TPJThemeParkJames

Updates

 

All the latest updates and news on the site, new videos, etc, etc.

2024

Alton Towers Fireworks 2024: Phalanx Expo

This year's Alton Towers Fireworks Spectacular was taken over by the Phalanx for an Expo showcasing their latest Nemesis research...

Alton Towers Fireworks 2024: Phalanx Expo

Drayton's Gold Rush

Drayton Manor's new family rollercoaster, offering different ride experiences morning and afternoon...

Drayton's Gold Rush

Hyperia: The UK's tallest rollercoaster

Towering 236ft above Thorpe Park, the new Mack Megacoaster designed to let riders Find Their Fearless...

Hyperia: The UK's tallest rollercoaster

Minifigure Speedway

The first ever Lego themed racing rollercoaster, recently opened at Legoland Windsor...

Minifigure Speedway

Emerald Park's Tír Na nÓg Media Preview event

A quick trip over to Ireland with the European Coaster Club to try out the two new Vekoma coasters and experience the Tír Na nÓg themed area at Emerald Park.

Emerald Park's Tír Na nÓg Media Preview event

2023

Fortnight in France

A massive update featuring a trip report and photos, plus park and ride reviews from my two weeks with the European Coaster Club touring around France back in the summer.

Fortnight in France

Babylon Park

London's indoor family entertainment centre at Camden Market.

Babylon Park

Alton Towers Fireworks 2023

Alton Towers' traditional Fireworks Spectacular closed the theme park's main season.

Alton Towers Fireworks 2023

Fright Nights 2023

All the mazes, scare zones and live entertainment at Thorpe Park's 2023 Fright Nights reviewed.

Fright Nights 2023

A Hunker Junker in Finland

Visiting three of Finland's largest theme parks in one long (and slightly wet!) weekend.

A Hunker Junker in Finland

Särkänniemi: the park on a beautiful Finnish lake

A new park guide and ride reviews for Särkänniemi, the lakeside park in Tampere, Finland.

Särkänniemi: the park on a beautiful Finnish lake

Finland's PowerPark

One of the world's most northerly theme parks, and home to not one but two Gerstlauer Infinity Coasters.

Finland's PowerPark

The Spectacular Taiga

The Intamin LSM Launch Coaster at Linnanmäki: Finland's amazing hidden gem reviewed.

The Spectacular Taiga

Mandrill Mayhem

The first new rollercoaster at CWOA in 19 years whisks visitors around the new World of Jumanji ... slowly.

Mandrill Mayhem

Mardi Grrra Heats Up at Chessington

Checking out the park's Mardi Grrra event and the new World of Jumanji area on the hottest day of the year so far. Did Chessington deliver a fantastic day out? Well ... no.

Mardi Grrra Heats Up at Chessington

Sik Rides and Sub Terras

A sunny weekend trip up North to Flamingo Land and Alton Towers, trying out Sik and seeing whether the newly reopened Nemesis Sub Terra is any better than it used to be.

Sik Rides and Sub Terras

Nemesis Retracking Progress

The latest progress from the Nemesis retrack construction site, with the new black track being installed and the Observation Platform open for visitors.

Nemesis Retracking Progress

Sik 10 Inversion Coaster review

Flamingo Land's 2022 multi-inversion Intamin rollercoaster "Sik" ridden and reviewed.

Sik 10 Inversion Coaster review

World of Jumanji Construction

Chessington's new World of Jumanji land and Mandrill Mayhem B&M wing coaster are due to open in the middle of May. The last bits and pieces of construction are taking place to add the finishing touches.

World of Jumanji Construction

Colossus Retracking

The first part of Thorpe Park's Colossus track replacement project, with two of the quad heartline roll inversions currently being replaced.

Colossus Retracking

Alton Towers Opening Day

All the fun and news from the start of the 2023 season at Alton Towers.

Alton Towers Opening Day

The Curse at Alton Manor: Ride Review

All the details on Alton Towers' newly rethemed haunted house dark ride, The Curse at Alton Manor.

The Curse at Alton Manor: Ride Review

2022

Legoland at Christmas

Legoland's special Christmas event full of festive fun and Miniland decked out for the holidays.

Legoland at Christmas

Fireworks Trip and Goodbye to Nemesis

The annual pilgrimage to Alton Towers for their end of season fireworks display, plus a chance for final rides on the original Nemesis before its track replacement.

Fireworks Trip and Goodbye to Nemesis

Alton Towers Fireworks 2022 Show Review and Video

A review of Alton Towers' 2022 Fireworks Spectacular, plus photo gallery and a multi-angle video of the full show.

Alton Towers Fireworks 2022 Show Review and Video

Howl'o'ween at Chessington

Haunted fun at Chessington World of Adventures, with spooky shows and attractions plus the final year of the highly praised Creepy Caves scare maze.

Howl'o'ween at Chessington

Oktoberfest at Alton Towers

Traditional German beer, food and entertainment come to Alton Towers.

Oktoberfest at Alton Towers

ECC South Coast Shuffle

Spending the second week in a row with the ECC, this time exploring Paultons Park and Funland on Hayling Island.

ECC South Coast Shuffle

Previewing Simworx's AGV Dark Ride

I got the chance to visit Simworx along with the European Coaster Club for a preview of their brand new Automated Guidance Vehicle Dark Ride technology before it is exhibited at IAAPA in London.

Previewing Simworx's AGV Dark Ride

Puppy Power and the Abbey Park Funfair

What better thing to do the day before a wedding than head over to Leicester's Abbey Park to ride a dog themed kiddie coaster?

Puppy Power and the Abbey Park Funfair

Chessington's Shipwreck Coast

New for 2022 at Chessington World of Adventures is a retheme of Pirates' Cove into Shipwreck Coast, complete with the new Barrel Bail Out ride and the relocation of Timber Tug Boat from Thorpe Park.

Chessington's Shipwreck Coast

Vikings invade Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor's recently opened Vikings area, featuring new rides plus a rethemed Buffalo Coaster.

Vikings invade Drayton Manor

ECC Gulliver's Gallop 2 trip

My first post-pandemic trip with the European Coaster Club - a weekend exploring two of the Gulliver's parks including the brand new Gulliver's Valley theme park in the Rother Valley.

ECC Gulliver's Gallop 2 trip

Gulliver's Valley review and park guide

Gulliver's Valley is a new theme park that opened in 2020 near Rotherham. Here's my comprehensive review and park guide looking at the areas, rides and attractions at the new park.

Gulliver's Valley review and park guide

Legoland Celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Special additions have been added to Legoland's Miniland to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Legoland Celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Mardi Gras at Thorpe Park

A sunny day trip to Thorpe Park, coinciding with the theme park's new Mardi Gras event.

Mardi Gras at Thorpe Park

The Brick and The Magical Forest - new at Legoland

I took a trip to Legoland Windsor with some friends to have a look at the park's two new 2022 attractions - The Brick, and The Magical Forest.

The Brick and The Magical Forest - new at Legoland

Festival of Thrills

A new event for 2022 to celebrate the start of the Alton Towers season, with live music performed on stages outside the major rollercoasters.

Festival of Thrills

2021

Alton Towers 40th Anniversary Fireworks

Alton Towers put on a breathtaking Fireworks display to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

Alton Towers 40th Anniversary Fireworks

Howl'o'ween 2021 at Chessington

A visit to Chessington to try out Croc Drop and Blue Barnacle, plus all the park's Halloween attractions.

Howl'o'ween 2021 at Chessington

Chessington's new 2021 pin badges

New pin badges at Chessington World of Adventures for 2021 include Croc Drop, Kobra, Tiger Rock and Vampire.

Chessington's new 2021 pin badges

A Day Out at Paultons

Another trip to Paultons for fun at the park and more time in Tornado Springs.

A Day Out at Paultons

Lego Mythica and Flight of the Sky Lion

Legoland Windsor has opened a brand new area for 2021, containing three new rides including the UK's first flying theatre, Flight of the Sky Lion.

Lego Mythica and Flight of the Sky Lion

The Great British Theme Park Adventure

Taking advantage of the sunny UK summer to tour some of the country's theme parks including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Legoland and Fantasy Island.

The Great British Theme Park Adventure

Tornado Springs Opening Weekend

After a year-long delay, Paultons Park was finally able to open their new Tornado Springs area in April 2021. I took a trip on its first official weekend of operation, to see the area and try out the new Storm Chaser spinning rollercoaster.

Tornado Springs Opening Weekend

2020

Croc Drop Construction

Croc Drop is the new drop tower ride for the 2021 season, currently under construction at Chessington. Here we take a look at the current progress on site.

Croc Drop Construction

Chessington is Covid-Secure?

A day trip to Chessington to check out all that's new for 2020, both rides and Coronavirus changes, all sadly overshadowed by a general lack of social distancing.

Chessington is Covid-Secure?

Chessington's New Pin Badges for 2020

More pin badges, this time the new pins available at Chessington World of Adventures.

Chessington's New Pin Badges for 2020

New 2020 Pin Badges at Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park have released a new range of pin badges for 2020, including a new "Thorpe retro" range.

New 2020 Pin Badges at Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park's Covid-19 Changes and Delayed Opening

Touring around Thorpe Park on its delayed opening weekend, with a look at the changes the park have had to bring in to keep everyone safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Thorpe Park's Covid-19 Changes and Delayed Opening

Duplo Coaster and Coronavirus: Legoland Opening Day

A trip to Legoland Windsor for the opening day of Duplo Dino Coaster, and a look at the changes brought in due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Duplo Coaster and Coronavirus: Legoland Opening Day

2019

Highlights of the Year 2019

Three minutes of highlights from the 2019 season, which included the opening of the Alton Towers Dungeon, trips to Dreamland, Gulliver's Land and Gulliver's World, plus The Netherlands, Germany and Poland together with the usual UK parks and events.

Highlights of the Year 2019

Wrapping up at Winter Wonderland

Time to wrap up warm for a visit to Winter Wonderland's Giant Wheel and The Magical Ice Kingdom.

Wrapping up at Winter Wonderland

Winter in London

There's plenty of winter fun to be had in London, exploring Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and the Merlin Midway attractions on the South Bank.

Winter in London

Alton Towers Fireworks: The Power of The Towers

Alton Towers' annual fireworks spectacular, this year unleashing the Power of The Towers.

Alton Towers Fireworks: The Power of The Towers

Drayton Manor Fireworks 2019

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing with a rainy fireworks spectacular at Drayton Manor.

Drayton Manor Fireworks 2019

Chessington Howl'o'ween 2019

Completing the tour of major Halloween events with a visit to Chessington's family friendly Howl'o'ween.

Chessington Howl'o'ween 2019

Alton Towers Scarefest 2019

Alton Towers had two new mazes to explore at Scarefest this year, together with returning favourites and plenty of spooky fun.

Alton Towers Scarefest 2019

Xtreme Scream 2019

This year, my first stop on the annual tour of Halloween events was Xtreme Scream, which takes over Twinlakes Theme Park in Melton Mowbray at night and hosts five terrifying scare mazes and other Halloween attractions.

Xtreme Scream 2019

Thorpe Park Fright Nights 2019

Photos from my trip to this year's Fright Nights at Thorpe Park, including the new Creek Freak Massacre scare maze.

Thorpe Park Fright Nights 2019

Creek Freak Massacre construction photos

Thorpe Park's new scare maze for Fright Nights 2019 is taking shape - here are some photos of the transformation of Logger's Leap into Creek Freak Massacre.

Creek Freak Massacre construction photos

Thorpe Park trip

A disappointing visit to a sunny and rather busy Thorpe Park, which appeared to have run out of ... almost everything!

Thorpe Park trip

Crazy Weekend in Germany and The Netherlands

A slightly bonkers long weekend trip to Germany and The Netherlands covering almost 1000 kilometres and visiting the Hamburg Dom fair plus Hansa Park, De Waarbeek, Hellendoorn, Slagharen, Toverland and Movie Park Germany.

Crazy Weekend in Germany and The Netherlands

Reunion at Alton Towers

Ten years have passed since Rich, Paul and myself have had a theme park trip together, so it was well overdue time for a reunion at Alton Towers!

Reunion at Alton Towers

Trip to rainy Drayton Manor

Another rainy theme park trip - this time to Drayton Manor near the end of the school summer holidays.

Trip to rainy Drayton Manor

The Piers at Portsmouth

A trip to visit Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier at Portsmouth, and ride the three new rollercoasters added for the 2019 season.

The Piers at Portsmouth

Tornado Springs Construction at Paultons Park

Photos of the latest construction progress on the multi-million pound Tornado Springs area due to open at Paultons Park in 2020.

Tornado Springs Construction at Paultons Park

A rainy trip to Paultons Park

Paultons Park on a rainy summer day in the school holidays ... and a fantastic day was had by all!

A rainy trip to Paultons Park

İsfanbul, Turkey

Reviews of İsfanbul, one of Turkey's largest theme parks, and its major rides.

İsfanbul, Turkey

ECC Gulliver's Gallop Trip

The European Coaster Club got a rare opportunity to visit two of the Gulliver's theme parks - see photos and watch the trip videos showing what we got up to at Gulliver's World in Warrington and Gulliver's Land in Milton Keynes.

ECC Gulliver's Gallop Trip

Alton Towers at the height of school trip season

Who in their right mind would go to Alton Towers during school trip season? I popped in for a few hours on my way up North to see just how bad it really was...

More:   Alton TowersTrip Report

Alton Towers at the height of school trip season

Room on the Broom

Chessington's new Room on the Broom: A Magical Journey - the replacement for Hocus Pocus Hall - is new for 2019.

More:   Chessington World of AdventuresRoom on the Broom

Room on the Broom

Party in Poland Trip Report and Video

Ninety people from the European Coaster Club went for a long weekend of partying and visiting the major theme parks around Krakow including Energylandia and Legendia - here's my trip report, photos and a video of all the shenanigans!

More:   Party in Poland trip

Party in Poland Trip Report and Video

ECC Dreamland Margate Trip

Photos from a trip with the European Coaster Club to the revamped Dreamland in Margate

More:   Dreamland MargateDreamland Trip Photos

ECC Dreamland Margate Trip

Legoland's new Haunted House Monster Party

Legoland Windsor's long awaited Haunted House has finally opened

More:   Legoland WindsorHaunted House Monster Party

Legoland's new Haunted House Monster Party

Alton Towers Dungeon review

The brand new Alton Towers Dungeon attraction reviewed

More:   Alton TowersAlton Towers Dungeon

Alton Towers Dungeon review

2018

Highlights of the Year 2018

2018 was the year that wood finally came to Alton Towers with Wicker Man, the star of Coaster Mania at Cedar Point was Steel Vengeance, and the European Coaster Club became the first major theme park group to visit Turkey.

More:   Video

Highlights of the Year 2018

Chessington Howl'o'ween 2018

Chessington's Howl'o'ween 2018 celebrating Halloween and the end of the theme park season.

More:   Chessington World of AdventuresHowl'o'ween

Chessington Howl'o'ween 2018

Legoland Windsor Fireworks 2018

A review and video of Legoland Windsor's end of season fireworks display.

More:   Legoland WindsorLegoland FireworksFireworks Spectacular 2018

Legoland Windsor Fireworks 2018

Thorpe Park Fright Nights 2018

Reviews of all the mazes at Fright Nights 2018, including the brand new Vulcan Peak, Dead Creek Woods and The Walking Dead: Do or Die.

More:   Thorpe ParkFright NightsThe Walking Dead: Do or DieVulcan PeakDead Creek Woods

Thorpe Park Fright Nights 2018

Project 42 Scare Maze review

Review of Project 42, the new scare maze for Scarefest 2018 at Alton Towers.

More:   Alton TowersScarefestProject 42

Project 42 Scare Maze review

Tiger Rock at Chessington

Chessington World of Adventures have rethemed their Dragon Falls log flume for 2018, transforming it into Tiger Rock in the Land of the Tiger.

More:   Chessington World of AdventuresTiger Rock

Tiger Rock at Chessington

Project 42 Construction for Scarefest 2018

Updated the Alton Towers Scarefest section with details of the attractions line-up for 2018, and early pictures of the new Project 42 Scare Maze construction.

More:   Alton TowersScarefestProject 42

Project 42 Construction for Scarefest 2018

Conneaut Lake Park

I recently visited Conneaut Lake Park as part of a road trip in the USA - here's a new section featuring reviews, history and photos of the park and its major attractions, including the classic Blue Streak rollercoaster.

More:   Conneaut Lake Park

Conneaut Lake Park

CoasterMania! at Cedar Point

My first visit to Cedar Point coincided with their annual CoasterMania event: the park was open for eighteen hours from 6am to midnight, dedicated to rollercoaster enthusiasts and Cedar Point fans.

More:   Cedar PointCoasterMania! Trip Report

CoasterMania! at Cedar Point

Wicker Man Grand Opening

Wicker Man, the UK's first wooden rollercoaster in 21 years, officially opened at Alton Towers on 24 March 2018.

More:   Alton TowersWicker ManWicker Man Opening Day

Wicker Man Grand Opening

2017

Highlights of the Year 2017

A short video capturing some of my highlights of 2017, the year I finally got to go to Disneyland, the original theme park; I rode Formula Rossa, the fastest rollercoaster in the world; went to Six Flags Magic Mountain, the park with the most rollercoasters on the planet; and visited incredible parks like Phantasialand, Universal Studios and PortAventura. And I got Chosen...

More:   Video

Highlights of the Year 2017

Alton Towers Fireworks Spectacular 2017

People's memories of Alton Towers played a big part in this year's end of season fireworks display.

More:   Alton TowersAlton FireworksFireworks Spectacular 2017

Alton Towers Fireworks Spectacular 2017

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 4 November 2017

The final chance of the 2017 season to take a look at construction on Alton Towers' new rollercoaster, including the first opportunity to walk underneath the lift hill.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction4 November Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 4 November 2017

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 29 October 2017

A large number of new pictures from the SW8 construction site, including new views made possible by the reopening of the Katanga Canyon path.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction29 October Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 29 October 2017

Legoland Windsor Ninjago Fireworks 2017

Video of the full Ninjago themed end of season fireworks show at Legoland Windsor.

More:   Legoland Windsor Fireworks Video

Legoland Windsor Ninjago Fireworks 2017

Alton Towers Scarefest 2017

Information and reviews from Alton Towers' Scarefest Halloween event, featuring The Welcoming: Be Chosen, the brand new scare maze for 2017.

More:   Alton TowersScarefestThe Welcoming: Be Chosen

Alton Towers Scarefest 2017

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 30 September 2017

Lots of work has been going on at the Secret Weapon 8 construction site since my last visit, with much of the trackwork now in place.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction30 September Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 30 September 2017

Disneyland

Disneyland page added together with a set of pages and videos for major attractions at the park. More Californian theme parks coming soon!

More:   Disneyland

Disneyland

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 9 July 2017

Construction of SW8 continues, with the structure of the lift hill now towering over the site together with part of the potential "Wicker Man" statue.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction9 July Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 9 July 2017

Movie Park Germany Review and Video

New review and video from my recent trip to Movie Park Germany.

More:   Movie Park Germany Video

Movie Park Germany Review and Video

ECC Arabian Adventure Trip Report

Report and videos from my trip with the European Coaster Club to the United Arab Emirates in March.

More:   ECC Arabian Adventure Trip

ECC Arabian Adventure Trip Report

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 3 June 2017

An update from the SW8 contruction site, with the station building framework now going vertical and some more of the track foundations visible.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction3 June Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 3 June 2017

Theme Parks of the UAE

Find out all about Motiongate, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Legoland Dubai, Ferrari World and more... videos and a trip report are coming soon!

More:   MotiongateLegoland DubaiIMG Worlds of AdventureFerrari WorldBollywood Parks DubaiSega RepublicGlobal VillageYas WaterworldAdventureland SharjahAntic's Land

Theme Parks of the UAE

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 29 April 2017

Photos and video from the construction site of Alton Towers' Secret Weapon 8, the new wooden rollercoaster opening for the 2018 season.

More:   Alton TowersSW8 Construction29 April Update

Alton Towers SW8 Construction: 29 April 2017

CWOA Gruffalo River Ride Adventure

Info, photos and a PoV video of Chessington's new for 2017 Bubbleworks replacement, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.

More:   Chessington World of AdventuresThe Gruffalo River Ride Adventure

CWOA Gruffalo River Ride Adventure

2016

2016 Season Highlights video

All (well OK, some) of the best bits of the 2016 season, crammed into less than 4 minutes.

More:   Video

2016 Season Highlights video

Alton Towers Fireworks 2016

Alton Towers' 2016 Fireworks were themed around Galactica, the VR retro-fit overlay on Air. The story was pretty poor and the display didn't feel as big as in previous years, but I still managed to capture it from multiple angles over two nights in glorious 4K.

More:   Alton Towers Video

Alton Towers Fireworks 2016

ECC North America Trip 2016

Trip report of a fortnight travelling to 15 parks in the American Heartland, including Holiday World, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Carowinds and Kings Island.

More:   US Trip 2016

ECC North America Trip 2016

0

Drayton's Gold Rush

Drayton Manor's new family rollercoaster, offering different ride experiences morning and afternoon...

Drayton's Gold Rush