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Stealth
Train One in the workshop. After today's visit, I won't give the source, and although I suggested after the winter rebuild that with that investment, Stealth will be with us for a while, I am much happier for the next few years with regards to Stealth.
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Colossus
Due to my favoured ride misbehaving, during a walkabout, I had two virtually walk-on front row rides on this, and they were the smoothest rides I'd ever had on it.
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Stealth
Go and wash your mouth out! Today, yes she was having more tantrums, they took train One off, then again later another hiccup.
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Stealth
On Stealth today and a guy next to me announced that he first rode it twenty-five years ago. What large sticker is on the front of each train? 20 years old. He must have had heat stroke.
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Paultons Park 16th May 2026
Not sure about riding in the rain though, on some rides that can sting.
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Paultons Park 16th May 2026
Another good report Matt, well done. I will be attending Paultons Park shortly with some other nuts, and am looking forward to it. It will be interesting to compare, but luckily for us, our visit will be midweek.
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Thorpe Park 12th May 2026
I was there Tuesday, and yes, the forecast for Wednesday was correct with heavy showers. I know the TP rail station bus is always busy but not been on it; being an old fogey, I can use my bus pass on the service buses. With a really low attendance, there is much more chance of banter between people on and around the rides, it's good. And for us nuts, it's certainly a great chance to meet like-minded types.
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Thorpe Park 12th May 2026
Good write up Nick. Would you not use the TP bus from the rail station? it must prove a cheaper option. Tuesday was another amazing low attendance day. Fred (planenut)
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Park Operations
Today, staff were suggesting that tomorrow will be similar to last Wednesday but I've seen the weather forecast, hence my attendance today.
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Park Operations
An absolutely crazy day TP has been closed on some recent Wednesdays, but I noticed it was available today and with the weather looking the better option, I went. A staff member who knows me told me that there were maybe only a couple of thousand people attending. oddly enough, I wanted to ride Stealth, and as there were hardly any guests on the ride or platforms, the gate was kept open so that people could re-ride, and that continued to beyond the lunch hour, with so many guests telling me that every ride was walk-on. During the time, some people wlo lived within a few miles had also then attended due to seeing online the short queues. As much as it pained me, I left Stealth and had two walk-on rides each on Nemesis Inferno, Hyperia, Saw, Colossus and Swarm before dragging myself back to Stealth, where the re-ride gate was open and announcements of "re-ride just get on", several were running to get on again, and there were loads of conversations between people and staff, many discussing their crazy ride totals for the day. There really were few guests and no waiting for rides one wanted. Staff were really upbeat and helpful. It really was a crazy day..
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Staffing
Luckily for me I was able to attend TP on Wednesday. It's always an interesting observation on one's first visit of the season. I was amazed to see and find out that TP has had over 90% returns of staff, which must mean they are doing something right.
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Universal Studios Great Britain
This is very good news. As I've said elsewhere, it will be fascinating to see a theme park created from scratch. Good luck to those who now see it as an employment opportunity.
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Busch Gardens Tampa, Mears bus shuttle ends
For any that used this service between Orlando and Busch Gardens, you would have been pleased because it was free, and highly convenient. It is ending on the 1st February, 2026, grrr! If I go back over there, I will have to find an alternative or stay a few nights in Tampa.
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Park Operations
Recently on the website, it has been suggested that people could arrive earlier and "take advantage of the facilities available in the dome" though I think for most, that would only be a visit to the loo. A while back, when the rides opened at 10a.m., my joy would be to be the first to my favourite ride, as the teams would put you on for an unaccompanied ride; just a distant memory now, affected by the hotel guests and several staggered entry times. I am lucky to live fairly local so don't take my car. A lot of congestion around the public road junction is caused by pick ups, massive congestion.times in my past employment experience, discretionary baggage searches work better than 100% searches. It would reduce the queues and requires less staff.
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Park Operations
When it comes to security checks they examine everybody with the same level of scrutiny, whereas in some organizations, it's more professional, as those conducting the checks are allowed to use their discretion. Many of the "guests" can be seen to be no threat. However, if those with a particular bent see that, then they become a problem if they don't agree with that action. Under the present regime, the speed of the queue is dependent on the speed of each individual examination. ironically one even encounters queue jumpers in the security queue and it is not "policed".