Matt 236

The company (along with Shambhala & Illuminations) was the saving grace for the trip.

Absolutely astounding you managed to actually have a highly enjoyable PA visit. When I I was there operations, staff (especially customer service) and food were awful. I will say though there was a sandwich place near Baco which was ok but that’s bad about it. Understabd about Khan, but not too sure on the others. I found Stampida ok, Baco surprisingly enjoyable and El Diablo boring apart from the very start and end of the ride. Shambhala seems to be a surprisingly marmite one, where people either rank amongst their favourites or find it overrated. I’m the former there so you can take that as you like. I had a love-hate on my previous visit, but probably won’t return in a rush. At least Phantasialand toilets are themes though.

Wow never realised this actually used to exist,which seems like neat but pleasant little extra after the ride. Shame they got rid of it. I believe it was sometime around 2011 when this was removed and the exit re-routed with a more simpler generic one. The old building has become the Princess Pavillion Meet and Greet area now, as I’m aware.

Ideally, the park/Merlin could create a special park card system, which can be purchased and used at restaurants or even shops. Pre-purchase meals could be another thing, where they show a reservation number/email at food outlets and receive their pre-ordered items (meal deal?). Unless they already offer this. Society is definitely gradually leaning more towards ‘Card only’ payments, but I’d still say a noticeable amount of people still use cash. Either because they prefer or have to. For the latter, peak meals could now be rather hassling.

Glad you enjoyed the ride. They’ve definitely created an impressive attraction here. Hope to ride it in the coming weeks/months.

The Jim Button ride looks lovely with some decent theming. It looks completely unrecognisable from the Old Circus theme, which was perhaps becoming dated. Great to see Europa injecting do much love there. I just hope Can Can Coaster gives justice to what Eurosat once was.

Yes unfortunately Bush BBQ and Pulled Meat have bit the dust. Quite a shame really as I did enjoy both in their own ways, however not surprised with things considered. Whether they lay dormant this season (and beyond) or reopen for peak season remains to be seen. The card only method is an interesting one, which seems to apply to most food outlets. Is this really a way of speeding up service or is there more to this? What if it’s Merlin’s way of trying to abolish counterfeit money?

Deeply saddened upon hearing of Roodie’s passing. Thoughts go out to his family and closest of friends. I only met him a few times during meets, but he was lovely down to earth guy, who was extremely friendly. He wasn’t one for running round hitting checklists or the first there, but one to simply just take in and enjoy the parks with the company amongst him. Roodie’s premature departure certainly puts things into perspective to try and appreciate life more, regardless of how good or bad things in our lives seem to be. Whether that be a trip/holiday being delayed or cancelled, not landing your dream job or moments where seems to going to plan. The last time time I knowingly saw him was leaving for the car park at Chessington after an exciting meal and visit to the park. Little did I know at the time that would be the last time I saw him. He may have only been active in the community for just over a year, but certainly left a lasting impression. As long as we can continue to enjoy these wonderful meets and socials. Amongst remembering the good times of those Roodie attended, his spirit can definitely live on. Roodie May be gone, but he is definitely not forgotten. Thanks for reading and I apologise if this is too much for anyone.

Both coasters are looking very good yet very different at the same time. One is an immersive woodie with special effects and a pre-show, whereas the other is a sleek styled and modern launch coaster that interacts with numerous other attractions. Wicker will probably be more successful in the shorter term, with it’s advertisement and publishing, whereas Icon I expect more-so in the medium to longer term, when more people start riding it (subject to positive reviews). 2018 has arguably been the best year for new rides this decade.

I get the impression the ghost train will be an ongoing adjustment from the park. Scene Two in particular has seen some substantial changes, making it more of a walkthrough/maze than what was previously a show scene. At first I can say, the decision to change this was definitely a mixed bag. However hearing upon the move being as a result of excessive breakdowns, it is perhaps more of a positive in that regard. Derren has been a problematic attraction for shut downs (usually on a daily basis). Fingers cross this debatable move will noticeably improve it’s reliability. Can also add on my last ride, the VR worked well as did the shop. Apart from the Demon getting stuck outside after the ending, which was just bizarre.

This definitely looks better than expected because it offers a unique and interesting access way to access the upcoming Rookburgh area, whilst in keeping with the stunning Berlin Street. Can’t wait to watch Rookburgh progress and develop, and who knows what else may enter the new area in the form of attractions, shops, restaurants or even more. Mamba’s new rockwork is without doubt stunning.

Absolutely love the new additions and attentive care the Macks put into Europa each year, whether that’s a cute update to one of their family rides or tweaking shops or eateries. Europa definitely have a can can do attitude. Speaking of which, the art work looks great, although I will very much miss the original space theme too.

Mexican Cantina is becoming Sombrero’s Burrito Bar. Hats off to them.

Love a park that go all out on doing up areas and making them look almost new again Mamba didn’t necessarily need work doing, but looks amazing though as s result of it. The Berlin building demolition seems a generally unexpected one, but shows the park has some interesting developments up it’s sleeve. Apparently, Ling Bao has also seen some changes, especially to the main restaurant which has been given a noticeably more modern Asian look. Rumours suggest that China could be the next area to be redeveloped and Geister Riksha replaced with an updated dark ride.

Wow. There’s snow in Poland too. Oh, and the coaster being built in the pictures looks lovely too.

The irony that a coaster using fire is closed due to snow. Honestly though, there are certain weather conditions which make it unsafe for certain rides to operate in and with recent track history the park will need and want to follow that. One should note it is not just Merlin parks that close attractions due to weather. When I was at PA last year, Shambhala and other attractions had ceased operation due to high wind.

Well, at least it will be slightly better than Tomb Blaster at worst. I want to be excited seeing that an ageing dark ride is getting a noticeable refurbishment, but I just remember Tomb Blaster. If this has been done correctly it will make for a refreshing and welcoming decision, otherwise it’ll probably be the beginning of the end.

I miss the days when only Detonator and Slammer operated at a snowed in park. Oh well.

Sounds a massive shame if they were originally going to build an enclosed launch and decided to remove it (either due to budget or something). Would be nice if they could add this during the future, but that seems wishful thinking. I’d rather they remove the stopping completely if this is the case. In retrospect, the second launch actually feels underwhelming, because it literally does a few curves and corners and then goes straight into the brake run. It certainly feels a missed opportunity on the layout front, especially since I consider the second launch on rides such as Helix and Taron, the best parts of the ride. Not a bad coaster as such, but one that could’ve been even better.

Looks good and seems a logical move to switch the drop towers for ‘presumably’ a Madhouse style ride system. Lets hope this actually goes ahead now following all the kerfuffle over the original system. I guess this this is more akin to a juniorised Hex than Mystery Castle now.

Whatever they are doing it should at least be an improvement over it was like before. Hopefully the park park will eventually extensively update/rebuild the entrance area, however I expect that is still several years away.

I hate to be negative, especially towards a park that’s had so much significance personally, but I cannot help but notice the shocking flaws within the park. With the exception of Gruffalo, most of the main rides are in a shocking condition. Missing/broken/removed theming with budget repairs, poor and incorrect lighting (Vampire and Tomb come to mind) and numerous exterior area’s continuing to decay and remain run down. Probably until they are either rethemed or a victim to knee-jerk safety measures. The majority of staff seem to put in put in an effort with the limitations they have, but when uppers cannot offer sufficient budget and resources, then there’s little that can be done and things continue to slip. Building or updating attractions is only half the battle as the park (probably like most in the group) need a steady yet consistent upkeep scheme that ensures key areas and elements receive deserving attention. Even simple things like repainting walls and jetwashing roofs is a good start. Many parks out there do these on a yearly basis, whilst at Chessington and the like we are lucky if it happens ever. I feel particularly pessimistic on Hocus Pocus. Whilst it was never a groun breaking attraction, it was full of so much simple charm and character, making it an amusing distraction. Without the glasses, it’s almost pointless to experience the attraction which is equivalent to watching a major blockbuster without any special effects. Sadly I’d say there is a greater chance of this closing/being replaced than for the park being able to reinvest in new glasses. Overall it’s poor. The likes of Gruffalo and upcoming Tiger Rock bring some greatness to the place, however the rest continues to slip away.

In a perfect world, they’d have those Mack baggage holds, similar to Blue Fire and Silver Star. These enable a more safer and secure method than open shelving, yet don’t require the extra staff member stuck in a bag room handing out/handing back guest’s belongings. I think some bag holds work better than others. I think on rides like Thirteen and Stealth, they work rather well, but will say the one for Swarm leaves something to be desired.

Definitely would like to see something like an RMC. Something along the lines of Steel Vengeance or Wild Fire, but probably noticeably smaller with more styling/theming. A GCI Woodie or something similar to Taron/Helix (but comparatively different) are honourable mentions. Even something like Time Treveller wouldn’t go a miss. Can’t really see them adding another B&M unless it’s something like a Hyper. Swarm alone pretty much rules out any Floorless and Flyer type coasters and Saw probably writes off a dive coaster. Don’t fancy a stand up at all. Lets just hope the capex reduction hasn’t affected this otherwise we’ll be lucky to get an apocalyptic Wacky Worm or Spinning Wild Mouse with faded primary colours.

Looks nice, shame about the first launch pause though. Would love to see sonething like this come to a UK park one day.