Matt 236

Let's just all go back to Europa Park! I need more absinthe to get me immersed to that place and re-rides on Wodan. I'm no meet organiser so I don't mind what happens, we could do Brighton Pier for all I know.

The building is blocky, grotty and there's too much shed. I like the lighting though and the ride isn't finished.

Not the most exciting attractions for the resort. Then again I'm not a 5 year old. The show is a curious addition though and I'm sure will do well the demographic market and those staying the hotel.

I'll form a fully armed battalion to get one of those tickets!

Comparing the promo art to the ride experience in the park is a bit like news stories. Where telling the news and the telling the truth are two completely different things. Take for example the original Derren Brown's Ghost Train advert and promo art. At least 80% of what actually appears in them, does not appear on the ride. Whether that be the twin dolls, duplicated and the duplicated/demented Derren never appears in the actual ride. Scorpion Express, Enchanted Village and other such investments remain other examples here. The promo art mostly there to get people excited and interested for the next new ride rather than offer a realistic expectation on the attraction. The ride could be good if everything is tackled correctly, although recent projects unfortunately don't show much optimism I'm afraid and we will just have to wait and see whether they pull off something nice or it's just another sub-standard investment.

Sad times, it looked an acceptable coaster amongst being the only one in a Merlin park currently. I'm curious as to why the ride has been SBNO so long and needs so much excessive work? Surely it must be structural if it's this bad. Guess thats Heide park off the list for now.

Surely the latter one in that Mark as I've not heard of anything happening and it's approaching peak season. Then again, seems very bizarre and the rumour of an extension/refurbishment seems to float around often. In regards to the pushed open times, very strange and not overly acceptable for the UK's flagship park, especially given weekdays only offer 6 hours of In park time. I wonder if this will ever u-turn, especially if vast numbers still arrive for 10?

With the exception all of Chessington, all of Merlin's parks have built several major coasters in recent years. Towers has Smiler (2013) and SW8 (2018), Thorpe has Swarm (2012), Garda has Raptor (2011) and Oblivion Black Hole (2015) and Heide has Krake (2011) and Flug Der Daemon (2014). The problem isn't so much the gap between each major coaster, but fills that gap. Phantasialand for example left a ten year gap before building their most recent major coaster and filling the between years with a major flume Ride, dark ride, major flat, splash battle amongst enhanced kids rides and reworking of the park's hub.

Airhop has been booked up, so no need to worry hopefully. And no TGI cocktails ? But their Purple rain is amazing, even if it needs a loan to buy one of them

I only ever rode Wicked Witches Haunt once or twice, but my first ever ride on it amazed the six year old me. From it's beautiful gothic design, sets, humour and set pieces. It was the first large scale dark ride I'd ever ridden and blew anything else out of proportion, which were mostly fairground ghost trains. This was a lot more than a ghost train. I would still argue to this day the loss of this attraction is the greatest loss to the UK and it's tragic to think how all that detail was burn't to ash in it's final moments. Geisterschloss at Europa Park (though noticeably different) is probably the nearest replica to this ride which thankfully still operates to this day.

Plopsaland are not only building a new hotel, but a new holiday village too. Apparently there will be 150 lodges amongst pitches for caravans. This area will be located behind the park and is said to utilise the existing Wickie theme as well. The first phase may be ready for next year when the park will also open their Theatre themed hotel. Source-Loopings Certainly a very interesting investment and perhaps somewhat a cross between Bosrijk and Enchanted Village, It's great to see Plopsaland investing so much into the park lately and I'm sure will be a hit for them.

To be fair they've needed a major new addition for while that doesn't comprise an embarrassing truck journey with animals and this is probably the attraction that breaks that gap. I'm sure it'll be pretty successful for the park despite replacing a contrived form of a classic.

Well, at least it's a start. Kudos for them for actually maintaining something that isn't new or a safety hazard. Well done.

The problem here is not so much the case of the ride being mothballed for several seasons (including the one coming) but the overall state of the ride in recent years. Logger's tunnel was in a terrible state during the last 5+ years of the ride's life resulting in complete removal of a large chunk in 2013 and the first drop no longer being enclosed. Considering it remained unchanged for it's final three seasons amongst the increasingly stale station building, queue and landscaping says a lot about the ride's TLC (or lack of perhaps). Merlin have been under the steering wheel for ten years now and given the ride's increasing poor state and park success, you could surely think a company second to Disney could implement the acceptable renovation procedures to keep it in a workable state in the first place. A constant TLC scheme should be mandatory at all parks as presentation and operations should be a priority. Hopefully if what Adam says seems to be true, maybe we will finally see the return of the ride somepoint in the future with much needed updates and safety enhancements. However recent track records such as the abrupt closing of the Flume, Dragon Fall's rockwork and others don't give much optimism. It would be a shame to lose such a classic, iconic and staple ride, especially given it's famous reputation in the nineties with a former famous figure.

I can safely say the fundamental reasons why I return to our Merlin parks are as a result of the following: The social aspect-meeting and catching up with mates (not to mention meets) New rides- Examples include Swarm, Smiler and DBGT The rides I love- Swarm,Nemesis, Vampire, Thirteen and Inferno to name a few The Merlin Pass is still adequate value (arguably) Typically I only complain as I think they could be better than what they currently are, but as this is a positive topic I'll try and stay optimistic. The Towers Loving Care Scheme (the Nemy repaint) The Roller Coaster Restaurant The Ghost Train Shop Tidal Wave enhancements Thorpe Street food Slammer working (sorry ?) Burger King enhancements The pre-firework fountain show at Legoland The new finale in the Star Wars miniland Salvaging models of Dino Safari & Loki's Labyrinth The new opening system at Legoland Hope that was acceptable

Just some of the maps and things I own. Might take a new updated picture in a while as this was probably taken two years ago.

Adding onto the sound advice Adam and Matty have given, I'll say this. Only do DBGT if the queue isn't too excessive. If not it may be worth trying for the end of the day as the queues typically close and not the rides when the park shuts. Rumba and Angry Birds 4D are advisable 'after lunch' rides unless you have a strong stomach or join a queue over 30 minutes. The big five coasters, X, Detonator, DBGT (if it's your thing), Slammer, Rush and Tidal Wave (if the weather is good) are the must do's.

I tend to avoid that rust bucket company as they make DBGT look highly reliable. South West wipe the floor with them until they combust!

Never heard of him. The only LG I know of is my TV set I look forward to seeing Bugs though. Should be good st bowling, but I'm dreading running into a wall and getting a massive wound on my face.

I'm in. Try and stop me! Won't be skating sadly.

Yesterday was the last day of operation for the Californian Tower Of Terror (at least of what was left of it) after checking in it's final guests after 13 years. The ride system will now under-go the 6 month transformation into the Guardians Of The Gakaxy Ride opening this Summer. As great the successor could be, it's replaced a Disney classic, staple and master piece. DCA Tower Of Terror should be remembered like this: And not this: Source-Inside The Magic An intersting article worth reading about how the Tower Of Terror came to be can be found at Theme Park Tourist

Universal looks fab. How were the updates for Jimmy Fallon and Fast And Furious progresssing? Did you visit Wet N Wild as I hear it's closing this week? It's great to see a park put so much work into improving the whole park.

The Wild Woods name reminds me of Legoland's older days probably because they used to have an area called Wild Woods (Pirates now). As names go, they could've done worse but I still prefer the area's previous area, Transylvania. The same goes for the facade, although the central entrance position is one advantage. As for the advert, it feels rather patronising if I'm overly honest but perhaps that's because it's for the target audience they are getting. How times have changed.

Banned for misusing your powers! You may be a Mod but you won't bring Geazi back!

I know Merlin can be expensive, but nearly £1800 for 3-5 people getting Premium is surely out of hand! Other sale rises are surely because the price went up anyway.