Nothing else to do right now (apart from sort through video clips), so have a report...
I arrived with my dad quite early to the park, meeting Mushroom, Rebel (she got her costume, it's okay
) and a small gathering of others. We started chatting, we got into the park after being searched by the food police and then everybody else started turning up. It was a slow start to the day, but after introductions, we headed off to the Big Dipper.
The Big Dipper was as fun as I remembered it; not too bad but not hugely exciting. I had last year's derailment at the back of my mind while riding, which was a bit unnerving (insert disclaimer about accident stats here).
But since we survived that, we headed onwards to Nickolodeon Land. Roller Coaster was first (I know what you're thinking, but it's Roller Coaster, not Nickolodeon Streak... *gak, spit*). Zipper Dipper has been equally defaced, but at least Blue Flyer is a semi respectable name. Roman, the awesome ride-op wasn't operating it today, which made me disappointed.
Looking back, those paragraphs are very negative. Don't worry, I was still enjoying talking to people and getting involved in/filming antics.
Valhalla next... still a brilliant ride in my opinion, and most of the effects seemed to be working. Whether it was just because I was in the fat boat or bad memory, but it seemed a lot wetter than usual. I certainly don't remember the huge hammers chucking water around. Fun was had, I got soaked, and then it was lunch.
I headed off to investigate the laser maze with Mushroom and Rebel, who tried to convince others to join them, but failed. It's an interesting and fairly fun little attraction in the amusements which involves walking through a field of green laser beams, and trying to hit the targets around the room in as little time as possible without hitting too many beams. I was quite good at it - something to try if you're ever in Blackpool in the future. Just takes a few minutes. Lunch was had at a (rather nice actually) greasy spoon chippy place.
Back at the meet-up, we did Avalanche, which I concluded was far too overlooked in the coaster community. Even sitting on Barry, it was a really fun ride, if a bit too short, and I'd love to do more bobsled coasters. I think Grand Nash was next. Pain - that is all. After Nash type pain, we wandered over to do some Mouse type pain, but the Wild Mouse had a better, more fun type of pain, so it was enjoyed immensely. I think the rain must've helped make the ride slightly faster too, making the out of control feeling even more so. The last few turns and hills are just completely mad.
Starting to lose track of what was done in what order so I'll just list things.
The "not sponsored by Pepsi Max" Big One was as uninteresting as ever. Good first drop, meh layout. But I noticed a distinct amount of airtime today which was nice.
Steeplechase. Not a big thrilling ride but it's really quite fun.
Irn-Bru Revolution with its buckets of airtime, great backwards loop and general awesomeness (stop kidding yourself Richard, it's great and it didn't give me a migraine).
River Caves. I've got a soft spot for this. It's fun and it tries (and fails) to educate people about things. But it's just so Blackpool. The models have that traditional feel. And of course, there's the odd room where they fit in blue caves, a fried chicken restaurant and Gold Mine track... speaking of which,
Gold Mine. Not really much to say about it really. A bit dull.
Nice to meet and talk to people I've not seen in ages, people I've not seen at all (I think there were a couple of new faces today, with accompanying parents). It was a great day out, so I'm happy overall.
Highlights
"John! That is a new machine!" T Shirt
Somebody (probably Ian from CoasterForce) bought doughnuts - they were well appreciated
Planking!
Seeing Furie and maxi-minor_Furie get evacuated from the cars ride
Wild Mouse
Chris and Richard's debate (read: Chris getting shouted at by Richard) about beer and Bristol in the Revolution queue
There were lots of good things, I can't remember them all and I'm tired.
Video will follow shortly.
