Fred

You've become half of the people on here. Now to see what happens! Get stuck there/enjoy it, or become a hater... only time will tell

It fancied some alone time. Be nice.

Chessington was not a major year last year, Merlin itself would conclude. Hotels are separate investments. They don't go under the same cycle of development (and are owned/operated by a separate company to the attractions themselves). Infrastructure developments are also not included. They don't bring in new visitors. Therefore last year was considered a small year.

I love their make do attitude. Definitely a way to run a successful business. "New attractions as and when necessary"

A PR saying they've "announced plans" doesn't say anything about actually doing those plans. Aspro has screwed over this park fully. Sod all this crap about it being the best since it's opened.

This won't affect capacity of the waterpark, however it'll certainly aid the speed it takes in Changing Rooms.

What kind of marketing? Towers hasn't said ANYTHING about this new coaster - when asked, they only talk about enchanted village. It's essentially like it doesn't exist!

Problems with traffic? Change your opening hours - 11am-6pm or even 7pm would smooth out traffic flow during the peaktimes. Dumping people onto the roads at 5pm is stupid really. Not like many people want to leave at that time anyway!

Wait they have scorpions in the tunnel? Bugger. I walked through that thinking it was still Runaway Train. This has ruined everything.

Zierer!!

I miss the old 52 visit restriction. (Not that the rule existed in 03 but still....)

Shows how a simple - redo the entire queue line wood and ensure a checking system in place would've been adequate resolution to the issue. However, they decided to put security fencing in. Completely unneeded.

Replacement pass - you HAVE to visit your home attraction. The systems aren't linked, they would not be able to find you on the system. Reprints are not possible. Renewals - any attraction. They just create you as a new user. No point asking merlin - you'd have to visit your home attraction. Unless you have a nice home attraction, such as Alton Towers, where if you ask they'll post it out for you instead. Replacement passes for faded ink will be free of charge - they'll only ever charge you for lost passes or deliberate misuse/damage

...Since when does a constant queue give decent cycle lengths? Unless your version of a cycle length is no more than a minute or so - awful value for money. If anything, the quieter the better. My favourite funfair has been Worthing all those years ago. Completely dead - top buzz 2, only a few quid.. cycles lasted up to 5 minutes to get punters in!

Looks very similar to the type that Towers ended up getting (though I can't find a picture - somehow "Alton towers park maintenance team" doesn't come up with the correct results!)

Was it continuing in the magic wizard ****ing crap that they've been doing the past year? Thoroughly dislike their brand. Awful.

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

I like Heide, but it irritates me how awful the park has become after tussauds bought it - it's got three very clear phases. The original owner phase (with beautiful rapids and mine train for example), tussauds era (with awful Rita clone) then Merlin (slightly themed but cheaply done - the entire area around flug has pathways and an old play area half demolished and leading into the ride areas. Looks awful.

Glad to have shared some of these experiences with you! (and to understand what you're talking about with others - Phantasialand!) Here's to 2015!

Anyone know how busy it'll be in their Christmas event? When they finally have one?

Ah but you've already stumbled by providing them with the money in the first place by using a Tesco voucher!!! I'd recommend you using Sun tickets (Which provides no money to Merlin) to enter the Theme Park. Then ride Stealth using all the priority passes from your excessive moaning to screw over guests trying to have a good time. Then go home. That's the way to ensure a great visit, and of course to upset the park as much as possible! Or just don't be a silly sausage and don't visit. Like a fair few of us on here act upon without constantly reminding others

Agreeing with position - however towers is the only park which can get nearest to that. Just need a longer open season (or a winter season) alongside some decent quality indoor/alternate attractions for them to be making up those numbers (well, closer to 4 than near 5).

Oops, didn't even realise the awards were occurring. Need to pay more attention to the forum. Good answers though, and nice to see people still remember I exist too. That's humbling.

I can't actually find where I read it - awkward. I'll distract you with this: http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/75E5DCB4-AEA8-4CC5-993D-061DA79A0282.CFILE - it's the strategy of Resort Theme Parks over the next few years, including hotel investment. Can be interesting for some.

So appropriate then. The second there's a slight queue they open both trains. Instantly. No need to close the ride for 10mins to put 2nd train on. You can have your thorpe park 1 train goodness then, you obviously do not appreciate the better life!!