Stuntman707

Oh dear, oh dear. The lights are already broken before Icon is even officially open. I don't know if it's just the pictures / paintwork but it looks like there's strip lights running down the side too.

lol Looks like it was copy and pasted into Microsoft paint. 44 looks like it's genuinely a screenshot from Rollercoaster Tycoon.

I think I’m going to say this official quote every time someone mentions poor operations: Alton Towers 2018 - “It’s better than nothing”

No, it was cancelled.

Arguably, The Gravity Max is the world’s scariest ride Good to know the lord and saviour / full time guest Sanbrooke is actually giving an honest review, it also could be down to the fact he didn’t go to the press night.

Oh dear, I don't know if they have a "Rainy day guarantee" like Thorpe? That's certainly no way to repond to someone who might have just spent up to £55 to get in. They certainly shouldn't be complacent with taking people's money while the attractions are not operational. Towers is heavily reliant on coasters after getting rid of many flat rides and dark rides. Unfortunately putting all their eggs in one basket gives them an operational nightmare on days like today. I reckon it may just be someone inexperienced in hospitality handling their twitter account but that's still no excuse. I agree trying to get the Daily Mail involved is equally as bad. They have a clear vendetta against Towers and their newspapers are filled with vile lies and hatred.

Would just like to highlight this quote from the tribunal; Really on point, especially with the often very valid criticism we write on the forums about the parks. On the other hand, I would like to say that I genuinely think a change in attitude with how the parks are presented is happening this year. I don't know if this is the result of a re-evalutation by Merlin to try and appeal more to the guests like us. I'm sure we are all open to offering praise to Merlin where it is due, after all we only complain because we want and know the parks can be better. It's nice to see they may finally be listening and engaging with their closest supporters. I firmly believe if the magic comes back, the guests will follow. I hope it's just not too late for Merlin to turn around. Parks age over time, and for many attractions, the lack of maintenence is really starting to show. I may do a blog on the changes this year as I think collectively they are relatively significant. Existing rides getting worse and a lack of new rides is the start of a downward spiral that hopefully they can reverse.

After such great success with Thorpe’s latest IP: The Walking Dead, rumour has it that Stealth will be re-themed next season into a similar style as Rita at Alton Towers. The music and audio will be replaced with the same as found in the Dark Forest to save on costs. Stealth’s station and trains will be transformed with blood stains and sheet metal. The queue line fences will be replaced with a chain link barbed wire perimeter. The surrounding area will be transformed into a Walking dead themed wasteland. The “new” ride will be called; The Walking Dead Presents: Infected Stealth. (TWD PIS) What’s your TAKE on another new zombie themed ride at Thorpe?

I saw a POV recently, first half looks kind of boring without any lights or audio.

Is that an old train I see?

They have just posted a BTS. Mainly of them standing in X going “It’s too happy and upbeat in here guys. We need to trash this room. The dusty cobwebs in the roof can stay”

So I’ve seen quoted on Facebook that The Living Nightmare Extreme will have more actors than any other scare attraction in the U.K. Another ridiculous claim then unless really will cram 30 or so actors in there. Tulleys def. has a lot of actors in their mazes. Way more than any Fright Nights mazes.

Hmm, mixed reviews

Demons and gas They kept tearing the sides off.

We will find out tonight how good it really is! Bare in mind it’s a press night too so it will be the very best it’s going to get and way better than it ever will be when it just opens to the public.

No doubt the train scene was impressive, the only thing missing from it for me was a shaking floor like they have at the Dungeons for a bit of physical feedback. It's a shame they couldn't get it to work right. I don't think it was mainly about removing actors. If they wanted to save money on the ride already, I doubt they would have changed the layout of the attraction two years in a row. I still think it's very much an ongoing project trying to create a new type of VR based attraction. I think they're very close with the live VR scenes. For full immersion, I still reckon AR would be so much better. Have screens as the train windows and more reliable, high-def headsets. I know it would be even more expensive to do this but I think it would really mess with your mind about what is and isn't real. Imagine taking your headset off after the first scene and still seeing a demon hiding in the corner of the platform through the train windows before going out onto it. It's unlikely to happen I know but I can dream! That would be the best experience with the current technology imo.

I guess using gimmicks and being able to say they will “harvest your screams” is too tempting for them not to do.

I’m sorry to say that it is a legit concept and not just some bs made up to market a ride. I just looked up Dr Joe Briscoe who was mentioned and found articles on the development of this technology 4 years ago. https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues/september-2014-online/piezo-device-harvests-energy-from-sound/

Having to manage and handle money is a bit of a pain in the arse. Security issues, counterfeit issues, floats, having enough change, tills, storage, counting, discrepancies & collection can all be done away with in card only outlets.

A very quirky idea. Sounds like more of an experiment. Still, it’s likely that the track vibrators are coming back too. Considering it’s opening soon, I’ve not seen a lot of advertising or hype for it. Though it is greatly overshadowed by the Wickerman and Icon. Just knowing we’re finally getting a full scale Mack in the UK excites me the most! As long as Thorpe get TWDTR finished properly and ready before opening, that’s the main thing.

Now there’s an idea; A Merlin Contactless system. The other big parks like Disney and Universal are going contactless that way with Magic Bands and Tapu Tapus.

Was a kid on the back row who came into the station looking like he’d passed out. Host undid his harness and after an awkward pause he jumped into life as a joke and walked away. Was so funny at the time, kid left us stunned!

I loved that technical issue with the demon. Got stuck in the doorway, the lights came on and Derren Brown projected just in front of it going “Shhh!”

I’ve noticed Thorpe have started going cashless to speed up payment. Also enjoy the straws while you can! Chessington have already got rid of them. Hopefully we’ll at least get paper alternatives.