Mitchada04

In all fairness Storm Surge would have worked better their than it does at Thorpe. It was certainly the weather for a splash battle! The whole park was empty all day but all the parks were up until the 21st. At Busch Gardens me and my dad were the only people on Kumba at lunch time which was on one train op. Even Universal was quiet at the beginning of the holiday. Longest queue was 20 minutes for Minions and Rockit.

Today we venture to the bright world of Lego, now in Florida! The entrance area is lovely and open and fresh, much better than Windsor's. Must be a thing to have dinosaurs at the entrance to LEGOLAND's. And some Lego tourists. Once again it was apparently Christmas time, still didn't feel like it. We begin the journey in their newest land, World of Chima! It's a heavily themed splash battle which I'm sure to any viewers of Chima would make loads of sense! But even to someone who hasn't ever seen Chima, the story was clear and effects very good. The only thing it lacked was interaction with the effects because all day you would be the only one on the ride so didn't have anyone to "battle." Knight's Kingdom was up next Home to the Dragon And one of the jousting rides, which we were too tall for. Land of Adventure! The whole Egyptian theme works much better in the Florida sun And Dinosaurs! As a wooden coaster! Lego City with this very impressive Lego Ford! And Flying School An awful Vekoma. So moving on swiftly Jungle Coaster! I mean Project X! Pirate Ski Show! And now to relive a bit of history. I know they have to keep this by the State Law I think but I'm still very impressed with the upkeep they have put into these gardens. Not even the crazy rabbit is allowed in! Time for a look at Miniland. Trust Merlin. I really liked LEGOLAND Florida and I really hope it is a success. It has got everything apart from a log flume which surprises me, but it is still a beautiful tranquil park like it was when it was Cypress Gardens. Time for another break before we head over to Islands of Adventure. So sit back and have some lunch until next time.

A dodgems isn't a massive ride. It doesn't need to be approved months or even years before opening. It won't have any trouble getting through planning permission (unless the building is like 200ft tall and has flashing lights on top whilst pumping out 200db of music). If they put it in this or next week it will easily be approved by beginning of March. I doubt it takes 2 months to install a dodgems. And the wording of the earlier planning document stating that it has been submitted separately as part of a "reserved matters application." The council will have the application somewhere or in talks, they have the applications about 2 weeks longer than we see them being shown as "registered." Basically, don't panic. It is almost certainly going on the games zone (which I believe a few of the games like the goal scorer are on a temporary planning approval so will need to go or be reapplied for soon I believe).

Inferno- Personally I find walking around Busch and SeaWorld the most relaxing of all the parks out there. They're nice in that they don't have a massive IP base, they are original ideas such as Kumba, Sheikra, Manta and so on. And the weather we had at Busch made it an absolutely lovely day out, it is a beautiful park! Mark9- I agree that it seems like they've tried to make a family coaster with thrill too, you've done Juvelen haven't you? What's that like in comparison (family based, thrill or the perfect mix)?

£12.50 is a great offer! (Less than I paid to get on 2 rides at Winter Wonderland!) I'd love to make this one as I really like Adventure Island but the only way I'll be able to make it is if I can get a lift with someone.

They will be putting in a planning application (or already have and it just hasn't been "registered" yet). They built the billboard on The Swarm before they'd actually been "granted" planning permission to have it so it depends. If it comes under what was agreed in the MTDP and the terms stated on the latest planning application that mentions the dodgems, they are only really plans to show Runnymede the building size, materials etc. They shouldn't have any problems in getting it approved as long as it is on one of the outlined spot for a flat ride and meets the dimensions they stated it wouldn't exceed. Storm Surge needed permission because it went against what was agreed in the MTDP so they had to essentially apply for that as a new ride with little link to the MTDP.

Welcome to part 2 of my Florida adventure at... Busch Gardens! What a beautiful day it was So let's leap into the action! And begin the day with Gwazi! I know many people detest this ride, but I love it! Yes it's a bit rough, but for me it is still a thrilling enjoyable ride! For me it will be a shame if it goes. ] The death of Gwazi is not yet confirmed but for Timbuktu it sure is. Glad Scorpion isn't leaving though, it is a good fun ride. Up on The SkyRide we saw a hippo, Some flamingos And a Cheetah hunting! But before all of that, the Congo is calling with the mighty Kumba roar! Kumba is one of the most highly rated B&M's out there and deservedly, but it doesn't have massive theming pieces which people seem to love at the moment. It is just perfectly styled as the above picture shows, whilst there is no direct theming it is a themed or well styled ride. It just works. Montu is the opposite, it is heavily themed. But also fits in. Another great example of how to do a roller coaster well. This Hyena is tired of rides for now though, so we will take an animal break. Hang on, that's not an animal! Guess it's ride time again! Can you do this Oblivion? No. No you can't. After a quick cool off from the heat it was time for Busch Gardens latest addition... It is such a beautiful looking ride. The green and yellow combination is great! It is a great family coaster! Has the punch of an Intamin launch, silky smooth, fast paced ride with some excellent pops of airtime and speedy changes in direction. Can't compare it to Maverik but this is certainly great fun! And away they go! It may not look it but it was Christmas time... This sign says so! This brings us to the end of our 2nd adventure! Next up is a world of Lego and gardens, so from me and the meerkats we will see you there!

The thing with this is it can go either ways quite easily. If it is successful, they could add one or two small kid rides next year, much like how Thomas Land gets something every single year (hopefully Thorpe would also have some money to spend on something else too though!). If it isn't popular, they can go till the end of the contract (hopefully they haven't signed for too long) and easily change the 4D film to something else and change the dodgems and Detonator to a different theme. The only thing that worries me at the moment, the mish mash of themes. If the dodgems go on the games part (which is seeming most likely) you've got a split Amity. Meaning you'll go from WWTP Radio through some weird game sounds or whatever then back to Amity Speedway. Also, if the 4D cinema still exits out onto the Teacups (this may be changed for this season) then by going into an Angry Birds attraction, you'll end up leaving the area? Confusing unless the cups get rethemed, but then that really isolates Stealth. And Stealth does not need retheming.

You sure can stroke them! And for $1 (or 2?) you can purchase a cup of fish (you could eat them yourself I guess) and you put the fish between your fingers sticking up and the stingrays will swim above it and just suck it up. It's an amazing experience, especially if you're obsessed (I know the feeling Han )

I have to say Universal Studios has improved so much since my last visit in 2009! With Potter opening at IOA, it really seems to have kicked Uni into gear which is fantastic. Firstly all the new stuff: Despicable Me is so much better than Jimmy Neutron which was heavily dated, and anything with Minions is awesome. Enough said. Rockit, although not new this time around it is actually working as it's meant to now. The moving platform has led to a high throughput coaster, the trains seem a lot smoother than they were in 2009, and it breaks down much less. A great coaster for a great park (it is beautiful at night). Transformers, people say oh this is the exact same thing as the one in Hollywood. That's nice, I haven't done the one in Hollywood and if I ever do I will love it, no bad thing cloning a great dark ride is there? The fact you can meet a real life Megatron or Bumblebee is still awesome in my eyes! That's like a dream for so many kids (as well as meeting a minion). And because of Macy's parade, the All Star Parade wasn't on so every half hour one of either Despicable Me, Hop, Dora, or SpongeBob from the parade would come out on their float and do a little song and dance just outside the Horror Movie Make Up Show and then you would get to meet the characters. It was a real surprise but a great one. So in just 4 years, the park has added a decent amount of new attraction all of which are top notch. And not forgetting Springfield! That was great to walk through and go into Moes or Krusty Burger. Oh and Universal Cinematic Spectacular! A great after park show with fireworks, fountains (not like BPB) and projections through water, plus the voice of Morgan Freeman. Both my days at Universal Studios were fantastic and I think it may have become my favourite park, I just fear that Diagon Alley will push all the crowds to the park which already is the busier, no doubt it will be good but it could really ruin how amazing the park has made itself. Only time will tell but for now, go Uni!

Thanks and Manta is a great flying coaster, it has the thrill and immense force with the pretzel loop at the beginning and then a more floaty flying finale with the water splash and waterfall entrance interaction. It's a whole different and much better ride to Air.

Here it is, my blog on my trip to Florida! It will be split up into 5 entries, 1 on each of the parks: SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, LEGOLAND Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios. Because it is always such a relaxed park and was the start and end to our holiday, first up is SeaWorld! It's just a lovely place to walk into and as the holidays were approaching, everywhere was all Christmassy! What more could you want? Of course, a B&M flyer with a water splash right in front of you as you turn the corner. What's its name I hear you ask... And up they go! The ride is amazing, such force on the pretzel loop and a great flying experience with some decent interaction with the waterfall entrance feature. Definitely stands proud on SeaWorld's skyline! What also makes this ride great is that if you hate rides, there is a lovely aquarium next door which shares the tank you walk past in the ride queue and has some of its own species such as an octopus. Moving on we find ourselves at yet more stingrays, so we must be at Stingray Lagoon! This pool allows you to stroke (if that's what you'd call it) stingrays! They do like to splash around though which is always good fun! On our way to Trek with some Turtles, these fellas swam by. Blue Horizons (dolphin show) is a great mix of music, colour and dolphins. Woah dude! Look a turtle! 2 turtles! Turtle Trek is a lovely new attraction. Whilst I wasn't a massive fan of having to queue to see the underwater viewing, 5 minutes isn't bad and the 3D 360 degree movie was a great story! And the music in that area is so calming and relaxing. Time for some sunbathing. Who doesn't love alligators? Journey To Atlantis was next and I have to say, this is the ride that needs refurbing next! The dark ride bit is seriously outdated in its effects, makes little sense and is wasted potential. It just shows how old it is especially with the dark rides being made by Uni. Other than that, a good fun water ride with a coastery final drop. The Kraken awaited us! Fortunately it was wide awake so we didn't have to disturb it. Poor Kraken never gets any sleep with these sea lions and gulls around! Pirate Island! Clyde and Seamore save the day in what has to be my favourite show at SeaWorld. The humour is great and the audience interaction is amazing. A tip for everyone, get to this show 20 minutes early, it is so worth being there that early! Next up we travelled to a different place entirely, Antarctica! Where they also celebrate Christmas. This icy world transports you to the freezing cold penguin environment. The enclosure is superb! The ride good fun (mild is very mild wild is basically mild) but nonetheless a decent ride and a big improvement on the old penguin area. Continuing on we ascended this 300ft SkyTower. Previously you've had to pay for this but now it is free for everyone and offers some great views of the park and surrounding area. You can clearly see the Epcot ball, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and Doctor Dooms Freefall. Jaws I mean Shark Encounter followed and hopefully this will be the next enclosure to get a refurb once the Shamu one is complete. We then had a go on the flamingo boats. Saw some actual flamingos and went on the quest for Shamu! As Shamu's area was being improved I hereby name this squirrel who was on the construction fence Shamu (We could have watched the show but always missed it and weren't overly fussed. The Polar Express will help us move along swiftly... To the end of our Sea World adventure, but don't fear, the adventure will continue at Busch Gardens very soon!

Have to say I'm most looking forward to seeing what this Diagon Alley coaster turns out to be like. I'm not a massive Potter fan but after riding Forbidden Journey and what they did with The Mummy back in 2004, it's very exciting to see how a dark ride/coaster/3D whatever it's going to be will turn out. I love that we still know hardly anything about it, did anyone ever work out the company or are the rumours of it still being a massive coaster company collaboration floating around? Seven Dwarfs Mine Train- It's a Vekoma and Disney, just look at Thunder Mountain and Expedition Everest, both great rides. This will probably be a bit tamer, it is in a more younger family styled area but still, it will be immersive, fun and who doesn't want to hear Hi Ho all throughout a ride? interested to see how these even more crazy RMC creations turn out and how they are received with the likes of Outlaw Run and even modern GCI's, White Lightning at Fun Spot Orlando is an amazing little woodie with so much speed! B&M must be trying to get hype into their inverts again with the new train design. I really don't know what to think about it. I like the idea of having the gap in the middle two seats each row to give a clearer view for everyone but I don't think it will add much, and wingrider style restraints? As long as the vest doesn't tighten I think it will be alright. There are quite a few interesting new concepts happening over the world, and then we're getting well what are we even getting? Revamps of existing rides theming because it was dangerous and another IP childrens area. Yay.

With 2013 nearly behind us and my trip to Florida completed a week ago, time for a top 10. Coasters: Nemesis: You could say what a surprise, but the hype it gets is all deserved. It never fails to deliver in any seat. It has one of the greatest stories for a ride, and even nearly 20 years on it hasn't been surpassed. It is the Queen of coasters, a majestic beast that makes itself known. Maybe one day we will get a Nemesis beater, one day it has to happen, doesn't it? The Hulk: I know for many this an overrated ride that isn't their cup of tea, but for me it is perfect. It was my first true roller coaster challenge 8 years ago when walking under it and hearing it roar, quite unnerving for an 8 year old, but it adds to the thrill. The launch is great, and it packs a decent punch especially in the dark. Also one of the most photogenic rides out their with its positioning. A solid ride that is so much fun. Manta: This ride blew me away 4 years ago, I just remember the insanity of the pretzel loop and then a great thrilling flying experience. It did not disappoint this year! Seeing the Manta train swooping past the splash as pretty much the first thing you see when entering SeaWorld is amazing. The entrance is cleverly disguised and adds a great close effect to the riders with a waterfall. The queue line is so relaxing being able to watch stingrays and listen to the calming yet thrilling music. It is just so well done and such a thrilling ride that I want to ride all day. The Mummy (USF): So it may not be the biggest, fastest, most intense roller coaster. That's not what makes a great ride. The Mummy has a great dark ride section, launch and some decent speed. I still forget which way you suddenly turn after the launch. Oh and the room of fire, Universal just put so many effects on their rides it is truly immersive. Excellent fun, and Brendan Fraiser always gets his cup of coffee. Montu: It was difficult between this and Kumba as to which gets 5th, but Montu snatches it purely because I prefer inverted coasters as they offer a bit more whip. This ride dominates the Busch Gardens entrance, has some excellent theming, low to the ground moments and it is relentless. You think it's going to just put you in a loose helix to lose speed and it dives you under ground into a corkscrew. Kumba: I guess this is what they call old school B&M? High speed, tightly compact inversions (unlike the really drawn out modern ones) and great force. Oh and its roar! I never forget walking over to Kumba for the first time. Yes it has a small rattle, but that adds to the ride, it gives the feel that it won't give up, it is a beast, a lion. Expedition Everest: I remember seeing the widely used "oh no the track is broken picture" and being petrified (as a kid) and not knowing how it would work. So in 2007 I rode it and it was such a surprise, rides are so much better when you have no idea what's going to happen. The whole ride was smooth, fast paced, enjoyable and an adventure. I hope to ride it again one day to get a more up to date view but for now, it sits proud. The Swarm: Yes it's short, yes the public didn't 'get it' but it's still a great ride. It may be nothing to the likes of Raptor but I haven't done Raptor so wouldn't know. The hangtime on the first drop, high g on the helicopter turn, drawn out inline twist right to the fire (when working) compliments each other perfectly. It sits well on its own island, has a high capacity, good reliability and re rideability, just what Thorpe needed. Cheetah Hunt: So many people rate this ride like it's utter rubbish, so my hopes were so low. It's not, it is what it's marketed as, a family thrill coaster. It has traditional forceful Intamin launches, a great twist part around waterfalls, high speed turns, a smooth re rideable feel and restraints that don't try and kill you. It is a solid ride, one that was lacking from Busch Gardens line up. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: So now you must be thinking I've gone crazy. Maybe I have, maybe you've not ridden it and go by all the bad reviews. To simply put it, this is my guilty pleasure. The gimmick works on me, I love listening to some music whilst ascending 160feet vertically. I think G-Force makes people scared of this, don't let it. The seats are comfy, cars smooth (they've done something since I last rode in 2009 but that's no bad thing). The non inverting loop is awesome fun, really chucks you out of your seat. After all it's flaws, it now works much better, has a high capacity, looks great at night and is unique. So that's why it makes my top 10. Non Coasters The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman: This was my first true dark ride, and what a ride. It's fast paced, the new HD screens look great, the queue is any Spidey fans dream (it's the Daily Bugle!!!). Maybe being a Spiderman fan makes me a bit biased but oh well, it is a great ride. Hollywood Tower of Terror: It would be rude to let it go lower than this, everything about this makes it such a exhilarating ride, the Twilight Zone music, dominating creepy appearance of the tower, whatever it is this ride is immense from the entrance. A complete experience. Dudley Do Rights Ripsaw Falls: If you're going to make a water ride do it in style. The bright blue mountain is one of the few building to be seen on Universal Blvd and it draws attention, the main drop into the crazy building and an airtime hill is insanity on a simple log flume. The dark ride part is so much fun, it's just a great ride and how all water rides should be. Forbidden Journey: I'm not a massive Potter fan, but this ride is great nonetheless. It has the perfect mix of screen based and prop based interaction to create an immersive story and the technology of the ride is so advanced. Definitely the way I see many rides going when it becomes more affordable. Transformers: A modern take using the Spiderman technology, very good! Although it is more screen based it still has great detail in the queue and ride. The pace is quite a bit faster and who doesn't love to be part of a battle? Even if the rumours of it being a quick idea to give Uni something big are true, the ride is still great. Especially just seeing the N.E.S.T building with Optimus Prime on top. Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island: (who said it had to be a ride?) This is my favourite theme park show, simple. The humour, the fun, engagement with audience, it's just a lovely way to escape all the rides. Duel: I really like Duel, it's a fast paced, very dark shooter ride. The eerie building, queue, announcements, I just love it, and the fact it never has a queue. Perfect! The Simpsons: I was a big fan of Back to the Future, and a bigger fan of this! The ride is typical Simpson fashion, impossible yet funny. And now with Springfield open it feels complete. A great way to do a motion simulator. E.T.: Magical ride for the whole family, the inside queue has amazing detail, the pace is good, and to have E.T. say your name is just well awesome! Slammer: Oh dear he's gone utterly crazy this time. Well yes, but this ride is crazy. It's forceful, intimidating, and a real rarity. I'm a Slammer fan and proud. It is a real thrill ride.

http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/compare-passes.aspx Looking here, this VIP pass could anger quite a few pass holders. Standard pass holders no longer get priority entry so I'm guessing that means having to queue with the peasants. The VIP pass gets you global entry, unlimited Fastrack, preferred parking, behind the scenes tours and unlimited drinks. So the drinks capsule is no longer available for Standard or Premium pass holders it would seem. Looking on the perks section, ERT at Towers has also vanished so I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a Premium and VIP perk.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Overall, a good film. Lots of action, suspense, surprise and an easy to follow story line (if you haven't seen the first one or read the book you will be quite lost to begin with but you can still watch and enjoy it). whilst I still prefer the book, it is definitely a better creation from paper to screen than the first one was. Usually I can't go and watch a film over 2 hours in the cinema, and with this being 2 hours 30 I was expecting to be regularly wanting to know the time, however, it was the reverse and when it ended I was more it's been over 2 hours already. So defiantly kept me engrossed. Looking forward to Mockingjay part 1 next year now

In all honesty, this year they shouldn't have opened over the closed season (or at all ). They should have just closed the hotel and just had some keepers in for the animals as they must have done when Zoo Days didn't exist. Yes I know this means they're losing out on business but being closed and losing one winters business must be better than having what sounds a badly run event with half the park and zoo a construction site. I just hope they get everything they need to done in January and beginning of February but then it'll snow and they'll blame that.

Colossus (7) Depth Charge (6) Detonator (5) Flying Fish (5) Loggers Leap (5) Nemesis Inferno (6) Quantum (5) Rocky Express (5) Rumba Rapids (0) Rush (4) Samurai (2) SAW: The Ride (5) Slammer (7) Stealth (6) Storm in a Teacup (2) Swarm (9) Tidal Wave (5) X (6) Rumba - Depth Charge + Scores reset Colossus (5) Depth Charge (5) Detonator (5) Flying Fish (5) Loggers Leap (5) Nemesis Inferno (5) Quantum (5) Rocky Express (5) Rush (5) Samurai (5) SAW: The Ride (5) Slammer (5) Stealth (5) Storm in a Teacup (5) Swarm (5) Tidal Wave (5) X (5)

Information on the new "Waterfront Hotel" has been released. http://www.thorpepark.com/waterfront-hotel/ This is definitely pushing the family market much more it would seem. Also, loving the use of the wingrider at Heide Park for the canvas in the room, new ride for 2014 sorted.

Couldn't agree more about the IP's being more of a restriction than an advantage. Whilst they will have helped with marketing they just limit everything. This was shown in MBV on the tour we got where everything was to such detail it replicated the film. Yes, it looked great but the creative teams job is essentially done or at least exceedingly limited. Credit to Thorpe moving away from traditional hands on shoulders mazes in recent years though and trying something new especially with Cabin (even though it became one route after the first few rooms). The thing that annoys me is that Chessington can create great story lines, atmosphere (even in broad daylight) and decent scares yet Thorpe can't. They're owned by the same company! I understand that each park has their own creative team dealing with these sort of things but surely they could share ideas with each other about what works well. The fact Towers can pull off a scare zone properly yet Thorpe's has an hour queue is baffling. It can't be that difficult for these creative teams to talk to each other can it? If we get something that uses a great story, atmosphere and tension like the Chessington mazes but with the ultimate fear Thorpe would provide as they are targeting an older market, then we would have something great on our hands!

Loving the proposed list of meets for next year and would love to make every one of them! As for a review of the meets, for me it all started on a very cold, snowy Sunday morning standing outside Thorpe Park waiting to meet all the fellow Maniacs for the first time. I remember waking up and watching the first part of the Malaysian Grand Prix with the great battle between Webber and Vettel. Next thing I was standing outside the gates of Thorpe Park with a bunch of people I'd only known for a few minutes and the fun began. From Slammer in the snow, Stealth in the snow right to a Detty marathon (and those two bonkers Tidal Wave riders ). Yes I was freezing cold but I forgot that because I was having so much fun! It wasn't awkward that I was new to meets (much like it can be when you're new at a school). Just a great day out with great people. I then made it my aim to attend as many meets as possible and was gutted when I couldn't attend one because I knew how much fun I would be missing out on! If you were considering attending your first meet and didn't make it this year, I strongly recommend you attend one next year! The meet doesn't need to be at Thorpe or have a perk attached to be great, it's the people that make them great! I have made some great friends this year through the meets and can't wait for my next meet (hopefully Guildford).

Colossus (5) Depth Charge (5) Detonator (5) Flying Fish (2) Loggers Leap (5) Banana Ride (0) Nemesis Inferno (5) Quantum (6) Rocky Express (5) Rumba Rapids (5) Rush (5) Samurai (5) SAW: The Ride (5) Slammer (9) Stealth (6) Storm in a Teacup (5) Swarm (7) Tidal Wave (5) X (6) Mr Monkey - Slammer + Bye Mr Monkey! Reset

Colossus (5) Depth Charge (5) Detonator (5) Flying Fish (4) Loggers Leap (5) Mr Monkeys Banana Ride (3) Nemesis Inferno (7) Quantum (5) Rocky Express (5) Rumba Rapids (3) Rush (7) Samurai (5) SAW: The Ride (5) Slammer (10) Stealth (6) Storm in a teacup (3) Swarm (6) Tidal Wave (6) Vortex (0) X (6) Vortex -1 Mr Monkeys Banana Ride +1 DIE VORTEX DIE! Reset scores

December is turning out to be an already great month! Handed in my first piece of coursework for graphics yesterday which is a big weight off my shoulders as that's worth 20% of the whole course. Also have a very easy practical experiment in physics tomorrow and with the other 2 I took last month that's 20% done for my physics AS level too! So college is going swimmingly well. Last night at work my line manager talked to me about being trained at our other much larger site which was a nice surprise. Whilst it's the same rate of pay and more stress at Egham it should offer much more experience in a busy working world (as the site I'm currently at is so small it's very easy). Also nice to hear it from my line manager showing that they're obviously happy with the way I'm currently working and feel I could cope well at the other site. So woohoo! And finally... In 2 weeks time I'll be in Florida!!!! So I'm loving December and with my 17th in January and having the funds to start learning to drive and get a car that should also be sorted!

For anyone who was interested, the photo was taken from the Inferno exit path looking through the netting into the tunnel