Cal

The structure for the entrance to the area is now under construction - looks massive!
Thanks to Josh

Yes, there really is.
It fits in a darn site better with Inferno than with Birds fired at each other!

It probably does the same amount of swings each time, but then the more lower swings there are, the shorter the cycle will be I guess.

It probably does the same amount of swings each time, but then the more lower swings there are, the shorter the cycle will be I guess.

THAT'S a relief!

I very much doubt the retheme will be that extensive, I reckon it'll just be a change of logo and a plastic model stuck at the top. Not shocking, just lazy, like the rest of the land really.

I'd love a forum skin, having more of a personalised page, I would love for me personally!

http://thorpeparkmania.co.uk/news/12-05-2014/Angry-Birds-Construction-Update - Full update from the weekend just gone.

I'm hoping that they scrap the You're next, it was just people with masks on walking around really. Found the roaming actors in previous years a lot better. I personally think that the asylum will go, mainly because of the issues with it last year and I think they will get another lions-gate themed maze. The scare zone was dreadful in my opinion, so hopefully some improvements to that will be made.

About my bloody valentine being pitch black, I only found that some parts of the maze was pitch black. I liked that though, especially when you're at the front because it's hard to find your way around it. You also have no idea who or what is around you, which makes it good in my opinion.

I know it isn't going to happen, but I really hope that fast tracks for mazes will be limited a lot more. On my bloody valentine a ridiculous amount of Fast track was let in compared to the amount in the normal que, and the normal que was 90mins.

I really liked Cabin in the woods, but on my first time going on it I found it really confusing at the beginning. You have to like que again for like 10 mins once you are already in the maze and other people around me was also confused. Also, on the second time I went on it they were letting far to many people in at once. When we went in there was like already 10 people in the first room, which spoiled it really.

I really liked the announcements/theme music on all of the rides, I liked it how it was the same on all of the rides and I hope they stick to the same ones this year. Talking of theme music I wish that all of the mazes theme music is played a lot louder, much like the asylums. There is such a good atmosphere created in the asylum que line and wish this could happen in all the other ques.

I'm hoping that they scrap the You're next, it was just people with masks on walking around really. Found the roaming actors in previous years a lot better. I personally think that the asylum will go, mainly because of the issues with it last year and I think they will get another lions-gate themed maze. The scare zone was dreadful in my opinion, so hopefully some improvements to that will be made.

About my bloody valentine being pitch black, I only found that some parts of the maze was pitch black. I liked that though, especially when you're at the front because it's hard to find your way around it. You also have no idea who or what is around you, which makes it good in my opinion.

I know it isn't going to happen, but I really hope that fast tracks for mazes will be limited a lot more. On my bloody valentine a ridiculous amount of Fast track was let in compared to the amount in the normal que, and the normal que was 90mins.

I really liked Cabin in the woods, but on my first time going on it I found it really confusing at the beginning. You have to like que again for like 10 mins once you are already in the maze and other people around me was also confused. Also, on the second time I went on it they were letting far to many people in at once. When we went in there was like already 10 people in the first room, which spoiled it really.

I really liked the announcements/theme music on all of the rides, I liked it how it was the same on all of the rides and I hope they stick to the same ones this year. Talking of theme music I wish that all of the mazes theme music is played a lot louder, much like the asylums. There is such a good atmosphere created in the asylum que line and wish this could happen in all the other ques.

In the Alpine forests of East Switzerland lives a beast of enigma...



The villagers so scared, so terrified, they stayed below Stollen Mountain forever.



'Don't go out, stay indoors!' The villagers say. 'Stay here, or go away... Whatever you do, don't go up that way...'



Pointing to the mountain, with the forest and plateau, lives a beast, rarely seen, yet here, anything but un-known.



Scientists, explorers, and hikers all go up there... but then..



They are never, ever, seen again.



In the shadow of stollen mountian, there is a misty town called stollenwurm



Haunted, every night, by the ghastly patzelwurm.



Toof:OMFGGG!!!1111! Toof made something? I made something? Silv :Shut up I did most of it.

Just released my latest video. I was looking at old tapes in the house and found a video of the Park in 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h4aMGdgol4&feature=youtu.be

^ This I agree with this tbh... Yes, each ride has its own logo and entire 'brand' really, but the new branding kind of covers it all up.
The website is just SO generic, there is absolutely no hint of theme on each ride's page at all, which is a massive shame.
Don't get me wrong I love the new branding, but I hate that it's hiding the identity of the park and all the rides and events. It's just way too generic!
Seems daft that they take the time coming up with brilliant logos and brand identity's for Fright Nights and The Swarm, and even buying in brands at huge expense (Saw), then not bother showing it all off around the park or on any of the marketing material.

I'm holding judgement until it is actually finished...

Think some of these have already been mentioned if not by me but by others but thought I'd write this anyway:
TOP POSTERS:
A thread which is continuously updated each month which lists the top 10 posters of the month. This could be quantity, and also quality - it will also ultimately encourage more forum activity, although there should be rules and guidelines to this about 'spam' will not count. The person who is awarded first place could be given a certain badge, or in fact a userbar which they can keep for the month, and then when the new 'top poster' is announced for next month, the userbar is transferred to that person. So it would be temporarily rather than permanently.
FORUM EVENTS:
Stuff like Dara's quiz but also stuff like trying to solve codes/messages but looking for clues in each section/thread. This could also be with 'market your own ride' or something like the Apprentice There could be separate staff for this.
DONATOR:
I know I've brought this up before, and I know it had a mixed response because it could segregate people who think they are more important than others, so, a 'donator' doesn't make it seem as much as an exclusive club. Donator can be used to help hosting costs, and as a reward and to recognise their help they get rewarded with a coloured username for however many months they have donated for which will eventually expire unless renewed.
FORUM SKIN:
I know that the mainsite is being redesigned, however, not sure what is happening with the forum site, however, could there be the potential of a customisable background changer? I've seen it on other IP boards and it would be quite a nice feature to have I've also seen like a gradient changer as well, although that is only with VBulletin so I don't know if that could be integrated.
CHAT/SHOUTBOX:
They pretty much do the same purpose, is there a need for both?
USER PROFILES:
Again, I don't know if it can be done on IP Boards, but more developed user profiles where you can post 'statuses' which comes up as updates on the main index, maybe an option to upload own photos - such as the park and stuff. Also, have a field where you can actually enter your own favourite park rather than just the Merlin ones

MENTIONS/QUOTE NOTIFICATIONS:
Apparently mentions are in tact but I could be being stupid in them not working, can this be looked into?
SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM:
Aside from the admins, staff who specifically work on the Twitter/Facebook/Instagram side who can contribute updates to the site, as well as trying to promote us more, not that I am worried about the websites traffic as it is, or the lovely members we have now, but nothing wrong with a few more

All I can think of for now

I think you and I have been going to different parks...

I don't know which ones you have but there are 3 here - http://archive.imbenjam.in/musicofmerlin/media/thorpe/amitycove/tidalwave/wwtp/

Small construction update of Angry Birds Land over at Total Thorpe Park, mainly showing the work that Ricky mentioned!

Also - apologies if this has been posted already - but Park World reported on the new Angry Birds development back in their February issue. Park World is largely a trade magazine and it looks as if Rovio/3DBA/Simworx are trying hard to sell the film to other parks - don't think Thorpe has any kind of exclusivity on the film!
The article also confirms that the new Simworx theatre at Thorpe seats 326 people, and effects include water sprays, air blasts, leg ticklers and back pokers.
Linky

I don't know which ones you have but there are 3 here - http://archive.imbenjam.in/musicofmerlin/media/thorpe/amitycove/tidalwave/wwtp/

WOOO front row seat for Angry Birds 4D

From TPM's Facebook.
Being able to see it in context reaffirms my thoughts that it will look quite nice when finished.

Paige, it's time to "feel the heat" of Nemesis Banferno.

(ie - banned for loving Inferno)

That wouldn't be a good idea seeing as the platform moves.

Okay I'm insanely bored so:
End of 2014 overlapping into 2015:
- Removal of Slammer... it seems to be heading that way as it is.
- Clean up of the park overall: repaints done where needed and effects maintained. Fire could maybe be added to Nemesis Inferno and brought back on Tidal Wave. SAW could get some more theming outdoors that you can see as you go round, just to make the whole experience as immersive as the inside section.
- A new maze replaces The Asylum at Fright Night, potentially Texas Chainsaw Massacre if they're sticking with the IP's.
2015:
- Storm Surge is removed and the area is cleaned up for future usage.
- Themed areas become more apparent and are stated on the map- this could add to family appeal, as well as make the theming appear more organised and up to scratch.
- Plans for the new coaster on the new island are revealed- it is either an intense Flyer or a Hyper (two things that would be equally great IMO)
- New flat ride is bought to replace Slammer. It doesn't have to be big and flashy, maybe just a standard Top Spin or even a large Swinging Boat type ride (about the size of Black Buccaneer at Chessington) that is somehow themed to Canada Creek. A ride of this type would also add family appeal while still being somewhat thrilling.
2016:
- Construction begins on the new rollercoaster.
- Rush's restraints (or at least the few REALLY bad ones) are replaced so they don't wobble so much and make guests feel unsafe.
- New Scarezone added for Fright Nights, in somewhere more central to the park. You will literally just wander through, no queue's (like the ones they do abroad). This could probably be You're Next, it would be a more effective use of it than just the roaming actors.

2017:
- The new rollercoaster opens and everyone loves it and it looks amazing xD

... I really cant think any further ahead this is hurting my brain xD

It is still a fairground ride though, meaning that it isn't build to have the stress a normal theme park flat does, hence why vortex, and samurai and arguably Zodiac have been on their last legs for the last few rides, although saying that, the permanent flats like rush and slammer are S&S wish is just well... yeah but something like that wouldn't last long, plus it is just a horizontal looking version of Enterprise. I think it will be something understated but catches a persons eye per say.