True Coaster Geeks
Sure, we all pull funny faces for the on-ride cameras from time to time, some of us even get teddy bears or blow up dinosaurs (Hey TTF) in the photos. But these guys take the term ‘coaster geek’ to a whole new level… Read more…
Merlin’s Horror - Thorpe Park Fright Nights
A series of articles are coming concerning Merlin’s Halloween events, the first being Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights.
Having been for the last two years and hoping to make it a third, I would recommend it to anyone! The atmosphere at the park is amazing; everyone is on edge at the unsuspecting doom that waits them in each of the three mazes and the chance of riding all the rides in the dark which Read more…
Blackpool Zoo - Dinosaur Safari
Yesterday we made a visit to Blackpool Zoo. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t been to a zoo for about ten years and if I’m being honest, I went there expecting to be bored within an hour. That wasn’t the case though! The zoo in general was warm and welcoming and there was plenty to see and do. Enough in fact, for us to spend six hours there and still leave feeling like we could happily have spent longer!
The first part of the zoo you come to is the Dinosaur Safari which is a wonderfully themed land that would be fit for any theme park and it is this section of the zoo that I am covering in part one! I know you probably don’t want to read about it though, you want photos right?
To Zoo or Not to Zoo
Why do we visit theme parks over and over again? For some of us it’s for the thrill, for the experience, a chance to get away from the real world. So where do zoo’s fit into things? Do they really have a place in our beloved theme parks? Read more…
Alton Towers’ Baby Coaster Dummy?
You will have no doubt heard about the baby coaster, rumoured to be added to Alton Towers’ lineup for next season. If not, you can read Sweeney’s thoughts on the attraction or check out The Sun’s article.
So a coaster targeted towards young children from the age of 6 months. Sounds like a strange concept. Why would a park like Alton spend all that money on something that will take up quite a large area, when they could entertain that audience so much better with Read more…
Alton are Gurgling Mad!
Alton Towers have once again made it into the paper, this time not for giving buy one get one free vouchers or for having a row with the neighbours, but for their rumoured new coaster, codenamed Project Big Gurgle which will be aimed towards the smallest of children from the age of 6 months! Read more…
I think I’ll sit this one out!
Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away, well actually about 6 years ago was a Sweeney who hated theme parks (yes I know!) But what do you guys think about the ‘bag carriers’ - the people who will look at a coaster, make a funny noise, swear at you and then tell you they’re not going on? Well I’m going to try and explain it from both sides. Having not been a coaster fan all my life I sort of understand what these people potentially go through but how it can all change in the drop of a hat.
When I was younger, well about 6 years ago I hated coasters, the look of them, the sound, the thought of “why the hell would anyone want to pay £30 for a day out just to feel sick” was my motto! I just couldn’t bring myself to get on. I would stare and think “It must be safe” and then it would come whizzing around with people screaming for their lives. It just did nothing for me, but then something changed! For some reason, about 3 years ago I started riding coasters with my girlfriend at the time. It was almost as if she’d passed the buzz onto me and all the fear had gone, but it just proves that it really is something in your head! You’re not actually afraid of them, Read more…
Roller Coaster Bowling
This seems like a fun little game to play if you feel the need to cure boredom at any point:
One Way Ticket to Hell…?
We have covered what you might pack for a day out at a theme park, but how do you get there? Bus, train, car, broomstick? Here are a few examples and tips on getting to a theme park. Read more…
Have you packed everything?
I’ve been to theme parks with lots of different people and each of them have a completely different outlook on the necessities for a day out. So what should you pack for a day at the theme park? I will start with the things that I would usually take with me, along with what I would wear:
- Mobile Phone - It’s a must. I mean anyone might just call you, even though there is the chance of it slipping out of your pocket, getting wet or getting sat on but all that matters is that you might just get the most important call of your life!
- Wallet - You never know when you may just need to buy something. After all, you need to eat or drink on a day out to a theme park or buy a photo or a really crappy souvenir that resembles nothing to do with the park apart from a great sticker across its stomach or its label.
- Camera - Hmm, sometimes depending who I’m going with and if they have a tendency to burst into song and dance (which is obviously worth recording) or something funny happens or I just bump into Matt Bellamy (that would be so cool) but anyway, yes it’s good to snap all those memories even though you’ve got all the pictures from last time you visited. (bloody fan boys!)
- Lastly, the attire - Dependant on the time of year but it usually consists of a pair of jeans, t-shirt (mainly consisting of Muse, Cedar Point or Maverick), vans (oh I’m cool) and a nice warm tight hoody, and maybe a hat and gloves if it’s cold.
Right, now here comes the list of ‘other’ things I’ve known taken to Theme Parks: Read more…
