VM Live - Mine Yer' Head!

[barry hercules]

... and I'm Barry Hercules!

Hi guys!

I'm Slappy's "minder" as well as being a coaster nut. I've been to some of the best parks in the world to feed my compulsion (while draining my bank balance) and I'm happy to contribute on the day in order to help develop a world class park on my door step. Count me in for the Q&A!

Theming is king at park, area and attraction level. It is a positive move to bring in the pros on Raptor Attack and I am keen to see the results.

Is there a running order for the day?

[Nathan]

Not as such, we will have a basic structure as in meeting up at 10am, go round the park for a few hours, have lunch, more rides etc. Still not sure what time we will be meeting park management for a chat! Possibly lunchtime, but I will try and arrange it for after closing so that people don't lose time in the park.

In other news, unfortunately Lewis can no longer make it due to work commitments. However, Lee (Milthorpe) is now coming! Most of you will remember him from Talk Flamingo!

Quite excited for this trip now, I think in terms of numbers this is our best turnout yet!

[Nathan]

We'll be meeting Ashley Young (management) after park closing so you guys don't lose any ride time! The chat is likely to be informal but he would like to hear your ideas nevertheless.

Not long to go!

[LWE]

Unfortunately won't be able to make this Live due to cash issues, hope you lot have a good time.

[Nathan]

That's a shame!

Anyway, for those that are coming, meet-up outside entrance at 10am, don't be too late otherwise we will have to leave you!

See you all tomorrow!

[Beta_Tester]

Hope you all have a great time. Would love to have met up with you all for the first time, but nevermind.

[Nathan]

Morning all, it's the first VM Live of the season!

Remember to keep an eye on our Twitter feed for LIVE updates!

www.twitter.com/ValleyMania

[slappy mcguire]

Not going to steal Nathan's thunder by posting loads of piccies from the day before he has a chance to, but I will let you in on the new attraction... the pine-cone hood game!



A good day was had by all...

[Nathan]

Ah yes, the human Buckaroo game! I think your record was five!

Feel free to post your photos up though, I honestly haven't taken a great deal as I was too busy filming. Will get what few group photos I have online by tomorrow.

Anyway, guess it's time for a trip report! All in all, another fantastic day at Lightwater Valley! Must mention that Ryan (MeanStreak on Ride Guide) decided to join us for the day! Group dynamics were great, I think everyone got involved and generally got a long like a house on fire. Was certainly nice to meet John (Slappy) and John (Barry Hercules) too! Two great guys!

As always, I won't delve in to a "we did this, we did that, we then went here" report, but touch up on the highlights of the day!

If you had been following our Twitter feed for the day (sorry I didn't update more often, I was a bit like Inspector Gadget with my camcorder, camera and mobile on the go) you'll have no doubt read that we managed to break Trauma Tower... twice! The funny thing is, after the first time (a loud bang; I suspect the car hitting the upstops after dropping too much) we joked we'll head back over and break it again because we're too heavy... of course, we didn't expect that such feat would happen once again on the same day, we were wrong! BANG!

Don't worry though, we apologised to the disappointed kids in the queue line and agreed we should grow up. Right, so let's head to The Caterpillar! Our very thoughts alone caused this one to break down as we loitered nearby. Perhaps The Ladybird next?

Okay, so we didn't quite manage to brake The Ladybird but we did manage to overshoot it - there was also a close call of a rollback (no, not those type at ASDA). By the way, the ride is also sporting some quite clearly bullet-proof wheel guards. MTV have obviously been in to Pimp Their Coaster!

As mentioned in another topic, we decided to take part in The Grizzly Bear Hunt! Unfortunately, we failed... but we can conclude that bears do indeed s**t in the woods! Other highlights of the day were Swan Lake Pedal Boats meet Battle Galleons in The Battle of Lake Lightwater, as well as some reverse driving on the Dodgems to the much confused general public and other general buffoonery.

Oh yeah before I forget, credit to Jack for saving mine and Paul's ass on Falls of Terror. Our boat decided to slip over the guard rail on Slide 1 and we were almost heading for quite a spectacular way to bow out before we were reeled back in.

Lightwater Wheel and Flying Camels (awwwww!) were closed all day and Black Widow had trouble getting it up (must be over 40) ... apart from that everything else was pretty much sound.

As you know, we met up with Ashley Young at the end of the day for our little group discussion, Angela also decided to pop in, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of great ideas were put across and members made the most of such a fantastic opportunity, thanks for giving such a good account of Valley Mania guys, you left a great impression - so much so that we have been invited to participate in a group discussion again next time!

I've probably missed something out, but until VM Live: The Revenge of The Human Buckaroo, that's your lot! Will get some photos and clips up later this week.

[Rex]

Ah yes, the human Buckaroo game! I think your record was five!

Is that 5 including the rock?

Can't remember last time I went to LWV, it must be going on about 7-8 years at least and it's changed so much. After yesterday I can say I have taken a liking to it though, it's much better than last time I went. Oh, about things breaking down, I'll take the blame for that! I am carrying a breaking curse around right now, everything I touched on Saturday broke and it felt like it carried over into Sunday! So yeah, I'll hold me hands up an say it was me!

Oh, and John, apologies for what happened with the chips, it were just as well I ended up with them and not Sean like.

And one last thing... can't do LWV with a better group of people, was a great day! Thanks guys!