Matt 236

Take this with a pinch of salt, but someone said to me that if WC16 turns out to be a success, there are plans to remove Tomb a Blaster & possibly close Falls for a while to build a big brand new ride. Could we be seeing this in 2017?

It's a shame the Flume [much like Tidal Wave] won't be seeing the year out, however I can see why their doing this as the park in the present day is in a poor state following the Smiler accident and considering the ride is: 1/ Potentially less popular this time of year due to temperatures 2/ Must close at dusk for safety reasons 3/ Is likely one of the park's most expensive rides to run [Rita costs more to run but somewhat has the popularity to keep running it] Then the park must be ruthless with their decisions to try and prevent further loss and problems as guests numbers this year are likely to be down by at least 20% even if Christmas somewhat turns on to be a success. This isn't the first abrupt/negative cutback we've seen at the park's this year and I'm sure it probably won't be the last. If Dragon Falls closes however, they've made a foolish decision though.

Infusion is alright, but not a patch on Nemesis Inferno [or even Vampire]. Big One has a nice big drop [not to mention being the tallest in the Uk] but most of the ride is forceless . Blackpool's best rides for me are the woodies, Steeplechase & Valhalla.

I'm just hoping it won't be an immersive tunnel because for a major ride, it would be a bit of a let down, the photo op thing is strong proof and hope it won't be one. I'm hoping for something like Ratstouille in all honesty, but the building shape and size says to me the ride as a whole could be a prototype altogether. As for Chessington's next big thing, I reckon Tomb's days are numbered and as a result the ride will be leaving soon to be replaced with a new dark ride attraction (it's almost 30 now).

Looks a beauty so far, yay more B&M goodness!

Doesn't surprise me at all, they need to either replace or just get rid of it as the ride no longer works, and when it does it shakes you to death like its about to fall apart. I suppose no ones heard any updates on Tomb which to my knowledge is still closed. Something major must be up with that ride to be down since late August. Edit- just checked the site and Tombs like Skyway will also remain closed for the rest of the season. Seems like the ride has had it, like most of the park.

In terms of UK park no.1, that currently goes to Alton Towers. Alton Towers for feels more than a themepark, but in a way an experience, it boasts some great prominent coasters, some interesting supporting dark rides amongst other bits and Bob in the realms of the historic gothic Towers & gardens complexes. Yes there park is lacking the magic it probably had 15 years ago but it's still a great place. Thorpe & Blackpool would be after this, I like Thorpe's Island design and variety of rides whilst Blackpool features many historic rides & the amazing Valhalla. Chessington is only just in my top 5 at the moment and once I do Paultons (next year fingers crossed), it probably won't be unless they up their game. I rate LLW higher than Chessie in the present day.

Wow! that report makes Towers seem like a ghost town and just hearing it makes me feel how sad that a once bustling park is heavilly desserted. Towers has hit a new dark age it seems and the Smiler has severly scarred the park. It may not be until 2017 that I expect the park to receive a full recovery and appears SW8 as a result has been delayed, or worse cancelled as a result especially as I heard an application or something was supposed to be submitted in August but never happened.

This definitely looks to be a massive overhaul for the Hulk, by the sound of the new trains,track,station and queue, it'll almost be a brand new ride once it's done. I guess to an extent, Hulk [mk-1] has indeed become the first B&M in the world to hit the scrap heap. I don't know whether to be sad or happy in regards to this news.

The area is definitely starting to take shape, this should hopefully be an amazing addition to paultons and perhaps a game changer to them.

That picture makes my heart feel heavy, they could've sold or auctioned off the old trains instead of wasting them. On the positive note, at least they're going full out on this upgrade and judging from the fact pieces of track have been replaced, it well almost be like a new ride when it's finished.

The Creek is progressing

The wheel of Misfortune is an interesting concept meaning you will probably be choosing your maze by chance, though I do miss individually selecting mazes you wish to do. Hopefully I'll either get Big Top or MBV as I've not done either of those, however wouldn't complain if I end up in Saw Alive again. Apparently, now you just turn up to your designated maze at 10pm instead of going to Bush BBQ. Hopefully there's still free Champers available as it would be a big shame if there wasn't. [Yes TPM is slowly turning me in to an alcoholic].

Sounds complete rubbish to me, I can't see four rides closing down completely next year and whilst that's not to say we 'might' lose a ride, I'm 105% certain Thorpe wouldn't close all those rides unless there's a serious fault.

I'm interested to where this large swath of land the HRC will be going on is located. Anyone able to doodle a google maps sketch?

1/ Nemesis 2/ Swarm (go ahead and shoot!) 3/ Oblivion 4/ Inferno 5/ Air More B&M's creds on the way soon hopefully (one of which will be November) #MC16

Face It Alone is booked, Can't Wait! I see you shiver in antici-

Now why doesn't this surprise me Should get most ones done by 2017 hopefully

Whilst considering a main ride at the centre of the park closed for the rest of the season , on what is supposed to be the 2nd best park in the UK is disappointing, it wouldn't put me off visiting regardless of living 5 minutes or 5 hours away from the park as there's the night rides and scare mazes etc. a major closure would but hopefully merlin aren't that foolish. Considering the smiler accident this year which has also had a small impact on Thorpe & chessie in addition to the massive one at Towers, it is quite understandable of closing a ride that doesn't receive too many guests usually yet costs a lot to run. As long as this does not become an annual affair the park is forgiven as the park's will sadly face operational cut backs as a result of the Smiler. One must remember flying fish was closed last year though that was a slightly smaller lost cause. Whilst the park has faced a fair few pot holes lately, I don't thinks in a situation as bad as towers or chessie, one that's had a terrible accident on a big ride and the others a mess. Hopefully 2016 will be a successful year for the park having received the lions share investment amongst a likely shake up for fright nights again.

OH MY GOD! Swarm is my third favourite coaster, MY ENTHUSIAST VIEWS ARE SUPPOSEDLY INFERIOR! OH MY GOD, I HAVENT DONE A B&M OUTSIDE THE UK! (yet) OH MY GOD! I'm a Failure! something needs to happen, #MC16

I'm more than up for containment

Oh dear, so it seems this place has similar planning problems to Legoland uk & Chessington by the sounds. Have apparently heard they did similar plans like this before or something, possibly even with a park expansion, but that was dropped because the locals weren't happy about it, so lets hope they can get around it. Hopefully this won't restrict exciting future investments amongst the likes of Chiapas and what we've seen from Taron so far, but this could well become a major factor in the future. I hear their Splash Battle ride often receives noise complaints and like apparently.

Love B&M coasters, they're my favourite ride manufacturer [for now]. Favourite one so far has to be Nemesis [closely followed by The Swarm]. Haven't done outside the uk yet but that will hopefully change in November when I visit Efteling to hopefully ride Baron 1898.

I just think the UK park industry as a whole needs a shake up! It feels two steps behind what we've seen in Europe lately (Ratatouille, Helix, Chiapas,Baron etc.) and three steps bebind Orlando. WC16 could help slowly take us closer to these standards, but the ride needs to be done right and seeing how the likes of IAC, Zufari & others turned out, it leaves my optimism low (hence why Taron is currently the 2016 ride I'm excited about so far). I really want this ride to be a massive success (if it is we could hopefully see more investments in dark rides), but this needs to be done right so that it can be achieved. If WC16 turns out to be a great ride, I'd strongly consider visiting monthly.

I think some people are overreacting a little, after all this is Chessington.