Matt 236

Arthur and the Minimoys ride looks brilliant. The usage of sound systems on the cars and the ability to rotate them freely and vary the speeds sounds fantastic. Along with a series of heavily themed scenes and an outdoor section looks set for a brilliant ride. Looks another great coaster at the park and one for the family market after the additions of thrill coasters Wodan and Bluefire.

Must admit, CBeebies land to me is just completely dull and boring. The experiences announced so far sound bland and only interesting to anyone up to 8 years at a push. The only addition confirmed so far I have some interest in is the In The Night Garden to see what can be done with the models and landscaping, but the rest I can't be bothered with. My expectations for this themed area, are currently rather low.

Thanks Stretch, Interesting what they're doing around CBeebies land with the construction, although still looks like a lot of the old features are still there. I'm currently not too interested in the CBeebies land seeing most things they've released recently look aimed at the very young which was probably the intention in the first place. I'm surprised Toadstall is gone, however surely it's just gone in for extensive maintenance as I would be surprised if they removed it. That's pretty hefty damage to the gardens wall, so hopefully they'll be able to repair that easily.

2014/ Brand new enhanced 4D cinema with cinema with effects Return of CCR with a theme of hunger games to make it more popular. Loggers completely refreshed with a newly constructed tunnel. Rumba renamed Jungle Rapids with a new adventurous theme. Plus anything already confirmed 2015 A brand new flat ride in the park, possibly a gladiator style one. Colossus is repainted, with a dark blue and yellow colour. Ranger county is repainted. 2016 A brand new GG woodie coaster is built on Island A with either a castle or Roman theme. A brand new entrance is build which is themed around a gateway to a lost island. 2017 A brand new dark ride is built on the site of fungle safari themed around the journey to Thorpe park. Banana ride relocated Storm surge is removed. 2018 Detonator moved to Storm Surge's footprint Detonator site closed off for construction of major new dark ride Colossus given brand new floor less trains, making it the worlds first floor less 10 looping coaster 2019 Brand new haunted house dark ride where detonator originally stood built Swarm turned forwards 2020 Saw contract expires and renamed Creaky Mine Samurai replaced with new top scan. 2021 Brand new hotel opens Sunken gardens enhanced New boating service to hotel provided 2022 Brand new flyer installed where crash pads were. Slammer breaks down permanently 2023 Brand new KMG model where slammer was. Vortex and zodiac removed to make way for new dark tide coaster in 2024. Zodiac is given to towers for spare parts for enterprise.

Based on year openings, here's park area upgrades, within the last 10 years. Chessington Zoo-various upgrades. Moving and upgrading animal enclosures plus adding new features and interactions. Market Square, no upgrade, nothing drastic has changed in the area except the greedy goblin to chicken shack and pizza pasta (formerly Pizza Hut and KFC) Pirates Cove- no upgrade, little has changed in this area except the removal of peg leg Pete. Land of the Dragons- no upgrade, but this area is the fourth newest anyway (2nd if you exclude the area rethemes) although those children's attractions could do with being replaced. Mystic Easy- semi upgrade, we've seen samurai moved down the road and a big wheel take its place. Unfortunately falls has lost most of its theming since opening. This area will likely see a bigger upgrade around 2015. Transylvania- semi upgrade, we've seen Bubbleworks become the horrible duck inducing ride it is today, although something at will hopefully change in the not to distant future and Mcdonalds become BK and then Burger kitchen which looks ok but doesn't obtain the spooky character of the area. There was also the upgrade of Refresh to Creaky, but sadly it burnt down and little is known what will happen there. Judging by this year, market Square and Mexicana will get the most TLC in the areas however his unforeseen Transylvania fire may mean that area will need some attention next year. Mystic East and Pirates above may be on the cards next year.

Dragons Fury (7) Vampire (5) Rattlesnake (5) Dragon Falls (5) Bubbleworks (5) Black Buccaneer (5) Kobra (5) Monkey Swinger (3) Peeking Heights (5) Ramesis Revenge (5) TombBlaster (5) Safari Skyway (5) Sea storm (5) Caroulsel (5) Flying Jumbos (5) Jungle Bouncers (5) Madagascar Show (5) Tuk Tuk Turmoil (5) Griffins Galleon (5) Toadies Crazy Cars (5) Fury+ Madagascar-

Detonator (7) Loggers Leap (4) Nemesis Inferno (6) Quantum (4) Rush (4) Saw the ride (5) Slammer (8) Stealth (6) Tidal Wave (5) X (6) Saw the ride- X +

TBH I don't film on rides much these days due to the hassle and embarrassment of being told off and forcing to remove it, Any filming I do is usually on just dark and scenic rides and I would never do it on any extreme rides such as most of those at Thorpe as it's too dangerous. I won't be doing any major on ride filming until I at least get go pro and even then there are still restrictions and I'm not likely to buy it anytime soon either. Must admit, ride restrictions such as no loose articles has certainly become noticeably stricter at the Merlin parks especially Thorpe and Legoland, the latter of which has condemned usage of on ride photography on rides I've filmed on ride in the past. I can of course see why a lot of restrictions are in place, with how responsible a proportion of the GP seem to be these days so I can't see these restrictions getting looser for a long time, if ever. I expect these days only, the press, tv companies, journalists, the park themselves and at a push, well established Themepark guides/communities with safe and secure equipment will only receive high guarantee to film on ride these days. Towers is definitely the strictest Merlin park on this matter.

It's certainly a lot of money though to go in, but I can see the logical way they're working out prices that most buy tickets either online or use 2 for 1's and therefore give more reasonable prices around £24/£25 to enter. Those who pay the full day price either decided to visit last minute (1 day or so before going) or can't use computers and don't seek offers that are around. It's disappointing to know that 5 years ago, Thorpe's walk up ticket price was £33 resulting in a £15 increase since 2008.

I don't know if its possible but would anyone be able to give me a lift to Guildford as this will likely confirm my attendance to the meet.

Looks like there will be some rather hefty price increases at the park this year. Park tickets are now £48 on the day, a £3 increase from last years prices which considering there's is nothing known about brand new rides seems a lot considering the price has gone up £6 in 2 years, however online prices don't look bad at £25 though. http://www.thorpepark.com/prices/tickets.aspx Also, MOS prices have gone up by £5 which is now £25 for standard tickets and £20 for pass holders. http://www.thorpepark.com/ministryofsound/ I hope MOS is better this year with these price hikes as they seem a rather big jump from last years.

Here's my hopeful 2014 list Definitely Thorpe Park Chessington Alton Towers Legoland Hopefully Oakwood Blackpool Paultons Adventure Island Extra Disney Land or Port Aventura

In terms of 2014 investments, I'm really looking forward to the new Harry Potter World plans for the new Diagon Alley area with also the Gringotts Coaster and Hogwarts Express ride. I doubt I'll be going there for a while but from what I've seen it looks brilliant. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a interesting one. For a small coaster, the theming being implied looks excellent and if this experience is impressive like Cars land, this could be a big hit for the park. Banshee could go two ways, especially with those Wingrider restraints, it could either be an impressive thrilling ride, or another typical American B&M with little to no theming or experience involved. Fire Chaser express, looks a great fun family coaster and will hopefully fill the gap of a family coaster at the park following the mystery mine and eagle wing rider coasters they've built for thrill seekers in recent years. Must say, Goliath doesn't impress me, the layout is strange, the supports look out of place and the whole coaster just seems to be made for the gimmicks. Heide Park's Wingrider is what I'm most looking forward to next year. It looks a big and impressive coaster with great interactions of the surrounding area plus also the theming and other elements being added to the ride. Arthur the ride at Europa looks another great coaster for the park and though perhaps not quite as impressive as Blue Fire and Wodan, still looks a very exciting coaster and addition to the park.

TBH unless something terrible happens, I can't see any of their existing coaster removed for at least another 10 years at the very least and if I could say which one would go first it would possibly be Colossus. But removing rides for rides with steeper drops, higher speeds or height is quite pointless, especially if the ride itself is still in go working condition and one day, the speeds,heights and drop steepness of rides will reach a peak where either people won't be willing to ride them or won't be possible to be done further. Nemesis is 20 years old and although a little rough in places, still runs remarkably well and I can see that ride doing another 20 years providing it's still as popular as it is today and in a good enough operating state.

Stealth by a long shot. PS4 or XboxOne?

Tidal Wave, I haven't done Valhalla yet. Spirit of London or Traitor boat ride to hell.

Must admit, pretty concerned about this introductory fastrack thing as this could salt an already painful wound especially if operations at some parks remain as dire as those seen this year. Despite Standard being price frozen, I fear some perks could be removed from it next year such as Towers ERT and even discounts which despite its £4 rise I hope to stay with Premium next year providing a new major attraction appears within at least one of the parks. VIP sounds very interesting, with the tours, free drinks, complimentary parking, special events and unlimited entry to international attractions , however costs far too much for what will presumably be one year entry only,at least there's only going to be 1000 available, that being said though for the price being charged I doubt many will not want to pay the huge price and opt for the premium pass instead. Am I the only one that thinks this slight pass shake and result of a questionnaire Merlin did in Christmas 2011 where they were asking about complimentary preferred parking, unlimited fastrack and access to international attractiones as this VIP sounds very similar to this.

What a great small coaster. Looks very fun. A coaster doesn't need a worlds first or record holder to make it great.

Quite concerning that a heater may have started this fire. I've never been in Creaky at all even when it was refresh but the cause could well be due to the fact it was still using the old heaters when it was just covered seating outside (if they had any) or the heater was too close to Christmas decorations and furniture existing in the building. Who knows, maybe they kept the heaters on all night. I'm worried they won't get insured as this is the case as not just would they lose money but we could see further budget cuts, price increases and perhaps Creaky Cafe gone forever with an SBNO Bubbleworks next year (if the damage is fairly major).

I wonder when we'll find out how badly damaged Transylvania and the surrounding area have become apart the completely destroyed creaky cafe.

Banned for losing the storm surge award crown, to me. Edit-banned for banning the person I was trying to ban.

Nemesis wins my vote because for a ride 20 years old it still packs a punch and very exciting ride.

Really enjoyed yesterday's meet in London. The (new) Dungeons, Spirit of London and secret Santa exchanges (and going on's) were definitely the highlights of the trip. Really glad I attended to get in to the festive spirit and see the TPMers again before Christmas, lots of laughs, photos and Santa moments.

Thanks everyone who voted me. I can't believe how many rewards I won/ came runner up in. Wow wow, biggest fanboy, I'm very pleased with this award. Joint sexiest male, I'm very chuffed and wasn't expecting this . One of the most dedicated, I'm pleased to know, always want to make sure my posts are accurate. Storm Surge award? I don't know what to say about this one. 2nd most likely to be banned, better watch where I'm going I guess. One of the campest members? Watch your crown Liam dear 3rd most knowledgable? I'm very happy to be seen as one that knows of the park statistics. 3rd most sarcastic? Was expecting this, One of the funniest females? Ok, I don't know what to say about this. Once again thanks all who voted for me. Lol at EC's dad as one of the most dedicated and Mr fish for the uk's 2nd most uncomftable ride Mr a Fish, lol. Storm surge as 3rd place for storm surge award, what a genius .