Posted April 19, 201114 yr comment_113754 Yes we've had this topic thousands of times and we all know they're never coming back, but I was just wondering if anyone had any, or knew where any video's or pictures of both the water tower and gas ball effect?Thanks
April 19, 201114 yr comment_113757 And also, were there any other effects that have now disappeared, or was it just the water tower and gas tank? I heard there used to be some other things as well, but I can't be sure.
April 19, 201114 yr comment_113758 There used to be a 'bell' in the church tower, cant think of anything elseEDIT - There was a lot of speculation whether the traffic lights used to go off, I remember them doing so but others said they havent! PRetty sure they did though
April 19, 201114 yr Author comment_113759 Yeah I've also heard about that Ricky, if only these kind of things would be fixed/replaced, just want to be reminded of what they looked like in operation.
April 19, 201114 yr comment_113760 Am I dreaming it up that the electricity pylons also used to 'spark'? Memory of those days is fading...Anyway, these pages have pics of both the flame ball and water tower:http://www.totalthorpepark.co.uk/guide/tidalwave.shtml http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/tidalwave_main.htm
April 19, 201114 yr comment_113808 EDIT - There was a lot of speculation whether the traffic lights used to go off, I remember them doing so but others said they havent! PRetty sure they did thoughThey did.
April 22, 201114 yr comment_113986 I looked yesterday, and the green light on the traffic light has been unhinged slightly. You could see the whole where the bulb used to be.
April 27, 201114 yr comment_114490 Tidal Wave's theming was great when it first opened. I remember all of these working at one point. It would be great if somebody had some video footage of them, especially the nice warming fire effect. Also does the overflowing toilet still work?
April 28, 201114 yr comment_114505 Also does the overflowing toilet still work?Have a guess!I wondered whether the toilet used to do anything in particular, it looked as if it could. The shower in the broken bathroom also probably 'leaked' or something at one point, I think I remember seeing a drain on the floor as well. Is there a reason as to why these enhancements are always left to rot?
April 28, 201114 yr comment_114512 Have a guess!I wondered whether the toilet used to do anything in particular, it looked as if it could. The shower in the broken bathroom also probably 'leaked' or something at one point, I think I remember seeing a drain on the floor as well. Is there a reason as to why these enhancements are always left to rot? The shower defo used to leak, and the toilet used to bubble over...And why else do you think the rides over here rot? There seems to be very much a mindset at every Tussauds/Merlin park that people will just come back for something new, so why keep investing in little things that only enthusiasts care about? Why repaint/fix rides/effects when you can just build either nothing new or have a relocated ride?Which is of course, a stupid and completely wrong mindset...
April 28, 201114 yr comment_114513 Which is of course, a stupid and completely wrong mindset...Completely agree with this. Merlin seem to have it in their skulls that it's impossible to attract people with existing attractions. You can just use Disney as proof. They don't have to attract an audience using new attractions, I never see Disney advertising solely trying to get people to come to the park because of a single attraction, it's because all their attractions are what make the park. Take Haunted Mansion for example, it's been a staple at Disneyland Parks for years and it's gotten an update this year to keep things fresh. You'll never see Merlin do something like that with existing attractions... I'd much prefer seeing a good ride made better than a ride that's good to start off with but then goes the same way the existing rides have.
April 29, 201114 yr comment_114638 To be fair on them, there have been many improvements and fixes done to most old Merlin UK rides recently, including Tidal Wave. Well done to those who have taken the effort to re-programme and replace parts for broken effects.In my opinion, it is the general laziness that was around a few years ago, which lead to most old effects being abandoned in the first place, that is the biggest shame. It is quite a big task to go around fixing them all, but it should be expected to be honest.
April 29, 201114 yr comment_114639 I have footage of Tidal Wave from 2002, including the water tower and gas ball explosion. Unfortunately it's on tape and I don't have the equipment to convert it.I'm more than happy to send it to someone who has the equipment to convert it all. It's a great 15 minutes of video actually. Brings back a lot of memories for me.
April 30, 201114 yr comment_114699 I have footage of Tidal Wave from 2002, including the water tower and gas ball explosion. Unfortunately it's on tape and I don't have the equipment to convert it.I'm more than happy to send it to someone who has the equipment to convert it all. It's a great 15 minutes of video actually. Brings back a lot of memories for me. Wow that sounds really good. What other rides are featured in the footage? Would be great if somebody did have the equipment.
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