Adam P

I have to say, it doesn't look a lot better in person...

Just got back from the park, as of 1.30 there was no sign of life in any of the major rides, Rattlesnake, Vampire, Fury, Buccaneer, Sea Strom, Monkey Swinger, Kobra hadn't even tested.

McDonald's opened with the other fast food outlets in 1998, was also when the Counts Cauldron come in. The problem is over the years Vampire has gone from being dark and scary (early 90's it was a top coaster) to fun and purple, it's a shame the purple and colour has taken over but I guess the fresh look suits the family theme better than the darker horror style.

Rattlesnake and Peeking Heights are already off the list, you should be fine!

I don't want them to make the price high, I want them to not sell it for the back! Unlike the front last year there will be 10x more people wanting to hit the back rows and fastrack just shouldn't happen. I will be most upset if I have to mess around just to get on the ride tomorrow!

Have been into Chessington today and Zufari is on test trails, assuming for driver training. There were two trucks heading a round the safari with a fair amount of detail added since half term. The Park have also shut the whole of Transylvania in what looks like a re-fresh for the Bubble Works side too, update here.

I have a copy of this and it is quite amazing just how much the park has changed with the exception of the Dome still being in place, nothing remains now!

News coming from the preview day release is that Zufari will not be open for preview weekend, which is a shame.

They said with the ceilings that you simply wouldn't see them, where with the floors you can feel them so more went into them. They said nothing is being added to the ceilings.

Indeed the boat ride is very different, and you get a lot more wet too! The point to the toning down is mainly in the marketing side of the attraction, to encourage families in. Strange I know as inside there are some quite nasty models still however they believe with the actors interacting more the sense of fun will convey to the whole family was the impression we got. The whole arrangement is so much better, rather than having "dead" waiting patches everyone is heavily involved in the main parts, including the Pie Shop which some missed on the last tour due to boat arrivals. There is a huge queue inside the building now with extensions around past the first desks to a second one, I can't see it going outside (famous last words!) They claimed the move was mainly due to station works although new space and better lay out also played a big part. It does have a real atmosphere in there especially with the efforts going into the flooring!

Another look at the behind the scenes here, Vengeance is in a create in storage at Thorpe Park and was confirmed that neither Thorpe or any other park currently have no plans to use it.

I think they have to be 1.3 to sit on their own, this was the case when I took my son on a couple of years back.

I wonder if the game will be accurate enough to count the inversions, I'd expect that after the park closes on Monday, I still can't see it opening till the last day of May seeing how other coasters have looked with a couple of months left.

It does look like the whole side of Transylvania is getting a fresh look, even down the side of Vampire's drop behind Chips Ahoy is getting done, agree about the horse it looks an eye sore and out of place.

I believe it will be open for annual pass day but they won't advertise that on the main site in case everyone turns up for the event. I've uploaded some pictures from Zufari today, there does seem to be a lot of dirt still although over the other side huts and buildings are now clearly in place along with walk ways and presumably the loading area. The Fascia to the Burger Kitchen looks like it will be much like Creaky Cafe (probably not green though!) with most of the old fascia being covered for years to come! Update for those who'd like to see here.

Unfortunately the public don't think this, I agree a couple more rides would ease the pain and I'd imagine Zufari will remain open for Zoo Days next year.

The Bubble works parts that so still move, no longer do (Duck coaster very obvious!) A fair few people were running to the Vampire today with total shock when they were met by barriers, I think people see it's open and don't read the fine print. I'm sure the park could get open Tiny Truckers and Runaway Train, this would also open up Mexicana food outlets with the queue for Pizza and Pasta back at Ben and Jerry's by 12.30.

Don't get me wrong a lot of angry people outside still at 1! The other 4 rides were open without issues, although Bubble Works had less working than usual.

They weren't being turned away that early 100%.

Chessington was very busy today and were turning people away come 10.40. Even then the park was too busy inside and I thought it was poorly organised (and I LOVE the park) especially the free for all around the popular animal areas. Skyway should have been open however broke down on day one, they appear to be working on it but from the ground the announcements in the cars are still playing that it's unexpectedly stopped!

It's amazing like with Tomb Blaster and the Forbidden Tomb sign just how much of the old facial is behind the new, The Creaky Cafe opened today, it's a lot more modern and warmer inside (for those that used the Refresh it was freezing!) and somewhere nice to get a Jacket Potato. Strangely there is a play area inside apparently suitable for up to 12 years old, I have no idea how though. The Vampire/Bubbleworks shop has now been refitted and importantly the track around Zufari, including the entrance from the village is now very clear. Update for those who'd like to see http://themeuk.net/blog/?p=3194

Don't quote me but I believe Rhino Rally is 1 metre.

Visited the park today a fair bit of ground work has been done over the past week, some pictures if you want to see. Not sure if it had been noted yet but the ride will feature an on-ride picture (assume something worth a picture happens on the finale) along with Fastrack and a 1.1 metre minimum height restriction, under 1.3 metre accompanied by an adult. I did think that a 1 metre height restriction would have been the target although the seats do only have seat belts. With Chessington advertising it as a 10th land it will be interesting if they do look to combine some lands further down the line.

Both the trees are currently still inside, the purple desk I believe is new and there looks like more theme is inside to be added.

This is being replaced with the Burger Kitchen which I think is also what Alton are getting, there is one that opened at the Blackpool Tower this year, I some photos on site of the construction.