Mark9

We've got two high quality rollercoasters being built, one from a manufacturer that hasn't opened a rollercoaster in the UK for years and a ride type that hasn't seen any attention since 1996. Regardless of which is better, I'm glad that the mould has been broken and that something different is now there. Wicker Man is probably more important to me to be successful, I'd love to see more woodies open in the UK whereas the chances of another Mack like Icon opening are pretty remote.

From this.. to this...

I wish Disney weren't destroying all the things that I liked about California Adventure.

Such a size queen.

And with that the 2018 season is finally really here. Go Nemesis (and to a lesser extent Rita and Spinball).

I mean, where to begin. It's so brilliantly amateur. The worst part is knowing this is going to boost attendance massively and is going to be the most successful ride since Storm Surge. Ah well, it's the ride the British public deserve.

Thats the sound of Matt just completely giving up.

It wasn't just a couple of people though was it, it could have been up to two trains worth of people when there was issues in the bag hold room. I don't remember the Smiler carriages being particularly labour-some to walk through and I don't recall the Smiler exit platform being that narrow either. In theory Oblivion is even worse then Smiler but the staff take bags from you there. There's no reason that this couldn't happen on Smiler (although I concede it probably won't).

YES! I'm ready.

I'm not a fan of the snake skin either, looks a little bit cheap. Hopefully the front of the train will be so amazing that I can ignore the odd look on the rest of it.

That moment you think something looks good until you realise Intamin....

If the next coaster isn't an RMC I would be very surprised. Thats if they ever get a new rollercoaster.

I hate the bag rooms. Complete waste of money to man and causes silly bottle necks all around the entrances and exits to stations. It only ever really worked at Stealth. At the Smiler, it was my absolute dread as everyone just pushes past through you whilst you wait to put your bag in. My only thing is the awful look they've left it with. But I can deal with the death of the bag rooms.

Anyone remember when Silver Stars entrance used to be this? Perfection.

There's no two ways around this. It looks awful. Remember when Thorpe's biggest problem was all the Lost City rides being blue. I yearn for those days now.

It's so grim.

So quite a lot then.

I'm so sorry.

Oh my god. It was genuinely one of my favourites at Europa Park. RIP sweet Prince.

I last went in 2012 and the park isn't the issue. It was everyone outside on the promenade that was the problem. It's the only time I've encountered homophobic abuse and it's put me off Blackpool in general.

Doesn't help that Blackpool itself, is an absolute dive. I love most of the rides in the Pleasure Beach but I can't stand the place and if it wasn't for Icon I wouldn't even be considering a trip.

You could argue that not everyone can afford to go to Disney World, whereas Disneyland Paris is relatively affordable (relatively being the key word here) and easy to get to for a lot of Europeans.

I'd imagine its an incredibly rare thing for someone to have done all six Disney resorts. I also think you do Paris a disservice, it has some of the more unique versions of attractions and has a handful of rides/attractions you can't find anywhere else. I'm excited for the expansion, I though the days of Paris getting anything were decades away. For it to get the three big hitters is just a sign that Disney owning Paris will pay dividends very quickly. Even more positive, none of these Disney subsidiaries will be in the Disneyland Parc. I still don't like how Star Wars and Pixar are being pushed on the parks at California.

Saturday is the day to avoid. Sunday should be fine.

In the last three months I've got engaged and got a promotion at work. Life is somehow amazing right now.