Mark9

Glad we've just changed the name of the Hyperia tracker to Stealth. 

Kumba is now officially SBNO and last operated in November. As influential as this ride was, it does feel like its time may be up. There's been no information from the park yet which is slightly unusual. 

Kumba is now officially SBNO and last operated in November. As influential as this ride was, it does feel like its time may be up. There's been no information from the park yet which is slightly unusual. 

It's a curious thing with Colossus actually. Unlike Vampire and Nemesis which I couldn't imagine their respective parks being without, Colossus is majorly overshadowed by pretty much every rollercoaster they've built since. I actually quite like it but there's no denying that guests aren't the biggest fans of it.  It could be easily replaced by a more modern, multi looper and not be as rough. 
 
With that being said, I find it rather harmless and does its thing rather well. The first half in particular is so well paced and I personally find it really enjoyable. 

I was lucky to experience a valley on Mandrill on Sunday, we just came to a stop at the boost launch area before the helix. I found it quite exciting as we would have to experience the rides swing launch to get it going again. I really enjoyed it as well. Mandrills launches are quite punchy as it is so going back and forth through the section was pretty satisfying.
 
I am actually quite a big fan of Mandrill tbh, I've heard all the arguments about it being the wrong fit and whatever, however every time I go on it, it gives me a lot of joy and the queues for it never seem crazily unreasonable.The team always seem really on it when it comes to batching, loading and dispatching. It also has the B&M quirk of being incredibly reliable, 3.8% downtime for the last 7 days, and beaten only by Nemesis Reborn. 

I was lucky to experience a valley on Mandrill on Sunday, we just came to a stop at the boost launch area before the helix. I found it quite exciting as we would have to experience the rides swing launch to get it going again. I really enjoyed it as well. Mandrills launches are quite punchy as it is so going back and forth through the section was pretty satisfying.
 
I am actually quite a big fan of Mandrill tbh, I've heard all the arguments about it being the wrong fit and whatever, however every time I go on it, it gives me a lot of joy and the queues for it never seem crazily unreasonable.The team always seem really on it when it comes to batching, loading and dispatching. It also has the B&M quirk of being incredibly reliable, 3.8% downtime for the last 7 days, and beaten only by Nemesis Reborn. 

I was lucky to experience a valley on Mandrill on Sunday, we just came to a stop at the boost launch area before the helix. I found it quite exciting as we would have to experience the rides swing launch to get it going again. I really enjoyed it as well. Mandrills launches are quite punchy as it is so going back and forth through the section was pretty satisfying.
 
I am actually quite a big fan of Mandrill tbh, I've heard all the arguments about it being the wrong fit and whatever, however every time I go on it, it gives me a lot of joy and the queues for it never seem crazily unreasonable.The team always seem really on it when it comes to batching, loading and dispatching. It also has the B&M quirk of being incredibly reliable, 3.8% downtime for the last 7 days, and beaten only by Nemesis Reborn. 

I was lucky to experience a valley on Mandrill on Sunday, we just came to a stop at the boost launch area before the helix. I found it quite exciting as we would have to experience the rides swing launch to get it going again. I really enjoyed it as well. Mandrills launches are quite punchy as it is so going back and forth through the section was pretty satisfying.
 
I am actually quite a big fan of Mandrill tbh, I've heard all the arguments about it being the wrong fit and whatever, however every time I go on it, it gives me a lot of joy and the queues for it never seem crazily unreasonable.The team always seem really on it when it comes to batching, loading and dispatching. It also has the B&M quirk of being incredibly reliable, 3.8% downtime for the last 7 days, and beaten only by Nemesis Reborn. 

Will we be tracking Hyperias opening time everyday this season or is this just a March/April thing?
 

Will we be tracking Hyperias opening time everyday this season or is this just a March/April thing?
 

Its what Kingda Ka would have wanted.

I think you severely underestimate Merlins ability to make things worse. 

I'm not sure what Merlin can do at this point to be honest. They've attempted relatively good rollercoasters in Mandrill, Hyperia and Nemesis Reborn, they've tried to do entertainment on a better scale then ever which has now all been cut and last years opening hours felt like a push in a better direction (particularly Thorpe). So far we've only really seen the losses at Towers for 2025 but it's looking anonymous at Chessington and Thorpe too. We are bound to see a lot more staggered ride opening hours. Don't be surprised if Rumba and Tidal Wave open mid season for example. 
 
The global report highlighted the issues with the Uk tourism industry
 
 
If you've been to Efteling, Europa Park, Port Aventura (just to name a few) over the last two years, the parks feel alive and vibrant with excited guests and entertainment. In comparison the UK parks have just got long waits because there's less rides and entertainment, short opening hours and terrible food. It's an awful rut to be in and it can't be changed quickly. 
 

Is anyone feeling particularly positive about the upcoming season? 
 
 

Is anyone feeling particularly positive about the upcoming season? 
 
 

Drenched is no more. One of two Intamin shoot the chute water rides, the first left Knotts Berry Farm a long while back so it is kinda astounding Drenched made it this far. It's been closed for a while for 'restraint work' and has now being removed. 

I've learned that to enthusiasts, every ride is rough and has a rattle.
 
I've learned that our passion is one of the only ones with such a limited life span. These huge pieces of metal have a limited existence and when they're gone, that's it. No one else will experience Wild Mouse at Blackpool, a 400 foot hydraulic launch rollercoaster, the world's only duelling B&M inverter and much much more.  For a lot of rides all we have is faded memories, hazy POV's and photos of ourselves in our younger days. I wish I'd taken more photos of some of the rides I've done because that's all I have left. It's kind of sad when you think about it. I've become almost obsessed with the demolition of Green Lantern and Kingda Ka. 

I've learned that to enthusiasts, every ride is rough and has a rattle.
 
I've learned that our passion is one of the only ones with such a limited life span. These huge pieces of metal have a limited existence and when they're gone, that's it. No one else will experience Wild Mouse at Blackpool, a 400 foot hydraulic launch rollercoaster, the world's only duelling B&M inverter and much much more.  For a lot of rides all we have is faded memories, hazy POV's and photos of ourselves in our younger days. I wish I'd taken more photos of some of the rides I've done because that's all I have left. It's kind of sad when you think about it. I've become almost obsessed with the demolition of Green Lantern and Kingda Ka. 

I've learned that to enthusiasts, every ride is rough and has a rattle.
 
I've learned that our passion is one of the only ones with such a limited life span. These huge pieces of metal have a limited existence and when they're gone, that's it. No one else will experience Wild Mouse at Blackpool, a 400 foot hydraulic launch rollercoaster, the world's only duelling B&M inverter and much much more.  For a lot of rides all we have is faded memories, hazy POV's and photos of ourselves in our younger days. I wish I'd taken more photos of some of the rides I've done because that's all I have left. It's kind of sad when you think about it. I've become almost obsessed with the demolition of Green Lantern and Kingda Ka. 

Does this confirm an RMC or should I wait for the great nonsense talker to emerge with some obscure clue and babble.

Does this confirm an RMC or should I wait for the great nonsense talker to emerge with some obscure clue and babble.

How was your 2024?
 
Park count
Alton Towers X6
Chessington X1
Thorpe Park X4
Animal Kingdom X1
Hollywood Studios X1
Magic Kingdom X2
Disneyland Parc X3
Studio Parc X1
Linanmaki X1
Europa Park X3
Efteling X3
Emerald Park X1
Six Flags over Georgia X1
Carowinds X2
Fun Spot Atlanta X1
Dollywood X2
Holiday World X1
Kentucky Kingdom X1
Kings Island X2
Cedar Point X3
Kennywood X1
 
New rollercoasters of the year
 
Year highlights
- First day visits for Nemesis Reborn and Hyperia
- Finally visiting Dollywood and trying the cinnamon bread
- Hitting 500 and 550 credits
- Riding some absolute beasts this year (Voltron, Taiga, Afterburn, The Voyage, Steel Vengeance) 
 
 
2025 is more of a rest year but with big hitters like Tokyo Disneyland, Fuji Q and Nagashima Spa land, I'm hyped. 😃

How was your 2024?
 
Park count
Alton Towers X6
Chessington X1
Thorpe Park X4
Animal Kingdom X1
Hollywood Studios X1
Magic Kingdom X2
Disneyland Parc X3
Studio Parc X1
Linanmaki X1
Europa Park X3
Efteling X3
Emerald Park X1
Six Flags over Georgia X1
Carowinds X2
Fun Spot Atlanta X1
Dollywood X2
Holiday World X1
Kentucky Kingdom X1
Kings Island X2
Cedar Point X3
Kennywood X1
 
New rollercoasters of the year
 
Year highlights
- First day visits for Nemesis Reborn and Hyperia
- Finally visiting Dollywood and trying the cinnamon bread
- Hitting 500 and 550 credits
- Riding some absolute beasts this year (Voltron, Taiga, Afterburn, The Voyage, Steel Vengeance) 
 
 
2025 is more of a rest year but with big hitters like Tokyo Disneyland, Fuji Q and Nagashima Spa land, I'm hyped. 😃

If anything it's under-rated, its 3 against 1 in here. 😘

If anything it's under-rated, its 3 against 1 in here. 😘