Mark9

Recession is increasing the parks numbers, not reducing them. Thorpe and Alton have been incredibly busy all week, Chessington has had to increase its half term opening hours because of the popularity of the zoo during this half term.Money will still be tight but the parks are getting good attendance figures.

I blame 600 pph through-puts and Inferno over-riding

(That's not actually that much)For instance, over 100 fury cars are sent out every hour, appoximately 50 trains are sent out every hour on Inferno and Nemesis. *Is Geek.

RidesI think they need to keep up with maintenance mostly. I know the little things are the first to go in theme parks but I would really love to see the park how it was in 2003. The water tower at Tidal Wave for instance, that looks great and would love to see that working again. I'd like to see Zodiac themed to how it used to be in 2005 before Drayton's Cyclone emerged. Colossus repaint is a must, it looks really ugly at the moment. The Stealth DJ needs to be bought back also. On a personal level I would simply LOVE for Quantum's magic carpet ends to return as I just can't the image of a flying shoe box out of my head whenever I see it.EventsSummer time Beach party! Even though we rarely get the sun, I'd love for a beach party with a barbecue, music etc. Fright Nites is basically there as the parks most popular event. I haven't been for two years so can't really say what I'd improve, same with Thorpe Blast.An Easter event may work. Be Discovered failed because people weren't discovered. The area also really needs to be used more then it is. It takes up a lot of space and when it isn't in use it looks terrible when you look at it from Inferno.SystemsDestroy fastrack. They never will so instead I'll opt for less fastrack and a higher price. They make the same profit and guest services get less people having a moan Entrance looks awful with all those metal gates. Please get some proper fencing Thorpe, it's so ugly.

Now I've never operated Rameses but I'm sure Rameses was waterproofed, whereas Ripsaw (which runs fountains much more aggressively) isn't waterproofed and had a lot of downtime two years ago because of it.

In Germany its probably true that they do get 1500 people. Rather annoying in this country though, guests are a lot more.. well I don't want to say stupid, maybe niave is more appropriate. In England theres a culture that belief that if your bar isn't checked, a seatbelt undone, the bar doesn't lock straight away or if there is a gap between them and the restraint that they are going to die a thousand deaths. For instance on Alpine Express at Europa Park, guests get off the train, guests get on the train, its locked and off you go. At all three UK Merlin parks, the bars have to be physically checked. It is for this reason that Saw might get, maybe 900-1000, but 1100 is stupidly high. Oblivion for instance can get 1800 but how often do you think it even gets 1400?

Judging by the recruitment website, Thorpe park have filled all the ride positions so you won't be able to do that. The only department left still asking for staff is Entertainments.

That's just something to make the ride look like it can handle a lot of people. In reality it won't be anywhere near that as rides never run as smooth as clockwork.

Aww, Skunky... if only you knew how awful Fury is to operate*. You'd retract that statement in a flash *Only joking kids, its amazing

They're hardly going on this story because its some nobody pulled of the street.

People clearly do care. There is a lot of sadness felt for Jade over this cancer issue and rightly so, her poor kids will live the rest of their lives with no mother.I think you'll find with a lot of people that nothing is done until it effects you personally. I doubt you do much charity work at the moment, but if your mum, dad, brother, sister, family member, friend got it tomorrow you'd do all you could to raise money to help them, raise awareness over it. Jade can do all this because she is well known, so are we resenting her because she is a thick, woman who managed to make a lot of money for sitting on her arse or are we angry because the normal, everyday person can't do that. It's all coming across as jealousy. I understand how difficult it is for you Kabz, but rather then feel that Jade is taking the mick, think that women may go and get themselves checked out and it may save lifes. Sure, she'd sell her soul to the press for a bit of money, but that is the culture we live in. It's all me me me, but this is possibly the most selfless act Jade will ever do for her children.

If a person you didn't know got cancer would you give a toss about it? No, you'd ignore it. The thing with cases like Jade's publicity is that it makes women aware of the cancer and that ANYONE can get it. I actually disagree entirely. People may see it as whoring and she has frankly admitted to it. She's getting money for her kids futures which I think anyone in her situation would do. We could argue all day about financial backgrounds but the fact is shes doing what she can, with the time she has left, for her kids. It may not excuse her past but it goes to lengths to redeem herself. Anyone who has ever known someone who has had cancer, must be able to understand her position. My mum had it a few years back and at the same time a friend of mine died from it. He was only 16, and hadn't lived his life. If he had been able to sell his story about his suffering and the pain for his friends and family, then no-one would have stopped him.

The logo for it does say Sea life on it. If there is anyone stupid enough to think that's a ride or something else is their problem.

I believe the land where the relief road is supposed to be is owned by JCB. They won't sell it up to aid the theme park. Alton shouldn't have to pay up for it either as its outside the parks grounds and would be maintained by the Highways Agency.

Hey guys, lets remember that this is only a very small minority in the village. A lot of the people from Alton fully back the park as its a huge source of revenue. Try and see it from their point of view, thousands of cars rampaging through their village every morning and evening must not be very nice. If any of you have driven through Alton, its not very nice.

Why, aren't normal people ever going to be allowed to ride it then?

Ah ok, thanks Will for the clarification there. I think a major thing here is that it's not really fair to make an opinion on something when it's not even built yet let alone be open. I can say initial impressions of Mumbo jumbo, but until I've been on it I can't say whether its rubbish or not.Alton for example is in no way going down the toilet. Instead of adding big rides constantly they are going back over the park and bringing everything up to scratch. I would much rather have them doing up the Skyride and Monorail then to just throw in another Rita/Spinball with little thought. If it wasn't for the restriction we certainly wouldn't have Nemesis, a ride that is world re-nowned. Oblivion would be like G5 and we wouldn't have a flying coaster that is very different to the others. I don't think its fair to say that Nemesis and Air are the only rides they have got right as that's only looking at a very small selection of Alton. Hex, Duel, RMT, Congo, Mutiny Bay, Old McDonalds Farm are perfect IMO.Thorpe and Cwoa are playing far more to their strengths then previously. It's no surprise that Thorpe had its best year last year and Cwoa had its best year since 2000. The recession is actually helping the home parks as the Euro has become stronger against the pound meaning admissions around Europe are similar to our own. People are far more likely to now stay then before.Adventure Island and Paultons are doing well and it wouldn't surprise me if Flamingoland are doing far better then we realise. So now I don't think they are going down the drain.

Just a reminder to all members on TPM about some of the terms and conditions of the forum. There have been a few offenses in the last week which have been lightly punished. As we will soon be renewing our warning system we want to remind EVERYONE that when they sign up to the forum, they abide by our rules. The admins on here may be friends with a lot of you but we are not going to let any of this kind of behaviour continue. I hate having to come down on some people like this, but some are abusing the forums.

Really? It doesn't imply that on the website.

Will can you clarify, are they your opinions on UK parks or someone elses.