JoshuaA

I think Slammer and Loggers are next on the chopping block considering the amount of space it would open up on both sites. If I was running the park Storm Surge would be blown to smithereens on live TV.. But sadly I see Storm Surge staying the ugly eye sore it is in the park for another decade or two.

I haven't really posted anything serious in this thread yet, or been personal on this forum or been open on the subject. I'm pretty sure I'm gay, and sort of happy about it I guess. All my friends know, but luckily most of them have been quite supportive. Though they are the homophobic people out there, people who think its a 'choice', and all that nonsense. But as Miles kinda said, why should sexuality define a person? Ever since I've been out of the closet, its wedged holes in relationships, mainly as people are avoiding me because of it. Some people have also completely blanked me because I'm gay. My sexual preference is just a part of me, like how I have brown eyes, its ridiculous how narrow minded people can be in this day and age.

People may be willing to wait, but Mazes are low throughput attractions in the first place, so having a heavy demand of people just makes queue management nearly impossible. Another problem with Thorpe's current system is group stacking, it seemed to happen in every maze bar SAW. At points due to the ever-growing queues for the mazes, they just started throwing large groups in, which ruined the experience. This is probably why so many people are negative about Fright Nights, people are not enjoying themselves waiting in 3 hour queues for a half-assed maze like Platform. IMO it'd improve Fright Nights by adding a time slotted system, obviously these style systems have there own problems, but at least people will be actually be able to enjoy themselves without purchasing fastrack.

I guess that will give enthusiasts something to bitch about when the effects inevitably stop working or break..

I definitely value theming over force for the most part. I like rides that can immerse me into its theme, like Arthur or The Smiler.

I definitely think a time slot system would work wonders to Fright Nights. Hopefully not as expensive as Scarefest, but the queues and queue management is abysmal. No wonder people complain TBH, would you be Satisfied to wait in a three hour queue for a maze like Platform? Other than that I think the event is much better than last years.. Big Top was the standout maze IMO, the theming, the acting quality, the music. Cabin/Saw/Blair where all fun, Saw in particular was very jumpy, but all three are starting to feel a little stale, I think Cabin is the weakest of the three. Not gonna even mention Platform.. It'd take a five hour rant to explain how much potential the attraction had, and how it completely failed.

Hmmm.. Kinda generic. Like Starbucks or Pop Music.. 5/10

4.5/10 Dem eyes tho.

I think a major coaster in that area is a awful idea. First off Neptune's Beach is the first area you see in the park, so slamming a coaster there would probably look a tad ugly. I haven't gauged the space Neptune's beach occupies, but I don't think they could fit a major coaster there?

Just came back from tonight. Overall there was some heavy changes from preview night, most actually being positive! The Cellar Had a odd run-through, didn't go in a conga line. But actors still got some strong scares, and the theming is stunning-7/10 Hellements Hellements is probably the weakest maze of the event. I had a lucky run through on preview night so I kinda was too light on how bad it is.. It still has some redeeming features like the fire, but most of it is a tad dull-3/10 Haunted House As good as always, the theming is fab throughout, and with a few actors, its a nice little gem-6/10 Haunted Hayride As fun as always, the attraction is a random jumbled mess, but its a amazing jumbled mess. The attraction is full of brilliant theming, brilliant actors, and a great mix of fun and fear-7/10 Pandemonium Pandemonium was one of the best experiences in a maze I've ever had. Due to me actually knowing some of the actors, I was constantly stalked throughout the maze. The mazes seems to have quite a few more actors than preview night, and OH god where they entertaining. One clown in particular followed/stalked me throughout the maze, this clown followed me for 10 minutes! They had our group in stitches too, they even called a bald guy in our group "Mr Potato Head" The maze was more fun than scary, but there was still some good startle scares. Pandemonium is by far the most entertaining maze I've done this Halloween-9/10 Coven Of 13 I was initially quite harsh on Coven, maybe a little too harsh. The concept and idea for most of it is quite original, and the problem on preview night was mainly down to execution. The swamp scene is cool, and the finale is something very different. Some scenes have had some changes, and overall the maze felt more effective. I think Coven still needs some work, but with some tweaks it could be a standout-7/10 Chop Shop Chainsaws.. Donald Trump.. Chainsaws.. AHHHHH-8/10 The Colony The Colony had some tweaks done to it. The claustrophobia tunnel was so long our group where left desperate to get out! The maze still had some of the great scares it had on preview night, the loud car-horn, the beehive scene, ect. Though the chainsaw? It does not make sense at all, though the rest of the maze is brilliant-8.5/10

The current state of the ride would suggest otherwise.. Hopefully it does re-open in 2017, but after getting a look from Platform 15 the other day.. I doubt it.

Breaking News: "File this story under me just not understanding how the law works in other countries, but according to the translation of this article the Wildfire coaster at Kolmarden is in jeopardy of being torn down. As I recall the ride was given permission to be built, then delayed due to objections from environmentalists... then given permission again to go ahead. Now it seems that the department of "Land and Environmental" issues is retroactively revoking the 2014 building permits the park had, giving them permission to build Wildfire, saying that a much more extensive impact study should have been before before permission was given. The end result is that somehow the park now has a coaster standing that was technically built without the right permits... even though they had them at the time" (Sourced From Screamscape) Really? It seems silly to flip-flop with the permits, especially now the ride is built as has been operational for a year.. Quite worrying though as Wildfire looks like one of the best in Europe, it looks insane, it'd be a tragedy to remove it. Thoughts?

How DARE the GP not know the exact ride names and ride types #FirstWorldProblems

So to start the blog off, here's a joke The Conservative Party Anyway its sadly nearly Halloween, meaning the parks close for off season! So I guess its back to rocking back and forward in my room til march.. So I've reviewed a few events over Halloween, so I'm going to do some awards to recap my Halloween Season! http://forum.maniahub.com/blogs/entry/812-alton-towers-scarefest-2016-review/ http://forum.maniahub.com/blogs/entry/808-screamland-margate-2016-review/ http://forum.maniahub.com/blogs/entry/804-thorpe-park-fright-nights-2016-review/ http://forum.maniahub.com/blogs/entry/803-tulleys-farm-shocktoberfest-2016-review/ Anyway.. BRING ON THE AWARDS Best Theming/Costume Design Honourable Mentions- Dead And Breakfast, The Cellar, Altonville Mine Tours Winner- The Final Cut What haven't I said about The Final Cut? The theming is fab throughout, and the Sci-Fi costumes felt very well done. Especially if you're a film buff like me, its fun seeing all the references to classic Sci-Fi Movies. Most Improved Maze Honourable Mentions- The Colony Winner- The Big Top The Big Top last year was admittedly a plane crash. At first even I didn't want to admit it. The maze just did not work, the open spaces made scares a tad awkward, and it felt half-finished as well. This year the maze seems like a whole different attraction, with some changes the maze now sits as one of the best in Thorpe's offering. The maze itself feels much more frenetic, with the intense strobe section, to the well themed rooms towards the end. Worst Maze Dishonourable Mentions- Bloody Mirror, The Cabin In The Woods, Hellements, Donald Trump's House Of Horrors Winner/Loser- Platform 15 After doing some run throughs of it recently, I've came to the conclusion this is the worst of the year.. Whats the point of having a long attraction if nothing happens for 90% of it? It just drags on, and unlike The Colony for example there's not much to see for most of it.. The ending tunnel takes the cake for being the worst scene, its long, and you'll probably not see a actor! The theming is OK, but a lot of the attraction is just nothing.. Nothing.. Most Original Concept/Theme Honourable Mentions- Coven Of 13, The Final Cut Winner- The Paradise Foundation I love originality in scare attractions, it really sets a attraction apart from the rest, which is what The Paradise Foundation did! The Paradise Foundation is a gore infested theatrical journey through a controversial surgical clinic. Basically the idea is that the rich pay for the 'bliss' treatment, which involves the poor being surgically operated on to give there happiness for the rich. The maze throughout has a lot of gore, including disgustingly disfigured costumes that actors wear. The maze overall is something quite different to anything else I've done this Halloween. Most Intense Maze Honourable Mentions- The Paradise Foundation, Altonville Mine Tours, Chop Shop Winner- Sub Species: The End Games Sub Species breaks the boundaries of what actors can do in a maze. I was split up throughout, faced sections of the maze on my own, and was constantly manhandled and pushed by actors. The maze has a intense crawling scene, periods of complete darkness, and had me on edge throughout. Best Roaming Actors And Atmosphere Winner- Tulleys Farm Shocktoberfest The Atmosphere at Tulleys is unmatchable, with a range of brilliant roamers and two music stages, its really brilliant! Best Scare/Halloween Event Winner- Screamland Margate This award was very tough to decide. But I've decided Screamland was my favourite event of the season. The great atmosphere, the four brilliant mazes, and the heavy load of creativity in the mazes is something special. Anyway thanks for reading me ramble in this blog! Have a spoopy halloween frens and fellow geeks What events have you been to this Halloween?

There should be two threads for this one.. I hate when birds complain about there breasts.. Specially the blue tit..

Platform 15 in the day will probably be a nice start, its fairly tame in the dark TBH! But for the rest it really depends on what scares you.. Big Top/Saw Alive are probably the most intense at the park, but I guess that all comes down to perspective and opinion

My thoughts on the mazes from my visit tonight: Platform 15- had a crappy run through, lack of actors, at points it was actually quite boring-2/10 Cabin- Awful, groups stacking has always been a problem, but stacking was abysmal. The maze felt constantly crowded, and a lack of actors didn't help this-1/10 Big Top- Had two brilliant run throughs. The maze could do with a few more actors, but the actors in the maze where brilliant. Overall the maze provided some good jump scares, and the strobe section was very confusing, so much that our group was left doing circles for quite a while-8/10 Saw Alive- Even though very short, Saw seemed short but sweet. The maze seemed to have actors a-plenty, and scares where very good-6/10

Just came back! Shameless Plug: Anyway in short.. Sub Species: Brilliant, got manhandled more times than I can count! TOTT: Meh, not as good as last year. Altonville Mine Tours: Brilliant theming, brilliant actors, just needs a better finale.

This Blog Will Contain Spoilers And Sarcasm you've been warned! So back in 2015 Scarefest really got a kick up the arse! Scarefest has created some of the best scare attractions in the industry, but back in 2013/2014 the quality of the mazes where really plummeting.. Thankfully last year was one of the best years in Scarefests history, so I was itching to get back! So after a grueling 4 hour drive, a fun M1 Traffifc jam, and a posh meal at Mcdonalds, I was there! FYI I can't review House Of Monsters as I'm not a f*cking billionaire, hence why I purchased a meal from scrubby Mcdonalds.. Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within TOTT returns, and it feels a lot toned down from last year. Last year TOTT was actually quite brilliant, actors where crawling from everywhere.. This year seems to have some scenes cut as well, making the maze not as long as it used to be.. No don't get me wrong even with scenes cut its still pretty long, its well themed, and actors got a lot of scares. But overall TOTT is starting to get stale, I think a new story/replacement is in dire need, TOTT has long outstayed its welcome TBH-4.5/10 Altonville Mine Tours Altonville Mine Tours is new for this year, and I gotta say, I was highly impressed. The beginning involved some talking scenes with some great actors, they really got up in your face, and set the scene for the main maze. First off the theming was brilliant, the smell pods also seemed to be a little too strong as well! The attraction also made use of the Haunted Lantern technology, which they handed at the start of the attraction. The Helmets themselves where a nice novelty, the attraction didn't rely on them, but they where a nice touch. The scares inside where pretty strong, the masks looked pretty freaky, and the actors where not afraid to manhandle you! The touching was not as strong as Sub Species, but it was still pretty intense! My only criticism is that the finale wasn't as strong as it couldn't of been, mainly as the first half is so chaotic! All in all- Altonville Mine Tours is a strong addition to the lineup-9/10 Sub Species: The End Games Sub Species returns relatively similar to last year, but in Sub Species case, its a GOOD thing! Sub Species really pushes the boundaries on what actors can do, I was pushed, I was grabbed, I even faced the second half of the maze alone! The maze section in particular was a highlight, it wasn't ME who was choosing which way to go, it was a actor pushing me that way! The maze seemed to be actors a-plenty, and at points they even worked together to corner people or separate groups! The touching was insane, it wasn't a little grab, it was full on push from room to room! The chainsaw ending is cliché, but it was effective and left our group running! Sub Species is IMO the best maze in a Merlin park for a while, and the scariest maze I've done this Halloween! My run through was utter insanity, this is by far one of the best scare attractions I've done this year -10/10 Scarezones Even though the new scarezones are constantly compared to the old ones, I do really like how Alton are trying to do proper scarezones like they do in the US. Yes the old ones where better, but there where akin to mini mazes, not proper scarezones TBH. Freakshow was a vast improvement from last years Nox Infernus, the zone was pretty tight, meaning the actors where pretty interactive. I liked the circus-y type props around the zone, though the zone felt more fun than scary. The freaks where more making us laugh more than scaring us, but the zone was still really good fun! I sadly didn't get to experience Dark Apocalypse, but it looked pretty good! As I mentioned earlier, I wasn't bothered to cough up a fiver for House Of Monsters, but it looked pretty good, and most reviews of it are positive. Conclusion: Scarefest was a pretty good event this year, most of the mazes where really strong, and the scarezones and family entertainment really do shape up a well rounded event. Anyway, here's some crappy pictures taken by yours truly.. Nemmy Selfie in Freakshow More Freakshow I'll leave you on this note.. Smile. Always..

Don't forget Thorpe! Thorpe will become 'chavLand' Introducing: "Donald Trump's Ghost Train" will be introduced, a slight retheme of DBGT "Take Me Out- The Ride", a Swarm Retheme "That was sick m8", a retheme of Stealth "X Factor-The Ride", a retheme of Saw With way more to come!

Yay, looks amazing.. This will be as big as a hit that CATF was! Wait..

Well in the DBGT's case it kinda is.. Its a major investment in the park, and the attraction is unreliable beyond belief.. It isn't even like the dark ride is a masterpiece either, its practically some alright VR with some cheap leg grabbing.. DBGT is a joke for the scale of the investment it is IMO..

For me the scares where actually quite creative, the mazes where much more theatrical and scripted than most of Thorpe/Alton/Tulleys offering. Obviously this style of scares can go horribly wrong if not timed correctly, but for me the event was so dead groups never stacked so this was not much of a issue. Though Bloody Mirror was awful, in-fact, not worth being called a maze at all.. It was short, lacked a finale, plus only seeing one actor..