planenut

Went to TP today, third visit in two weeks, the luck of living nearby. To start with the park opened earlier than recently at 0930; all well and good, but neither Saw, Nemesis Inferno nor Stealth opened at that time. Decided to wait in the "no it's not available" queue for NI as I could see them testing, to find when on the first ride, Stealth had started testing. Got on Stealth and after the first trip, someone decided to share their breakfast with everybody on the exit stairs; got the first train after that, in the seats, and the staff gate went faulty. All off, engineer came to the ride quickly and fixed said gate, and all went well for the rest of the day. Very few park visitors, and along with others re-rode continuously several times during the last hour.

Not a problem; we are all different, especially when it comes to "physical". There are plenty of people of all ages, who will not go on anything, even Dragon's Fury. Never worry about what others think, and enjoy what appeals to you. Some people just enjoy the Parks, and watching other people on the rides. Some, just put on a performance but will be going on, whilst others go on, but don't actually want to be there; I would not do that.

record it and keep listening to it, job done........ish! enjoy it, as it's a chance to show them what you have got.

Great pics and story David, thanks for sharing. Some interesting angles of the rides and park; Stealths paintwork blending nicely with the bright sky; great shot from the top of SWARM's lift hill looking toward the sunset complete with spectrum.

Stealth yesterday ran at 100% performance, and the ride ops. again were in full control. It is difficult at times for them to have to deal with such a varied assortment of "general public", with some even wanting to decide on their family's harness and seating arrangements. One lady even trying to follow an operator checking the harnesses on her entourage again, which obviously cannot be done and means that the op. has to re-check them. The team again, were very tactful and that's certainly an asset to a well run ride.

There are more stoppages in the heat and that's normally down to sensors.

I do hope this ride is really good. I spoke with a staff member on Thursday, and he will be working on it and his comment was "if it works it's going to be really, really good". so, not much there then.

I went this and last Thursday, and Stealth was been running fine this week with only a couple of hiccups last, due to positioning on exit and someone choosing to share their lunch with the platform. One guy who tried the test seat outside and was convinced that he fitted it, was declined on the ride due to being "too large" - this makes it extremely difficult for ride hosts who mostly are youngsters and have to make rapid, politeful decisions; team did well. Cracking weather both days, cracking rides.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, if anybody is up that way....... https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/red-arrows-display/?utm_source=CRM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=display

I was present at BPB during the weekend, and as on previous visits, the Big One team started loading sandbag/ballast on the rear of one train, gradually reducing the capacity of it to about half. At the end of the day, they always load the bags in anticipation of the next morning's tests. I would say, that this is the staff trying to save themselves from having a late departure, nothing else. Really annoying when one is waiting in a queue and a sandbag is given priority. Mid morning and they took a train off (contusion/) Infusion, again. I'd have thought it easier to just buckle all seats on one and leave it running empty. One of the team on Sky Force became confused somewhat when I suggested they take two planes off to speed up loading, and April Fools had passed.

I note from the homepage that the chance of getting a ticket at 1870's prices is quoted as twelve pence, well, I wasn't quite there, but a shilling in todays money would be five pence. Twelve old pennies to the shilling, twenty shillings to the pound. I'm glad that don't do any accounts for me.

Happy New Year to all, may we have many Happy Returns!

No surprise there, and no need to lambast the ride or equipment. Safety procedures are there for a reason.

Sorry I didn't see you. I wasn't originally going but chanced it. Due to the dank weather, daft queues on Colossus and Swarm I left mid afternoon. Chatting to engineers, the Manufacturers engiineers called the shots on the servicing and are not "season" aware it seems.

In this environment, I believe that it is more a case of them not taking on next season. Merlin are in a different position financially, and doesn't look too promising for those hoping for a half term opening.

I rode it yesterday, with a whole train waiting for me, the single rider to step on the platform, as I announced to all "it's okay, I'm here, we can go now!" crackers.

What amazed me was how quiet audibly the queues were, noticeably so.

Cannot see where to post this, so , it's here. My visit to TP today 4th November Went to TP today knowing that my favourite ride has been "taken out", but suspecting that will be my last chance to get there this year, and with the weather being okay. Stealth is ten years old next year and because of that, they have started servicing it now, in the season, doh! They are in fact working on it as the accumulators are in pieces and it is all fenced off. Supposedly that means it will be ready for the half term in February? (watch that space, seriously!) The park was really low on visitors, so I got that bit right, as all rides were virtually walk-on. Met a load of familiar staff on Nemesis Inferno and had many rides on that, and several other people were allowed to re-ride. Samurai was working.(I don't do that) Saw still a bit rough, re-rode. Swarm, still too smooth for me, but no queue. Colossus performing well, not too rough, and no queue, so allowed to stay on, for a few spins. I quite like Vortex, though not enough swings, and only four people on it.

That has to be one of the most stupid comments I have ever read on this site.

Still would prefer five revolutions!

Good to see you again Whiteknuckle, not sure if you came back to Stealth later, it was difficult spotting people in the dark. The dispatch message was okay, I'm not sure about the arrival on the return though. (Say "Hi" to your Mum)

Went to Thorpe Park yesterday, Friday, and it was a "fright night" event, which meant that for an extra £5 I got an evenings riding as well, as I don't do mazes etc.. First thing in the morning it was foggy and fantastic to ride Stealth up into the "clouds", I imagine like being on the outside of an aeroplane in cloud. As the fog dispersed, one could see the bank of it, yet see over it. The day was pretty sunny, yet cool in the shade. In the evening session, I noticed that as it became just very slightly misty, the shadow of Stealth was cast by the flood lights on that mist, weird, and could only be seen when going over the top-hat. Then spotted the space station going over and able to point that out to people around me, who like most others, are oblivious to it's existence. Oh, the park, yes well during the day, not too busy; in the evening it did become busier which was not helped by SWARM going down for most of the evening, and they had tested five trains by the time the park closed at 10p.m., and I think Nemesis Inferno had some down time too.

Well they haven't opened it yet; staff were there in training and it was being tested late on Saturday. The Merlin rep. stated that Smiler still has not been given it's certificate.

Will do!

I'm there on Saturday and things are looking very promising.