.
It is up to theme parks to build good relationships with their neighbours, and – often in the face of adversity – they do. There may be a few compromises along the way, almost always at the cost of the park, but there is no reason that theme parks can’t get along with their neighbours.

That is, unless your neighbours are the Ropers.

The Roper family have spent most of 2005 wasting the courts’ time with their petty witch-hunt against Alton Towers. Alton Towers lost the first battle, and were summoned to court to sort out the finer details of the noise abatement order served against them.

Despite the park being limited to an already unreasonable 40-decibels and just three fireworks displays a year, the Ropers have appealed and are demanding nothing more than 28-decibels (a quiet whisper) and just one fireworks display.

Now, let’s get this in context. This isn’t a village in uproar. This is one bitter family with absolutely no understanding of the bigger picture. But sadly, this is a problem that has become ever more apparent this year in British theme parks.

Drayton Manor’s problems are well documented. Signs ask riders not to scream on Cyclone, their Huss Enterprise, which consequently meets its timely demise at the end of the season, while their new ride, G Force, has also attracted complaints.

Even Pleasure Beach Blackpool has been the subject of complaints, despite being a Blackpool resident for over a century, while Chessington World of Adventure has been embattled with Chessington Garden Centre for years now.

With almost every British park having problems keeping residents happy, the Ropers’ success in court sets an unsettling new precedent, one I’m sure many parks are looking at with an uneasy interest.

Speaking of setting new precedents, Europa Park broke their own record for the amount of people dressed as Santa in one place with nearly 3,000 rotund bearded guests in attendance to celebrate the start of their winter season.

Europa Park this year celebrated its 30th season, decorating Eurosat’s iconic globe with a massive ribbon and bow. The best present the park received, however, wasn’t even gift-wrapped. It was 3.5 million visitors – a new record for Europa.

And the park’s gift to the loyal 2.8 million of which were repeat visitors? Atlantica Supersplash, a new Mack water coaster.

Many bemoaned the fact Europa Park were getting another water coaster just five years after their last, but comparisons between Poseidon and Atlantica Supersplash were never going to hold water, just like comparing a Log Flume and Shoot-the-Chutes is always going to be fairly academic.

That said, that doesn’t mean Atlantica Supersplash was the most inspiring addition Europa Park could have made. While it offers the sensation of a 16-man boat rolling towards the main drop backwards, compared to many of Europa’s investments, it is fairly lacklustre in terms of theming, and an odd choice when it follows both Poseidon and Silverstar, all three of which do not open during the Magical Winter Weeks, just as the event is becoming successful.

While Europa Park welcomes 3,000 Santas during a typically festive time of year, Alton Towers welcomed 14 Father Christmas’ during October.

The Ministry of Fun, official supplier of Santas to the industry (whatever industry that may be), decided to invite the 14 probationary Father Christmas’ to lay down their new code of conduct (beards must be x length, yada yada yada) as well as try out Air as it is – presumably – the closest you can get to a sleigh ride in October. Continues...