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Was great to see, even rushing people off the offload platform so they could move it to on-load. Back to Hyperia, a crane has arrived on site today which will likely be to do work on the lift hill.

Its incredibly unlucky for them, I mean look at Swarm, it didn't have a full day closed in years. I know its not something that merlin ever do, but soft openings could be a good idea in the future. Something like this could've happened and been ironed out before official opening. Anyway, here are my thoughts from opening day. Got to the park for about 1:30ish and first ride I got really lucky and only waited 1.5 hours. I waited in the main queue until the Hyperia toilets. The host asked me if I was a single and put me in the single rider queue which was overflowing. I waited in this queue for around 20 minutes, and realized how long it was and it wasn't moving, and I also just read on the AP group how people were waiting 7 hours in the single queue. So, I asked the host if I could switch to the main queue instead as I knew that would be around 90 mins - 120 from this point. I believe there was some miss-communication and the manager didn't want to put me in the main queue for some reason, so they put me in Fasttrack instead and got straight on, row 9. Second ride I got in the queue at 7:45 got off around 10:15 so 2.5 hours, row 2. - I came of my first ride thinking that is easily the best air time I've experienced in the UK. I came off my second ride saying quite comfortably that is my favorite ride in the UK. - The outer-bank turn was easily my favorite element. Chucked out of your seat, especially on my second ride on row 2. - Actually quite liked the queueline. I was initially worried when we saw the prison style fences, but the queue is nice and none of the cattlepens are particularly long. You get some nice views of the ride. - The station does look pretty bare during the day, but looks so much better at night. I love the dispatch lighting/audio, and as well when the train returns to the station. - The trims were much more noticeable on my second ride towards the front of the train, but still took the last 2 elements with good speed. - Ride team were doing a great job at sending the trains out all day. The train does return to the station very slowly though, and I do wonder if they could get a higher throughput if this was sped up? I was initially quite disappointed when the layout got revealed, and even seeing the ride testing. Yes the ride is on the short side, but I really didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I'm so glad they went for something different here, and we finally have an airtime machine in the UK. This is exactly what Thorpe needed. I can't wait to go on an offpeak day and ride it all day. This was my first time going on a coasters opening day and was easily one of the best days I've had at Thorpe, great atmosphere all day right up until leaving the park at 10:30. They did a great job organisation wise, being asked in the queue if everyones okay and need water filling up etc.. Didn't queue more than 10 minutes for anything else on park, Stealth in particular was running great as always, both times I went on they were running down the platform checking restraints, beating the countdown timer on the platform every dispatch.

So I went yesterday afternoon, got to the park for 1:30 and managed to get on Hyperia twice and the rest of the park. Easily one of the best days I've had at Thorpe in years, such a great atmosphere even right up until 10:30pm. I'll share my thoughts later on. I am absolutely gutted for Thorpe to read they can't get it open today. After such a successful opening and running flawlessly pretty much all day yesterday this is a big blow for the park. I got told by an operator the shutdowns yesterday were mainly issues with the gates which were tripping the ride out, so would be interested to know the issues today.

Looks like SAW and Samurai will have delayed openings for them days then until the queue dies down. Fair play to Thorpe - looks very organised and looks like their best option all things considered.

I had a couple of Hyperia adverts on youtube today for the first time. They were the opening date reveal video rather than the recent TV advert they released though

I came across this video the other day, starting at 17:01, a Nemesis engineer talks about the current rattle/vibrations on the trains. There are numerous reasons why they think it could be happening, for example with the track now being sand filled, vibrations which were once being absorbed by the track are now being felt on the train. He did say there are ways to iron this out in the future so hopefully its something they'll work on it during closed season.

Interesting! Agreed it would make sense to keep Slammers queue and use that for a FN maze so it does seem like something is being planned, and Skybound definitely sounds like a name of a flat that would fit Thorpe in that area. Sounds silly as its been SBNO for years but I'll actually be sad to see Slammer finally go 😢

Looks like the new flat in Forbidden Valley is set to be a top spin! Buzzing about this. Flat rides are exactly what towers need right now and love a good Topspin. Such crowd pleasers off ride too. Fingers crossed its a Huss

Good news - definitely will be going on the Friday. I wonder how many people will be trying to get last in the queue at 8pm to try and get a night ride 😆

They've confirmed tonight it'll be testing for the first time next week. Also, this below suggests we're getting extending opening hours for opening day/weekend which would be nice.

Night time POV Looks insane, will easily be the best coaster on park now

Hyperia has had its first riders today - didn't expect that!

Another park I'd never visited was Flamingoland, so I visited on Friday for the first time. Where I can, I always try to visit theme parks when they're quiet so I've seen a lot of quiet theme parks (BPB the day before for example) but never have I ever seen a park so dead before. According to staff, there was less than 100 people on park? It honestly felt like there was more staff than guests on park. Most of the rides I had on Sik I had the train to myself. I only got my ticket the day before as it was a last minute visit, but this cost me £56. I believe if you book over 7 days in advance its £44.50, pricey for a UK theme park. First impressions of the park were good, it looked fairly well kept and it was actually much bigger than I expected. The park was open 10-5, and the only advertised closure was Flip Flop, however this actually opened for the first time this season which was a nice surprise. Was running terribly though, long cycle but was hardly reaching 90 degrees. Certainly didn't have that KMG power. I'll list the main coasters in the order I rated them worst to best; 5. Hero - Had already done one of these at Prater Vienna so I knew exactly what to expect. Nothing else needs to be said. 4. Velocity - Heard a lot of good things about this but I really didn't enjoy it, found the restraints to be really uncomfy. Punchy launch but I was in pain for most of the layout so didn't particularly enjoy this. 3. Mumbo Jumbo - Always been a fan of S&S Flats so was nice to finally give one of there coasters a go. Its a solid coaster, although them restraints were fine on Slammer they aren't the best on a coaster like this but it's still a fun coaster and I didn't find it to be particularly uncomfy. 2. Kumali - After finally getting to ride as I needed to wait for a minimum of 6 to ride definitely the best SLC I've done. Some really good force in places and is really impressive to look at, and not as rough as the others I've done. Unfortunately the staff were only letting us sit near the front so didn't get a chance to sit anywhere near the back. 1. Sik - I've always had a soft spot for Colossus, so I've been really wanting to get on this to see how it compares. It's really good fun, definitely feels much quicker than Colossus. They've also finished it off really well, it looks good off ride and the station is great. Its even got a single rider queue and pre loading information screens. The only thing I didn't like about it is the heartline rolls with them restraints, they really dig into your thighs. Intamins new lap bar trains are much better. I had some lunch which was reasonably priced and good quality and a walk around the zoo which was nice, and there was also a couple of flats I particularly wanted to get on. I heard Pterodactyl was particularly intense, and even though I've done one more than double the height in Vienna this was more intense. It was very windy so I'm surprised it was even operating to be honest. Cliff Hanger was another one I'd heard good things about. It was nothing special, although it was only running on 'shot' setting so didn't get a drop on it. I'm more of a fan of drop towers myself so that was a shame. After getting on everything I wanted to get on multiple times, I went back to Sik for some re-rides and left the park before 2pm, much earlier than planned but had a long drive ahead and had done everything I wanted. Overall it's a nice park, with a good selection of coasters, flats and a good zoo. I just can't believe they have the park open daily 10 - 5, with every ride fully staffed for there to be less than 100 people on park. Whilst walking round the zoo I saw a peter rabbit character standing around with a few staff for a meet and greet, not 1 person had turned up to it. Some rides I didn't see a single rider on the whole time I was there. Doesn't seem viable for them to be open on these days but can't complain!

Yeah its good to see them well prepared. Meanwhile Chessington can't even open all of their rides on a weekday 😆

Had my first visit this season yesterday. Everything open expect rumba which was a planned closure. Ops were brilliant for an off peak weekday. All major coasters on 2 trains. They seemed really overstaffed. I guess they no longer staff for peak/off peak but it just seemed really excessive? - 4+ staff checking restraints on Colossus and Inferno + staff batching even though they were struggling to fill the trains most of the day - Vortex, Samurai and Detty had 3 hosts - Staff at all the coasters merge points even though they didn't have queues all day Was great to see some Hyperia testing in the afternoon too!

Saw it today folded up down the side of the ride, so I imagine that'll put it back on soon. Was running well today. Anyone know why they continuously cycle it empty when they don't have the minimum of 15 people to ride? Never seen them do that before.

They've confirmed Slammer is being removed this closed reason - what are the chances we get a new flat ride there? Or do you reckon we're getting a new picnic area? Would love for them to get a new modern water ride. Get rid of Rumba. Worst rapids in the UK by a mile. Can't really see that happening though unfortunately. I personally don't think we'll see another dark ride until they finally decide to sack off the ghost train and use that building. But who knows. I really hope we're past the days of permanent scare attractions and actor led experiences 🤞

A bit criminal of me but I'd never visited Blackpool pleasure beach. Always been a bucket list park for me from a young age due to their wide selection of coasters, a lot of which are very unique. I visited last Thursday for my first ever time so I thought I'd share my thoughts. Heard lots of mixed things about Pleasure beach recently, mainly negative so I was a bit skeptical on how my day was going to be, but I had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The park was open 11-5, and advertised to be closed was Ice Blast, River Caves and Grand Prix, (now announced it'll be closed for good) Nickelodeon land is also advertised to close at 4pm an hour before park closing. I expected the park to be quiet, but the park was empty, according to staff this was the quietest day so far this season at just over 600 people on park. Most of the queue times on the app showed 10 minutes but nothing had a queue all day. I'll list the coasters in the order I rated them worst to best... 10. Blueflyer - Smooth classic woodie, but very short and more of a kids coaster. Would be a great first coaster. 9. Infusion - Was dreading this but not as bad as people make out. Not a lot else to say really, standard SLC. 8. Steeplechase - Good fun and very unique but I did find a little uncomfy, every corner the seats dug into my hip a little. 7. Avalange - Enjoyed this, much preferred it to Europas. Although its short, it had a lot of force. Lovely station and a nice soundtrack. 6. Nick streak - Great airtime hills and very very smooth for its age. Trains were really comfy with all the padding. 5. Big one - Didn't know if I was going to get this as it was closed all day Wednesday due to high winds and high winds predicted for my visit too. Looking at the forecast winds were due to pick up at 1 so my best chance of getting this was getting on it early. Luckily it opened first thing but it did later close for the rest of the day. They were only loading the front 2 cars with the rest sandbagged. First drop was great but apart from that, the rest of the layout nothing really happens. I imagine it was running slower than usual due to the winds. Would've liked to have tried the backrow (backrow looks lethal on that first drop) but was happy to get on it nonetheless! 4. Big dipper - Oldest rollercoaster I've ever ridden but was riding great for its age. Had some good drops and good airtime hills. All round enjoyable. 3. Grand national - I expected a lot from this, with people saying this is the best woodie in the country. I went straight on the back row and honestly felt like I'd just been beaten up. I saw someone on the other train on the 2nd to last row and it reminded me to ride non wheel seats 😆 Much more enjoyable but could definitely do with some more work. Would've loved to have tried the other trains back in the day. The racing aspect of it is great fun and you do get some nice airtime. 2. Revolution - Had never done an Arrow launched loop so was great to get on one of these - good airtime moments especially on the front and back row. Chucks you out your seat. Particularly enjoyed going backwards on this. 1. Icon - This was great fun. Although this is my favorite at the park is it my favorite in the UK? Absolutely not. Do think its a bit over-hyped but its up there. Some good airtime on the back row and really enjoy the top hat too. Its a great length and its great how it interacts with other rides too. Unfortunately didn't get to give Enso a go. Apparently they had the Enso train on first thing but took it off as it was predicted to be really quiet. Its a management decision weather to put it on or not in the afternoon based on crowds but they didn't, but understandable. Very expensive for what it is but would've liked to have gave it a go. Onto Valhalla - although it was a cold, windy and little wet day I couldn't come to Blackpool without getting on this. Always loved indoor water rides, but wow. Completely blew me away. Hands down my favorite dark ride in the UK by far. I didn't know how I was going to find this as reviews are nowhere near as good as they were before. I didn't get particularity wet on the drops, just from the effects but every time I went on the boat was to myself so I imagine thats down to the weight of the boat. I know from reading before that the effects are unreliable and can differ all the time so I did lots of re-rides to see if it was any different. Everything was consistent on my rides apart from the ring of fire which I only saw twice, although all the other fire was on every other ride. Also the waterfall as you go into the building didn't turn off on my first ride. For the rest of the day this was then just turned off. After doing a bit of research since I've been back, the only effects I didn't see on any of my rides were the crashing logs and the rolling log. There also didn't seem to be any mist outside the ride like I've seen online too. Particularly enjoyed Skyforce too. My first Gerst Sky Fly and really enjoyed this. 1 good gust of wind and you are off for the rest for ride. Operator said I did 64 spins, which is certainly the most I've ever been upside down on a ride before. So overall a good day. Got on everything I wanted to with lots of re-rides. For the most part staff were friendly enough and were fine with re-rides if there wasn't anyone waiting in the air gates. Hard to comment on operations, everything was on 1 train but there wasn't need for more than that on anything. I got my ticket just the day before for £35 which is reasonable too. I wouldn't rush back. Its nearly a 6 hour drive for me so unless they get something new worth traveling up for I wouldn't bother. Bit worrying a bit recent ride closures and hearing how quiet it is even on weekends at the moment. Will be interesting to see how the park does going forwards as the future isn't looking particularly great. They have a lot of old rides which can't be cheap to maintain and the park isn't the most presentable...

Was back at Towers today for the afternoon, few things I noticed since the last time I went - A couple seats broken on each train, being a single rider meant I kept getting back row which was nice - Seemed to be staff training going on today but worst ops I've ever seen on Nemesis, lots of faffiing in the station. Stacking every train. Wasn't an issue as it didn't have a queue but it was noticeable - Towers seem to have implemented the headsets Thorpe have got which is good to see - unsure if this was on every coaster as didn't go on most of them but they had them on Galactica too, not on Wickerman - The new queue is a pain to walk around for re-rides - Noticed a little rattle which seemed more prominent on train 1, but not as bad as people are making out

Yes still playing the same soundtrack thankfully The one on the main arm returned last season for the first time in a very long time. Unsure why it hasn’t returned, maybe they’re looking at getting a different one with the new colour scheme

Looks great and glad its back open! Just rumba to go now which is testing apparently. Although it looks great/fresh, I never though Samurai looked out of place so I don't think it fits in any better than it used to, especially with Hyperia now next to it.

Loving the look of them trains. I’ll reserve my judgement for the rest of the area till opening day, but it’s a big shame about the queue line. So much potential for a nice queue line there but that looks hideous. They’ve confirmed it won’t have seatbelts so hopefully that’ll stay. Out of interest, does anyone know the reason Icon and Helix both got seatbelts?

I've heard rumors of a permanent closure but no one knows for sure I guess as they've still not communicated any update. Its still showing on their ride availability page as 'closed until further notice' Although it was testing a little last season I don't think theres been any movement since and the area is closed off so its not looking like it'll be open any time soon!

Its a bit unclear from the wording on their website but it looks like Tiger Rock, Rattlesnake and Zufari will now be closed on off peak dates. That's an awful lot of days to have 3 major rides closed in my opinion. I'm all for the closing a selection of rides for a few hours on days its very quiet (queues 10 mins of less) but to have rides all day is unacceptable in my opinion. https://www.chessington.com/plan-your-visit/resort-information/ride-availability/ Please see below for Super Off-Peak/ Super Low Off-Peak dates for; Zufari: Ride into Africa Tiger Rock Rattlesnake Month Off-Peak March 2024 22, 25, 28 April 2024 15 - 19, 22, 24 - 26, 29 May 2024 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 13, 15 - 17, 20 - 23 June 2024 4 - 6, 10 - 14, 17 - 21 September 2024 3 - 6, 9,10 - 13, 18 - 20, 25 - 27, 30 October 2024 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18

Yeah I believe it was more towards the end of last season they've been stopped. Operators aren't meant to be doing them anymore anyway, it got to a point everyone was asking for them. Think the main reason they got stopped was H&S more than anything.