Matt 236

So many more amazing RMC’s popping up. I think I just got another reason to go and visit Japan now!

So the park will be reopening their Rattlesnake attraction this year, which is a surprising yet amazing move, especially how popular and iconic that attraction used to be. Source- Pleasurewood Hills FB I believe the park have a new director/manager this year who hopefully seems dedicated and optimistic for the park and fingers crossed makes improvements, especially considering how run down the place has become lately. Great to see there are some places that can bring old rides back to life, although who’s to say what’s been done to achieve this?

I’m still waiting for that long rumoured wooden coaster, but if it happens it’ll be a strange one and be another bloody nose for Thorpe indefinitely!

I think someone needs to just add this into the Burnt Stub Mansion Topic- New For 1348!

Think I’ll be staying at Europa Park even longer then, if this is the quality of our parks!

I have absolutely no idea what the park are doing right now. Except closing Loggers, which could be seen from the moon really. Thorpe Park are a bit like a findus microwave meal at the moment.

Well, it was clearly a matter of time before the park had to drop the bomb that their former beloved log flume was never Coming back, especially with the numerous questions and complaints received during it’s ‘supposed’ mothballing. It is safe to say that the permanent closure of Loggers has been the park’s worst kept secret (as far as enthusiasts are concerned). It was clearly never going to come back, especially given the work and maintenance needed, not to mention the fact literally nothing was done after the end of the 2015 season. Whilst Thorpe’s announcement has (finally) put closure on Loggers Leap’s, the communication and manner they went about this has been appalling. If it wasn’t coming back, they should have been completely honest during the 2016 season and confessed it then. Or perhaps more importantly, Thorpe and Merlin should have actually invested and budgeted upgrading the attraction to ensure it could continue to operate properly for years to come. It would have definitely been money better spent than their Ghost Train! Unfortfunately, I get the impression that whatever replaces the attraction/area won’t be happening for several years, let alone the fact it will be a worthwhile replacement. Following falling guest numbers and the failure of DBGT, I get the impression Merlin are investing less in the park for now until there are signs of improvement! I wish to remember the ride in it’s positive state and not the embarrassment of it’s closure. I always thoroughly enjoyed riding Loggers, from my first rides in the mid/late nineties upto whenever my last go in 2015 was. It’s (original) surprise first drop, beautiful lake location and double drop towards Canada Creek made for some of the best memories of the ride for me and ones I’ll never forget on this former classic. R.I.P Loggers Leap 1989-2015

Enthusiasts not at Blackpool opening weekend be like,

Regardless of what the coaster could be (if there even is a coaster), this looks to be another fantastic development in this lovely park! Paultons have been improving in leaps and bounds in the last few years, not only through investment, but the right type amongst keeping their business clientele returning and entertained! Cant wait to see how they develop this!

Am I the only one that sees the uncanny resemblance? Oh and it probably has some Wickerman in it too.. Still looks interesting enough as new concepts go.

Might as well chip in, 5/ GCI 4/ Intamin 3/ RMC 2/ B&M 1/ Mack

**WORLDS FIRST RETIREMENT HOME DEDICATED TO THEME PARKS AND SCREAMING** Seems an odd first for Merlin if you ask me. Residential developments don’t go well near them parks though, especially in the U.K.

DOUBLE POST***- but that was over two weeks ago. Carnaval won’t be the only classic set for drastic changes, as the park’s Vintage Car attraction (Oude Tufferbaan) is set for a major renovation. Loopings reports approximately 1.8 million euros will be spent on the Tufferbaan renovation, replacing the vehicles, rail and operating system. It also mentions the car horns will interact with new scenes on the ride. There will also be a new double station which should help capacity, as ride often receives lengthy queues. Great to see Efteling developing their attractions further, showing what a top park does. 2019 is definitely a busy and exciting year for them indeed!

The same could be said really when the Thompson Family shut down Frontier Land in 1999 or (the original) Pleasureland Southport. I’m sure there’s other examples out there too. Doesn’t stop this still being bad though. I'm another who remembers seeing Volcano The Blast on a ride documentary( anyone remember the name), which included other rides such as Men In Black and Millenium Force (an attraction I’ve actually ridden). Still a shame it’s closed though despite it’s numerous issues, let’s hope a decent replacement surpasses it. Dynamite looks great though, it’s nice to see a small park buy a quality Mack coaster there.

There will definitely be people who remember the Rangers, a lot of the people who grew up with them will have nieces/nephews or even have children of their own. The Rangers were park icons (especially in the nineties) and only really started disappearing from prominence around the mid-naughties.They had four rides and a show in their heyday. That however said, it would feel a strange, bizarre and almost shoe-horned if we suddenly saw them either roaming the park or at a meet and greet place. It’s certainly a shame they have been ditched especially when other parks still heavily maintain their mascots, Pardoes, The six Dragons, Ed Mouse etc., but I don’t think Thorpe is that kind of park anymore. Not without a major facelift/revitalise.

That’s not a good sign at all. Plus I’m sure DBGT will still not open in time either!

I like the idea of new trains on Colossus as it could make the ride more enjoyable and pleasant, especially as the park’s original ‘thrill’ Icon. But lets face it, there’s a higher chance of the ride getting demolished or abandoned than this ever happening.

I understand a number of their visitors are chavy, cocky and ‘self entitled’ but for the park to class them inferior to pass holders is going a bit far really?

I think the current social media team are trying to get fired with their current attitude. There is a fine line between banterous social media and damn right offensive and immature posting, the latter seems to be much nearer to the latter. They arw basically cominf across like they are deliberately trashing their own product, even if it’s a potential dig at their parent company,

The changes to Carnival sound interesting, especially as they will largely affect scenes that some have considered racist. Loopings have uploaded concept art of the changes being made to the African scene. The outfits definitely seem more authentic, but hopefully fitting as if they’ve always existed. I'm not sure what the China and Japan scenes will entail after the changes, but I expect the figures will the teeth are the most likely to be adjusted/removed. As long as these scenes still fit in within the current attraction, I don’t mind the change. One could say, this is Efteling’s equivalent to when Disney changed the ‘Red Head’ scenes in their POTC attractions. Carnival isn’t my favourite Efteling attraction, but I’m aware it is probably one of their most popular and iconic, at least with native guests. Monseur Cannibal is a strange and interesting one as it’s also quite popular but would argue is a lot more offensive than Carnival. Will we see the attraction ‘watered down’, completely rethemed or removed entirely?

‘If we can hold off anything depicting a referendum, that would be great’. Thorpe of all the main Merlin attractions (by far) has the most significant issues concerning brand, marketing, identity and as an overall product. Chessington and Towers are not immune to noticeable issues, but are doing comparatively better as whole. The park was booming in the naughties, but is now slipping in a worrying state as a result of poor product offering, decisions and experience. The park for most guests is probably seen as an overpriced, run down place with unreliable horror themed rides with an abusive clientele and ‘over worked’ staff. They are likely one of the lowest performing major tourist attractions in the U.K. The possible soloution is to get back to basics. Look at what they are offering and who to? Create marketing to appeal to that offering and stick with it. Work on park appearances and experience. When these are sorted, start investing in some quality ‘long term’ reliable hardware and infrastructure. I think they are probably overdue a new entranve too considering their existing one has just been updated cheaply every few years.

Well, least it’s better than nothing. The important thing is, it isn’t worse than 2018’s opening hours (yet).

It’s no secret that the majority of Merlin attractions are currently going through some sort of decline, whether that be Thorpe, the midways or even the Legolands (as there have been reports of profits dropping there too). Whilst things like ‘cheaper flights’, terrorism, the economy and recent ride accidents are just some things that may have hindered visitor numbers, Merlin cannot be cleared of all charges by any means. Over recent years, we have generally seen charm, character, atmosphere, upkeep/appearances and general pride dwindle in these parks. There is typically less escapism when you are bombarded by ‘cheap short-term attractions’, walking adverts and ‘exposed ride buildings’ -see DBGT, Ninjago etc.). The fact they have stuck ‘cheap’ Lego monsters on there only salts the wound further and epitomises this. It’s a fact the U.K. parks are generally capped when it comes to growth and expansion, largely down to space limitation, strict planning or most likely both, but this shouldn’t be a hinderance to what the parks could do, if they were allowed the resources to create entertaining attractions. The Wickerman is a pure example of this. Sure, it’s probably not the best layout for a roller coaster, but through it’s compelling storyline, effects, atmospheric soundtrack and theming proves the parks and the U.K. can still create distinctive and memorable attractions that the G.P. will love and enjoy.

Can’t say I’m massively surprised they are charging for their Dungeon attractions to pass holders (too), whether that means it will be free eventually can be anyone’s guess. If successful I can see the park adding a Madame Tussaud’s Alton Towers and/or a Legoland Discovery Centre Alton Towers in the future. The £5 Charge does now mean I will have an incredibly difficult task of whether I visit the Towers Dungeons or grab my usual Mcdonalds after visiting now though.

That’s bonestly such a pity really, because there’s so many things they could clearly do at the park. Like Turn Colossus trains backwards, make Vortex and Rush do a whole 360 and whilst we’re at it, rebuild Phantom Fantasia.