Mark9

The next big thing, good question. I personally want to see something completely unremarkable but something unexpected. There are only two types of roller coasters that I can think of that fit the bill, that being a wooden rollercoaster or a mega coaster in the vein of Expedition Ge Force or Silver Star. Wooden Rollercoaster People seem to be convinced that a wooden rollercoaster with an inversion is the way forward. I'm really down on this idea. It's fine for American parks to get these gimmicky wooden rides but I would adore it if Thorpe stuck to their guns and went for something that doesn't require an inversion to get people interested. Think about it, rides like Tonnerre de Zeus, Megafobia, Grand National, El Toro, Balder are adored by enthusiasts and public alike because they are the definition of rackety wooden rides that deliver bucket loads of air time without having a gimmick to uphold. Thorpe has enough inversions as it is, without chucking one at a ride type that doesn't really need one. Mega Coaster A Lot of companies could deliver this potential ride type. The only rollercoaster at Thorpe that really delivers nice air-time is Colossus's bunny hop. I'd love to see a ride that throws air time at its riders on every hill. I'd personally want a Mack as they have proven that they can deliver any variant of ride, one that is reliable and successful. But a crucial thing for me is why a roller coaster? Why not an epic dark ride. People often argue its not Thorpe's target audience. Rubbish, if thats true then why is one of the most successful rides of all time a dark ride.. Dark rides take up a lot of space but can be more satisfying for a larger amount of people then any terror rollercoaster. A decent IP, a long ride that scares and entertains would be a perfect ride for Thorpe, a park that does suffer from a lot of low throughput attractions and rides that are very samey (I'm thinking of the flats specifically) And finally, a few people have said that as its a low investment year, then a few existing rides should see some up-keep and repaints. The park should not be waiting for low budget years to be doing this. It should be a continuous thing otherwise you run the risks of rides like Oblivion being next to your brand new ride, completely letting the team down.

I've found the cause of the flood, it shouldn't be unexpected..

I have an a level in film studies, it doesn't make me a director of a multi million dollar blockbuster. Just because you're doing a degree in business does not make you Alan Sugar or a business tycoon. Could you please stop with this better then all of you attitude, I'd be really greatful.

You can't seem to accept peoples opinions that the hotel prices at the moment are too much. Spouting business and profitability doesn't mean people can't hold that opinion. This is not a slate everything Thorpe does forum either otherwise we'd all hate the Swarm. You could have got someone to post what you said and I'd have said the same thing.

It is a discussion forum, if people want to comment on the pricing then they are allowed to.

I had a wonderful Christmas, the first one in this flat. Nothing better then being completely chilled out, knowing we don't have to go anywhere or do anything strenuous. Presents are one thing, enjoying good food, good drink with good television and good company is even better. Love waking up on Christmas morning. Boxing day is another thing altogether, it reminds you of peoples greed such as the tube strikes meaning people who have to work cannot get across London or the hustle and bustle of Boxing day sales.

More importantly, why aren't you ranting about it on twitter telling the train company that they should have forseen this.

Yep.. fight gun crime with more guns. America, seriously. For a country that can be so ahead on things like gay marriage and rights for all, how can it be so backwards thinking when it comes to gun crime and healthcare. It's baffling.

I'd argue that the whole thing is one experience. I don't separate the ride from the whole experience because the whole experience is the build up to the ride. You won't have one without the other when it comes to Oblivion. It is one and the same thing.

Inverted coaster >Katun Suspended coaster >Vampire, only one I've ridden Water ride >Splash Mountain stand up coaster >Only been on Shockwave Flying coaster > Manta, only ridden two though. floorless coaster > Superman /la atroccione de acero Eurofighter coaster > Speed: No Limites giga/mega coaster > Shambhala Any type of launched coaster > Blue Fire: Megacoaster Wing rider coaster > Raptor Drop tower > Hollywood Hotel: Tower of Terror Any sort of boomerang coaster > Stuntfall Wooden coaster > Tonnerre de Zeus Your favorite type of coaster > B&M inverter

Potential warning for James2 coming right up. #ralveytpr

Oblivion is amazing. Just throwing it out there.

No point in my opinion if they don't plan to keep the actors there for the rest of the rides life. In my opinion being the key phrase.

Totally stolen

That looks fantastic. Really looking forward to this.

Thank you Sidders for setting this up and seeing it through to the end. It's good to see that we have a broad range of ride choices in there, I can probably guess the three Oz'Iris votes for best rides. And finally, thanks for voting me joint first best member for a third year in a row. Third sexiest male too, oi oi

Great way to start the ride there. The immelman looks so tiny compared to the lifthill. B&M

I'm really excited about this attraction now. Not really bothered if the story turns out to be utter bull, it's the animals that I want to see. I know it will never compare to Kilamanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom, at the same time I know that this is much needed investment that binds the zoo with the theme park in a proper attraction. Giraffes soon too.

Would they?

The phrase jack of all trades, master of none springs to mind.

We do know its behind schedule. Whether that affects it being open on time (as in open day as opposed to any other day as Alton haven't specified when the coaster is actually due to open) is another thing entirely.

Winter maintenance probably.

Mr Know it all, you think you know it all. (Thanks Benin )

So just a few coaster updates, a sort of best of the best of coasters opening in 2013. The first of many, a new ten looping roller coaster at Hopi Hari. A modified Colossus with a smoother looking first drop and chunkier supports. Opening in Italy at Cinecitta World is another ten looping roller coaster, no pictures thus far of this project. http://rcdb.com/11082.htm And at Chonqing Safari park in China is yet another ten looping roller coaster, which, yes you guessed it is a Colossus clone. http://rcdb.com/11055.htm At Vialand, a brand new park opening in Turkey, an Intamin LSM coaster has been announced. Little is known about it thus far, we know it will be 164 foot tall and 68 miles per hour launch. But thats it. In Denmark, Juvelen has been announced for Djurs Sommerland. A company which has exploded into life for 2013 is Mack, particularly their version of the launch rollercoaster. So far four LSM coasters have been announced by the company for 2013, mainly going to parks in Asia. The exception is Storm at Etnaland which has already ran with guests and looks fantastic. Just today, Mack have announced more new rides including another Mack youngSTAR heading to a park in China. So what about Maurer who have been relatively quiet recently. Only a sky loop and a spinning ride have been announced called Undertow. It is unknown if this will be a X3000 model. For 2013, Gerstlauer's are still selling well. SW7 will be the European highlight.. well we hope. Elsewhere, spinning coasters, bobsleds and family rides have been purchased in Germany, Austria and Mexico. And thats all for now.