tomglazed

Well... whilst most of the park goers are running to find shade spots, these lucky guys got to spend 30 mins face down shaded by track and cars. Most people would say thank you I guess

Could be maintenance, or could be a case of Thorpe not wanting to make a daily or several times daily check on the temperature of the building so they'd rather keep the ride out of action until the temperatures drop to something more certainly manageable and roster staff elsewhere. They could also take advantage of the time for tweaks.

With all these effects, whilst I'm aware some original effects are not back e.g. fireball but these running water effects, how often than not is it just a case of they have not been turned on as opposed to they have broken? Either way, it is a pretty poor showing especially if it's the former.

I believe they are Sennheiser but unsure of model.

I haven't been to Thorpe in the peak of summer in a while but could it be due to the heat? Can't imagine it is the most pleasant building to work in or even queue in for a period of time. Plus, increased heat could be causing more people falling ill so they may just want to reduce the risk.

I think the exciting thing about the ride is that they now have something which, in the grand scheme of things, highly customisable for new experiences. Compared to other attractions, bar the 4D cinema, it can be evolved in a much easier fashion... and not just by facing backwards. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Went on it today and the number of people that come off saying they feel a little tender afterwards is pretty consistent. On a slightly related topic, was there a particular mechanical or other reason that Vampire got new trains? I know Vekoma came in and did a load of work on the control system also. Just trying to think how viable Colossus getting new trains would be. Unfortunately, unless any new car design offers a drastically different experience I can't see them going through with the bother. Can only hope.

Rode it today, from what I could see there was no shutdown all day and was run on a pretty good cycle. Seemed to park okay but slowly rotated the pods back to their respective number.

Nor does it charge for a better connection to sarcasm... Sure by end of June is what we're looking at now the ride to open? If they let out another delay statement stating they want to "continue to perfect the experience" they run serious risk of people's expectations being set so high that it just isn't realistic. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Annoying thing is (and maybe this is a little far fetched) but creating images which pretend to be official opening dates can end up in anyone's hands on the Internet; including the GP. Do we really need GP rebooking tickets for these fake dates only to be disappointed and further negative press is made for the park? And it's not even their own doing this time round! Not exactly very supportive of a place your meant to enjoy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, are we really getting to a point where by people are making spoof images regarding previews and impending opening dates? I'm all for wishing things into existence but calm it down... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get that but even to stay have someone come within a week or 2. Like I said I am unsure as to the size of Mondial but Summer is very open ended and doesn't imply urgency.

I'm not saying that the whole "waiting for Mondial to inspect it" story is false but I find it quite surprising that there would be no one available at the company available until Summer 2016 to come and inspect the ride in person. I know ride manufacturers aren't huge corporations but I find it slightly implausible but I'll gladly be corrected. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Unless I'm doing it wrong but once the restraints are down I definitely don't have a choice but do what the guy in the left diagram is doing... Guy on the right must have detachable shins to pull that move... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with you that Saw would not be the way to go. That hill going up vertically will likely do you in, many people including me have routinely said screw the rest of the layout, it's that bit that gets the heart pumping most.Personally, out of the big ones at Thorpe I'd recommend Inferno as a first step. It's still thrilling but because it's much smoother than other options is feels far less... I don't know what the word is but we'll go with bonkers. I'm not saying coaster roughness equals more intensity but for first time riders, a rough ride can make the experience seem a little more overwhelming.

Plus, if we're going down the road of changing trains on Thorpe coasters, I can think of one that should be far further up their list... hello Intamin? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reading through the posts about the struggles Chessington has with the local council, which I do get. But considering we have seen no plans for anything major to be installed to THEN be heavily altered or refused, sounds like source of the problem is much closer to home than the council. I get that planning already costs money and only for it to be rejected must be disheartening but if management could at least act like they cared that would be a step. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I mean I understand circumstances were a little different with Zodiac but they proved with that ride that they can and will swap a like for like for reliability. Will they care about the theming? Clearly not because Zodiac is still looking distinctly plain. Can't imagine Samursi being much different should they buy in a newer model. Even worst if it were ex-fairground just leaving all the bulbs and colours the same. It'd be like Samurai took a trip to Pride... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Of all the papers that will continue to make money off of a tragic situation, it would be daily star. Equally, you have to remember, they only supply what is demanded: GP unfortunately lap this kind of stuff up. As consumers of media, if people don't create a demand for it, there won't be a supply for it.Without knowing the mechanics of every Merlin attraction, I'm sure any of their coasters could suffer a similar fate. Whether by mechanical or series of human errors.

Hence what I meant by cameras either capturing the transition from main event to main event or strategically placed so as not to ruin what's inside.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't worry I wasn't suggesting Inferno would be top of my new trains list either. Merely examples [emoji5] I would defy anyone to tell me that Colossus' current trains do not get the most complaints out of any of their coasters: possibly even across all their rides... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They definitely need to fix that! I'm all for looking at how rides can be tweaked and worked upon, but on a ride of which one of it's key features being near misses, backwards seats makes all those near misses redundant. I think removal of the backwards seats was the right way to go.

To be honest, even snippets of seeing people's reactions to what they are seeing in VR whilst wearing the headsets is quite amusing. At the company I work at, we have an Oculus Rift and it's quite amusing to see some people wear the headset and for example go on a roller coaster or a horror game and what you see with them wearing the headsets is hilarious! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Really hope that after the treatment X got and even Vampire before it, Merlin will see the merit in doing periodic updates to their rides: not only as a means to maintain rides but even as an alternative to churning out rides which could be arguable half assed at a lesser cost. Colossus could get new trains, Vortex could get new restraints, heck even Inferno could have updated trains. A few options I really think Merlin should consider more before rushing to new rides. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I understand thus far all SW's have had some kind of world first element but really feel the more they use that as a requirement for a ride to classified SW, the more they really start to clutch at straws in the marketing or even what to draft up as a ride concept. It's how you end up with World's first coaster with Burberry designed restraints (wouldn't shock me if that was a thing). Just give the guests a solid ride experience with proven elements. Yes, add something to the mix so it isn't totally run off the mill (No SLC's please) but something classically great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk