Mark9

I suppose thats what happens when you delete half of my post in a quote. Alton is the Mecca of theme park operation compared to Chessington. I wasn't beginning to say Alton is the best out there was I.

So what are you saying MarkC, that AdamP is lying and it never actually tested. Come on now, you can be queuing/riding Tomb Blaster and Skyway trains can do two circuits in that time.

Hate to say it but it looks really bland. Not that I am saying it will be, after all POV's aren't a true representation. It just feels like there's nothing truly new here and after Merlin already doing this ride type twice over, it feels like we've already walked down this well worn path.

You seem to be forgetting that Alton is a well run theme park and Chessington makes up rules completely on the fly.

What a ridiculous rule. Who came up with that one? I suppose it's one of those rules made up completely on the fly like 15 people to run Rameses or loading Fury with two or three adults depending on how they are feeling that week.

A sign of common sense prevailing per chance? Any sighting of air gates at Buccaneer then?

Wowser. Great looking ride there. Take out the lift hill and the backwards section and it reminds me heavily of Juvelen. The last part of the ride seems a bit cumbersome but hey ho, the rest of it is fab.

Quiet close to dead. Tis Mothers day y'know. Although I could be wrong and everyone decides to go because its mothers day y'know. But traditionally, Mothers Day has been very quiet.

Heide taking a leaf out of Smiler's pre-opening promotion with the new rides logo appearing on some buildings in Germany. Somehow doesn't captivate the mind like the brilliant marketing done for The Smiler last year.

Anyone going to this one then?

Just spent half an hour listening to that beautiful music. No Shame. It has the Mark9 seal of approval.

I miss the days when Pixar did their own thing and made stunning films without relying on the back catalogue. The Incredibles is a fantastic film and has a very definite ending with the family coming together and acting as a unit. It doesn't need part two.

Really? Thing is, people are stupid. So stupid that on rides like Fury and Runaway Train they will actually sit on the restraints. Look at all the incidents in America of staff not doing their job properly, over-riding the rides safety protocols to send the train. Next thing you know, people flying out of seats. Health and Safety 'isn't going mad' like you suggest, I'm not sure it can go mad when it's keeping people alive, especially when it comes to the day to day running of a ride.

I seem to remember at the time that Terror/Forbidden tomb was universally lauded and not really liked by the park. It's popularity certainly dropped like a stone over its life and was increasingly ignored by guests visiting. Hence why it changed to Tomb Blaster. Now it's more popular then it's ever been so I think it was the right decision to retheme it back in 2002.

Swarm in the top left hand corner

It last operated around last June/July. A lot of the time it is a bit of a monument and it's amazing Thorpe even bother with it anymore.

I have to give some credit to Chessington here, from the pictures on themeuk, the ride looks far better then I could have thought three weeks ago. Quite a turn around, although the ride itself really looks poor compared to the nice looking queuing area.

I adore the Market Square compass. Thanks Theme UK. Thats the kind of thing I adore, that seperates Chessington from the rest. I also like the tree sculptures near Toadies, great work by the park. It's that kind of thoughtful, beautiful work that really shows up the half arsed attempts on Scorpion and lack of work at Falls.

First AP day, few things to note. Park doesn't look quite ready, especially around Stealth. Both the diner and the shop look rough and ready. The join between Amity Cove and Angry birds Land currently looks terrible with a silly game added next to the KFC which is an abominaton on the eyes,. The flat rides really struggled today. Samurai, Slammer and Zodiac didn't open at all (all three should be scrapped), Vortex looked abysmal and could barely make it anyway above top swing. (The highest it could get) Quantum seemed to be having large issues with the restraints, having to be rechecked again and again. Saw Rush and Detonator broken down as well. Rush was also on a very short, 3 top swing setting. The real saviour was as per usual the B&M's and water rides. Both B&M's were on two trains and both running extremely well. The weather was perfect for the water rides too. All in all, a good start to the season but they need to get those flat rides going before the busy season really gets going.

What the hell was wrong with the old restraunt?! Are Merlin just mad or in their quest to make everything generic and the same and branded, ruining any sense of individuality the parks have.

Probably because roller coasters are the single biggest thing that attracts customers to a theme park. No one sits there and goes my god I need to get on Quantum ASAP. Thorpe have just gone for the extreme on the map,

Why waste time on a Dodgems fastrack when you can go to a local fair, pay about the same amount and get a longer ride with probably faster cars.

The new map according to Alton Towers guide. If true, much, MUCH improved.

I'm a fan of the new map. Catches your eye, easy to follow, puts the five roller coasters at the forefront. Good stuff.

Splash Mountain by a country mile. I can (and have) listened to that soundtrack for hours.