Matt 236

The second extra day at Blackpool was certainly much fun, especially getting those extra rides in too. Always enjoy the ballroom and the tower, even with it's crazy pre-show.

It's not even purely Disney though that are going all out on making things presentable, but a lot of other European parks such as Efteling and Europa Park. Whom frequently clean, tidy and refresh the park without too much bell chiming. Whether that be sprucing up their Fairy Tale walk through or converting a staple support flat ride into an experience. I'm divided on the whole TLC scheme. It's great to see thr park implementing changes and updates, whether it's new paint or toilets. But at the end of the day, it's something the park should be doing anyway. The park may have never reached it's dilapidated state had such a scheme been in place from day one.

The first train for ride has arrived, which was beamed down from the Mack factory. Looks fantastic so far, even if it's still covered in Klingon film. Apparently it will feature three launches and reach 90 KPH. Source-Loopings I'm sorry

I love the Pleasure Beach. It has such a classic and traditional feel and the mixture of rides there of a good variety. I especially adore the dark rides, woodies, avalanche and Steeplechase. All such fun rides. Despite the wetness and hotel issues, it was one of the best meets last year and overall fun.

Is the new boss

Closed season updates courtesy of Theme Park Guide Tidal Wave is undergoing some major work it's lift, with the evacuation/inspection steps being replaced completely. The cobra of Colossus is also under scaffolding. Probably just general maintenance. And yes, Old Town is getting a couple of (needed) kids rides (from the old ride section at Weymouth Sea Life). The boat ride has already been installed and replaced Zeke's Shack I believe. The other drop ride hasn't been installed yet but foundations are apparently getting built near the old Noodle place. And Rumba seems to be receiving a fair bit of attention too. They could be returning the ride to make it completely different from its existing carnation. Or probably just giving the attraction some extensive maintenance.

Altair says high. With a lot of work and adjustments, lap bar Colossus would still be possible, although unlikely. Unfortunately I can't see them ever changing the restraints unless they had to, given the way things tend to work. Whilst it would help smoothen the ride, I get the impression the roughness is also down to the track design too and assuming that's the case will probably never be replaced. With the exception of woodies (which need track replacing anyway every so often), Disney and Universal are the only companies that have (and can probably warrant the cost of) retracting existing rides.

The meet in a nutshell: TPM Failing at dodgeball against 11 year olds is certainly summarises how physically fit most of us are Skaters assemble! (Not me because I was watching) Malcolm fabulously rocking the bowling alley. And some funky appropriate names in the alley. And a slippery Alex to finish! Was a good meet and enjoyable on my first and (maybe) last Guildford meet. Because the Spectrum is getting rebuilt next year apparently.

Due to financial reasons and unconfirmed plans, I will regretibly have to pull out of this meet. Have a great time. There goes my chain of 11 consecutive meets

Unfortunately rides breakdowns happen from time to time and in this instance both were down. As Baron has mentioned, I'm assuming you visited in the summer where both rides suffered drastic and unfortunate down time over major hardware issues. Hopefully this year neither attractions (and most of the park preferably) won't suffer drastic downtime and should be open for your visit. N.B if you visit the park after Mattymoo and Jadam ride Stealth after eating kebabs and alcohol, be prepared to be disappointed.

Painting coasters won't make them any smoother. However it would be nice if Colossus was given a paint pup was it currently looks worse than it rides.

As much as I'm a big fan of TGIS, Staines is sadly the weakest I've been to. Having been to the Ines in Watford, Crawley, Cardiff and Leicester SQ. which are much better. Reviews are Here. I homestly have no preference at all at all where we eat, but am curious as to why Harvester isn't featured on the poll, unless it's closed down since I last went which would be a shame.

Yes! Bring on the most exciting new ride of 2018! Can't wait to see this ride being constructed.

Me and Tomb will be there! Rise Of The Duo

The thing I love about Europa is not only is it always thriving to improve but the whole park is generally tidy and well kept. No areas looking worn or grotty snd in need of desperate repair. So many parks could take a leaf out of Europa's book. Agree on Wodan and Blue Fire. Both are amazing rides in their own ways and whilst I slightly prefer Wodan, the latter makes me very excited for Blackpool getting one. Eurosat is an interesting one, as I didn't like it on my first ride but found my second round considerably better as I sat nearer the front. Rumour has it the ride is getting retracted in the future, so one can hope. Geisterschloss and Batavia are definitely charming attractions and the better dark rides there, the latter very reminiscent to Phantom Phantasia. Dinosaur is certainly one of the weaker dark attractions there, but I don't mind bench as I find it quite hilarious. Europa is certainly a park you could spend days visiting and not get tired of the place for sure. Project V may not be as exciting or ground breaking as other recent developments, but I'm sure will compliment the lineup nicely. Haven't stayed in the park hotels so can't comment unfortunately. Are they cheap and easy to book?

Toverland has always been a place I've wanted to visit for a while. Thst will become a must once this new wing rider opens which sounds an exceptional addition to the park. Hopefully by by the time it's open, road trip material will be comprehensible. The whole expansion project of this park sounds fantastic and could give the Netherlands another game player (amongst The Efteling) but we shall see. Hopefully they'll eventually build a dark ride too since it currently lacks those.

The name sounds like a sequel to a moderately successful film series. Video didn't really tell us more about the updated attraction minus the name, but I suppose it may help build excitement for the GP. Lets hope the ride is more reliable than southern this year.

More Symbolica goodness in part 2 of the making of the ride.

Indeed. Toadstool at 33 is now one of the oldest rides at the park now with the Blade (37) being the only attraction which is older. It's probably a combination of high maintenance and 'smoke screen' budget cuts as to why it's closed given the closed Season isn't 4-5 months for nothing. A future revamp for Cloud Cuckoo is highly essential given it feels neglected, derelict and dated. Rebuilding the area from scratch in future would be nice (but somewhat unlikely). The park hours are certainly a dire embrassment not just for Merlin, but UK park's and are now clearly the worst of any major/secondary theme park in Europe. Even Blackpool & Pleasure Wood Hills have better openings now.

Yay working rides. Might as well rack up those rides on Truckers! This line up is about as exciting as modern day Chessington.

Great to have the UK's greatest experience back open again. I thought it was going to be sealed for two centuries with the way things are going. The rest of the mothballs just confirm how things will continue to go on, even if the minority enjoy Charlie and Ice Age. Not me. The toadstall closure is clearly more budget cuts as thinking a simple flat takes a whole season to get refurbished is quite laughable. But if it means Hex can open in current situations, so be it!

Maybe the twist is the ride isn't reopening and they are just trolling us? Wouldnt surprise me if they swapped Duel for Hex. That's the Towers. Way currently.

Really Odd temperamental dark ride? Might make sense.

Well that's another one biting the dust, or rotting away for the foreseeable future. The UK has definitely had it's large share of SBNO stuff recently. Apparently Tales Of The Coast (that strange water/dark ride) was demolished last season and replaced with a wave swinger, which is quite laughable TBH even if the old ride wasn't great to begin with. Track issues may apparently be Rattlesnake's issue preventing it from running so it must be pretty serious if that's the case.

The above plans are highly acceptable. Lightwater/Flamingo yes please, but Oakwood is good too. I was joking and being jibberish about Europa, but it's a park everyone should visit meet or non meet. Port Av is high on the priority list so Ryan has the pain or pleasure in having tagging along.