Mark9

I feel like these people are stuck in the 70's

Thanks for that Dan. God, Europa really is the park that doesn't stop. What a park.

It's not in the cinema but I still watched it so there.PinocchioIt's genius. I do love looking back at the oldest Disney films and see the innocence that runs through the centre of the film. Pinocchio questions everything like a young boy would, his innocence and the way he responds to things is so beautiful. The animation is just so good and the morals that run through the film are so subtle that as a kid you see a big whale trying to eat our leads but as an adult you see Pinocchio in bravery, selflessness and truth. And that scene with the donkeys. I think I enjoy it more that, having not seen the film since before going to a Disney park, it makes me happy that the main song "when you wish upon a star" still echoes in the parks to this day.Pinocchio - 10/10 I cried.

I'd concentrate on the others but I haven't been. So I can't.

Ooh I dunno Merlin have done well so far. I hear watching Jonathon Ross riding Thirteen for nearly an hour was an experience people would die for.Although.. remember when that priest opened Stealth. God that was bad.

Yeah.. what was that about. Still, I've always liked the song so nice to see it being released but... Gaga started moving a little to lately for me.

I think the thing is, if you watch any of the Disney firework displays, they are shows with a clear message or story running right through it. Whether it's 'Illuminations' and the story of our civilisations or 'Wishes' where if you wish upon a star your dream will come true. It comes with the family territory, they want you to have the best time of your life and the fireworks reflect the emotiveness of the occasion.Thorpe fireworks aren't designed to do that. They want you to have a bangin' time with WKD tracks and fun. I personally don't have a problem with that, the majority of members on TPM who went to the fireworks spoke very highly of the display the park put on and the same with Alton's firework display. Ultimately, parks like Disney will survive regardless because it's the strongest theme park brand in existance. Merlin has to consistently publicise its brand through gimmicks and cheap tricks and Swarm publicity to keep people interested.

Thing is, they do all this we are not a theme park stuff and then add things like Swarm which is relying on theming and story to sell the attraction. Maybe its a Valhalla thing all over again.

Bit of both, more nature for me though. I grew up with some very masculine role models as a child, very competitive as well. Football and Steam trains stand out as quite consistent things I saw regularly.

I'm posting this as someone who is yet to visit Port Aventura and will be doing so next year but..I feel that your post isn't so much praising Spain's effort but more a rant at UK theme parks. I think we'd be the first to admit that our parks aren't perfect but anyway I'm going to attempt a reply.When you say Port Aventura is the best in Europe. That is rather a large claim, rather brave actually. I wouldn't dare to say it isn't but considering how strong the competition is in Europe (Europa Park, Miribilandia and Phantasialand spring to mind) I'll take your praise with a pinch of salt.So onto Stampidia and Dragon Khan. Both rides approaching 20 years of age and built under a completely different era of the park. Sounds famililar to some UK parks actually.. Riding is quite subjective as it is. I don't doubt that Khan could be better then Nemesis actually, I certainly prefer the more American style B&M's like Katun and Superman / la Atracción de Acero over Nemesis. But that being said, Nemesis is still a classic B&M without a shadow of doubt regardless of whether the record breaking Khan is better then it.As for Furius Baco. If you have to ride a ride at a certain time, certain train, certain seat then I'll almost certainly hate it. To overcome so much just to get a decent ride is an effort I can't be bothered to put in when it comes to rollercoasters.I've certainly found European parks like their own theme tunes. Gardaland has the "Welcome to Gardaland" theme tune as you enter the park and Miribilandia has a 'We will rock you' remix when the park opens and closes. Certainly agree on this. Europeans just get theme parks right. When we were in Rainbow Magicland, a freshly opened theme park, it's hours were 10am-11pm along with fireworks and the gate figure was an outstanding 17,000 guests. Few years back went to Europa Park and due to the parks business that day, park hours were extended by an extra three hours. You're lucky to get an extra half an hour out of our parks (In fact, it's only Chessington that do this regularly)You've certainly set my appetite up for some Spanish goodness though RobD, can't wait till my birthday now.

Of course, you could always telephone the Oblivion help-line.But unfortunately I do not have the number. God. I bloody love Oblivion.

When you put it like that the choice for me is obvious. Disney without a doubt. Granted I've only been to Florida once but Disney World made memories that I will look back on when (if) I reach 50 years old and thinking about my youth. Just wonderful parks.

So... Slammer?The Mark9 view on Slammer

Bit of a non commital answer from me really as that is what the park did. As I say, I've known other parks not bother.

Stealth doesn't make up entirely for all the other rides down time. That's sort of Marcs viewpoint. I think what hes saying is its the last day of the season, Stealth's technical problem was quite complex and it would have been easier for the park to have left it closed for the day. Considering the next day it was pretty much going to be stripped down to wheels and bolts, putting in that extra effort to get the thing open for what was 3/4 hours is very good of the park to do. I've known other large parks not bother...

In a park that has over the years increasingly shunned established areas, it's rather odd that people think they should be trying to steer back in that direction. With Swarm next year, it's rather hard for it to fit in with its closest area Amity Cove and no matter what you may think, Saw does not fit in with Canada Creek.

I love this topic. Interesting view actually. I actually find Inferno rather comparable with the Dragons because individually each dragon is quite lacklusture. When they're duelling the ride is pushed up a few levels but on those moments where your train does inversions and helixes by itself, it feels like the ride is positioning itself rather then being very stand out.Compare that to wonderful inverters like Black Mamba, Nemesis and Katun where the ride can do its circuits on its own accord and the Dragons kind of pale in comparison. Inferno is more dragon like then Katunesque. I certainly prefer Inferno to Batman La Fuga.

I want someone to seriously tell me where all this classy, amazing theming is. Just having a well themed station and a few saws is not enough.

I'm just going to leave this here.

Going back to this topic, I'm now convinced The Swarm has the best shot in 20 years of being a world class ride. It has all the whistles and bells, it just needs to deliver on every promise.

I've never realised just how large this project is. It seems to absolutely dominate that side of the park (at least that seems to be the impression from the pictures). it does look stunning.

Woah Woah Woah! Desite loving this project, I've never really taken any notice of its actual layout. Looking back at those drawings in planning permission, the finished product looks absolutely stunning. The speed that trains going to be flying out of that inline, into the inclined loop and into that ground hugging helix is going to make Inferno, Saw, Colossus and Raptor look like trial runs. I would be incredibly surprised if a second trim doesn't pop up after the inclined loop if I'm honest.Even if it does this is going to be a very fast, action packed ride.

Bye Bear Hunt

I'd personally go for Inferno although Stealth does come very close on the intensity stakes.One of my favourite things about Inferno if you like, is how quiet it is. Unlike the others which opened to major advertising campagins and set the UK coaster scene on fire (pun not intended), Inferno was like a little flicker of light. It was built with the intention of being back up to Colossus and as time goes on it continues to be the coaster that backs up Stealth, Saw and next years Swarm.I think it's a really nice coaster actually. I think its beginning with the journey through the volcano and the roar of the train is really novel, its layout is a bit blase but it has the intensity in the right places and is easily Thorpe's best rollercoaster at night.Saw suffers from the problem that it's just absolute garbage. It is the literal ride in a shed, its layout goes barely near pathways, its single trick gives me massive headaches, its nowhere near long enough for a major ride, its theming is inspired in some places, non existant in others.Colossus takes third place because its a decent ride ruined by a ridiculous loading system.

That unlimited fastpass thing would be absolute chaos, serious chaos. I joined in the survey and said the best thing about the current AP's is the affordability. So lets hope ey