Mark9

It's like Velociocaster and Pantheon had a baby.

What are your thoughts on the Nemesis retrack or is that slightly different because of its reputation?

I personally like that there seems to be a creative lead who has become the face of the attractions. It helps that he clearly has a passion for the parks and the products delivered. It's something that has been missing from Merlin since John Wardley semi-retired. I don't think John Burton is as creative or as entertainment minded as JW is. But I think the passion and enthusiasm is the same. You can always tell from an attraction when there's care and dedication poured into it.

I honestly love how the guinea pigs are the ones who claim to be the most loyal as well. it's almost like the parks do the least amount of work possible to put off people from renewing.

I screen shot it so that in 2024 when I revisit and wait less than 5 minutes, I can look back in my memories and smile.

I just think it's great that Thorpe have bought back rollbacks on Stealth.

There's something so ludicrous about this having a 60 minute queue. 🤣

Just asking for trouble but then again, the French are permanently striking at the moment so it might be alright.

I sort of agree. I think the actual entrance building, the bridge and the view from outside the dome are great, up there with Towers Street. But the problem is before you get to the Entrance building, Thorpe looks like a prison. There is zero attempt to incorporate security with an inviting experience. The Dome is so awful now, it's just modern with no personality. I like the pictures on the outside of peoples selfies from their day. But the inside is really poor.

I spent twenty minutes in one room on Black Mirror last year. True story.

It's easier if you just think of Thorpe Park as the UK's answer to a mid tier Cedar Fair park. Chessington is the theme park, Alton is the void with empty space masquerading as themed environments and Thorpe is IKEA.

They just need the Chessington team to come over I think.

Ug swinger got some fantastic paving when that was removed as well. The way Towers deals with its crippling lack of rides is so stupid. It's an absolutely giant theme park and after a 15 minute walk you find Galatica, Blade and an always closed temporary flat ride. Such a joke.

Why the Teacups of all things? Should have been Ghost Train.

Alton Towers continuing to have their heads in the sand by still doing retro squad and not actually addressing the severe lack of rides is a vibe I'm not really into it. 2021, this made sense. Two years later they need to get their act together.

I mean it has a similar capacity to Fury and that always top out at around 60 minutes on peak days. Maybe it will do a Swarm and be a complete and utter failure.

It does kind of matter to me that a rollercoaster has substance to it. When you say, it doesn't offer much, then I think my description of atrocious is justified.

Hes not wrong with Saw. its an absolutely atrocious ride.

Thats no way to talk about Depth Charge and Rumba Rapids.

Which to be fair, at the moment is far more likely at Towers than it is at Thorpe. Hence probably why Thorpe is still only seen as a one day park.

Nemesis was sold on it being Europes first inverted coaster but their aim was to big it make the Jurassic Park of 1994. They aimed high and I think they delivered on every level. But back then this was a balanced theme park with a large array of rides for a large age range. It's not balanced anymore. They've fallen into a similar trap as Disney where everything has to be the next big thing, No warm up act, only the main event. I personally did not enjoy my trips last year. Massive queues, everything broken down. every area looking tired and run down. Chessington and Thorpe, for my money, are far better right now.

Ah okay, I just read it as a flat ride thing. It's still a hard disagree for me here though and I think Towers are really stuck now. I'd only really consider Spinball & Rita to be a plus in the last twenty years, as you say Wicker Man replaced Flume (wicker with lower capacity), Thirteen replaced Corkscrew and Smiler replaced Black Hole. So we've actually lost a lot of capacity to get these coasters in, hence why we see situations like last year where everything is either broken or at 80 minutes plus wait times. Hence why all this talk about maintenance bills is a bit of a red herring, the maintenance at the park has been awful over the last two years. Crazily, I really really think Towers need to do what Chessington are doing (and what Thorpe did) and plussing the support ride line up to help the rollercoasters and to spread the demand.

I'd agree if that was true. But it isn't. Each time we've lost a flat ride over the last twenty years, we've gained empty space not a new rollercoaster. Ripsaw - Nothing Boneshaker - Nothing Dynamo - Empty space for 9 years, it's replacement lasting only 2 and a half years Mushroom Swinger - Nothing (although I'm still not sure if that twister is a permanent addition or not). Enterprise - Nothing Submission - Nothing You can count the temporary retro squad if you want, I don't as they are literally desperate additions to spread the ride line up. Towers is full of these empty holes where rides used to be. None of the current rollercoaster line up were made possible because a flat ride left the park.

Enterprise has officially gone with its hole now filled (no jokes, please).

It's been completing its full test runs as well. It's exactly what I expected it to be and yet that giddy thrill of a real, proper, big manufacturer modern rollercoaster at Chessington just fills me with pure joy. I love it