JoshuaA

I didn't know a bunch of black/white walls and some some cheap monster stickers slapped onto a dysfunctional tunnel counted as "detail"..

Intamin Mega Coaster full of airtime moments with restraints that restrict air-time.. EDIT: Lets hope they the promo-art isn't a true reflection of the ride itself or this will be one of the biggest mis-fires since DBGT..

I honestly think adding VR would just make the addition even more of a depressing sight to be honest.. X's current throughput is already kinda terrible with some of the new annoying seating rules so VR on top of that would just make the throughput dreadful wouldn't it? It also had to be said that the VR can be unreliable and it might cause a bunch of downtime which again would be more annoying than beneficial. Don't get me wrong I've slowly warmed to Galactica and VR when used right, but I don't think X could handle the smaller throughput if VR was implemented

When you come out to your parents and siblings and they respond..

Couldn't agree more- absolutely loved Melodrama, and as soon as Greenlight dropped it managed to ear-worm me for a few months, I'm shocked the singles and record itself wasn't more successful. Anyway I thought I do a few of my own here as 2017 was probably one of my more eventful years. Song Of The Year- Hard Times- Paramore Absolutely love the funky 80s inspired instrumentation on this track and the hook is a ear-gasm. Plus who doesn't have a crush on Hayley Williams? Film Of The Year- IT I do have to say I was initially perhaps WAY too harsh on IT, though after another watch and some thinking I overall think the film is very entertaining and the characters are quite fresh for a horror. The film did grip me for long sections of it and there are some scenes that naturally create some really tense and scary moments. I didn't see many films this year though so putting IT as my favourite film of the year perhaps isn't saying much though.. Album- Melodrama-Lorde Already mentioned this but in short: Well written, experimental moments like "The Louvre" or "Hard Feelings' bridge, good hooks, good lyrics, and Lorde's vocal delivery is filled with emotion on pretty much every track. Favourite Live Show- Derren Brown Underground This was my first time seeing Derren Brown live; and holy god was it entertaining, amazing, and something I will never forget. The theatre which Derren was performing in was very tiny and closeup so there was points where I could pretty much touch him (luckily got seat upgrades too!) The show itself was a psychological journey filled with tons of "what the fu** just happened?" moments. I had many moments where I was questioning my own thought process and honestly I couldn't even fathom how he performed such tricks by the end of it- amazing. Low Points Of The Year Relationship drama, merlin parks, punching myself while dancing don't ask High Points Of The Year Learning guitar, losing weight, non merlin parks.

I do have to say I adore De Fuego at PA- though I guess each to their own. Anyway here's a few more controversial opinions that I hold: 1: I prefer Legoland, Alton Towers and Blackpool over Thorpe 2: I believe if Thorpe continue these senseless IP additions, Chessington will become a superior park as at least they know who their target market is 3: I like Grand National and I prefer it over Stampida 4: I like Ice Blast 5: I really dislike Revolution, I just found it really uncomfortable

I do have to say I agree on the park looking quite pretty after the renovation, and holy god do the christmas lights look beautiful. I really hope the bold injections of money turn out good for them as its a pretty nice place. I might have to go to visit their winter event next year! I do think my experience with Screamland was perhaps more of a sour one this year, but its definitely a very interesting event that seems to change drastically year on year. I guess I would recommend Screamland though, as from memory its only around 15 quid for a ticket, which for 6 mazes and the park itself is a bargain. Scenic overall isn't anything too extreme though I do have to say some of the double downs in the back can give some surprisingly aggressive ejector air. Other than its pretty tame but I do have to admit that it looks pretty sexy as the main icon to the park Nice report though, I might have to get my a** back down to Margate.

The park is terribly operated in the main season so I guess it would only be expected for them to be terrible in the winter season too? The presents not even being wrapped up is just terrible though..

Very excited for the addition of the waterpark.. I think you could easily spend a week at the park as it is, so a waterpark will just make the park even more of a multi-day worthy place. The theming will also probably be beautiful as this is Europa.

I think the problem lies in finding a area that could host a large enough stage for such artists, as the park doesn't really have a good dedicated stage area that could host a concert without it feeling awkward or cramped.. Dreamland when I last visited has a dedicated full time stage and space for concerts that is very large which could easily hold a tonne of people if need be. Dreamland's stage is pretty much dead in the heart of the park too, which means you can hear the music from a lot of the park so I guess that is another thing.. From looking at the stages from brief glimpses of the event a few years back I got the impression the stages looked incredibly small and tacked on at Island Beats. If Thorpe were to host more concerts I would hope they would add a dedicated area for them like maybe in the Marquee near Swarm or something? Though I guess then there is more issues with the lineup and not blowing millions on big acts for a low-turnout.. But it would be a start by giving your acts actual space, and the crowds and set-up looked very awkward..

Well at least they are stealing good ideas.. Gardaland in that respect is lucky compared to Thorpe..

I do have to give credit to Blackpool for making these great investments and not giving us cheap short lived investments like Thorpe are pumping out right now.. I rode Skyforce a year so ago and overall I feel like its a quality and very re-rideable flat ride and Icon is going to be awesome from the looks of it! Despite my utter despise for Infusion, I think Blackpool next year will perhaps be on par with Alton (if not better) and easily better than gimmick island.

Looking forward to giving this a ride on a slight de-tour before I reach Icon. Nice to see this won't be another Smiler with opening.. Well, lets not jinx that.. Its a shame the theme for this looks like a pile of bollo***, but past the assumably drab attempt of a theme you have a mini GCI which will hopefully be fun and will give hints of airtime.

Saw for me is like a lottery. Most of the time the ride is terrible and its easily one of the weaker coasters in the lineup, though occasionally you can get a really good ride on it. I think Gerstlauer isn't the problem.. Look at Monster, Karnan, Takabisha or Karacho..

I'm pretty sure they added IAC and Angry Birds as a pivot back to the family market as the thrill market wasn't bringing in enough people.. I think with all good parks having a balance of rides for both markets is necessary, and having rides that everyone can enjoy is something that every park needs. I think a GCI or a middle of the road type of ride is desperately needed at the park, and without X the family lineup is thinner than ever. If they wanted a thrilling addition a new flat ride would of been a MUCH better long term investment than this tacky IP.. I think these investments like IAC or this next year are good in the short term (for like a year or two) but then after that they collapse, their ridership collapses, and the park overall starts to neglect ride before (like Sub Terrible) the ride closes down and overall it ended up to be a waste of time and money. Heck, even parks like Paulton or Pleasure beach are spending their smaller budgets way wiser than Merlin are right now with the majority of their parks.. Skyforce, Lost Kingdom, or Icon are good examples of a actual good long-term investment that won't fizzle out in a year or two.. I think as soon as the new ride hype fades away with this addition next year, I think the ridership will slump horribly.

I have to say it looked pretty decent on my last visit. Its not amazing but its gonna be probably the best Merlin addition next year (even if the theme doesn't excite me..) I hope this turns out good as I'd love to see some of the other Merlin parks get a GCI. I think it also fits the Towers lineup really well too.

They can't be that daft right? Retheming X to The Walking Dead would be perhaps one of the WORST decisions in Thorpe's History competing with DBGT and IAC.. The family lineup would become paper thin if it departed, leaving it to Fish and Storm Turd which aren't exactly good either.. The Horror theme will alienate the family market, and the thrill market are probably better off sticking with Swarm or Inferno.. If this is linked to The Walking Dead I'm lost for words. Terrible.

Who's running the place recently? They went from Katun and Ispeed to this.. Divertical sure looks a bit daft but at least its not this.. The throughput for this is going to be fun too..

This doesn't justify the terrible family lineup though if X leaves for a tacky Walking Dead re-theme. This is much, much, easier on paper than to actually do. Especially if that person has overbearing anxiety.

I agree pretty much completely with the post above me. Big Top and Platform I think should both return as they are both really strong attractions IMO, though Platform does need perhaps a more urgent finale. I think Saw Alive and Sanctum should be completely changed next year, as both kinda stood out as lacklustre and short IMO.. Though I don't see that happening as Saw Alive has sat stationary for like 7 years now and Sanctum is Walking Dead related so that will probably come back next year too.. Roamers is something I think Fright Nights is weak in, especially when I can walk down the road for Tulleys. Oh and can we change Containment? It'd be nice to see some changes in there next year.

Hopefully X stays the same theme, as they just done it up right? I feel like X currently fills a very important space in the lineup with younger guests, and I don't think Merlin would be stupid enough to give a family coaster a horror theme.. I hope anyway

That is a tough one.. Too many deserving candidates..

I guess the re-tracking will make the experience smoother, and another station for the VR will make the throughput bearable I guess too. Anyway I guess this will sort out the jolts on the ride, which will hopefully make it more enjoyable. But lets just hope the weird german rave music is kept or I will riot. I'm surprised they didn't try to fit a topspin in the dome too

I'm kinda glad Thorpe have not messed around with a permanent hotel yet, as the Merlin hotels just strike me as expensive and a waste of time.. Alton is by far the worst offender when you can get a B&B for like a fraction of the price..

Thorpe- about 10? Chessie- 3 Alton- 2 Europa- 1 Dreamland- 1 Legoland- 1 Tulleys- 3 (only down the road so it'd be rude not to )