andyuk200523

If Universal linked the two parks, wouldn't they be shooting themselves in the foot? At the moment, one group of tourists visit the Studios, one visit IoA and some will visit both (Great Income) If they link the two parks, aren't they just going to reduce their income? Either that or the ticket price will double?!

That is the Fire Engine that was used during the Thorpe Blows It Up Event, I don't remember seeing anything in the plans for a Fire Engine on the Swarm Island, although it would probably fit right in!

^ From a very reliable friend who was on a recent behind the scenes tour, it goes better than that......The main reason they are having to rehab the front of Valhalla is that as well as using the old Big One track, they used old track from the woodies on site that had been replaced, and it has all rotten beyond easy repair, hence the total removal of the front and refurb..... Funny story that was told during the behind the scenes tour.... Geoffrey Thompson was so keen on not spending unnecessary money (hence the above) when they converted the log flume from twin loading station to a single one, the staff ordered a brand new RSJ Beam for the building and painted it to look old so they wouldn't get in serious trouble!!! True Story!

If RCS are building it, we can expect it to be complete in the next few weeks RCS are awesome!

100% Correct!

Awesome news on The Big One! it looks like they are retracking probably the most painful part of the ride...good on them! I completely forgot they used sections of the old Big Ones first drop in the facade for Valhalla, looks kinda funny, I wonder if they will use the new "old" Big One track when they re-facade it This is very good news for Blackpool, I may even make a trip next year again!

It has been announced by Bagatelle France it will open in 2012

I am fairly certain I have seen in a Video on Youtube of John Wardley giving a talk inside the drop section he mentions that it is actually a true freefall, the hydraulic cylinder is for lifting the section of track, I think I was correct in thinking this. I will try to dig out the video. Edit - Found Video

Nice to see different angles however I wish Thorpe wouldn't post old photos!!! In the 3rd one they haven't even started constructing the corkscrew, yet in the photo I posted it is complete! I am all for Dev diaries, however they need to be up to date, honestly Thorpe!

Swarms Corkscrew has been completed and also the first drop plane has been started..... Photo from Go Merlin on Facebook Looking good Swarm

Panasonic Travel Zoom Series......... DMCTZ18 or TZ20, they are both fantastic cameras, Lens made by Leica, full HD recording for video too, massive zoom range and exceptionally high quality photos..... However, in America I believe these models are called the ZS8 & ZS10. Go and try one out at a camera store, you will not be disappointed.

It isn't quite as banked as some of the stand up coaster inclined loops, to me it looks more like an overbanked turn/helix combo

You know your a coaster nerd when you say the following.... We NEED to see that photo!!!!!

Not having ridden El Toro myself, however I have ridden Balder, and without a doubt, it is insane, especially at around midnight after a day of running.....in the back seat Experience like no other !

I am always quite shocked at how over supported these 4D Coasters are!! Looking good though!

Ahhhh, I See, I thought you were on about the angle of ascent (ie. how steep it was) I do agree though, and I cannot wait to be there opening day.....I know there will be a silly queue and it will probably have some operational issues, but I have my SLR for those periods

That's just the angle I think, it's actually very drawn out. But don't take that as a negative, I think that'll make it work better for these trains, alot more graceful. I love this shot of the ride and how it towers over stealth's station Kumba's Zero G Looks more stretched out than Swarms!!!!

Some of those photos are truly incredible, what sort of kit do you use? Personally, I have an EOS 450D and will have a few lenses for it at christmas hopefully, just the standard kit lens at present, I will pop a few of my photos below. These were all taken in Yorkshire in early September. (Ok, well more than a few!)

Looking and running very good here in the UK on Chrome.

We have a Winner

Keep trying guys

Oooo, Initially incredibly tough!!!! Found it though! Slalom @ Pattaya Park Funny Land, Thailand Try this one

Went to the local Theatre last week to see The Straits....... Quick Explanation, When Dire Straits split up, Mark Knopfler is well reported as saying he is not interested in performing with Dire Straits again (fast forward 20 years) Alan Clark who was the Keyboardist for Dire Straits from 1980 till the split happened was contacted for a Charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, he was asked if he could do something Dire Straits related, so he contacted another Ex Dire Straits member (Chris White (an amazing Saxophone player btw) and they decided to form "The Straits", they have scoured the world looking at Dire Straits tribute bands looking for a suitable stand-in for Mark, however none of them were good enough or had the stand out style of Mark Knopfler, however one day they were looking at Youtube for people playing some of Dire Straits classic songs, and stumbled across a guy called Terence Reis from Mozambique, he plays with such an amazing style of guitar playing, he is almost Mark Knopfler's double! He also has a very similar sounding voice..... ....The Charity concert had rave reviews, there is so much demand for the sounds of Dire Straits to be heard live again they have decided to do a 10 date tour, I managed to see them on night 6 of their tour, and let me tell you, it was incredible, every major hit was played with amazing precision, I have attached a few videos I filmed of the gig, which the band asked everyone to do if they wanted to to try and do some extra promotion as they are having an amazing time doing the tour, they have said that if there is enough demand (and I think there will be) they will tour again next year, I will definitely be in line for those tickets!!!! Enjoy!

^ I was under the impression some of the new rides at Lightwater Valley this year came from Loudoun? I could be mistaken though.

You wrote that the reason the park closed was because of the accident, I can fully understand that I am sure it did a bit of harm to the visitor numbers, however it was certainly not the reason of the closure, beings that the accident was in 2007, the park were cleared of any wrongdoing in 2009, and the park closed at the end of 2010! There have been plenty (unfortunately) of Theme Park accidents around the world, even quite a few at some of the Six Flags properties, these did not affect visitor numbers, there have been incidents in the UK too which have not affected visitor numbers to the point of closure, so I am not saying that is would not have affected the visitor numbers, just merely saying that considering the timeline, it was not the reason for closure.