Ewan

Alton Towers.

I rode the Cyclone in 1999 and I loved every second of it. It was wild, rough but exciting. I dont really care about it losing it ACE status, to me the most important thing is the fact that it is being properly maintained to ensure that it will run for years to come. I am a bit concerned over the re-profiling aspect of the re-tracking. When you consider that this was designed and built before computers it leaves some of the modern woodies standing. Does anyone know where this is happening? I do remember my partner commenting on the fact that the car we rode on seemed to be held together by string ( this added to the thrill element to me lol, not much for him though, coward!). The cars were comfortable due the padding and some of the modern designs aren't so. Well done for Zamperla for recognising that this coaster is not only important to Coney Island but to history. If only we had some coasters like this in Scotland. sigh.

I think the sad thing is that the park had so much land that had soooo much potential. It will be missed. Transport links would have helped majorly here. Alton Towers was worth visiting because it has the rides. Maybe good sponsorship such as Paultons with their new Peppa Pig World may have made a difference. Scotland does need a good Park. M &D's gets the punters but god knows why. They are strange with their restrictions. My 5 yr old nephew wasn't allowed on the kids horse ride by himself and I wasn't allowed to take him on it!!!

Yeah it is a strange thing that Denmark etc can sustain all these great wee parks and we cant in the UK. I really did like this park. Transport was probably a problem as there were no public transport links near enough to it. If there had been would it have made a change? It was quiet but the kids enjoyed it. Henk also ran Dreamland in Margate for a couple of years. Do you think that this is a trend for him? Who knows?

I am sad to see that this aprk is closing as in my opinion it had so much potential. This is especially compred to the ghetto fair looking M &D's. It had some good rides and needed some good investment which Henk seemingly had started. One criticism of this park was that they had strange opening times. One day that we went to the park it was opened from 10am to 4pm!!! Such a short time to get roud all the rides plus have lunch. I have a lot of young nephews and neices and they always enjoyed the park. Yes Scotland is dictated to by the weatherbut we are hardy and like to have fun no matter what. Shame again that it is closing. Will be missed.

The NEC looked good but really quiet. Had an evening at the SECC in Glasgow after xmas with my 5yr old neice and friends. Had a great time as she is just big enough for some of the big rides and has become a speed demon, can't wait for her to get on the big coasters!! There were a lot of big spin and pukes and fortunately this year got on a lot of them. Birmingham looked lke it could do with a lot more thouh. Hopefully over the next few years they will expand. looked like you lot had a great time though.

OMG! finally I am going to be in SoCal for the dates. Now all I have to do is to persuade my boyf if he will go (going to use emotional blackmail as I turn 40 the week prior and this is my birthday holiday) Was at SFMM in Oct and had a crap time as there were no Qbots left and we only got on 3 coasters. Is it advisable to hire a Qbot for WCB??? Also is the $30-40 over and above the park entry?? Coming from Scotland and not been able to do any TPR trips so far I would love to do this meet. Even if I can only do one park I wil go. Wish me luck with the blackmail!!!

OK I need to stop sitting here feeling jealous of these trips and plan to go on next years Europe trip. That spinner looks really good. Is it a good thing that I am getting jealous of a two year old who has travelled more than me???

Loks like a freaky ride but hey us guys in Europe are known for them. If anyone fancies having one of them check this out. http://www.usedrides.com/viewpicture.asp?expire=90&type=1&owner=0&search=1&off=0&page=3&ref=20760&sessionint=True

AAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH !!!!! I am sure that someone is out to get me. My partner and I always try and schedule a trip to California in March and I have missed the West coast Bash every time!!!!! Hope fully next year I will get there. Hope every one has a great time from a very jealous scotsman.

This loks like a great coaster and water ride. The lift would make me think about going on though. Heres a thought - ifthe towers were enclosed like a cage would that encourage more people to ride it? It may help to make it lok more sturdy? Living in the UK, apart from Oakwood, we don't really have any spectacular chute rides. Would love to go to HW. Must look up the trips next year.