Mark9

A cruise liner named the 'Costa Concordia' ran aground off the coast of Italy last night. Three people have been confirmed dead so far. These cruise liners can carry over 3000 people so it's quite astounding that not more lives were lost.

Air time on a B&M, surely you jest Benin?!*As for Swarm, that bit of track between the lift hill and the inline is on a very shallow downwards gradient anyway and the train will get quite a kick from coming of the lift hill. Like B&M would ever design a ride where getting stuck hundreds of feet in the air is common. *God, such perfection can be only a few feet away from utter dross. Beggars belief.

I don't see the problem with postponing a trip until a new announced attraction opens. I think it's rather irritating going half way around the world to see a ride being constructed, maybe even fully built and ready to open but missing it by a few days.

I seem to remember you attempting to post on a forum during our Italy trip. or that might have been me.

There are so many projects going on for 2012. I think it's one of the most exciting seasons for ages. You've got Swarm, Euro-Montu (I know its not called that), Shambala, Voodan, Nemesis Sub Terra, Skyrush, X-Flight, Both US Disney park area expansions and the Dollywood ride to name but a few.

impressive. Very impressive. I really want to ride this in March and say "the benchmark has just been raised" because based on everything we've seen so far, Thorpe Park and 'the Swarm' deserve every praise they get.

I envy you.

A crate load of bees. It's the Swarm!

Ooh I know. If I was hungover it would make me feel better though. Our version just has nothing on the Americans though. Ours has started going in that direction with the Sky-Lift, Grannies house and the ejector seat.. but they've had it for years. Wonder if I can find any examples..

Winter/Total wipeout is the perfect hang over television programme. Just sitting there watching people being whacked to and fro by the Ski-lift is just wonderfully stupid television. Need more!

With the Chessington one, you could just post a report from the last eight years. The park seems to be time-travelling backwards so to carry on the theme, trip reports should to.

Absolutely spot on the money Sheepie. I agree with every point you've made about Animal Kingdom actually. It is the only park after Magic Kingdom that we wanted to spend another full day at, testament to the power of its attractions andf its beautiful surroundings. Thinking about it, Everest was my favourite rollercoaster at the Disney parks and Dinosaur was by far my favourite dark ride. I have preferences for the Jammin' Jungle parade just because I was in it, but even so, everything you say is true.It's the park I look forward to the most when going back this year. Even though what you say about Dinosaurland USa and Camp Minnie Mickey is true, I didn't take the offence to it that others did. In a park that has some quite serious, true to life themes such as Africa and Asia, the park to me benefits from light hearted areas. I prefer well themed, thoughtful areas but if this is the next best thing, then I am not as bothered.As for Everest. Not a truer word said and I agree with you about the idea that the average British civillian wouldn't have the patience for an hour queue even if the queue is as beautiful and scenic as Everest is. I wanted to queue the whole thing, to take in the surroundings and appreciate escapism as its absolute pinnacle.

It's weird how when you have no money, you squander it on food, dvd and useless things and yet when you have quite a bit of money, you become all stingy and will only spend on things if you absolutely have to. Crazy world we live in.

So after 23 years, I've finally watched the Back to the Future trilogy properly. I loved every single part of them. When I was younger, I remember watching the end of Back to the Future: Part 3 because I liked the train crash. But seeing the three films consecutively really showed how clever, concise and constructed the scripts are. Time travel stories generally fall apart if the conviction in the writing isn't there. Whilst there are a million plot flaws in the three films, they are so well hidden by the acting throughout that it's all hardly noticeable.My particular favourite part of the three is Part two with the interaction from the first film. You'd imagine the two to have been filmed at the same time, but no, four years seperates them. So yeah, really enjoyed the screentime.Next was Disneys 2005 film, Home on the Range. Whilst nothing is particularly wrong with it, it really lacks the Disney sparkle. The whole way though, I could see exactly where the film was going to go next. Even Judi Dench couldn't save the film.And finally, the 2005 film version of Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. I had seen it before and didn't think much of it. My opinion of it has slightly risen but I find it's disjointed plot and lack of structure quite off-putting.

Comparisons are a part of life unfortunately, the bold and brave claim that Alton's entertainment is up there with Europe is at best laughable. They do a good firework show and some decent mazes but for all year round entertainment. They suck/ don't do enough.

Alton Towers couldn't hold a candle to the things European parks do right now.

I agree with this to a point. Certainly Gerstlauer have made some fantastic rides such as G'Sengte Sau and Speed. I must admit a lot of "oh it's Gerstlauer" comes from the fact that it isn't B&M or Intamin more then Gerstlauer's reputation because Gerstlauers reputation is very positive. Basing it all on Saw is mismatched because A) It's at Thorpe and You can never judge an entire company on one ride.I must admit though, at this point I'm not extremely excited but that's because we've got Swarm, Voodan, European Montu to go before we reach 2013.

Good of them to put it next to Oblivion then.

Just a few to add to the listShock is wonderful. Everyone judges the X Car on the awful G Force at Drayton Manor, but the other three types I've ridden have been wonderful rides. Shock is full of intensity, speed and THAT CORNER. Brilliant ride.Manta is just beautiful and scenic. Intense, fun and glidey. Love it.The best B&M inverter in the world. Anyone that hates those long drawn out 'American' rides, needs to try this out. Won't be disappointed.

You're all very lucky people.

Hmmm interesting...I have to say whilst it seems basically confirmed as a Gertslauer, I'd have like to have seen Intamin do this ride. Just for variety, the UK already has Rage, Saw and Speed whereas a multi looping, interactive Intamin is only at Thorpe.But thats just a passing thought, very long lay-out there, nice use of elements to such as what looks like a Norweigan loop. Interesting location next to Oblivion. I wonder..

Would a roof cost that much though, compared to a plane or a helicopter or a fire engine? I can just imagine the staff having to continue working in heavy rain in that station.. and the guests for that matter.I'm actually more concerned about the atmosphere that may be lacking without a roof. I know it's only a cover but you can create a lot of atmosphere with shadows and lighting. With the station fully open with the sky, it might lack that something compared to say Saw which benefits a lot from being in a dark room.

Chessington is the answer.Why you should go to a different park because Merlin have decided that people only visit in target audiences is a different question.

Even your example Poseidon isn't fully themed, it's main rollercoaster sections are completely devoid of theming and the splash pool sections are just a boat sailing around a trough. it's aesthetically beautiful, but it isn't themed the whole round exactly.Let's be fair to Swarm here, Nemesis's theming is its station, a mushroom cloud bus and a big gun. It's landscaped well, but that isn't theming.

Not many will disagree with you Bubbles. There is no way that Swarm will be as intense, thrilling or as exhilirating as Nemesis but then, Swarm isn't designed to be. I reckon it will ride far more smoothly (like Raptor) with long, drawn out patches of air time and hang time. Crucially, Swarm's theming already looks more substansial and extensive then Nemesis.We shall see though in two months time.