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Certainly looking like it's going to be a decent medium thrill family coaster for the park. Liking the colour scheme so far and should the theming resemble any of the above impressions, this is going to a superb addition to the park. Slightly surprised Gerstlauer haven't sold many more of these models so far, given the success of Fire Chaser and it would be ideal for many parks like Drayton Manor.

Could be worse, much worse. Least another Mack mega will exist in Europe and judging from the park currently, it looks like it needs something like this too. Train looks perfectly decent for what it is, if a little plain. white lights would be nice, but who knows.

I've heard that Arrow suspended coasters have an apparent life expectancy of 25 years, something which is currently known as a shelf life recommendation. It is mentioned in an article about the Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg which closed in 2009 after 25 years. This can be found Here and is an interesting article which is worth a look. The final page goes in depth to why this attraction ceased to exist. Back to Vampire, the ride will be 27 this year (28th season) and given it's position, is still technically the park's headline attraction. However unfortunately I fear there will be a time in the near'ish future where maintaining and servicing this iconic ride may no longer be practical. A task that presumably gets slightly more difficult as each closed Season arrives.

There will be a time somepoint in the future where Colossus will most likely be replaced, as unfortunately one day the ride will be too old to operate and not to mention the ride's apparent structural difficulties (relating to the ground situations). It's also worth mentioning there is only one major area of park expansion currently, two if poor Loggers has gone forever. Further infilling at the park is currently not an option as the formation of new land often means existing land must be flooded to compensate the loss of water. A wild guess of when Colossus screws out of the lineup, would be when the coaster reaches 25-30 years of age, given the timeframe when most other steel coasters before have kicked the bucket, whether that be Corkscrew, Rattlesnake (PWH) or Big Bad Wolf. This would imply it could be around 2027-2032 (assuming Thorpe hopefully still exists) when the ride is potentially up for removal and replacement. Based on current trends should they continue, the park would've seen at least two large investment years between then, with the island next to Swarm used for one of these investments. But this is all very far ahead in the future and who knows what will happen then. Colossus in the present is almost 15 years old in it's sixteenth year of service (scary how long it's been around now) and theoretically middle aged (as steel coasters go). Will the ride receive more than escential maintenance year such as a paint job or adjustments? Probably not. All I can say is, enjoy the ride now whilst it's around. For some it may not be the best or as good as Swarm or Stealth for example, but it's the ride that put Thorpe on the map.

And here is the new evac platform for those wondering. Not the prettiest thing, but if it means the ride can continue operating for the foreseeable future, it's certainly a good thing. Hopefully Vampire still has several years of life left, especially considering the ride is almost 30 now, technically surpassed it's life expectancy in 2015 and loose rumours suggest it won't be around much longer due to mechanical struggles. Perhaps the new proposed Juvelin coaster is intended as a technical replacement.

Well, whatever they get I just hope it's comparatively better then Shockwave and G Force, which are the worst coaster duo I have ever ridden. I wont miss Buffalo if it's for the chop. In other news, Thomas Land is getting 'yet' anothe new attraction this year (whilst the rest of the park is stagnant). Still, I suppose it's their best asset right now and they need to. Compete against Beeb land and Peppa land.

Potentially good news! Disneyland Paris has been comparatively behind the other resorts whrn it compares to progressions. It's also the only resort without a major expansion plan in the present too. TBH prices are always going up at the resorts. Recently WDW rose prices for their parks, Magic Kingdom is now $115 in moderate season and $124 in peak.

I live in my home, which is next door to my neighbours house which is next door to mine. Second homes include: Chessington Legoland Inferno's cave The Chessington South Train Line The midlands TGI Fridays Disney Land Paris The Metropolitan Line

Well it's an improvement at least. Beats wandering around a half closed theme park I guess. Legoland Windsor apparently isn't going beyond 6pm for closing times, so Merlin problems galore continue again!

Unacceptable! They could've at least showed us the full extend of the damage they are doing to this once great attraction.

I always try to link or give citation when giving the source. Ketchup is my favourite!

The above status is probably just teasing us because the park will be open again next month. A giant Top Spin would perfectly compliment the line up, alongside a freshly repainted Colossus snd second Detonator tower with a tidal wave fire ball going off in the distance. What a show!

If you are intending to visit two days in a row, I would recommend getting the 2 day ticket Which is around £43 5 days in advance or £59. If you are not intending to visit within two consecutive days, your best option may be Towers 2 Tickets. This is the park's bounce back option but you can only buy on the day I believe.

This level of investment of receiving a major investment for a medium scale park is astonishing! Six Flags might still own this place or be secretely buying it out again, for all we know!

Drugs in Legoland? Now that's a new one! Train spotting in miniland will never be the same now.

Glad to see they learnt from the mistakes of the ghost train. I'll be there for it's opening in July even though it will probably be unavailable. I just hope the extension they add on next year won't be yet another scare maze!

Well at least the ride is in working order and had the adjustments to operate in present conditions. Still a shame and disappointment to see most of the original theming removed or delapidated as the drops look dull and naked without the faces and rockwork. Same can be said for the shortened tunnel and other pieces astound.

It may be a fallback. If I'm still not fully employed by 2018, I may have to resort to burning Paris! Hellfire!

Double standards

Job searching sucks. ive been searching for months and months for stuff and still haven't landed anywhere. Last week, applied last minute for Disney and was surprised to get invited to an interview, which I think went well. Sadlybdidnt get the job so still have nothing. Every time I apply and don't get offered, part of me dies!

Whilst I'm not a big fan of this ongoing VR trend, the theme and plot line does certainly sound an interesting one for this new attraction, especially that it's going to be a darker take on an already horror based theme.

The Rattlesnake is now officially dead! Source-Eastern Daily Press At 30, the attraction was one of the oldest and most iconic attractions for the park, undergoing many identities such as the ladybird, Rattlesnake and Snake In The Grass before reverting back to the Rattlesnake in it's final few years. It is believed to have closed due to the difficulty in finding replacement parts, which is slightly surprising given it's a Zierer and I'm pretty sure they still exist, however at the end of the day it was still a very old coaster. Prior to it's removal, it was the sixth oldest operating steel coaster in the UK, only surpassed by Little Dipper (Mack's Amusements)-1975, Steeplechase (BPB)-1977, Wild Cat (Southport)-1978, Revolution (BPB)-1979 and Skyways (Clarence Pier)-1980. The attraction is expected to be removed in the coming weeks with the main part of the coaster train to be auctioned off, with profits going towards a charitable cause. A replacement attraction is expected to be announced later in the season.

Fingers crossed this will be a 2017 addition as I'd like to see something along the lines of a new water/dark ride there one day. An interesting move the park are expanding the Peppa Pig area. Then again Beeb land has had two expansions and Thomas having four. Suppose it could rival these considering they're all getting new stuff this year.