UK Photo TR: Derek's version

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

The next day was spent at Drayton Manor after some morning ERT at Alton on Air and Nemesis. I don't know if it was the lack of ERT at Drayton, the rain, or the new management, but the park seemed to really be different than last time, and not in a good way. I had a much better time back in 2002, but rode less and was stuck in the park with loads of school kids. This time the park was empty, we rode pretty much everything in the park, and still didn't really feel like we were having a lot of fun.

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:43 am Post subject:

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:33 am Post subject:

After Drayton Manor, the next day had a few hours at Southport before heading back to Blackpool. I was really looking forward to Southport, since it was so cool the last time I was there. Of course, a lot has changed in 4 years; the flying scooters were in pieces, the ghost train didn't spin anymore, the helter skelter slide and wacky indoor whip-like ride were removed, and 2 coasters were closed. The wheel in the funhouse was still there though, and I'm sure it was great, but I didn't wear socks that day, so I couldn't partake.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject:

After Southport, we headed back to Blackpool for some ERT on Big Dipper. After that was a credit run to South Pier for some people, where I finally experienced the evil super spinning Waltzer there. Riding when we did worked to our benefit, Nicole and I were the only ones on the ride and the ride ops were double teaming our tub, spinning it at unbelievable speeds. It was the most insane spinning ever, and my neck really hurt.

The following day would take us back to Blackpool, a park I still can't seem to get enough of. Its so classic and historical, with ride upon ride upon ride. I pitied the people there for the first time who went off on their own, as even I was still having trouble remembering what was where. Blackpool is definitely in my top 3 parks in the world and has some great coasters and darkrides too.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:09 pm Post subject:

LOL!!! I look really angry in that Noah's Ark picture!!!! Taiko LMAO!

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject:

The following day was split at 2 parks, Lightwater Valley and Flamingoland, both of whom offered us ERT sessions.

Lightwater Valley hadn't really changed since 2002, except they removed the Bat Flyer and log flume and replaced them with 2 other coasters, a Wacky Worm and a Pinfari Galaxi. Lightwater is a strange park, with lots of walking to actually get to rides, then lots of empty spaces. There's a nice wooded area, and then the rest of the park is essentially in a field. The big draw here is the Ultimate, an inhouse built terrain minetrain of randomness. What is it the ultimate of, waste of steel? oddity? combination of 2 extremes, sleep and insanity? Whatever it is, its messed up!

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

Great photos Derek. LOL to Barry's dookey pants.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

Flamingoland, on the other hand, changed a LOT since 2002. They got rid of 2 awesome Schwarzkopf coasters (not that anyone besides Joe would care anyway, and he was too busy filing papers to even go on the trip, so who cares about him Taiko Tounge Red

) as well as the indoor Pinfari Thunder Mountain. But at the same time they added a bunch of cool rides like the Disk-O, and 2 great Vekomas (is that even possible to say!?). The park's also been getting better and better theming.

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