StealthFan Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Today I had a nice little trip to Thorpe Park (my first time this year). I have to say I had a fantastic day at the park if no other reason that it was super quiet! Some of the staff on park today were very good, some of the best I've seen from Thorpe in a long time, other well they are about the same as id expect. The park does look nice this year, I don't know if that was just the sunny weather (I have a nice burnt neck because of that!) or if they have done some heavy duty cleaning but it looks great. With the park having had someone of a brand change this year you can see the old getting pushed out with the new but as with any brand change that will take sometime before it is complete. There was also a lot of little changes on park with some new food outlets and retail shops which was nice to see. All the rides were running pretty well and even when there was a break down it was for the most part handled quite well except for a break down I had on Loggers Leap. To cut the story down to its basics while going up lift 2 we got about half way and the lift stopped, while that's nothing unusual to start with as its usually just boat spacing that all changed when we didn't start moving again after about 30 seconds. It was obvious to me from that point the ride was experiencing technical difficulties but no announcements were made for a good 5 minutes. Another 10 minutes past before an attendant came up to speak to us and instead of the usual lines about the ride being down all we got was "You guys alright?" then a ride host standing there for 5 minutes not having a clue. Luckily a very attractive and knowledgeable team leader turned up after a while and she had a nice chat with us then before the ride was restarted after 25 minutes of being stopped on the lift. Then after another brief stop outside the station we finally get back to the station and off the ride. The poor host on off load had only just got there so didn't have a clue what was going on really so I had a chat with the team leader who tried to explain to me that people stuck at the highest point on the ride got priority to be spoken to that's why they took so long to get to us. When I then explained it was me who was stuck on lift 2 and we were the only ones on there she tried to get all defensive and I ended up with a fast track valid all year so could have been worse. Other than that though I had a great relaxing day, even enjoyed Saw until it crushed my balls!! As I'm sure some of you are aware I am not the biggest fan of The Swarm so I decided to have a bit of fun with the on ride camera today. I have to say these cameras are a hell of a lot better than the ones that were on Saw and this video isn't the worst ride one I have ever seen so please enjoy this video of me on Swarm and the pictures below. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] -Craig Welcome to Thorpe Park! (This is some of the old branding that I assume will be replaced soon) Here is some of the new branding making its way to "An Island Like No Other" soon! Work on the entrance has begun with the start of installation for big LED screens that will display various things as you enter to park. Also part of the new re brand in the "Thorpe Shark Hotel" which has taken over from the old "Snooze box" hotel It will have this very unique entrance shark made up of old ride signs/parts of park history. (Hi Dave!!) What exactly are these instructions for? This stage is now a permanent fixture in the dome and is used for the parks Ministry of Sound nights. I don't know the purpose of a "Louder" sign but Thorpe Park now have one! Which features the new ride "Colossu" Always a good place to start the day Sunny skies and Stealth, what more could you want? NERD SHOT!! Is this a challenge? I bet this has some AMAZING lubrication inside. Even on a nice day Stealth can still look evil! With Angry Birds Land being installed Fish & Chips got a new home! USA USA USA A new little shop has popped up that's will sell something at some point im sure... Well I'm guessing it will sell rides Don't get too excited nerds This was in the op box. Why I hear you ask! Well I have no idea but I thought it was amazing. Next up was Nemesis Jr Still running as smooth as ever Even the mountain looks good. This tree is still undergoing its winter maintenance While this ride is still ear splittingly loud. But they have cleaned the fountain! This is something I have never notice before but it seems to be a bracket that was placed over the support where one of the bolts would be. I don't know if this is something to do with the awkwardness of the support or not but it did seem odd as ive never noticed it before. It does look like they are giving the ride a good clean which has been needed for quite some time! Many scream of pain came from this train Some of the queue times for the day. The new queue board system is very good. Alton Towers also has it and hopefully Chessington will also get it soon. An old Fungle Safari car has appeared in Nemesis Infernos shop. This made me happy! This is Saw...... Its crushes my balls. That is all. This is the new map. I like it. Poor old Slammer hasn't opened at all this year yet! So much so it doesn't even have a name right now. Just "The Ride" So now this jug is officially "Slammer" My guess is the issue with the ride has something to do with compressor as it has this mobile one currently attached to the air storage tank. Part of the ride area fence has been removed to allow the park to get a cherry picker in for access to the ride. In better news X in its new incarnation is still AWESOME Its basically rave the ride now (Hi Larry!) Even the queue line joins in on the action. Do you notice the clever use of mirrors to make an X Rush was also running very well even if the swings were not in sync too much. Due to how quiet it was I got to go on Depth Charge for the first time in about 3 years. Simple yet fun this ride is and that's why I like it. CSI: Tidal Wave This is the new way to protect your crime scene! I don't know why but this made me laugh. Even park security stopped and looked confused. This was the worst part of my day my favourite food place at Thorpe was closed all day long! So I had to make do and ride this. Luckily I didn't end up in the back of one of theses And no one braved it backwards in my entrance..... Oh look I have found the other half of the "Thorpe Shark" But now on to what you have all been waiting for a look at Angry Birds Land Is this a sign Det will be green? Honestly I have no idea. Some work has begun on Detonator before it closes next week for the final work to be done. Is this the last time we will see it red? These banners are up all around the construction site. No signs left of Leslie Nielsen left Lots of these green things have turned up now and they are all taking over! The new for 2014 attraction is currently being constructed The entire roof assembly was completed over the course of the day. So before we know it we will be riding in these cars bashing each others brains out. The structure for the new entrance has begun to go up and theming will be added very soon I'm sure. Taking a picture through a hole in the site fencing. Does this make me some sort of ride peeping tom? Foundations have also been placed for another entrance arch by Detonator/Nemesis. Now as I come to the end of this trip report please enjoy me being stuck on Loggers Leap. I hope you enjoyed my trip report as I enjoyed my day at Thorpe Park. I am now going to get some sleep and prepare for a trip to Brighton tomorrow for some rides and darts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Nice report. Looked like a nice day out. I liked those waiting-times. Also laughed out loud at the CSI caption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_koppen Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Great photos from a park I really like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Great report, especially the video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldier148 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Had no idea Angry Birds was still so in demand. Why not a flappy bird land instead? Great TR, hope to get out there someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Thanks for the TR! Doing a few days for Alton, Blackpool and Drayton - if weather permits - coming month and hope to do London and surrounding parks soon but hotel prices in London gets one thinking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 CSI: Tidal Wave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alilstronger Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Great report! Seems like a really nice park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 I still don't understand why Angry Birds Land is a thing. Aren't they a year behind the game's popularity? That's like making a Candy Crush Land for 2015. I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy The Swarm way more than you, just like Raptor, hahaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urzishra Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 I still don't understand why Angry Birds Land is a thing. Aren't they a year behind the game's popularity? That's like making a Candy Crush Land for 2015. I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy The Swarm way more than you, just like Raptor, hahaha. Whether it is popular or not for older people, it is/will probably be a huge thing for children. I imagine it is the first "game" a lot of kids got to or will get to play. It is a smart move. IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyRCT3 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 But first, let me take a selfie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cullvion Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Had no idea Angry Birds was still so in demand. Why not a flappy bird land instead? Great TR, hope to get out there someday. Could you imagine the roller coaster... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesman Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Nice trip report! I really hope the slammer get fixed since its the only ride of its type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiMiT Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Had no idea Angry Birds was still so in demand. Why not a flappy bird land instead? Great TR, hope to get out there someday. Could you imagine the roller coaster... I was thinking about this, and one of those crazy frog hoppers would make a great Flappy Bird ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rctneil Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks for the report. Glad to see Thorpes still doing well this year. I visited on the preview day and had a great day. Everything was at 5 minutes queues too so got to ride everything really quickly. I agree that X is much better now. It's so quirky and strange that's it's fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran1962 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks Craig Nice report Good to see all the work being done I remember having a good time here back in 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted May 16, 2014 Author Share Posted May 16, 2014 I still don't understand why Angry Birds Land is a thing. Aren't they a year behind the game's popularity? That's like making a Candy Crush Land for 2015. I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy The Swarm way more than you, just like Raptor, hahaha. Honestly I don't understand Angry Birds land either. I cant remember the last time I saw someone playing it or heard someone talking about it so your right it does seem like its almost outdated. With the limited work done and all the facades for the building just being boards fixed to the wall I would imagine the contract isn't a long one. It wouldnt be hard for you to enjoy Swarm more than me considering out of the 2 I have I enjoyed Craptor more and you know my opinion on that -Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medoman Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I'm just hoping its a plan for a new coaster - angry birds: catapult - the worlds first launched wooden coaster, could fit the theme quite nicely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldier148 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Now that I think about it, Angry Birds is everywhere I go. Clothes, shoes, games based on the original game, BOARD games based on the VIDEO game. It seems like a lot to me. Isn't there already a park with Angry Bird attractions? Somewhere in Sweden or Norway or somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 I'm just hoping its a plan for a new coaster - angry birds: catapult - the worlds first launched wooden coaster, could fit the theme quite nicely There isn't space for even a wacky worm coaster where Angry Birds land is let alone a concept like that. The reality is Thorpe will probably never get a woodie because the locals won't like the look of it in the skyline. That was one of the reasons that the top of Stealth was painted white so it doesn't ruin the skyline as much as it would do if it was also blue. -Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 That was one of the reasons that the top of Stealth was painted white so it doesn't ruin the skyline as much as it would do if it was also blue. -Craig Oh! Really? I was actually wondering why they don't have a woodie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 ^They did have plans for a GCI woodie but then built Saw instead. Id be surprised if we ever get a modern day woodie in this country with all our planning restrictions and neighbors who like to moan about things. -Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rctneil Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 It's a real shame that people over here can't see how good woodies can actually be. And also how quiet and smooth the newer ones are. I wish more people would go to Oakwood and ride Megafobia as that is running so so well at the moment and just shows how great rides like that actually are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 It's a real shame that people over here can't see how good woodies can actually be. And also how quiet and smooth the newer ones are. I wish more people would go to Oakwood and ride Megafobia as that is running so so well at the moment and just shows how great rides like that actually are! You are totally right Neil it is such a shame that people cant realise it. Megafobia is a great ride and I would love it if something like that was closer to me. I think the only way we could get over the noise thing is if we got an RMC or a GCI with the poly wheels like Woodan. I guess we can only hope :/ -Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcjp Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 ^Speaking of noise, how loud is Nemesis Inferno? I guess not enough for anyone to complain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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