Matt 236

With the exception of Paultons, Blackpool and the smaller/further parks from home, I generally visit the UK parks just to see and catch-up with mates. I’m slowly visiting more parks (especially outside Europe) and try to rotate Phantasialand, Efteling, Liseberg and Europa so I am visiting at least one of them a year!

Well, I got to experience Room On The Broom last week. I particularly liked the scenery, effects, animatronics and retaining of (most of) the old mirror maze. The dog scene is my favourite (because it features a dog) and the opening scene has it’s charms. What I don’t like about the attraction though is that it seems to take noticeably longer than Hocus Pocus to batch people through with smaller groups and some scenes seem a little corny. The queue line also seems too long and bland for what is essentially a cattle pen on a mish-mash Of Old tiles. The repurposed tunnel is probably the worst thing the park have done since Tomb Blaster. Overall- Not a bad little attraction with some nice scenes and areas, but not without it’s faults. It can’t help but also be noted it’s a noticeably more kiddified too. Gave Dirty Fries a go, which is their new eatery. Whilst it’s not the best place I have eaten for food, it was still a unique and interesting place to try. Rest of the park was alright, staff were good and with the park being ‘literally dead’, there was little to no queues all day. Apart from the new Go Karts thing, queue TVs and Just Chicken, I didn’t really notice many other changes. I guess most of the money went into the Walkthrough given it is a small year. Four rides were shut on the day of vidit, Ramesis, Tiger, Sea Storm and Black Bucaneer. Whilst safety and checks and upgrades are essentially, it’s rather poor to witness this. Merlin don’t seem to have a good track record for opening things on time clearly. Yay for better Vampire audio quality.

The marketing from park so far has been some of the best we have seen in the U.K. for a while. Very interesting to see the park adding some more thrill attractions, however I’m sure they will still remain a family based park as places like Plopsaland, Efteling and Europa are all family parks, yet still have thrill attractions.

What a lovely shade of brown they used. I’m so glad they decided to paint it up instead of replace the theming they used to have. Who needs that anyway. Who needs updated theming when you can just tear it out!

It makes me sad how they could’ve just spent the money on making the concrete tunnel actually looking pretty. Now we probably have a bland tunnel and “many more” years of complaints about it for the rest of time!

Best thing to happen at the park since I can remember!

Wouldn’t be surprised if we see Rumba on limited boats during the first few weeks/months of season. I suppose if it’s actually open that should be an achievement.

Very exciting updates here, especially considering this attraction and area could even surpass Taron for size. The thing I’m intrigued to see is whether Geister or the Temple complex have survived demolition. Perhaps both given Rookburgh’s likely delays. Guess we will have to wait wait and see until the 1st April arrives.

Visited Legoland yesterday, which was actually my first park of 2019, here’s what I have to report. The Good: Opening show bought an uplifting vibe to the park and countdown until opening (more parks should do this) Majority Of staff seemed helpful and friendly Park was surprisingly quiet (maybe the quietest I have seen), 6 rides on Dragon and two rides on Bosting School (which I has never happened before) Park was clean and tidy (in most areas) This year, the park has invested a noticeable amount of time and resources, refreshing park areas, most look much better. Refreshing to see. Also got an evac off Ninjago, fun times! The Bad £10.50 for Burger Kitchen (£8.40 approx for a mediocre burger at Burger Kitchen is very pricey if you ask me. I’ve had worse but better too. Ninjago is already seeing lots of wear and tear which is Pretty bad for a nearly new ride! Some of the animatronics in Fairy Tale Brook we’re not working The Ugly The front of the Haunted house looks decent. It’s a shame about the warehouse at the back though. Whilst I understand it is in a fairly central location, more definitely could have been done to help blend in the eyesore at the back. Shrubbery, theming landscaping etc. One just needs to look at Phantom Msnor or even Duel to see av’properly’ concealed ride building. I think the entrance could have been better too. The Dragon is one of the rides that helped me got into theme parks. Whilst the front of the ride is looking noticeably better, The sane can’t be said for the rest. This year has seen the back path area rebuilt, however not featuring the former viewing area. This is a massive shame as it used to give great views of the second half of the ride, not to mention people could spectate whilst their family and friends were on the ride. This is adds up to the growing list of features of items that have been “removed but not replaced” including the castle chandeliers, turret theming and old tree. Pirate Falls, Viking Rapids, Raft Racers and Sky Rider were closed all day. Whilst I don’t know the reasons as to why, I really hope it is not as a result of budget cuts. Poor show if it is. beside these thorns, I still had an acceptable day.

Definitely better than last year’s map, but I think those logos for GameFX and Bouncezilla aren’t big or clear enough really!

So with VR gone, I guess we can finally say it is Lost In Space!

Good to see some ‘potentially’ more optimistic outlooks on this park. Diskos On May be simple attractions, but it should prove a worthwhile staple to them amongst another flat ride as well. If Bounce comes back, that will be a nice move too, especially considering it was going to be ripped out!

This shall definitely be an interesting update. Phantasialand- We have many challenges when it comes to expansions Grona Lund- Hold my beer! Judging from the map, I’m guessing the buildings demolished housed former eateries and storage spaces, which I presume have been relocated whilst this mammoth construction is underway. Perhaps they will only be able to build outside operating hours?

With the 2019 season just starting, I thought I would make a Trip reveal trailer.

Very disappointing to see Stealth closed as this now means MattyMoo can’t experience it, and potentially close it for several months after. I used to think the MAPS were generally more forgiving and tolerant on such issues once. I guess I have spent too much time in Cloud Cuckoo Land

楽しそうだね @terrortomb

U.K. be like.

Can’t believe Saw will be 10 this year! It hurts my neck just thinking about it!

Makes me very happy that they are keeping the ride and retheming it to something similar yet appropriate. Presume the Paw Patrol area is replacing one of the older kids areas?

Could be anything really. except an RMC announcement.

Aside from Monster Party, the park has been busy updating and refreshing existing areas, most of which looks noticeably better. Source- Scream Seekers They’ve also updated the entrance area too which looks much more refreshed now too. The front section of the Monster Party looks great, however it is extremely disappointing to see (what is essentially) the whole ride warehouse on display. The ‘cheap’ vinyl printings somehow make it look even worse and imply these eyesores are here to stay. However, something worse has arisen, Anyone remember the viewing area near the Dragon coaster? This is what it looks like now! Obviously, the original area needed to be replaced, because it been around all those years however the park appears to have gone for the cheapest fix. This is is extremely disappointing to witness as not only could you witness some interesting views of the ride in action, but considerably less opportunities for people to watch the ride. I understand safety is paramount, but surely they could’ve implemented a way of keeping the view (higher fences, clear plastic). Seeing features like the ‘themed Tree’, castle chandeliers and turret theming removed over the years is saddening to witness, especially being one growing up with the park since it’s early years. One step forwards, theee steps back!

We finally have a reveal to the entrance of the Towers Dungeon, here’s a look in all it’s glory! Image- Richard Paul Matthews from Theme Park Global

The difference between DLP and Thorpe’s problems is basically the difference between a house that needs some redecorating and one with subsidence. Thorpe have closed two popular rides in the last few years and whilst some things may be out of their control, I can’t see either replaced for at least two years.

Reminds me of the World Of Plop and the Cadbury world dark ride a little. Looks rather bright and kiddiefied, but a rather charming upbeat attraction that should fit in well. The park definitely needed a notable dark ride/indoor attraction and this one should do the trick. Looks better than DBGT, let alone the random Fairy Tale Castle that existed before.