Matt 236

Ahh, the late 2000’s. Definitely a lot more optimism when it came to the parks and maybe professionalism too. Wild Asia closing (suddenly) at the start of this season, (rather than near the end) without any fanfare definitely comes across as a cost cutting measure. Which Merlin have implemented in all their parks this year. Though interesting developments may well be on the horizon, this is looking like a bleak year for the park currently.

Yeah sadly this park closed last year. A lot of their main rides including their Hornet coaster failed their Adips inspection earlier last year, which was perhaps the beginning of the end for the place. It really hasn’t been a great time at all for the U.K. park industry lately.

Imagine someone revisiting Alton Towers this year after previously going in 2015 who’s not an enthusiast? Essentially they are witnessing an upgraded Ripsaw, plushed up Nemesis and a modified Haunted House. Essentially in their eyes Wickerman is the only new ride they notice since last time besides maybe some bits and bobs in Beeb land. No Blade, no Flume and couple of other missing attractions, amongst some yet to open attractions and some of the most ludicrous park food. In both price and substance. Certainly makes for a rather negative return visit so far. We shall see how this season goes, but can’t hold too much optimism so far.

Not gonna lie, I’m pretty gutted about this news and this closure hits hard. Even if the writing was on the wall. I only visited the park a few times, but each trip had significant memories. The first in 98, as part of a family trip to Wales. Though too small for Megafobia then, I remember rides like the long closed Nutty Jake’s Gold Mine. Then fifteen years later in 2013, an iconic trip in which I finally rode Megafobia, my first wooden coaster, amongst the then new Never Land and other additions. The TPM meet in 2015 was my third and final trip. Certainly an iconic one to end on I guess. Shame to see this happen, but unfortunately Aspro really did run this park into the ground. Another major loss for the uk industry.

About as excited as ordering a burger kitchen meal.

This weekend I returned to Phantasialand, almost 6 years after my last visit and 8 since my last Winteraum. So a return was probably largely overdue. First things to say are just how stunning the park looks, not only in winter but overall. The glow ups to Africa, Mexico and Berlin look great. The Winteraum event was just as spectacular as I remembered, from its stunning night time and stage shows to beautiful winter decorations throughout the park. The (new for me) Rookburgh area looks spectacular and arguably amongst the best park areas ever created. Whilst FLY isn’t my top coaster, it’s still a spectacular ride and feels more of an experience than a coaster. The perhaps extreme security measures are the only thing I can really fault. As for the rest of the park, Taron was just as great as I remembered (if not a little better), Chiapas delightful and still enjoyed Black Mamba, Colorado, Winjas, Maus and Mystery Castle. Now the negatives, as great as the park is, I cannot help but feel just how busy and overcrowded it becomes, especially around the shows in the evenings. The park is clearly attempting crowd control measures, but it felt rammed to the rafters at times. Crazy Bats & Geister Riksha feel like the weak links in the park currently, with Geister featuring many broken effects, poorly synched audio and a general sense of fatigue, as if the park are waiting to rip it out. For the second time running, my VR broke on Crazy Bats, as the monitor crashed and rebooted at the start of my ride. The park just needs redevelop that whole area of the now because it really sticks out, especially with the abandoned Hollywood ride sealed off. It would be the perfect site for a large scale modern dark ride and more. Stayed in Matamba this time, had a park view (could see some of Mamba) and a tasty breakfast and dinner meal. Only setback was the service at dinner left something to be desired. Overall, it’s easily amongst the best festive events at any European park and feels magical in numerous ways. The vast amount of crowds and demand are the only thing I can fault here. I won’t be leaving it another six years for Winteraum, let alone the park!

Sounds a very paramount decision

2024 Park Count: Thorpe Park x5 Alton Towers x1 Legoland x1 Europa Park x7 Energylandia x2 Legendia x2 Liseberg x1 Skara Sommerland x1 Parque Warner Madrid x1 Cedar point x3 Kings Island x1 Six Flags Magic Mountain x2 Universal Hollywood x1 Disneyland Anaheim x4 Knotts Berry Farm x1 Santa Monica Pier x1 Some of my highlights include riding Hyperia & Nemesis Reborn and spending new years at Europa Park, which was a lovely experience. Probably the only time a European park will be my most visited park. My California trip is naturally a major highlight, visiting several top bucket list parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneyland, which was a truly amazing experience. 2024 has been one of my busiest years for trips (some non-park trips). It’s also been the first time in 12 years without visiting fright nights and Chessington. Wow. Shall see what happens next year, but I’m doing Phantasialand Winteraum in January and Japan later in the year, with another US trip planned. More to come for sure.

Even from my glossier perspective from last year, the park still left a lot to be desired with 1 train and slow operations. Funnily enough Heidi was the worst operated when I went in 2023. Plopsa is this park that looks like it could easily be a top European park contender with it’s theming and some of its lineup, but feels short due to failing some key fundamental areas in the experience. Besides the hotel, the F&B is definitely worse than Merlin and even PA. I also second Josh’s thoughts on RTH, it was a good ride but it didn’t leave me thinking it was incredible after experiencing it.

Guess they are getting a new coaster after all in 26. Just not the one everyone was expecting. Location isn’t set in stone, but guess Postman Pat might’ve dispatched his last parcel.

I think it would be a disappointing move if Merlin force Thorpe to drastically cut/scrap the sparkle project, because some of the things we saw this year were not only welcoming but much needed. Entering an attraction with new and repainted areas makes it feel much more appealing and welcoming, not to mention encourages people to spend more in the shops and cafes, overall increasing overheads per guest. There is still lots the park need to do in order to bring the rest of the park upto standard besides repainting the other half of Colossus. Repaint/refurbish Inferno, sort out Rumba and bits and bobs around Swarm too, to mention a few. Let’s not talk about the entrance. Merlin’s problem is they are financial cheapskates, giving as little as possible to mot their fleet of cars and only fixing the mandatory problems. Metaphorically speaking. Whereas most other parks see those additional faults as higher priority usually. The parks are limited with the tools provided.

Unfortunately Towers has been in quite the mess now for at least a decade now, although some would argue for the last twenty years even. The 90’s was clearly the park’s golden age, but even the 2000’s weren’t without its issues with theming cutbacks and removed rides. The early Merlin years saw some optimism with the likes of Mutiny Bay & Thirteen, but even they were short lived with neglected upkeep both in terms of appearance and infrastructure. There was a brief lull with Wickerman opening maybe. The problem with Merlin is they run their parks like a financial cookie cutter, where each attraction/division gets x amount of money and there is only so much they receive. And with the board failing to reach KPI’s and the like will only implement more cutbacks at present. The cost of living situation and Brexit are no doubt making this even more difficult. Towers like others in the Merlin portfolio needs millions spending on all its infrastructure, both front and back of house, however they are only going to do this when it needs to happen and no doubt it’ll be done in the cheapest and easiest way possible. Hence why so much looks like it’s still 1992 with just a cheap bit of paint slapped on.

We’ll be lucky if we get any new signs at this rate, given the rumoured cutbacks from Merlin. The only thing sparkling currently is Scott O’neils new suit.

I’m not disappointed about the removal of an old ride, I’m disappointed in the way they have handled this and how the park’s already thin lineup will be more noticeable as a result. Its always one step forwards and two steps back no matter what they do.

Welcome to the fifth and final addition to my California trip report. You’ve heard of car park coasters, now get ready for car park theme parks! Ok, this place doesn’t look like a car park. At least not anymore! Opening in 2001 on the former original car park of Disney, the neighbouring Disneyland was a magical, immersive and well themed destination. This place had none of them and was seen as a disaster and embarrassment. Flash forward two decades, and through various updates and expansions, this park has now become its own whilst retaining the Disney magic. The park’s entrance, Buena Vista Street leans very much on the golden age of Hollywood. The 1920’s/30’s which seems fitting as that was Walt’s dream was starting to come to life. It’s a beautiful welcoming space that romanticises Hollywood (very much so) but manages be similar yet contrasting to Disneyland Park’s entrance. Attractions & Areas: Hollywood Land- One of the first main areas you come across, which continues on from Buena Vista street perfectly. Whether it’s the red trolley or other areas, it fits nicely. The area does have some similarities to Walt Disney Studios (Adventure World), just a little. Monsters Inc- Mike & Sulley To The Resque- A quirky dark ride based on the Monsters Inc movie. It was ok, enjoyable enough. Not the best (Disney) dark ride by any means but does what it needs to do. Except when it broke down for a lengthy period the first time we queued. Still a lot better than that short-lived Superstar Limo ride. Rumours say some of the animatronics were reused in this ride. Makes sense. Mickey’s Philharmafic- A charming and mesmerising show featuring many characters and music numbers from iconic Disney films. Avengers Campus- The new kid on the block, as areas go. Naturally this area by some will be seen as perhaps controversial, because of the guardians tower and arguably stripping back some of the park’s gleam during the improvement years. However I think the area looks fine and generally fits in enough for the park. Guardians Of The Galaxy- Mission Breakout, it’s crazy to think it’s almost been ten years since DCA controversially gutted out the former Cali Tower Of Terror ride (some whilst still open) and converted it into a Guardians style ride instead. Out is the mysterious theming and eerie music, replaced by a grand futuristic fortress with a selection of pop songs. I entered with mixed emotions, especially given my love towards the Paris & Florida rides and my thoughts when they changed this. However, I liked it, I really liked it, loved it even. Ok, it feels weird how different the whole vibe is, from the queue,pre-show and the ride itself. I really like the pre show actually and the Rocket animatronic is great. When it’s not in B-mode anyway. I can’t help but beat along to the catchy soundtracks whilst riding. It feels very uplifting, especially listening to Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot playing. In the evenings, they did a Halloween overlay too, which was cool. Overall I really enjoyed Mission Breakout a lot more than I was expecting. Whilst I think I just slightly prefer the Hollywood Hotel theme, my general consensus that this was probably the weakest tower prior and hopefully the others won’t be touched, but we shall see. Spider-Man- Webslingers, Very much like the one in Paris, except more of the queue is outside I believe. The attraction is nothing extraordinary but another variation of a shooter type ride. I scored the highest in my group, so I can’t complain on that front. Cars Land- One of the most striking and iconic areas of the whole park. It certainly looks beautiful and encapsulates everything from both the cars movies and the route 66 setting, which is intentionally being drawn upon. From the mountains, diner and even the long road. It’s all there. Radiator Spring Racers- The star attraction of this area, which is basically a mixture between test track and a classic dark ride, this attraction mixes scenes featuring many of the radiator spring residents, before racing around the rockwork areas within the area. It was a pleasant and enjoyable attraction which I strongly enjoyed, however would argue it gets a little overhyped perhaps. Maters Junkyard Jamboree- A short but adorably hilarious variation of the crazy taxi ride at Europa Park. Very enjoyable. Pixar Pier & San Fransokyo Square Located towards the back of the park are Pixar Pier and San Fransokyo Square. San Fransokyo is more of a food and beverage area, including a unit dedicated to chocolatier Ghiradelli. Which did some delicious treats here. Pixar pier essentially bases itself around a turn of the century boardwalk, perhaps taking inspiration from places such as Santa Cruz, Santa Monica and Belmont park perhaps. Even with the Pixar overlay numerous years ago, the area still looks great. I loved the reference to San Francisco seals on one of the posters. Incredicoaster- Star attraction of the area (and of within the park), from a distance it looks like an old wooden coaster, but is actually an intamin in disguise. It has a great launch sequence, some fast and twisty turns, not to mention a loop within its lengthy circuit. Probably one of my favourite Disney coasters, except for the harsh brakes at the end maybe. Still an enjoyable ride. Other rides in this area include the crazy yet iconic Pixar Pal-around wheel, where we naturally went for the swinging gondolas. The first round was ok, but the second was definitely more crazy. Still a unique thing worth doing, if you don’t get too nauseous on swinging type rides. They also had a Toystory midway mania. The ride itself was very much the same as the one in Florida, but only had one track and a less grand queue too. Paradise Gardens Just infront of Pixar pier is paradise gardens, which generally continues the old boardwalk style pretty much. Goofy’s Sky was a highly acceptable wild mouse coaster and the Little Mermaid dark was simply adorable to experience. Quality scenery and animatronics. Grizzly Peak (and airfield) Essentially two sub-areas combined together, but most will probably still call it Grizzly Peak. It’s essentially a national park themed area with Sequoia Forest style vibes, plus the grand Californian hotel which has some similarities to Paris’s Sequoia lodge. The rides are a mixed selection here, you have the Grizzly River Rapids, which were great fun and delivered a decent amount of soaking too. They also had Soarin, which had resumed to playing the world version over the original, which was ok and perhaps a little better then the Orlando one, but maybe that’s just me. Finally, in true Disney tradition they have a night time show. World Of Colour. The current version titled One, features a selection of classic, Pixar and other properties such as Marvel under one show, celebrating over 100 years of Disney storytelling. I had some empowering messages especially when things become difficult. A lovely show to watch indeed. Conclusion: And that concludes my California trip reports, which will probably be the last ones I write probably. But wow it has been one crazy roller coaster ride. Magic Mountain was impressive with its vast coaster selection (especially X2), Knotts put on a phenomenal Halloween event amongst some interesting rides. Universal surpassed my expectations with its stunning location, backlot tour and of course. Horror nights. Los Angeles was probably the biggest let down, the place was deprived and rundown in many areas and there were numerous questionable characters around. That said the observatory area with the views of the city and Hollywood sign was great, and I liked Santa Monica. Disneyland (both parks) were honestly such a joy to visit and experience. I loved experiencing all the old and the new attractions there, which though a smaller scale was such a charming and delightful place to visit. This trip reminded me of my first Disney experience in Paris, almost ten years ago and for me brought back lots of the happiness I felt back then. Visiting Disneyland no joke has made feel the happiest I’ve been in a while. This is Matt creek signing off, thanks for reading.