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Because they are cheaply made in factories that have to churn them out quickly with little quality control. Also even if they are the same design they might be made in different factories or different production lines.

Also I think Merlin being the dominant operator isn't a new thing, Tussauds was in the 90s as well with two theme parks, a castle and a waxworks museum, then they added Thorpe Park in 1998. But the competition to those parks hasn't changed much since the 90s either except for the fact several...

I think the UK tickets have been that way for a while for 2026 arrivals. Noticed they also have a cheaper version without Volcano Bay for when that closes in October '26.

Doesn't mean anything https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/20/six-seven-latest-slang-should-parents-be-worried

a lot of that was second/third hand rides cheaply done. Yes Shipwreck coast was still an improvement, but it was only only one new ride and some themed items that will likely be looking worn out already. Mandrill Mayhem was the first major ride investment since Zufari really. Everything else has...

Its not known whether Vampire will be closed in 2026 yet of course.

The NHS charges work on bandings, if you did need some X-Rays the cost would still be £27, so averaged across a few years its fine really and still a lot cheaper than the actual cost would be if you went private. I'm about to have an extraction done privately (as I will then have an implant and...

Technically I think Aramark is the producer and manager of the food contract, the supplier of most of the ingredients is Brakes, same as it was before Aramark took over management of the restaurants.

Given the difference between gold and platinum passes is only £60, there is no way they would give away unlimited fasttrack which is normally £135 per visit. Similarly behind the scenes tours are about £50/60 on their own. The old VIP annual pass which had unlimited fast track was about £1000 a...

The restriction dates are listed for the essential pass. The gold pass only has three dates it is excluded, the fireworks ones. I expect there will be a lot of platinum users moving down to gold who don't go for fireworks as the only other difference is the Freestyle cup and the bring a friend...

Gold is being advertised as 361 days entry, so I take that to mean the only exclusion dates will be the fireworks.

aha, they hide that benefit in the terms don't they!

Although I think most families doing that were getting the silver pass and then one gold pass. The £79 discovery pass blocked out a lot of weekends and all school holidays so not very useful for families. Could still get the essential pass for most of the family and then one gold pass (for the...

Having the hotel booking won't make any difference to the blocked dates of a pass. Gold pass isn't valid on those dates so it can't be used. The only advantage of a hotel booking is if the park is sold out and you don't have a pre-book then the hotel booking allows entry. But as the gold pass...

All passes except platinum are excluded on the 7,8 & 9th of November 2025 https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/important-information/terms-conditions/restriction-dates/ Specific calendar for gold pass https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/media/pxknsn1z/gold-pass-restriction-dates-2025.pdf Also...

There is no way the VIP pass will return, the fasttrack benefit didn't work. Essentially the platinum pass and the old premium pass are the same thing. Mainly when they changed all the passes it was to introduce cheaper options with more blockout dates.

They have done themes around sentient emotions and forces before and multiple displays used the nostalgia and enjoyment of the park. This idea isn't exactly a huge leap from anything done before.

Reminds me of the jet ski thing at Legoland.

Don't think they have done it at Legoland yet but some of the other Merlin parks have solar panels on rooves. Wind is difficult in suburban areas, finding a site with enough steady wind, that can accommodate turbines and get planning permission as not an eyesore or noise issue is very unlikely...

I found the burger from Burger Kitchen to be adequate, nothing to complain about anyway. Last time I ate at Eastern Express it was bad, gristly meat in an overcooked baguette.