Han30

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).

I first visited CWOA in the very early 90s and remember circus world etc and riding The Juggler (and it bizarrely not making me feel sick). I had the pleasure experience of riding Rodeo which made me feel SO ill I think I went green . I also got to ride Vampire with the original Arrow bat trains, and the bubbleworks before they ruined the ride with the invasion of ducks. Over the past 7 or so years I have been to CWOA yearly (apart from 2010) and I think that, although some good investments have been made, for example Dragons Fury, there are also things which I would love to see come back (another thrill ride on a par with the magic carpet or samurai) Things like Safari Skyway and Runaway train looking brand new - well they kinda were, so Skyway is bound to look a tad scabby these days Looking back to when CWOA was aimed at thrillseekers you had Rameses (still there - ish!), Samurai (after the flying carpet left), Rodeo, and back then, Vampire was considered to be intense (plus back buccaneer). I personally loved Beanoland - especially the music on the dodgems - and it was around that time that the park was transforming into a family focused park, with TP getting Tidal Wave (in 2000?). Although I never rode Samurai when it was at CWOA it looked a LOT more intense than it does now at TP. This year hasn't been a great one for CWOA - the log flume looks naked without the Buddhas, RMT is down this year and then there was the incident with Rameses. However, the April meet up to Chessington was brilliant and it is still a park that I enjoy. I love the addition of the sealife centre tent (I love stingrays) and Land of the Dragons is good. So, to cut a short story long, looking back at the 90's chessington was a good park - today it still is but needs some major work doing to it (which has already begun with the runaway train) - I usually go yearly with my niece and she loves the park and is able to go on most rides - however this year, instead of our annual trip to CWOA, we went to Paultons instead (underrated park imo). So yeah, I guess I would say that I prefer old Chessington - mainly because it is kind of what got me interested in theme parks and was where I went on my first "proper" coaster - Vampire!

I've never really had a problem or issues with people using Fasttrack - until Saturday. Swarm forwards was advertised as a 70min wait.....70mins my ass. Not only were we followed by wasps (striped buggers) but were stuck in the same place for what seemed like eternity. Had I realised beforehand how bad it was I wouldn't have bothered - I could have cheerfully slapped all the fast trackers in the face (not that I am violent) - either they had oversold fast track that day or were batching very slowly. Frustration doesn't even come close to how it felt being stuck in the same spot for chuffin ages But I guess all the while people are willing to pay to get on a ride quicker they are going to continue taking money from members of the public - they must make a fortune from it. I personally think it takes the pee and would never pay to get fast track - it costs enough for other stuff at theme parks let alone to get on a ride slightly quicker

I would be more than a tad pissed off - £7 for 4 hours unlimited rides is cheap, whereas that would only get you a couple of pints at a pub for the same price. Sod being an adult about it - you should have thrown a hissy fit and told them that if they didn't go to the fair they would have to walk home I paid £7 for 3 hours unlimited rides last Sunday at Hayling Island (or from 6pm -9pm it's only a fiver) - they don't have a huge selection of rides - the slowest ever log flume, a rollercoaster which, in fairness you could walk faster but they have an epic Pinfari looping coaser , a drop ride, dodgems and other rides. Downside is getting bruised like crazy - plus side (in a weird way) is that you get extra adrenaline on the rides what with not knowing if you are going to get off alive. You would love their version of the teacups - they spin SO easily and fast.....I almost puked

Great to hear about this! I went last Saturday and managed to do 15 rides in total - Swarm x 3 Saw x 6 Colossus x 1 Inferno x 2 Stealth x 1 X x 1 Storm Turd x 1 Was slightly busier that I expected but can't complain at all considering the queue times the park gets during the day - and bloody good value for £15 - staff were really enthusiastic and friendly too - v enthusiastic on Storm Turd where we got wet - only because of the water guns the staff were armed with

Being noisy here (and am intrigued) - what happened with the chocolate orange?!! Great trip report and pics - looks like you all had a fab time

Cobra is one of my favourite rides at Paultons - was quite surprised that ride pics are £8 each or you can get a photo pass for £20 - same as the Merlin parks - was hoping it would be cheaper as I only have about 14 ORPs and need more

I went to Paultons today for the first time since 2010 - it was.....busy! But still a good day - not one that I would do with people my age as it is more aimed towards kids/families etc. I really like the park as they have a nice selection of rides, some animals, the staff are really friendly and the grounds are well maintained. Peppa Pig World was insanely busy - but I can see why, because the themeing around it is amazing. I went with my sister and my niece (9 years old) and her friend (5 years old) - managed to do the Jumping Jack ride x 4, Log Flume x 1, Cobra x 2, Magma x1, Swinging chair ride thing x 1 (hate them things but had to sit with the 5 year old!), Kontiki (same as griffins galleon at CWOA) x 3, Dragon Coaster x 1, erm - and others which I have completely forgotten (it's been a long day). Was pretty impressed with Magma - had I not previously ridden Detty I think I may have pooped myself but the drop is not intense at all and it is a fun ride. I think the park is underrated tbh - it has a lot to offer and really lovely grounds. I wanted to go on the train ride thingy but we had to leave at around 4.30pm booo. But all in all a good day

I still need to do the last round......must get my bum into gear - will try to get it done tonight

Looks like you all had a great time - though Mr Fish and his dancing really shouldn't be seen in public - I call it "dad dancing" but apparantly where he is from they all dance like that. Or maybe everyone does dance that way - I dunno

Was great to see you yesterday Jack but I still think you have an unhealthy obsession with Inferno The last rides on Saw were epic!

Haha I did think your hair looked a bit wet and assumed you had gone on a water ride (never did it cross my mind you may have ze greasy hair ) - My gawd - how wet did you guys get on Rumba??! Stretchy looks SOAKED! Or did you do Tidal Wave before??

Are you sure?! Great pics there - that was a hot day (if I remember rightly) - looks like you all had a brill time

Banned......because you are wrong.....I belong to a freak show (same thing really)