Or having professor burp return from the dead as an evil character/creature would fit the horror theme.

But Transylvania does not have a horror theme, it's more... 'quirky European town' with an inevitable spooky castle on the outskirts.

Although an amusing idea, I think an undead professor Burp would be even more offensive to the original ride's legacy than the Imperial Leather retheme! Yes, no way should BubbleWorks lose its magical character in favour of a horror theme.

By all means, it needs a scary moment or two (it always used to - the pressure room had machines blowing up and a huge carnivorous bubble, but it was all done with friendliness). It wouldn't suite the ride's design anyway. Is it possible to feel scared while travelling at 2mph in a boat through a big metal box?

The original ride was legendary! What I hate more than anything on the retheme is the lack of finale.

I loved the old finale with the strobe lighting it was magical!

Look back at things over the last few years, Chessington have generally been toning things down at a very slow pace for a more family-orientated approach. Granted, the target audience and the previous "Where families come first" slogan has been drilled into us for longer than that. Although Professor Burp wasn't a scary ride for kids, I see the Imperial Leather version more friendly and enjoyable for children.

You don't understand children then. The new version is sterile and lifeless. The original was funny, memorable, naughty and extremely fun when I was a child. It was my favourite ride at the park, and all of my friends at that age who visited Chessington also loved it, or could at least remember the music. Today it's only liked for the fountain finale.

And the "families come first" ethos has since been dropped. They are no longer trying to be a children's park, thankfully! The audience is much broader, although they will never get the thrill market back.

I do understand children, and as I said the Where Families Come First is in the past. I never said children's park, family-orientated. Of course they'll never get the thrill market back, that's exactly what they're trying to get away from.

I know you didn't say children's park, I said it. My point still stands, they are no longer trying to be a young children's park, like Legoland for example. That very tame "Families Come First" ethos (not just the slogan) was dropped soon after it came under new management. They are now trying to be wilder and better rather than water everything down like they did 2001-2007.

Maybe you could elaborate how you "do understand children", like a discussion. Were you a child when you first rode Professor Burp's BubbleWorks?

The earliest I recall riding Bubbleworks was mid-2000. I'm did visit Chessington in the 1990's, my only memories are the old Chessington mascots, the clown coaster, the railway through Market Square, and Skyway, which seemed twice as long back then.

I see the Imperial Leather version more friendly and enjoyable for children.

Seriously? That version isn't more enjoyable for anyone.

I was a child of Professor Burp, and it was enchanting and fun and exciting. Kids come off it now bored. There was nothing in the old one beyond cartoon stuff, that even the smallest child could possibly have found unnerving. A big glowing ball with teeth but a happy face gently rocking towards you is understood as not a real threat by even the youngest children.

The original graphics and other elements of the Burp days were much better and well-thought through compared to the computerised ones of today. Many people grew up with him, but I have seen more kids come off it excited since it was changed.

Very few people come off Bubbleworks with any form of excitement...

I worked on it for two years, seen enough evidence to prove that the sterile boredom of New Bubbles does not fulfill any form of entertainment...

Nothing will ever top the original Bubbleworks, sorry its just the cold hard truth.

You're not alone there. Even John Wardley would admit that.

I first rode Bubbleworks when I was around 10/11 - so around 1990/91. I loved it - definitely my favourite ride there at the time (was too scared to go on Vampire back then ). I remember going into the shop afterwards and getting a Professor Burps fizzy pop drink thing (basically a small bottle of fizzy drink but with the Prof on the front). Although I do still ride it when I visit with my niece it just isn't the same anymore. I do still like the music though

I like the music as well, but the ducks literally ruin it for me p,us the fair ground loop cuts are shocking.

Nope, they just quack all over that amazing soundtrack.

In a way, its a shame this ride is now open almost all year round. It means they are unable to do as much maintenance as they used to do (pre 2010). For example, little things like touch ups of paint in the ride, the 'band lights' in the station not working correctly are becoming more and more noticeable.

On a more positive note, has anybody noticed the lighting has changed in the finale recently? They are the same colours but more of a quicker sequence rather than the gradual fading it had before. It has made the finale much more colourful and flashy (a little like the strobes) which is great to see.

The Finale lights have been like that since the beginning of the last season!

Why are you yelling!

Me? Never.

Can't wait to ride this on Sundayyy

I do like this... such a nice relaxing ride.

and despite the fact I hate water, I usually do a good job of avoiding most of the splash from the fountain- I always come away with the theme tune in my head for the rest of the afternoon.... so catchy:)

Second time this year they had all the flood lights on round the entire ride, it completely looses all atmosphere and you can see how dirty and grubby the ride really is. Merlin please give it some TLC. It was good to see 95% of the effects working which was a good thing.

What music was playing in Transylvania?

They had the normal Austrian music outside the Bubbleworks and the Vampire music just outside the Vampire entrance.

I guess the wolves have definitely been locked up till Halloween then...shoot.
TY!