CharlieN

I'll travel for a Wacky Worm in the arse end of France, so not sure where this enthusiast elitism is coming from? Half the guests probably won't know about Cedar Point and the like, does it really detract from their personal enjoyment? I mean the most liked ride by guests at PA is Baco! And 90% of us know that's wrong...
 
Thorpe (and Merlin parks as a whole) have remained pretty stationary over the years in the last decade that's true, but mostly through have consistent expansion the year before and some mismanagement... Several parks in Europe especially have taken advantage of not having much prior to this decade and going "right, this Gerstlauer is cheap but is interesting, let's buy that as our new signature ride", much like Bobbie Jobbie and Walibi Alpes have done...
 
On the other side the likes of Walibi Holland and Phantasialand already had a strong base to begin with, though Phantasialand was more about complete redevelopment of existing areas of the park... Walibi have just chosen two fantastic rides to compliment their pre-existing icon that is Goliath (though Untamed might become the new one)...
 
There's many things to dislike Thorpe for but the ride lineup isn't one of them... Think a lot of this is the realisation that the UK parks have sat still whilst the world adds a higher quality of ride comparatively...

That's all that matters if we're brutally honest.

So Tayto Park ultimately decided to put in a set of new plans for the combined coasters, which they hope to open in 2021. Plans can be seen here: http://www.eplanning.ie/MeathCC/AppFileRefDetails/AA191588/0
 
They're still going for a Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster (STC) and Family Boomerang combo that are intertwined, but have made some minor changes, including a shorter and rather different STC. Main stats:
 
STC:
Length: 728m
Max speed: 80kph (~50mph)
Height: 31m
Duration: 99secs

Boomerang:
Length: 244m
Max speed: 58kph (~36mph)
Height: 21.8m
Duration: 70sec
 
The coasters that were originally planned for Tayto are ending up at Tripsdrill and opening next year (something which was apparently rumoured to happen before all this happened).
 
Hopefully this is enough to convince the council of approving it, and it looks like it'd be a decent investment for the park!

LOL

Made a overdue music cover video. A cover of The Never Ending Story theme.
 
 

And this is why we quote hilarious typos Charlie 😢
 
 
I wouldn't expect anything crazy though Matt. I fully expect that it's just a grab and go sweet treat place with a name to match the theme of the area. 

^ It looks like a wonderful sweatshop. Long hours, little pay, poor workers rights...
 
But I do agree, the marketing is so charming.

S&S have just announced a new coaster concept in time for IAAPA with footage of a working prototype ~ AXIS
 
 

There's also suggestions that this will be called Robo-Spinner
 
Here's a fan made mock up of the layout, with a spinning version and a non-spinning version:
 
 
That start gave me a headache just watching it. 

And we have some plans...
 



Source
 
So, we have a 34m tall, two launch, 4-5 inversion Mack spinning coaster coming to a park which is like a 45min drive from Calais. Awesome!
 
It's located next to the park's Mack Supersplash and is partially over water. The lake is used for pedal boats at the moment so I assume this is the end of them.
 
As much as I'm looking forward to this, given it's in such a prominent location, I hope it doesn't ruin the vibe of the park.

For anyone interested in Vampire and Bubble Works in their old days, I'm currently attempting to recreate the interiors in 3D for a book on Sparks, the studio that created them. Also the Alton Towers Haunted House (see the Duel topic). This after sadly most the photo archives on the two classic rides (when they were first built) were destroyed by a fire some years ago.

To raise funds to recreate the missing scenes to a photo-realistic standard, from all the original production records and plans, I'm doing a Kickstarter campaign this month. It would be brilliant if anybody wanted to contribute, if we beat the target the recreation will be able to go ahead.

For more information on the book see the Kickstarter video on the link!

Was on the Island Like No Other yesterday - all be it with a bit of lurgy/cold whatever is going around, so alas I wasn't trusting my stomach too much coaster wise, I know this is officially a FN's thread but here's my rIDe CouNT anyway:

Stealth x2
Swarm x2
Colossus x1
Rush x1
Detty x1
Storm Surge x1
Rapids x1
DBGTROTDWTF x1
TWDTR x1
 
My mates did Nemmy and Saw - Saw they said was rough as hell, but Nemmy was fab, especially a night ride after a bit of drizzle that was coming down! Everything was walk on really after 2/3pm ride wise - longest we queued for was of course DBGT, my thoughts on said "experience" already made clear in another thread. Stealth had some issues early morning but were quickly rectified, thank the Lord Sanbrooke. Heard a rumour that Sickstone was on park too, didn't get to meet him and talk about all things sick and gassed, gutted tbh. Spotted Powers Towers Productions (TM) in the Blair Witch queue lolz.
 
SO ON TO THE MAZES. Gonna rank these poorest first - going to be quite close to call really as they are all much of a muchness with one exception.
 
5. PLATFORM 15 (x1)
I know people lose their Pop Badges over this maze but again this failed to deliver really for me. Preshow/guided walk is good - the tour guide was good. Too much walking with dead space though from one section to another - I know this is supposed to "set the scene" and tension but it doesn't really work. Poly tunnel far too long with nothing happening. Ending got messed up as you arrive at different times and aren't forced to wait, if that makes sense so didn't really get to see what's supposed to happen. I will say that the Sleeper Express looked quality though - now all Victorian Esque on the sides, that was a marked improvement. Shout out to the lad in the house who spewed up some blood or something in front of us #Immersive
 
4. DO OR DIE (x1)
Bus scene was good, also the entrance now makes far more sense being where it is! The next container was completely empty (after chatting with Josh after I now understand why - whatever went on there was evidently for the elites of press night only innit).  The maze felt longer than before to me. Some interaction with the guy in the shrine bit which was good.
 
3. BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (x1)
We were worried we weren't going to experience this due to the 30-40 minute queue as soon as dusk fell - then a number of breakdowns. Not entirely sure what the problem was with the breakdowns as such, it didn't seem like an E-Stop as it was taking far too long to reset and get back to operation, and unless I'm mistaken there's nothing much "mechanical" or technical going on bar a smoke machine and some lights? Anyway, we eventually did it, and like Josh noted, I don't understand how the queue moves quite so slowly. Maze is completely different to previous years, kudos to them for that, far far more effort has gone into it and you genuinely feel you are walking through undergrowth, trees etc. Actors that were present did a solid job but needed more really (which I think is the story of the night). Close one between this and my #2.
 
2. LIVING NIGHTMARE (x2)
One runthrough we had Neagen, one we didn't, though the lad did say "We are all Neagen" in his intro speech, which is a good cop out haha. Jokes aside though - I think not having that at the start is a bit rubbish really, you'd hope they'd have a fair few Neagen's ready for the start of Fright Night's but maybe I hope too much. Enjoyable maze, some good scares, I always think they should have actors on that bus though - maybe we were just unlucky or they haven't been recruited yet?  I just think it does what it does this maze and was just good really... 
 
1. CREEK FREAK MASSACRE (x8)
Well. We had high hopes for this. And for us at least, they were justified. The setting, staging and sound is great - but the interaction with the cast last night with us two was fantastic. I was wearing my Tulley's hoodie - which to be frank I do on purpose just because I know actors will spot it, and I'll be wearing my Smiler hoodie on Saturday at Tulleys - and they clocked it straight away with "What's that sh** you're wearing" and words to that effect - so on our first runthrough, we were put down the bad wood tunnel. On subsquent runthroughs, we were purposefully held back in "reception" so we would be by ourselves, I was put on the secret balcony bit on one run and split from the group, made to jump up and down and squeal like a pig (lolz) and the actress who was on reception first time, who was later inside the maze on 2nd and 3rd goes, pinned me in a corner and then followed me round by the hand to make sure I was introuced to her all her brothers and family one by one, telling them that I thought Chop Shop was better 😄 Cue actors then taking the mickey out of how they grind the chainsaws on the floor in Chop Shop and repeat the same movements etc. Stuff like this completey makes a maze for me and is a testament to the cast moreso than the maze itself. At one part also I had to hold the hand of the actress who was being cut up with the saw and made to operate the "saw". On our 7th and 8th (!) goes, the reception actor was a guy this time, and our final go was just us 2 and he joked with us - in character - about his voice being shot to pieces cos he didn't have a microphone, and we told him he didn't need to bother with the preshow 😄 - which he still did of course. We were split up on this last run too, and were chased even after we were out of the maze, There was more interaction than I've detailed here but can't remember, but in a nutshell - you were all ruddy brilliant, especially red-lumberjackshirt wearing reception girl!
 
Only negatives were - there was a power cut on Creek Freak, which was a bit concerning, so was down for 20 mins (the actors then just roamed the area which was great!) and sometimes the finale with the chainsaw doesn't quite work with timing because the actor comes from the left and you sometimes beat them to it, if that makes sense - but that to the side, we thoroughly enjoyed the maze, all eight times of it, and like I say - this was more a case of it being a solid maze with a fantastic cast. I hope they enjoyed our interaction/winding up with them as they did with us, totally made our night. Just thought it was a bit nasty saying I should be dead with a face like that tbh 😄

Can I just applaud myself for Jack Sickstone being used by another member on here, plus I've seen Lord Sanbrooke used too. I feel I have acheived something in my life, it's only taken 36 years.

I thought refurbishing a log flume meant putting wooden fences up in front of it and pretending it doesn't exist?
 
In all seriousness though that looks amazing.

Yes I will be doing Containment and I will be insisting I pay for it too, as I want to help THE THORPE PARK RESORT whenever I can.

3 major coasters opening in less than 2 years is absolutely incredible from this park. Can not wait to visit next year!! 

That'll mostly be it then. I love me a sustained g manoeuvre, a real brain draining sustained force. But if that is not for you then there's not much about Swarm that would be!
 
It is too short, the station is dire (especially now it has been unclad), the theme is dull, but I've come to love what there actually is of the actual ride. It has worn in superbly.

So turns out Mr Morris from Friday Night Dinner was right... These Punk Rockers are everywhere!  
 
 
 
Back on topic... I'm interested to see how it'll come out, no offense to them but their music just sounds like bog standard emo hardcore. I'd love it if it was anything like Rob Zombie but I do have my doubts based on the back catalogue. I get that they are likely doing it for next to nothing possibly for exposure, but I don't understand how it would get people into your music if its so different from what you normally do. I suppose Thorpe don't really care if its not as good as it could be and see it as a bargain!

That would very much depend on the lunar cycle. Maybe you could find out on a forum about the moon.

Definitely an unpopular opinion! It's a bloody dreadful name! 

Couple of my non geek work mates went to Thorpe on Friday not knowing anything much about DBGT. Having ridden they were very annoyed that they had 'wasted' 45 minutes to queue for this.
 
Their reviews to me:
"I've had more fun on the actual underground train playing candy crush on my phone"
"What's the point? It's just shit"
 
Hard to argue with that really!

The Park are wasting no time in demolishing Bob, but then again they have an intense schedule with the replacement coasters opening next year.






Source-Loopings
 
Whilst it was nowhere near my favourite coaster, seeing this fun attraction being demolished is rather saddening.
 
R.I.P Bob 
1985-2019

I hope everyone gets what they wish for...
 
...In reality, another year waves hello to yet another shake up in Thorpe’s management, staffing, project management and direction, meaning, yet again, consistency goes out of the window. 
 
Fright Nights is sadly an unorganised and chaotic event with little to no thought, direction or drive, and change in personnel can mark very significant differences in delivery. Big Top not returning due to lack of tent? More like lack of intent, with the creative minds and team behind its success walking away heads held high after completely turning around what was a disasterous delivery in 2015...

Bob closed yesterday, with much fanfare and had definitely seen a spike in popularity over summer (was usually one of the busiest rides on park!). It never had a great throughput so usually had a queue anyways, but at least it managed to remain reliable during its final months. 
 
Some stuff from the park...
A tribute on Efteling's blog
 
A song dedicated to Bob:
 
And a look at what's to come:

A clear jovial style for the new Mack duelling powered coasters
 

Demolition is already underway. Clearing around the site had started a couple of months ago and trees within the ride area had already been felled before the closure. A bit of a shame, since trees in the ride area added to the experience of Bob, but I guess schedules and all that..
 
Still not a fan of Max and Moritz. Certainly fills a gap - coasters for the very young - but it feels like they could have done something better. Maybe not being Dutch and knowing the story is something to do with it.
 
 
I think it's worth saying again how much of a family treasure Efteling is in the Netherlands. Like, pretty much every Dutch person will have visited the park. It's like with Python when that was being refurbished - most Dutch people praised the park for keeping it and their childhood memories, rather than replacing it. With Bob, I think there's acceptance that the park will have tried everything, but it's still a sad time.

Why are they unpopular opinions? I think most would agree with most of those.