Mitchada04

What I like about theme parks in the UK is how they are all unique. In America you have many Six Flags/ Cedar Fair parks etc that offer the same rides such as Batman clones, boomerangs and SLCs. Whilst in America that works due to the distance between each park over here it just wouldn't so we get a much larger variety of rides. We only have one boomerang, one standard SLC (which is plenty ) and so on. Whilst we may have similar ride types for expample the two Nemesis', they both offer completely different experiences in terms of layout, theming etc. We do have 3 Gerstlauer Eurofighters (soon to be 4) but each one has a completely different layout to the over so essentially a completely different ride. There are also some very unique coasters in this country such as G-Force (which has only been replicated once in Iraq I believe), X, The Ultimate and many others. And of course there are the many classics in this country mainly from Blackpool depending on what you define a 'classic.' As a country we have also seen many record breakers or world firsts (Colossus, Oblivion, Air, The Ultimate, PMBO and 13) and many roller coasters that are known worldwide notably Nemesis. Whilst it may seem like Merlin are ruling the theme park industry in Britain they only own 4 of the many parks and whilst there may not be alot of competition, parks like Drayton, Flamingo Land and Paultons are always investing (especially in recent years). Whilst they may not be £20 million B&M's that Merlin can afford they are decent investments (this isn't my argument for a Zamperla Volare but even with a Volare it is another unique coaster to the country that many will never have tried before) and with money as it is at the moment with a triple dip recession looming it's more than we can ask for. Ultimately, we will never see massive dark rides costing a ridiculous amount but what we do get is ample for a country this size and it isn't the size or cost of the ride, it is the quality and there are certainly many high quality coasters in this country. And just because I found this interesting, the UK has the most coasters out of any European country at 162 followed by Germany at 133 then France at 102 (according to RCDB) so I think the state of the theme park industry in the UK is absolutely fine.

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.