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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)

Banned.....for having a more impressive beard than me

Totally agree ^^ there are going to be some very disappointed people particularly if they have gone just to ride The Smiler. I was lucky that it was open when I went, and I would have been disappointed had it been closed but it was my first ever visit to Towers so the other rides would have made up for that a little bit. Really feel for people who have travelled long distances to ride Smiler only to find out it is not open.....again

Am genuinely shocked that I am not last on the score board - my guesswork paid off on several questions! Gah can't do the quiz live on Saturday unfortunately so can I do it via PM etc etc?

Well hello there and thanks for stopping by! Clicked the wrong page? Run - now! This is gonna be waffly so you have been warned (if you are still reading). Go grab a coffee or beverage of your choice and get yerself comfy..... So.....after precisely zero hours sleep, the night before (not helped by the fact that Mr Fish was snoring LOUDLY in my lounge) I necked a fair few coffees, got ready and headed off - at 5am! We picked up Ethan, Ricky and James & Co then headed towards Thorpe Park, not before almost crashing into a van - first near death experience of the day. I questions whether Mr Fish actually has a driving license or just needs an eye test. Arriving at the park slightly after 7am it felt a tad surreal - we filled out the consent forms then some of us went to the toilet (not a great idea to go on Stealth if you need the loo). Peaj did the introductions and it was great to see both new and old faces - I have no idea how Peaj remembers peoples names - I would get confused (mind you, it doesn't take much to confuse me) While waiting to go into the park it was a nice opportunity to mingle and catch up with people as it had been a full 4 weeks since the last meet! Finally we got into the park and headed towards the Stealth area - this is when my anxiety started to really kick in. I had actually taken one less anti-anxiety med than I usually would as I am cutting down but needed to take another one once I saw the Stealth trains testing. Stealth is not a ride I am a huge fan of - it is the only coaster at Thorpe Park where I get really scared before hand - the launch and my fear of heights and I end up like a screaming lunatic (although I scream at most things). I have only been on it 4 times prior to this meet up. After my first ever go on Stealth this year I was so terrified that I bought the ORP because I vowed NEVER to go on it again - however, I did go on another 3 times - twice being very close to tears and the other time, sat next to a complete stranger as I decided to skip lunch and go on it - methinks I perforated the poor guys eardrums - oohps! Ok.....am waffling.....bear with..... After the ice cream stuff (which wasn't ice cream) was set up (and a Mr Whippy van arrived) everything was ready for us to go. One of the staff members pointed to myself and a few others and asked us to sit in the front 2 rows - OH NO - My WORST nightmare. Why did I go and buy a turquoise t-shirt?! My anxiety ramped up a few notches at that point but we headed towards the ride whilst I tried to not have a heart attack/panic attack. I didn't realise just how many times we would need to ride Stealth and by the end of it, my fear of the ride had completely dissolved - it took a while though. I think I screamed several times before the train had even moved. I was really pleased that I managed to go in the front row about 4 times. I also did the back row and middle bits - I had a massive headache after a few rides so I took a headache tablet/cigarette break. I dread to think of how many times I swore during the ride times as I managed around 16 goes (ish). I am such a lady (not). I honestly don't know how some people did ALL the rides on it - you must be insane! It felt like I had done a workout afterwards - those restraints are pretty heavy to lift up - I reckon I toned up my bingo wings a bit after that! Some people had to dash off and others went and did their own thang after the photo shoot but I stuck with the main group.....because that is how I roll.....innit The park didn't seem *too* busy which was nice - I am awful at queuing and get restless legs and cigarette cravings (nasty habit). However, being with TPMers definitely helps with queuing and it was nice to speak to a couple of people I haven't previously had chance to chat to. We didn't get chance to do Rumba, Detonator or Slammer as they were all down (not that I would ever do Slammer anyway and I am 50/50 about Detty). We were hoping for a relaxing ride on Rumba after the headache inducing multiple Stealth rides but it wasn't to be so instead we went to Inferno where I sat on the back row alongside Mr Fish, James & co and JoshC and gave myself another headache. My ride count for the day was pretty good - Stealth x 16(ish) X - x4 Flying Fish x 1 Colossus x 1 Inferno x 1 Saw x 2 Loggers x 2 Rocky Express x 1 Storm Turd x 1 Samurai x 1 At lunchtime I went for a wander, hoping to get a sneaky go on The Swarm but the damn thing had a 60min queue so I met up with some of the others in the sunken gardens after grabbing a large cappucino. I got lost trying to find the sunken gardens - I didn't even know they were still there and I *almost* ended up queuing for Stealth At this point in the day, on previous meets I would usually take more anti-anxiety meds (along with my anti-sickness tablets) but I felt pretty chilled and relaxed so it was a bit of an achievement for me. Queuing for Colossus was funny - Ryan had me laughing with his randomness, plus Ricky being Ricky. Jack and I got on before the others as we were a bit too keen - have only ridden Colossus 5 times and I do like it - except for those inline twists - which make me feel a tad dizzy/sick. First 2 goes on X were ravey fun - SO much better than X:/NWO which I couldn't ride due to the damn thing going backwards and me almost barfin on my one and only go on it. The second 2 rides (at the end of the day) - was in the dark which I didn't enjoy as much. I don't like the dark (I'm a wuss) plus I like to see where I am going so I'm pretty sure I screamed a bit Storm turd was actually SPINNING! Only ridden this eyesore once and it was nice to have a sit down but I thought it was a bit pointless (and looked SO much better when it was at Cypress Gardens). But we went on, and after a 2 hour trip up the lift hill, off we went - and I screamed (v embarrasing) - the boat was spinning like crazy which made my head go a bit funny - it is still naff, still needs a damn good clean and was also making funny noises First go on Saw was pretty smooth - second one, not so much and my head took a bit of bashing and I gave myself ANOTHER headache. I do like Saw (my second fave coaster at Thorpe after Swarm) but for me, after the indoor section and lift hill/drop the best bits are over and the head banging begins A lot of us went on Rocky Express and I was in pain - during most of the ride I was sat sideways clinging on and trying to readjust myself - note to self: next time sit next to someone! Samurai - why oh why did I do it? Done it once before, vowed to never do it again.....did it again and screamed a fair bit whilst possibly swearing. I don't like things that spin and it got to the point where I closed my eyes, opened them and I was upside down. I felt pretty rough as the ride was coming to a close and had to lean my head against the restraint because I felt like I was going to pass out. Still.....I would do it again! We braved it tunnel-less twice on Loggers Leap - first time I was sat behind Phill Pritchard whilst sporting one of my "han-hats" aka an Asda carrier bag - works a treat at keeping hair dry - not great if you are fashion conscious but those who have seen the way I dress will know I do not follow fashion and generally look a mess. We got drenched and I was glad that I didn't sit at my usual place at the very front as Phill took most of the drenching! Our second ride on Loggers was.....scary.....seriously. My second (sort of but not really) near death experience of the day (after Mr Fish's near collision with a van in the morning). All was going swimmingly until we realised that the boat in front was a bit too close - so going up the first lift hill it stopped (and I screamed), then it started again. Good stuff, sorted.....but no - going up the second lift hill the boats were too close together and as RideWhisperer said "guys there are 4 boats on the lift hill - this isn't good" I panicked a bit. I had visions of the lift hill collapsing, or our boat going backwards, or being evacuated (not that I over-react or anything!). Luckily the lift hill started and stopped so that there was a gap for the final drop. Felt a bit sorry for the people who had been queuing for Loggers as they shut it down and as we exited the boat I told the ride assistant that Ethan broke the ride Swarm.....my favourite ride at Thorpe , had a bit of a queue but nothing major until it had technical difficulties and after that had to be sorted out (someone puked methinks). We ended up sitting down in the queueline where I attempted a bit of meditation which is difficult with an ambulance screeching etc etc, so we decided to play I spy which I was absolutely crud at, but hey, it passed the time and we were soon into the station. I sat front right next to James&co - most of my rides on the Swarm have been on the left so doing right and front row was really good - definitely my fave seat although James nicked the outer seat! We all met up at the end of the day in the Dome but Monsieur Fish had forgotten to get a parking ticket so we dashed off to get one and then met everyone outside and headed towards Frankie & Bennys.....a great end to a great day I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to everyone or even speak to everyone that was there on the day (there were a lot of us) but I had an amazing time, loads of laughs and my anxiety was a lot milder than it usually is - my anxiety levels change depending on who I am with etc so a big thank you to those who spoke to me, made me laugh and just for being lovely people. And of course a big thankyou to TPM and Marc for getting the opportunity to ride Stealth 2000million times, to Peaj for being a brilliant meet organiser as always, and to Thorpe Park for letting us in and riding Stealth loads, and as a non MAP holder for the free entry. Mucho appreciano! Waffle over.....!!!

Looks like you all had a brill time despite the rain (those ponchos are SO fashionable!) - was Detonator open?? Some good pics there - Swarm in the dark = heaven!

Wow - it sounds like you are having an amazing time! I love dolphins and sealions (and stingrays ). Oooh Vegas - will you be going to the Stratosphere thang??? If so - rather you than me. Have a great time!

I had similar things happen to me when I was back at school - so called "friends" hanging out with each other and not wanting to know me (although back then we didn't have mobile phones/internet malarky - kind of glad in a way). It is horrible when people you see as friends treat you like this and it makes you feel like crap. Unfortuntely there will be people like that throughout life - I had a "friend" a few years ago who I would see a lot then she suddenly stopped making contact, ignored my text messages etc. I was really peeved at the time and angry but after a few weeks I came to realise that she wasn't a true friend and maybe one day the same thing will happen to her and she will know how it feels (not that I would wish that on anyone but I do believe in "what goes around comes around"). I've never been one to have many friends but I think it is far better to have a few friends who actually care and don't treat you like poo that lots of friends who you don't know that well or can't talk openly with. I am waffling. These people who are ignoring you aren't worth it - you have plenty of time to make new friends and you are a very likeable and sociable person! I also feel that my only friends are here which kinda sucks due to distance etc but this makes the meets even better because you get a chance to catch up with people, and also meet new people! Believe me, in time you will make new friends (as well as having your friends on here) and these so called friends will be long forgotten - and you will look back and realise that you don't need people like that around.

Oooer Ethan - sorry that the paracetamol tired you out - you should have done what I did and got a mahoosive coffee at lunch time - I had no sleep the night before and it woke me up (after the effects of Stealth wore off!)

I visited this last year when I was in London - thought it was cool but didn't get to go on any rides as my friend is a complete wuss and at the age of nearly 34 has never ridden a coaster - they had a freak show there which I wouldn't have minded having a gander at but we didn't have time - wouldn't mind going back again

The day was amazing - shame that you couldn't be there TT but hey, Americaaaaaa! If only I could get rid of my fear of planes I may get there one day! Have a fabulous holiday Edit: I will be typing up an essay/waffle at some point so if you are an insomniac read it and I wager you a tenner it will get you to sleep

OMG seaworld?!! I wanna go! That group photo posted I like - everyone looks chilled and best of all - only my shoulder can be seen!

I cannot tell the difference