robbeal

I hope to god I can find a way (and a reason, other than this) to get up to that end of the US sometime soon-ish. It's not the easiest place to incorporate into a trip, but I really want to ride this now. It's looking rather awesome right now.

Well, I live in Northwich, Cheshire, UK which puts me smack in the middle of a lot of parks. Southport Pleasureland is probably my closest at about 50 minutes away. I also have Blackpool Pleasure Beach at just over an hour's drive away, and Alton Towers about the same distance/time in the other direction. Quite a prime location i'd say. I love being here, for that one reason. When i'm at uni, in Liverpool, I can get a train from the station 5 minutes walk away, straight to Southport in 35 minutes, which is one bonus of coming to uni!

My very limited woodie portfolio that extends to 2 parks gives me a rather easy decision here. At the moment, the double drop on the Grand National can't be beaten. Good air, even at the front, and still going pretty smoothly for its age. Hopefully this'll change in summer once Colossos has been rided!

3 drops came to mind initially. Firstly, Expedition GeForce's first drop. It's like the Big One's but, well, good. The way you just can't see where you're going from the top of the lifthill scared the hell out of me the first time! Secondly, Magnum Force/Dreier Looping's first drop. The major banking and crazy speed on that drop makes it the most intense one i've experienced. The third one, while not much is the pre-lift drop from the station on Nemesis: Inferno. It's basically just B&M showing off, but it's the best bit of the ride, and it's very cool!

Hmmm, *consults trans-atlantic flight costs* Nah, don't think so somehow! Pity really, as it'd be a good excuse to get out to California, something i've missed out on once this year already. Nice gesture of you guys to let people invade your place for the barbeque, good luck with organising it, and I hope it goes well!

My favourite picture from the last 12 months, of Nemesis: Inferno at Thorpe Park, on the fright nights.

Chessington has its own station (well, Chessington South I think), and is fairly accessible from London as far as I know. A few of my mates have done the journey before. Also, it's probably only about 10 minutes drive from Thorpe Park. They are close.

Just out of interest, would you recommend booking hotels in advance, or is it easy enough to get away with just booking into somewhere at the time. I'm in the US (fingers crossed) next year, and while I have the parks I want to hit planned out, I was trying to avoid any strict schedule, just to give us some freedom out there.

Me and my girlfriend have known each other almost 6 years now, through archery, because we both compete. I kinda liked her when I first saw her, and it got through to me through friends that she liked me too. This is after a year of having known each other. I was always afraid to do anything because of the age gap (2 1/2 years). Another year went by, the winter break came, she got hold of my mobile number and began messaging me. We were getting on well, and eventually I asked her out, and i've not looked back since. That was 3 years and 9 months ago tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure that The Drop is now at Funland, Hayling Island. This is also now home to Klondike, formerly of Drayton Manor. This park is probably only about 30 mins drive south of London, near Portsmouth, but to be honest, you're better sticking with Thorpe and Chessington. Thorpe has the better rides, Chessington has the better atmosphere, and Dragon's Fury.

Nothing of quite that standard, but i'm still quite impressed with my 20 rides on Nemesis: Inferno in one day, including getting stuck once! I've probably ridden that about 28 times overall now.

^ Possibly then. It was a monday, end of the August bank-holiday. I was stood chatting to a ride op waiting for it too. When they re-opened it, me and my 2 mates were the first ones, running up the queueline. Sad, yes, I was planning on keeping up with them though. You've just reminded me that I got stuck in the prone position on Air too, but in the station. They got us back down, sent the train around a few times, then let us back on. Missed a massive downpour while waiting though!

Trips this year. Well, mainly, I have a 5 day trip to Germany in July, 11th - 15th. It'll take in Heide Park, Movie Park, Phantasialand, Holiday Park & Europa Park. I also intend to get to Fantasy Island, Oakwood and Lightwater Valley, plus whatevr other English parks I can make it to. Also, I want to mention my US trip, even thought that's 2006. 4 weeks, taking in SFNE, SFGAdv, Dorney, Hershey, Kennywood, Geauga Lake, CP, PKI, PKD, BGW, Carowinds, SFOG, Wild Adventures, BGT, Universal and Disney. Can't wait for that one!

T-Shirt - A Von Dutch rip-off t-shirt that says Van Driver instead Jeans - Mish Mash (little known designer) Boxers - grey. Socks - black. Jumper - black Fcuk one with hood. So there ya go...

Hi, i'm Rob, i'm 21, i'm from England. I live about an hour from both Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I seem to have an account on most coaster forums these days. I post every now and then on Westcoaster. I'm a moderator on Coasterforce. You can usually recognise me from the avatar. I always have some variation on this one. Got a 5 day trip around Germany planned this summer, ironically the week after Robb I think. Then next summer, my intention is to trip from Boston to Orlando, taking in as many parks as possible on the way.

Well, it's a hell of a trek between the regions you've suggested, so unless you're either flying in between or planning to drive for days on end, it's probably not best. You could stick to either California, which is do-able with a bit of driving. There's a few parks in Texas that could constitute a trip. There's the south-east, with Florida and Georgia. Then there's the north-east, with Pennsylvania etc. Or, you could do what I plan to do next year, and road-trip from north-east to south-east and take in 16 or so parks on the way :o

Back in August, I was on Nemesis: Inferno when it broke down as it hit the brakes and we had to be evacuated along the catwalks underneath the breakrun. I then managed to be on the first train back out when it was up & running again, front row too.

Last coaster of any merit was Shockwave at Drayton Manor nearly 4 months ago! I did ride a Reverchon mouse at the Leeds Valentines Fair 2 weeks ago, but that doesn't count, it wasn't good enough. Next coaster, something at Blackpool PleasureBeach on saturday.

I'd probably say that Shakira is the most interesting ride being built at the moment, i mean, look at the size of that Immelmann! Realistically though, i'd go for Rita at Alton, because out of all the rides i'll actually get to ride, this is the most interesting one for me.