exmouse

So Racers has had queues of 4 - 5 hours. But what have the queues been like for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Flying Tyres? They both look like they have much lower throughput, although I suspect a lot less popular.

Blatant post just to get entered into the bag of crap contest.

I still can't work out what order the elements are from that POV. I'm guessing there's an inline twist in the darkness and then a vertical loop after the launch followed by the Dog Tongue. But then what?

^ Isn't Transformer a KMG Move It? This video shows the proper way of riding Tagada's, standing up.

This looks incredibly similar to the Vekoma Family Boomerang that opened at Drayton Manor a couple of weeks ago. I wonder why?

So today I was a VIP guest for the grand opening of Nickelodeon Land at Pleasure Beach Blackpool. The celebrity brought in to do the honours of opening the rides was legendary thespian Mr. David Hasselhof. They've done a great job with the new area which has given a fresh vibe to the park. The internet is going to be flooded with photos of the new rides. So I'm just going to post pix of me doing my paparazzi bit hassling The Hoff. Here you can also see the new ride from Mack, a Splash Bash, think tea cups in water. I can assure you he just trying to read what it says on her t-shirt.

As a TV geek any idea why this cameraman had a monitor on the top of the camera? Did you notice what it was being used it for? I've never found myself wishing I had one one when there's a perfectly good view finder and a colour flip out screen on the side. It's bad enough lugging around the kit I already do without adding a bulky monitor. And yuck V Lock batteries, I much prefer PAG. And forget those sexy Gerstlauer trains I'm more interested in the camera rig. What is that to the left of the camera mount, was it a light, monitor or a radio cam transmitter?

It was indeed lovely and smooth. Nice to ride a Boomerang that didn't give me a headache. It's a great step up coaster from the likes of Troublesome Trucks. It appeared some sections of track had been ground down to possibly remove some rough patches as there were areas where the paint was missing. But overall it was a great ride for the target it's aimed at, so don't go expecting an extreme experience as it's not meant to be. They were a bit behind schedule with the installation so the queue line we experienced today didn't have all the interactive elements it should have. They're working day and night between now and Saturday to get everything in and working. They really want it to be more than just a coaster with the queue being part of the whole experience. The founder of Drayton Manor, the current main man and the head of another coaster club. Celebrity street dancers, Twist and Pulse, prepare to cut the ribbon. The inside queue line Themeing Good over view of layout. Photo taken during press launch with permission, cameras will not be permitted on this ride at other times. In motion, on the forward pass or was it the reverse pass.

They're waiting to see how this year goes before making any decisions on new rides. Peppa Pig World proved very expensive so they need to recoup some of the money and then see where they are to know how much they can spend. Due to the level of theming in PPW, they don't want to just slap down another ride, they would want it to be highly themed too. So this naturally makes any future purchase more expensive than it would have done prior to PPW. They are going to give some of the older rides a makeover with new signage etc. to try and bring them more in line with the parks new direction and to totally eradicate Percy. The next major investment they have decided on is a new admissions area. The existing building will be demolished and replaced with a glass structure. Also, you will enter the car park by turning left before the little bridge every time, not just when the over flow is being used.

The soft openings are by invite only. Yesterday and today were press days. Next weekend is golden ticket competition winners. Then it opens to the public on the 9th. They're being very strict on access, I saw a few people getting huffy that they weren't being allowed in. Peppa Pig World looks simply stunning. The park hasn't scrimped or cut any corners. It really changes the park from a small local amusement park to a national park. Pretty much every ride has a little extra touch from on board audio to visual effects. The animatronic Peppa Pig scene in one of the houses is pretty cool as it re-enacts a short story from one of the TV episodes. OK the rides aren't too thrilling, but then the park isn't chasing thrill seekers, what they have done though is create possibly the UK's best Children's themed area. It outshines most of the kiddie lands found in other parks throughout Europe and the US. The only trouble is this new area makes the other rides in the park look dated and in needed of transformations. All the rides were built by either Zierer or Metallbau Emmeln. Muddy Puddles water spray ground Apparently these animatronic ducks were one of the hardest things to make in the park. Indoor play area, strictly no adults allowed. Ballon ride Just like the Toverland tower ride. Dinosaur ride, the best of the new rides. New side show stall to win Peppa Pig stuffed toys.

I've ridden at least half a dozen of these across Europe and the US and they are share the same trait, they're rough. I know due to their car design some affectionately call them George Forman Grill: The Ride.

Apparently Intamin don't know anything about this. So it's not a genuine Intamin Zac Spin. If it's a copy it's even more crazy that they're using and Intamin promo video for it.

Looks like it's got some interesting elements. Just a shame is so ludicrously short. One day some one has to build a full size coaster will be built in the UK, although I suspect this'll have to be a woodie.

Not wanting to be too picky but, Fiorano GT is actually a Maurer Sohne creation rather than a Premier Rides coaster. This is a photo of a section of the track for it waiting to be painted at the Maurer factory. I was invited to their factory as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations. Fiorano GT Challenge track waiting to be painted at the Maurer Sohne factory.

It does look like a fantastic ship, but I think I prefer the more art deco and traditional feel of the Wonder, the Dream looks a bit too modern and flashy for my liking. But then I was part of the inaugural launch team of the Wonder working as a sound and lighting engineer in the likes of Studio Sea, Wave Bands and the deck parties, so I'm bias. I actually got asked to go back and do the rig and launch of the Dream but turned it down, might go and do the Fantasy though. I certainly wouldn't rule out go on the Dream for a cruise, but right now I'm swaying towards going on the Wonder for an Alaskan cruise.

^ The Loop Fighter does look a bit more home made compared to the KMG Inversion. It could be because Loop Fighters have a more square and bulky construction compared to the Inversion. I personally prefer the ride experience of the Loop Fighter over the Inversion. Of the 2 Inversions I've ridden I've found them to be pretty dull and unexciting. I wouldn't bother paying out to ride another Inversion. However I did enjoy my one Loop Fighter experience and it pulled some decent g's. But I'd far rather have a decent German Breakdance or a Flying Circus any day.

I'm convinced this new ride is from Technical Park and not KMG. The photo's being used to promote it are the same photos of an existing travelling Loop Fighter shown on Technical Parks website. Loop Fighter I think it's the same as seen in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92SPXE4HIzw

^ From an email conversation with the parks marketing director.

Another big year for new attractions at Flamingoland. Hot on the heels of Mumbo Jumbo the park is adding yet another new coaster. This time a Zamperla Air Force family coaster. It's being built on the site of the marquee. Zamperla Air Force They're also opening a new penguin pool that they started building last year. If that's not enough they'll be a new educational interactive animal exhibit next to the Coach House Inn featuring ring tailed lemurs, porcupines, meerkats and of course flamingoes.

I think Intamin have made the biggest blunder by pushing technology further than it could cope. Some of the coasters with the biggest issues have been from Intamin. Dragster, loads of downtime in the opening year that also resulted in the cars losing their themeing. Kingda Ka, loads of downtime. Stealth had lots of down time in its opening year. i305 had to have trims added on the 1st drop and is now having sections re-profiled. Maverick had to have an inversion removed prior to opening. The boats for Shoot the Rapids were apparently too big for the trough. Several coasters had to have restraints modified following accidents. The solid over head restraints have proved painful on some coasters. Formula Rossa was closed down not long after opening due to technical issues.

What!!!!!! Your news crews still run with a separate sound operator. I don't get that luxury, I have to do the sound and film when out with a reporter. Guess the cutbacks haven't reached the US camera crews yet.

Mission Space will debut next year, it's going to be travelled by the Kroon family in the Netherlands. They've been releasing teasers for the ride without showing what it will be, this model now gives the game away. The Kroon family co-owned the original XXL Afterburner so already are known for their BIG rides. I beleive, but stand to be corrected, that the Kroon family are actually the people behind KMG.

From my trip to China I can say I've never seen so many people spitting. It's very gross. Admittedly I mainly saw it in Beijing, but still saw quite a few people doing it in Shanghai, where one guy managed to flob on my shoe.

Hollycombe is steam museum that is also home to the UK's largest collection of steam powered funfair rides. Among the collection is a 1912 set of Gallopers, the 1908 Razzle Dazzle that's regarded as the first white knuckle ride, 1911 Steam Yacht that is the precursor to the modern Pirate Ship, 1930 Juvenile ride that operate at Chessington World of Adventures till 1985 and the Dobby ride called Mr Field's Steam Circus that having been built in 1870 is the World's oldest mechanically driven fairground ride. Hollycombe Hollycombe is only open on selected dates throughout the year and I visited last weekend when it was open late at night. Anyone in the South of the UK really should pay this place a visit as 100 years on the rides are still great fun. The made thing about the Steam Yacht and Razzle Dazzle is they don't have any restraints and you just have to hang on. 1911 Steam Yacht. Nearly goes to 90degrees and there's no lap bar. The Steam Yacht has a big sound system. It was a popular ride. The World's 1st White Knuckle Ride. I guess this is what rides like Hully Gully and the Trabant are based on. It sat dozens of people, if only modern rides had such high capacity. A traditional set of Gallopers that was built in 1912. Old school shooting gallery. Big Wheel 1915 Haunted Walkthrough Even for it's age it had some good scares. Powering the Bioscope 1901 Steam Swings. Not as intense as the Steam Yacht and the riders control how high they swing. A bit vom inducing after a while. Another sign for the sign enthusiasts. CWoA's old kiddie ride. The World's oldest mechanically driven ride. The 140 year old ride could still go at quite a speed. Powering Mr Field's Steam Circus Mr Field's Steam Circus thumping sound system Finally, the 140 year old horses.

Shame you had such a crappy time at Belantis. I loved it when I went there last year. I had no issues at all with taking photos and video around the park. Strange that you had issues, they must have new stupid policies. In case you weren't aware the park is suppose to be shaped like the map of the world when viewed from above. A really cool touch I feel and creates a nice feature of the park. Being a relatively new park they've yet to complete it, but within a few years they should have, with the South America section reaching back to the entrance and thus completing a loop of the park. After that they'll work on an Asia area. The parks mascot is a mole. The area use to be used for coal mining and has been turned into a leisure area with jogging/cycling trails and of course Belantis so they felt a mole would be appropriate. I personally enjoyed Gotterflug and found it easy to operate. On my first attempt I managed over 20 flips, but wanted to beat the record so went on for a 2nd go and got something like 55. Completely agree the tow rope boat ride was dull, but not as bad as the one at Walygator Parc. Belantis is a bit short on major rides. Maybe in another 5 years it'll be worth another visit. Hope more parks build a rapid log flume boat ride thingy like their Pyramid one, it was great in a weird way. When you were at Plohn did you have the ride manager encouraging you to poke your camera up through the track to get a good shot of the train coming over the top. I declined despite his insistence that it would be safe as long as i didn't put my hand up too far. I was also wary when he had me standing on the hand rails by the bunny hills, I had my mate hanging onto my legs for dear life to stop me falling as the train shock the track as it flew by. As you say, if only parks in the US were this relaxed. Here are the photos from my trip to both parks last year Belantis Photos Plohn Photos Belantis Video Gotterflug Video Plohn Video Sorry for the external links, hope they're OK.