planenut
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Posts posted by planenut
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On 7/1/2025 at 9:11 AM, Mark9 said:
I'm really impressed by the ride teams at Thorpe. We really take for granted how hard they work to keep the rides moving so efficiently. It's really telling how good we have it, The Swarm probably had the worst ops but they were still only stacking trains for about 10 seconds per cycle (and that is an exaggeration).
The Hyperia team must have been chosen by the goddess themselves, because they run that ride so well, never stacking, always dispatching as soon as they can. Also shout out to Inferno's team who were doing a great job. They need a batcher though as lots of trains going out with two empty seats next to each other.
And finally, the older I get the more I see myself preferring Thorpe's coaster line up to Altons. As much as I like Nemesis Reborn, I think the rest of the line up is either gimmicky nonsense, run awfully or just dull. Whereas Inferno is running the best Ive seen it (honestly, it's so good right now), Stealth and the Swarm are just so much fun, Hyperia manages to be open (
) and I still love hanging out around Colossus and hearing that music.
In general Thorpe is just a better experience all round. Better hours, better rides, better food, better operations. I would have never said that 20 years ago, but now, to me, Thorpe is in a different league.
So true, but it annoys me that Merlin does not appear to pick up on the difference. How can they not assess their operations.
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Sadly, there are some very optimistic visitor figures being bandied about. TP and AT get about 2.5 million annually, yet the PR for Universal are talking of 8.5 million which is a massive figure in comparison. There is a limit to the potential visitor market, though their plans appear to include larger entertainment venues and accomodation than Orlando to serve more, but to me, the more hype, the more doubt for longevity. The Government refer to the numbers employed to "build" but no mention of their future employment. It is a massive project and I do hope that it goes ahead. However, logically, it would deplete the number of visitors attending venues that exist now.
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Happy Birthday Grand National, 90 years old today, a "cracking" ride!
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15 hours ago, Cal said:
Nice to see! Will certainly look nice at Fright Nights if it’s still going then. Colossus already looks great at night as it benefits from the smoke from crows.
Interesting choice to add a new smoke machine when they can hardly maintain others on park…
Quite, that on Stealth is actually, well, not on again. There's more smoke from vapers in the queue sucking their dummies than the machine.
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It's an interesting question. I have spent too much of my life waiting so I don't like queuing and when it comes to riding, I do take it into account. It depends also on the people around you, and any themeing, this particularly relates to whether one is alone. The chatter amongst a group can be enjoyable, if you're included. The atmosphere can be affected, especially if the Park is "dead".
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It's true, really.
Sat on Stealth today, waiting for launch, person next to me (adult)....
"What's that wire going to the top?"
Me: "That's so if the train gets stuck at the top , they pull that cable which pulls out a valve at the top causing the whole frame to deflate, lowering everybody safely to the ground!"
My co-rider looked up to the top and declared, "makes sense"!
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22 hours ago, Cal said:
Last 3 days its operated fine. Was open all day today with less than 10 minutes downtime. Sunday and Monday has a few breakdowns but nothing major.
For future reference, you can look at the history of queue times/downtime on this website. https://queue-times.com/parks/2/rides/91?given_date=2025-06-09#day
Search for Stealth, and put in what date you want to see on the calendar and you can see the queues for that day on a chart.
Thank you very much, that's useful.
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9 minutes ago, LK_ said:
Can't comment on the last 3 days but can comment on monday the 2nd. Dispatches were fast and it was eating the queue, virtually walk on all day.
Sounds promising Dan, Thanks.
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Sorry to ask gang, has anybody seen how Stealth is operating within the last three days?
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Hurrah, ah, oh, hurry.
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1 hour ago, jordionie said:
I know that is really annoying. I was going to go to Thorpe Wednesday but I'm going tomorrow instead as the weather doesn't look good for Wednesday. I'll have a look if anything is going on with Stealth while I'm there. It's really annoying though because I have to drive 3 hrs to get to Thorpe as I live 160 miles away. Although Alton Towers is only about 35-40 mins away from me. I prefer Thorpe as I've been to Alton Towers too many times now haha.
Enjoy your day, and hope you can get some useful info?
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Thanks for the encouraging comments folks.........I am suffering withdrawal symptoms, so keeping a close eye on things.
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6 hours ago, JoshC. said:
Just to make it clear, Intamin have in no way stopped providing support for their Accelerators. Whilst it's true they don't offer the model any more (or at least, no one has considered doing so for over a decade), it in no way means they've washed their hands of it.
Thorpe/Merlin and Intamin maintain a respectable working relationship, and that is also related to the current issue(s).
Thank you Josh.
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14 hours ago, Benin said:
If it survives that long.
There's no problem with that, luckily.
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As Josh alludes to, TP is not likely to get more than 2.5 million, but not due to the needs of those visitors but the limit on capacity. As much as I like TP, it will always be a gravel pit. Alton Towers was a stately home and grounds, created originally, for one family. The Universal has a blank canvas, with access already being to it's advantage.
It seems I am painting it up, but the better it is, more people will go there and leave Stealth at TP to me.
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Great ride, which can induce great cramps, then you cannot relieve that until off the ride. Luckily, I've given up wearing earings.
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Some parts have to be made, some decisions too. If the parts are very expensive it will not be paid for from the standard budget.
The fix is getting closer, no doubt.
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3 hours ago, Jax said:
No engineers or operators saying the ride is closed....
Most likely waiting for a part. Rumour has it that it will be closed until early May.That's Thursday onwards then, I too am hopeful.
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Todays BBC article has some interesting info on this, "only Universal park to be in Europe", talking with local educational establishments,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrg95rp5wo
The site is far more suited as a "brownfield site", which will help with planning/development, and lack of massive industrial employers suggests more potential workforce.
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Much more chance of going ahead though I can't imagine many folks aiming to use Luton Airport to get there. Though this is not a Governmental project, their employment figures are a bit far-fetched. It will be interesting as to the source of the bricks.
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Sad news, and as has been said, such a shame for those relying on it for employment, though seasonal
From where I am in West London, such a long way over there.
Though the park was appearing run down over the last four years, after "Meggies" refurb there was hope.
With neighbouring entertainments, ironically created by the same original owner, for some that would be a better location.
Megafobia is a great coaster.
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On 1/23/2025 at 10:33 PM, Inferno said:
................., the amount of time available to enjoy the rides is fleeting, and sometimes it’s only when rides are gone that you realise how much you love them! Loggers is a big one for me. But even the rides that do remain, the memories made are done and can’t be re-done, not really. It’s so important to go and do what you love, and make those memories and keep enjoying what you love doing. You never know what’s round the corner.................
And you have nicely summed up Life.............treasure what you have!
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Universal Studios Great Britain
in UK Attractions
Posted
I understand that due to the water table in that area, they will not be incorporating service tunnels, which means that all staff and services will all be served at ground level.
It is going to be interesting to watch progression and see what Merlin may have to do.