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Exodus Matt

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  1. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Flamingo Land 7th August 2023   
    Thanks for the write up. I visited this park around 2019 time and found the park alright, although maybe not my favourite. It’s not the best themed by any means but had some interesting areas.
  2. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Martin Doyle in Iron Gwazi - a review   
    Most of the above is agreeable. 
     
    I absolutely adored my numerous rides on Iron Gwazi last October and the ride definitely packed a punch. It definitely isn’t a Steve beater, but is somewhat level pegging with Zadra in many respects. Although that ride may still have it by a fingernail. 
     
    It might be number three on my RMCs and Florida coasters, but it sure is a stunning ride. And no doubt a hundred times better than its previous carnation. 
  3. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshC. in JoshC. goes to America - Hersheypark   
    Thanks for this sweet review!
     
    Hershey is definitely a park on my bucket list and interesting to note the pros & cons here. 
     
    No bags in the queue seems to be a recurring theme in American parks it seems. 
  4. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshC. in Storm Clouds Over Hamburg - Day 2, Hansa Park   
    I’ve always heard interesting things about this place. In terms of photography and the like, they seem to be the strictest. 
     
    Karnan looks great though. 
  5. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Matt N in Matt N’s Europa Park Initiation 26th-30th April 2022 (26th April 2022: Travel)   
    Glad you had a great time. Hotel Alcazar certainly looks beautiful! 
  6. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Inferno in Remembering 'Brave it Alone' in Cabin in the Woods at Thorpe Park   
    I remember my Face It Alone experiences very fondly.
     
    They we’re intense, hands on and completely different on each run through. 
     
    Managed to do Cabin In The Woods, Studio 13 and Saw in 2014, Big Top in 2015 and Saw again in 2016. I think my first run through on Saw was my favourite, because of the variety of actors and encounters in there. My 2016 one was probably my least favourite because it seemed rather toned down.
     
    I definitely preferred the setup in the first couple of years, where you could choose your maze and then drink champagne before enduring such a crazy experience.
     
    Would love to see it return one day, though this seems unlikely.
  7. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Inferno in Remembering Sun Scream at Thorpe Park   
    Only ever attended one of these events (maybe the last?) and found it to be a fun and entertaining event. 
     
    Looking forward to see the park push out more events outside of Fright Nights.
  8. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Inferno in Am I getting too old for theme parks? 🤔   
    Thank you everyone who’s responded!
    Some really interesting points.
     
    I agree with the point raised a couple of times here that visiting Thorpe specifically + half term was only ever going to exasperate it, and it’s true that it is Thorpe where I get the feeling of being “too old” the most. It’s not so much an issue elsewhere, especially abroad weirdly.
     
    Josh, that is utterly terrifying that a 15 year old joining the forum today would be younger than Stealth 😳 I too remember being on forums and at the park around that age watching the construction of Stealth. It doesn’t feel that long ago does it!
    I’ll be honest I still see Saw as “pretty new” 😂
     
    👨🏼‍🦳 I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS ALL FIELDS 😂
     
    To be honest I agree with you all - I too don’t think you can be too old to visit and enjoy theme parks, and I have no plans to stop!
    This forum alone is evidence that there’s a keen following among a slightly older audience.
    Just interested to hear if others ever felt the same occasionally.
  9. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to JoshC. in Am I getting too old for theme parks? 🤔   
    I'd be curious if this is a general feeling you have, or a feeling which is highlighted when you're specifically at Thorpe? I know sometimes I feel old whenever I visit Thorpe, sometimes too old.
    Another thing that makes me feel old is that I joined theme park forums when I was 15. If a 15 year old was to join the forums today, there's a good chance they would have been born after Stealth opened. I remember watching it being built, as well as The Flying Fish and Model World prior pretty vividly. Jeez.
     
    I know you say when you visit a park these days, there's a couple of moments where you feel like the odd one out. But that feeling was expanded at Fright Nights (during half term too I think?). It certainly makes sense that the feeling would be highlighted more in that case.
     
    It could also be one of those psychology things. Are you feeling like the odd one out because you think you are, and so are looking for evidence to support that? And so, in turn, you notice all the younger groups, and don't see many people who look a similar age to yourself / are older?
    For anyone reading who doesn't quite get what I mean: you don't see many yellow cars on the road these days, do you? But now that thought is in your head, you will be more acutely aware of yellow cars and notice them a lot more, and realise that - whilst they're not common - there's certainly a fair few about!
     
    Maybe during your Towers visit have in the back of your mind to exclusively look for groups of adults in their later 20s/early 30s...maybe you'll be surprised with how many you see?
     
     
    To stop with the psycho-analysing and answer the more direct question: no, you can't be too old for theme parks. I think there's certain social norms which can be at play (for example, going to a children's park alone can seem suspect in some people's minds...but that's completely different). Theme parks (and moreso rides) are a unique blend of escapism, thrill, story telling and holiday all in one, along with other options - such as the idea of 'collecting' ridden coasters/visiting/number of rides - if you so choose. Few hobbies offer such a blend, along with additional versatility and flexibility.
     
    I don't think you can be too old for any of the things theme parks offer. It's just whether you feel like the combination it offers is what you want, or if you want a narrower focus. One thing I've noticed over the years of being on forums is some people who were (and still are!) really interested in theme parks have similar other hobbies too. A couple of examples...
    -Live theatre and similar (escapism and story telling)
    -Skydiving / mountain biking / more "extreme" sports (thrill)
    -Travelling (self explanatory)
     
    Maybe that's another reason why there's seemingly less people who visit parks? As people get older, they get easier access to / realise other hobbies which share similar traits to visiting theme parks, and focus their attention there a bit more? That diversification then means they spend less time at parks, and then the concentration/percentage of younger people visiting parks decreases.
     
    Another thing which I note as well, is that specific park enthusiasm is much more concentrated with younger people. Unsurprisingly, there's very few 15 year olds which are interested in theme parks more broadly: their focus is on one or two parks, and usually their local park. But after say 15 years of continual visits, that local park won't have the same appeal or interest, and are likely more interested to parks more broadly. Again meaning they spend less time visiting their local park, and instead visiting a broader range of parks (again meaning that the average age of certain park visitors feels very young, and the late 20 / early 30 somethings all feel very old whenever they visit).
     
    I feel like I've waffled an awful lot and not said much. But in short:
    -You're not too old for theme parks (and if you are, I only have a maximum of 3 years left before I am...)
    -Thorpe Park is probably the park in the UK which would highlight this feeling the most
    -I think people's interests in theme parks spreads in one way or another as they get older, which can mean there's a skewed view as to how old park visitors are
  10. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Inferno in Am I getting too old for theme parks? 🤔   
    The short answer to your question is no.
     
    No one is ever too old for theme parks, as long as they continue to find them pleasant and enjoyable. Ok, the majority as mentioned are teens/young adults and families, but then again that is just the way things typically swing. Being the school holidays (presumably) is another factor on the above.
     
    If you still enjoy the parks, don’t be put off.
  11. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Han30 in Rage Against The Time Machine   
    I thought the exact same thing about Adventureville - weirdly reminds me of the bubbleworks.
     
    Ive not visited adventure island since 2017 and gutted about over the hill - I genuinely enjoyed that ride.
     
    Axis looks interesting - is it very intense?  I wasn’t a huge fan of Scorpion so not really fussed that it has gone and the last time I rode Dragons Claw I had to go to the toilet to be sick 🤢 .  As for Time Machine - did it once - never again 😱 - horrific thing!
     
    Great review - was hoping to take my nephews there but I think it’s best to stay away after what you mentioned about lack of social distancing etc 👌
  12. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Mark9 in Chocolate, Cologne, and Taron II   
    Agreed on most of your review. Phantasialand has moments of class mixed with areas of complete rubbish. For every Taron there's three rides begging to be destroyed. I can't say the same for Europa Park where every ride has a purpose and is looked after to the highest degree. Yes even snow bench the ride. I value capacity highly and I could rip my hair out waiting for either of the Winja brothers. 
  13. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshuaA in Chocolate, Cologne, and Taron II   
    Phantasialand on the whole is generally a great park and one of my favourites. A lot of their rides such as Taron & Chiapas I consider masterpieces in their own ways.
     
    There is definitely room to improve the offering further and a lot of it comes down to the entrance setup and older attractions. I think China might be getting redeveloped next but the entrance setup is definitely a challenging one as Josh’s points mention. 
     
    As for food, I consider it arguably the best park for food, from quick service to sit down restaurants. I do recommend Rutmoore’s Tavern if you return or the ice cream place near Chiapas if you fancy a snack.
  14. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshuaA in Chocolate, Cologne, and Taron   
    Your thoughts share similarities to my own when I visited.
     
    Cologne is an interesting city with quirks but definitely not the best looking by any means and if anything industrial. The Cathedral is ace though! The Chocolate museum looks nice and I hope to visit there if I return again.
     
    2020 has been an unacceptable year, surprised that statue hasn’t been more vandalised.
     
     
  15. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Martin Doyle in Zadra - A review (UPDATED!!)   
    Sounds an amazing ride and I hope one day to ride this (maybe next year). 
  16. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshC. in Premiere Soquet Grilling - Day 3, Parc Saint Paul & Jardin d'Acclimatation   
    Shame neither park seemed great, the redeeming features look interesting.
     
     
  17. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to alexander in Current Thorpe Park Attractions Ranked Worst To Best   
    Can't quite believe that you wrote this Matt but I'm glad you did and thoroughly enjoyed the humour/sad realities throughout.
  18. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Mark9 in Current Thorpe Park Attractions Ranked Worst To Best   
    I think you just stole my top list from Thorpe Park and put it as your own. I first got wind when Quantum (god tier attraction) was at number 6. 
     
    I pretty much completely agree with this order. I can't decide if its damning or its amazing that two Fabbri rides are near the top.
  19. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to JoshuaA in Current Thorpe Park Attractions Ranked Worst To Best   
    Agreed with Inferno being the best. It runs really good these days, love how intense but smooth it is.
  20. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshuaA in The Top Ten Most Weird Scare Attractions   
    Definitely agree with some attractions there. Cabin and Festinos definitely had some unique elements included there.
  21. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from JoshuaA in Every Shocktoberfest Attraction ranked and reviewed.   
    Interesting opinions there, thanks for the upload.
  22. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Martin Doyle in Kings Island - 5th June 2019   
    Very interesting read up as always
     
    Whilst Kings Island to me is not a park to travel all the way to America for on its own, it is most certainly worth a visit when combined with days at Cedar Point. I actually enjoyed the atmosphere at the park when I visited but certainly not an atmosphere on the level of Cedar Point.
     
    Mystic Timbers to me was by far the star of the show at this park. Whilst front row on it isn’t really that great, the back row felt utterly frantic and the ride at night is sentastional and as such made it my number 1 wooden coaster (even ahead of Wodan and Balder)
     
    I do think Diamondback is probably one of my least favourite B&M Hypers but I was quite lucky to have had some solid rides on it airtime wise. I do agree that that trim is utterly stupid though.
     
    Banshee...where do I even start!!?? Can somebody please tell B&M that NOBODY LIKES THOSE DAMN VESTS!! Honestly was it not for those vests, it could have been up there with Raptor and Montu as one of my favourite inverts. Thanks to those vests it’s possibly my least favourite and that includes Nemesis Inferno!!
     
    I do think the park desperately needs a true WORLD CLASS/ELITE level stand out coaster to go with the current line up. Hopefully the 2020 Giga coaster will give them that.
     
     
  23. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Coaster in Kings Island - 5th June 2019   
    Interesting heading your thoughts on this park.
     
    I actually found my visit there in May very enjoyable as it seemed clean, pretty and houses one pretty entrance. It’s not my favourite park and definitely no Cedar Point beater, but still has things going for it.
     
    I honestly found Banshee disappointing, the layout didn’t feel like it did much despite it’s length and the vests cement this for me. The classic arrow coasters there are great, especially Bat.
     
    I actually adored the Beast. The whole prospect of going into the unknown is simply immense and probably one of the best coasters to do at night. I didn’t notice the trims. Mystic Timbers was very good I thought! 
     
     
     
     
  24. Like
    Exodus Matt reacted to Martin Doyle in Cedar Point - June 2019   
    I absolutely agree with you that the way Cedar Point takes care of its heritage rides is to be respected and admired. It’s something that often goes under the radar with this magnificent park given the focus on all the newer coasters they have. 
  25. Like
    Exodus Matt got a reaction from Coaster in Cedar Point - June 2019   
    Cedar point is probably my second favourite park I have visited to date.
     
    Aside from it’s impressive array of coasters (arguably the best overall collection in the world), the park just has that lively ye charming feel, atmosphere and a perfect balance between old and new attractions.
     
    Not surprised Magnum is your all time favourite coaster. I like the attraction and whilst I wouldn’t say it’s my top coaster, for it’s age it runs perfectly. 
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