JoshuaA

Ooooh exciting. Its only a less that a month until I visit too. I'm so hyped.

Because an announcement is due soon, here's my prediction: (Lets see if I fail horribly at guessing) Walking Dead- New IP in Cabin's building. Will be one of the biggest projects Thorpe have ever done, the maze will be themed heavily. Big Top and Saw- Returning, if they don't, I will eat my hand. Platform: Returning with changes throughout the attraction to enhance the experience. New IP/New Maze- Behind IAC, there has been some construction in that area recently, and I think it would work pretty well. To what the IP is, I'm not sure. But I'm pretty sure some FN related attraction will be placed behind IAC this year. Containment: Returning with a few new puzzles. This year is gonna be interesting. I think this could be a really good year for Fright Nights.

A gloomy and dark IP for a family coaster? The Wickerman is also pretty irrelevant right now too.. Ughh.. Trust Merlin to fu** up the theme for a GCI Family Woodie.. I think this won't fit in to Mutiny Bay very well either.. They could of just gave this a simple wood related theme and name and call it quits..

I do think The Towers should try and up their game with the advertising campaign. The Smiler's campaign I thought was generally brilliant, and it actually got me hyped up for the new addition. The backstory videos, the game, and the pictures on the website really built up anticipation for the ride. On re-watch of the POV I think this could decent if it has a launch, though we'll have to wait and see.. But I have to say that I'm much more hyped for the great looking Mack Launch down at Blackpool over this, so I wouldn't be surprised if this thing hides in Icon's shadow.. Though this will be a good addition for the park I guess, and I hope this will be work out for Merlin so we see more GCI's across the parks.

Roanoake seems to be one of the stronger seasons, it looks way better than the crap we got from Hotel and Freak-Show. Though yes if we did get AHS, it would make more sense for it to be inside- as if you look at most of the AHS settings, most of them are inside a building of some kind.. Whether that be a house, a Insane Asylum, a Circus Tent, or a Hotel.. I still have some doubt though we would see AHS at Fright Nights, but that might just be the inner cynicism in me taking over

This is only a teaser, for all we know this could be good.. I wouldn't even call the exterior bad.. I'm gonna save my mockery and semi sarcastic posts 'til it actually opens..

Babadook is bae I did think Annabelle: Creation was decent though. Yes it did overly rely on jump scares towards the beginning, but I overall loved the second half when they explained the backstory of the doll, and I thought the acting (even the child acting) was brilliant. Babadook is a really hard target to beat though.. As its one of those movies thats doesn't even have any jump scares but still manages to get under your skin. I'm only scratching the surface of how good that film is.. Its films like The Babadook that reminds me that not all Horror movies are mindless gore torture porn fests..

Got to love Gatwick, and its 10 mile walks to get to your gate.. And the manic and usually overly complicated security, oh and when it takes a HOUR for luggage to show up on the belt. Though then again I live down the road from it, so I guess I'd rather deal with Gatwick over a 2 hour drive to get to Stansted..

I only saw Annabelle 2 tbh as it got released near my birthday, and I wanted to see a horror in the Cinema setting. Though it seems it got some good reception across the board from critics, which is kinda odd.. This is a prequel to one of the most panned horror films as of recent memory. Though I guess Ouija 2 seems pretty good too, and I couldn't stand the original Ouija film.. I watched 10 minutes of it on Netflix and I nearly fell asleep.. Whats up with sequels to terrible movies turning out good? I can't wait too see IT though, as all my friends have severe fears of clowns

The Paradise Foundation disturbed me down to my core last year, the amount of gore and some of the costumes are like being in a nightmare. It didn't even have much in terms of jump scares, just the theming and atmosphere alone made me quiver in fear. I wonder whats next for the event though? The only maze I really think shouldn't return is probably Bloody Mirror, but even then the other 4 are all really strong. Anyway I'm stoked to see what happens this year, and I guess we'll see a lineup announcement around September?

On second thought, I guess the entrance is gone, and if the pathway is too, I guess the chances of Blair returning is very low. Plus that space behind IAC seems to be having something done to it, so I'd probably bet a new maze would go there. I do have to say though some of the hints were very Blair-witch-ish, though that could be Thorpe just trolling us tbf If AHS does actually happen though, I will cause a tsunami in my bedroom due to how wet that maze would make me. Blair leaving wouldn't be too much of a loss anyways, as it was kinda dull last year.. Like it wasn't awful, but it was just meh.

I didn't see a Ouija Board in Big Top either. Though to be fair, in most run through's of the 2015 version they just rushed us out of the first tent without a word as the obvious amazing batching and great job of handling crowds that they do over at Fright Nights Looking back at the idea, the finale could of been great. Tense, long, dark, and full of scares. Though ironically IMO the second half was actually by far the worst section of the maze. I think they should maybe make the tunnel darker this year for starters, as the tunnel was actually a little too light from my memory, so you could see where you were going.. And I think they need to adjust the final scene, so it has more of a impact on the entire group. If Platform does return, lets hope they pull a Big Top on us again and turn a terrible maze into a great one.

Just booked my Screamland tickets, so I'm hoping for an announcement sometime soon! I do hope they ditch the single-file style of their mazes this year though, and Bloody Mirror.. Which really isn't even worthy of being called a scare attraction.. Though The Final Cut and Paradise Foundation were brilliant, and I hope the event continues to be a success for the park. I really do think Dreamland have done pretty good considering they have been financially struggling as of recent. Their further investment to the park is very intriguing, and kinda bold.. Lets hope it works out for them.

Well I guess they couldn't give VR to Colossus or Saw as the heavy amount of concussions lawsuits Merlin would face. Though quite honestly I really don't think VR is a good idea for Swarm, as right now it sits as a fairly decent throughput ride in the lineup, as well as one of the more reliable coasters. Furthermore, I think Merlin have learnt their lesson when it comes to VR.. Galactica and DBGT haven't exactly had the smoothest of lifes right? I'm not Swarm's biggest fan, I do think its fairly forceless (bar the wing drop), and the layout is too short, but ruining its reliability and throughput would be actually a idiotic decision IMO.

I think the Ouija Board might be another hint that Platform 15 will return sadly as Platform did sort of had a Ouija Board section, so it would make sense.. Yay.. Walking through big open spaces that kill any chance of a scare or anticipation followed by long dull tunnel isn't my idea of fun. Anyway here's how I predict the lineup to be like, this is just a rough guess.. Blair- The Teasers.. the hat, the torch, the twigs, it really cannot be anything else but Blair Witch. AHS would be amazing, though, I'm not hyping myself up. Platform- After the teasers, I'd be shocked if it didn't come back. Big Top/Saw- both have been mentioned in the teasers, and both are pretty much 99% returning. Walking Dead- pretty much confirmed again, if it is, then its a pretty decent IP, if Thorpe don't pull a Platform on us, it could be great. I bet Containment will probably have a revamp too, though I think it'll probably stay similar.

I do think the prices are little too steep though, and now pretty much everything is an upcharge, and expensive at that! The new maze on second thought though I do have hope for, yes it is expensive, but I'm gonna put some faith in the Towers as Sub Species/Altonville Mine Tours/Molly Crowe seems to be the kinda standard Alton have been giving out recently, and if it is up to standard of those mazes, then I guess it'll be worth the money. Furthermore, The Sanctuary was tied into SW7, was that maze a cash grab? The Sanctuary actually enlightened some of the backstory for The Smiler, and it stood on its own right as a strong attraction. So I hope this will do something similar, as the concept for The Sanctuary was genius IMO, shame I got a few badly acted run throughs back in 2014. Terror Of The Towers on the other hand I do think needs to go.. soon.. Look it was actually pretty good back in 2015, with some great scares, though it doesn't hide the fact it is a very old attraction, and 2016 was probably its weakest year yet, with the maze feeling short compared to previous years, and the finale had like 1 actor on my run throughs.. Though I guess if they change the route around again maybe it'll have another good year, though I think at this point it really should just be scrapped.

So just watched Annabelle 2, and it was actually pretty good. I heard the original was pretty terrible, but its sequel was actually pretty decent. Some of the scares are pretty good, and the film has some subtly and some decent performances. Nothing to shout about here, its not ground breaking, but its entertaining, and enjoyable.

Really? Another £8? Are they having a laugh? Just.. No. Lets hope its going to be outstanding like Sub Species or Altonville Mine Tours, then maybe it'll be worth it..

After looking at the stats and layout for this ride more, I do believe this might be the best roller coaster ever built. It has a high throughput, its tall, its fast, and the layout looks like an average amazing RMC on steroids. Cedar Point was probably the last park that needed this monster of a coaster, but oh god, do I want to fly over to Ohio next year.

Preview Night usually isn't usually very busy, though the crowds were kinda odd. From like 7-8PM the place was heaving, and then the mazes were walk on from 9PM, it was very odd, though it overall was very easy to do all 8 attractions by half nine. Also FYI the fairground rides usually don't open on preview night, but that usually isn't the reason you visit Tulleys anyway tbf

I personally think when you have a coaster like this, the records and claims are actually not that obnoxious. This coaster looks insane, maybe the best RMC? Actually, easily the best RMC. It just seems to go on and on, and knowing RMC, its probably going to be smooth, fun, and filled with forces and buckets of airtime.

I do think this will be one of the bigger years for the Towers, especially that they are ramping up to 4 main mazes. Plus with the stage, the Ancestors, and House Of Monsters, I do think Scarefest has a very solid lineup this year. The new maze will probably be good though, judging from the parks recent efforts with SkinSnatchers and Sub Species both winning awards at Scarecon. The location of the new maze is quite interesting though. There is actually rumours about Sub-Terrible being used for a maze, which could work I guess, though I do think the Scary Tales/COS location has a higher chance of being used for the new maze. Though it could be in the Towers I guess, actually, looking at it, Alton have tons of spaces for mazes, it could be anywhere!

I do have to say I find this outrageous. Whats next? Gay and Bi people not being allowed to serve openly? Women not being allowed to serve? I do believe this is just pure discrimination, and this does make me worry for LGBT rights over in the US for the next few years.

Tulleys just put this on their Facebook and social media pages: So looking at the advertising and the picture, the guy seems to have a hood on his head, which I think could hint to this having a hooded element in there somewhere. I think they could pull of a roman theme with the hooded gimmick, and plus it would be a homage to Hellements, which was from my memory the first Scare Attraction in the UK to have the gimmick. Also they use the phrase "get ready for new shocks" which I think maybe could hint to the return of shock pads? Those things were terrifying in the Volt a few years back, and I always thought the shockpad gimmick would return sometime in the future. Though that could be me just over-thinking it! Anyway I'm hyped to hear more about the new maze!

TOTT is returning? Anyway besides TOTT I'm glad Sub Species and Altonville Mine Tours are both returning, as both attractions were IMO two of the strongest mazes I did last year! I really like the theming, costumes, length, and the touch scares at Alton, it really makes the mazes on another level compared to other events. House Of Monsters also seemed to be a good effort for the younger children, so I think that as well as Freakshow will round out the lineup. A fourth maze is very exciting though, I wonder if its going to be a freebie ? And I'm puzzled to where there gonna put it- as the Towers seem jammed enough as it is with 3 mazes in it, and the old location of Carnival Of Screams/Scary Tales is now kinda occupied by the scarezone. My best guess would be where Zombie Scare Zone used to be, but I'm not too sure that even could even fit a maze.