HAJiME

I made the "keep people in the park as long as possible, maximize profits" argument re: Alton closing at 4. Half the point of theming is to get people to stay and enjoy a space for as long as possible, to encourage spending on food and drink. But perhaps staffing costs just outweigh it. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

This. This is exactly it. I do not understand the opening times of any park. Every park seems backwards of what it requires. Maybe this is just my false judgement. I mean, what the hell do I know? But In the USA, parks open till 8, 9 or even 10 all the time. All year. Most of the year, even in the peak of summer, they are dead gone 6. It's the same with shops in the US, which open late every night of the week but are absolutely dead in the evenings. Why do they bother staying open late? Then you look at the UK. Our shops close busy, Thursday nights when shops open late are as busy as a bloody Saturday. The demand is there. With the parks, I'm not really sure - I've heard this logic that "Brits don't like to stay out late" but I don't buy it. But I certainly think if they are going to open mid week 11-5, or even 6, would make more sense.

Depends what gate figures are like, doesn't it. We should think ourselves lucky that our parks open mid week outside peak season at all. I'm heading to the USA next week and wanted to go to BGW to pick up a season pass mid week, but its only open Fri-sun at this time of year. In fact, I'm not sure why Chessie does open mid week tbh. I feel bad for staff working those areas of the park, but from a business perspective its just silly to waste money on attractions that are dead (like, literally) before 11. It doesn't effect us at all. Why the complaining? I personally think being spoilt by the weather in march and now this horrid onslaught is having a huge effect. It will encourage people to postpone, and some of those people will loose interest in the idea of going at all. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Weird. I have no idea then. I can only speak for how it is at Chessington, but I was under the impression like Sheepie that it was now implemented Merlin-wide.

It mostly just includes whatever lines get long on a peak day. Rides which have better throughputs You can take 3. You can definitely take 3. In my opinion, it should be more than a doctors note. I mean, I have mild dyslexia (not a disability where this is valid, I hope anyway), and I still have better proof than a doctors note of that in the form of assessment papers throughout education. So people with disabilities that actually effect the ability to wait in line definitely should be able to provide more than a simple doctors note, surely? Anyone with ADHD or autism would have similar proof to me, that's for sure, as they fall under the same group of diagnosis. The problem is that you need a type of proof that is the same across the board, for the same reason you can't pick and choose which disabilities it applies to. It needs to be fair. "You're not disabled enough to be entitled to have a good day" is offensive. I don't think anyone would necessarily fake it, but I do think the system should be off putting for anyone perfectly able to wait in line. It should encourage those who actually need it to make the most of it. If a bunch of people who don't need it use it, the exit lines can become very long and this is dangerous for those who actually need it.

At Chessie the maximum number of companions per disabled guest varies depending on the ride, but I think the lowest number is 3. It's useless, for example, only allowing 3 if there's a free seat then going and an extra person who wanted to ride with them. The reason it's 3 and not 1 is that most people go to theme parks with a couple of friends, not 1... It would be really mean to say they couldn't enjoy the park with more than 1 friend. More importantly, those who cannot walk require 2 helpers, I think? Not sure though. I assume the rules are pretty much the same at all the parks? One thing a lot of people don't realise is they stil have to queue for the big rides, but it's virtual. They have cards where when they go on a ride, the staff add the queue time to the current time, and write that down. That's when they may next go on one of the major attractions. In the meantime, they can go on smaller things, sit down, etc. The pass is literally so they don't have to stand in a line, which some people cannot for various reasons. That disabled pass at the Merlin parks is really very, very good. It cuts down the abuse quite a fair amount as the system is complicated enough to put some people who don't need it off. You will still always get the occasional person who abuses it, and who kicks up a fuss because they can't take 4 people with them on Vampire. That pass is there to make the experience of a theme park possible for those requiring it, and because It would be unreasonable to judge people and tell them they aren't disabled enough, it also serves for those who don't need it but are still entitled to it as an enhancement to their... Well, lives. That said, I actually think those who do not queue miss out on a huge part of the theme park experience. It's the same when the parks are dead. I've never seen the pass be used at Thorpe other than on Inferno, when there's just a mass waiting at the exit.

10 years ago, sure. Today? Really? I just don't think we're going to see the level of money required going into this. Though I agree with all the general positivity. It's a great move for the attraction and a chance to provide a new lease of life to something which is, currently, a one off sort of attraction. Maybe this will spur a lot of people to go who have been fairly recently?

Colossus looks particularly gross cuz it's matt painted and the grime clings to it, so I hear.

Trucks is just insanity isn't it. Just actual insanity. Why do people get in a 45 min wait for it? Just why? I think the only reason that gets such a queue is because it's so exposed and it's easy for children to see what to expect. You don't see Toadies get that queue, though there's no reason why not, the rides are very similar. I think rebranding Toadies and opening up the front of it to draw attention to it would do wonders. But then perhaps that would have a queue it cannot cope with, too? Regardless, Trucks needs to go... But instead they take the action to cover it's queue, suggesting it's not going anywhere. Benin is right, they can't continue with these low capacity rides acting as staples. Chessington is not a premier park on paper, but it's dealing with premier crowds. They don't have a single attraction which can deal appropriately with the numbers they get.

I would guess, since its hard to judge height and would need another height stick, its easier to just go with adults. Not only that, but it being adults instead of height implies its a maturity thing instead of h&s, which is easier for guests to comprehend. People often wonder why rattlesnake is 1.4 when fury is more intense. Its like the weight rules, I've been asked my age before and, because me and my mates are adults, split up and paired with under 18s who definitely weighed more than us. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Adults need to sit on the outside seats. Disabled guests must sit facing the op. Not sure if there's other peculiarities? It's still early in the season so maybe staff are still getting the hang of it, or maybe it was a particually awkward group of people. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Yeah, I've been to dreamworld too. But, I too was too much of a pansy for drop rides. I bet the structure really vibrates when it launches, must make the towers feel unsteady. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Is no one else worried it will be ruined? Even if they were to close dungeons and move it to The new location, which they obviously won't, they'd have to redo most of it to fit the new space. And no one is worried about the quality level, or the fact that a lot of the charm and theming us the pre existing building? The damp brick arches above. Has anyone done blackpool's? I've not, so I can't comment on the standard, but is be curious to know if its up to that of the London dungeons. I somehow doubt. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Did you make a complaint? Nothing is going to change unless you tell them you were unhappy. Fast track annoys me too, but all the while people pay for it you can't blame a company from making money. But it should NOT negatively effect other people's day. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

I'm glad you can't access it from the mine train. I think its better than I expected where it is. *shrug* Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

Mostly a guess here, but a lot of coasters need a fullish train to safely run. Could it be a one rule fits all, despite swarm not being one of those rides? Perhaps its to do with staff too. Swarm seems to have 4 platform staff at peak times, maybe only 2 are needed with less frequent dispatch? I too am skeptical of it saving money. I don't see how, other than staff numbers. I figure there must be an issue with swarm and getting the second train out, though. Seems like they have technical trouble every time. Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk

So they've got some effects working that were previously not now?

The reviews here seem a lot better than on Towers Times. Nice photos guys. I like the ventilation pipes coming out the ground, giving the suggestion of where you're headed.

I REALLY want the soundtrack played on site. The ambient hum of sound effects, occasional scream and instrumental section of You Me at Six's song. Anyone know if it's available anywhere?

I think, looking back to what was said in that Wild Asia construction tour CF did, their intention was to unite Mystic East with Wild Asia under one title and then go on to have; Wild Asia, Wild Africa, Wild Europe and Wild Americas.It would irritate me to no end if Mexicana was dumped in with Africa and didn't become part of a wider "Americas" section. I think this was/still is their intention up until very recently, because in the plans they put up and then withdrew for the new monkey and bird garden, it showed theming that was Mayan inspired.Naming the Madagascar area simply "Africa" suggests a couple of things... That the show is temporary and can be easily replaced by generically naming that area to make it fit later. What looked like a huge distraction actually still in line with what was, and we assume still is, their long term vision.I think the show will be good for Chessie and their entertainments team are awesome. It's just not my cup of tea, and I'm skeptical that it'll bring in substantial numbers or that the British public really give a toss about shows. I hope I'm proved wrong, because that would open up a huge opportunity to push for more show-like aspects on attractions at all British parks. Because, at the moment, I'm fairly sure people are riding Valhalla to get wet, not for it's show-like special effects. Ya know? So, yeah, I'm interested in how this pans out and I hope the show itself is good. It's a good location in the park to put a show too, right in the centre. I'm kind of glad they found a use for that space because I sure as hell was stumped.Moving the Jumbos to Mexicana annoys me though. Massively. I'm not sure what the alternative was, though. Could they not have gone to Wild Asia?? They'd have fit in there... Maybe they intend to move them again at some point. Who knows.

Hey jonnyfingers, have you thought about trying to get in not with a park, but with an external company who deals with rides? Surely there would be a higher salary available there, and whilst the entire job wouldn't just be dealing with rides, I think you could specialise? I'm thinking of the companies that deal with inspections and safety maintainance, but I'm sure there must be other engineering consultants the parks bring in for various reasons? I mean, a friend's dad dealt with something to do with Hydro at Oakwood when they changed it's restraints... Something to do with providing hydraulics. It's not all obvious specialists the parks go to.Or contact some of the manufacturers, or companies who deal with some manufacturing for rides (might have to do some digging), to see if you can get an internship or something? That would be better than dropping £40k for £20k, as it might lead to more £40k. I wouldn't wanna loose that kind of salary either and I'm pretty sure in this vaaaast industry there's something there for you. Whether there's something in the UK for you might be another matter, but there probably is. At least there's the freedom to move anywhere in the EU you please, a lot of people seem to forget that.Good luck though. When I started digging about in creative design I was shocked at how huge the industry really is.

Oh wow, as if every day is a weekend? Why did I never know this??

Oh wow, thanks for that Fred... I had no idea! Damn.Heh, I dunno what time I used to leave... But I do remember it being impossible for me to get to the park on time on Sundays. I made sure to put it on the form this time round... Lol. Though train times may have changed since and made it not an issue. I think the problem was the times I would get to Waterloo, Clapham or Wimbledon JUST missed the train to Chessington South that would get me there on time. Ugh!God I can remember finishing and constantly eyeing my watch to work out if it was worth running for the train or if I could relax. Sometimes I'd go to Surbiton on the bus because, had I just[/] missed a service from Chessington South, It would be quicker.Waiting at Chessington South. </3

My journey to Chessington pushes on 2 hours door to door. I certainly have to leave that to account for train woe, and despite starting at 9, realistically you have to be on park at least 10 mins before that. By the time I've considered the less than favourable times trains pull in, I'm giving myself 2:30 hours to get there. Lol. 3 of the 4 jobs I've had and when I was at Uni have been similar journey times, so it really just doesn't faze me anymore.A YPR is pretty useless if you've gotta travel before 10am on a weekday, isn't it?Back when a 2-6 travelcard existed, times were good! I don't need to go into central to get to Chessie, I wriggle around the outside of London via Clapham Junction. Now, if I was traveling more than 4 days a week, I'd have to cough up an entire day's wages each week. And if you're working fewer days, which are not weekends and thus not off peak, it can consume so much of your wage that to some people it won't be worth it.Everybody is different though.

You guys will probably enjoy this lots.