RideAddict

I've just quoted what I originally said. So, no. Did you actually go to Thorpe around 1998-2003? Because if not, how do you know what it was like?

Exactly - this is what I was saying! There's not much on your list that you've missed, therefore if they were to open everything on that list they may as well open the whole park! I'm not surprised, like I said earlier in another topic, the temperatures and weather conditions don't keep people everyone away! I've seen it too many times. Even if I'm not going in the Chessington direction via car or bus, I see the A243 queueing from either mid-Malden Rushett or or the M25 roundabout, and I know that 9 times out of 10 it is queueing traffic for Chessington. Today, the weather down here started off with drizzly rain, it stopped about 7:00am and is now about 3c, with outbreaks of sunshine very occasionally. So I think it will be cloudy for the rest of the day. I certainly didn't expect rain, especially after that heavy frost that was glittering on cars around 11pm lastnight.

Yes, Merlin need to offer a general discount over all attractions, and also not just select certain places to keep brands (like PH @ Thorpe Park). *irritated growl*

Read what I actually quoted on, I was aiming mainly towards the bold parts. Alex also said this, which is why I said about it being the same 10-15 years ago.

If it doesn't hit full capacity today, my guess is that will be near-on.

If they open that amount of rides, then they may as well open the rest of the park, that's practically near-on 50% you've just listed.

But it's the only way I can see of managing it better, thus allowing those who don't get in to try another day? Then again, how many would make a second attempted trip in the same week?! The weather won't stop people. I've been in all temperatures and conditions, and it doesn't put everyone off. I first did Stealth a few days after it first opened, and it was about -2c.

That's unusual, usually Seastorm is one of the first rides to have it's maintenance completed, and it's usually going again in no time.

If you go back 10-15 years, it's still the same story, the only difference being that fastrack didn't leave a hole in your pocket, and we actually had proper themed music in the ride areas. Unfortunately, this is generally an age-old problem Thorpe will never shake off - no wonder I had such hatred for them back then.

We have to remember too that at this time of the year, maintenance is still ongoing, although at a relatively smaller scale. Perhaps a future idea to avoid this would be to introduce an Annual Pass week.

Here it is at Alton Towers in Ug Land, although it was in X Sector for a while too, under the name Energizer and a different paint job!

I saw the Facebook updates and thought it was a full park opening, but it's only Zoo Days?!

I'm not blaming Merlin. Sponsorships make ANY ride look cheap and obvious that cost-cutting is in play.

Yes, I know what target audiences are, all I'm saying is that people outside that can visit too. Look at Radio 1, it's target audience is 15-29 year-olds and although they attract that age group, they still struggle. Their average listener is about 33. Why do you think they axed Chris Moyles?! Because they wanted a younger presenter for their target audience.

I've never been on either and don't intend to, but Ripsaw has always looked more reliable and better kept. If there's one ride Thorpe should get it's Boneshaker. Unfortunately I never got to see or try this ride, as it was taken out of Alton Towers about a year before my first ever visit. However, I know it's sorely missed, is rare to see one, is different from other rides and would somehow (don't ask me how) fit in at Thorpe Park, even if it was placed in another area than Saw Alive's area.

I like your style, drop your girl off at nursery and let her play, whilst you go and play in the bigger park! I would go more during the week if it wasn't for work commitments, but when I'm off work I try to make time for visits to any park, especially as I'm only about 20 minutes from Chessington.

Having pop music playing in these areas has become so familiar to the regulars that when it comes to ride nights and MOS nights, and other events that play music, it sounds near enough the same! I'll always remember a few years ago at Thorpe Blast, they had just installed the park-wide audio system, and as it got dark I was in the queue for Vortex. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd was played, and boy did it literally bounce off the entire park, and sounded fantastic!

That damn fire effect, I'm fed up with hearing about that now! Not a dig at you Inferno, but I'm just generally bored of it. But the colours on the current Dr Pepper sponsorship look cool IMO, and I agree that window has to go. When is the sponsorship finished? Original Source was more of a relevant sponsor. If Bubbleworks hadn't gone down the soap route, then Dr Pepper would suit it for a few years. Yes, probably but surely leaving it up is a breach of contract unless they've got permission?

I'm never too old for most rides. A target audience doesn't mean you can't go, don't let it stop you.

Stone me, they wanna get a move on!

So when it returned for 2002 after a year out of action, no PA or audio was different?

Classical. I love how the TV has the Swarm on it, and every picture has the TV with the same Swarm image on it. Then there's a picture on the wall of the Swarm again, surprise surprise, it's the same image of the Swarm again!

Now I'm confused where it does and doesn't play, but I do recall hearing both parts of that track in the lower Dome. It's probably the End of day and lower Dome track merged into one! Hearing it again after all these years is strange, and it's very similar and more suited to the Towers Street music at Alton Towers. I don't enjoy this track much, however I do remember the beginning part. Thanks for posting the link though.

I haven't been to Longleat in years! Back in the summer of 1999, BBC1 was broadcasting a programme called Lion Country which was filmed at the safari park and Longleat House. I watched it everyday for about 2 months, only to visit soon after!

Just as I thought. I've had the ReRide version years now and have never come across another version, so if I was to discover another version then I would be very surprised. And, talking of ancient, I am told the station speakers are a very good reliable make (not sure what make) - anyone know?