Mark9

Yes but as we keep saying, it has been proven time and time, year after year that the majority of people don't stick around after 6. There is no incentive to stay in the park.

(Please don't delete me Marc)

I wonder what AI and Blackpool have in common that could mean they do stay open later.. Thing is James, I can count the amount of parks in Europe that do stay open really late on one hand. Places like Liseberg and Tivoi open at Mid-day and are city parks where majority visit for a couple of hours. Even the holy grail Europa Park closes at 6 in Summer and only adds on 1-3 hours if the park attendance is particularly high. Adding hours on is fine, but closing at 10 and then only getting 6,000 guests all day means the park starts budget cutting things to hell. It's fine for the odd exception like PortAventura to do night closings but their climate and the Spanish lifestyle almost caters for that need. The English one doesn't really.

Guests don't stay for longer, thats the problem. Alton and Thorpe have proved constantly that staying open even past 6 doesn't mean guests stay. I've always maintained that to get guests to go beyond 6, there has to be an incentive. Fright Nights has the mazes opening towards the evenings and the only reason Summer Nights works is because its sold on the idea of little to no queues. If Thorpe could hook into maybe live night time shows/performances during the summer then it could work.

I don't really see the problem here. The novelty of a funfair in Hyde Park is always the attraction to people, the atmosphere of what feels like a proper German fair attracts more people then any single ride does. Theme parks rely heavily on the ride hardware but even a simple waltzer or booster is enough for people to go to a fair. I don't really see an issue with Winter Wonderland not expanding much for 2015.

Yes it is different. Maybe if they gave us the Australian Treetop Adventure then we'd be satisfied.

Maybe Annual pass holders shouldn't be allowed to use anything new then. Sorry guys, you got an annual pass, you can't ride this new roller coaster, use this new restaurant or stay in our super duper new Enchanted Village.

Currently booked is a trip to Europa Park and Disneyland Paris for May, a week in Florida in June and then a cultural trip to Berlin in July. Nothing else so far, the UK has stagnated to the point where none of the parks are really worth the effort.

You've got to make the decision on whether it is worth visiting anymore. There is more out there then the Merlin parks after all and just with a small added cost you could go on some amazing rides like Chiapas or Helix. A year away from Merlin politics can do the world of good.

This. The Merlin Premium annual pass has always been excellent value. Collectively it gets you into so many attractions and particularly if you live around London, you get the biggest value. I know its very easy to bash Merlin, left right and centre, however the Premium pass is severely underpriced for the amount you get on it.

Double post. Shut up, Shut up, Shut up -Clara Oswald

The inevitable VIP Thorpe Park annual pass can't be too far away then. This pass was pretty much agiven really.

Somehow the gift I want of people to stop killing each other, is probably not under my tree this year.

Can't help but feel the year could be summed up in a one word review; Underwhelming.

I can't wait for Aria to open in 2019.

Show me your moves -Captain Falcon

Does Avril Lavigne count?

I don't like it purely on the basis that elections are pretty damn important and telling me to ignore that just to ride the London Eye or visit Legoland seems really irresponsible. Also, I hate kids telling me to buy things. Merlin/10

Thanks for posting a link to those Adam. Really appreciated.

I understand this Matt but disagree. Europa Park is the only park I've been to so far that I would consider world class. The Merlin comparison is irrelevant, we're talking totally different scales of quality and frankly doesn't need to be bought up in this topic.

Company that dominates the market in attempting to make more money out of customers who will probably visit anyway shocker. Excuse my flippant nature. I speak the truth is all.

I hear you can get a good psychiatrist for Obliviophobia. Unfortunately I do not have the number. One of the rumoured cures is too question whether one does or does not look down. Some people go through it in their minds over, and over and over and over over over.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their company during the meet. Was great to see everyone again and to talk to some new people especially. Many thanks needs to go to Peaj as well for taking the time to keep everyone together, planning the trips and organising the biggest meet TPM has had so far. You did a sterling job.

Benin got in their first with a reply but to be honest, that area of the world is developing quickly whereas France, America and Japan have been hit hard by the financial crisis. It is noteworthy that Radiator Spring Racers and Ratatouille ride were still very expensive investments even if they are Pixar franchises and prove that IP's can be very good provided the ride and scenery is of good quality.

I'm more disappointed with the ride itself then the name. Thats being said without riding it, which I probably shouldn't do but on the whole, so much potential is being left untapped with the dive machine model. This is just Krake with bells and whistles and I could guarantee my favourite thing about it will be the name once I've had a go.