insider9150

No there was never brakes underneath the trains, they've always been fixed to the track. The original vampire trains stopped the same as the new vekoma trains, the only difference is that there is an additional set of brakes in the station, as the vekoma trains are longer than the original arrow trains. There are 2 main problem why 3 trains cannot run. Firstly poor ride operating and training, and secondly chessington can not afford to run 3 trains.

Rumour has it the new monkey walk through will be ready for next weekend. Also the demolition of the old bird enclosures starts tomorrow ready for the new hotel extension

water fountains are now all working, with a far better program than before.

The sign above is impossible, as chessington only have male rhino.

This was my first time riding smillar today, and to be honest it looks very impressive, and has been cleverly done. the theming is to Merlin Standard, and will probably full apart in a year like most merlin theming jobs, but the ride was not great.

To be honest rattlesnake requires more attention than fury. But hopefully with the re-theme of the minetrain and Mexicana area, maybe this may happen

Lack of money, lack of interest, lack of good experienced engineers, same as last year wh en I worked there!

I was at chessington on Saturday and they were testing the music at the fish and chips building, it sounded really good and makes the area sound alive. Lets hope this continues around the rest of the area. And the rest of the park. Does anyone have the track yet and it is really additive. Also the Mexicans area sound really good as well, lets hope this is the start of something really good. Mystic east and land of the dragons are needing upgrading as well as tomb blaster and the whole area. Re

Just hear through the grape vine, that the Zufari truck is on show in the market square area for everyone to see

What you have to remember, its your joice to pay for the Fast Pass even though realisticly is not needed, and you will find the £2.00 for parking your car, is far cheaper than parking your car at disneyland despite the condition of the surface. Also this is Merlin with a limited budget, not disney with an unlimited budget (within reason!!!)

I was speaking to one one the engineers involved with Frazzle the Dragon today. He said that the Dragon was completely removed for 6 weeks, completely rebuilt. Repainted and additional parts remade in-house. Brand new control system and air system, with additional audio coming shortly. Speaking to the engineer, he and his team are pasionate about getting all the effetcs working around the park. And if Merlin are willing to send the money as they have with Frazzle, the park is going to look fantastic. Well Done!! to the small team that can make all this possible. they are a credit to Chessington and to Merlin. Other Merlin parks should learn from them.

The engineering and features team have worked non-stop to get all the effects and lighting running inside, from what I have heard from one of the engineers, money has been no object. On another note has anyone see Frazzle the Dragon near Dragon Furys, it looks amazing.

Dont worry about it, go with the flow, if need be buy a fastpass so you can get on both coasters in the dark (its easy!!!)

I was staying at the hotel over the weekend and could clearly see the weatherhouse in the maintenance workshop looking the same, word is that if it does return, it wont come back until next year

Hi There, I disagree, I think the show is on a par with someof the american theme park style shows, disney/universal. It is far more professional than the dragon theatre show, and has set a new professional standard for all Merlin Park Shows. Dragons Theatre was under cover but very unprofessional and typical of old style chessingon entertainment. And leaving the kids to watch the dragons show, whilst you go off to have a coffee/tea is just not family inspired. In the past 3 to 4 weeks the madagascar show has been upgraded with extra lighting and pyrotechics that is brilliant

The jumbos is only staying like this for this year, they will be re-theming the ride in the closed season, to fit in with the new area opening next year. The management had 2 options at the beginning of this year, 1 to re-instae the jumbos into the new area unthemed or 2 remove it completely for one year and re-instate next year completely themed. I think they chose the right option.

Sometimes, you dont need a big epensive TV ad to promote a new area, just bu adding the madagasar brand at the end of last years ad is enough to pull the crowds in. And it seem to be working.

please explain!!

Chessington have some very experienced system control engineers already, that design and build alot of bit on the rides and around park.