Loopathon 2009

Auntie Murial · Loopathon 2009

Hey guys and gals,

Just wanted to say a big thank you to Nev for oranising the weekend and to Alton Towers for there hospitality, all in all i had a fantastioc time ( except the friday night, the people at Peakstones will know what i mean ) and all the staff at Alton were really lovely.

I hope everyone has a fantatioc time at Drayton Manor today, im just about to have Sunday Lunch with my parents for my Dad's birthday Smile

Was great to see everyone

Love ya all

Ian x

Nemesis Nick

Glad you enjoyed Alton Towers yesterday Auntie Murial. I hope everyone else who did Alton Towers yesterday had a great time, and those doing Drayton Manor today will have just as much fun.

As some of you probably know, I didn't attend either day of Loopathon this year, so I'm afraid I won't be able to do an in-depth report of either day. However a week ago today was the first day of my 5-day holiday in Cornwall Sunday 27 September to Thursday 1 October (which I've called Ride Slide Go Cornwall 2009), and I'm currently working on a day-by-day report for that in the Members Own Trips section.

If I don't see you all before, see you at next year's Blackpool Bash.

Happy Helen

Hope you all had a great weekend.

WildMouse · Re: Loopathon 2009

Rogue · Re: Loopathon 2009

RobinA

Went on my first Club trip and would like to say thanks for all the effort put in by the team. The number of people was daunting especially coming on my own, I am sure in time this will get easier as I get to know more people. However, I did have a good time and enjoyed the great number of rides, far more than normal, the ERS's are great.

Starting off with Oblivion, which I had never been on, was a great start to the day. I went on 6 times, including the front outside seats, during the ERS. Down to Rita for 4 goes and a ride in the front seat. After that a ride on the Runaway Train before going down to Nemesis for a refresher of how good it is. After dinner it was a ride on Spinball Whizzer. Back down to X-Sector a ride on Submission, against my better judgement, but it seems daft not to try when you are in the park. I can't say I enjoyed it but I can say I did not submit. Went on Enterprise but this only left me feeling giddy. Another ride on Oblivion where we got absolutely soaked and was lucky enough to get off just before the power cut. A trip down to Air followed, a little uncomfortable on my neck and without a good view. Our second trip on Air was from the front rows which was good but still as strain on the neck. By now it was time to head back in the general direction of the Hospitality suite but stopped off for a ride on Congo River Rapids.

The big moment arrived with the march down to Nemesis for the final ERS, very strangely the number of people in front of us when we left the hospitality suite was much larger by the time we got there. I really felt Nemesis was flying and it seemed to get faster as the rides went on. Perhaps I was getting tired. However I have 8, it may have been 9 as I lost track, including a ride on the front seat. I think this for 27 or 28 rides which was pretty good going, I thought. Front row rides on Oblivion, Air, Nemesis and Rita.

Sunday at Drayon Manor started on Apocalypse, certainly gets the blood flowing. Never been on this ride, so was not sure to expect, anyway after 2 rides sitting down, I got brave and stood up (totally mad) to be dropped. For some strange reason I went back for second go. Down to Maelstrom for two rides, really enjoyed this ride. Then down to Shockwave to see if I was still up to this coaster. Really good so waited for a front row seat which is superb. Big smile on my face in the photo booth as I came off.

However, no one told me how exhausting this all was and, being totally shattered, called it a day. I really will have to get some serious training in for the next trip. How did you guys cope with 14 days on the trot in the States, totally unbelievable.

Anyway thanks to all the people I spoke to and I look forward to seeing you in the future.

Robin

c anderson

Good report, especially the length, just right. Glad you enjoyed your first Club trip. You get a better chance to meet people at Blackpool Bash so make sure you go there then you will see how sociable the Club really is.

smiler

Well another loopathon gone and another very tierd weekend to. Great company as always and great fun all round. Pictures are now up on me site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10803540@N02/collections/

Nimmykins

Paul and I took my friend Trish for her first UK theme park visit. Trish is from Indiana and studying in London for a few months.

She had an early night on Friday, and missed most of the carnage at Peakstones, but was delighted by the warm welcome.

Oblivion went down very well, as did RITA. Trish was particularly delighted to discover British theme parks don't shut down in the rain.

Our only mistake of the day was Battle Galleons. We went on the wrong side of the boat and spent £2 in the human dryer. We were wet for most of the day.

We arrived on Dual at the same time as the Hines and a few other members. Paul had the highest score. I might have done a little better if I hadn't kept shooting his head.

Other delights during the day included fitting nine adults in a Riverbank Eye Spy boat, the unfortunate behaviour of the giant rabbits at Old McDonald's Farm and Trish's delight when we went on Hex (we didn't tell her what happened).

The McDonald's tractors kept going around during the power cut, but we saw Squirrel Nutty had shut down.

Paul tried out Submission and agreed I wouldn't like it.

We had a delightful experience at Alton. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the place looked better than it had for years.
I still recommend Eastern Express for lunch.

I met a few new members. I think one was Bigcoaster33. Hope you had a great time.

Drayton also looked great. I noticed the deco buildings and how everything looked freshly-cleaned or painted.

We had 15 adults in a boat for the pirates ride, and almost displaced all the water in the trough. Didn't ground it though.

The 4D cinema was excellent. We thought the Haunted House film was pretty scary for kids.

Drayton's buffet surpassed itself this year, with a great selection of food, particularly for Trish and I, as we're both vegetarians.

There's always plenty and I took a photograph of the leftovers (according to the staff there was more round the back).

It was a perfect weekend. Thanks of course to Nev for still finding the time to organise our fun while holding down a demanding job. I don't know how he does it.
Also many thanks to the Alton and Drayton for the hospitality.

bluea61

We both had a great time as usual. Really impressed with how friendly everyone was working at Alton, I really thought we were in a different park!! Laughing

After a few goes in the morning ERS we headed straight for FV and worked back towards the entrance. We managed to walk on every ride on the way and had done most of the park before lunch which was a bonus, including a very entertaining ride on the Runaway Train, Chu Chu!! Laughing

I totally agree with Sarah, Eastern Express is the best place to eat in the park. A good curry always goes down well on a cold day. After our lunch we picked the wrong time to ride Battle Galleons, as it was right in the middle of the down pour. Still good fun though.

On Sunday, something amazing happened! Hayley actually went on the Stand Up side of Apocalypse. I'm sure most of you heard the screams!
Basically a great day at Drayton and a top class buffet.

I think I've just about recovered from our goes on Pandemonium!

streamers

As usual, Nev arranges these days out very well -- for which many thanks. We always enjoy our day there, even if the weather had other ideas ! We may be a pair of pensioners now -- but we still kept up with younger members and got on ride after ride. It's called "GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY" and we're all in favour of that !
Thanks again -- and belated birthday wishes to Christine.

frosty

Although I could not make it this year Sad

it was great to see that Mark (Coaster Police) made it along and got some riding in. Nice to see that he's feeling alot better.

stealth fan

As usual, another awesome weekend at Alton Towers and Drayton Manor. Shame about the weather on the saturday, but it did'nt stop the fun.

Big thanks to Nev for organising it Very Happy

Bambi

What a wonderful weekend. Had a great day at Alton Towers, all of the staff were really friendly (Or over friendly in some cases Chu Chu!) which added to the day.
I was most surprised that even when the powercut happened they were still friendly!! Had some excellent rides on Nemesis, thanks Barry for the Bingo chats whilst waiting.

Had a good day at Drayton, although I certainly will not be going on the drop tower again! Had a good day, and it was nice to see some improvements in the park.

stevencaine

Coaster Police

coaster-andy

Well a blinding Saturday for me. I only did Alton but was not disappointed.Oblivion to open the day followed by Rita Queen of Speed and the first ride I can say was a bit of a whiplash now I see why OTSR are hated. The gang were good as well loved the day with them all. Pizza an Pasta was lovely recommend over a burger meal and cheaper to. Nemesis at the end of the day was just a great end to what I can say a brill day. Cheers to all that worked hard on getting this trip together and I am never disappointed by and trip this club do. It is always a great day no matter rain or shine.

STEALTHYBUTBAD

It was a great weekend as ever even if the weather was a bit dodgy on the saturday and nice and sunny on the sunday at Drayton Manor.
I filmed a video of "Disco Dan" singing the "I would walk 500 miles" song in a repeat performance from last year at the Blacksmiths Arms pub in Alton just a couple of minutes walk away from the Alverton Motel where i was staying on the friday night.

Here is the link for the video of Disco Dan which Nev announced during the lunch at Alton Towers on saturday : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY6p0eWLDHE

I would like to thank Nev for Organising another great trip ! and also Alton Towers (the lunch was nice but Draytons was better !) for their hospitality and also to Drayton Manor for their fantastic lunch and hospitality and i look forward seeing all of my Coaster Friends either at a park before the season ends or at the the Blackpool Bash 2010 !

Coaster_Police

First of all a big thankyou to so many friends who welcomed me back this weekend Very Happy

after the unfortunately accident a year ago Sad

. It was a good feeling to be riding once more. Besides some pain on Rita, all was well. Just a shame we are nearing the end of season. I need to ride some more coasters now Very Happy

The Coaster Police was indeed back to full strength and as always, Heather[Coaster Chick] took the brunt of our humour Laughing

Thank you Heather, your contrabution to the weekend was invaluable.

Secondly a big thankyou to Nev for organising the weekend once again.

mophead

stevencaine

Thanks Nev Cool

Auntie Murial · Re: Loopathon 2009

bluea61

nemesis scribe

stealth fan

Happy Helen

Adam164

Hi everyone,

Just like to say Millions Thank you to Nev for organising weekend and everyone I met for a brilliant weekend at Alton Towers and Drayton Manor It was all so Awesome!!

ERS Nemesis in the dark was fantasic I really enjoyed it running in the dark and riding eleven times.

A Big thank you to all the members who took the time to talk to me and it really made me feel welcome everyone was so friendly.

The lunch at Drayton Manor was excellent I think everyone else enjoyed the food aswell looking at the queues.

I am looking forward to next year and the blackpool bash trip and all the future outings.

Thank you again

Adam Very Happy

Gollum

First full Loopy for us for 4 years!!! 2 years since a visit to Drayton and 4 since Alton Towers.

Great to catch up with some very good friends and as always make a few new ones Smile

We actually brought along noobs each day so our gang of 5 (Joolz, Simon, Siyane, Jermane & myself for Sat then Joolz, Simon, Nina, Ian & myself for Sun) did our thing and hooked up with other club members for ERS's and takeovers etc as and when.

Early start Sat from Brum at 0645 and got to the gates for 8 ready to be let in. Straight onto Oblivion for 2 rides, front & back then off to Rita for 2 rides (only time the rain caused some comfortableness about the face area during a ride LOL). Then off to AIR for 1 ride as the q's started to build now as hotel guests and Joe Public were with us. Then we the Runaway Mine Train and laffed so hard when the lady with the mic kept doing her CHOOO CHOOOOOO - she loves her job! Wink

Off to Duel, which I won - yay! Then a nice walk around the Sea Life b4 going to check out the club merchandise etc in the hospitality suite. A quick spin on the Whizzer was to be followed by Hex BUT once into the 2nd holding area there was a power cut Sad

As it affected that sector, all rides nearby had to be recommissioned so we headed for the Toadstool swings. (Still not been in Choc Factory ride!).
Then finally it was the Nemmy ERS which started in the light :-O but like a switch for the last 15 mins of the hour, it was dark Smile

Back home, Pizza Hut delivery, chat, bed = top day!

Up not so early Wink

then off to Drayton for 9. Coffee/tea was very welcome. Then a social hour during Apocalypse ERS as none of us bothered these days (or is that scared LOL) Wink

anyhow then off to Maelstrom which is a gr8 fun ride - Joolz fave. Haunting next, then 4D cinema (which was not bad) followed by Wild West Shootout then Sombreros and Buffalo Coaster. Then the highlight of my day, we went on Troublesome Trucks Coaster, a new tick for Joolz & I on our counts but more than that, what a fantastic little fun coaster. Our friend Nina laffed from start to finish and was so infectious we were all crying with laughter throughout LOL Smile

Then the 2nd highlight of Drayton for us, a club takeover of the bumper cars. Always fab fun. To my total surprise then, we went on a wet ride in the UK!!! Rapids - gr8 fun as always and thankfully not too wet before the girls decided to spin dry themselves on The Flying Dutchman swings and Joolz got an extra go on Maelstrom on the way to us going on Shockwave a couple of times. Finally the G-Force ERS gave us the chance to get a couple of goes on this novel but too short a coaster before tripping off before we all collapsed.

Top weekend, great to see everyone and thanks to Nev & all those involved for arranging this. Our friends loved it too and will join in again, you never know, actually as club members Wink

Martin (Gollum) & Joolz
Member No. 2174
ps sorry about report length but we have not been so long I could not help it Embarassed

AndyT · Loopathon 2009

Great fun yet again, thanks to Nev for organising this trip and all the others throughout the last year.
piccies are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy...67/sets/72157622522803398/detail/

Here is my report:
3rd October: Alton Towers
-----------------------------------
I got to the park at about 08:00. The monorail was running, so I caught one to the park entrance. Then we all headed to Oblivion for our first ERS of the day. Oblivion is a bit of a one trick pony, but its quite a good trick. I had about 4 goes.

Next we headed over to Rita for our second ERS (but hotel guests were there too). I still think the best place to sit is right at the back for Rita.

After that I wandered over to Nemesis and was able to walk straight on about 5 times by going in the "Single Riders" queue. Then I walked straight onto the front row of Air (also in the single rider queue). To be honest, the front of Air is nothing special, cos every row is looking down rather than forward. I really wish Air was higher off the ground, and the bit where you are on you back was shorter. My favourite flying coaster is Tatsu at 6 flags Magic Mountain, which really makes you sick because of the height.

After lunch I had a go on Spinball Whizzer, on which I got soaked cos it was chucking with rain. I was lucky though, because the ride had a power cut just after me and people were stuck on the ride in the rain for about 20 minutes.

Next I went on the Runaway minetrain, then back to Oblivion, where I befriended one of the ride operators called Andy. Again I was able to walk straight on by using the single riders queue.

Finally I headed over to the hospitality suite. There I met Phil and Paul, and we all wandered over to the ERS on nemesis. It wasn't quite pitch black for the ERS, but it was good fun nonetheless. I think Nemesis is still one of my favourite steelies, the fact that it is so close to the ground and the theming is fantastic. I really wish they would have a monorail that has clear windows so that you can admire the station theming from above.

The single rider queues, however, are great. I really wish Thorpe Park would add some. After the Nemesis ERS we had to walk back to the park entrance and then get the monorail back to the car park. I understand that in the past, the RCCGB used to be allowed to walk past Air and use the gate to get to the car park. I hope that is reinstated at future ERSs, cos it was a real pain having to walk all the way back to the park entrance.

4th October: Drayton Manor
------------------------------------
This was my first trip to Drayton Manor. I got to the park at about 9am. There was enough time to grab a coffee before the apocalypse (drop tower) ERS. I elected for sitting down. I was too feart to do the stand-up drop! Maybe next time.

Then we all headed over to Maelstrom for a group takeover. I managed to just get on the first ride of the day. Maelstrom is a gyro swing, and was really good fun. It goes just high enough for you to start feeling upside down and feel like you are going to be thrown out of the harness. It swings to a maximum height of 22.5m.

Next we went on the rapids, on which Mary and I got soaked. Every one else seemed OK. Then we went on Shockwave (the only stand up rollercoaster in Europe, and the only standup rollercoaster with a zero-g roll in the world). I didn't think it was anything special. I certainly didn't want to re-ride it.

We went on Pirate Adventure (on which I got soaked again) and then Excalibur, where all the non-working parts were pointed out to us by an enthusiastic member of our party. Next we went on the drunken barrels (tea-cups type ride), and then headed for our buffet lunch.

After lunch I went on the troublesome trucks rollercoaster (I think this ride is quite fun, it would probably be even better if it wasn't held back when the train goes through the station). Next I went on the chairlift, and the two diesel 'steam' trains. I like to go on the scenic railways and chairlifts at theme parks because you tend to get good views of the rides that you don't necessarily get anywhere else in the park. I had a nice quiet coffee out at a coffee shop at the far end of the zoo and then walked back to the park.

Then I went in the 4d cinema, which was surprisingly scary - a horror film about a haunted house. After, I had a couple of rides on G-force so that I knew what to expect for the ERS. There were some idiot kids messing around in the queue in front of me that spoiled the queue for this one. I guess that is one of the plusses about ERSs. Everyone has respect for other riders.

At the end of the day, we had our G-force ERS. I had about 5 or 6 goes. I like the fact that g-force doesn't have over the shoulder restraints - a bit like Behmoth at Canada's Wonderland, but slightly more uncomfortable. That upside down lift hill has the most hang time I have ever had on a rollercoaster.
Finally, we all gathered next to Shockwave for our traditional end of season send off: A sing-song of the hokey-cokey (coaster crazy style) and then a group hug for the new trippers.

Nimmykins

I took a couple of photographs of what was left by the time everyone had thirds at Drayton.
I missed a few fruit tarts.
Apparently there was more, too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nimmykins/3984641459/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nimmykins/3984639871/

stealth fan · Re: Loopathon 2009

Happy Helen · Re: Loopathon 2009

Death

Hail all!

For once in my life, I'm going to have a go at a reasonable length report for the board. I might do a more comprehensive one with photos later on, but if I do I'll host it on my own site and link to it from here. Cool

Alton was a great trip in it's own right, with both the Oblivion and Rita ERS's a great start to the day. It was nice to see the park so surprisingly quiet for a Saturday, and I managed a good few rides throughout...Although I wouldn't have minded a few more on Air.
The Nemesis ERS was simply as awesome as always, and - Probabally because I was the first member into the queue (Surprise surprise! Wink

) I was one of the few who managed to squeeze in eleven rides that night. Having not ridden Nemesis intensely for at least two years now, I was also pleased to see that she's still going so well despite hitting the big 15 this year! Twisted Evil

Drayton was also an excellent day, and despite the number of flat rides I've tried, I still can't find one that in my view beats stand-up Apocalypse! Maelstrom and all of the other rides during the day were good as well, although having more than one ride on Shockwave, and not going to the wrong platform for Troublesome Trucks (See the Hall of Shame) would be two things that I'd change. Lunch was the usual excellent Drayton fayre...And if anyone's wondering; Aye, I did manage to finish off that huge plate of food that I'd got without trouble! Shocked

As always, the night-time ERS on G-Force was as fun as it had been in previous years, and it was cool to see that my Woodie peg from Loopathon 2005CE still lives on in the queue line building! The only down-side of that ERS for me had to be G-Force itself; Specifically the fact that the restraints insisted on steadily crushing me during each ride, meaning that none of the four goes that I had was nearly as comfortable as a coaster ought to be. Some back-locks on those bars would probabally go down a treat with many riders! Smile

Anyhow...Many, many thanks to the management and staff at both parks for welcoming us there and making us all feel at home, thanks also to Nev and the rest of the RCCGB team for organising the trip and making it all go fun and smoothly as well. Smile

An extra special thank-ye also to Dave B for his very kind hospitality and "logistical assistance" across the weekend as well! Cool

Farewell for now, and already looking forward to next season! Twisted Evil

>> Death <<

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