Stuntman707

I’d like to see an Annual Pass preview event Thorpe actually give a **** about next year, that’s for sure. But too early yet. I’ll come back to this topic in about 300 days.

I really hope Merlin don’t ruin the Swarm with VR like they did with Air. I must be one of few who actually really liked Sub Terra as an experience, when it wasn’t broken! What I’d like to see for 2018 in order of priority: 1. Loggers Leap to reopen or even just plans for Old Town redevelopment. 2. New entrance building & plaza with much faster security, please! (Annual Pass priority lane perhaps?) 3. The grime washed off Colossus. I don’t expect anything like Europa Park but at least pretend you actually care about your rides Merlin. 4. Storm Surge demolished. It’s painfully slow, pisses more water than a sieve and blocks the view of X. That’s my wish list, If one of these things happens I’d be happy but sadly I won’t hold my breath about any improvements yet. Also, don't waste any more investment on DBGT for a third year, just focus on new attractions and the park in 2018.

I don’t think that photo point ever opened? Looks like it’s just a cupboard now.

1. Yes, at least I’d hope so for that price! 2. On average I’d say around 15mins. I think Platform 15 fastrack was about 30-45mins last time I went but Big Top had an evac earlier so they handed out a lot of free fastracks. 3. I always say no but I never buy fastracks. Last few times I’ve been I’ve had free hand outs from other ride issues. They only really advertise the bundled fastracks but you can get separate one shots for any ride in the park which I’d consider much better value if there is a ride you really want to do. You can get a one shot on each maze for £8 and Walking dead for £10, I can’t verify as I’ve only seen one shot prices at the park but you can get a one shot for DBGT for about £6-8 (£6 for other main coasters), It’s no more than £10 for one shots though.

That’s good as it’s a shame the areas around Saw and Saw Alive are just flood-lit at the moment.

So I’ve been looking forward to the AP event tonight since going to Tulleys which was amazing and it’s been completely crap! It’s as if the day park was just open a bit longer. No roaming actors, no park theming, closed so early at 9. Got there at 7, no security and no ticket checks at the entrance. I was quite confused that we could just walk straight in. Big Top which was my favourite last year was terrible tonight. We were lucky to find 3 actors in the whole maze, we were literally at the exit in 2 mins, it was pretty much a terrible empty walkthrough. Saw Alive which I wanted to do had a fire alarm just before we got in. The only thing I enjoyed were a few of the rides we did. There was no Fright Nights merchandise in the Island shop either to end a night of complete disappointment. I’m really considering if I want to make the effort and cost of coming to the official meet this weekend. I’m genuinely shocked about what a shambles it’s been. I would very much go back to Tulleys if I had a choice this weekend without even considering Fright Nights to be honest!

Yay date's confirmed, I'll prebook my ticket now!

As always, me and Mer will be going to the Fright Nights passholders preview night. If anyone was able to get tickets this year and is going, feel free to join us.

Yes, I will definitely be there! Especially as it's going to be dead inside.

My all time favourite is unfortunately on an SBNO Schwarzkopf ride, Knightmare. It had an element known as a "Psycho Drop" which I think is unique to this ride because of the manufacturers track section. The track basically consists of a large tube with rails central on either side rather than the common layout of being higher than the middle. It has a similar track to Olympia Looping. This means the rails can pivot around the centre which can't be done with a normal track. So the Psycho Drop was a near vertical drop which progressively twisted and turned at the same time towards the bottom reaching an almost 5G-Force. It's hard to explain so here's a POV. It has other quirks which make it one of my all time favourites too!

Well I disagree, it would have been very good to have seen the Mutiny Bay area expand with a proper ride on the map. Yes, pirate themes can be generic but what would have made it good is if it was designed well with fun features and atmosphere.

I admit I'm a bit disappointed it's not pirate themed. I am hopeful that Merlin won't repeat the same mistakes with theming of other rides though. A good experience and theme could be critical on whether the ride is a success or a failure. Right now, I'm more excited about Icon, the double launch coaster at Blackpool as I've never been on a full size Mack coaster before. It's great to finally see a new Mack Ride being built in the UK too.

No doubt it looks terrible as the entrance to the park. Having to go into a porta-building to buy tickets is also bad. I don't mind as they had to put in something for this season. I just hope that because it's literally gazebos, that they are planning something more permanent. Although knowing Merlin, they will most likely just keep the festival barriers and gazebos in place indefinitely.

It's a pain but totally justified after recent events to have a very semi-permanent looking bag search in place. It is much better than the system last year located after the gates. As I've said before, Thorpe need a new entrance plaza that would be much more fit for purpose with a permanent building for tickets, security and turnstiles.

I still think that it's going to have some kind of launched lift hill, probably LIM. Even a split lift, It's odd how it changes gradient and it's mostly a very gentle slope. Dollywood has the world's first launched woodie so if it is launched, Towers still have little option but to call it a World Class ride. Also some have mentioned by the very steep banking that it's definitely going to have some speed which I reckon a launch would assist with.

Reminds me of this:

I don't really mind how small the estimate is, anything that just makes it more accurate and a system which is updated in real time would be all I would care for.

Great, just sell fastrack to everyone, because that will make the queues shorter!

All tickets and discounts are sold through the Annual Pass building. Advance collections are the windows to the right of the entrance turnstiles. The kiosks are only used for security.

That train is such a terrible design. Have to scramble in head first, the restraints are typical Intamin stiff as hell. The whole track is abandoned and dirty. For goodness sake, Europa Parks rides are kept looking brand new. I still ride it though, because (In my opinion!) it's still smoother than a Gerstlauer Eurofighter / Sore Saw. I don't know how Gerst managed to make such horrible track sections. Back on topic, despite some serious issues with Colossus, I still really enjoy Intamin's rides. Whether it is their own developed technology such as the hydraulic launch, the free fall track section or simply just a good old fun rollercoaster like Colossus.

I have to say last year, Big Top was without a doubt my favourite maze. I hope they have something as good as that this year at least. Had me in so many different states; mystery, excitement, disorientation, fear, and fun. Platform 15 on the other hand, was way too much suspense with the only real scare at the end of a very long trek around the old railway. I'm hoping for some better zombie themed mazes with more thrills and less suspense. I wonder if we will see any other Universal / Comcast IP themes too? I'd really like to see Thorpe have a Resident Evil theme too at some point.

Why did they announce these things when clearly they are not going to deliver anything? Only the challenge has actually materialised so far. We're already looking ahead to Fright Nights. They were better not saying anything, especially promising a new attraction.

Yes, I believe it only closed last Thursday but has since reopened after receiving endorsement from KMG and the HSE. Thankfully it's not an affected model but several others remain shut around the UK.

Vortex has been closed in pre-caution after a similar ride by KMG in California broke apart mid-cycle killing 1 and injuring 7. At first, I thought that perhaps the cause was the floor rising during the ride and the arm striking the floor but apparently it had just come apart by itself. This would be more shocking if it was indeed not a malfunction but a lack maintenance and poor state inspection standards. Either way, Thorpe are not taking any chances with these disasters lately which is reassuring to see.

I would not be surprised if it's a GCI woody which runs around a rethemed old town. I think they'll see how well SW8 does first.