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We'll turn this thread into a Minecraft World thread, which has been officially announced for 2027: Minecraft World | Opening 2027 at ChessingtonA world-first, fully immersive Minecraft‑inspired theme park land, inspired by the game’s most iconic biomes, mobs and items. Sign up to find out more! The announcement says it will feature a "world first roller coaster". Given that it'll likely be an Intamin multi-dimension coaster (given the plans and art shown), I expect this will be some not yet seen trick track element

I agree. Years ago they had quite a few things closed at the start of the season and 1 train on Colossus for months for example but last few seasons they've been on it! Long may it continue.

Fantastic news about Zodiac seemingly making a comeback soon. It seems Thorpe are a lot more prepared for the season ahead than Alton Towers, which has several rides closed for the foreseeable future, and is continuing to struggle to open rides at opening time every day. Hopefully Thorpe will be able to continue with their good operations and availability that they’ve had for several years now. It’s encouraging to see only 2 rides listed to be closed, for just 2 days at that.

Thorpe ParkRide Availability Information | Thorpe Park ResortCheck live ride availability on the Thorpe Park App, including real-time updates on ride closures and maintenance. Plan your visit with confidence today! Ride availability page updated to show that Tidal Wave and Zodiac will be closed this weekend. It specifically states 21-22nd March so will be interesting to see if they open next week. Zodiac was closed most of last season and has last operated in June (?) I believe but looks like it'll be making a return this season. The gondolas which were removed last season have been added back on and it looks like all the gondolas have been tidied up. All the old branding Thorpe logos have been removed.

Teacups confirmed removal for 2027.

hello, merlin manager, can you help us? merlin manager: spoon in mug, spoon in mug, spoon in mug now, mug in tea, mug in tea, mug in teaaaaaaaaaa

Can I throw Second Detonator Tower in the ring? Would make the repaint make sense, as the second one will be brand new.

Guess who decided to break the day before it's 20th birthday... 🤣 Apparently a loud noise was heard from the launch bunker on Saturday, and engineers were seen walking up and down the launch track; it tested once afterwards then nothing. We can't ever have things run smoothly can we..

Top Spin: The Musical?

There's a whisper of someone saying a new show should go in the Arena too...

Maybe.... there is some sort of higher power after all. Russ would be proud.

Another square for Thorpe Bingo everyone!

All those years, and just in time for the fears of gas prices set to increase massively again it's installed. I reckon it won't happen, but I'd like to be wrong!

Boarding is going up: It was a rehearsal day today. I fully expect the whole ride to be covered, the sign to be removed and the boarding to have something on by opening.

No sign of that I'm afraid!

Interesting. Would be nice to see it working. Hilarious that this has been going on for over 3 years now 🤣 Any sign of life on any of Swarms effects today @JoshC. ?

Looks like the fire effect might not be dead in the water (pun intended) quite yet... Here's what it looked like before:

The Detty repaint is the most bizarre decision because, even if it looks scrappy (can't say I've ever noticed anyway), does it really matter? It's not like it's a sprawling coaster track. Can only assume it was a case of "we've got this money to spend, let's do that". Rumours that the Inferno station has had some improvements and that the BOSE cannons are working again but we shall see! Talking of Colossus - the repaint of the walls near the bridge to yellow was already looking god awful last season.

We will never hear those beautiful words again.... RED BOAT SIT DOWN PLEASE.

The benefit comes from cost saving. Ever since the death on Drayton Manors rapids, the amount of staff needed to run Rumba was slightly ridiculous. There's the training of staff for a ride that runs for what 4 months if that. There's the amount it costs to run a water ride. And frankly riding Rumba over the last few years has never been great. Constant announcements reminding you to sit down, PA announcements every 30 seconds aimed at particular boats where people are clearly disobeying the rules, risk of death signs everywhere. A void of atmosphere as you go through the shed of silence. It should have been put out of its misery years ago.

Don’t give them ideas about using it for fright nights 😂 that means its gonna be there for a while

It's disappointing to see it go. It's been a shadow of its self for years now, but there's no denying it was a useful ride to have. And tbh, I did end up riding it most visits it was open. I get the point of how it would be nice if the park announced its closure in advance. But equally, I find the "one last ride" thing a bit silly. It's an old ride. It's got a place in the park's history, an important one within context, but it's by no means iconic. Very few, if anyone, will think of the rapids ride when they think of Thorpe Park. That's not to poo-poo anyone here saying that. But I've seen comments on social media saying they should allow people that opportunity because it's important, gives closure, stuff like that. It's simply a silly argument. I don't believe that this will have been a last-minute, or closed season, decision. I reckon this will have been considered for a while. I know there's been conversations at points over the last few years about its worthwhileness to stay open, and sooner or later it was going to hit that point. This isn't a Loggers Leap situation, where there wasn't maintenance budget to fix it up and then costs spiralled. This is a conscious, clear closure. As for the future. I guess if Parm Pap says nothing, then nothing is happening. But it's a real shame as Thorpe was once the best park in the country for water rides. Now they've got an over-soaker, a water slide and a verruca pool disguised as a dingy boat ride (of which the latter two barely get you wet). Obviously in general water rides are struggling in this country and closing down. But it's a glaring gap in Thorpe's line up now. I'd love to see something like Amazonia at Bellewaerde, but fear that might be seen as too similar to Storm Surge. And I've long said a modern Intamin flume ride (which has individual restraints) would be amazing. Equally, I'm kind of of the opinion that if Thorpe "Six Flags ified" and went down a coaster-park route, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever. Could be quite good actually. I also wonder if they could utilise the space in any way for Fright Nights? That gives options to them when space for that is becoming more premium.

Had some iconic rides on it over those early enthusiast years. Particularly over Fright Nights. How long will this grave be left before actual development happens I wonder?

Well put Cal - I agree. Really, since they were never going to invest in it again, it was time for Rumba to go, and I don't think anyone's going to be surprised by that. It would have been good to have had the opportunity to ride it one last time, but I expect the ever-changing situation at Merlin has meant the decision to close was made after the park closed last season. As much as it's a shame to see it go, it's not like we have lost one of the greats, like Loggers Leap. I think really the biggest shame is that Thorpe's reputation for water rides has dwindled so much. Here's to whatever comes next - hopefully the area won't be left to rot for long.

nothing is coming.