OldFarmerDean

30 minutes!? was only 10 minutes when I visited back in march, so only arrived in time to get in at 10 to yesterday!!!

The annual pass entrance on the right usually opens about 10minutes before the park opens to allow annual pass guests in... You either scan the pass on the single turnstile that is there and someone may (but not always) check your photo once you go through, or there is a member of staff with a handheld scanner and will check your photo and pass and then let you through the gate.

The floodlight wasn't on yesterday, and couldn't even manage to see where it was, as it was pretty dark in there... And themeing on Tue inside of the bend opposite the waterfall has been covered over with a black sheet!!

Off to Drayton Manor on Saturday, and been looking at the Drayton Manor site the last few days to see Maelstrom is closed... anyone have any idea why! I absolutely love this ride, would be gutted if it was closed!

I went on detonator just before, and to be fair I hadn't seen nemesis going for the first hour (although on one train it's hard to spot it going), and at the top looking down you could see the mist coming right out the entrance, and I was absolutely buzzing, went on inferno, but queued front row and by the time we got in it the mist at the entrance was gone

It's my favourite flat ride tbh, unfortunately the cycles are always short... and this season so far, not as good height wise. but I'd be absolutely gutted if it was closed!

Arrived today to find the car park with only half a row filling up, so knew it was going to be a good one! Used a birthday voucher so my cousin got in for a tenner, and we wen't straight in through the annual pass entrance about ten to, and managed a forwards & backwards ride on the swarm before the rest of the guests were allowed in at 10; not that the ERT was really needed, as even though all the coasters (besides saw obviously ) were on one train, they were still less than 10 minutes pretty much all day, and walk on at times, so I thought the ride count was pretty impressive... The Swarm x4 (both sides, front & back) Stealth & X x3 (front x1, back x2) Vortex x3 Saw, Nemesis Inferno & Colossus x2 (front x1, back x1) Rush & Samurai x2 Flying Fish x1 (back row) Detonator, Loggers Leap, Rumba Rapids & Quantum x1

Went on it twice today, about 11, and again about 3.30 and it only had one train. but queued about 20 mins for front row in the morning and straight on back row in the afternoon. Nice to actually see and experience the mist aha, shame it doesn't stay in the beginning of the tunnel but certainly builds up at the end so you can't see!

Nice to see the water effects (by the fire engine, under the plane and by the helicopter turn), as they all weren't working on my visit last month... Shame the fire isn't on today! I just say The Swarm just seems faster and faster every time I ride it... Its turning from a floaty Air to an intense Nemesis!!

Mist

The issue with Vortex seems to be the amount of people / weight, as I seen it running first thing really high, we went on it a bit later and had almost every seat filled, it juddered quite bad and took ages to get higher and got to just over 90degrees, don't get me wrong it was a long cycle so was okay... Went on it almost straight after and had a half full ride and even though it juddered initially we were up above 90degrees in no time and had a really long ride!

Rush was closed this morning, spotted it testing and opened up about midday... Seemed like a really short cycle though and certainly out of sync!

To say samurai was running well was an understatement... I hated it, far too fast and became uncomfortable - that's why I used to love samurai so much because it was so smooth and relatively slow, but now it's just like the fun fair ones which I hate!

Hex (as you don't get wet? ) Detonator or Apocalypse (Stand Up)

Batman Wales or Scotland?

We personally don't think it needs a gimmick... But it's inevitable that it's going to happen!

This is what I would like to see. I know Thorpe like gimmicks or something worth mentioning about the ride so I've kept that in mind... Colossus with new lap bar trains... As it has the potential to be my favourite ride, I just feel so claustrophobic on it with me being 6ft! But in all seriousness I doubt we'll see them, although would bring a new lease of life to the ride! 1) RMC I just think they look so cool, and would be perfect around Loggers Leap - shame it now no longer would be the Europe's first which Thorpe may think is a key factor at the moment, but maybe when they get more popular and realise how good they apparently are may get on in the future if they don't get a woodie before. 2) 'Actual' Woodie As besides having specific only rides, all aspects of a ride have been covered really... airtime (Stealth, Colossus), inversions (The Swarm, Saw, Nemesis Inferno, Colossus), launch (Stealth), drop (Saw, Stealth) etc. So the only logical rollercoaster that's missing from their line up is wood as even though its main focus should be airtime, it gives a completely different ride experience. 3) Intamin Mega-Lite / Mack Equivalent From the looks of the rides (Piraten & Alpina Blitz) and the reviews, they seem like amazing rides full of airtime, and perfect for a smaller space, as well a lower cost - it's just a case of how Thorpe could theme it and/or make it marketable. 4) Family Launch Coaster I'm all for wanting a nice big, tall rollercoaster, but if Thorpe are serious about this family target market as well, I'd love to see a thrilling family launch coaster like Juvelen as they look great fun and with several, less intense launches makes it completely different to stealth! As well as being scared on roller coasters its all about having fun as well, and that's what I love about 13 at Alton Towers, so a family ride while still being relatively thrilling seems a great choice. 5) Hypercoaster / Airtime Filled Machine I used to think rides lacking an inversion or two were completely pointless, but now I've come to appreciate airtime and think it's a key element rides should include, so a nice tall coaster with lots of airtime possibly running along the back of the park as mentioned before would seem a good idea, although worrying that it would dwarf stealth or at least make it not so imposing, as it appears to be their signature ride, so maybe a woodie or mega-lite etc. may be a better option. What I don't want to see... 1) B&M Flying Coaster Admittedly Air is extremely boring and lacks any intensity, but other flyers do look really good... I just don't think its right for the park with Nemesis Inferno being inverted, and The Swarm riding on the wings, plus I personally hate the restraints and find them so uncomfortable! 2) B&M Dive Machine I love Oblivion even if it does have an awfully short layout... Bit what makes Oblivion is the underground tunnel and with that not being possible at Thorpe just leaves me not wanting one even if it did have a decent layout, plus it takes away from stealths height/drop and the whole point of saw (the over 90degree drop)! 3) B&M Sit Down Inverter As much as these are great rides, it doesn't bring much more to the ride lineup with saw and Colossus... Besides smoothness aha! But think it would be a wasted investment with the other rides above I think would be better suited to the ride lineup!

it doesn't cost them anything to give it out (although potentially loses fast tracks that can be sold on that day, although don't see how it can be known what day they're coming back - and as it's quite evident they don't restrict fast track sales enough anyway!), and would give someone a reason to come back, so is actually a good gesture from a business perspective which also seemingly comes across as nice to the general public as well who has got something for free, just for complaining - although this isn't a trait they should get their customers used to!

Banned for naming a Beyoncé song.

I've been chessington 6 times now since 2009, and haven't got a single ORP, yet I have loads from Thorpe & Alton!

I guess so... I just worrying that oakwood are over-hyping themselves and the investment! :/

This whole sleepy hollow theme could be expanded the following season with a rollercoaster or large ride etc. But there is no way anything major can be done by summer!

It took About 40-50 minutes on a quiet weekday in june... I think races on at ascot may have had something to do with it - as I only queued about 30 minutes in october half term. Funnily enough I don't recall ever queuing to come out of Alton Towers or Thorpe Park in the last 3 or 4 years, and that consists of weekends, quiet weekdays and half terms, including events like scarefest/fright nights & fireworks - I can see how Chessington can be a bit of a pain but haven't queued for more than 5 mins!!

As you'll get some who want to leave in the early afternoon, arounf 5ish, and when the park would close at like 6.30/7... and although there will be some congestion coming out of thorpe due to so many cars at once, the amount of cars would be spread over the day, as well as the main bulk coming out at closing time which would intended to be after rush hour. Perfect idea really, something Alton could do with more so than Thorpe as their opening times are terrible

And if its only being closed a week before angry birds land opens I highly doubt there will be a repaint in that time... Nice to see it getting a bit of attention though and hopefully the (new) audio will be more consistent!