Han30

Mental illness is serious and a lot of people don't understand it - though, to be fair, before I experienced it first hand I had no idea of what it felt like to have various problems. I kind of have the opinion that you can never fully understand something unless you have experienced it first hand, although you can be as supportive as possible. Yes people post things on FB and I think it is a cry for help - which in a way is a sad thing but, when you have been through really dark times and read about people using the term "depression" it can be frustrating because depression is so debilitating. People thinking their life is c**p because they can't have certain things is one of my pet hates. There are things I would love to have but in reality it ain't gonna happen so it is pointless getting peed off about it. I would swap any of my personal belongings to get rid of my problems without even thinking about it. Regarding services for mental health problems - in my area they are completely useless. I'm not going to say all services in mental health are naff but my experiences have in the most part not been great. I think there needs to be a lot more funding where mental health is concerned - both to provide help to those who live with MH issues and also to break the stigma which, in this day and age you would think wouldn't exist. Mini waffle ovaaaa

That is just a £20 difference which, if you are intending on visiting for Fright Nights (which, if the same as last year is free for premium and £5 for standard), or intend on visiting London attractions during August then go for premium. I currently have standard merlin membership but hope to be able to (if I can) upgrade to premium once I have had it a year (not sure if you can do it before then) - did quite a few fright nights this year and hope to do several next year and with membership it is only a £3 difference. Main reason I did standard is because I don't drive. Sorry that was a waffly answer there!

I would have been able to help you out there, however I chop up my ORPs (not literally) - but the ones with the flaps on, I chop the flap off and put the ride pic on my wall along with the flappy bit which says the ride. Yes I am odd!

Digital downloads for me are pointless (unless I cant be bothered to get out my scanner) - I've printed off copies of ORPs from a friend using Tesco printing machines - a lot cheaper way of doing it and the quality is pretty good. As with the above posts, you can buy fridge magnet thingies at places like Boots and some supermarkets so you can print out a 6x4 print and shove it on yer fridge with the added bonus that the magnet protects the picture

Most of my merch is ORPs - doubt you will want one of them with my ugly mug on it

I have spent a small fortune on ORPs this year due to going on many rides I have never ridden and have managed to decorate one of my living room walls with them. But next year I will probably only buy one or two, if that - especially if the prices increase

Regarding the ORP prices - I was a bit gutted on my first trip to Thorpe this year that you only got 4 photos in a photo pass - a bit annoying considering that they have 5 big coasters - I believe (sure I was told this but not 100%) that last year you got 5 photos in a pass plus MAP discount. The prices of the ORPs have changed a tad over the year - on one visit to Thorpe this year, all ORPs were £5 each which I think isn't too bad. Then on my first ever trip to Towers I wanted a photo pass but it was £5 extra for digital downloads - which I don't really need as I have a scanner. Last trip to Thorpe they were charging £10 per photo (same at CWOA) which included a digital download - so, effectively taking away that option - stupid, considering that if you have a scanner you may aswell just pay an extra tenner and get a photo pass (which at TP/Chessie were £20). I generally just get a photo pass as it works out cheaper - that, or go halves with someone where you buy one and get the second half price. Saying that though - next year I am determined not to buy any ORPs as I have got SO many this year having been on so many new rides having not visited TP since 2001 and had my first trip to AT.

I went to a zoo day back in Feb 2010 and really enjoyed it. Even though there were no rides open at all, it was nice to have a stroll around the zoo and sea life tent thang - usually when I go to CWOA I only really have a gander at the sealions because I want to make the most of my day on the rides (although this has changed slightly since I got a pass). When I went the pizza/pasta place was open - had never been in there before and ate so much food I could barely walk afterwards

This might be a bit waffly (no change from normal!) but I have drunk SO much coffee and type like a maniac. Although I won’t be attending any more official meets for personal reasons, I just thought I would put my thoughts across.....here goes..... I joined the forums back in April 2011 and went to my first meet in Feb of this year (Guildford) – have been to all the meets apart from the January London meet and MOS. I can’t fault the meets at all – they have been brilliant fun and a great way to meet new people. Anyone reading this that hasn’t been to a meet but wants to go – DO IT! I was really nervous before my first meet (my anxiety issues don’t help) but I went along with a friend. As soon as I met everyone I felt completely relaxed and at ease which is something that is difficult as I am quite a shy person. I can honestly say that I have never met such a lovely bunch of people who are so welcoming. I thought my age would be an issue as I am a fair bit older than some members but I have felt that I had been accepted despite this (plus I don’t really act my age). My suggestions to anyone thinking of going to a meet is to just take the plunge and go ahead – you only have to look at the trip reports to see how much fun the meet ups have been! Even though I went with a friend for my first meet up and she had no idea who everyone was, she was made to feel really welcome and enjoyed the meet Through going to meets I have had so many laughs, met great people and new friends and overcome a lot of fears. This time last year my social life was more-or-less non existent but when I look back over the past 12 months I have done a heck of a lot, and I want to thank you guys for helping me to face some of my fears and for just being so nice. I feel extremely lucky that I have not only had the opportunity to go to the meet ups, but also to the people who actually got me there because I don’t drive. Also The Swarm and Stealth photo shoots and Nemesis Inferno ERT were brilliant. The only downside for me at the meets I have attended is saying goodbye to everyone.....I hate goodbyes moooo. I didn't attend a meet before Peaj became meet organiser but have to say that the meets are well organised, everyone is made to feel welcome and I know a lot of people look forward to the trip reports afterwards - so yeah, a big thanks to Peaj and everyone else that I have met on here - you are all lovely Phew.....shutting up now

I went to a few Summer Nights and the earlier ones were definitely quieter (which was handy as I paid £15 for the first one before I got my pass) - even when they started getting a bit busier they were still really good value for money - really pleased they are returning next year

Gah - If it wasn't for the fact that Crimbo is fast approaching and I haven't even bought anything yet, have a water bill due plus a new nephew due anytime (literally) I would be so up for this. I wanna walk up the Swarm lifthill! Can't grumble though cos I got to walk up Inferno lift hill during the ERT (and that nearly killed me - I am so unfit)!

I literally nearly spat out my coffee when I read that

Whoa I think that pic might have come out a bit large My collection has grown a bit since that was taken Over the years I have amassed - 25+ ORPs (DLP, TP, CWOA, At, Adventure Island & Paultons Park) 7 ORP keyrings 2 x Thorpe Park keyrings Swarm bear keyring Swarm mug Swarm t-shirt Swarm Beaker Swarm mini alarm clock Swarm bag Nemesis Inferno mug Colossus twisted beaker with straw thing attached Thorpe Park pen set TP lighter TP tote bag Oblivion bear keyring Alton towers keyring Smiler tote bag Smiler wristband Hairband thingy from Dual shop CWOA old park & map from 2000 (not really merch but hey ho) Chessie pen set 1 x postcard 1 x keyring from when the logo was different Vampire ornament paperweight thang Sealife stingray keyring 4/5 stingray beanie things Sealife postcards Sealife reusable plastic bag thing Legoland 3D glasses 2 x keyrings 7 x postcards DLP - a keyring (still going strong after nearly 14 yrs) I also have AT, TP, CWOA maps on my walls, as posters.....as you do

Yeah I don't really like the idea of their being tiers amongst the forum tbh - as for contributing, an option for that would be good but I think it should remain anonymous as to who has donated etc - this website doesn't run itself and costs money and us as members benefit from using this site. Not really sure what to suggest regarding getting new members to sign up - for me, I was a lurker for quite a while (just realised that sounds a tad creepy!) but one day decided to take the plunge and sign up. What initially kept me coming back to this site was the chat room - I was too shy to post for quite a while because I didnt and still don't have a massive amount of knowledge of the theme park industry. The chat room was a great way to get to know other members a little better and definitely helped in getting me to my first meet up. I know there are several other members who are wanting to use chat more frequently now that we are in closed season - although I chat to people online away from this site, it is always nice "talking" to like-minded people and having a laugh so I aim to start using chat again very soon - though I may well be sat in chat on my own literally typing to myself Agree with you about the trip reports - I love the storyline idea behind them and they genuinely make me laugh - and it is always nice to look back at photos of fantastic meets Waffle.....over

Just thinking about Time Machine make me feel a little bit - I don't have the strongest of stomachs and the anti-sickness pills that I take just didn't cut it with that ride - I get dizzy quite easily which doesn't help BUT I do think if I didn't have the nausea and dizziness I would have probably loved it. It is pretty unique ride - although a tad difficult to get out of once the cycle has finished as you are almost horizontal. I think the bit that got me was when it starts sort of going backwards - I don't do going backwards extremely well Totally agree that Adventure Island is under rated - it does have a nice selection of rides and caters for all ages. Bit of a bummer that you have to pay extra for the dodgems and go karts but hey ho. Not sure if Over The Hill has had anything done to it over the past couple of years - am I right in thinking that it opened in 2008? I think I liked it so much because to be honest I was expecting a load of c**p - having been on several ghost trains when I was little which were about as scary as a basket of kittens. Went on it 4 times and one time it had quite a queue - favourite part is towards then end when you reach the "exit"

Looks like my younger sister has gone into labour (a day early) so hopefully I will be an Auntie again soon Edit: False alarm dammit - think this one is going to be late! Double edit - all systems go go go

Blimey Alex, you posted an essay there! - Really like your ideas and agree with most of them, just not sure how some of them would be implemented. Regarding the language filter, for me personally I swear like a trouper and don't find foul language generally, however there are some quite young members on the site so it is understandble why it is there - your idea about having the option to see offencive language is a good one. Contributor stuff - I have said before that I would happily pay to be here (yes I did bugger off for a while but needed some space) - the only problem with this is that, again, some of the younger members may not be able to do this. If it was a case of simple bank transfer (I don't have paypal) then I would happily do it (as long as it wasn't a massive amount) - Lets face it, we are members of what I think is one of the best theme park forums on the Internet. Not only that but the perks that are offered to us - this year being The Swarm photoshoot, The Stealth photoshoot, Nemesis Inferno ERT and tour of the MBV maze - when you consider that Thorpe are charging people £50 to do a lift hill walk, those of us that were chosen to walk the Inferno hill were extremely lucky. I appear to be waffling.....I think the trip reports are really good and portray the fun that is always had and hopefully they encourage people to go to meet ups. I like the idea of doing videos but it is something that would take a lot of time - I've recently got into video making but only have basic software (and a naff camera) but would be happy to (attempt) to make a vid or two if people could contribute vid clips/photos. I did a vid waaaay back after the Swarm meet which was my first attempt at vid making and it came out ok(ish) Finally:7-10 hours to sort out trip reports??! Blimey They are very popular though so your hard work doesn't go un-noticed

I visited AI on the last day of the season (wrist bands were half price) - was a lot better than I expected and the staff working there were really friendly. Enjoyed Rage but it isn't a patch on Saw - I quite like the yellow track but the pink(ish) trains mixed with it reminds me of a batternburg cake! They seem to have a lot of spin 'n' spew rides there - the only one I didn't do was Scorpion as it is very similar to Calgary Stampede which was at TP before Samurai and left me feeling really sick. Vortex looks a lot worse than it actually is and Time Machine is the opposite - was stood watching it thinking "yeah that doesn't look too bad" - WRONG! If you have a strong stomach and don't mind looking up at the sky (I HATE looking at the sky - yes, I am odd) then you would enjoy it. I honestly thought I would either faint, vomit, or get catapulted out of the thing - could hardly walk after going on it. Glad that I experienced it but - never again Was really impressed with their ghost train - "Over The Hill" - for a small park it is an excellent ride. I was just expecting a few sheets hanging around with holes poked out for eyes but was so wrong and I actually screamed at one point Dragons Claw I really liked - it looks very much like a mini KMG Afterburner with very similar restraints and I was surprised that it didn't make me feel ill. Went on this twice although second time, the restraints refused to unlock after the ride had ended - there was a kid sat near me panicking but the staff sorted it out really quickly and got an engineer to sort it out within 5 minutes - I think had I been stuck in there for longer I would have started to panic. All in all, really enjoyed Adventure Island - and hope to go back at some point in the future

Forgot about Oblivion - was the only ride I was dreading on my first trip to AT this year - was almost in tears going up the lift hill but loved it and rode it a further 5 times. Rides I have done which I would probably never set foot on again are Detty and Time Machine (Adventure Island)

I actually enjoyed Ice Mountain although there are naff all special effects apart from some (what I assume are) clouds dangling from the ceiling. It is far from a thrill ride but I found it quite fun, especially when it started spinning - wouldn't pay to go on it again though - bit of a rip off. Wild Maus was good although it is a flippin' assault course just getting on to the ride - it is a miracle I didn't fall over and do myself an injury The flat ride that I went on was Snow Jet - was fine with it until it sped up and started swinging about

Just to throw this in there - I have a Merlin Membership instead of an annual pass as I couldn't afford to pay for a pass upfront. Memberships are quite new but you get the same perks as a pass (apart from the drinks capsules as they aren't included). So you get free entry, 20% discount on food/merch (photos not included boo!). I pay £12.99 per month for a standard pass or for £3 extra you can get Premium. I agree about going for a standard pass if you don't drive but it would mean that you can't visit the London Merlin attractions during August (although they get really busy during August anyway) - also, with a standard pass you have to pay £5 for Fright Nights whereas with Premium you don't (not sure if this will change next year) Finally, with a Merlin Membership you don't need to worry about renewal as it just carries on, unless you cancel it but, obviously you are binded into a contract for at least 12 months - I've saved a fortune with mine so far

I went to WW on Sunday - never been before and enjoyed it - although going back later in the early evening it was absolutely rammed so we didn't stay long. I did 3 rides - the indoor coaster (can't remember the name), the Wild Maus coaster, and a flat ride which made me feel just a lil bit sick. There is no way I could have afforded to go on anything else, although Air looked very tempting. Would love to have the guts to go on the Mondial Turbine ride but the fact that you are stopped at the top while they load more people on puts me off a tad! I think they need to lower the prices by a few quid, but saying that, all the while people are paying then they are going to continue to charge what they do Winter Wonderland itself I was impressed with - it is really Christmassy (although I am not a lover of Christmas) - and I was so glad that it wasn't "just" Christmas music that was played. It is a shame they don't do a wristband thing but I guess they would lose a fair bit of money that way. Couldn't believe the price of Ice Skating - around £14 I think and it sold out twice when we were there - are people mad?!

I never thought I would see the day when I would ride Detty and anyone that could get me on that deserves a pint or 7 (pluk)! - I remember many times watching my sister going on it and thinking she must be mad! All of my rides on Detonator I have got off and wanted to go straight back on again, but having not ridden it for a while, I genuinely don't think I could ever do it again. The audio that they played for FN left people up the top for far longer than I would personally like! Drop rides (well the idea of them) have always scared me as I have a fear of falling - but having ridden Detonator I have since done Magma at Paultons Park, Skydrop at Adventure Island and that drop ride thang at The London Dungeons - although NONE of them are half as bad as they are free fall. Was watching a vid of Lex Luthor Drop of Doom and my face was a bit :O - just, no