Date: Friday 30 September 2016
Venue: Thorpe Park
Who Went: Just me
N.B. Any use of "today" in this report means Friday 30 September 2016.
Introduction
Friday 30 September 2016 was my 45th birthday and, as usual, my biggest decision was where to go to mark the occasion. The last three years my birthday outing consisted of a day at Thorpe Park followed by a celebratory evening meal at Harvester, Staines. All three were amazing days out, so by August 2016 I strongly favoured doing exactly the same again this year. Thursday 1 September I saved myself money by booking an advance web ticket to Thorpe Park. Getting Advance train tickets from Bath Spa to Staines and back was a little trickier; although I managed to book an Advance ticket my desired homeward journey from Staines to Bath Spa in the evening, there wasn't an Advance ticket available for Bath Spa to Staines when I wanted to set off in the morning. Fortunately, after some experimentation, I was able to overcome that by buying an Advance ticket for Bath Spa to Wokingham (changing at Reading), plus an anytime single ticket for Wokingham to Staines. Obviously that ticket arrangement necessitated an extra change of train at Wokingham on my way to Staines in the morning, but that didn't bother me too much. For the sixth year running I had a special birthday T-shirt of my own design printed about a fortnight before my birthday; for the second year running I had it printed at John Moore Sports, Bath.
Getting to Thorpe Park
It was necessary for me to wake up at 4:00, which for me is exceptionally early. From Bath Spa I caught the 05:41 GWR train to Reading. Having arrived there I had time to enjoy a small Americano at Lavazza on the inter-platform footbridge before catching the 07:04 GWR train to Wokingham. Finally I caught the 07:26 South West Trains train to Staines. I reached Staines at 7:56, more than two hours before Thorpe Park was due to open! Meanwhile I enjoyed a much-needed almond croissant and standard cappuccino at Waitrose Café in Two Rivers Retail Park, Staines. Afterwards I caught the 9:13 Thorpe Park Express bus from Staines Bus Station to Thorpe Park. At the time the weather was dry and sunny.
Welcome to Thorpe Park
I reached Thorpe Park at 9:21. Thus I still had about 40 minutes to wait until the Park was due to open. The Advance Ticket Collection point wasn't open yet, but since people were already queuing for it, I joined its queue. When the Advance Ticket Collection booths opened at 9:47, I collected my pre-booked ticket. Without further ado I queued for one of the entrances. All the queues were now quite long, so I already anticipated that the park would be rather busy, with some long queuing times for rides. Around 10:00 the front shutters rose and visitors funnelled through the ticket check point.
Morning Riding
Rush
Once admitted I began with the giant swing Rush. Both swings were in action, and I managed to get straight on to it; I sat in seat 8. This S&S Power Screamin' Swing has been operating since 27 May 2005. The swing went forwards and backwards a little to start with, rising higher and higher on subsequent forwards and backwards passes. Eventually it swung really high forwards and backwards. Finally the forwards and backwards swings became low ones, until the swing stopped completely. A mega fun ride to start my birthday visit to Thorpe Park, I remained quiet the whole time unlike when I first rode it in June 2005.
After the ride ended I resisted the temptation to have a second go because I felt it was in my best interest to go on some other ride, whilst queuing times were still fairly short.
Colossus
My first roller coaster ride of the day was Colossus. This
Intamin Amusement Rides Looping Coaster (Colossus) has been operating at Thorpe Park since 22 March 2002. According to the Roller Coaster Database (RCDB), it is still one of just two coasters of this model worldwide.
Although it was still early in the day, the estimated queuing time was already 10 minutes. Fortunately I was able to walk straight up to the station and only had to wait about two or three despatches to get on. When it was my turn I sat in the back row. Once despatched, the train climbed the lift hill, went around a bend and down a steep hill, around the vertical loop and under a bridge. Next it went up half a loop, before doing a U-turn whilst inverted and down another half loop. After that it went back under same bridge as earlier, up and down a bit, along a flat section, and into the horizontal corkscrew. Finally the train headed around the end bend on an angle, along the home straight and back to the station. Altogether a fun ride, I was totally relaxed and didn't scream at all throughout the ride, unlike when I first rode it in June 2005. After leaving Colossus, its estimated queuing time was longer, so I quickly decided to ride something else next.
SAW - The Ride
This
Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter (Custom) has been operating since 14 March 2009. It is one of ten coasters of this model currently operating worldwide. SAW - The Ride was almost walk-on at the time. When it was my turn I sat in the front row. The car set off through the building, I noticed a dip in there. Once outside the building the car worked its way around corners to the vertical lift. The car climbed the vertical lift, went down the beyond vertical first drop, around the vertical loop and back to the station. Altogether a fun ride, I was totally relaxed the whole journey and did not scream at all. However I still call the lighting effects and air currents in the building unnecessary overkill. You wouldn't get those in a real factory sawmill. Why do they bother having them here?
Afterwards I had a second go on SAW - The Ride. Once again the waiting time was very short. This time I sat in the back row.
Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride
Basically a swinging pirate ship, but the boat resembles a yellow banana. This ride was walk-on, and there were only a few other riders on it. I sat in an end row to get the maximum thrill out of it. A fun "fill in" ride to add to the total number of rides this visit, but once was enough.
Detonator: Bombs Away
This Fabbri Group Mega Drop Tower opened in 2001, and originally operated as Detonator. Since the opening of Angry Birds Land in spring 2014 it has been operating, still in its original position, as part of Angry Birds Land under the name Detonator: Bombs Away. It is 115 feet (35 metres) tall and has a top speed of 50.7 mph. The seats are arranged on a circular unit surrounding the tower. When I approached this ride, I didn't have long to wait to be seated. Once everyone was secured, the seat unit was pulled to the top of the tower, whereupon it was released. It's difficult to describe how it feels during the free-fall drop, but once again I was relaxed throughout the whole ride duration, and didn't scream at all. Sadly the ride was all over too quickly, it's just once up and once down. Another mega fun ride, the only way to find out what it's like is to ride it yourself. Having left the ride I went straight back to the entrance for a second go, and once again had only a short wait to get on.
By now the sky had clouded over, and I noticed a few spots of rain when I left Detonator: Bombs Away, so I put on my pale blue Maui and Sons jacket. As I walked away from Angry Birds Land the rain became heavier.
Flying Fish
This
Mack Rides Blauer Enzian originally operated as Space Station Zero from 1983 to 1989, and Flying Fish from 1990 to 31 October 2004. After being in storage during 2005 and 2006, it was brought back into service, still as Flying Fish, at the start of the 2007 season. According to the RCDB, this is one of seven coasters of this model currently operating worldwide. Unlike Thorpe Park's other six coasters, one ride consists of multiple laps of the track, although from my past experience the actual number you get seems to vary from turn to turn. Despite the rain, now seemed a good time to ride Flying Fish, especially as I was able to get straight on to without having to queue. Once seated the rain became heavier still, and by the time the train set off I wished I'd put my all-in-one splashsuit on instead of my pale blue jacket, as my jogging bottoms got a bit wet during this ride. Flying Fish is undeniably a tame coaster, but nonetheless still worth riding to say I had been on it today. Of course, on this occasion, I felt the impact of the rain drops on me as the train went around the track. For now I limited myself to one go on Flying Fish, and didn't return to it later.
Coffee Break
Being as it was raining, I felt like a coffee at this point. Out of the various catering outlets on park, I ended up going to Fin's Bar and Grill for a much-needed coffee. By the time I left Fin's Bar and Grill, the rain had stopped and it was sunny again. I headed off in the direction of Vortex and Quantum.
Vortex
This KMG Afterburner has been operating at Thorpe Park since May 2001. Eight sets of four inward facing seats are attached by spokes to a central arm, which is vertical whilst the ride is stationary. There were plenty of vacant seats when I approached this, so I was able to get on without having to wait. Once everyone was secured, the central arm began spinning, and shortly afterwards started to swing. Thereafter the arm swung back and forth with the seat sets going around in a circle. Eventually the arm stopped swinging and shortly afterwards it stopped rotating. I managed to remain quiet throughout the duration of the ride. One go was great fun but I wouldn't like to risk a second go on this straight off. This ended up being my only go on Vortex all day.
Quantum
This Fabbri Magic Carpet ride, which opened in 2003, has rows of seats facing the centre. When I approached this I was able to get straight on to it without having to queue. The ride went up part way in one direction, down and part way up in the opposite direction, then down to the home position. Next time around it went up higher each direction. Eventually it went really high in each direction. The best bit was when it went right up and over to do a complete loop. Finally it slowed down, stopped and everyone left the ride. A pleasurable ride, although undeniably tame compared to Vortex. This was my only go on Quantum all day.
Lunch at The Coffee Shack
By now I felt like some lunch. I ended up going to The Coffee Shack in the Dome to have a pack of chicken bacon club sandwiches. However I didn't have a drink as I had only recently had a coffee. I put my birthday card on my table for the duration of my lunch.
Afternoon Riding
After lunch I felt like riding some water rides, starting with Tidal Wave.
Tidal Wave
"You will get very wet on this ride". That was no problem for me; I put my all-in-one splashsuit on just before getting in the boat. This Hopkins Rides Shoot-the-Chutes boat ride opened on 7 April 2000. After the boat left the station, there was a long climb to the top. At the top the boat did a U-turn and went down the ramp (a long way down), until it hit the water with a mighty splash. Finally there was another U-bend and back to the station. This was my only go on Tidal Wave all day, I didn't return to it later.
Storm Surge
Being as I was already wearing my splashsuit, it made sense for me to go on another water ride next, so I headed for Storm Surge. This WhiteWater West water ride first opened in 2011. The waiting time for this was very short; I was able to take the one remaining seat in a round dinghy already containing other riders. The boat climbed the tall lift hill. Having reached the top, the dinghy floated down what is really a wide water slide all the way to the bottom, where there was a splash. Finally the boat sailed along a canal at the bottom, around a bend and back to the disembarkation point. Altogether this is a fun water ride. My only gripe was the water in the bottom of the dinghy; by positioning my feet at the highest point within the boat going uphill and downhill I just about managed to keep my feet above the water. One really needs Wellington boots to ride this. The attendants ought really to pump water out of the boats between rides, provided it doesn't take too long. This was my only go on Storm Surge all day.
As I headed off in the direction of Stealth, I saw a life-size Tetley tea figure on a seat near Storm in a Teacup, so I removed my splashsuit and had my picture taken sitting beside the Tetley tea figure.
Storm in a Teacup
A run-of-the-mill tea cup ride. I was able to get straight on to this without having to queue. When the ride is in motion one can make the cup spin faster by turning the centre table, but I didn't as I was satisfied with the speed at which it was rotating anyway, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I only had one go on this. Having left Storm in a Teacup I felt warm enough going round in just my T-shirt and shorts for the rest of the afternoon.
Rumba Rapids
This Intamin river rafting ride originally opened in 1987 as Thunder River, and was called Ribena Rumba Rapids from 2002 to 2006. Since 2007 it has operated as Rumba Rapids. This ride was walk-on; I got into an empty boat, which floated around the flowing waterway and up the ramp back to the station. Part way around I noticed waves which gave the feeling of being on choppy water, but apart from that it was more a relaxing ride than a thrilling one. My one go on Rumba Rapids now was my only go on it all day.
The Swarm
Thorpe Park's newest coaster, which opened 15 March 2012. This
Bolliger & Mabillard Wing Coaster (Custom) is a model which has been in production since 2011. According to the
RCDB, this is one of eight coasters of this model currently operating worldwide, and the second to enter operation. Its maximum height of 127' (38.7 m) makes it the fifth tallest coaster currently operating in the UK. It appears to me as though this coaster was themed around an air crash, due to the broken aeroplane on the ground and the station which resembles an air crash / fire damaged church with a missing roof. Originally all the seats faced forwards, but at the start of the 2013 season, the back two rows were reversed to face backwards to the direction of travel. Now the pendulum has swung back in the other direction; the back two rows returned to being forward facing at the start of the 2016 season. This coaster was somewhat popular, although I recall seeing a 15 minute waiting time on one of the queue indicators, I'm sure I waited considerably longer than that. When it was my turn to ride I sat in the back row. I set off from the right hand platform (as viewed facing direction of travel). The train climbed the lift hill, descended the steep first drop, climbed the next hill, flipped over at the top before going down again. This was followed by a loop, another flip-over and the rest of the course back to the station. Altogether a mega fun coaster ride, definitely worth the longer-than-desired wait. Due to the queuing time this was my only go on The Swarm all day.
Rush
My second go of the day on this giant swing, and thankfully I managed to get straight on to this as soon as I approached it. This time I sat in seat 13. The ride this time was just as much fun as earlier. This ended up being my final go of the day on Rush.
Zodiac
A kind of big wheel made by Huss. It is similar to Enterprise at Alton Towers which I rode during Loopathon Alton Towers in 2005 and 2006. I sat in one of the cars and the door was locked shut. The cars hang from above; you sit inside one but there is no restraint. The ride set off clockwise. As it picked up speed, the cars flung outwards, and eventually the whole disc tilted so everyone travelled around a circle at high speed on an angle. At this speed, centrifugal force kept riders firmly in place, hence no need for a restraint. I noticed it was almost impossible to lift my feet or arms when going full speed. Towards the end the disc returned to the horizontal position, the ride slowed down and the cars returned to their normal dangling position. A mega fun ride, but once at a time is enough for me. Two goes on this straight off would make me really giddy. I never returned to this ride later in the day. This turned out to be my final non-coaster ride of the day, as all my remaining rides were on roller coasters.
Colossus
My second go of the day on Colossus. Although the front row queue was fairly lengthy, the waiting time for the other rows was very short. This time I sat in the second row. Just like earlier, I remained totally relaxed and didn't scream at all throughout the duration of this ride. Once again, I reluctantly limited myself to one go on Colossus as there were other coasters I had yet to ride. This ended up being my final go of the day on Colossus.
X
An indoor roller coaster. This
Vekoma Enigma is one of just two coasters of this model operating worldwide. It originally operated as X:\No Way Out from 23 March 1996 to the end of the 2012 season, during which time the train had five rows of seats which faced backwards to the direction of travel. Since the start of the 2013 season it has been operating as X, with new forward facing trains, and the building illuminated by lasers and disco lights. There was no queue for X when I approached it late afternoon. That created a problem for me because, although on previous visits I was able to ride X alone, this time the ride attendants insisted on there being two riders per row. Hence I had to wait for someone else to turn up. Fortunately an odd-numbered group arrived soon after me, so one of them sat beside me in the front row. This coaster was worth riding to say I'd ridden it this visit, but I wouldn't rate it highly. Due to my need to sit beside someone else, I limited myself to just one go; in any case I had a greater desire to go on other rides before closing time, which was now fast approaching.
Stealth
This
Intamin Amusement Rides Accelerator Coaster has been operating at Thorpe Park since 15 March 2006. With a maximum height of 205.1' (62.5 metres) it is the second tallest coaster currently operating in the UK and fourth tallest coaster currently operating in Europe. Its top speed of 80 mph makes it the fastest coaster currently operating in the UK and third fastest coaster currently operating in Europe.
After queuing for about ten minutes I got into a vacant row, but can't remember which one. The train set off, climbed the vertical lift hill, went over the top and down the vertical drop. Having landed, there was one gentle up-down undulation, before the train was back at the station. Wow, a mega fun ride; one of the most exciting rides I went on all day. The snag was the fun was all over way too quickly! Reluctantly I limited myself to just one go. I resisted my temptation to queue for a second go as I still hadn't ridden Nemesis Inferno.
Nemesis Inferno
This
Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Coaster (Custom) began operating 5 April 2003 and is one of 17 coasters of this model currently operating worldwide. I still hadn't been on this, and was hoping to get at least one go before ride closing time which was now just a few minutes away. Fortunately this was still open and walk-on, so I got into a vacant row. Once despatched the train set off around a clockwise downhill spiral around the volcano, then through a tunnel. After that it went up the lift hill, downhill, and around various bends. There was one loop-the-loop along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it, and didn't scream or shout "Mercy" (unlike my very first visit to Thorpe Park in June 2005).
Having left the ride I quickly recirculated via the exit and entry paths. Back at the entry platform, I managed to get straight on to the next train to enjoy a second go without having to wait.
After vacating my seat at the end of my second go, there were so few people waiting behind the gates I was able to take one of the empty seats on the same train without having to recirculate, and thus enjoy a third go. This was the ride's final run of the day, so I made the most of what was to be my last ride of the day. The perfect ride on which to end my 45th birthday visit to Thorpe Park. When the train returned to the station at the end of this run the park was officially closed, so I exited the station.
Summary of my day at Thorpe Park in order of activity
Rush 1
Colossus 1
SAW - The Ride 2
Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride 1
Detonator: Bombs Away 2
Flying Fish 1
Coffee at Fin's Bar and Grill
Vortex 1
Quantum 1
Lunch at The Coffee Shack (The Dome)
Tidal Wave 1
Storm Surge 1
Storm in a Teacup 1
Rumba Rapids 1
The Swarm 1
Rush 1
Zodiac 1
Colossus 1
X 1
Stealth 1
Nemesis Inferno 3
Cumulative Summary of Rides
| Ride | Total |
| Colossus | 2 |
| Detonator: Bombs Away | 2 |
| Flying Fish | 1 |
| Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride | 1 |
| Nemesis Inferno | 3 |
| Quantum | 1 |
| Rumba Rapids | 1 |
| Rush | 2 |
| SAW - The Ride | 2 |
| Stealth | 1 |
| Storm in a Teacup | 1 |
| Storm Surge | 1 |
| The Swarm | 1 |
| Tidal Wave | 1 |
| Vortex | 1 |
| X | 1 |
| Zodiac | 1 |
| TOTAL | 23 |
After leaving Nemesis Inferno I gradually headed towards the Dome and exit. Along the way I had a few more photos taken of me at various points in the Park. I finally left Thorpe Park around 17:25.
Returning to Staines
Without further ado I walked to the bus stop. Just my luck, a bus was pulling away when I got there, so I had to wait for the next one. Fortunately I was right at the front of the queue line, and knew I'd be able to get on the next bus. Several other people waited behind me, and within a few minutes the queue was very long, so looking on the bright side, it's just as well I got to the bus stop when I did. Since it was now getting chilly, I put my hoody and jogging bottoms back on whilst waiting. A Thorpe Park Express bus turned up at 17:46 and, being as I was at the front of the queue, I was first on and got a seat. Others subsequently boarded the bus, until it reached capacity, with some having to stand. Once the bus finally departed the journey from Thorpe Park to Staines took considerably longer than the morning journey from Staines to Thorpe Park, despite taking exactly the same direct route in reverse. The increased travelling time was due to the large volume of traffic on the road. The bus finally reached Staines Bus Station at 18:22.
Birthday Dinner
My birthday fun continued back in Staines town centre. Around 18:30 I went to Harvester for my celebratory dinner. Once seated, I placed my birthday card on the table, pinned two birthday rosettes to my T-shirt and took time deciding what I wanted to eat and drink.
Eventually I chose BBQ Chicken Stack for main course. This included chicken breast with Monterey Jack cheese, BBQ sauce, grilled back bacon, buttermilk fried chicken tops, served with grilled corn (on the cob), Kapia pepper and fries, plus a fill-it-yourself salad bowl. I went to the salad bar to fill my salad bowl whilst waiting for my main course to arrive. To drink, I decided to have unlimited soft drink, I filled my glass with cola. My main course was really delicious; the accompanying salad bowl made it more filling.
Having completed my main course I was ready to order a dessert. After all, a meal would not be complete without a dessert. I chose Berry Mess Sundae, which consisted of summer pudding pieces with raspberries in sauce and crisp meringue, plus soft dairy ice cream and fluffy cream and wafer cone.
A few minutes later the waiter brought me one profiterole with soft dairy ice cream; there was a burning candle in the profiterole. The waiter was going to put the birthday candle in my Berry Mess Sundae, but he forgot; that's why he brought me this unexpected extra. He sang "Happy Birthday" to me and I blew out the candle. The profiterole and soft dairy ice cream were a delicious unexpected treat to finish off my meal. In effect I ended up having two desserts! Having finished my profiterole and ice cream I enjoyed the rest of my drink at a leisurely pace. Once I finished my drink it was time for me to start heading back to the station.
Summary of my meal
Drink: Unlimited soft drink
Main course: BBQ Chicken Stack (chicken breast with Monterey Jack cheese, BBQ sauce, grilled back bacon, buttermilk fried chicken tops, served with grilled corn on the cob, Kapia pepper and fries) including salad bowl
Dessert: Berry Mess Sundae
Unexpected bonus: one profiterole with candle in and soft dairy ice cream.
Journey Home
Having left Harvester I began walking to Staines railway station. Once there I caught the 20:53 South West Trains train to Reading. Having reached Reading at 21:41 there was time for me to buy a takeaway Americano from Land's End Pasty Co. on the inter-platform footbridge before catching the 22:13 GWR train to Bath Spa. I finally reached Bath Spa at 23:15 and home about ten minutes later.
Outro
Highlights
Weather generally reasonable; mainly dry and sunny, and fairly hot for the time of year during the afternoon.
High overall ride count.
Satisfaction of riding all seven coasters in a single trip.
Celebratory birthday dinner at Harvester in Staines town centre in the evening.
Lowlights
Shower of rain late morning.
Bus journey from Thorpe Park to Staines in the evening took longer than desired.
Summing Up
Altogether a mega fun day out to mark my 45th birthday. Where better to spend one's birthday than enjoying the rides at The Nation's Thrill Capital? The weather was quite good; apart from one heavy shower late morning, the rest of the day was dry and sunny, and sufficiently hot for just T-shirt and shorts from mid to late afternoon. Ride queues varied depending on the ride and time of day, but I generally tended to pick rides that which were walk-on or had very short queues, even though that meant leaving Stealth and Nemesis Inferno to the end of the day. My longest wait of the day was for The Swarm mid-afternoon. It was really satisfying to ride all seven coasters (Colossus, SAW - The Ride, Flying Fish, The Swarm, X, Stealth, Nemesis Inferno) again. Just one point about the seven coasters, they're all
steel. Come on Thorpe Park, get some
wood! It was also great riding several other non-coaster rides I first rode on previous trips, including Rush, Detonator: Bombs Away, Vortex, Tidal Wave, Storm Surge, Rumba Rapids and Zodiac. The celebratory evening dinner at Harvester in Staines town centre was the grand finale to this special day.
Many people liked my self-designed birthday T-shirt. Some were puzzled when they first saw the
front,` until I showed the
back. Wearing that throughout the day added to the fun of celebrating my birthday.
Photos of my birthday outing are
available here
