Mark9

Probably just highlighting Towers incompetence or whatever.

Just an incredible theme park, completely dedicated to all it’s guests and determined to open things as soon as it’s feesible. Europa has always been my favourite theme park and things like this which really show why.

At the weekend I attended the first ever FanDaze event at studio park. The idea behind this was to thank (get money out of) the fans for their love for DLP and to do this they threw out loads of rare characters like Llama Kuzco from Emperors new Groove or Quasimodo from Hunchback of Notre Dame, had loads of one night only parades and shows, had the worlds first introduction of Ortensia from the 1920's Oswald shorts, an imagineer talk and so forth. I think this may be one of the best Disney trips I've ever had with DLP looking the best it ever has and some of the best Disney shows I've ever seen. Max Live was an outstanding show and well worth a youtube search. We attended the imagineer talk where it was confirmed that Vincent Price's original narration for Phantom Manor will be returning in some form. He also spoke about the Studio Park expansion, how the place is basically boomerang shaped and lacks vital Disney DNA which they hope to add through Star Wars, Marvel and a new icon of the park, the castle from Frozen. It was an amazing event to be honest and we managed to meet the head of DLP Catherine Powell before she takes over her new role as head of Western Disney parks.

+ Nice colour + Really fast + That helix is going to be lovely and forceful - It's way too short.

Koffie Koppies has now reopened. ?

Top ten Uk rollercoasters. 1. Nemesis 2. Icon 3. The Smiler 4. Grand National 5. The Wicker Man 6. Dragons Fury 7. Nemesis Inferno 8. Big Dipper 9. Oblivion 10. The Swarm

They've tweeted that plans are already afoot for a new family ride where Pirates in Batavia stood.

Really, really, really enjoyed Icon. Like proper enjoyed it. Had eight rides on it yesterday in the gorgeous sunshine and I just wish we had new age Mack rides everywhere. They're right up my street. It's strange layout is one of its most endearing elements. Whilst Helix and Blue Fire feel quite refined in their layouts, this feels proper Blackpool with a layout that weaves in and out of Big One, Steeplechase and Big Dipper and I liked so many moments. There's three or four big air time moments and my legs feel a bit achey this morning from all the ejector air time. The front is definitely better then the back IMO, that first hill at the front of the train felt like you're being completely chucked out of the train. So good. The hang time from the second inversion or the odd banked turn, the cheetah hunt type moments under Steeplechase, the little hill into the mist that glides into the second launch which has so much air time. I may actually go back to Blackpool again this season just for Icon because I loved it that much. ? Was muchly impressed by their operations too. It was only on two trains but it was munching through that queue keeping it at a respectful fifteen minute wait all day. We saw one break down with a failed launch but it was back up and running after about five minutes. I hope this does wonderful things for Blackpool as its a really good ride. A really easy 10/10 from me.

As Pluk said its just a blown motor. It looks dramatic but thats about it.

Anywho, the park has opened as usual today with the affected areas the only parts of the park unavailable. Three firemen have suffered from mild smoke inhalation but thankfully, no other injuries.

I guess if your ride isn't running faster then expected it isn't going to have as many teething problems

Can't believe you say things like that frankly.

I feel so gutted for the Mack family, Europa Park is their pride and joy, a true work of art in a world full of race to the bottom attractions and sell outs. They will bounce back of course but the short term loss for the park cannot be under-estimated. I understood that Pirates of Batavia was one of the next rides to see a big retheme/refurbishment. Hopefully out of the ashes of this incident, something even greater can be born.

It's almost like they're a normal theme park again!

Yeah, stupid Cedar Point.

Musical heaven. Pick any track from Tropical Freeze and its just beautiful.

Some things we just don't get compared to everyone else. I didn't experience a ride built only for 6-8 year olds and I think people really underestimate how much scares kids can take.

Just try getting the Central line from Tottenham Court Road on a Friday night. The two experiences sound very similar.

The park had a rather frank 'InsiderEars' presentation last night with some interesting things announced. - Ratatouille will be closing for three months for building works. There's subsidence. - The pipe that supplies the smoke at Big Thunder Mountain has a leak and they are working on a solution. The ride is running faster then pre-refurbishment. - The Mark Twain riverboat will be returning to operation in 2020. It's been in dry dock since 2011 - Philarmagic will be opening in Discoveryland theatre in October. - A new Phantom Manor float will be added to the Halloween parade this year. It will feature three different dressed Micky Mouses - Phantom Manor will be returning in the 'Fall' with a slightly retooled storyline. The whole thing is being refurbished top to bottom with new effects. I'm personally really excited for Philarmagic, it's one of the more under-rated attractions in Florida and I never leave a showing without a smile. DLP really is on the up at the moment.

If this was counting down to their announcement of a new rollercoaster I'd be all excited. But its probably counting down to a scare maze announcement and I don't give a toss.

Kind of irrelevant. After the Smiler incident they built giant fences all over the place and after the rapids incident at Drayton last year, the Rapids was closed and that was the time to update their signage board. If they are going to call someone out like this, they have to have all their legalities in check such as the front entrance board or they just look stupid. So a parent could in theory be ejected from the park for photoing their kids on 'In the Night Garden'.

Run from it, hide from it. Ride cutbacks still arrive. ( (The person who tweeted this put a smile on my face)

Thank god they got that second boat ready in time for a rainy weekend.

I'd say its the complete opposite actually.

They don't need a new ride anyway. They have the best and scariest attraction of all time in the Walking Dead. Why try and beat that?