RideAddict

Huh? What she and Hague have done in their "unusual partnership" (as quoted by the London Evening Standard) is great.

That POV video doesn't really give an indication how good it is, but it's not what I wasn't expecting. I guess I'll be back there within a month to test it out.

You're brave staying there. How much did it cost for a night?

I've not got an attitude, you're implying I said something that I didn't say here. It would be a bit different if you actually quoted what I supposedly said.

I'm going to Alton Towers in early June and will probably have the same meal. I'll remember this price and if it is different I'll have to pay it, but I will also query why it is different.

I was thinking about going to Guest services, maybe next time I will.

Well as you know I've had a run-ins. Pluk and I didn't exactly see eye-to-eye at first but PM's soon made us aware of where we stand with each other. I'll tell people exactly what I think to their face without being afraid of the repercussions. I I can also take an instant dislike to people within seconds, I'm always playing a sort-of detective game and fishing out the good and bad. If someone I hate likes me, I go all-out to ensure they eventually hate me and don't stop until they do. I find it irritating knowing they like me when I hate them, so I get even. I have different views to others, views that others can't understand and find odd. I'm not normal. And I keep myself to myself here. A successful meet may change that and result in me revealing more about me. That's OK Ian, and I know what you mean about people bitching. I'm not pointing at anyone in particular here, but the people they are going on about are famous and well known, correct? I mean, going on about Hamza and Qatada, I guess we're guilty of that, but we've a reason to. But there's a difference when it comes to celebrities and intentionally seek the bad out of them when most would think they're good as gold. Take Pete Doherty for instance, I don't like his drugs habit, and he always looks a mess. I could write a lot but I can't be bothered with a time waster like him.More importantly, I was touched this week by Angelina Jolie and William Hague's visit to Rwuanda.

Tommy, Ian, Holly, and anyone else reading: If you really want the truth, I'm concerned that any meet I attend, someone will come up to me before I speak to them, and question me over things I talk about here that people don't like. I'm worried about being set upon and targeted, I know people are made to feel welcome at meets which is good. As a meet organiser, Peaj has been really supportive and offered lots of advice for a first-time meet for me, so many thanks to him for that, and to anyone else who may have encouraged me to come along. I'm a confident person, and in light of my actions that everyone doesn't agree with, this is one main reason I will not come to a meet to avoid confrontation that could turn nasty. I pdajj want to get along with everyone here and meet new people and make friends. I may seem like a bastard at times. And yes I can be when I want to be. But generally I'm not, I'm a loyal, honest, entertaining guy who gets along with most people easily. I accept people for who they are, and if you ever met me, I'd like to think people would do the same with me. Perhaps we should take whether I'm wanted at a meet to a poll, but people would have to vote honestly. From the results of that, I may change my mind about the upcoming meet at Chessington.

It was £5.20 with my pass discount. Have you paid a different price for that meal deal at Alton then?

I'm a little lost as to what you're going on about, Mer. Where and what have you said where people have got a reaction out of you?

That will never happen, I have no intention of attending a meet.

Fair comment JoshC, but we haven't seen the interior presentation of X for ourselves yet, the pictures don't really paint a proper picture. I'm sure we will be pleased though.

Before you start quoting me, make sure I've said that - because I didn't.

I can feel myself moulding into them already. I'm adament they're not much different to Saw's.

I'm sort of on your radar on this - it's OK, not the best, and does need time to adapt or weather. When they said how big it was on the pre-show video, I knew it would be about the size it is!

OK, so I've been in this afternoon, see my report in the Chessington Trip Reports topic. I asked staff on Peeking Heights about what is happening to Dragon Falls. Simple answer really, it's not up to Merlin's standards, they didn't confirm about any rocks returning or more features being removed or modified. I then asked about the RMT, once again it's not up to Merlin's standards. So then this made me ask "Is this what the 24-month investment is about, just these 2 rides, is anything else due to change in the park?" They answered "No, just Dragon Falls and RMT, everything else is up to standards." I wandered off wondering if there was more they weren't telling me. Surely just these 2 rides cannot take 2 years to modify?! We'll find out I guess.

I've just returned from a few hours at Chessington. Considering how cold it has been lately, I was wondering how busy it would be. As I waited for my bus home I was chatting to a chap who was also waiting for the bus, he works in The Burger Kitchen and told me today has been the busiest since opening last week. Upon arrival about 1:45pm, the queue times were what I would expect on a normal weekend. I only managed to get on 3 rides - Bubbleworks, Zufari and Peeking Heights. I would've liked to get on more, but with my slightly-than-later arrival and the long queues, I had to sacrifice the main ones - wasn't a big issue really, considering I've rode them lots of times before and I will get to during this year. So I decided to kick things off with a late lunch in The Burger Kitchen. This was one of my reasons for visiting today. As I walked into Transylvania and admired looked at the new exterior, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. They've totally ruined it IMO, and it really doesn't fit in with Transylvania's ageing look. I think the touch-ups done to Bubbleworks' exterior please me more. Anyway, I walked inside The Burger Kitchen and down the steps, and bang - was instantly hit with a long queue for food. Couldn't believe it really, although I was tempted to go elsewhere I decided to wait, it took about 15 minutes and during this time I took the oppurtunity to admire the inside changes. A lick of paint here and there seems to have done the trick, the colours are bearable. The tables and chairs do look a little on the cheap side, yes, but at least we can sit down! I soon got my quarter pounder meal, not bad value. Now for the verdict on the burger. I'll give it about 6 out of 10. The burger tasted OK, although I prefer smooth buns to seeded. It contained the usual sauces and extras a quarter pound does. 2 issues though; firstly, typical Merlin haven't made it the biggest burger. Secondly, the temperature of it could've been better, and this is something Merlin let themselves down on a lot in their outlets. The chips seemed fine, just like any McDonalds or BK ones. A 16oz coke does seem a little small and not big enough, but it did me. After eating that, I had a ride on Bubbleworks, before heading over to Mexicana to check out the closed state of Runaway Mine Train, where no visible work is occuring on the rocks. That's probably the first time I've ever seen it intentionally closed. As I wandered past Rameses, I looked at what a fading state it was, and then wondered where Zufari's entrance was. I was at this point it was totally oblivious it was right in front of me, so I headed down into the area to take a look. On entering the area, it is nice looking and nice to be in an area of the park I've never been in before. I wasn't intending to ride Zufari today, but decided to as I was there. I must've queued for about 40 minutes before entering the building for the pre-show, and then emerging back outside into the cold to board the jeeps. The jeeps are nice and comfortable, and as set off I couldn't help but wander what we'd see; giraffes, white rhinos (blackened, as they were dirty), and not a lot else, seeing as the jeeps each have a "animal checklist". It was an interesting ride and enjoyable, we had to stop to let animals "cross the road". We then got to the cave. In we went, got a little wet, out we came. Not sure if I'm impressed by that, in some ways that was the let-down part of the ride whereas others will consider it as the highlight. I think Rumba's tunnel with flowing water impresses me more! A look at the state of Dragon Falls saddened me. I took a ride on Peeking Heights to have a peek from above. Freezing, I left the ride to head to the Original Sandwich Co to claim my free coffee. Note that anyone who gets one here will have to show their Annual Pass, plus sign the back of the free reciept and put your postcode on it - it would appear the Merlin police are keeping an eye on this offer! I left the park about 5:10pm. Generally, it was an OK afternoon there, not much has changed apart from little things. The Creaky Cafe seems like a brilliant change.

I'll be in the park very soon. And I'll be speaking to people about Falls' future, hopefully I'll return later with some more accurate information. No promises though!

All I will say here is.. Ant an Dec - legends!

I'm happy with the restraints they've put on. I looked at the picture I quoted and couldn't quite tell if it was 4x4. I can see it is now.

I hope I get on some rides tomorrow. Sometimes I've just been in on a flying visit. I've gone in, rode about 3 rides, had a bite to eat or drink, and then gone within an hour or 2. Sometimes I don't mind if I don't get on anything, walking around and checking things out is good enough. Tomorrow, rammed or not, I will try the Burger Kitchen and deliver my verdict!

Sexy trains! Look fantastic, really like them. I heard that each train sits 16 people, 4 rows of 4, can anyone confirm that?I knew they would be OTSR restraints. I really dunno why people expected lapbars, this ride has more inversions than Colossus, did people actually think we'd only have lapbars?! Gerst restraints are good in the way all you do is just pull them down, and after a check off you go - none of this clip buckle malarkey like on most coasters. The yellow plates at the side are big, I wonder how many people will trip up on them, that's assuming they don't fold open.

I'm gonna take a chance. Got nothing else planned. Even if Runaway was open, you wouldn't see me heading for it.

Good old Peeking Heights for the views. Thank god the tunnel is still there Really unsure whether to head down tomorrow to check things out. Good Friday is usually packed I imagine, I never go, but the weather lately may take people elsewhere, leaving it very quiet there. The temperature is better now and slightly more bearable. Kingston is a back-up plan if it's too busy. Beats going home.

They don't. But I wouldn't ever laugh at a tragedy like that.