Fastrack packages have also been increased in price and slightly re-structured for the new season. The most significant change is to the Fastrack Silver package which has now been re-named to ‘The Big Six’ and includes The Smiler for the first time.

from towers times

TowersStreet have reported (and subsequently had it confirmed) that The Blade will be SBNO this year. The park state that it's for future developments (I.e. 2017 coaster) but it's more likely a budgetary reason.

I really don't get the way they're laying the park out. As much I love coasters, and don't like Pirate Ships, is 3 big coasters in one small area a good idea?

The diversity of attractions around the park is appalling, and this move only makes it worse. FV is now full of just thrill rides, nothing 'family' or for children.

SW8 is all but confirmed to be in the Forbidden Valley.

But on the upside the Octonauts coaster which is new for cbeebies land this year looks delightful :)

the blade will now operate from season start until further notice

Britain's number one theme park. You wouldn't have thought so judging by the bizarre staggered opening across park. Obviously off peak and peak will be different but to me every attraction should be open from the time the park opens. As for getting rid of SRQ! I can't see the logic.

How is filling up an odd seat holding the ride up! All these rides need are strong confident ride ops who are not afraid tell people what to do!

Rita's Single rider queue was very handy as a ride host. filling up the spare seats etc.

Rita SRQ is no biggie. It was often overly long and can easily be alleviated by efficient batching. Nemesis' one is a bigger issue but I can understand the efficient argument there since it was an afterthought and placed on the wrong side of the station for batching.

Apparently ride openings were much better this weekend than last weekend and it should also be noted that the Waterpark has much improved opening times this year :)

Blade will operate until some point during this season (but I'm sure we will know more once some plans surface for 2017) and also Nemesis celebrated its 21st birthday this week.

In other news there was a small fire in the Fish & Chip outlet in FV today but it was nothing too major.

As always pics and info can be found on the TowersStreet facebook :)

Still one of the greatest coasters in the world. And now old enough to drink in America!

Had a real good day and a half on the resort. Nice and quiet and good ride count all round. Smiler front row is the top dog although must say already rough

Nemesis for its 21st had to be done and we also did the blade incase it does go before we go back in Sep. Even heard the operators saying they will be glad when its gone - guess it has had it even though it reached full height and seemed popular.... Ripsaw was on odd setting as ever, sounding rough. When someone threw up it had 4 spins to dry it off when we got on it did just two.

Planning application in to make a air restaurant and also talk of air being changed in terms of it being extended or made faster as it is the last popular ride by staff.

Had a good look round some themed bedrooms in the hotels and our stay on site was very good. waterpark fun and a nice look round the new tree houses and lodges too.

One annoying thing was the walking round and round the queue lines when they just simply needed to be shortened as the park was lovely and quiet - totally unnecessary especially oblivions.

The staff had just been briefed on the new SW coming in 2017......... lots of trees pulled down around Rita and the Monorail.

We also went down in the evening to look at the real chained oak - was fascinating to see it.

Next stop Thorpe Park in a couple of weeks with our first ever stay at the shark hotel

Yes oblivion could if they closed of part of it off in particular the part where there are some steps that take you right up to the level with the round dome with the screens inside it

Was good talking to the guy who is based in the hotels about how they are looking at possible changes for the whole attraction of air yet its unlikely as you say. Really see no point in making the air shop any different

And yes assuming another "world first" for SW8 which will run roughly from blade to Rita I understand ?

Corrrrr at least use a TowersStreet link fella! :P

Air shop is an ideal location for the new restaurant. Air will not get any changes as part of this. The shop itself is a large structure of good height for the Rollercoaster element of the restaurant. Equally that area of the park will be increasingly busy because of SW8 and so will need more food options.

As for SW8 itself people can only speculate on what the plans will be but based upon the environmental impact assessment which is where details have come from - it will almost certainly NOT be cross valley. It will be in and around the area behind Ripsaw and Blade most likely but it won't be going over towards the dark forest.

Oh and the Oblivion thing? Those steps are a fire escape. The actual queue can't be lengthened or shortened due to the way it loops around up to the station. If it's quiet though just nip up the single rider queue then slot into the normal queue before the merge point... Cuts off a bit ;)

-- Edited by mrbrightside on Wednesday 29th of April 2015 07:58:51 PM