I don't for one moment think it is unsafe but at the same time I can't see it being at Thorpe for much longer (maybe a couple more years at the most). I think when it comes to operations of it - yes it has half day checks (to ensure safety etc) - as for cautious operating of it, it may be because of the amount of downtime it has had in the past, or possible because it has moved areas with different staff working on it now - the staff who have recently been trained and assessed, whether it be to host or operate are still relatively new (to that ride) and getting used to doing the checks right etc. Yes the batching on it is slow I agree but hopefully this will speed up as the season continues. I think what adds to the time in batching is that the ride hosts have to literally count each person on each side - if there is a difference of X amount (so, a certain amount more on one side) they then have to shuffle things around to balance the ride out. Add on top of that the 2 restraints on each person that they have to check and that is after they have dodged past people who think there is no problem sticking their legs out and resting them infront, oblivious to the fact that the host needs to move past them.

People asking for extensions on their passes are being ridiculous - as Mer says - there are plenty of other attractions for them to visit - people will do anything for a freebie. Makes me mad and I shouldn't look but going on AT, TP and CWOA facebook pages enrages me - some of the comments from people are just stupid and many insensitive. I don't know how Alton Towers have kept their cool with people asking the same questions over and over again, but as proved many times this week they have remained utterly profesional. I was at Thorpe Park on Thursday and although expected that Saw would be down, as it is one of my favourite rides there I was a bit disappointed - but not to the point of whining about it on social media sites - they have shut it for a reason and I would like to think that a lot of people would accept that and understand why they have done it. No - you have people actually asking for money towards petrol costs "I drove 200 miles and Saw was closed" - well duh - rides are subject to availability. I nearly lost my marbles whilst queuing for Samurai when a pair of plebs behind us starting saying "yeah Saw is closed because 2 people were killed on it the other day" - I literally smacked my hand on my forehead. I will admit I'm not the smartest of people but how some people get through their day is beyond me. Following that interview with Nick Varney conducted by the lovely Kay Burley I have the utmost respect for him. Not just because of how she put words into his mouth and barely let him speak but because he remained calm and composed- even the first interview that he gave following the incident at Alton Towers you could see that he was clearly affected by what had happened and actually does care. Prior to this I just assumed he was a money grabbing big wig only interested in profit. I really should stop looking at things which I know are going to wind me up - but has anyone seen Kay Burleys Twitter account? - The woman just doesn't give a flying fig about how that interview went - and doesn't give 2 hoots about what people think of her in relation to it. Waffle over.....

Never liked Kay Burley - even more so now. Let the man speak ffs. How he kept his cool is admirable. She is just downright rude not to mention ignorant, ill informed etc. actually angry after watching that! Maybe she is menopausal or probably more so, a complete and utter bit#%

Happy Birthday to Ricky and James&Co - have a fab day!

I think the most shocking thing is hearing the people on the ride. I'd seen the shorter version of this - this video is horrible, like you say hearing people on the ride who must have been terrified. I don't think I could continue filming if something like this happened, would be too shocked I think. Totally agree with you on this post - I've also found this shocking and been glued to internet/TV and forums all afternoon. Thoughts go out to all those involved either directly or indirectly. Really hope those injured recover quickly but also thoughts go out to those who witnessed the collision - I found that video chilling to watch so God knows how horrible it would have been to be there when it happened

Matt - that video lol - I have tears in my eyes do another one!

Really shocked watching this on the news and reading about the incident - hoping all involved in the collision make a speedy recovery. Also feel for those who witnessed it happening and hearing the screams for help from riders. If it wasn't an operator fault and was caused by the ride system that is scary stuff

Do you mean on ride photo key rings? If so I think you can. Would imagine Slammer is still testing - should be opening very soon

I've not bought any on ride photos so far this year as I seem to have redecorated my living room with ones I have collected over the past couple of years. Definitely works out cheaper to get a photo pass as I think individual photos are £10 (they sometimes do 2 for £15) and that should include key rings. Tip - don't try haggling with the Picsolve people - I've tried many a time and they don't take kindly to it haha

Went on this for the first time last week (really couldn't be bothered with it beforehand - especially reading mixed reviews plus the dire throughputs) - I was expecting it to be realllllly bad so was pleasantly surprised. Ok it could be better but the theming (or what I saw) was brilliant. The waiting time is a tad annoyig but I guess you are in there for a wee while which sort of makes up for it - however, I don't think it is for people who are seriously unfit and can barely see in the dark. I need to start eating carrots because the lighting in there was so dim I could barely see a thing - got to the point where I was in that room with the ropey bits and grabbed hold of some random persons head(!) - then all noise disappeared and I couldn't find my way out so was verging on a panic attack until one of the actors appeared to guide me out (a tad embarrasing) - then I cut my knee from scrambling on the floor and got stuck down the slide due to my stupidly sticky shoes. So yeah, all in all, a lot better than I thought it would be - though I doubt I will do it again - almost had an asthma attack at the end!

Seems a bit odd them painting random bits of track - not getting my hopes up personally but who knows? Also to see the difference in the two pics really shows how skanky the track is - okay, the ride is 13 years old now so a bit of wear and tear is expected but Inferno is only a year younger than Colossus and the track looks so much better

I reckon about £200 should cover food etc No seriously.....depends what you want to buy - maybe £10-£15 for food and drinks then at least a tenner for souvenirs. If you want on ride photos then take out a loan!

It's on a 25 min queue Edit - it was testing earlier with some seats blocked off not sure how many

Noticed that you haven't had a reply yet - not got any pics but if you haven't got the Colossus resin, it is nice (though it isn't new this year) - not really taken a great deal of notice re: Colossus Merch apart from a hoodie I bought on one of my trips this year which was on sale for a bargain price of £12 (with discount) - they do have some rather cute teddies aswell but they are orange and blue

I love pin badges and think they need to do them for every ride Although I only have Vampire and Bubbleworks ones, my b/f has at least 20 (if not more) - was told last week at Chessington that they have stopped selling them The only new one I have seen this year is the Thorpe Park logo one. Looking to find an Air one!

Not sure about it being a power trip as they told other people to go to the front rows of the train - just seemed a bit odd to me. Not targeting staff that work on the Vampire but last year on a really dead day a woman got told off for getting off the ride and going behind the air gates (there was no one waiting) - I wanted a re-ride and asked if that was ok and the ride attendant had to check if it was ok (which it was) - on a seperate occasion I asked if I could re-ride and was told to go through the queue line again! On the plus side though - you can actually hear the Vampire music rather well this year - as opposed to previous years where the ride operator has seemed to enjoy the sound of his/her own voice too much - I love the music on Vampire so it was nice to actually be able to hear it

Ah yup but the thing was there was no priority riders there - we literally got into the station, went to the back row and they were just about to pul the restraints down and told us to move towards the front - kind of frustrating as we could have actually ridden at the back but there must be a plausible reason for this

Have you managed to get "Its A Small World" out of your head yet? Took me about 6 months! Sounds like you had a fab time - not seen your vids yet, will do so when I have time - nice hat by the way

I love Slammer - but at the same time I hate it (same with Rush) - agree about SBNO rides not reflecting well on parks (I remember when this was the case with Rodeo at CWOA) - think this will be up and running soon - just a shame it has taken rather a long time to sort it out

Ugh - have totally changed my mind about Zodiac - went on it last week and jaysus - it was mental. I don't know how many settings this thing has on it but it lasted a LOT longer than my first ride on it. When I first went on it, it hit the highest point then started to come back down - last week it hit the high point and carried on - I came off feeling extremely dizzy and almost drunk and as a result, almost puked on a different ride Done it twice - never again!

I do agree with you there - however I do prefer the old bat cars they had (and the old theming) - although I visited when it first opened, I was too scared to ride it so would imagine it was pretty sparse in the foliage department Anyhoo - I went last Thursday and the park opened 2 hours late (power cut!) - we headed to the Vampire where there were staff outside saying that it wasn't ready yet - I asked if it was back on a 2 train operation and was told yes, however the staff member didn't mention that the second train would be full of water dummies- not that it mattered as the park was dead anyway. Was a bit miffed as we went to the back row but were told to move up towards the front (not sure why unless I am being really thick) I still love the Vampire as it was my first ever proper coaster and to be honest, without it there I wouldn't visit CWOA as often. So they won't run a 3 train operation anymore- at least there are 2 trains which is better than one. Plus in the old days where they ran 3 trains you had to get in, sit down and buckle up very quickly - some guests I have witness can't even be bothered to pull down their own OTSRs which would just slow things down - oh and then there is faffing about with bags

Have you ridden the amazing Peter Pans flight yet?

Gutted - Digger Doug was epic

You feel the forces more on the back rows of coasters - for me, of the coasters at Thorpe, Inferno is a tad too intense back row. Generally if you want good views and in some cases, a smoother ride then go for the front row. If you wanna feel the G's more then head towards the back - Colossus back row is not my fave place to sit - I find coming out of the cobra roll particularly head bangy and disorientating. Stealth at the front is better for the launch, but the back is fun as you come down the other side.....until you hit the brakes where, for me doesnt matter where I sit, it flaming hurts my thighs!

The other train is at the back of the workshop because it needs to leave space for the working train for night checks. Regarding roughness, I never really felt it on Colossus (maybe a little) - however on my last visit my head was banging so much I got a horrendous headache- though to be fair this was possibly self inflicted due to riding it 5 times. I do agree though that Saw is smoother but then it is newer