Han30

To be fair, unless you have experienced mental health problems, either first hand or if you are close to someone that has problems then you can't fully understand the impact that these problems have on day to day life. I wouldn't even try to imagine how debilitating it must be to have a physical disability because I don't have one personally. I think the point being made is that whether you have a physical disability or a mental health related one, people should be treated equally. As mentioned before - the disabled access pass is not a fastrack - disabled people don't get to skip queues all day, they have allocated times to arrive at rides. Of course there are people that are going to abuse the system but sadly, such is life. Queuing might seem like a simple procedure in principal but in reality not everyone is able to stay in a long queue for whatever reason - and everyone has the right as a guest to theme parks, to experience the rides etc.

I'm pretty sure (correct me if I am wrong) that at Thorpe Park (not sure about the others), you are only allowed one disabled person on each ride at a time, I'm assuming for evacuation reasons

I personally know very little about ADHD and how it could affect someones ability to queue but I think, if it does have an impact on them queuing and they qualify for it then I don't see a problem with them getting disabled access. Like Tommy said, you can't visually see mental health disabilities, unlike physicaly ones and there probably are a load of people out there with varying degrees of problems who could get a letter from a doctor to qualify for disabled access. Mental health disabilities can be just as debilitating as physical ones, sometimes more so I think it would be unfair if access was only given to those with physical impairments. I do however see that the whole thing is potentially up for abuse - I mean, (not that I've looked into it) but how easy would it be to forge a doctors note? I do think there are probably people out there who do take the pee and used disabled access when they don't actually need it and could essentially queue with everyone else. The problem is determining if someone can queue or not - for example if I am having a bad day I won't leave my flat due to my anxiety levels, yet other days I can go out without even needing to take any medication. It's not as black and white with mental health issues unfortunately

I don't think anyone can really pass comment on ADHD unless they have it or have knowledge of it - disabled passes are for people who can't wait in queues for long, be it for medical or physical reasons. I've been told I could possibly get a disabled pass but I've never looked into it. I have long standing anxiety problems coupled with panic attacks but I usually tend to visit theme parks on quieter days or I usually find that if I am in a queue I am able to distract myself - also, I always have anti-anxiety meds with me if I get really anxious.

I've not been to any meets for 18+ months and am thinking about joining this one (if okay), would be good to see people again especially as this date is one where I could use the company - only up until 11pm so no clubbing/drinking for me (getting too old for it) and also I would need to leave at 11pm anyway

Woaah that other Topscan looks mental! Not sure I could handle a particularly long cycle due to motion sickness but when you compare the 2 videos, Samurai looks bleedin' awful! I went Samurai last week and whilst standing in the queue it looked like it was pretty tame but then when I went on it it seemed like a slightly longer cycle and I felt a bit light headed afterwards - obviously it is different watching a ride and going on it (also maybe I'm just not great with forces). It's a shame that Samrai doesn't run the way it used to (at CWOA) but, as said before it is probably to stop the ride from conking out - I do hope though that when Samurai's time is up, that it is replaced by another topscan as it does seem pretty popular with the GP and is one of my fave flats at Thorpe

OMG I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so sort of did both

I couldn't agree more - the way that Merlin have handled the entire events throughout has been amazing. Really felt for Nick Varney having to deal with that vile woman on Sky News. You could see he was upset by what had happened, and unless he is a bloody good actor then it shows real compassion where other companies wouldn't. I always thought that Merlin were a bit tight and money grabbing (which, to a certain extent they have to be as they are a business) but my thoughts have changed a lot on that. Not once have they tried to pass the blame or shirk responsibility and as well as compensating the injured which will happen in due time, they have also been generous to the general public (giving away free tickets at Alton Towers to go back another time for example). Credit where credit is due

Whilst positivity will help rather than looking at the negatives (which I agree with), it is difficult for anyone, myself included to even begin to understand how it must feel to lose a limb. Yes we can sympathise but we can't know how devastating it must be - not only is it a physical issue but those involved also are likely to be scarred mentally following the incident - PTSD could be a potential issue months down the line or many other conditions. I don't think anyone here is playing down the injuries caused - but for some it can be possibly construed that way. As for Smiler merch- I don't personally have a problem with people wearing hoodies/shirts etc and certainly wouldn't go up to someone and have a go at them for wearing it - to be honest I find people walking around with their bits hanging out more offensive. My partner got a telling off the other day for wearing a smiler pin badge on his lanyard- he was told he was being insensitive - from a group of 13-14 year olds

This is one of the reasons why I don't think there will be a track repaint- it makes no sense to just plop paint on random places!

Terrible news about the girl that lost her leg - I can't even begin to imagine what she and her family must be going through right now- I am twice her age and God knows how I would cope if I lost a limb. I can understand what Ian is talking about - whilst it is incredibly sad about the young lady who has lost her limb, it could have been a lot worse (yes I realise that both her and her family are probably not seeing things like that right now, understandably so). I went to school with a girl who was in all the sports teams and was very active - about 10 years ago she had to have a leg amputated due to a rare condition- s couple of years after that she had the other leg removed so is wheelchair bound. However she is now a Paralympic gold medalist and I often see her on her customised hand bike. Of course it is terrible what happened and I know I would probably feel very bitter - you don't expect to go to a theme park and end up in a serious condition and having a limb removed. I a just relieved that no one was killed although it is going to take those involved a long time to recover from (not just physically but emotionally). Thought are with all those hurt last Tuesday and wishing them the best possible future. I just hope that they get some peace from the media during this difficult time

Have you seen the skank in the medusa pit? It looks like green bubble bath (not in a good way!) still not holding out hope for a track repaint but I will be pleasantly surprised if it happens

Haha - love it! Seriously do people not realise that the hosts need to get past people to check restraints? Or do they think they have powers of levitation?! Some people you come across at theme parks is pretty funny- certainly makes me feel less stupid at times. Example, was stood out Vortex and a teenage girl points at Zodiac and goes "oh my god that doesn't go upside down does?" (Zodiac was in full motion and had hit the highest point when she said that). #facepalm

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!