Han30

Thanks Sidders - I get really angry with myself for letting my sister get to me the way she does - she was very controlling when we lived together and it is impossible to have an assertive conversation with her because her aggressiveness is too much. She knows exactly which buttons to press and, if it wasn't for my niece I think I could easily cut my ties with her. I remember before my first trip to Thorpe this year and her telling me that I shouldn't go because I might have a panic attack and that I would be too scared to go on the coasters - that trip (the Swarm photoshoot) was amazing - I didn't panic and I went on all the coasters (and got photo proof ) - and that was with a lot of help from you guys.

My first ride on The Smiler was at the beginning of July and, although not smooth it was nowhere near as rough and jolty as what I experienced last week, although my second go on the same day (in July) was pretty rough but I think we had a bad car. The last ride out of 3 last week was REALLY painful - my head was so smashed about that it made the fact that I stupidly walked face first into a rock earlier that day seem like nothing (and THAT friggin hurt).

This may be waffly but I am so fricking angry I could punch a wall (and might do in a bit) Just had yet another argument with my older sister - we have never really got on, probably too close in age as there is only 13 months between us (although I get on well with my younger sister and we are only 2 years apart). She never fails to make me feel like a complete stack of poop and is the biggest hypocrite I have ever met. Arrrrghhh actually not gonna type anymore cos this will turn into an epic rant and bleurgggh. Just wanna thank y'all here for the help and positivity you guys have given me this year - I get nothing but negative comments from my older sister and it is doing my nut in. I feel so thankful that I have met and/or chatted to so many of you lovely people. Now off to punch that wall >>>>>>>>>>

When the quiz was going on, chat was buzzing which was really nice as it has been quiet of late. I would like to get back to using the chat room here at TPM as it has led to some really good friendships and it would be nice to chat to some new people, and of course people that I have chatted to before. I think during closed season, chat will become more active but I think Josh's idea of chat times is a good one

Great trip report - I don't remember me wafting my pits into poor James' face And.....omg that Loggers Leap pic!!! Really hope there are no more pics of me - I will get the rep of being the resident nutter.....oh wait.....probably a bit too late for that Was a great day and good to look back at pictures from it as a reminder

That is brilliant - although the woman on the left doesn't look too impressed

80's music quiz......please?

Yes Whiteknuckle - I love them! I also have stingray teddy things which I am collecting (pretty sad I know) - they are so majestic and friendly (except the one that killed Steve Irwin perhaps) - and it looks like they have a FACE! I once spent about an hour stroking them at the london aquarium.....lush!

OH....MY.....LAWD......they have STINGRAYS there now???! STINGRAYS??? - sorry, don't mean to shout but I absolutely love them (ever since I went to Sealife in London before Merlin took over and you could touch them) - I have to get to Longleat even if it is just to see the stingrays and sealions Sorry I totally ignored your bit about having rollercoasters in 2016....just.....I love stingrays and I think I have a spiritual attachment to them - or I was one in a past life. Gonna shut up now otherwise I will be waffling about stingraaaayyyys all afternoon PS: don't suppose you got any pics of the cute little fellas did you?! Not that I am obsessed or anything

I am so unobservant I didn't notice the sealion bay in the other photo To think that the polar bear was in an enclosure smaller that than is horrible. I remember at the time (this must have been around 1990ish) that the bear didn't look too happy and he just seemed to be pacing up and down. I would LOVE to see construction pics of the Vampire but have been trawling the net for years trying to find some, so either I am a bit dense (which is likely) or there are some lurking about. I would also love to see more photos, if you have them - particularly the circus area or Transylvania from back in the day.

Lovin' the pics there Pluk! And slightly relieved that I am not going insane (well more insane) when I mentioned about the polar bear being there! - just looking at that pic makes me - such a small inclosure - is this where the sealion bay is now? - just looking at where skyway train is located and er yeah looks like it. I remember the magic carpet being at Chessington but I was too scared to ride it - anyone know how long it was there for? Safari skyway just looks a bit, well....scabby now but that is what happens with age (I am scabby aswell) - and it is a tad frustrating on skyway because you don't see a great deal of animals.....although you get a great view of the sealife tent! Oh and......Flintstones jeans - epic! Kids these days just don't know style

I love quizzes - although I am not great at them. With music anything "up to date" I am a bit naff on but am well up for doing another quiz. Can we have a general knowledge one at some point (I am not quite so bad at them) Lets remember - it's not the winning, it's the taking part that counts (yah yah)

Wahay - 17th and with no revision (apart from the last round obvs) - party time! (I genuinely thought I would do a lot worse) Thanks for taking the time to do the quiz - really enjoyed it even if some of the questions were really difficult

Oh gawd....WASPS!!! They need to get more of those wasp catcher things at Thorpe - especially around the food outlets. I was flapping around and screaming last Saturday when a herd of them (ok, slight exaggeration) came towards myself and the others I was with. I don't like killing anything (including flies or spiders) but wasps need to just naff off.

I really want to ride Air even though I have heard mixed reviews of it (I really REALLY want to ride Manta.....sorry went off on a tangent). Only been to Towers once and it had a 60min queue so we didn't do it but hopefully I will get a chance in September. It does look quite comfy and I have only so far done 4 B&M coasters and want to ride them all which would be impossible as I am poor and have a fear of flying. Waffling now so will shut up!

Sod running around - I am really unfit and would be a bit cheesed off getting no thanks for it! Saying that though - I really want to get fit but lack motivation. Only exercise I get is doing housework or when I go out to appointments (and theme parks - great exercise). Am currently thinking about restarting either yoga or badminton (or both) or joining a dance group. Seriously need to quit the ciggies though as I get out of breath easily (and I also have asthma - basically I am an idiot!) Klondike needs smashing to bits to be honest - am surprised it hasn't collapsed with the noise it makes - my sister got my niece to go on it yesterday which I think will probably have put her off coasters for life as she had never done one with an inversion - she ended up crying, not really a surprise because it is SO painful. So yah, I am on here cos I can't chuffing sleep - and I have 2 appointments today.....typical. On the plus side though, Jeremy Kyle is on in 20 mins so.....yeah, always makes me feel better about my life, my teeth, and my fashion sense

There is no way on Earth I would queue more than 10 mins for Storm Surge - sod 120 mins! Complete waste of time

Brilliant review - a good read and excellent description of the ride experience

PLEASE I hope this does NOT happen. When I heard about the possibility of Swarm going backwards I thought "well that's naff" - mainly because I hate going backwards on rides but it has worked out well for the Swarm and the back row queues reflect the popularity of this. However if they make The Vampire go backwards I will probably cry - it was my first proper roller coaster and I am still a bit miffed that the old bat cars have gone. I could maybe forgive them a tad if they did " a Swarm" and just switched the last 2 rows backwards but I hope they keep it as it is.....or bring back some funky new bat cars

Just realised that saying I prefer Beanoland (even though it opened when I was 20) sounds a bit odd - but it was cheery and colourful etc. Only problem is that I could only ride the dodgems and that little bus thing (with my niece obvs). Can't do the swing ride as they make me feel ill (well they did before I started taking anti-sickness tablets - but have only since done sky swinger at Paultons, not by choice) Kobra is a no no for me after having an unpleasant experience on The Edge at Paultons Park but it seems popular with guests. Also just to throw into the equation - I preferred Forbidden/Terror Tomb - but only because I have a naff aim at things - and I miss Abdab

Speed Flip didn't seem to be there long - not sure I would have ridden it though as I generally don't like flippy things (although I am ok on Samurai) Their new ride (Miami Extreme) is freakin odd - I thought I was going to get catapulted across to the seafront I literally was bruised from that (and almost dislocated my knee from the dodgems) - haven't done the drop ride, even though I have been on Detonator - would have done it had it been walk on but I don't like queuing for drop rides cos I am a wuss! They do have quite a nice selection of rides although I wouldn't recommend the Pinfari coaster (klondike) - nearly took my arm off that did! - Their breakdance ride is pretty good - I like it because it is nowhere near as intense as Rodeo used to be I do love Hayling Island though as it was my only family holiday (get the violins out!) - waaaaaaaay back in 1986 - good times

Josh - do you per chance like Wild Asia?! I may be in the minority here but I preferred Beanoland . The music from the dodgems and the whole atmosphere seemed a tad cheerier - plus GREY!!! I know that is part of the themeing but it is a bit like stepping into Depression Land (I joke). I haven't however visited Lorikeet Lagoon so should really reserve judgement. I think Chessie circa 2000 was pretty good as the Vampire still had the old cars, Samurai was there, as was Rodeo and there were glimpses of the old Chessington. Also around 2005 when LoTD opened. In the past couple of years I feel like things have gone downhill a bit and has been neglected which is a shame. I agree with Pluk about the zoo - that has definitely improved from how it used to be. Ok, I may be insane here but looking back to my first visit (back in 1990/91) I am pretty sure they used to have a polar bear??! Don't laugh - I often dream things and think they are real - so either they did have a polar bear there which is, in my eyes a tad cruel or I am more insane than I first thought

Lengthy queues are no excuse for getting into a brawl - I feel sorry for the kids who had to witness what happened. Some people really shouldn't have children. Glad that they are banned - hopefully from all Merlin attractions!

I have no idea TPJames - though there must be a reason for it. It does seem daft to be doing work during the open season but maybe they used to closed season to focus on getting Zufari up and running - who knows. I just hope that Chessington gets back to the days around 2005(ish) when the rides seemed to be running well and it was a lovely little park with great atmosphere

Woop! Glad that you finally got to ride The Smiler - and I agree with you about it being a great ride but not as good as Nemesis (did Smiler twice and Nemmy just the once). Oddly though I prefer Saw to Nemesis Inferno (going off topic there a bit).