Here's my trip report of my first ever TPM meet on Sunday.
After leaving (and walking the dog), I arrived at Chessington just after 9:15. Once I started walking on the path towards the entrance, my excitement really built up further. Once I had reached the outside of the entrance, I found a group of people which I learnt quickly were TPM. Peaj arrived shortly afterwards along with Mr Fish. Eventually , we entered the park where we met a few more members near Hocus Pocus before Peaj gave an introduction to everyone before we entered our first attraction.
Hocus Pocus was the first attraction which is a fun little attraction. The 2nd ride of the day was Rattlesnake which I went in a car with JamesC, Mer and Peaj which was great fun and were easily the loudest car. Next up, we all observed the area where Runaway Train is which is sadly still in a sorry state with no apparent. The third ride was Skyway Safari where I went on with Thrillseeker Alex and James in what I call the 'newbie' carriage. On the ride, we observed many beautiful views such as the sea life marquee and the brand new Thirteen theming which has appeared near the Chicken Shack.
After exiting skyway, more members arrived as we met Jack Stevens by the hotel entrance and EC around market square. We soon entered Tomb Blaster where I gained a score of 9,300. Next up, the group headed for the new attraction Zufari and after not queuing 45 minutes, we entered the pre show which everyone seemed very enthusiastic to keep Ghozi's secret of the cave . The pre show of the ride is very interactive with the audience and quite fun. Although the syncing of the voice was disappointing.
Once going on the ride which we got the three back rows of a vehicle, I took my first ride on Zufari. Most of the ride is a very enjoyable experience seeing the animals and atmosphere. However the cave was a bit of an anti-climax although got most of us quite wet. Zufari in summary is a great addition and though there are areas for improvement, Its a fun ride, 8/10.
After heading back up the Zufari pathway, we all took a ride on Ramesis Revenge. This was my first ride ever not just on Ramesis but a top spin overall. At first, I had strong adrenalin rush wondering how the ride would be and before long the ride began. After the ride finished, I came off finding the ride very enjoyable. I could've easily done it a second time.
After this, we were hoping to brave it rock less on Dragon Falls, but unfortunately the ride had broken down which meant the only thing we could witness from the ride was the eyesore of drop where the remains of the theming has been removed. Without further ado, we went in to Wild Asia and took a ride on Monkey Swinger. When the ride finished, we took a twist on Kobra which seemed to have of lot of people with birthdays riding it today.
Once we left Kobra, the final member attending MarkC arrived and next we took a bumping on the Tuk Tuk Turmoil where JamesC and I began our plan of targeting Peaj. After this ride, it was lunch time which due to fastrack for the Vampire at 2, I had to leave the group for a short while. Once reaching Transylvania and eating my lunch, I went on Vampire which I went through the fastrack route which goes through the way the old entrance did which although short and not mind blowing I think builds the ride up a bit more than the current forest queue line.
The ride was running quite smoothly today and doesn't feel as rough as it did last year and is a very enjoyable ride. Loading at this time seemed pretty good as they were dispatching the first train when the second one arrived. Also the station operations where you are batched to rows is an improvement as well as the re-routing of exit rider which in the past caused problems leaving the ride with the narrow pathway and the two back rows designation for the exit riders reducing throughput.
Once leaving the ride, I rejoined the group again shortly who were having lunch at Creaky Cafe which we soon took a splash on the duck territory that is the Bubbleworks which I rode with JamesC, Jack and EC which was a very fun and slightly wet journey. Once leaving the ride, I checked my ORP which I found hilarious which I decided to buy as a memory of my enjoyable ride. Following on from Bubbleworks, I took another fantastic ride on Vampire. Meanwhile in the queue line, the TPM meet game for the trip concluded which I will leave for Peaj to report on. Once arriving at the station, I rode Vampire with Mr Fish and having another fantastic ride.
After Vampire, we walked up the hill to Pirates Cove where I took a swashbuckling ride on Black Buccaneer which I sat at the very back with Phill Prichard and others. The ride op also must've found out we were a fan base and instead of the three usual rules gave us four others, one of those was to only report good things of the ride which I shall say, the ride was great fun.
The final ride of the day (or so we thought) was Dragons Fury which seemed to take a little longer than usual. Also while while TPM bought out the Dragons Treat shop, a large gap formed in the queue as well. Once we reached the station, we soon learnt of the disappointing new loading rule on the ride where only three adults were able to ride which meant everyone had to ride in threes.
Despite this rule though, it was a great fun ride and our car featured a lot of spinning and a very enjoyable ride. Once we left the ride, we said goodbye to Jack Stevens who was going home. Shortly afterwards, I decided to have a photo taken with me and the group which Definitely sums up how great the day had been so far. Shortly afterwards, we soon learnt that Zufari was still open and without hesitation, we all legged it to Zufari and everyone was able to get a second last ride on Zufari.
The pre-show this time was even more as JamesC got to do his monkey impression . The 2nd go was still fun but more relaxed as not as many animals were out than before. Once we left the ride, everyone then headed to around the area near Ramesis where most were going to head to the Monkey Gardens for a meal. Unfortunately due to various reasons, I wasn't able to attend so said my goodbyes to everyone and then set of to find my folks. I was in a very happy mood after the trip and while heading to the car saw Peaj and a few others just about to leave for the Monkey Gardens giving a last farewell before heading off on the journey home.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and am very pleased I attended. The rides were good but the company was excellent. I am Definately hoping to attend more future TPM meets as it was brilliant day and I got to meet many wonderful people.