Mark9

They're too busy building the new ride.

1. Yes, all log flumes are popular. Hence why Merlin's decision to removed them from three parks is an odd one. 2. I know filler rides are important. I know they take pressure off the rollercoasters. Hence why they are called support rides. 3. I've heard many descriptions of the Flume, good is never one put towards it. It's significant to Towers for being one of its first few major rides, thats it. 4. Lets get one thing straight here, I'm in agreement with you that all of these rides beings SBNO and others being removed is a bad thing not only for Towers but Merlin and the UK in general. 'the support rides like Hex and the Flume make the park' just sounds odd.

You can do that if you like, I'd just re-ride the things that are open because lets face it, the park isn't going to be very busy at all next year.

The idea that someone would go to Towers for the Flume is utterly out there. Ever since I first rode it, I've been aware that people hated it and wanted it gone. Now that it's (apparently) confirmed to be going, people suddenly love it and hate Towers decision to get rid. Hex I get, that's a fantastic ride, Flume was complete filler and if it was the only thing going/closed, people would be less up in arms about its removal.

http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/2007/02/flume-unplugged-alton-towers.html Console yourself with a trip down memory lane.

And here's where the vicious circle gets smaller. They clearly don't want to close these rides but some person in an office has decided that to increase profit, a certain amount of cuts have to be made. Alton have chosen the rides that cost the most to run because the bigger savings can be made without closing headline rides. But, come March, if the Smiler opens then the surrounding text will focus on all the rides closed and job losses. The article will focus on how much less there will be and how the entrance price hasn't come down. Alton will be in a lose lose situation and I've seen a fair amount of coaster geeks saying they won't go because Hex is closed. Thats my concern. The family rides are getting an almighty whack from this, leaving the Rapids, Runaway Mine Train and Duel to satisfy the entire family market. I like all three but when Alton inevitably turns back around and gets people through the gates again, those three rides are going to be hit the hardest. For a family theme park it's pretty shocking. I hope that a replacement for the Flume is in the pipeline because as much as it's not really liked, it's a massive people mover.

I can't quite see them closing all but one of their dark rides. That's insane. One thing they all have in common though, is they are staff intensive (aside from Ripsaw I'm assuming). Is this where the majority of the staff cuts are going to come from? To have four SBNO rides is pretty unprecedented.

Somehow, unbelievably I've won an all expenses paid trip to Europa Park next month for their winter event. Very excited.

For a minute there, I thought you said something else

Colour me unsurprised. Build a new massive scale theme park like this in a country with a weak economy, this was inevitable.

This rapid extension in a short space of time sure sounds somewhat familiar...

The temptation to move this to the Thorpe Park past sub forum is incredibly high.

You've got the wrong person, I've ridden at least 20 wooden rollercoasters.

I think its only a matter of time before the UK sees a terrorist attack on this scale. It can't be stopped. All we can do is remain vigilant, live our lives to the full and show solidarity with any country who sees an attack. Whether it's France, Russia, Egypt, Denmark, Tunisia or countless others that have been attacked in the past couple of years.

Following the attacks on Paris last night, the Paris parks will be closed today.

Loggers Leap can be hidden so much more easily then Tidal Wave and Storm Surge though lets face it. Completely close off Canada Creek and it's like Loggers and Rocky don't exist. I remember when Tidal Wave was announced to be closed for the rest of the season back in October and I said it's going to get worse before it gets better. Well here we and the immediate impact of the Smiler incident is already becoming evident. Big cuts to Alton and already one ride SBNO at Thorpe. I'm amazed that people thought that nothing else was going to happen frankly. Losing 50 million profit is absolutely huge to a company like Merlin, people shrugging it off like it's nothing is simply astounding. I don't think SBNO'ing a ride is the right answer and I doubt Thorpe want to make the decision either. But this is what it is.

Got an RIP Loggers on my snapchat. Just saying.

I'll stick with my Castles and giant mountain landscapes but thanks all the same Thorpe. If you'd like to visit some warehouses for free, Hackney Wick on the Overground has some excellent warehouses where you can have your mind manipulated (excellent IPA's and craft beers) for cheap.

The designer of Rita fell into a puddle of melted vanilla ice cream and decided that would do. At least Baco's designers were drunk when they built their masterpiece.

Agreed with all. The last few years have been blighted with a few essential niggling problems. I want the park to explode into life in 2016. Get rid of the money black holes like Slammer and Samurai and get the core rides back to their best.

I like to think the Intamin designers jumped in the wine as they were designing Baco. It's the only explanation.

Disneyland Parc X 6 Studio Parc X 4 Europa Park X 3 Animal Kingdom X2 Magic Kingdom X3 Hollywood Studios X3 Epcot X2 Thorpe Park X 1 Alton Towers X1 I've all but given up on UK parks now, concentrating my efforts on parks I know will give an entertaining and worthwhile time. Europa Park was excellent as were all six of the Disney parks. I haven't really any park trips planned for 2016 thus far.

Which Seaworld animal will PETA and the outraged brigade turn to next? Manatees, penguins, Polar bears?

It's indefensible really however I will point out that for a lot of the staff, after Sunday their contracts are terminated and most probably won't be returning. So for them, why should they care, we are talking about Staines finest after all . It's completely wrong and as you point out, the staff on Inferno did make an announcement that staff won't be riding so they did what they could to stop the bad behaviour. Trying to get them off though would just hold the ride up even more.

Benin's photo trip reports go on for far longer then they ever should.