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StealthFan

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  • Birthday 01/25/1991

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  1. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] This Wednesday just gone the Thompson family kindly invited the press and media to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for the launch of their new £16.5 million double launched roller coaster Icon! I want to start of and just say this is without a doubt the best media event I have ever been too in all the years I've been dong this. It was phenomenally well organised, we were all looked after to the highest standard and given all the information you could possibly need. I genuinely can't fault the park in any way for this event and think they should be just as proud of how they presented this event as the ride itself. But not on to the ride itself as I know thats what your all waiting to hear about. To put it in simple terms this ride is easily now in the top 3 rides in the country. Im known for being a very cynical person these days and don't really expect to be impressed, but this ride blew me away repeatedly. The park didn't look at their spacial restraints as an issue they looked at them as a challenge. From the dreams of Amanda Thompson conjuring up the idea of the cherry blossom falling in the wind, to Nick Thompsons days of pacing the park to find the perfect area to put the ride, combine with Mack Rides engineering and creativity you get what can only be called Icon. The ride wouldn't have been possible if not for modern technology. Due to the nature of the parks rides and their age they didn't have a full set of engineering documents to go by to help with the design of the ride, so Mack did the next best thing they did and 3D easily half the park so they could work with the most accurate documents. This in itself has allowed them to twist and bend the ride so beautifully in the park its like the park has been moulded for the ride and not the other way round. I could keep going on and on about the engineering behind the ride and the ride itself but I think the honest truth is the pictures will tell a much better story than I can so here we go. As soon as you arrive in Blackpool you will be sure to know all about Icon. Here is our first look (from a distance) at Icon! All checked in and ready to go. Everyone loved some good nerdy facts. How many of these do you find surprising or interesting? 7 years of work went into Icon! The Thompson and Mack families sit down with park and coaster club representatives for a Q&A about Icon. After which we were taken to the ride for our first close up look at the ride. Featuring live music! Everyone is ready to ride, but not before the Thompson and Mack family cut the ribbon to officially open Icon! Do you dare to ride? Its sleek, its modern but how will it ride? As you enter the station the mood changes and the tension build. The music is blaring and building that tension because before you know it. You are launching your way into a phenomenal experience. Which is not only smooth and quiet.... but generates serious air time which just increases as the ride warms up. The first half of the ride is great in itself but then you hit the second launch and it just keeps going! The ride is also so photogenic! In the sun it just looked so good! While the ride doesn't have a huge theme per say it has some beautiful touches like these posts around the ride area with the names of people who have helped the ride to become a reality on. As mentioned earlier the park was 3D scanned to make the ride happen. An added bonus of this you can buy that scan with Icon on it in the shop now! Thats what you call unique merchandise! Pleasure Beach is known for its "Iconic" photo opportunities. This ride has now created so many new ones. An fantastic old classic in the background and a new fantastic attraction in the front! For those who know me the last time you probably saw me this happy on a ride was I think Frozen Ever After! GO RIDE ICON NOW! Just do it, you won't be disappointed. I don't want to keep going on about how great I think this ride is. I will just say plain and simple head down to the park and experience it for yourself. I think this now takes the crown for the best Mack Launched coaster to date and id love to think you would too. Comment below and tell me what you think of the ride, if you want to go on it. With all this being said I cant leave any trip to Blackpool without an aftermath pic of Valhalla now can I. -Craig
  2. On Friday Theme Park Review were lucky enough to have been invited to the Press Launch for Alton Towers latest addition the "Wicker Man". Wicker Man is Alton Towers brand new GCI woodie and is situated on the site of the parks old Log Flume. The ride itself is everything you have come to expect from GCI over the years and its expertly complimented by some high quality theming and special effects. As you arrive near the ride you are immersed into the world of the Beornen who have decided that you are to become a "chosen one" who shall be sacrificed too the great Wicker Man. The Wicker Man himself stands tall over you, engulfed in flames with the twists and turns of the coaster bursting out of him. The whole area and queue line becomes very immersive as you walk around enclosed by the structure of the coaster, the roars of the other chosen ones screaming past as the fires rage only build the anticipation more for the ride. After dropping you bags off you are ushered into the pre show room where the origins of the ritual you are about to take part in are revealed to you using some very impressive projection mapping techniques. After the pre show you enter the station and get read to board the train. The whole station is beautifully designed and keeps you immersed in the experience you are about to undertake. The ride itself is a very solid GCI that interacts beautifully with its surrounding and depending where you sit you can get a different experience due to the way certain effects are programmed. It has a great mix of all sorts of forces, high speed turns and maybe even a few surprises thrown in for good measure. If you are lucky enough to have survived being chosen you are informed you must "Exit to the left. There is no escape to the right" which I think was a brilliant way to make sure people get off the correct side. Over all the attraction plays very much to its strengths allowing for a very good immersive experience. Arriving at the park early meant I could check out the new entrance plaza. A very different looking place now which will hopefully allow for an easier flow of people into the park. The Nemesis monster has finally had its repaint and looks great. Time to check in as the Wicker Man is waiting. The Beornen have arrived and we will soon board our chariots to the ride. Strike the Wicker Man pose! The Beornen are fascinated by my mystical stone capturing our likeness for all eternity. Its seems the area has been decorated the arrival of the chosen ones. The Wicker Man has a very imposing presence. The story unfolds as you learn you fate. That you will be sacrificed to the Wicker Man And engulfed in flames. The flames are heard crackling in the background as you prepare to board. Where you shall learn to worship the Wicker Man! Fancy head band means I have been inducted into the cult! Got wood? Alton Towers do now! This has to be at the top of the list of most expensive park merchandise I've ever seen! The eternal flame burning in the heart of the Wicker Man! Even the courtyard has had a make over featuring the Beornen's local pub. More fire, more fun! A great night spent at the park and solid addition to the parks line up. Thanks again to Alton Towers for having us out for the evening and we look forward to seeing what Secret Weapon comes next! -Craig
  3. With the season getting ever closer I managed to squeeze in another quick trip to Fantasy Island to see what progress has been made since I was last there. It seems the Fantasy Mouse has returned after its trip to London over the winter! Im sure it won't be long before the ride is fully built again. It also seems that one of the 2 new rides for this year has arrived and is replacing Amazing Confusion! As the sun sets a new era for Fantasy Island begins! In the saddest news I can possibly ever report McDonalds has left Fantasy Island completely after shutting down early last season! I stood here 19 years ago when the ride was all fresh and new and im here again watching it get reborn! The last part of Millennium too be painted is the lift hill! Is this a bonus helix? Nope just a normal one. I alway thought this part of the ride was so photogenic! Not long now until the park re opens again and we can see what colour they have decided to paint the train as well!
  4. Thorpe Park today announced that 2018 will be "The Year of The Walking Dead" at the park. With multiple experiences happening through out the year it seems the Walking Dead have truly invaded the island! The headliner to be announced is rumoured to be a re themed version of X. What are your thoughts of the park getting yet another IP, comment below and let us know!
  5. No it was next to what used to be McDonalds many years ago/ by the first turn of Rhombus. It was there along with Beast having been relocated next to it.
  6. [quote name="Nrthwnd" By the way' date=' what is Psycho? A walk-through/funhouse or a dark ride? Its walkthrough/fun house/scare attraction combo. I thought it was only put there for "Fear Island" to replace the Crazy Mouse which went to Winter Wonderland. I assume Crazy Mouse will come back soon enough as its one of the parks most popular rides from what I can see. To be fair ive never seen the ride busy and it did take up an awkward space in the park. Im sure the park has plans for the space in the future as they do seem to be continually investing. I personally would like to see a good dark ride in the parks future as long as it doesn't replace the Seaquarium
  7. With all the big news happening in the UK recently its easy to forget that other parks are steaming along with their own winter programs of maintenance and TLC. Such a park is Fantasy Island. This closed season has seen the removal of G-Force and the repaint of Millennium. Today I took a quick trip down the road to the park and took a look at what has been going on for myself. "Welcome to Fantasy Island!" Time to take a look at the new life the owners are continuing to bring to Fantasy Island. This will look very different soon enough. The last big section of the ride that needs to be painted. I cant deny I actually prefer the colour of the base coat than the finished green. Mid loop transformation. Smoothest Vekoma loop in the world? And the award for the worlds most pointless transfer track goes to.......... Its weird to think I remember this ride opening and looking all new and shiny. Part of the finished product. New meets old. Is this attraction staying for next year after the Halloween event or is Crazy Mouse returning? What are your thoughts on the new colours and the removal of G-Force? Comment below and let us know!
  8. PAULTONS PARK ANNOUNCES BIG PEPPA PIG WORLD EXPANSION The world’s first Peppa Pig theme park attraction, Peppa Pig World, is getting bigger and better as Paultons Park announces plans for a significant extension with fun new rides and facilities. Fans of the Entertainment One’s (eOne) hit TV series will be snorting with delight when the two new rides, The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, are unveiled to the public on Wednesday May 16, 2018. The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride will take families on a tour around the newly extended part of Peppa Pig World in individual coaches on a monorail that starts from the top of the Queen’s castle, a signature point of the attraction. Children and parents will also be able to hop aboard boats at Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club where they can cruise along the new water route around Peppa Pig World and discover Pirate Island. As well as the new rides, Paultons Park has also created an additional dedicated baby care centre and a new catering outlet called The Queen’s Kitchen, in Peppa Pig World. Stephen Lorton, commercial director at Paultons Park, said: “This is a very exciting announcement for Paultons Park. Peppa Pig World continues to be very popular and attracts huge numbers of visitors from all over the world in the six years since its opening. A magical aspect of the expansion is that the Queen’s Flying Coach Ride offers panoramic views of Peppa Pig World and the Park beyond.” Katie Rollings, Head of UK Licensing at Entertainment One, said: “We are delighted to work with Paultons Park on the expansion of the ever-popular Peppa Pig World. Paultons Park offers families the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the world of Peppa Pig and since opening in 2011, it has become an instrumental part of this beloved brand.” A must-see destination for fans of Peppa Pig, Paultons Park has twice been awarded TripAdvisor’s top accolade of best UK amusement park and has welcomed millions of visitors and scores of celebrity faces since first opening in 2011, including Katherine Jenkins, Alesha Dixon and Holly Willoughby. Peppa Pig World is one of the many highlight features of the park and extensive planning has gone into the creative development of the new extension which offers fans new rides and facilities. With the addition of the two new rides there are now nine rides in total at Peppa Pig World, as well as an indoor play area, water splash area, and the largest and only dedicated Peppa Pig shop in the world. There is also a chance for children to visit Peppa and her family in their hilltop house. The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club will be open to the public at Paultons Park – home of Peppa Pig World, from Wednesday May 16, 2018. For further information about Paultons Park including opening times and to book tickets online in advance, visit: http://www.paultonspark.co.uk
  9. Galactica which uses the pouches works like this. -Train returns with guest on and seats come down -Restraints stay locked as multiple staff go round wiping headsets and placing them in pouches -Restrains unlock and guest leave -New guest boards and lower restraints. Headsets must stay in bag -Restraints lock and attendants come round to check them, pick up your headsets, wipe it then give it to you. -Guests fuck about with headsets then staff activate them. -After easily 8-10 mins the ride is ready to be sent. This all in all requires 8 attendants on each staton minimum. It's a compete cluster fuck
  10. I dont think it could have been said any better than this. I am surprised its taken a park so long to buy one of these after Falcons Fury. This now gives me another awesome thing to ride due to me and Insane not getting on very well!
  11. Okay time to throw my hat in the ring about this investment. Im going to cut straight to the point and say I'm more interested in what toilet paper I will buy next than this. Merlin have done nothing but deliver lack lustre investments and lazy attempts at re theming IN MY OPINION over the last few years so I have no reason to think this will be any different what so ever. I have never been of the belief that Alton needed a woodie and I stand by that even now. Don't get me wrong I love woodies but this does nothing for me. Hell I mean they may prove me wrong and this may be a kick arse ride if it gets built without the locals moaning about it. If that day does come I will happily give them the credit for it but until it happens I am not going to be paying much if any attention to this project.
  12. Recently Theme Park Review were invited to the preview event for the brand new "Lost Kingdom". Im going to be honest before I start that I love to visit Paultons Park whenever I can. To me it is one of, if not the nicest and most relaxing parks in the country, so this land had a lot to live up to in my eyes. I can safely say that it most certainly did that. For those of you who don't know "Lost Kingdom" is the brand new land opening at Paultons Park that transports guests back to the Jurassic era featuring 2 brand new roller coasters. This investment is the single biggest in the park history at a staggering £9 million! The new area definitely helps widen the appeal of the park to a larger audience and age range as previously the park was predominantly pushed towards very young families with Peppa Pig World. With the help of RMA Themed Attractions the park have created a fully immersive environment that impresses from the moment you walk in the archway. I can't deny that I have been very lucky with the parks I've been able to visit all over the world so I am not easily blown away by things these days but I could tell in an instant just how much love and care the park have put into this area. Everything has been thought out and has logic behind it, it didn't feel tacky, cheap or rushed. I got the impression that this area wouldn't have opened at all until the park were happy with it which is such a great feeling to have walking around. When you remember the park isn't owned by some huge company like Merlin, Cedar Fair, Six Flags etc and they self funded it makes this all the more impressive. I could go on but I think I will let the photos do some of the talking. Yay we have arrived All checked in and ready to go! First stop was the brand new family SLC, Flight of the Pterosaur Having already been on a few of these I knew what to expect going in. And that of course is that these rides are a hell of a lot of fun. It astonishes me that this is the only one of these in the UK. All of these people agree that the ride is just so much fun! Who doesn't love a good nerdy sign? This is a fossil of the flatosauras rex! Another brand new ride for the park was next up! And what an Eggstrodinary ride it was too. A personal favourite of mine was the Dinosaur Tour Co car ride. Which even has a themed queue line feature a cave! This plane made me think of the game Uncharted so I started to sing Nates theme. Im pretty sure every single dinosaur in the whole of Lost Kingdom moves which adds so much to the atmosphere. You couldn't have a prehistoric themed area without waterfalls! Why are this dinosaurs eyes closed? Maybe he had a strong curry last night. Why not take a ride for yourself with the Dinosaur Tour Co and check out this POV! [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] How many people wish this dino managed to eat me? For all those wanting to explore Lost Kingdom here is a handy map for you. Now on to what I personally believe will be the most popular part of the Lost Kingdom! A meet and greet with a T-Rex! Well hello my T-Rex, please dont eat me. Who wants to get head butted by a T-Rex? I didn't but it happened and it was awesome! Bye bye T-Rex! Who thinks this looks like Trixie from Toy Story? Ever thought of trying some Dino Plops? I can neither confirm nor deny that this is where said plops are produced. No Dinos here. Some of the parks old rides have been re themed for the new land such as their Tivoli coaster. The ride looks almost brand new and if you didn't know any better you would think the park only just purchased the ride. Everywhere you look something has been themed. This door is literally just to allow access to the main footer for the SLC. Good to see the Dinos are all about H&S and are wearing hard hats. The second big addition for Lost Kingdom is Velociraptor. This is a custom junior boomerang and only the 2nd of this ride type in the country! Who wishes they could have the ride to themselves like this? This is a sign of quality when it comes to these 2 new rides. I love the colour of the track on this ride! Was the train going backwards or forwards in this picture? Its a mystery we may never know the answer too! I have to say I believe this ride is better than Ben 10 and when the train is fully loaded there is even some surprised airtime. "Hands up if you love Velociraptor!" If I was to be a bit picky I think the tarmac does let the area down slightly but that may just be due to how new it is. Hopefully when it fades and gets weathered it won't stand out as much. "Hows the weather up there?" The Lost Kingdom has nearly awoken and roared into life. Are you ready for it? The whole area is huge in terms of investment to the park and will hopefully bring more guests to this side of the park. "Oh its like a little baby dinosaur!" Sadly the time has come to leave the Lost Kingdom after a fantastic day. Over all I can praise the park enough for the job they have done and I truly believe that they have a good chance of impacting Chessington's visitor numbers over the next few years if they keep this up. Also I want to thank the park for throwing one of the best and most well organised media events I've been too in this country as well. If you get the chance to visit the park I can't recommend it enough! -Craig
  13. Other than the terrifying giant rubber duck I look forward to seeing what Europa can do with theming a water park.
  14. It does amaze me how many people are desperate for an opening date. I would happily wait until next year if it ensured the ride was completed correctly and to a high standard. Yes I understand they did say an opening time and the ride was delayed but that happens with most construction projects in all walks of life. Even with the ride closed at least they have opened the shop which has some pretty cool stuff such as this Derren Brown Fortune Teller! [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]
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