RideAddict

Neither - the rocks removal project was the best thing ever to be done to that ride, even Chessington admitted soon after how much it had improved the ride.

News...figure of speech. A ride dying, when is The Swarm going to drop dead? Not tomorrow I hope.

I still disagree here, especially when I have chatted to Thorpe's technicians about its current state of play and future. So I'm sorry to deliver the bad news to anyone who expects it to go any time soon.

I beg to differ, but enough said about this. Anyway, I advise people to watch out when passing a William Hill shop. How awful that was last week.

When I try to post a smiley such as I get the error message: "You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community."

The Halloween event was so crap last year it was over before it had begun, in a matter of speaking!

I haven't been on a zoo day visit in years. And 0 minutes for Bubbleworks, well that's often seen these days, especially during the week.

Very judgemental. And I have not missed your point. I think you don't understand the logic and costings. I doubt the entire building would have been brought forward by a foot, certain parts of it may have been. Also, clearance has to be considered when the Vampire flies by, so in the 23 years it's been there and the modifications to the building, I bet much has hardly changed as to how far it sticks out.

I usually stay at the Chained Oak B&B, I really recommend it there. Good rates, good breakfasts, and friendly owners. I know that X Sector is almost directly opposite the entrance to the B&B. I usually walk up the road to the park each morning, so when I next go, I shall keep an eye out.

I guess I'm just used to it being grey. This must be the oldest closed season rumour ever. I got over it not being done years ago, and I now firmly believe it won't be. Although it did get a little brush-over a couple of years back, at the top of the lift hill (or was that good ol' cleaning?). Ever since someone mentioned about the numbering paint-over mess made on Vampire's supports during it's 2001 closure, I've looked at this almost every time I queue for it, then look up to the top to see how smooth and a lighter brown the rest is. They are indeed. They're not real. I'd love to see Colossus generally cleaned up, especially the cobra roll pit which has suffered too long.

Imagine this (and I hope it never happens). Chessington closes forever. All signs on buildings that have had their name changed over the years are removed. Suddenly, all the old signs and names are revealed. It's a likelyhood for 9 out of 10 buildings - there's very few that take the old signs down.

You disagree with...? As said, the parks are likely to turn to factors for parts, even if the manufacturer can still supply it. Think cost, cost, cost. If you strip apart a lot of rides, the compenents are generally universal. One big example is linear induction motors. If one of Colossus' was ever to go pop, for example, I expect the park wouldn't turn to intamin. You see LIM's on rides all over parks generally. Universal I expect, not manufacturer's own specific.

If you think the Count's Cauldron exterior was bad, that's your opinion - but my opinion is that it was the best piece of theming in Chessington. I know they've uncovered the original facade and it's far from the finished picture, but then my opinion is also that the planning of this could have been better. Covering up old signs and putting a new sign up over it is common practice, whether it be in a theme park or high street. Basically, the parks are just following the general rule of thumb of high street shop fitters. I never saw the ride itself before it was converted, but online construction archives of the conversion of Toyland Tours to Charlie at Alton Towers revealed some old facades from the 1980's, again a common practice that has been used for years. Think about the logic. If it's going to cost £500 to take down a new sign and put a new one up in its place, and just £150 to stick a new one up over the old one, I know which option I'd be going for.

I agree, it would be so pointless. During Slammer's downtime last year, I read this and many other forums for months about this "craze" of it being removed, and bascially, people need to get over the fact that it's here to stay. I couldn't stop laughing in total disagreement. There see seems to be such an online obsession about getting rid of it. Yeah, it's unreliable. Yeah, many people hate it. But it's going to be at Thorpe Park until it's beyond repair, so at least another 15-20 years. People seem to forget how much it would cost to actually take a ride out. And what would be done with it? I doubt S&S would take it back, especially as it was sold as part of a deal with Rush. This goes for many rides that have been installed since about 2000 - expect them to last for many years to come, as they will so long as they're repairable. Most parts are usually obtained directly from the ride manufacturer, however, esculating costs (especially in this recession) mean that the parks are likely to turn to factors who supply universal parts that will fit and do the job for a lot less. If anyone thinks Slammer is knackered and had it's day, then think about this...if anything it's still a youngster and getting going, it's got plenty of life left in it and will continue to slam Thorpe's skies for many years to come.

I challenge this. I can hardly taste the difference between a high street Pizza Hut and Thorpe's one. Price-wise, I'm happy. The difference between Thorpe's Pizza Hut and their own brand restaurants isn't that much. If people here can taste the difference then they must have stronger tastebuds than me! Also, anyone knows where I can get a pizza cutter used in Thorpe's Pizza Hut?! The way the guy chops it up is talented, give him a Samurai sword any day of the week.

I usually know where to look too, but since Saw has been built and the CCR was re-routed, I'm a little lost. Anyway, back to the main point of conversation, and if Loggers has had some changes made for this year, then it's about time. The tunnel removal in some ways seems a great idea - takes me back to the days of the rock removal on Dragon Falls at Chessington, boy was that an improvement. On the other hand, keeping the tunnel there would be the best thing, it's one thing that makes the ride unique.

Where can you see the element from? The chained oak tree or the cottage?

I should have bought a pair of binoculars, how's anyone meant to spot that?!

Covering up old signs and putting a new sign up over it is not found just at Chessington. If you were to take a handful of high street shops that have been converted over the years, you would most likely find the exact same thing. For example, an old Shoe Zone that closed down may now be a Specsavers, there's a chance the old Shoe Zone sign will be there. Think of the cost - if they can cover up the old without it costing too much, then it makes sense to stick the new one over the old and let it be! As for the Creaky Cafe... As for the Burger King exterior...crap. It's ruined Transylvania. But I'm sure the food will be good. As for the Fangtasia Gift Shop refurb...well it's not much of a shop now but it has been needed for some time, so this could turn out good. You must be kidding. It did work! It was the best piece of theming in Transylvania. I mean, it fitted in better than the original Bubbleworks exterior!

I don't think we'll be seeing a woodie soon. It's been debated for years, especially to put one in at Thorpe, and with John Wardley now retired, the chances are even bleaker for any Merlin attraction. I can't see a family-orientated park on the way. Not when they have Ministry of Sound and all these other crappy events (the only one that appealed to me last year was a M.O.S one where it stayed open until 3am, I never went). And all this investment, they've put so many new rides in that to convert it to a family-orientated park would mean removing a lot of them, and that would be pointless and a waste of money!

Either my eyesight is bad or I cannot see any Loggers Leap at all.

Agreed. There's other things I'm looking more forward to at the park this year.

Great advert, although the Chessington theme plays in the background it's a shame it's not the proper one we hear at the park.

It's good quality food and that's what matters - like I've said, I'm prepared to pay a little bit more for quality. What's not to understand about that?!

I agree with you on the quality of it's branches, Fred.