TPSou

In the queue now, just had the photos done. Very excited! Anything people want me to look for? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Gate is shut, how did people know it would open at 11 yesterday Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

I think on the day Smiler first did a soft openining we were queuing down the path to X-sector for something like three hours in the sun, with the staff constantly telling us it wasn't going to open. Eventually we saw some trains go round and everyone cheered, then a bunch of people in suits went round, then we finally got let in. Got horribly sunburnt but it's really exciting, not like the atmosphere of a normal queue.

There will be lots of school trips so it will be busy between about 11-4 but they tend to leave around then so the queues will die off. This season Ripsaw and Log Flume are completely closed and Hex is closed this year. I don't think any other rides are expected to be down though!

I'll be down there on Saturday to pick up our new annual passes, so I'm hoping it's open. If it's not I might just do the morning in the Thorpe then go explore Chessington or Legoland, never really done either of those.

We've just bought two annual passes and were thinking about going to the Fright Nights for the first time. 1. Can we just turn up on the nights or is there some special way to get annual pass tickets for them? 2. How much do they cost, or are they free?

Had to queue 60 min for a ride on Inferno today - was advertised as 35 but then they spent 15 minutes putting a second train on. The Sound cannons definitely weren't working today, all the sound was coming out of the regular speakers and the cannons were completely silent as they were last time I came at the start of the season, they're so noticeable when they're on! The mist was all working though which was nice.

Today I didn't see any people going in but as we walked past the music started up inside. There were also two people in the shop with name badges on talking to each other saying something like "If people have paid £15-20 for it they're going to be angry" - no idea what that was about but thought someone might find it interesting.

I'm taking a group of students to the park tomorrow so will post if I see or hear anything new. We're also having a session on the science of rollercoasters in the 'thrills workshop' so if I see anything interesting there I'll try and get some photos.

I love the speakers in the station, aren't those tubes something like 1kW and enough to actually make the volcano rumble? Glad to hear they're back on, they haven't been for the last 3-4 visits.

I've found Saw really different based on the weather. In the rain it's easily the roughest coaster in the park, in the sunshine I've had some great rides that felt pretty smooth to me. Every time I go I change my mind about Saw, I really enjoy everything up to and including the first drop, the rest of it I either find ok or get really bored.