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Well it's time to start that thread... Jack has shown a couple of new posters that appeared in Trailers' queue: Now there's lots of room for speculation here. It could be for 2 new (rethemed) rooms. The left poster could certainly be a retheme of the first room (the dentist scene). The right poster is a bit more open to interpretation. I've seen some suggest this could be a hint to The Walking Dead The Ride leaving, given that X was its previous name, and the right poster looks a bit zombie-like. Given the nod to the date (the start of Fright Nights), I think that's unlikely. The right poster has the glazed-over eyes look, which is vaguely reminiscent of Dead Beat's advertising too. I expect that whatever these posters are, they are some sort of hint to what is to come, even if very tenuously linked. But for now, they've done the job of getting some people talking about Fright Nights. --- As for a more broad thing for Fright Nights, I've been told that this is the last year that Fright Nights will have an in-house Entertainments acting team. 2026 will see the park shift to having an external agency provide Ents, similar to how the other UK Merlin parks are operating this year. I do wonder if that will affect things. On a personal level, the one thing I really want Thorpe to do for Fright Nights is a proper alone experience. Yes, we have Survival Games where you can be split up, but it's not the same as a proper alone experience. I'm not sure if there's demand for an experience like this. A proper alone experience is usually more theatrical and story-led, with less re-visit potential, and less jump scares. But they can be significantly scarier and more impactful than the types of mazes Thorpe offer. They warrant an upcharge, and a more expensive one at that, so can still be wildly profitable. Even looking at those posters, you could fit in the story of an alone experience. Being alone in a medical ward where something bad happened. The "unearthing" poster could relate to being 'buried alive'. This is purely my imagination running wild here, but it's something which could really work.

Jack Silkstone has a slightly higher quality image, plus an update video... He says that the images aren't AI ("it has been designed"), but I remain unconvinced. Maybe it wasn't completely AI, but there is surely AI elements in it. He also says that the circular rockwork on the bottom, is "the O from the logo". Which is a ridiculous detail which doesn't make sense. The in the clouds, top-of-the-mountain motif only really vaguely fits with Hyperia too. Including a reference to The Inbetweeners (the car) is certainly a choice. Do many people under the age of 25 know or care about it? I do think there's a level of overthinking here. It's an image above the entrance with some rides from the park. That's enough really, and it does the job. It's also better than a blank screen. It's a shame that they couldn't maintain that; at its peak use, it was a really cool feature. The entrance area needs a bigger overhaul though. The security bit is cramped and unsightly. The exiting of the park feels a bit stilted at times. The ticket office being away from the security area (and before it) is a bit awkward too. So yeah, this sticks a plaster over an injury needing stitches. I'm sure the park are aware of that. But if and when they fix that is the big question now.

It has over the years taken longer and longer for those restraints to release (or maybe I'm becoming for impatient with old age?) I do wonder if some extra TLC - like it receives every 3 or so years - is the answer, or if it needs a more notable overhaul (ie completely new parts). It is 20 years old after all.

I know what you mean, it hardly seems worth it. I have to say though I’d rather it this way until it’s replaced with something rather than it sat there SBNO for ages.

They just need to scrap it now. It does nothing for anyone, it's costly, it has a terrible atmosphere with ride hosts shouting down the PA and down megaphones all the time. It's also an awful ride that barely gets you wet. Opening 3 hours after park opening? Get rid. Not worth the effort.

😬 I suppose it’s better than a blank screen... I can only assume they’ve cheaped out on this because the whole lot is coming down in the next couple of years for the fab new entrance plaza 👍

I’d say Rumba’s days of operating are likely numbered. It’s an expensive atttaction to run ( in resources & staffing now), gets lower ridership most of the time and strict regulations and badly behaving guests adding up also. Rumba wasn’t a bad one as a former host, however after what happened at Drayton, it wasn’t the same and staffing and operating is much higher and stricter now. At nearly 40 years, maybe it has run its course now (no pun intended).

Yeah that'll be because of school trips. It's a silly rule but it makes things easier for the park Certainly less operational hours for it but I don't think that's too worth reading into just yet

Credit to DigitialDan on Twitter. I mean, that's one way to fix the screen - put a massive sign in front of it. AI is not the one though, look at those Hyperia wings 🙃

From next Monday till 21st July Rumba is scheduled to open at 1pm. I imagine this is due to the school trips and 18+ rule? Hours for Rumba certainly getting less and less each year though.

It’s always had a bit of a delay between stopping and the restraints opening, for as long as I can remember, but over a minute seems excessive! Interesting to hear it could be to do with building pressure? I thought that would be entirely separate to the restraints. I always assumed it could be down to the ride still slightly moving and not yet satisfying the sensors that it had stopped.

It was also doing this throughout most of last season too. I don't think it's a new issue. Certainly odd though.

I noticed this too on my visit on the 4th June. Really odd! Other than that it seemed to be running okay

Noticed on a few visits this season after the cycle has finished on Rush there is a wait of nearly 2 minutes until the restraints are released, which is really awkward and leaves a lot of people very confused and questioning whats going on. I know it has to wait for air pressure to build up after the cycle before restraints are released, but the time it takes to do this has significantly increased. Its also running particularity poor, hardly reaching full height. I believe Rush goes through a more extensive winter maintenance program once every 3 years which includes having the top come off which I believe is this closed season. Hopefully it gets the work it needs to get running well again as its running pretty poor at the moment.

Yeah I remember that. Little things like that add so much in making the area feel more alive. Wasn't there 1 or 2 more locations that triggered that sound too? Or am I imagining things, its been a long time 🤣

It's strange because the rest of the park received new TVs which are basically always on and working. So is Swarm just cursed with other issues, or is there another reason why it doesn't work. The effects situation is a crying shame. It's easy to forget that when the train goes through the tower before the station fly over, it used to (/ is still meant to?) trigger the Swarm 'noise'. I can't remember when I last heard that. There's definitely a disparity between creative and operations. I find it hard to believe that Thorpe would actively have wanted the water effect on Hyperia given the way Swarm's has gone down, and how quickly it stopped working. Hopefully they can stabilise and streamline that process in the future.

Yes it is. I actually like quite a few of the rides but it is a painful park to be in most of the time.

It’s such a shame isn’t it. Thorpe does have a lot of cool features around, but they’re mostly abandoned. Hyperia’s one minute wonder water effect being one of the worst offenders ever. The screens feel to me like another casualty of the cutbacks. I suppose they’re running on the bare minimum staff now, meaning maintenance will be prioritised to essential stuff first. 🤷‍♂️

Has anyone seen any of the queueline TVs on this year? Very strange decision to invest time and money getting them working again last year for them to be switched off a month later? I have a lot to praise about Thorpe in recent years, but their upkeep of any kind of effects has always been shocking. Not a single effect working on Swarm Island. The water by the fire engine is currently green and they haven't even bothered to fill up the area by the helicopter with water this year. No Inferno mist effects or Stealth smoke effects on Sunday too. How hard is it to keep a smoke machine going 🤣

Reliability is so bad at this park. Three rides in 5 hours due to constant mechanical issues. This park is extremely overrated.

Ooh interesting one! I think yes, a park can definitely be too quiet. Thorpe is by far my most visited park, and back when I had an annual pass I’d frequently visit on quieter days. The trouble is, it was occasionally possible to have everything, and I mean literally everything, done by lunchtime with ease. Fantastic for re-rides etc, but it didn’t feel like a “full day out” if you know what I mean, and it certainly lacked the atmosphere and that buzz you get from a bustling theme park. I remember going to a very quiet fright nights one year, having arrived at opening time. We had ridden and re-ridden everything all day, and then when the mazes opened we went through all of them several times, to the point that we weren’t fussed about doing Asylum anymore that night even though it was literally “walk on” with hours to go - unheard of these days for a maze. Don't get me wrong - I look back on those visits with fond memories, and LOVED the amount of rides we could get on, but overall I think it’s a better overall experience when the queue times are around 10 minutes for things. Queueing a little definitely helps space the day out nicely, especially in smaller parks like Thorpe. It also builds up that anticipation a bit, and forces you to take in the atmosphere and theming around you. Staying with the fright nights as an example - my favourite ever FN was the year Cabin in the Woods opened. The atmosphere around the park really added to the experience, particularly around Cabin where we spoke to several strangers around the park about the different routes etc that could be taken. There was a real buzz about it that could only be felt because so many people were sharing the enjoyment. So yeah, as much as I adore a re-riding marathon, I really do enjoy experiencing a park that is alive and visibly thriving. The perfect balance for me would probably be no queue exceeding 20 - 30 mins all day, but the last hour or so having walk ons. 👌🏼 best of both worlds!

Depends on the park for me, especially if such place has x amount of rides that requires a minimum number of people to ride in order for it to operate. some parks when quiet feel pleasant to visit, enabling numerous re-rides and getting lots done, assuming they don’t have silly operating hours (glares at Towers). But then again, with empty paths, areas, fewer or no entertainment (depending on the park), it can definitely impact atmosphere and environment. Making it feel more flat and empty as a result. Not sure where everyone else is on this, but I find parks on average the most enjoyable when they are between the busier end of quiet and the busier event of lively. But that might just be me.

It's an interesting question. I have spent too much of my life waiting so I don't like queuing and when it comes to riding, I do take it into account. It depends also on the people around you, and any themeing, this particularly relates to whether one is alone. The chatter amongst a group can be enjoyable, if you're included. The atmosphere can be affected, especially if the Park is "dead".

Hi guys. On paper, everyone’s dream theme park visit is one with no queues. Queues are the bane of everyone’s existence when it comes to theme parks, so to not have them sounds like a dream… right? After a recent visit to Paultons Park on 5th June that was particularly deserted, as well as some ensuing discussion with people off the back of that, I’ve been pondering this notion. With this in mind, I’d be interested to know; in your view, can a theme park ever be too quiet? Is the theoretical ideal of a park with no queues and no crowds really such an ideal in reality? Personally, I’m actually somewhat undecided on this. From my own perspective, a large part of me would say no. A quiet park means all the more rides for you, and as a person who doesn’t mind doing a good number of rerides on things I enjoy, that suits me down to the ground! There are very few things better than a nice riding marathon, in my view, and depending on the park, some of my best memories in theme parks have been from times where I’ve just been able to ride over and over (a 30-ride day at Thorpe Park in September 2023 sticks particularly fondly in my mind)! On the other hand, though, some might argue that depending on your own tolerance for reriding, queues are almost necessary to lengthen the day and break up the rides a bit. There’s also the argument about atmosphere that I can see; I had a brilliant day, but at points, my Paultons visit was almost quite surreal due to the sheer lack of crowds. When you’re the only person within visible eyeshot at points, it is certainly quite an odd experience! So on balance, I would probably lean towards no, but I can see some of the arguments for yes. I can also see that the answer might differ depending on the park; I’ve certainly found riding lots of rides easier and more enjoyable in some parks on a quiet day than in others! But I’d be keen to know; do you think a theme park can ever be too quiet?

It's true, really. Sat on Stealth today, waiting for launch, person next to me (adult).... "What's that wire going to the top?" Me: "That's so if the train gets stuck at the top , they pull that cable which pulls out a valve at the top causing the whole frame to deflate, lowering everybody safely to the ground!" My co-rider looked up to the top and declared, "makes sense"!