StealthFan

This new year my family continued its 21 year long family tradition of visiting Butlins. The past 14 of those years have been to Skegness and this was no different. As per usual when I visited I always take a trip just down the road to Fantasy Island to see what happening over the winter season. Having visited the park last year for the first time during operating times since 2010 (Trip Report can be found here.) I was very interested to see what progress was being made this year. What goodies do you think you will find in the Fantasy Island parts bin? The major job the park is undertaking is a complete repaint of Odyssey. One of these parts is not like the other. The quality of the paint job so far is without doubt the best quality repaint I've seen undertaken in this country on any ride. How do you protect the brakes and have something to cheer you up when freezing and painting a ride? You wrap them in bubblewrap obviously! The biggest shock to me was the fact that I saw an entire coaster in the car park! The parks recently repainted Wild Mouse coaster was dismantled and placed in the car park. I have literally no idea why this has taken place but the ride was down at the end of last season. How many people just nerdgasmed? Is this the end for one of the parks most popular rides? I personally hope not as I do love a good spinning mouse. Hmmm something is missing. Ah yes this may be it. It may look simple but the importance of these devices can't be taken lightly. Poor Millennium looks like its been locked up in prison for the winter. How many rides do you know that are literally on the side of the road? I have always loved this shot! #SmoothVekoma I dont think anyone will be doing the Twist for the moment. Those are some very neatly placed Top Scan arms. I can't even remember what ride this was/is. Dodgems maybe? I spy with my little eye a train. This is where the Wild Mouse used to sit. Will it return? Thats it for Fantasy Island this closed season. As per usual it looks like a lot of great work is going on once again and with the park now up for sale hopefully the future is bright. I hope I can get back to the park once its open to see Odysseys paint job finished and someone who really has a passion for the industry buys the park. Also for anyone wondering what sort of thing Butlins provide for New Years entertainment check out this fireworks display from New Years Day. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

Seeing all that scaffold go up around Big Thunder really makes you appreciate how big that project is for the park.

http://www.vrcoaster.com/technology.php Looking at this and going under the assumption that they would use this system it looks pretty simple too install the system. I could see the ride getting new trains regardless though to hopefully improve the amount of issues with restraints and constantly hearing "Row 2, Seat 3. Row 4, Seat 1". As for updating the theming I think that may just being done to make the station easier to access and to re route pathways as the shop gets replaced with the new roller coaster restaurant.

The mountain looks amazing! Sometimes I do forget just how beautiful the park is.

Thats actually a really good point. I wouldn't complain at shorter queues for Stealth or Nemesis Inferno.

Of course not! Universal won't keep cutting the budget on that ride. So does that also come with Soarin' like queue lengths?

On a side note to this great addition to the park, they have recently won an award that I think is incredibly important. Of course that award is for the "Top Theme Park Toilets!". More information on this well deserved award can be found here.

I have no issued with this what so ever! The Junior Boomerangs are a lot of fun and it will complement the spaghetti coaster fantastically with its offering for the younger riders.

I doubt that will happen due to the amount of modifications Rameses has had over the years. On another note Alton Towers released this teaser video yesterday which confirmed to me that Air will have its name changed to "Space" and thats the whole update! [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

Im really unsure about the new ride concept. I do like the idea that it caters to all audiences but I do think its going to look really stupid as well.

That track is just gigantic. I don't think this can be compared to Divertical or Pilgrims Plunge at all I think this is something different and new.

Considering Mack tested their spinning car on Blue Fire I don't see any reason what so every as to why this couldn't be one.

Im pretty sure I survived this one. The one at Farup on the Scandi trip in 09 on the other hand that didn't end so well for me

It does amaze me just how much the park has changed since my visit in 2008. Im glad to see that the triangle of death is still in the park though!

I did feel like Montu was on its own in the park during my visit to the park so I love that this revitalising the area. It may seem strange but I'm actually looking forward to seeing the vertical lift go up and all the theming with it.

And this is why she is a terrible person! I really wish I got to see the classic Dragons entrance in person before the Potter virus took over.

That looks like a lovely little village around the entrance too the ride. Im sure it will look amazing considering what they managed to do with a tea cups ride.

That looks more like a police control room than a ride control room.

Im not expert on Orlando planning rules and regulations or fully knowledgeable on this whole situation, but if Skyplex is going to be successful (which is looks like it will be) I assume Universal will have the right to appeal the decision and most likely use it.

I dont know. Imagine Kimi in one seat then Robb in the other, I would love to see that.

Its amazing how popular these Sky Flys seem to have become. I wonder if the spin counter will be visible to the guests as they ride as I'm pretty sure they already have one installed in the ride anyway.

I have no idea why there is a small child hanging from the ceiling. I don't remember seeing that happen when I visited Ireland.

So for those of you that are not interested in Formula One this weekend was the annual Adu Dhabi Grand Prix so naturally Ferrari sent their 2 star drivers, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel to Ferrari World to ride Formula Rossa. Click here to see them riding the worlds fastest roller coaster and tell me if you could keep a straight face like Kimi does.

If this coaster isn't called something like "The Bumble Bee Coaster" I will be very disappointed.

I dont understand how people find it so difficult to follow a rule as simple as remain seated. The fact of the matter is if you can't follow simple rules such as that you shouldn't have the privilege (and yes it is a privilege) to ride. Plus the world would be a lot better if more people had even a shred of common sense. Ive said it before and I will say it again, people suck!