Mark9

Disneyland in California has suspended its re-opening indefinitely. I would be very very surprised if Walt Disney World doesn't do the same as cases in the state are sky-rocketing. In saying that, the Governor of Florida is a madman so maybe it will reopen anyway.

I think that's ultimately it. The parks don't know. They won't bring people in to get them up to standard as they simply don't know if they will be allowed to open on the 4th. I don't blame them either. Why they are being left to uncertainty is what I don't get.

I'd like a fact check on this please.

Just as a reminder, I did used to work at a theme park and do remember the absolute chaos that start of the season begins. I know that a certain other theme park is in disarray about reopening as they have not been told returning dates and have no training plans in place because it's being left to last minute. I remember a time in Summer at Chessington when I was the only ride operator who could operate Dragons Fury and Peeking Heights. My breaks were dictated by when a senior manager could cover me. Now I'm not saying that any of the parks are in this position. I'm saying a lot of staff ride training is completed when the park is open (particularly ride operators) and nearly four months will have already ticked by. If they have a lot of returning staff they'll be fine. If not then.. well...

Really? These staff haven't worked at these attractions for three months (nearly a whole closed season fact fans) and some will have never worked with guests before. Thats a lot of pressure to get your rides teams up to standard in 13 days.

They aren't going to bring staff in until they absolutely know they can open on the 4th. It's crazy that this is two weeks away now and the government have left it so late for these companies to prepare.

It's just a bit confusing Matt. The only positive comment about this entire ride before this discussion was where Matt Creek said something nice and then you replied saying it looked naff. Then there was silence, then Josh posted the POV and then a very weird moment where you said this. as if people on here have been absolutely clamouring for a pair of mack powered coasters. I don't see where you got this impression from. So to conclude, congratulations to Efteling for sparking the conversation on TPM. 🙌

By the sounds of it, the Seaworld company owe money for Ice Breaker and Emperor as well. One could presume that a lot of the final payments were due for all these attractions just as park closures and furloughs hit. I doubt Seaworld would want to be sued by RMC, B&M, Intamin & Premier all at the same time...

I personally love powered coasters.. This ride looks lovely. Until they put a restriction in that says you must accompany children to ride then I will assume its for everybody to enjoy and will ride it.

Frankly, no theme park in the USA should be open at the moment. The wilful ignorance to the dangers of this virus over there is driving record spikes in 22 states so far. The Disney entitlement doesn't surprise me at all, just look at the reaction when the company announced a ban on smoking in the parks or when they removed plastic straws. I'm surprised though that the AP's haven't been extended, something Disneyland Paris did immediately when they first closed.

I'd guarantee that someone was bought in to do it with no direction so they did what they thought was best. As we've seen across the Merlin brand, when something is thought through with passion, its normally pretty good. Here it's just embarrassing as who ever was in charge of getting the boards installed couldn't care less about image and presentation.

Did you know that Thorpe Park Mania used to be Thorpe Parks free PR machine.

Hong Kong Disneyland has reopened with new castle finished for all to see.

Nah, I mean I'm 32 now. Joy is a feeling seldom felt.

Looks at topic title Looks at my post Looks at your post wait, THERE'S TWO VLOGS ON THIS?! Christ alive.

New 2020 perspectives. Now including bloggers and vloggers. - People who think preferring Nemesis Inferno to Nemesis is some kind of hot take and controversial. It's really not. - There's a certain level of humour out there that think calling a ride 'Nemesis Inferior' or 'Poo Fire' are the peak of humour. The only rollercoaster name adaptation that is acceptable is 'Intrimidator' - LONG videos. I'm sorry, most people don't even spend 30 minutes in the Alton Towers Gardens so how in the hell can I be expected to watch a 42 minute video on the subject, NO. - RMC THIS, RMC THAT. My god, can we just have an old style wooden rollercoaster that people just leave alone. RMC are a fantastic ride manufacture but there is room for both types of ride.

I think you just stole my top list from Thorpe Park and put it as your own. I first got wind when Quantum (god tier attraction) was at number 6. I pretty much completely agree with this order. I can't decide if its damning or its amazing that two Fabbri rides are near the top.

Lockdown got me Top Fiving all over the place. Top five hotels. 5. Hotel Colosseo, Europa Park. I'm a sucker for this hotel. I've stayed here a few times over the year and its always been a firm favourite. For anyone who has never stayed in a Europa Park resort hotel, this is the quintessential stay and a shining example of why Europa Park is the gold standard when it comes to quality experiences. Beautiful decor, stunning backdrops, gorgeous food. 4. Hotel Castillo Alcazar, Europa Park. This may seem like an odd choice when you look at the other far more impressive hotels at Europa Park. But actually this one is my favourite because its theming is completely on another level. It also has the advantage that as the smallest hotel on property, its dining areas are never ridiculously busy (Colosseo can give me PTSD). The beautiful bar overlooking Atlantica Supersplash and Wodan is the icing on the cake of a wonderfully intimate hotel. 3. Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Paris. This hotel is probably the most expensive hotel I've ever stayed in. I mean sure you're in this wonderfully Victorian themed hotel overlooking the entrance plaza to Disneyland. On one side you have the gorgeous fountains and night time light show and on the other side you can see the Main Street railway station which slightly obscures the Castle. And sure, its one of the best ways to stay at Disneyland Paris if budget is no constraint. If you're not fussed about location or detail or immersion then, yeah go for one of the cheaper hotels but for that authentic Disney experience in France, this is the only hotel to go for. 2. Hotel Matamba, Phantasialand. I first stayed here in 2014 and I think this is a hotel that takes atmosphere and detail to the next level. I love the entrance doors for example. Completely unassuming and swinging open to this beautifully detailed lobby. The cozy bar on the left, the incredible buffet. The gorgeous hotel rooms overlooking Black Mamba. Immersion is truly next level and I crave another stay at this sublime hotel. 1. Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World - You may have gathered that ambience and emotion are my drivers when it comes to any experience. I want to feel part of that attraction/place and nowhere gives me that amazing sensation like Animal Kingdom Lodge. The giant savannahs, the restaurants, the incredible theming, the sizeable rooms and the attention to detail. I love it here and even just to visit is an experience in itself.

I literally want to live in the Chiapas plaza.

Top five restaurants (Matt Creeks post was criminally ignored) 5. Woodcutters at Alton Towers. I never have a bad time here. When I think of nostalgia and feel good, this always comes in there and makes me happy. It's pretty decently priced and big portions. 4. Tiffins at Animal Kingdom. This is at the higher price bracket but Ive never not had a fantastic meal here. It's slightly more clinical then the others above this on the list and less about ambience, more fine dining. Its absolutely top quality though. 3. Cowboy Cookout at Disneyland Paris. On the surface this is a generic Barbecue quick service, typical American fare. But what I really like about being here is the ambience. It's one of the easier places to grab a bit to eat (when its open) and I like the live band that play every now and then. The ribs are also lovely. 2. Flaming Feather at Toverland. We were lucky to be there on a really warm day so that helps. We sat outside overlooking Fenix with delicious food and one thing I value in restaurants is how relaxed I am. Important to be chilled out at theme parks. 1. Sanaa at Kidani Village, Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney World. Ok so technically not at a theme park but this is my go to for when I want high quality food, amazing atmosphere and theme. The view of the animals, the ambience, the bread service. It's the greatest. Top B&M Inverters 1. Nemesis 2. Katun 3. Raptor 4. Monster 5. Batman the Ride at Six Flags Great America 6. Oz'Iris 7. Black Mamba 8. Chinese Fireball (RIP) 9. Nemesis Inferno 10. Silver Bullet 11. Hungarian Horntail (RIP) 12. Montu 13. Batman the ride (backwards) at Magic Mountain 14. Batman la Fuga at Parque Warner

I wish there was more variety in the coaster community in general. It's a very white male dominated scene and always has been and I'm not sure why this is the case. (I have theories though)

Based on todays front page, it only becomes the main story when the protests can be seen as lawless and reckless.

That actually breaks my heart a little bit.

It actually gives me quite the euphoria when I see people buying/using fastrack on absolute dead days. It helps balance the absolute smugness that a lot of Fastrack owners have.

You just like walk round a corner and then boom, shed. (wasn't my picture from 2011 wonderful)