Mitchada04

Was very impressed with the park music yesterday! Here are the changes I noticed: Saw indoor queue audio back Stealth's out of sync speaker fixed Colossus not telling you that the gates are about to close in the queue line plus not as high pitched Amity Cove seemed less high pitch Vortex and Quantum using Mutant Racers theme slightly for every cycle plus there usual music The Noise seems to have more variety in songs and is being updated to the latest music Now all we need is Saw's queue line audio and we're all good

Had a great morning! Got on all of the trains they sent round for us on Stealth which I think was either 23 or 24 (Jack was counting so it's his fault if I'm wrong ) Great couple of hours after that as well! Sorry I had to leave early but that's the problem with work. Have a great afternoon everyone who is there and a massive thanks to Thorpe for allowing us to participate in the photo shoot. I look forward to seeing all of the photos

Found this interesting video the other day of The Incredible Hulk about how the launch mechanism was designed and is used daily. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNDlM-1gvMY&feature=player_detailpage

So yes but for only one day (if lucky) as it'll have broken?

We had this argument last Saturday at MoS and after looking at the plans it is Island H Edit: Much like Dan9's post shows

Han- There were many planes as you're very close to London City Airport so probably not best for you The last photo is just your usual dead body that you find lying around the streets of London thanks to Merlin Pluk- Every time the walkway seemed to 'vanish' I did think I was going to slide down it at some point so if they pad up the sides they could have the worlds largest bouncy slide

He's working for his dads friend so is getting paid cash, not official work. More like helping out over the summer and getting a bit of money as a thank you.

I've been working part time now for just over 2 months and have decided I love it. My shifts are either weekday evenings or weekend days and it's great fun! I can go out in the day during the week and be home on Sunday for roast dinner. The best thing is how people are obviously finding me reliable and calling me first if they need someone to cover a shift which gives me that extra little boost to do well. The job itself isn't exactly glamorous but it has it's highlights. I get to run the parties that we have at the centre and my office is the vending store When I first started I thought everyone would judge me for being new, treat me like a slave and just be unnecessarily nasty. None of that happened! Everyone was very friendly to me, offering me help with stuff I hadn't done before and I'd like to think I've made some great friends from it. Even my line manager who I thought I'd have to be careful when working with him is great. Yes it's boring at times but some of the conversations I have with both staff and customers always brighten my day and playing badminton over the entrance gates is amazing! I'm also really liking the pay, Monday I got £307 for my work in June and I should get a bit more in August for what I've done this month. I know it doesn't seem much but for me it's great and if I can keep up that rate every month I will have made £2170 by January to go on buying a car. Best thing is I only work 45 hours a month (could be more or less as I'm part time) giving me lots of spare time. What made me smile the most was yesterday one of my friends tried bragging to me about how they have a job which gets them £600 a month. To get that though they work 180 hours on a pay of £3.33 with a rota of Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. So whilst they were happy to be earning more than me, I didn't want to burst there bubble that they're being ripped off

Just heard the new summer radio advert. It's nice to hear something upbeat and summery about Thorpe other than that guy telling us all about the intense thrills they have with The Swarm. They also say 'for a great family day out.' I'm glad to see them widening there audience. A promo has also been set up alongside the advert; http://www.thorpepark.com/radio/ As for the TV ad, I love the new approach. The way they portray the park is great showing people enjoying the rides, not how fast, twisty, high they are. It's just a good bit fun in using peoples screams of enjoyment to make the background music. Especially love the use of a wide range of ages, including a child who I'd guess is just above 1.4 metres on Stealth. Just shows that whilst 1.4 metre rides are usually thrill rides, you don't need to be a teen to enjoy them (the average age for 1.4 is 10/11). I look forward to seeing how this new marketing approach grows and hopefully brings back the wider demographic. Just using Tidal Wave in the advert would make me want to go in this weather

Yesterday (16/07/13) I ventured up to London to do something many of my friends had recommended to me, Up At The O2. This is where you climb over the O2 on a walkway that was made and opened up last year. It is expensive at £25 a person (for adults) and is pre book only (well it's not but good luck finding a space on the day). Climbs take place every 20 minutes with groups of up to 15 people. It is a full on experience with a pre show telling you all the safety information and random facts (the video was far superior to Zufari's pre show). Base camp is also nice themed with lots of climbing gear stuck on the walls. Once harnessed up and clipped onto the walkway you ascend the 52 metres at a 25 degree angle. The path is very springy which I found great fun (not sure the person in front did though ). Then you get around 20 minutes at the top on a sturdy platform to take as many pictures as you want (shame it's not the prettiest part of London). Then you clip back on and descend to 0 metres at an even steeper 30 degree angle. Once at the bottom your stuff (shoes etc.) has been delivered to the other base via a little car and trailer. Being a keen climber, I found this very enjoyable but for many it may sound boring and for some it will be. It is expensive as well but if you're into this sort of stuff I recommend it. Before the photos, here are a few random facts about the 02: It has 12 pillars to represent the 12 months It is 52 metres for 52 weeks in a year The diameter is 365 metres for 365 days in a year. If you turned the roof upside down it would take 15 minutes for Niagra Falls to fill it. Beautiful day for the climb. And in case you think it is different at the summit, they kindly display the conditions from up there at Base camp. Half done... Half to go. Canary Wharf and the 'massive' Shard. Ahhhhh... Never mind. Olympic site. Emirates Airline and Thames Barrier. And here's a panoramic shot because my phone can do that sort of stuff. The day wasn't over though as the London Dungeon was still to be done. All I'll say here is that it is very good but not Tooley Street. A full in depth review (which will contain spoilers) can be found here: http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/1658-london-dungeons/page-19#entry163465 Thanks for reading and I leave you with this photo but I don't know why.

Visited the London Dungeon yesterday and I was impressed with it all but it just didn't seem to have the atmosphere that it had at Tooley Street because it's new and feels new. A few times I also felt that it was designed in a rush at a points it just seemed illogical especially as they could have pretty much done what they wanted. Overall though it was good and I'm sure will get better as time passes in both the flow of the attraction and the atmosphere. From here on in there may be spoilers. The new London Dungeon is situated on Merlin South Bank between the Eye and Sea Life (I believe a horror attraction of some sort was previously here). Posters dangle from the lampposts now advertising both the Dungeon and Sea Life. I don't think the old one ever struggled for custom but this one sure won't! The footfall past it is significantly higher and it's much easier for Merlin to sell there multi tickets for there London attractions. Especially when they say Madame Tussauds is only 9 minutes away on the underground. The queue starts outside where priority (online ticket holders and Premium AP holders are allowed in and Standard AP holders if you're nice to the guy) and standard queues split. From where we stood (half way from the entrance to the building and entrance to the queue) took just under an hour but we believe there was some sort of an issue as both queues completely stopped for 10 minutes. In batches you are let up the stairs into the building where the queues remain split for money making photo time. The staff member on the priority photo was very nice and asked groups if they would like to have their photo taken. Now comes the bit I found confusing. Both queues are let in to another queue in batches so both priority and standard are together before ticket purchasing/scanning has taken place. This queue seemed fairly pointless (probably just to help get planning permission as it removes people from queuing on South Bank) where you go up 100 metres and then back on yourself. The queue was nicely themed with signs to read but you're not in this queue for very long and in the dull light they are difficult to read. Then again you walk down a corridor (which could have easily been a queue) towards the ticket booths. Everyone must go up to a counter either to get your tickets or have then checked. At this point I began to think that H&S said they couldn't have many people waiting down there as the path was wide enough to split it for both queues and hold at least 100 more people. Anyways, with a little more waiting by some rats in cages and an actor who keeps you entertained you finally begin your tour. Tours consist of 45 people every 6 minutes giving the attraction a throughput of 450pph. Your first stop is decent where a creepy lift operator gives you a bit of background on King Henry the 8th. The lift ride is based on medieval elevators and it's good fun with some effects to make you feel like you're going down and a vibrating floor. All good fun with very little head room. This is swiftly followed by the boat ride which is of a different theme to the old one which was based on going to hell. This one was all about Cromwell and Henry sentencing you to death. The ride itself is longer than the old one with a few more twists and theming such as the effect of rats falling into the water or River Thames. Brian Blessed does play the role of King Henry but is only featured as an animation for a few seconds. The drop is still backwards and you will get wet, if not from the drop but from the effects within the ride. The exit leads onto the city gate which is guarded by the Gong Farmer. The story here seemed more jokey as a whole story wouldn't work because boats keep arriving. Essentially, it's a fun way of waiting for your group of 45 to re-group. Guy Fawkes' story is next up and after one of your group members being given a letter to give to Guy you take a long walk through nicely themed paths and a set of stairs you finally get to Mr Fawkes. I think the walk was meant to resemble going down to Parliament's basement but going up stairs confused it. Anyway, once you get to the 'basement' you see Fawkes' head on a spike and a guard who tells you all about his torture. Then Guy comes alive to tell you the guard is lying and gets him to light the fuse for the gunpowder. The gunpowder explodes and the floor vibrates which is an effective effect. You then get taken next door to the 'Torturer' who tells you all about the ways of torture (very much like the one at the old Dungeon). This is followed by a clever walk through the plague infested streets of London. The walk works well here as it resembles a street with many infected people, doctors, bodies and so on. Then you are talked to about the plague and an entertaining couple hiding in two coffins explain how it is safer to pretend to be dead and give all the stats on the number of deaths. Sensibly, the doctor is next up which again follows the same layout as the old doctor scene (the doctor's dead, his assistant searches through his body and so on). Another little walk and you end up at Mrs Lovett's pie shop. I much prefer the flow of this scene compared to the old one as you're not waiting for boat loads of people. Of course, the story of her pies is followed by a meeting with Sweeny himself. Unlike the old one, there is an assistant in there so it works better instead of relying solely on sound effects. The effects of the chairs and sound of Sweeny is also much more effective now with it sounding even more like he's walking around the room and right behind you. Instead of the police capturing Sweeny, the assistant returns into the room and is disappointed to see everyone still alive. They make us leave into Whitechapel. You enter Whitechapel on the night that Jack the Ripper has just killed two people in the space of an hour and how he is still nearby. A bit of back story is given before you enter the Labyrinth (mirror maze). There is no way out at one point as they can open and close one of the mirrors which leads to the next scene. This caused many in our group to panic in fear. Suddenly, it is a year since the last murder and you're in a bar. Much like the old one mysterious things start to happen, lights go out, Ripper appears in front of a few people, lights go on, he's gone. This was very effective at the old Dungeon so I'm glad it has been repeated. With your tour nearing to an end you are summoned by the Judge in an old courtroom. This is where the actors do there best at improvising as they play on where people are from and create a good bit of humour. Everyone is sentenced to be hung and you enter a room with a platform and actor. All that happens in hear is they tell you all about the ride's restrictions and what to do when you drop to make the crowd love you. I think it's just a way to make you pose for the on ride photo that is available straight after the ride. Especially as they made everyone practice the wink, wave and funny face. It had a good humour element mixed in though. Now for the fun, you enter this small waiting room crammed with people, it should be a queue for the ride but it is just a mess. It clearly isn't designed for the large amount of people, and to get to freedom (not ride) you have to get all the way to the front and go through a door. The old one was much more logical with two paths, one for the ride and one for freedom then a queue for the ride. The ride itself consists of 24 seats (12 on each side) back to back. I guess they aim for two cycles per 6 minutes to get the 45 people through but they were just about getting one. It's an ABC drop tower and is fun but not logical. The old one would raise you then drop you once (much like being hung). This one, the floor would raise a bit then drop with the car (much like the floor would drop when hung). But, because it's top loading you have to be raised back up losing the effect of being hung. Fair enough, but they also drop you again before the ride is over. So whilst the ride is fun, it's not logical of being hung and no where near as forceful as the old one. Once over, you exit into the photo viewing area (for both the ride and beginning group photo) then the shop. This then leads you into the part that the London Eye toilets are located (but on the top floor). Overall it is very good, not the same as the old one but still a good replacement and will do wonders for Merlin South Bank. Wow, reading this over I realised how much I went on about the queuing! If you read all of this, well done and thank you

So not only is this private hire out happening, Zoo Days won't start until the festive ones on the 7th December. All I see happening is this becoming another excuse for work not being completed for March next year as it was regularly hired out, and not just the zoo. On the bright side, at least Chessie will get some money no matter what.

I went to Chessie a few years ago one summer day, it was 32ºC and really quiet. This was a Saturday in the summer holidays as well so it may put some people off. Plus, Black Cherry Fair is on in Chertsey all of tomorrow which is likely to attract many of the locals. And with the way Thorpe has been this (and last) year you can't ever be certain. Always best to expect it to be busy then when it is you're not surprised and if it isn't, bonus!

After the post on FB Thorpe have announce Summer Nights. http://www.thorpepark.com/summer-nights/ For four nights (more may be announced) a limited number of guests will be allowed into the park between 7:30 and 10:30 to experience all of the coasters, even Flying Fish. Tickets are £18 earlybird, £20 standard, and £16 for annual pass holders (if you are staying at the CrashPad it is included). The first four dates our; Friday 26th July, Saturday 27th July, Friday 2nd August, and Saturday 3rd August.

This sounds amazing! The ice cream van jingle playing across the park, ice cream falling from the sky, and waffle umbrellas! It'll be just like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Nooooooo! Bye Slammer, you had a good run this year.

I thought that earlier but if you go the long way (Google Runnymede Borough Council planning application search and put Thorpe Park in the site address bar) it works and gives you the whole list of Thorpes planning applications.

I'm in, will have to PM you for the first set of questions but hopefully can make the live quiz for the other 3 rounds

The video we saw was all about how they were given the book as an option to make it into a film but was put to the bottom of the shelf until someone read it. We didn't see anything about the special effects until the green screen section with the Gringotts bank vehicle. We spent just over 2 hours in the tour itself but could have easily spent longer. The shop at the end was amazing, the amount of merchandise they had was mind blowing. I especially liked how even the clothing range was between the 4 houses, it wasn't just all Gryfindor and Slytherin. Not being a massive Potter fan I didn't purchase anything (I'm sure I will in Florida though) but you could quite easily spend a fortune in there!

A whole 14 minutes And the 30 minute Dragon Falls breakdown reported by The Guardian! Great to see British journalism reporting on very pressing matters of news. Luckily, they haven't been told about any of The Smiler's breakdowns yet I'm guessing they broke down on the lift hill which wasn't upside down last time I checked. I also find that quite a comfy position as well, very relaxing. What annoys me most is how the public moan about British rides being to short then the parks give them an extended ride and all they do is complain. Make up your mind!

It's a pretty large site but I think some of the studios are still in use for films. I have heard that they are looking into to making it a more general Warner Bros. tour but I doubt this will happen until the popularity of the Harry Potter one falls and at this rate that won't be for a while! I'd love to see something like Forbidden Journey built and with the prices they charge I'd expect them to be able to afford something along those lines.

Whilst this isn't a theme park it is definitely a great tourist attraction and definitely deserves a trip report. The tour is well known globally with people travelling from all over the world to visit. We saw: English, German, Hungarian, Argentinian, South African, Turkish, Japanese and many more people of different origins. So it is certainly a well known tourist attraction! So where do we begin? Well firstly, this may contain spoilers for those of you who haven't been and may like too. You have been warned. Secondly, this is very picture heavy. You arrive at the studios and unsurprisingly they look like film studios. This is because they are, or were. This lovely sign greets you before you join a lovely cattle pen queue to enter the VT room. Us Brits really love queuing! The queue has a bit of theming though with Harry's under stair cupboard. You watch a lovely video about the success of the Harry Potter franchise. Then you move into a seated area and sit before the entrance to Hogwarts! The seating was a bit strange as almost as soon as you were seated you had to move to the doors. These guards take no prisoners when it comes to protecting Hogwarts! Then all of a sudden you enter into the Great Hall. All the teachers are here to keep us safe. But watch out for the fiery gargoyles! After a staff member talking to you about the Great Hall you are free to wander the rest of the tour at your own pace. Within this part are many of the props and rooms from the films. This is also where you see how the special effects are done with the use of green screen. This table looked nice. Watch your heads, these may fall on you. Tic toc. Snape, the good baddy. The Goblet of Fire with a lack of fire. An awful panoramic of Dumbledore's office. I like this door. Gringotts vehicle. Tim Burke tells us the magic behind the flying broom, and they really use magic! Decapitated Hagrid, his dog and their home. Professor Umbridge has an unhealthy cat obsession. The Death Eaters disapprove of this. So create a very strange statue. From here you go outside to see some of the larger props, very nice of a nice day but I doubt it's much fun in the rain. This is a purple bus with three floors, your eyes aren't deceiving you. The houses on Pivet Drive look very nice. Some work could be done here though. The bridge. Certainly a memorable grave. Wizard chess anyone? These guys are ready! And battle commences. You return inside to the more technical side of Potter with all the costumes, animations, models and drawings. Who doesn't love Dobby? The secret behind Hagrid. Such an innocent looking dog. Lovely Buckbeak, he means no harm. Why are people afraid of spiders? This one isn't scary at all. And Dementors, they're not exactly big, more a nuisance. Wizard humour... I just don't get it! Wizard ice creams on the other hand. Quite a nice street. Paper Hogsmeade. And the tree. From here there is only two things left, the wand shop Ollivanders which was quite good, and the most spectacular bit of the whole tour. THE MODEL OF HOGWARTS! Pictures just don't do this justice, it is amazing to think that this was built in only 40 days and used for any of the overview shots of Hogwarts. Then the lights went and it looked even better! The whole tour is amazing and whilst it is expensive it is definitely worth visiting once. It is a great hit with people worldwide and with good reason. I'm not a massive Potter fan but still found this tour and look behind the magic great fun and very interesting. I recommend it to everyone! Thanks for reading

I don't like the sound of having to make the theme fit in with a Mexican street as to me that sounds like no more mountains Unless Mexican streets do have a small mountain range at the end of them.

This is the problem with dropping a shipping container shop randomly near the ride. Same has happened over on The Swarm's island where some barrels and a sign have been place to encourage people to go into the shop. Only thing over there is, they haven't completely blocked off the path as in doing that no one would walk past the game stalls so custom would be lost there. Shops should be implemented in so you have to walk through them like on Colossus, Inferno and Smiler's shop which is an experience in itself.

This is one of my completely random and probably not intentionally linked things but both this (now Bizzaro) and El Toro (which they posted a few days ago) are number 1 in their category (steel and wood) if you go by the Mitch Hawker TPR with a few other enthusiasts coaster poll. Maybe they're hinting that they are going to build the worlds best coaster. Also, both coasters they've posted are massive airtime machines so maybe they're doing a bit of market research to see how an airtime coaster (steel or woodie) would be received. I'd love to think that my theory is correct but I highly doubt it Especially as they mistook Superman at Six Flags New England for being in Australia.