http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/Fryb/Cutting Edge/
Yeah, I know I said it would take me ages... I lied, so, sue me!
Yeah, I know I said it would take me ages... I lied, so, sue me!
"Cutting Edge" Trip reports
- Thread starter Martyn
- Start date
Screaming Coasters
Strata Poster
richy_t said:Ian said:
Lol Ian, that would be my sister!
And to think I was gonna hit on her, she is actually HOT
lolTHORPE PARK
What can be said that hasn't already been said? Not a lot really.
What an absolutely shambolic performance by a chained park. I have never been to a park that spectacularly failed as much as what Thorpe did on Saturday.
Saw breaking down didn't really bother me that much because I went knowing that anything could happen to it which would result in us not getting on it.
The day actually started much like any other Live, group meet up and then head for a ride (in this case Saw). Saw was still testing when we arrived and we were queuing back by Colossus's cobra roll before they opened the gates. We finished up just inside the main queue after it finished moving.
Once Saw broke, that was it, the day just fell apart completely. Been issued with fast track tickets was a nice move by Thorpe. (A further rant at Guest Services would've occurred if not).
Lunch was next and the list of rides closed just generally got larger than the rides that were open.
After listing nearly every ride in the park with a moment of fail occurring somewhere, a trip to Guest Services: The Ride was in order.
Peep filled the form out and Rachael (who dealt with us) was really very very nice and caught on with our sense of humor and was really apologetic about Thorpe's dismal display.
Feeling a bit more opptomistic after seeing Colossus and Rush running, we headed over to the group meet up at Inferno a little late. We all just went off and done our own thing really.
Some rode Inferno, while others went to Guest Services: The Ride and had a moan.
Everyone seemed to congregate back at Saw after around an hour and a half after witnessing Saw test a few times, then get stuck.
I rode Rush then with Rush and Nicky and encountered the usual Thorpe scum in the form of queue jumpers that tried twice and failed both times and also chavs in front of us graffiting over each other and various parts of Rush's queue and then trying to inject them selfs with bubble mixture from a plastic injection claiming it was heroin. It was mildly amusing though.
We left then, an hour before park closing and went to retrieve our free Saw fast tracks or tickets. Before we left, we read over the fast pass and noticed it was only valid until the 4th April. We said we live miles away and wouldn't be coming back for some time and they extended till the end of season.
My one and only positive comment about Thorpe was the majority of the staff there on Saturday were very nice, friendly and apologetic. You could see with some of the staff how embarrassed they were at the opening of their park. Rachael on Guest Services: The Ride and also the people in the orange buildings were fantastic and deserve medals for their sheer commitment on Saturday!
Thorpe have done one thing right this year so far, and that is they have the right staff to do the job.
I know if I was in their situation, I would be inclined to leave work and scream and swear at all the guests. But they held their tongue and got on with the job in hand.
Now onto some photos.
More for those that want them HERE
What can be said that hasn't already been said? Not a lot really.
What an absolutely shambolic performance by a chained park. I have never been to a park that spectacularly failed as much as what Thorpe did on Saturday.
Saw breaking down didn't really bother me that much because I went knowing that anything could happen to it which would result in us not getting on it.
The day actually started much like any other Live, group meet up and then head for a ride (in this case Saw). Saw was still testing when we arrived and we were queuing back by Colossus's cobra roll before they opened the gates. We finished up just inside the main queue after it finished moving.
Once Saw broke, that was it, the day just fell apart completely. Been issued with fast track tickets was a nice move by Thorpe. (A further rant at Guest Services would've occurred if not).
Lunch was next and the list of rides closed just generally got larger than the rides that were open.
After listing nearly every ride in the park with a moment of fail occurring somewhere, a trip to Guest Services: The Ride was in order.
Peep filled the form out and Rachael (who dealt with us) was really very very nice and caught on with our sense of humor and was really apologetic about Thorpe's dismal display.
Feeling a bit more opptomistic after seeing Colossus and Rush running, we headed over to the group meet up at Inferno a little late. We all just went off and done our own thing really.
Some rode Inferno, while others went to Guest Services: The Ride and had a moan.
Everyone seemed to congregate back at Saw after around an hour and a half after witnessing Saw test a few times, then get stuck.
I rode Rush then with Rush and Nicky and encountered the usual Thorpe scum in the form of queue jumpers that tried twice and failed both times and also chavs in front of us graffiting over each other and various parts of Rush's queue and then trying to inject them selfs with bubble mixture from a plastic injection claiming it was heroin. It was mildly amusing though.
We left then, an hour before park closing and went to retrieve our free Saw fast tracks or tickets. Before we left, we read over the fast pass and noticed it was only valid until the 4th April. We said we live miles away and wouldn't be coming back for some time and they extended till the end of season.
My one and only positive comment about Thorpe was the majority of the staff there on Saturday were very nice, friendly and apologetic. You could see with some of the staff how embarrassed they were at the opening of their park. Rachael on Guest Services: The Ride and also the people in the orange buildings were fantastic and deserve medals for their sheer commitment on Saturday!
Thorpe have done one thing right this year so far, and that is they have the right staff to do the job.
I know if I was in their situation, I would be inclined to leave work and scream and swear at all the guests. But they held their tongue and got on with the job in hand.
Now onto some photos.
More for those that want them HERE
robbeal
Hyper Poster
robbeal
Hyper Poster
...and some Paultons photos! Lots more people ones here, seeing as I actually saw people! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6 ... 71f7063e4e
Nic
Strata Poster
cba to do a tr. Just wanted to add to the "Paultons is made of win" type comments. Many parks that I've been to seem to be all about extracting as much money from your wallett as possible, even after you've paid entry. Paultons is the complete opposite. The kiddies ride-on things being free, and the adventure golf being free is amazing. Sara and I played a round over lunch, and its every bit as good as ones I've been to which are anywhere up to about £4 a go. I know that food/drink etc wasn't exactly cheap, but it wasn't extortionate either (bottle of drink at Paultons = £1.40, same thing at Thorpe = £1.60). You've gotta remember, this is a theme park, not a supermarket - so things won't be as cheap as you'd find them in the shops!
To sum up, great selection of rides, beautifully maintained and efficiently run. What more could you ask for. I'd definately go back again.
PS. Great vid, Peep. Can't wait to see some more... keep 'em coming people!
To sum up, great selection of rides, beautifully maintained and efficiently run. What more could you ask for. I'd definately go back again.
PS. Great vid, Peep. Can't wait to see some more... keep 'em coming people!
I've added more photos onto Facebook, so here is the rest of the "best of" selection.
Max Thrill... Yeah, about as thrilling as the park gets is somebody in a cuddly blue costume! Anyone else think that costumed characters in a teen thrill park is a bit out of place?
Oh, hi john!
Looking good Chris. If you don't like your glasses, why did you buy them???
Yes... He's up to something...
Martyn goes from pussy to bush in under two seconds - Vadge is impressed!
Erol and Vadge love on the pussy...
The goon bench - waiting for king goon...
The E Number cafe!
Maxi-Minor_Furie trying to distract Tanya. Probably shouting about there being a flying banana or something...
All can be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
Max Thrill... Yeah, about as thrilling as the park gets is somebody in a cuddly blue costume! Anyone else think that costumed characters in a teen thrill park is a bit out of place?
Oh, hi john!
Looking good Chris. If you don't like your glasses, why did you buy them???
Yes... He's up to something...
Martyn goes from pussy to bush in under two seconds - Vadge is impressed!
Erol and Vadge love on the pussy...
The goon bench - waiting for king goon...
The E Number cafe!
Maxi-Minor_Furie trying to distract Tanya. Probably shouting about there being a flying banana or something...
All can be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 1043162436
Beans
Hyper Poster
Just for Ian I have loaded all my photos from both days onto Photobucket,
the rest who have Facebook, you have already seen them so this is just for Ian or those who don't have facebook.
Great vid John.
http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm119/Beans67/
some look like like they are wrong way round but if clicked on they appear ok.
the rest who have Facebook, you have already seen them so this is just for Ian or those who don't have facebook.
Great vid John.
http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm119/Beans67/
some look like like they are wrong way round but if clicked on they appear ok.
Paultons Park
YAY, time to get onto the much better park and better day in general.
After the abysmal day at Thorpe, the day at Paultons could only go one way and that was up. Sure enough, the park didn't let itself down at all in anyway shape or form.
If you're reading this Paultons, you are a credit to the theme park industry, the staff were fantastic, the quick response to a minor break down was incredible, the park was clean and tidy and just generally fantastic. A credit to the industry! *claps Paultons*
Anyway, we headed for a ride on the Frog. I hopped on to get the credit and then hopped back off to grab my camera for a few shots of the rest of the group on the ride.
After a quick go on Frog, we headed to Cobra for a ride on that. Steven called me Ra..ch not Raych as it is supposed to sound. I LOLed, but quickly corrected him. Only a goon can get the pronunciation of such a common name wrong!
Cobra was terrific, it was as smooth as a babies bottom and the transitions were fantastic.
After Cobra, we went for T'Edge. T'Edge is BRILLIANT. It's unique and even the painful back restraints can't hamper the brilliant ride that it is. Even the quirky bump on the other side of the hill was surprisingly fun. Really enjoyed T'Edge much more than I thought I would.
Wave Swinger type thing next. (Which I've forgotten the name off) That was fun, but was far more amusing watching those after me in the double seats.
I've got to admit, the double seats are a great idea and allow parent and child to ride safely together.
Ian also done a Bongo warrior dance while we were waiting for the others to get off the ride. (Did the lovely weather make you think of Flamingoland by any chance? :lol
As a group, we moved onto the Fog Lume because it was so warm. The spray was lovely and was a laugh itself.
Go Karts were next and these were spectacular as well. I was sort of hoping for a larger track, but the one they do have is good enough. The crashes were amusing and I finished 4th in my race.
When I got off, I took photos of one groups laps and then went for a pee.
The winners were then announced.
Stone Cold in 3rd
Shockwave in 2nd
SchumacerFerrari in 1st
Ian was having a slight bit of difficulty opening the tiny bottle of Cava
We had lunch next and I hopped in the car with John, Tanya and Ian and sprinted off to MaccieDs. We were there and sat down before most of CF had even arrived and got through the door.
Went outside for some air and Tanya let of a spectacular fart right by Peep, Mushy and Jason much to their disgust and to mine, Mark and Marc's amusement.
Back to the park for meet up where we rode Stinger and also some nauseating spinny rides.
Done the Jumping Bean as a group which was amusing as the airtime was incredible. Beans also broke this ride, but soon enough, along came a person on a bike, waved their spanner at it and it worked again! Brilliant service.
Pile of **** followed. Much COASTER FORCE shouting occurred on this ride and it even attracted some attention which was amusing.
Went through one of the walk throughs and this time it was John with the fart that got everybody moving swiftly onwards to the water slides.
You would've thought the queue for these would've taken ages, but no, it was very short. You got some serious airtime on those bumps! Fun!
Tractors or meerkats were next. I took photos of tractors which was fine by me.
On the way to the Astroglide, Ginge (Tom's mate) spectacularly kicked goon in the bollocks to a enthusiastic cheer from everyone else. Much Steven sabotaged was planned for the Astroglide with Sam and Richard sitting either side of goon and pushing him down the slide. FUN!
The guy on the top of the slide was also very attractive as well. (Paultons does have a host of very attractive ride ops)
Finished up with the spinny dragon thing and headed for another ride on Cobra which was as equally smooth as the last time.
Another ride on T'Edge was the last thing we done as a group which was fun. The girls that got in front of me in the queue were quite repulsed when either John or Tanya let another one off. That made me LOL.
Group photo faff occurred then because I couldn't get the camera to stand still on the tripod without shifting. (I hadn't tightned it properly) and then it wanted to take it after two seconds and not twelve.
Got there in the end though and incase you missed them:
More photos can be found:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?a ... 59b12a1d65
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?a ... 8260fa8383
To end with, thanks CF for a good couple of days. Paultons was by far the best day thanks to all you that went and the park itself.
Big thanks to Nicky and father of Nicky for transporting me around and also to John, Tanya and Ian for lifting me to and from MaccieDs.
Last thanks goes to Ian for organising a fantastic Live and doing the best thing on Saturday by abandoning the Live. The Go Karts were a massive hit as was the group entrance fee.
YAY, time to get onto the much better park and better day in general.
After the abysmal day at Thorpe, the day at Paultons could only go one way and that was up. Sure enough, the park didn't let itself down at all in anyway shape or form.
If you're reading this Paultons, you are a credit to the theme park industry, the staff were fantastic, the quick response to a minor break down was incredible, the park was clean and tidy and just generally fantastic. A credit to the industry! *claps Paultons*
Anyway, we headed for a ride on the Frog. I hopped on to get the credit and then hopped back off to grab my camera for a few shots of the rest of the group on the ride.
After a quick go on Frog, we headed to Cobra for a ride on that. Steven called me Ra..ch not Raych as it is supposed to sound. I LOLed, but quickly corrected him. Only a goon can get the pronunciation of such a common name wrong!
Cobra was terrific, it was as smooth as a babies bottom and the transitions were fantastic.
After Cobra, we went for T'Edge. T'Edge is BRILLIANT. It's unique and even the painful back restraints can't hamper the brilliant ride that it is. Even the quirky bump on the other side of the hill was surprisingly fun. Really enjoyed T'Edge much more than I thought I would.
Wave Swinger type thing next. (Which I've forgotten the name off) That was fun, but was far more amusing watching those after me in the double seats.
I've got to admit, the double seats are a great idea and allow parent and child to ride safely together.
Ian also done a Bongo warrior dance while we were waiting for the others to get off the ride. (Did the lovely weather make you think of Flamingoland by any chance? :lol
As a group, we moved onto the Fog Lume because it was so warm. The spray was lovely and was a laugh itself.
Go Karts were next and these were spectacular as well. I was sort of hoping for a larger track, but the one they do have is good enough. The crashes were amusing and I finished 4th in my race.
When I got off, I took photos of one groups laps and then went for a pee.
The winners were then announced.
Stone Cold in 3rd
Shockwave in 2nd
SchumacerFerrari in 1st
Ian was having a slight bit of difficulty opening the tiny bottle of Cava
We had lunch next and I hopped in the car with John, Tanya and Ian and sprinted off to MaccieDs. We were there and sat down before most of CF had even arrived and got through the door.
Went outside for some air and Tanya let of a spectacular fart right by Peep, Mushy and Jason much to their disgust and to mine, Mark and Marc's amusement.
Back to the park for meet up where we rode Stinger and also some nauseating spinny rides.
Done the Jumping Bean as a group which was amusing as the airtime was incredible. Beans also broke this ride, but soon enough, along came a person on a bike, waved their spanner at it and it worked again! Brilliant service.
Pile of **** followed. Much COASTER FORCE shouting occurred on this ride and it even attracted some attention which was amusing.
Went through one of the walk throughs and this time it was John with the fart that got everybody moving swiftly onwards to the water slides.
You would've thought the queue for these would've taken ages, but no, it was very short. You got some serious airtime on those bumps! Fun!
Tractors or meerkats were next. I took photos of tractors which was fine by me.
On the way to the Astroglide, Ginge (Tom's mate) spectacularly kicked goon in the bollocks to a enthusiastic cheer from everyone else. Much Steven sabotaged was planned for the Astroglide with Sam and Richard sitting either side of goon and pushing him down the slide. FUN!
The guy on the top of the slide was also very attractive as well. (Paultons does have a host of very attractive ride ops)
Finished up with the spinny dragon thing and headed for another ride on Cobra which was as equally smooth as the last time.
Another ride on T'Edge was the last thing we done as a group which was fun. The girls that got in front of me in the queue were quite repulsed when either John or Tanya let another one off. That made me LOL.
Group photo faff occurred then because I couldn't get the camera to stand still on the tripod without shifting. (I hadn't tightned it properly
) and then it wanted to take it after two seconds and not twelve. Got there in the end though and incase you missed them:
More photos can be found:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?a ... 59b12a1d65
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?a ... 8260fa8383
To end with, thanks CF for a good couple of days. Paultons was by far the best day thanks to all you that went and the park itself.
Big thanks to Nicky and father of Nicky for transporting me around and also to John, Tanya and Ian for lifting me to and from MaccieDs.
Last thanks goes to Ian for organising a fantastic Live and doing the best thing on Saturday by abandoning the Live. The Go Karts were a massive hit as was the group entrance fee.
Beans - Thanks for that!
Furie - Links are not public.
Peep - Ace video, MS me it over when we're both on.
Rach - ****ing excellent trip rpeort. I'm planning on doing a home page trip report in the next week or so, may just copy and paste that!
*sigh* I want it to be Sunday again.
Furie - Links are not public.
Peep - Ace video, MS me it over when we're both on.
Rach - ****ing excellent trip rpeort. I'm planning on doing a home page trip report in the next week or so, may just copy and paste that!
*sigh* I want it to be Sunday again.