TPDave

Does Chessington still have McDonalds? Thorpe Park has a couple of BKs, a KFC and a Pizza Hut, though that seems to keep changing between Pizza Hut and the "Merlin's own" one.

That said the surrounding are is supposed to be a town that's been decimated by a tidal wave so falling into disrepair could be considered "theming". It's one of those genius themes that rewards the place for looking beaten up. A bit like the SAW queue line I noticed!

I was there over the weekend and the 4D thing seemed to be going down quite well with the guests. The chairs are certainly a bit "energetic" but there were some kids around us that seems to really get in with the story and have fun. You've got to remember that the park has positioned itself very well to get a certain type of customer in droves and this land caters to exactly what they want. I thought the land was nicely presented but not something I'd rush to go and see again, that said I think it'll do pretty well for the park.

I guess the theme park running thing is gaining momentum! It'll be interesting to see how well this works outside the Disney sphere (unless there are other examples that I'm not aware of?)

Looks like a great little trip! I've got to get to Alaska some day, glad to hear good things about the beer

Like others have a said I'm surprised they haven't jumped on the bandwagon already. I hardly think they're being kept away by the legal drama (even SF are still buying through it!) and they have plenty of candidates for an overhaul. I forget the new CEOs name but he seemed to be off to a good start so hopefully eh continues with some solid investment renovating some rides that need a bit of love!

Let the memories flood back!! Great report, thanks for sharing

I miss this park so much! Loved the TR, thanks for sharing

So... Immersive! Love it. Great TR Divv, I have to do a china trip at some point

^ I've yet to see it but I've only heard good things about Godzilla so I'm excited to watch it at some point!

Sweet Home Chicago by Clapton

It's difficult to judge because the drops are almost Nemesis-esque (never thought I'd be compering the two rides!) in that it's not one drop down but a more gradual thing, but the second one seems larger from the video.

Just saw this, I wonder if the lines will start paying in time in future after this little stunt! http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27538764

None of the crazy italian jumping slide action then

This. How people can say that this group is about helping animals when they drop this money on a billboard are crazy. There are thousands of good animal charities that house unwanted/abused animals and actually do good work and these guys just run around shouting their own name all the time. Grrr.

I just don't see that coaster fitting the park, it would be a major departure for them and I'm note sure it'd go down well with the family feel.

^^ A lot of good stuff there. I choose to live in a crappier flat and cook most of my meals rather than eat out/buy stuff for work. You don't really notice it and then suddenly you have money to travel. It's all about priorities, people who complain that they can't do the stuff they want to and then you see them checked in at a bar or something on FB just need to get themselves sorted out!

Any big Foos fans in here? Wondering what people think about the details for LP8 that have come out? I'm a huge fan of Wasting Light, my favourite Foos album and it would be somewhere in my top 10 of all time so I'm excited to see them carry on it that direction

I love the not so subtle "don't blame us" on that sign I've seen a few cases of terrible (cough italian) factories taking an age to get parts for rides out during operating seasons, must be a real pain for the parks!

I think you're right, not that anyone will care when they're flying past them in the slide!

I don't think I posted in here but I finally saw Book of Mormon last month, sooooo good. I love how successful Robert Lopez has been in such wildly different genres. If you told the more "conservative" Disney parents that the guy who wrote let it go also did Avenue Q and the Book of Mormon I think you'd get some surprised looks!

All that we are - Angels and Airwaves. A friend sent me some instrumental versions of Love parts I and II and they're awesome. Great uplifting background music!

^The video works, but like you say it's very shaky. They need TPR to go a shoot it I seriously love these trains, they've really made something unique and interesting when I could have been just another "family coaster". Congrats to them

Awesome stuff Jason!! I suddenly remembered how crazy that Tornado thing was! This park was so much fun, it's a shame they haven't got a brake man on the coaster anymore but I'm sure it'll still be an awesome ride for all the Scandi people this summer

I wonder how long (if ever) it will be before they relax this a bit? Maybe once the court case has finished/they have different trains.