Matt 236

I for one am quite excited for the addition. It'll hopefully be an exciting experience not to mention the largest dark ride we've received since Valhalla too. For the amount being spent, whilst I doubt it'll be a TOT or POTC, I am hoping it will be a fantastic unique and immersive experience and give us something fresh and new not just in Thorpe and Merlin, but the UK park industry. Whilst the name leaves something to be desired IMHO, I guess it seems similar to the names of other Derren Brown projects. For example, Apocalypse and Push To The Edge did exactly what they did on the tin, and it seems to be this is going for that ideal too. The simplistic name on another silver lining may help promote the ride easier as well, which if it is a success could hopefully lead to a new generation of dark rides in other uk parks. The rundown building reminds a bit of a cross between Baron 1898 and some of Universal's buildings in Diagon Alley and whilst it's not really a patch on either, it has to be one of the nicest buildings Merlin have produced yet.

Mind The Track

According to Chessington Buzz, news has been released in to what's to come for the 2016. The good: Alongside Vampire's repainted entrance, Tomb Blaster is apparently receiving a massive update/refurbishment. Abdab? Pandemonium will be going where the Reindeers are (which will be relocated). The Bad, Skyway Safari is set to be removed completely with the whole ride gone by main season. The area the ride was located will be occupied by lockers (shame the area will be rather disused).

The irony, people want Merlin to repaint rides and when they do, people complain. I'm not complaining. If Air's been painted, it just leaves forest, smiler and mine train to sort.

I remember Oblivion's paint job strongly but I see it being done more so for the addition of the Smiler, otherwise it would've contrasted with the area and not in a good way. Merlin have repainted some rides, but I consider coaster repainted to be of a larger scale, hence why I am very happy to see Nemesis receiving some needed love, especially being one of the park's biggest and best rides. Some may have interpreted my firmer as some attempt of 'Merlin bashing'. But let me assure you, I want the park (and others) to do well and be at their best. Hence why seeing rides especially at our parks is satisfactory to witness.

Typical, unjustified yet not surprising. Just the mirror being the mirror really. It is best to avoid feeding the trolls as they are only after you're attention. Whilst I don't think the VR scheme is the way to save towers, hopefully it'll be quite successful considering the terrible last season they have experienced.

After WC16? There should be, on the assumption Logger's is no more, a GCI woodie and an Intamin flume on that site would be nice. Failing that, a Mack mega or B&M Hyper would be good as well.

Safe to say Hollywood Studios is definitely not the park to visit at the moment. Alongside this more shows & meet and greets are closing, One Man's Dream should be going anyday and there won't be anymore Star Wars weekends or Osbourne Lights Spectacular, not to mention the many construction fences. Makes most other parks (where 2016 isn't their year) look worthwhile to visit.

Surely there's going to be a ride system based there, due to the fact there will be an onride moment and the plans mentioning of maintenance areas as well.However what this will be (what's probably been debated for a long time) is still unknown. Dynamic is a name that's appeared many times before so it could well be them who build the ride system. As long as the ride is set upon the standards of Derren's shows then this ride will hopefully be no worse than 'very good' to say the least. I have a feeling lots more is being done inside. Efteling's dark ride will be completely different though in a good way.

I'm initially interested in seeing this, as I've heard exciting things about this event. For those going, how easy is it t navigate and what would be the best time frame to go around all of this?

They certainly won't getting a Haunted Mansion clone, due to their views of the afterlife, but never say never about a Mystic variant though.Park on the other hand looks a stunner like most Disney parks, especially that Buzz variant. Let's hope this staggered opening thing isn't too major though otherwise I can't see the park being too popular on its opening year.

Interesting update there. Tales Of The Coast didn't appear on last year's map and looking at the picture, it wouldn't surprise me if its been ripped out. Whilst it was never anything fantastic (and looked quite dated & worn), I hope whatever's planned to replace it is both large scale and original. Something on the lines of Hobs Pit or even Marbles would be nice.

Judging by how much is already done and that there's five months left, I bet this area will look fab in the end. It's so nice to see a park like Paultons put so much love in their projects and they definitely look like they've jumping up in greatness since Cobra.

Well, this looks visually stunning to say the least. I bet by 2019, DLR will be even more wonderful with this reimaged area and the new Star Wars. A fair few attractions will be closed this year though including the railroad, Fantasmic, Mark Twain Riverboat and the ranch (which is getting demolished). As a result I expect the park will really buckle this year during busy days.

Definitely an ambitious project and change, that's for sure. Having not done a VR ride yet, I am not too sure how it will compare to the original and just hope it's not too nauseating for most guests. No surprises in Merlin reusing the 'game changer' tag, although we will have to see what happens when it opens. I am glad there's a no VR option for those who get nauseated or want to see the ride in it's original form. I just hope the tunnel's had lots of work done and they've worked out how throughput will work. Though it won't open until April, I get a feeling Merlin are using tactical staggered openings here to try and keep guest figures consistant, as the park will reopen march, Galactica in April, Coaster Restaurant in May and then the peak season starts.

David Bowie was an amazing musician and amongst creating some top hits such as Life On Mars, had a fantastic character and charisma to go with it. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P Ziggy is now in the sky

Looks like Efteling will be on the cards again in 2017. Exciting news of course. If any of Efteling's other dark rides & Baron are to go by, this addition should be absolutely fantastic. I'm curious on the location as I'm not too sure where in the park it's going.

Ride: Rita New Name: demolished It's a very simple retheme. Just remove the queue, the signs, trains and the ride and remove it! Then add a mack launch coaster instead like Blue Fire. Sorted.

Adam didn't even like even like Baron and that's a ride that's received mostly positive feedback (including myself). I'm still get to do a B&M (PMBO being the only one I've done yet), but should hopefully be getting Silver Star later which would be. Y first. One day I'll do Mako (it's all in the CTDP).

Hmmm, interesting they've gone down the Hansa method of building, where they build the ride one year and do the theming the following year. Guess this means it's worth waiting until the start of 2017 to ride this.

Every Merlin park is losing something this season. It's a shame Dino is going as it was a charming little relaxing ride. That being said, the ride was more of a filler these days to Atlantis & Squidy, not to mention probably only had a throughput of around 300 pph. Hopefully Ghost will make up for this and have a better throughput.

In other news, the plans for the park's 2nd hotel (housing 59 rooms) has been approved. This is good news for the resort, but does sadly mean the loss of Dino Safari meaning every park has lost at least one ride in 2016. The park & council will also be having talks together about a development plan too, which hopefully means the park can continue to develop. Source- Theme Park Guide & Southparks

Not bad hours for a seaside park really, those summer hours look reasonable and better than Towers & Chessie's no doubt. Doubt they'll be any new rides this year with the ones they had last year but anything could happen. As a park it's alright, but aside from the main coaster, Snail ride & fun house most of the rides there are average really.

Some good music tastes there Amy. Especially like the last two, that Imperial March remix was mind blowingly good!