The Swarm for Thorpe Park

The UK's first winged rollercoaster, THE SWARM, takes you on a death defying flight through apocalyptic devastation.

Be picked up and dragged on the wings of THE SWARM as you’re left exposed and vulnerable to the extreme near misses and gut wrenching inversions as it rips through the sky on its
mission of complete annihilation.

Experience the unique head first, inverted drop from 127ft as you are flung into this merciless flight for your life. War is coming... Spring 2012.

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Thorpe Park announce B&M Wing-Rider - LC12

In line with THORPE PARK’s Medium Term Development Plan, application for full planning permission for a new rollercoaster in 2012 has been submitted to Runnymede Borough Council. This can be viewed on the Runnymede Borough Council website, www.runnymede.gov.uk (ref: RU.11/0101).

The German manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard have been commissioned to build
the unique new rollercoaster due to their consistent record of delivering extreme
rides of the highest quality. Subject to planning permission, the ride will open in
Spring 2012 and will be located on one of the new development islands adjacent to
Stealth, measuring just under 40 metres in height.

Mike Vallis, Divisional Director, comments:

“THORPE PARK has developed significantly over the last decade to create the ‘must
do’ destination for thrill seekers in the UK. We have focussed our investment on
delivering exciting new rides and attractions including SAW – The Ride: the world’s
first horror movie themed rollercoaster, Stealth: one of Europe’s fastest
rollercoasters, Colossus: the world’s first 10 looping rollercoaster and Nemesis
Inferno the 4.5 G-force experience.

This new development for 2012 will further add to the Park’s impressive ride portfolio and firmly establish the THORPE PARK as the nation’s Thrill Capital with a wide range of adrenaline pumping rides.”

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Europe’s first Ben 10 roller coaster coming to Drayton Manor Theme Park

Ben 10, the smash-hit cartoon hero, is set to make the award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, his new home.

In a move that will delight tens of thousands of youngsters, Europe’s first ever Ben 10 roller coaster ride will open at Drayton Manor for Easter 2011, following an exclusive deal between the park and Turner CN Enterprises, the brand’s licensor.

Ben 10 is a hugely popular children’s programme, broadcast on Cartoon Network, which follows the adventures of 10-year-old Ben Tennyson, who is able to turn into a variety of alien superheroes, each with unique powers, thanks to his mysterious Omnitrix watch.

The exciting new roller coaster will be part of an amazing Cartoon Network Street, which will include a fully branded restaurant and shop, selling Ben 10 merchandise and products relating to other shows on Cartoon Network.

Children and their parents will get to revel in the world of Ben 10 even before they get on the ride with queue entertainment. Full details of the ride will be unveiled closer to the launch.

Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said: “Drayton Manor has a reputation for firsts. We opened Europe’s first Thomas Land£ in 2008, and we have Europe’s first stand up rollercoaster (Shockwave), as well as the world’s first stand up tower drop ride (Apocalypse).

“Drayton Manor first opened to the public in 1950. Over the past 61 years we have always invested in first class rides and attractions to ensure our visitors have the best possible day out. This is why I am confident that this new Ben 10 themed rollercoaster will be an amazing and popular addition to the park.”

Turner CN Enterprises’ UK Licensing Director Graham Saltmarsh said: “We’re thrilled to be launching a Ben 10 roller coaster ride in the UK, which quite literally is set to take the brand to new heights! It’s very much in line with the action and excitement that fans associate with their hero and a fantastic profile-raising event, which enables us to create another touch point for Ben 10 fans to interact with their favourite character.”

Drayton Manor, the UK’s biggest independently owned theme park, welcomes over 1.2 million visitors every year.

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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announces SkyScreamer for 2011

Experience the newest sensation in tower rides, SkyScreamer comes to Six Flags
Discovery Kingdom in 2011. This new swing ride will take you up, up and away high over the park, with your feet dangling and hair blowing.

Towering at 150 feet above the ground, SkyScreamer will be as high as the park's tallest roller coaster, Medusa. Grab a friend and sit two across in an open air swing as you climb to the top of SkyScreamer tower while spinning round and round. At full swing, you'll soar in a 98-foot circle at speeds over
43 mph. By day, you'll have a bird's eye view of Shouka the killer whale in her pool or the tigers lounging in their exhibit. By night, SkyScreamer will light up the night as its lighted arms whirl high above the park.

SkyScreamer will open in Spring 2011.

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Pleasure Beach Blackpool announces Nickelodeon Land

Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, is delighted to announce the launch of Nickelodeon Land which will open at Britain's favourite tourist attraction in April 2011. Nickelodeon Land represents an investment of £10.3m.

This collaboration between Pleasure Beach, Blackpool and Nickelodeon, the number one entertainment brand for kids, will see a 6 acre area of Pleasure Beach transformed into Nickelodeon Land, which will feature 14 rides, 9 are brand new and 5 are extensively re-themed existing rides. Nickelodeon Land also includes themed retail and catering outlets.

New rides include SpongeBob's Splash Bash, which is an interactive ride where riders have the opportunity to turn the jets onto their friends and blast pesky jellyfish with jets of water for a splashing time. Avatar Airbender allows riders to join Aang on an amazing adventure, spinning and soaring through the air on a giant disk. The Rugrat's Lost River is a rollicking flume ride where you join the Rugrats on their quest to find the mythical Temple of Spoon.

Amanda Thompson, Managing Director of Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, comments, "We are delighted to welcome Nickelodeon to Pleasure Beach. Both of our brands represent fantastic family fun and Nickelodeon Land will combine Pleasure Beach's reputation for amazing rides and attractions with Nickelodeon's favourite fun characters to produce a wonderful attraction, which will wow visitors to the park."

"Pleasure Beach is a first-class amusement park and popular destination for families in the U.K." said Gerald Raines, Senior Director, Nickelodeon Theme Parks and Attractions. "This is an ideal location for Nickelodeon and a great opportunity to expand our global presence. We look forward to offering Pleasure Beach patrons experiences that are unique to Nickelodeon and based on fan favourites like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer."

Work on Nickelodeon Land will commence in the Autumn of 2010 and is scheduled to open in April 2011.

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