Matt 236

Mack (of course) Balder or Wodan?

Vortex S&S power or KMG?

Not much there yet, but excited this B&M is finally coming off the ground now

Gwazi Blackpool tower or London eye?

Following the recent disappointments of the rejection of the Haunted House and next years (replacement) investment involves stereotypical branding which eliminates, half the target audience, here's a lighter subject, which Legoland have confirmed the plans for this years Christmas event. http://www.legoland.co.uk/Plan/Christmas/ Pretty much sounds like a slight variation and expansion on last years, got some fairly major attractions open this time including a coaster cred, although the ticket pricing for this attraction (in typical Legoland fashion) is very steep and over priced IMO, nearly £30 at peak time when only 20% of the park will be open, plus pass holders still have to pay.

RMC, GG or other, I don't care what coaster type as long as it's a woodie in my books. The U.K. needs another woodie so badly seeing it's nearly 20 years since the last one. Despite Blackpool & Oakwood being the only parks I've done with woodies, I've already pretty much ridden all the uk woodies with only 3 left to do (one which won't happen any time soon due to the location being highly restrictive on adults without kids) which goes to show how the uk is somewhat lacking in wooden coasters (although we'll hopefully see at least another 2 when Dream Land Reopens). Think its a shame to think places all over the states, Europe and even Ireland are getting these impressive machines yet over here we've actually lost some woodies with Pleasureland Cyclone, Frontiers Woodie and Rotunda's Runaway among others being demolished without trace over the last 15 years. Merlin here aren't overly convinced on adding one because they're so hot on marketing and profit. The only slightest if hope of the U.K. getting another woodie if Merlin don't give in or a new park opens is Oakwood, Drayton and Flamingo at the most. Don't think Paultons have the space or funds and there's no chance on Lightwater who are greatly struggling ATM. Would just be great having a woodie just down the road half an hour away instead of travelling 4/5 hours to experience one.

We'll, that's big. All about I can say about it the moment, hopefully it'll be nicely styled once finished.

Great to see the end of the EDF sponsorship, wasn't keen on it and preferred it in the BA days. I think the coke sponsor shop will either be a brilliant or terrible update to the eye, I just hope they don't ruin it too much.

My Bloody Valentine (because Thorpe did lots of effort when I saw the tour) Fright Nights or a Hocus Pocus?

Cold

Alton towers

Sharks

It's that time of year again, where after getting lots of new coasters up in Blackpool, it's time to update my top 10's 10/ Nemesis Inferno- most improved ride in 10 years 9/ Oblivion- it's a one trick pony but that drop is amazing 8/ Thirteen- the second half is fantastic 7/ Air- much better than I expected 6/ Speed- best euro fighter lay outin the uk 5/ Big Dipper- amazing ride, it may be 90 but it packs a big punch 4/ The Swarm- amazing drop, theming and inversions, plus this ride has improved so much already 3/ Grand National- what's better than a woodie? A racing woodie, not to mention amazing layout 2/ Megafobia- the thrilling layout and air time still makes this my top woodie 1/ Nemesis, to describe this ride as amazing is still an understatement Things to mention/ Smiler loses its place altogether due to how rough I is for a supposedly new coaster (notably the 2nd half) Did Air after not done it for a couple years and was surprised how good the ride actually was, really enjoyed it, Dragon just loses out on its place although its probably still in my top 20 Inferno stays there for improving so much and being a B&M in Thorpe alone. Big one was good but apart from the drop, the ride didn't blow me away and make me go wow! Avalanche is good but just to short Now, time for dome new top 10's water end dark rides- Dark rides 10/ TombBlaster- great ride- but needs a lot of refurbishing 9/ X- Thorpe park, pretty decent dark coaster- uk needs more roller coaster dark rides 8/ Sub a Terra- not bad for a shipping container drop tower 7/ Spirit Of London- great Wardley ride, this summarises the London story so well. 6/ The Dragon- debatable whether to class it as one, but the dark ride section us just so good on here 5/ Bubbleworks- I know it's not as good as it was, but this ride is just so fun and pleasant to go on 4/ Duel- great fun ride, really enjoy shooting at the models whilst hearing the amazing soundtrack 3/ Wallace & Gromit' ride always been a great fan of Wallace and Gromit and this ride tells the story well, plus high equality models 2/ Valhalla- truly amazing ride, the effects are unbelievable plus it gets you soaking wet too! 1/ Hex- the story, the theme tune, the atmosphere, this ride is a masterpiece Water Rides 10/ The Flume- it's alright but gets a little boring unless your in a fun group 9/ Traitor- boat ride- short but sweet, just needs more effects and everything here 8/ Dragon Falls- this ride could be potentially higher if it was more extensively themed 7/ Tidal Wave- excellent theming subs everything, just a bit too wet for me at most times 6/ Pirate Falls- a simple ride layout greatly improved by interactive models and story 5/ Viking River Splash- Great paced rapids, easily the wildest in the uk 4/ Loggers Leap- great double drop, only ruined by the tunnel being removed and lake water 3/ Drenched- the drop is brilliant, very wet but more bearable than tidal wave 2/ Congo River Rapids- very fun, long length moderately wet rapids ride 1/ Valhalla- see top 10 dark rides With the possible exception of winter wonderland (which won't change anything), it's very unlikely that this list will get an update until somepoint in 2015 where should everything go to plan, I could find quite a few bits of new credits appearing (fingers crossed). New coaster creds so far 2014 Avalanche, Big Dipper, Big One, Blue Flyer, Grand National, Infusion, Nicklodeon Streak, Revolution, Rita, Runaway Mine Train, Steeplechase, Sonic Spinball, Wild Mouse. New dark ride creds so far, Spirit Of London, Traitor boat ride, Extremis London mk2,, Duel, Sub-Terra, Wallace & Gromit, Valhalla, Ghost Train, Impossible, Alice In Wonderland, Coral Island indoor monorail, Extremis Blackpool New water ride creds 2014 so far, Congo River Rapids, The Flume, Traitor boat ride, Valhalla, South Pier Log flume

Just when things couldn't really get worse for the park, this happens http://www.themeparkguide.biz/news/lego-friends-coming-to-legoland-windsor-in-2015 Looks like they're getting a Lego friends attraction/retheme for Lego City. I feel very disappointed about this as not only could it ruin one of the most characteristic park areas but has no appeal at all, Duplo Valley appealed a lot more than this has. This just makes me even more upset that the Haunted House ride hasn't happened and by the looks things certainly won't be (at least for 2015). Thank you windsor council and residents

I knew a Frozen ride/attraction would be on its way for Disneyworld soon, although I have mixed opinions on this. It's really good they're finally bringing in a Frozen ride to Disney parks, considering how successful and popular the films been. However I'm not too keen on the location of Epcot though, ok Maelstrom wasn't the best of dark rides in its original form but this retheme does sort of ruin the point and character of Epcot in that it's supposed to be a sort of educational patrk and be based around places within the world and though Frozen is strongly based on Norway, adding a ride based on a Disney film and fictional events does ruin that slightly. I am in favour of this ride opening, just not in Epcot as I believe it's the wrong park for this type of attraction (Disney fantasy) and think it should have been out somewhere like new Fantasy Land in the magic kingdom instead.

One of the best meets and trips away yet. Had a fantastic time at the pleasure beach and definitely better than I expected. Grand National and Dipper are fantastic woodies and amazing fun. Valhalla is an amazing water dark ride, loads of effects, theming and very wet, wish the queue wasn't so long. Blackpool tower was surprisingly good too as we're the illuminations, dungeons and everything else. Stay tuned for a trip report on its way.

Alton towers do it right in most situations, but this is just poor, lazy and ruins the area and theme as a whole. If towers can't get rid of this petty excuse for theming and over safety then please just get a Mack launch instead. You don't see thorpe doing this with Stealth or Flamingo do this with velocity.

Thorpe aren't no Oakwood, but I really wish they would start using 2 train op quicker and more often. The park should run 2 train op during every weekend unless there's a major problem with one of them. When the queue passes 30 minutes on one train, they should add the second unless there's a major problem with one of them. If Thorpe want to more like towers, they need to start rolling 2 train op out more efficiently and the queue moves 70% slower when there's on,y one on the track! no to mention fastrack is business as usual making what would be a 10 minute 2 train queue a 30 minute plus 1 train queue.

Fantastic

Is it too late to join up now?

Good to hear work is beginning on the scenic. I just hope it all goes to plan and the ride is reopen for 2015 freshly restored in it's former glory.

Banned, because I won't see you til fright nights now

A Chessington Haloween meet

A ride burning and catching fire a month after it closes, seems legit! Somewhat this is either the park trying to get insurance by making it look like the ride caught fire, arsonists or a strange coincidence where it has caught fire at such a time.

Reviving a presumably long forgotten topic, I had one of the most interesting dreams of modern times last night. I'm currently being driven to a Themepark with a regular taxi driver I know, where we pass numerous roundabouts and traffic lights. Interestingly, there are a bunch of street/carnival performers near on of the traffic lights/roundabout trying to interact with he drivers and possibly advertise something. The next part of the dream skips on, whether I've forgotten it or it's a completely different dream at all is another matter. I'm currently walking down a touristy area with a couple people who I believe are based on those I know. For some reason, we are going to Disneyland. The next thing is, we reach a ticket office thingy where to buy tickets, but I've realised I don't have enough money for a one day ticket. The next thing, the person serving me who is serving me doesn't seem to speak much English (maybe he is French) and despite my lack if money for entry strongly insists I move on and go through. Suddenly I'm in a long street with numerous music performers and music (maybe it's a Main Street USA). There are no rides but it definitely looks like a theme park here. In the final part of the dream, things become even stranger as I enter a greener more picturesque bit if the park (lots of grass around) and suddenly there are lots of dogs around (somewhat appear to be jack Russell's) which one moment are suddenly interested in me and the the next start making a fuss of one a other despite looking similar or even near identical. They say dreams have a metaphor and are often your brain trying to feel you something if real life (I.E falling means you may have overdone something too major in your life), but I have no idea how to take on this one.