snoflake15

Strange thing last night. Over the years I have this repetitive dream about being at AT and just arriving when it's closing and it's too late to go on anything. Definitely symbolism in there somewhere. Anyway last night it was a similar dream only this time I made it in time to go on Nemesis. However when I was on it my restraint was snapped and I was holding on for dear life. Woke myself up halfway round and when I came round my arms were sore!!! Clearly Tuesday has invaded by subconscious!

The opening was headlining on BBC breakfast news this morning. Again very balanced reporting. A PR guy was on praising Merlin for their approach so far. Also saying local hotels very busy with bookings again. BBC has been very sensible throughout on this, unlike Sky. Has anyone posted the link to that Sky interview yet by the way?

Glad to hear they've done well in compensating the guests.

Thanks for the report. My local park. It's on the road south from Glasgow and the joke if we were ever going to Blackpool or Alton Towers was 'why don't we just go to M and D's instead?' Tornado is truly brutal and I still don't ride it even though it is one of very few Scottish coasters. The invert is a bit better. Was on it last year and it was better than I remembered. Generally take my 4 year old to go on kiddie rides and he likes watching the coasters.

Wasn't it two? I thought HSE cleared them to open on Saturday, but they remained closed Saturday & Sunday. I dunno, I think I'd be extremely upset if I had made plans to go to Alton Towers for the weekend and was booked into one of their hotels. I just cannot imagine how staying closed when they weren't required to is going to win them that many points with the public. But that's just me. I agree that if you were booked up for this weekend you'd be pretty angry. Given the loss of income to AT that's what makes me think it's a pretty sound basis for keeping it closed. Merlin seem fairly rattled by this. Rightly so given its a serious accident with a flagship ride. Maybe it's over caution, maybe it's for sound logistical reasons. We may never know.

^ I suppose we need to trust their judgement on this. They may well still be working behind scenes on new procedures etc. May also want to have smiler hidden away a bit and get x sector opened. Think the GP will have their own views on seriousness and future safety. Doubt an extra day will make too much of a difference on their views long term. And Robb I can't believe you said that about Kay Burley either!

Paul Burton from European Coaster Club just on bbc news. He emphasised the rarity of this, the importance of safety etc. Always good to hear some sanity in all the hysteria.

Just watched the Sky interview. She got nowhere and Varney held his own. Can just imagine those in hospital being so pleased to see him at their bedside. Petitions like that above just give her more oxygen. She is best ignored.

If they are talking about "procedures" would that tend to suggest human error was the cause?

^ maybe. For those who have been on it, is it possible he could have seen the other train from the lift hill?

Thanks, I found a news article where somebody who was on it and seems to confirm this. Kind of chilling. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-rollercoaster-crash-passenger-5824114 Is it just me or is anyone else suspicious of this person contacting the Mirror about his story but "not wanting to be named"?

Go read the article which has a link some pages back. There's not a crumb of evidence to back up that sensationalist headline.

^ if it was human error then biggest delay could be fixing the two trains involved.

Lots of quotes in that article to justify the headline! No way on earth will they scrap this so soon. Unless there was some catastrophic issue which is highly unlikely. Personally it just makes me want to ride it more. If it keeps the lines shorter then that's to the benefit of those still wishing to ride it.

^^ think you're probably not far off Robb. Would be very surprised if AT's policy was to allow guests on in maintenance mode.

Accidents have a much bigger impact on you when it's much closer to home. Hard to imagine what was going through the heads of those on the train when they saw that train. Or perhaps worse still the impact came from nowhere. Really hope the injuries aren't too serious. And despite the incidents I am still desperate to try it out!

Could do with something new that really has the WOW factor. It's been a while.

Plans are already in place to re theme it as another Saw: The Ride.

Does Ninja now qualify as a woodie?

The lines in DLP was the one big negative when we visited. Didn't get on TOT at all and Rock and Roller kept breaking down. Main reason I got on as many rides as I did was getting on a few close to the end of the night.

Will have to get over there when it opens. Looks great.

They could replace it with a hole in the ground and it would be an improvement!

Some advice please. Going in December with wife and 2 year old. What's cheapest way to get tickets? Book on Disney site with a package or just get hotel and get tickets separate? Been online all night but hard to work out best deals. Also - is there anywhere to put prams/strollers at the side of rides when you're on them? Are you better renting one for the day? Thanks in advance

It's incredible what is classed as entertainment in Britain. Blackpool treats that term as loosely as anywhere in the country. I remember going to see the Grumbleweeds on the North Pier.

Went to the park yesterday. Was there with my 2 year old so a very different experience. Nick Land brightens the park up although most rides still beyond my boy. He seemed to like the Dora boat ride but the bouncing cars didn't go down so well. Took him on Grand Prix. The despatches were shocking and its a long wait with a toddler. It killed my back once we were on it. My one big kid ride was Infusion. Waited 2 trains and got front. Was very scared having heard horror stories about Vekoma inverts but it wasn't too bad. I still prefer B & M inverts but it was good to break my long coaster drought. All in all I enjoyed it and I thought the park was looking well. Also pleased to see Wild Mouse running after rumours of its demise.