Mitchada04

The keyhole has arrived at the Point so heres the story of how it got there; How dare these cars overtake me, if I was in control I would swerve into them! Thats better, at least the Police are on my side. I told you it was this turning, really should listen to me driver, I'm a huge metal tower. About time Someone get me off this lorry quick, I can't stand the drivers life story anymore. So there you have it, how the keyhole made it to the Point (all photos from CP's FB page).

It is happening. http://www.thorpepark.com/rides/the-swarm.aspx I personally can't wait and a new near miss

They wouldn't turn the whole train around because that really makes the theming elements pointless and not everyone would want to ride it. Turning the back two rows around would offer a unique experience with forwards facing still available to experience the near misses. The station will be chaos but it was before hand so nothing new there. Backwards Batman sounds awful due to how intense they are but it is only for a limited time so they are obviously just trying to see how popular it is.

Surely if they do turn the back rows on The Swarm around they could just turn them back again next closed season if they aren't liked/popular enough. If they've been able to turn them backwards with no track adjustments then turnig them forwards again would be easy. Have to admit I would love to give it a go backwards and think the water effects could be used greatly here but I will hold judgement to wether or not I like it till I've ridden it (if it happens).

They're spoiling us with clues now.

I believe we only have 7 possible locations now aswell with Storm Surge taking up two of the possible locations shown in the MTDP.

These images of the barriers at Leeds station were posted over on TowersStreet forums. Love this illusive way of drawing peoples attention to the symbol but not giving any hints as to what it is for.

I can't wait for Zufari, it is easily my most anticipated addition out of the UK parks this year. Whilst there is a lot riding on the cave finale I'm sure they'll pull it off. It is what they have needed for a while, something that links the zoo and park together as one. Yes some might say a roller coaster is much more needed but on the piece of land Zufari is on the restrictions are much harsher I believe thus why they can only build zoo related things there. I remember reading somewhere that they were originally going to move the Trail of the Kings over there so the theme park side of things could expand behing Transylvania. I think Zufari is a much better option and will be great fun and something unique to this country. Bring on the AP weekend

Merlin looking after their rides, maybe it's a sign of an evolution (sorry, I couldn't resist). But seriously that is great news, X-Sector is meant to look clean and fresh so this will be great. Hope they're not giving themselves too much work to do because it's probably quite cramped in X-Sector at the moment.

Air (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (1) Nemesis (6) Oblivion (8) Hex - Nemesis +

They can still advertise a refurbed ride as new. No where did they say we aren't seeing a refurb. I just read it as they will be announcing a ride (which will most likely be a retheme) not an event or addition of effects etc.

Air (4) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (6) Oblivion (5) Nemesis + Air -

Speaking of Extremis, Dungeons FB

Taking points away from Nemesis TP, that is too far! Air (6) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (3) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (7) Oblivion (6) The Gardens (3) Nemesis + Gardens -

The way the park said 'surprises' makes me think they are going to announce more than one thing. However, I think they will be a mix of ride rethemes/retruns and events. I strongly feel that X will actually have some work done to it for once and will be themed to music in someway. The train returning is a possibility as everything is still in place for it but they wouldn't announce that too fans as a single news item, maybe as part of a Canadas Creek retheme? They could fix all the effects or make sure that they will work as originally intended. Colossus repaint would be nice but like the X retheme, enthusiasts ask for it every year so that one always arises during closed season. As for events, it will be a huge year for after hours music events with the MoS partnership being very popular and the new hotel place to sleep. Of course Fright Nights will return but maybe also fireworks again. On the opening times for next year the 3rd and 4th of November are down as 10-8. Now I'm pretty sure they wouldn't consider it and then cancel it half way through the season two years running but I wouldn't put anything passed them. You never know, maybe they'll be able to keep Slammer open all season Whatever it is, people will complain about what they didn't get so lets just be greatful at what it is and not moan about what we don't get.

Air (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (6) Oblivion (5) The Gardens (4) Nemesis + Gardens -

After quite a few busy years recently I suspect it shall just be the usual trips to Thorpe and Chessie with a weekend at Alton Towers somewhere in May/June (taking it SW7 is open by then ). May get to go to Adventure Island aswell if I'm lucky.

Air (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (7) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (6) Runaway Mine Train (5) The Flume (0) The Gardens (7) Th13teen (5) Nemesis + The Flume - I didn't even notice it was still here but its not now so time to reset again! Air (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (5) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (5) Runaway Mine Train (5) The Gardens (5) Th13teen (5)

Air (5) Battle Galleons (0) Congo River Rapids (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (4) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (6) Nemesis (6) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (6) Runaway Mine Train (5) The Flume (5) The Gardens (7) Th13teen (6) Battle Galleons - Nemesis + The sharks have finally sunk the galleons which means RESET! Air (5) Congo River Rapids (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (5) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (5) Runaway Mine Train (5) The Flume (5) The Gardens (5) Th13teen (5)

If they didn't open up X-Sector with SW7 still under construction I'd be surprised because they don't want to anger guests to much (even though it may seem like they do). Hopefully by that point most construction vehicles will be gone and it will just be the finishing touches. In a perfect world though the park will open on the 16th March with SW7 completely finished and fully operational.

Other than being at school and meeting our 5th new headteacher in under a year it was a very good day

So beautiful

Air (5) Battle Galleons (5) Congo River Rapids (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (6) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Marauder's Mayhem (0) Nemesis (6) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (6) Oblivion (6) Runaway Mine Train (5) Skyride (4) The Flume (5) The Gardens (6) Th13teen (6) Marauder's Mayhem - Th13teen + Reset time! Air (5) Battle Galleons (5) Congo River Rapids (5) Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (5) Hex: The Legend Of The Towers (5) Nemesis (5) Nemesis: Sub-Terra (5) Oblivion (5) Runaway Mine Train (5) Skyride (5) The Flume (5) The Gardens (5) Th13teen (5)

I don't see the problem, I'll only get to go once to Towers next year and if SW7 has a long queue so what. It's a new ride and experience that will be popular. An hours queue isn't that bad and I'm sure if people wanted they could use ERT to stand outside the entrance to it (or wherever they'll hold you) to make sure you'll be near the front of the queue. Anyway, this is Alton Towers, I'm pretty sure it'll have single rider which will be near walk on most days like Thirteens is.

Now I didn't take any photos so you'll have to make do with the previous ones. So I woke up this morning to be told we could go to Winter Wonderland again. I didn't hesitate and within an hour we were setting of to London. We left with the aim of getting there as near to the 10 opening because we took our dog with us to give him a nice walk in Hyde Park. When we arrived just after 10 it was nice and quiet. My parents said I could do 4 rides and having missed out on Power Tower last year (yes I can say that now ) I headed straight there. Whilst it may cost £6 I love it, you get such a good ride time and many different experiences of falling and launching. And who doesn't like looking over London for a few minutes. With that out of the way I decided to do Blizzard because I had heard great reviews about it. £7 worth of tokens to the man and I was on. One of the best experiences ever, being flung through the fresh London air is spectactular, and then hanging at the top for a few minutes whilst they loaded the other pod led to a nice view of Hyde Park. 2 rides down and 2 to go and Showtime was calling my name. The only other experience I can compare to this is Vortex but Showtime is much better. You spin so much more and get many more swings. It is also in my eyes the prettiest looking ride at night which I saw on my last visit. Now I had 1 ride left, I could have chosen Air, Wilde Maus or even Power Tower again but I went for the insanely bizzare but awesome Alpen Hotel. The mad house part is possibly the best I've ever been on and the ending is very odd but great. I won't say what it is but the Germans have a weird interpritation of their pubs. And with that done my time in Winter Wonderland was done. The walk around part of Hyde Park with the family and dog was nice though and you get some great views of Winter Wonderland aswell. And that's it, first ride of 2013 was Power Tower (much better compared to Bubbleworks being my first and last ride of 2012 thanks to Zoo Days). I can't wait to return to Winter Wonderland next year (or later this year even) to see what new things they will have to offer. Thanks for reading this and my previous report