Nic
Strata Poster
Spending the night spooning with AJ and Sue (and having your socks torn off by a Nobden) is hungry work. Therefore, when we finally made it out of the house at about 11:30, we though it'd be a good idea to head to spoons for breakfast before making our way to the park. As a result, we didn't get there till about 2 or something, by which point everyone else was already there.
The first task was the LONG walk from the back of the over-flow car park up to the main entrance. We went to meet the others at the crossed ribs restaurant, then headed back up the hill (eugh) for a go on the rapids of awesome. I don't think I've ever seen all the effects working. And on a day as cold as Sunday, that would've been fine. So, for once, I was not best pleased to find them all in perfect working order. Well, except the water curtain at the start, which didn't switch off till we were already halfway under it!
From there we decided that it was only fair to let Sue get her creds, so we headed for the dragon. We arrived to find that Neal had just broken it and by the number of staff that appeared from all angles, chances are it wasn't going to re-open any time soon. Everyone had piled out of the castle, and into the camp-dragon queue, so we decided to give that a miss too. We did however take a couple of minutes to laugh at the lego man who's "lit match" made it look like he was giving people on the drawbridge the finger, and the fact that Stone Cold quite clearly stated that he wanted to lick an owl.
They all then wanted to go and do "depth charge on a hill". As my arse had only just dried out, I decided to give it a miss. Whilst waiting I walked up and down the hill getting lost looking for the ride exit, and then went for a look round the shop. Whilst in there, I bought Richard a pressie, but more of that later. Every single randomer I saw come down on the dinghies was DRENCHED, and the moistness of our lot did not disappoint! AJ then spent the next 10 mins mincing on about his expensive boots. Oh, and they all got heckled by mother-of_Neal and mother-of-mother-of_Neal.
From there we went to Fairytale Brook. Someone asked what type of ride it was, to which I replied "It's like a dark ride... but in the light", thinking that it was a perfectly sensible explanation. Clearly, it was actually met with lots of laughter, and gave them all ammunition to take the piss out of me for the rest of the day. Only highlight of the actual ride was Neal (I think) managing to pull the back of mine and AJ's boat right down into the water as I was leaning back, without me realising. Oh, and AJ making me vogue for the ORP, without doing it himself.
By that point, stuff was starting to close. So we went to what Sue had previously excitedly described as a "shot tower". There was a massive queue, and it was down to 6 seats per ride. It did, however, mean that they all got spat on by the giant Lego dionsaur thing whilst stood in the queue. Peep and I sat out and had goony (but interesting) conversations about European parks, before going over to chat to the rest of the group, who were now nearing the front. I think it was at this point where I presented Rich with his pressie - a flashing Starfish
AJ also enlightened us all as to the existence of the phrase "Slosh Pocket".
It was now nearing Fireworks times, so we got in the epic hot chocolate queue before wandering round the corner to take up out usual spot on the path. As Richard pointed out, it was nowhere near as busy as in previous years. I also noticed a lot less light sabres across the park when the lights were switched off. Don't know if that's because there were less people, or jsut because everyone's got less cash? It was taking longer and expected to get dark, so it gave us plenty of time to faff with glow sticks, and for me to fun off for a quick poo. Eventually, the show begun.
I love the Legoland fireworks (and I usually hate fireworks with a passion), but they're starting to get a bit samey now. There's a talky bit at the beginning between a child and an old person interspersed with the odd firework, then the music begins and it all gets going properly. I swear that the actual display is pretty much the same every year too. Right down to the smiley faces. I'm not saying that it was bad, or that I didn't enjoy it - it was still an awesome show - just that it would be nice to see them do something a bit different next time round.
Rather than make the usual desperate rush across the park to the Dragon, we decided to mix it up and go to the 4D cinema. We were hoping to see Lego Racers, but had missed it where the fireworks were delayed. We therefore ended up seeing the new one. Can't remember what its called, some blokes name. It was quite good. They seem to have added more effects. Including water. Quite a lot of water. DNW. Anyway, yes, the 3D was excellent - one of the best I've seen for the visual effects. I also loved how they moved the 4D effects to match what was going on in the film. Eg, if someone was waving a hose from side to side across the screen, then the water spray would move from side to side across the audience. It was a nice touch.
As is now seemingly tradition, I was incredibly lucky in the car park. The marshals seem to see my car, then then open up a new lane which gives me first dibs on a shortcut across the car park. As a result, what was being advertised as "an hour and 45 minutes" delay, was actually no more than half an hour. Hurrah.
So yes, all in all a good day. Not much of a ride count, and good faff, but there was something missing. It just wasn't the same without BJ&T. It really wasn't
Oh, yeah, photos. I have a couple and might add them in a bit. If not, pester Peep, he took a fair few.
The first task was the LONG walk from the back of the over-flow car park up to the main entrance. We went to meet the others at the crossed ribs restaurant, then headed back up the hill (eugh) for a go on the rapids of awesome. I don't think I've ever seen all the effects working. And on a day as cold as Sunday, that would've been fine. So, for once, I was not best pleased to find them all in perfect working order. Well, except the water curtain at the start, which didn't switch off till we were already halfway under it!
From there we decided that it was only fair to let Sue get her creds, so we headed for the dragon. We arrived to find that Neal had just broken it and by the number of staff that appeared from all angles, chances are it wasn't going to re-open any time soon. Everyone had piled out of the castle, and into the camp-dragon queue, so we decided to give that a miss too. We did however take a couple of minutes to laugh at the lego man who's "lit match" made it look like he was giving people on the drawbridge the finger, and the fact that Stone Cold quite clearly stated that he wanted to lick an owl.
They all then wanted to go and do "depth charge on a hill". As my arse had only just dried out, I decided to give it a miss. Whilst waiting I walked up and down the hill getting lost looking for the ride exit, and then went for a look round the shop. Whilst in there, I bought Richard a pressie, but more of that later. Every single randomer I saw come down on the dinghies was DRENCHED, and the moistness of our lot did not disappoint! AJ then spent the next 10 mins mincing on about his expensive boots. Oh, and they all got heckled by mother-of_Neal and mother-of-mother-of_Neal.
From there we went to Fairytale Brook. Someone asked what type of ride it was, to which I replied "It's like a dark ride... but in the light", thinking that it was a perfectly sensible explanation. Clearly, it was actually met with lots of laughter, and gave them all ammunition to take the piss out of me for the rest of the day. Only highlight of the actual ride was Neal (I think) managing to pull the back of mine and AJ's boat right down into the water as I was leaning back, without me realising. Oh, and AJ making me vogue for the ORP, without doing it himself.
By that point, stuff was starting to close. So we went to what Sue had previously excitedly described as a "shot tower". There was a massive queue, and it was down to 6 seats per ride. It did, however, mean that they all got spat on by the giant Lego dionsaur thing whilst stood in the queue. Peep and I sat out and had goony (but interesting) conversations about European parks, before going over to chat to the rest of the group, who were now nearing the front. I think it was at this point where I presented Rich with his pressie - a flashing Starfish
AJ also enlightened us all as to the existence of the phrase "Slosh Pocket". It was now nearing Fireworks times, so we got in the epic hot chocolate queue before wandering round the corner to take up out usual spot on the path. As Richard pointed out, it was nowhere near as busy as in previous years. I also noticed a lot less light sabres across the park when the lights were switched off. Don't know if that's because there were less people, or jsut because everyone's got less cash? It was taking longer and expected to get dark, so it gave us plenty of time to faff with glow sticks, and for me to fun off for a quick poo. Eventually, the show begun.
I love the Legoland fireworks (and I usually hate fireworks with a passion), but they're starting to get a bit samey now. There's a talky bit at the beginning between a child and an old person interspersed with the odd firework, then the music begins and it all gets going properly. I swear that the actual display is pretty much the same every year too. Right down to the smiley faces. I'm not saying that it was bad, or that I didn't enjoy it - it was still an awesome show - just that it would be nice to see them do something a bit different next time round.
Rather than make the usual desperate rush across the park to the Dragon, we decided to mix it up and go to the 4D cinema. We were hoping to see Lego Racers, but had missed it where the fireworks were delayed. We therefore ended up seeing the new one. Can't remember what its called, some blokes name. It was quite good. They seem to have added more effects. Including water. Quite a lot of water. DNW. Anyway, yes, the 3D was excellent - one of the best I've seen for the visual effects. I also loved how they moved the 4D effects to match what was going on in the film. Eg, if someone was waving a hose from side to side across the screen, then the water spray would move from side to side across the audience. It was a nice touch.
As is now seemingly tradition, I was incredibly lucky in the car park. The marshals seem to see my car, then then open up a new lane which gives me first dibs on a shortcut across the car park. As a result, what was being advertised as "an hour and 45 minutes" delay, was actually no more than half an hour. Hurrah.
So yes, all in all a good day. Not much of a ride count, and good faff, but there was something missing. It just wasn't the same without BJ&T. It really wasn't
Oh, yeah, photos. I have a couple and might add them in a bit. If not, pester Peep, he took a fair few.
