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Exodus Matt

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  1. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Mattgwise in The Swarm   
    Station organ audio is back and some audio added to the lifthill too. 
     
    The most welcome change however is that the Swarm vests no longer lock at dispatch, making for a far more comfortable ride. This brings it in line with more modern B&M Wing Riders.
  2. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to JoshC. in Sparkle Project   
    I went on the BTS tour of the park today. Great tour it should be said; it was headed up by Russ, who is a fantastic speaker.
     
    I did mean to ask about the screen, but honestly forgot. It does seem like it won't be fixed for start of season (I believe the park said this in the passholder group a few weeks back too). A real shame. Hopefully they can hide the dead pixels with whatever they put on the screen.
     
    Okay, now time for some updates. Everything is still a Work in Progress it should be stressed
     
    Toilets
    Loo enthusiasts rejoice. All the toilets have received some love.

    Swarm toilets. The walls have been painted green (originally white), and no more foot pedal sinks
     


    Megastore toilets are nicely themed
     
    Tidal Wave

    The rebuilt bridge, with the original Pier 13 style.
    The fire effect is proving very tricky to implement, but is being planned still
     
    Big Easy Boulevard



     
    Stealth




     
    Colossus

    The park have released that the entrance is a bit flat, and so are looking to add more colour/depth to it, although this will happen mid-season.

    The shop front looks nice.
     
    In terms of the rest of the repaint, and indeed a Sparkle Project continuation, the park hope to do that either next closed season, or the closed season after. The park want to do it regardless, and recognise they need to keep up appearances - literally - now that they've started to do this. Personally, I hope it happens next closed season, as it does look a little jarring in places.
     
    The park is looking lovely though, with the Hyperia area coming along and looking smart. There's other small updates too, such as KFC getting refitted and other new food places. Some parts of the park are still a bit tired looking / haven't really been touched. Rumba/Inferno is the big example I would say. And the Sparkling up does highlight how tatty some parts of that area, and the likes of Swarm and Saw, look. I do wonder if this means that, come opening, some enthusiasts will focus too much on those and not the fab stuff that we've seen heavily documented and shouted out about.
     
    But yes, it's clear to see the park have put time, effort and money into things this winter, and they're taking strides in the right direction. I'm excited to see what will happen and hope their plans pay off!
  3. Haha
    Exodus Matt reacted to Mattgwise in Rocky Express   
    They have kept the sign so i'd say it seems very possible 😂.
     
    You can see it down Monks Walk by Rumba Rapids.
  4. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Mattgwise in Sparkle Project   
    Courtesy of the Thorpe Park Annual Pass group linked above are a few shots... 
     




  5. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Inferno in The fate of Swinging Seashells   
    I heard it was going to Chessington as a new addition next to Sea Storm, with the name Shiver Me Timbertug. 
  6. Haha
    Exodus Matt reacted to Benin in Nemesis   
    Ban request.
  7. Haha
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Trooper Looper in New Logo Discussion   
    I’m very mixed about the whole thing, so I decided to create my own logo instead. 
  8. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Which major theme park have you gone the longest without visiting?   
    Another one for the Port Aventura club. 
     
    It has been six years since my first (and only) visit. With other trip priorities and the park’s countless operational faults, I’m still not overly convinced to return yet. Even with Uncharted. 
     
    Oakwood is another one, 8 years so far. More likely to return there. 
     
    It’s been almost 5 years since I did Mingo & LWV. The latter I doubt I’ll ever visit again. 
  9. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to JoshC. in Hyperia - New for 2024   
    Slightly amended plans: 
     
     
    In short, the existing building which was set to be retained, refurbished and extended will instead be demolished and rebuilt. This is on advice from the construction team, who believe it will be more efficient.
     
    The exterior is also set to be slightly different too.
  10. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Cal in Chessington General Discussion   
    It might aesthetically look the best it has in over a decade, but Chessington is fundamentally broken.
     
    Most of the new rides built and supplied by cheap manufacturers, with low throughputs and regular break downs. Mandrill might be the best investment in years, but it’s still a weird choice given other options. Not helped either by Merlin’s extreme & unnecessary safety reactions, making what’s already a questionable throughput dire.
     
    The rest of the park is still the same story. Old/ageing rides struggling to operate on lower throughputs and increasing breakdowns. Tiger Rock & Dragons Fury were down frequently during the day. Tomb is an absolute mess. 
     
    Howl’oween was generally fun (albeit no Creepy Caves) with some excellent shows and entertainment, but seriously needs to go back to 8pm as you basically get half an hour of atmospheric park lighting and everything. 
     
    Management, car parks, queue distribution, infastructure, F&B and so much more is keeping this park from being something great. Like I’m sure it was a long long time ago. However most of the above is unlikely to be improved soon, if ever.
  11. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to JoshC. in Hyperia - New for 2024   
    And in an actually useful post, more supports:
     
     
  12. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Which 2024 UK coaster project are you most looking forward to?   
    Definitely Hyperia by a large mark. 
     
    Not only is it the tallest uk coaster but also the first coaster at Thorpe for 12 years! Plus another Mack hyper. 
     
    Also very excited for Nemy’s return though. Plus it’s nice to see Drayton finally get a new coaster and Legoland getting those duelling coasters. 
  13. Haha
    Exodus Matt reacted to Martin Doyle in Hyperia - New for 2024   
    I cant wait for the next coaster AFTER Hyperia
     
    Zadro the long awaited RMC!!
  14. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from coasterverse in Hyperia - New for 2024   
    Name feels like a mixture of Hyperion and Icon. 
     
    nonetheless, I’m excited for this coaster. Made by Mack. 
  15. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Martin Doyle in Hyperia - New for 2024   
    Name feels like a mixture of Hyperion and Icon. 
     
    nonetheless, I’m excited for this coaster. Made by Mack. 
  16. Haha
    Exodus Matt reacted to Martin Doyle in Fright Nights 2023   
    Plot twist. Coaster Jamie is parm pap!! He makes his return after so long!!
  17. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from coasterverse in Pleasurewood Hills   
    We went to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, which is essentially just down the road and had a much better time. 
     
    That place had atmosphere, a great variety of attractions and a lovely atmosphere amongst some standout rides. Even with the flume gone it was very enjoyable. 
     
    Even in just eight years PWH has really become so dilapidated with so many areas rundown, closed or abandoned. Including the high dive show. It may be the most rundown uk park and to be fair quite a lot of our parks are. 
  18. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Pleasurewood Hills   
    We went to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, which is essentially just down the road and had a much better time. 
     
    That place had atmosphere, a great variety of attractions and a lovely atmosphere amongst some standout rides. Even with the flume gone it was very enjoyable. 
     
    Even in just eight years PWH has really become so dilapidated with so many areas rundown, closed or abandoned. Including the high dive show. It may be the most rundown uk park and to be fair quite a lot of our parks are. 
  19. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Pleasurewood Hills   
    The lack of activity on this thread doesn’t surprise me at all. 
     
    Yesterday I returned to the park, 8 years since my last visit. Last time around, I kinda enjoyed the park but couldn’t say the same this time around. 
     
    Lots of closed and removed rides. Galaxy dodgems, Tide Traveler, Tales Of The Coast, Fireball, rowing boats and the stunt show. All but one left empty or left to rot away. The only new rides have been a chair-swing and Rootnin Tootin (formerly Hobbs Pit). Was ok, but nothing special.
     
    Park was in a shocking and rather rundown state. Miraculous how some things are still working and standing. Eggspress is just embarrassing for the park now, from feeling like a washing machine on-ride to having to be manually released. Because the locking system is broken.
     
    Only real highlights was the sea lion show, which was lovely and the Jolly Rodger drop tower, which is probably my second favourite drop tower now. We all left mid afternoon with no real intentions to return and happy to leave in a way.
     
    The place needs some serious investment in both new and existing ride hardware. 
  20. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Mattgwise in Pleasurewood Hills   
    The lack of activity on this thread doesn’t surprise me at all. 
     
    Yesterday I returned to the park, 8 years since my last visit. Last time around, I kinda enjoyed the park but couldn’t say the same this time around. 
     
    Lots of closed and removed rides. Galaxy dodgems, Tide Traveler, Tales Of The Coast, Fireball, rowing boats and the stunt show. All but one left empty or left to rot away. The only new rides have been a chair-swing and Rootnin Tootin (formerly Hobbs Pit). Was ok, but nothing special.
     
    Park was in a shocking and rather rundown state. Miraculous how some things are still working and standing. Eggspress is just embarrassing for the park now, from feeling like a washing machine on-ride to having to be manually released. Because the locking system is broken.
     
    Only real highlights was the sea lion show, which was lovely and the Jolly Rodger drop tower, which is probably my second favourite drop tower now. We all left mid afternoon with no real intentions to return and happy to leave in a way.
     
    The place needs some serious investment in both new and existing ride hardware. 
  21. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Top 10's   
    It’s time to update my top 10’s again.
     
    Coasters: 
    1/ Steel Vengeance 
    2/ Velocicoaster 
    3/ Zadra 
    4/ Toutatis
    5/ Mako
    6/ Iron Gwazi 
    7/ Taron
    8/ Oziris 
    9/ Nemesis mk1
    10/ Hyperion 
     
    European Parks:
    1/ Europa Park
    2/ Phantasialand 
    3/ Energylandia 
    4/ Disneyland Paris 
    5/ Parc Asterix 
    6/ Alton Towers
    7/ Toverland 
    8/ Liseberg 
    9/ Efteling 
    10/ Tivoli Gardens 
     
    And now. Theme park hotels.
    1/ Ling Bao, Phantasialand 
    2/ Grand Curiosa Hotel, Liseberg 
    3/ Efteling hotel, Efteling 
    4/ Plopsaland Hotel, Plopsaland 
    5/ Newport Bay, Disneyland Paris 
    6/ Cite Suspendue, Parc Asterix 
    7/ Splash Landings Hotel, Alton Towers 
    8/ Legoland Hotel, Legoland Windsor
    9/ El Paso, Port Aventura 
    10/ Shark hotel, Thorpe Park 
     
    Top 10’s a personal preference and based on numerous circumstances and things on the day.
     
  22. Haha
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from coasterverse in Ghost Train - NEW for 2023   
    Things are going well then? 
     
    Can’t say I’m surprised. 
  23. Haha
    Exodus Matt reacted to Benin in Colossus   
    That's gone well then.
  24. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from coasterverse in Thorpe Park 2023   
    I went to today’s passholder  day and kinda wonder why I made the effort.
     
    Ride closures galore, with basically one half of rides closed for the day and the rest pretty much breaking down on a fairly regular basis. Ok, some were advertised and other’s weather related, but still disappointing. 
     
    Stealth basically closed midday due to various rollbacks. Swarm and Detonator appeared to have regular breakdowns. Rush was on one swing and Quantum was playing as they had to keep releasing the bars. The Dobble teacup sticks out like a sore thumb and is an inferior iteration to say Tetley. 
     
    I arrived midday at the park and left around an hour before closure. Probably says it all if honest. Not the greatest day by all means and possibly the worst passholder day since 2011. It is understandably a preview/rehearsal on the main part, where things won’t be perfect. However if these issues persist beyond a certain point, one must wonder if it is worth it. 
     
    On a more positive note, some nicer spruce ups around the park. Rush flooring, Dome enhancements, F&B outlets, the new rest areas and more. Hopefully this continues as cosmetic improvements are always welcome. Exodus construction will without doubt be a pulling factor for things too. 
  25. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Inferno in Chessington 2023 season   
    So me and a few other members popped into Chessington today for it’s 2023 pass-holder day. 
     
    Lots of rides closed (all advertised bar Gruffalo), which was a shame but expected. Vampire was the only operational coaster today, with some slow operations on just 1 train. Tiger Rock was on just 9 boats, Monkey Swinger had numerous broken seats and Tomb Blaster had a Mis-match of working/broken targets. 
     
    We left the park around 4. So again early, however this time feeling more accomplished and worthy of the trip, despite the numerous operational potholes during the day. Although when you compare somewhere like Paultons having pretty much their full selection open for February half term, it certainly puts things into perspective. Even if today is just a rehearsal day at this point. 
     
    Right, some more positives. Because I don’t want to become a Craig Revell Horwood here. 
     
    Chessington has seen some substantial aesthetic updates last closed season. From entrance amendments to cosmetic theming upgrades throughout the park, from Adventure Point to Mexicana. From a presentational perspective, the park hasn’t looked this good in at least ten years and is welcoming to see. There’s still some areas (naturally) that need t weakening, but compared to the shambles of the 2010’s this is welcoming to see. It’s amazing how better fury looks with just the repainted supports.
     
    Jumanji is still a construction site at this time, but seeing the park’s first new coaster in almost 20 years and biggest expansion in a generation is so refreshing to see. A headline attraction with two supporting rides. It’s a park which needs new infrastructure and more capacity, even if there are some compromises in this example. 

    Oh, and Pizza Pasta was actually okay this time round, except the BBQ chicken pizza. That was rather grim if I’m honest, but the other pizzas and pasta were fine.
     
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