Mark9

Mini trip report from my days there this week. Odd week in which Monday and Tuesday were packed, Wednesday and Thursday less so. Big Thunder, Buzz Lightyear and the Teacups were closed for refurbishment and on Thursday, Space Mountain was closed all day. So at least I know I can survive a day without DLP's biggest roller coasters. Our longest wait was Ratatouille on Tuesday, we queued two hours (40 minutes of that was a breakdown) and on Thursday it was having massive technical problems. They were also only using half the rides capacity so when it reopened, the fastpass queue was out of the entrance and only one of the three cars was being given to the main queue meaning what should have been a 15 minute queue was 75 minutes. The ride itself is pure class and for all the criticism of it being lots of screens, well go ride it and see for yourself because it's definitely more then the sum of its parts. My partner says its his 3rd favourite ride ever. Enough said. Wednesday was insanely quiet. We managed to get on all open rides in the resort and even Crush's coaster only had a 5 minute queue. Walk on Space Mountain, easy, Peter Pan, 10 minute queue. Winter dreams is a travesty. Focusing so much on Frozen is a detriment to the whole display. The Toy Story segment goes down like a lead balloon. The only part really enjoyed is when 'Let it go' plays. I'd rather they just kept playing normal Dreams, now thats a quality firework display. Some pics. A very quiet Thunder Mesa I still maintain that this is a beautiful castle. It looks so beautiful. Xmas fun for everyone Beautiful France No one does it like Disney And finally some Princesses

Maybe they plan to sink it in the Atlantic. That would be a vast improvement.

This just shows how low confidence is in Merlin to be able to deliver fully on an attraction these days. Isn't that kind of the problem. We know they are capable of doing it. Areas like Wild Asia and rides like Raptor prove they have what it takes to make stand out attractions. So when they don't its always down to budget cuts or rushing a project through. Nobody wants to bad mouth Merlin intentionally but have done a few things recently like Angry Birds Land or rushing through The Smiler that knocks confidence. An expensive dark ride like this is the ultimate test. I like Sub Terra but it wasn't well received, lets face it.

I'm in a Christmas jumper right now, I've spent four days at theme parks covered with Christmas decorations, tinsel, christmas trees, seen a 20 minute show dedicated to the season (and Olaf from Frozen stealing every scene with his irritating attempts at humour) and I've been snowed on. It's definitely Christmas

I love a big, brash and bright American B&M anyday of the week, thanks for the pics.

Oh I envy them. They have a world of potential with a dark ride where literally anything is possible with the right emphasis or effect, animatronic or screen, where a mood can be created from the right lighting or the right viewpoint. I really want this ride to be top of their game stuff and I shall attempt to remain positive despite another abandoned warehouse theme based on the plans. I agree with ElectricBill here, it's a shame the queue isn't more adventurous or interesting but hopefully there will be something to look at or do whilst people are waiting.

Top 10 new rides for 2014 1. Radiator Spring Racers at California Adventure. One of the most complete, joyous experiences ever devised for a theme park. More then the sum of its parts and then some. 2. Chiapas at Phantasialand. I'm not normally a log flume ride. So its some surprise that this sneaks in here. I think it's so absolutely joyful and masterfully made by Intamin. 3. Helix at Liseberg. A wonderful roller coaster and the perfect sequel to Blue Fire. Go and ride it and find out how awesome it is for yourself. 4. Ratatouille at Studio Park. I've seen this described as loads of screens but its far more then that. A wonderful attraction and one that is full of fun. 5. Tatsu at Magic Mountain. I've said a lot about Tatsu. Suffice to say its a wonderful B&M and worth lots of rides. 6. ​ Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. One of the most atmospheric dark rides out there. And a true original. 7. The Hollywood Hotel: Tower of Terror at California Adventure. Any other year this would be number 1. But I've been on two others. Nonetheless, it deserves some recognition. 8. Medusa at Discovery Kingdom. I am unashamaedly a fan of floorless coasters and Medusa is one of the best out there. Original layout, nice and forceful to. Under-rated. 9. California Screamin' at California Adventure. I love this and I think it's because I wasn't expecting too that it appealed to me. 10. Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. Amazingly themed dark ride. Dressed head to toe in great touches. Very popular too.

Suits me. Family rides are so much better then flash in the pan thrill rides.

I'll ban them forthwith. Juvelen is the best Intamin ever.

I think the thing with Nemesis is that it suffers from over hype, particularly if you've done another inverter first. Over time that feeling mellows. =)

I couldn't imagine spending eight days at any one theme park, let alone the pleasure beach so I suppose you deserve credit for your.. bravery. I don't agree with you on Streak. I love Big Dipper, Wildmouse and National but find the Streak so tiresome and could name a handful of better family roller coasters in the UK, many already at the Pleasure Beach. Also can't believe the Big One is your favourite roller coaster. That thought sends me flying. Thanks for the report CJ

It's the John lewis Partnership takeover day tomorrow evening. Thats probably the reason its closing early.

Oh come on, it's a carousel. It's not like they're painting The Swarm orange or adding awful trains and a ridiculous braking system to Nemesis Inferno now is it. If you cared enough, you'd have ridden it over your year(s) of visiting. I agree that it could easily be shifted to another location.

Don't even get me started on Storm Surge...

One thing I don't get though. All these rides like the Carousel, Fungle, Calgary Stampede were things with smallish footprints and relatively hidden. Bloody Depth Charge takes up a massive footprint and is such a poor first ride to be seen as you leave the dome. How the heck has that lasted so long when so many other 'better' rides have long since left.

I think it's okay to be part of a fansite like this and not be the parks biggest fan. As long as the criticism is constructive and not just a constant barrage of attacks on the park with no substanancial discussion.

2000- Tidal Wave. Thrill water Ride 2001 - Zodiac, Detonator and Vortex. 3 Thrill Rides 2002. Colossus - Thrilling rollercoaster 2003. Nemesis Inferno, Quantum and Eclipse. A Thrilling rollercoaster, a thrill ride and a dull waste of space (which lasted two seasons) 2004. Samurai. Thrill ride. 2005. Slammer and Rush. 2 Thrill rides 2006. Stealth. Thrilling rollercoaster 2007. Return of Flying Fish. First proper family ride since Pirated 4D, 9 years previously. 2008. Time Voyagers (Nothing to add) 2009. Saw the ride. Thrilling roller coaster 2010. Saw Alive. Load of rubbish but firmly in the thrill category 2011. Storm Surge. Waste of space but a family ride of sorts. 2012. The Swarm. Thrilling rollercoaster 2013. X retheme. Make it family friendly 2014. Angry Birds Land (where do I begin) I'm sorry you missed the absolute deluge of thrilling rides in the noughties, but to say they are taking the piss now is ridiculous. There are plenty of thrilling and interesting dark rides out there. We don't even know what Thorpe are planning. To disregard this attraction based on planning permission that only shows us a building and location is laughable.

There's literally no point in you visiting whatsoever. Life is too short to go somewhere you don't like and then spending time on the internet moaning about it. Never has the phrase get a life seemed more appropriate and I mean that in the nicest possible way,

This sends alarm bells ringing for me and why Thorpe should endeavour to try and better itself rather then give out exit passes like candy. People are starting to cotton on that complaining about anything gets you free fastracks. This in turn is creating so much more problems and longer queues. I really, truly wish Thorpe priced these things accordingly. As it stands, fastrack is just too cheap.

Fred wouldn't have made up the figures.

There's something about that white colour which is just..... ugly.

HAHA. Fits of laughter

Do you not have anything better to do?

BUT ITS YOUR FAVOURITE RIDE HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR FAVOURITE RIDE LIKE THIS!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Thats no consolation prize for the people at Thorpe on Saturday.