Mitchada04

Has it Never knew it had.

Two prime examples of flumes that reverse you in this country are Valhalla and Storm Force 10. Both though have larger boats so throughput isn't affected to bad and they are very efficient. They do add a nice bit of variety to the ride and especially on Storm Force 10 surprise quite a few people who sit at the back thinking they won't get to wet but end up getting drenched (this is from personal experience )

Leave Slammer alone whilst it's working. If When it breaks down this year you can start rumours that people have been killed by Slammer. A serious answer for you TPJames, Slammer hasn't broken down upside-down with people on and like he who shall not be named said, there are no crash mats because you unload on the ground. But for fun they don't tell you which side to exit as the announcement always fades out when it would tell you so you are left guessing

That ride looks extreme (so the name isn't false advertising ). I would certainly love to give it a go. I think it would work well at Adventure Island in Southend due to there collection of fun fair model rides. This isn't me complaining about AI though as it is a great little park. Would it work at Thorpe? I honestly don't know. It has by the looks of it the thrill factor and could replace one of the ageing flat rides they have, however, it looks like it would be tearing itself apart the whole time so I fear it would either be like Slammer in constantly breaking down or like Samurai in being run on a (sometimes) terrible setting. It also looks so fun fairish again (which is expected from a fun fair ride) so unless they could make it look more permanent/ themed to a certain area of the park I don't think it would work.

Flying Fish is fine in these conditions so I presume RMT would be too.

Stealth worked fine for me yesterday afternoon (between 3 and 4) other than a minor problem which was resolved in a few minutes. I also noticed that the American flag (which was torn on the Opening Meet) has been replaced, but with a British flag. Last time I checked Amity was still themed to an American town.

Not a bad roar (do still prefer Nemmy's but that's my personal opinion). It really takes quite a bit of speed through those elements (no pun intended). Got to love the random clicking and clanking noises Gerstlauers make when leaving the station

Rush is clearly having quite a few problems this year (surprising as Slammer has yet to have a major one *touches all wood around*). I wouldn't be surprised if the shorter ride cycle is to try and lower maintanence issues. Strangely, the one swing that is working is the one that takes longer to stop.

I have never been to Oakwood or heard Speed's roar but nothing can beat the roar of Nemesis echoing through the valley. Would like to visit Oakwood one day though

Strangely my pass (which was bought at Chessie last year) decided to play up today. Haven't had this before but glad to see it's a general problem and not just my pass. The staff member on the gate just turned to me and said 'get that from Chessington? Just come through the middle' so at least the staff are aware of this issue.

It varied. At 1 it was near enough walk on but whilst queueing for Stealth (betwwen 3&4) there was a visible queue. I would guess at 30 minutes or so.

Third trip to Thorpe this year and the first time the weather has been relatively nice. Only got 4 hours on park after confusion in getting there for opening (why I couldn't have got the bus I don't know). Anyway, it was quite quiet for a school holoiday with nice weather. Longest I had to queue was 45 minutes for Stealth which did include a breakdown. I tried Swarm backwards on the right handside having done the lefto on AP day. I preffered the right to the left ourely because the water skim was working by the helicopter so it chased you around the turn Forwards seats are still better personally. Rush was only operating one swing (the one closest to the control cabin for those interested) with the other S&S working perfectly still Had a relatively smooth ride on Saw and Colossus followed by an adventure in to the mistical volcano of Inferno. Wasn't bothered about queueing a while for Stealth because it gave me time to listen to WWTP radio for the first time this year X was very good as was a go on Flying Fish. Samurai was taking forever to zero as per usual. All rides were at full capacity (except Rush and X) which was nice to see as I had yet to see the second train on Colossus and Swarm this season. They were very efficent on dispatching the rides today and the staff were very friendly. Only had Fastrack offered to me once and even then it was a very quiet 'would you like Fastrack?' Overall a good couple of hours in some nice weather Ride count: Swarm: 2 (1 both ways) Inferno: 2 Stealth, X, Colossus, Saw, Rush, Slammer, Flying Fish, Samurai: 1 Everyone is taking picture of this worlds only sky swat that is also working. Which will win, Stealth or the Sun? Sun me thinks. I suppose this is an improvement on the plain metal fences we had before. Just wish they'd make something more permanent. Thanks for reading

As I missed English revision to go and ride X I shall write a nice detailed review about it (this whole post may therefore contain spoilers). Firstly, I was very impressed by the changes. Definately an improvement on X:/ No Way Out (which wasn't difficult I know). The queue is still mainly outside with groups of people (only about 20 at the moment due to the low capacity) being let in every couple of minutes. Thankfully, the awful soundtrack that once played has been removed and replaced with the new club style track that plays throughout the ride/queue. Just incase you had somehow got entranced into this music (which many people in the queue had and were enjoying very much) and forgot that Storm Surge is next to you the wind will pick up just to blow the leaking water towards you creating a bit of moisture. If enough people complain about it they may put up a warning sign about getting wet. Once inside the building you instantly notice the improvements down the first corridor. Two LED X's are on the ceiling with improved lighting all round. The next corridor consists of the old lighting plus a few white lights and the music which was playing just at the right volume. Unfortunatley, the next straight is still silent as is zig-zag section which is a shame as this is the only part inside the buliding you are likely to be waiting in. The new purple/blue LED arrows are very nice plus the X logo on the wall. Baggage hold is the same as is the pointless room that follows. You then stand behind the airgates as usual and a shiny black car arrives going forwards. I thought that the cars would be very cramped due to the individual lapbars but they seem easier to get in to. Once the all clear is given you leave the station (still going forwards incase you had forgotten ) and enter the pyramid which is filled with lights, sound and a bit of mist. Whilst going forwards you get a good sense of how fast the ride is at some points and thanks to the lights get some near misses with the track (they've always been there just not normally seen). The random stops are still there but give you a good chance to look around, especially at the central light column which is very cool. Going forwards is odd and does make it seem like an entirely new ride due to the different sensations. When we came off I could see mixed reviews. A group of 4 young adults said that is was dissapointing, however, all the kids (which there were many of thanks to the new 1 metre height restriction) loved it and wanted to go again so it has been succesful towards its new target audience. There are still many improvements that can be done to X (many of which will happen soon like having it on full capacity and new signs). One thing I would like to see are the tunnels of light as promised. Even if it is a black cloth placed around the stops and a few lights inside. The music also needs to be played all around the queue, not just a few parts of it. Overall though I was impressed with the cahnges and will happily ride it again. Don't let the POV fool you into thinking it is terrible. POV's generally don't show off a ride well compared to its actual experience, but this is especially the case with X.

The mist is back. Not as dense as it was as the begining of the season but it is there

It's a well known fact that Merlin do control the weather. Just take a look at some FB comments and you'll realise everything is in Merlin's control. It's all a Merlin conspiracy

It wouldn't have surprised me if it was true. They did it with N:ST and from what I've heard from reviews it could do with quite a few improvements, mainly the cave finale.

Great looking family dark ride/coaster. Now how do you open a ride like this if you aren't Merlin? Please Merlin, do something like this when opening a new ride. If a little Belgium park can do it then so can you.

I was simply saying how amazing Flying Fish is and that 45 minutes ERT is a good thing. Who needs Swarm ERT when you have Flying Fish available

45 minute ERT on Flying Fish! That must make up for sleeping in a shipping container I'm glad it seems very organised with food etc but what is going to happen on the club nights? Are only MoS guests allowed to book the Crash Pad on these nights or can other guests and if so, what do they do in the evening as the Dome would be closed of?

Looks like a fun ride so would give it a go. However, I wouldn't put it in Thorpe purely because I hope they move away from the funfair style image they have with some of their rides. More permanent looking flats are what I want at Thorpe (and a dark ride of course ). I think it would fit in well at Flamingo Land though

Glad it has opened just in time for the busy period. Will have to pop down Tuesday and give it a go before I read/hear too many spoilers

Who cares about OTSRs when the cars look that great. I think this is one ride I don't want to go front one on, just so I can see the hypnotic backs to the seats. The yellow and black go so well together. No complaints about these whatsoever (I'll hold all judgement about the OTSRs until I've ridden it).

The X page has once again been updated. Maybe an opening is nearing? http://www.thorpepark.com/rides/x.aspx

Nice and discrete there Gerstlauer with that trim. No one will know it's there. Everyone will think it's magic when the train rapidly slows down