Matt 236

Trains Airports can be soulless hassling places (especially in modern times) Euro star or euro tunnel

Facebook Closed Vampire or limited capacity vampire

Oh dear oh dear, things are still going pear shaped for Chessie then. Instead of bashing them for getting just 1/3 of its transport hardware in operation, there is one thing that must be considered. Vampire is 25 years old this year, An age span ive heard from somewhere apparent is the approximate lifespan for these suspended swinging coasters. Thus being an arrow still (in many ways) even after the vekoma refurbishment means the ride is likely to become harder to maintain, especially now it has reached 25. Whilst the park will likely want to keep the ride for as long as possible, due to the park's planning difficulties and still being in many ways the park's icon, Chessington will want to try keep this ride going for as long as possible until the ride has reached a state where it can no longer be maintained. One thing for sure is when Vampire dies and needs removing is whatever replaces it (perhaps with Bubbleworks too) will be noticeably smaller scale due to planning reasons unless on the very unlikely off chance, a force or body made planning laws relaxed significantly.

Features him in his profile pic.

Double post! Matt Creek (me) has returned. That farewell vlog was just an April fools joke (that most of you didn't fall for). So I'm back to return all the creaky news back to TPM, whether that be Disney stuff or my randomness!!

Star Wars! I have returned from the creaking dead!!!!!! Epic exit or come back?

I hear Heide park is receiving a new flyer called Air The Blade in 2027. On a more serious note, on the assumption Thorpe's dark ride involves screens (for at least part of the ride), perhaps there are exciting times ahead.

Source DLRP fans Looks like Disneyland Paris annual passes will be going up next month (and in time for my visit ) I'm sure they'll still be worth the money though for everything there, plus it's not like they're doing budget cuts or jumping it well above inflation (glares at a certain number of Merlin parks).

Hmmm, that doesn't sound to promising then, especially since you enjoyed Cbeebeies & Angry Birds Land (both of which have had their fair share of criticisms). I'm yet to experience this attraction (will hopefully get it done in the coming weeks) and in the process, am trying avoid POV's & pictures of the inside of the attraction in the meantime.

Considering I was kinda giving this lots of slack before it opened, I can say it looks moticeably better than I was expecting. Looks a genuine fun thrilling with lots of effects and theming and interactions. Still shame the drop isn't quite as striking as likes of Krake & Blivvy (it's all about drops) but aside from that looks ok.

I think it's a possible hint (from an unknown force) they need to start improving things (upkeep' operations & hours).

So I finally got to visit Thorpe Park after the removal of the carousel

Here's a new video I made [just before I joined you guys at the meet] as part of a new series of me reacting to different things at theme parks. Full meet movie should be made by next week, enjoy!

I think Phantasia just went on to my 'absolutely positively' must do visit list! This thing is still a good year or so off completion too! You wouldn't see towers do anything like this (Awaits quoting of a fanboy accusing me of merlin bashing)

Thanks, this is very helpful, will make things now for these visits much easier.

Hi all, I'm planning on taking some friends to Thorpe Park & Legoland, and am planning to use the family and friends discount through the Merlin pass. However, I was wondering how many people maximum you are allowed to use it for as I'm planning to bring two people with me (neither of which are pass holders).

It was more so so aimed as celebratory over accuracy, but it's been 'corrected'

As long as this falls on one the days I can do, I shall be there!!!!!! Looking forward to this meet!

That just looks amazing!!!!!!! And to see their doing so much for what is clearly a low investment year. This place looks like it wipes the floor with Alton Towers (in the present day). Think I know where I want to try and visit next year.

Hmmmm, I wonder what the theme for this ride could be? The dark light circle shape, could be an indication on the ride theme, it seems to be a possible zoom in of a larger object of something fairly prominent. I've got it, Top Gear!!!!!!!!!!

Looks great, but must admit they could've decorated the ride's entrance better as it looks a little meh.

Bah, I know I'm going to miss Ant & Dec! the problems of having 80% of deadlines of second year uni within 2 weeks.

Whilst it's good they've u-turned this petty staggered openings to what they should always be, still think it's disapointing we're seeing only 5pm park closings over the weekend, should be at least 6pm.

I've always been a very big fan of the Swarm (maybe more than JoshC), but there's another ride I'm really getting a soft spot for currently. DEPTH CHARGE. OK, to done it's just low'ish capacity 4 lane water slide, but to me it's more than. It's a Thirpe classic which is great fun for park guests of all ages, an all round attraction, gives you some great views of the park (Swarm & Stealth) and doesn't get you too wet either. It may be nearly 25 years old, but still runs well and is one of the few surviving RMC additions which on top of that is definitely the best upkept one too (excluding anything rethemed). Some say it doesn't fit in with the new park, but I think it does. What with the famiky market thing and Island like no other tag line and it goes very well with the shark theme too.