RideAddict

N.B. I realise this review may include details about the new Dungeon that people have read about on other websites already - apologies in advance. Today I have been to the new London Dungeon at County Hall. I arrived at Waterloo about 2:30pm, and took the short walk to the Dungeon, arriving about 10 minutes later. On approach, the Dungeon isn't as large nor heavily advertised as I expected. I immediately saw the normal queue, and as expected, wasn't short. I was pleased to see it was well-organised though, and not spilling out onto the walkway outside County Hall. The front entrance to the Dungeon is quite plain, with glass doors contantly open, and the main entrance split in 2, with the right hand-side being for groups and Passholders. The 2 lit torches burning with a gentle flame on either side look fantastic, but with County Hall's exterior, it doesn't look anywhere near as grand as the Tooley Street entrance. Whilst waiting for the entrance photo, we were greeted to a sing-song by a couple costumed members characters. I suppose it does help pass the time, but no sooner had that finished, I noticed an effect by a wall, as some yellow sick spewed onto the floor. Within seconds I realised this wasn't an effect, and it was actually an ill guest, with his head up against the wall. After the photo, you have to queue further inside, with a typical Merlin queue where you go up one side, and back down the other, taking approximately 10 minutes. However, you're not bored to death here, with some good effects in the queueline to startle you. At this point, it is worth noting the interior - very good, well themed to make it look aged, and this general interior is continued throughout the entire Dungeon. However aged it may be made to look, it doesn't compare with Tooley Street's which was quite worn in, remember this is brand new as Tooley's was nearly 40 years old. In some places the lighting is a little bit too modern, and not dimmed enough, therefore for me, the effect is slightly taken away, together with this new aged interior. So put these together, and it feels like a new Dungeon, but there is clear difference inside as one would expect, but is it too much of a difference? That's a matter of opinion. After eventually getting to the desk to pay you entrance fee, you get into a very large elevator that is well themed with hanging ropes from above. And once you exit that, your experience (or torture) really begins. The rats that you see throughout aren't as bad as the reviews make out. Generally, the scenes and effects are very well done, and the script changes throughout are clear to see, especially when you get to the scenes that you would've seen at Tooley Street, such as the Torturer and Judge scenes. The Henry's Wrath Boat ride doesn't get you as wet as some reviews make out. Generally, all scenes as well done, especially the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot. The best scene for me has to be Jack The Ripper and the Ten Bells pub. After sitting in the pub for a few minutes with the landlady, a costumed actor as Jack appears in the pub amongst flashing strobe light effects, this is a good scene that was great at Tooley, but is much better in this new Dungeon! The Whitechapel Labyrinth scene, or the mirror maze is much improved, as unlike Tooley Street, you are not walking around in circles for 5 minutes whilst they hold you there. Before you know it, you're out into the Ten Bells pub. I didn't go on Drop Dead, as I'm not keen on it, so I cannot comment, however I caught a glimpse of it and the theming inside looks great. To conclude, this new Dungeon is fantastic and definitely worth a visit. However, for those who loved the old Tooley Street one, you will not only miss it because of the aged interior, but some of the scenes such as the first one near the old Tooley entrance are not here at the new Dungeon. Within the last week one message has emerged about this new Dungeon, and that is that things have been toned down generally, compared to Tooley Street - this is clearly evident throughout. I urge you to take a visit soon, they are offering free admission to other Merlin attractions when you pay for your visit at this new London Dungeon. And don't forget to have a horrible time!

Been a bit worried about my numb big toe. I've not had 100% feeling in it since Sunday night. I was sat on the floor using my iPad for about 5 hours. I kept moving about and changing my position, when I finally got up the blood rushed back to my feet OK. I saw the doctor about it, everything is OK as blood flow and pulse are OK but I've been told to go back within a week if it doesn't improve, which at the moment is the likely case. It's a mystery to me and my doc, and I hope I haven't lost feeling permanently. I'm used to reduced feeling in my right hand, so numbness is nothing new. I accept things like this may take weeks or months to recover. In other randomness I must stop falling asleep in my empty bath!

Air isn't on that list either! Removing Rita is hardly surprising - on quite a few occasions it's taken a while to get it ready for the day, and by the time it is ready, ERT is over.

Only because it was in your team area when you worked there!

Not so much of a home meal but more on the takeaway side; Since 20th July last year I have taken to eating kebabs. I never ate them before in my life but since then I have probably had quite a few. My favourite used to be mixed lamb and chicken doner or a wrap. Lately I've gone off the lamb a bit, and stick to either chicken doner or chicken wrap. I usually get salad with the loveliest chillis, and a pitta bread. So I eat meat and salad, and then gobble down the pitta last when it's warm with chicken flavourings! Mmm. But if anything compliments all that it's a sauce. Not just any sauce - burger sauce. It's become my favourite lately, whether it's on a burger or kebab. And for anyone who's wondering how I remember it was 20th July, well that's easy to remember. That was the date the Olympic torch came through Guildford. I went to see it, was home by about 7:00pm, and half an hour later went out for a long walk and grabbed a kebab on my travels. It had been a hot day and was a lovely cool summer night. I don't do new year's resolutions but this year I made the decision to try to cut down on the amount of kebabs I have. It's sort of working.

And that is your most feared ride.

We haven't seen any pictures of any part of the queueline and station since this news was announced - for all we know it could be being changed as we speak.

*scrolls back up through topic* Nope, never said it does. I'm talking about how it looks from a distance - e.g presentation.

OK, I see what you guys mean - in theory The Swarm or any other wingrider is one of very few types of coaster that can offer the widest selection of experiences, unlike Vampire, Colossus or Nemesis Inferno. At least that how's I see it, now I wait for someone to challenge that. 6 options here on The Swarm - I can't think of any more possibilities, but again feel free to challenge this: back left forwards back right forwards front left forwards front right forwards back left backwards back right backwards

I give up. No offence Steven, and I ain't having a personal go at you here, but this is what I am sick of generally on the net. People are obsessed with getting rid of this ride. It happens every year to rides, and people convince themselves a ride will be removed, and then they're dumbstruck when it's still there months later! So no - it will be there this year.

Oh yes, I wouldn't have it any other way!

If you mean that Swarm is so much smaller compared to others, then yes, I know what you mean, although I've never rode any other wingrider.

I didn't get that excited for Saw. But I am excited about this. Any rollercoaster where the layout is a tangle, I'm always intrigued.

Queue board on Sea Dragons? I haven't spotted that.

6 - you forgot X:\. Kind of. The way I judge ride experiences does not take into account from where I sit - for me it's the same, with the only obvious difference being that if you sit at the back you feel the drag more (on all big coasters).

They really want to avoid outdoor queues here, unlike Tooley street. I'm an Annual Pass holder and intend to visit Saturday, I assume I can get in as normal without any restrictions or problems as it's their first weekend?

It looks like something outta War Of The Worlds! I really hope they don't use that music in the video on the ride!

There are some JBL speakers at the entrance to the park, and some Bose ones too. I hate mish-mashes.

That's the first time I've seen anyone up there in years, although I've probably missed a few photos of when they were last up.

JoshC and pluk: I still regard it as 1 ride, but with 2 different experiences. After taking another look at the aerial photo from yesterday, I've only just noticed the lake by the helicopter has been drained. Bit of surprise.

Mad - but entertaining.

Adam P's review is a great one, and now I have some questions and points to raise. Firstly, is the Henry the Eighth boat ride the old Traitor boat ride to hell? And does it take the same route, and is it in the dark? Depsite them saying no more blood splats to bring more families in, and the general point that has been across about them toning a few things down, I hardly think "a skeleton in a spike covered chair" contributes to it - however, sounds like a great addition (to the Torture chamber). It seems brilliant how the twisty alleyways of Whitechapel are the old mirror maze, at last it has been put to some proper use. And it's also brilliant how you have to "escape" Jack The Ripper in this. But what I find great too is how the scene arrangement is: Jack >> Ten Bells Pub >> Courtoom - probably 3 of the best old scenes from Tooley Street, now better arranged by the sound of things. Is the queue outside or is there quite a large indoor section for queueing? Does anyone know what happens to the old Dungeons at Tooley Street now - do Merlin still own this for a little while longer before finally legally handing the premises over to developers? Because, if I remember correctly, isn't this move mainly to allow the London Bridge station works to continue/expand? I am a great believer in change, and at first was unsure of this. However, the news and reviews seen so far paint a positive picture. Hopefully that will confirm my opinions when I visit this Saturday - keep a lookout for my review, coming in the first half of next week.

The vault is the main ride, correct? So they have improved the audio. Hmm, I thought it was OK already but meh. I understand the first video you watch is now clearer thanks to a projector upgrade? Only in recent years have I thought it was getting bad.

True, but writing that is moronic. If you're going to write a complaint, actually make it worth while. I still stand by what I said though. When I go to went to previous Fright Nights, I don't expect to pay a small charge as an Annual Pass holder, and to have to book a ticket either to gauruntee me entry! Saying it like this is wrong. It's a normal ride with 2 rows of seats turned backwards. You make it sound like we have an entire train facing backwards, and the other forwards. To be honest, when I see what they've done for myself, it'll only raise my eyebrows with a very mellow "wow" - and the same goes for this damn billboard.

A crane or a rope/zipwire, it's a split opinion and we all know what's the cheaper option. But like I said yesterday it looks awful there all year round. The platfom at the back is hardly ever used for access!