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Has anyone done any Halloween events in Europe, and if so any recommendations? I did Asterix last year which was great so I’m keen to try some others this year, looking at potentially doing Walabi Holland and Belgium but any thoughts would be appreciated If anyones done either of the Walibi parks at Halloween what did you think of them?

Hopefully it's nothing to do with the ride itself, just the weather.

Potentially weather related; been storms about in the local area.

Been closed all day today, anyone know what's happening?

This sounds like most of Thorpe's flat ride line up 🫠

Just bin it already and put a proper dark ride in. The staff intensive ride phase of Merlin really scuppered them.

Fairly certain it was brand new but it was 20 years ago.

Did it have a previous life before it opened at Drayton Manor? I always assumed it was brand new when it opened there in 2003.

Anyone know anything about what's happening with Zodiac? It's been closed since early June, with not a lot seemingly happening with it... Could Zodiac be going the same way as Enterprise? She's incredibly old now and frankly has had a very long life! There hasn't really been any news on it at all. If they do fix Zodiac, I hope they peel off the old branding off the top of each gondola.

Samurai is being reported as closed at present on the app & online, along with Zodiac which I'm surprised as lasted as long as it has to be honest...

The fact it's every Tuesday & Wednesday for three weeks says to me that it's a cost cutting exercise in terms of power and staff. They may well coincide those days with FN rehearsals too, that would make sense. Cal is right though, I'm pretty sure there's never been these set in stone closed days for Ghost Train up until now. These September days are historically the quietest time to visit the park - even more so now there's no Oktoberfest as a draw, it's just the lull between Summer Holidays finishing at Fright Night's starting.

Certainly seems to be an operational cost-cutting measure. I wonder whether those dates coincide with Fright Nights rehearsals too? Not to say that Ghost Train will be closed over the event (cos I don't think it will be), but if some actors are moving over to working in mazes, it's possible that they're still being used and paid. That makes the cost-cutting sound a little less severe (even if it's not ideal to close any ride). Agree with Cal too that I'd rather see less popular closed than hours cut though.

Interesting. With Rumba closing earlier than before and now cuts to Ghost train (which I don't think we've ever seen?) it definitely seems like theres been cuts made to operational budgets. Shame if thats the case - but would rather them close Rumba and this than cuts to opening hours.

We're visiting on 23rd and 24th. Thorpe have obviously decided it's not worth the staff or electricity bill on these off peak days. Monday's can be busier as people have a long weekend, evidently.

They certainly have looked into restoring, but the fact they haven't been successful in doing so so far is pretty telling. I would say there's still a chance of it returning, but if it's not back early next season, then it's probably gone.

Some parts of it seemed to be removed earlier in the season and put back so I assume there was some sort of work being done on it to fix it but for what ever reason it’s not been working yet this season

I assume they decided not to keep the splashdown this year?

👋 As you’ve no doubt noticed we have updated the forum software to the latest version which does have a number of visual differences. You’ll notice it also finally supports dark mode and will be based on your phones / computers setting - something I know a few people have asked for! Our old skin is not compatible but we will work on this over the next few weeks to make it feel less generic. One change you will notice is you can no longer login with your username and must login with your registered email - if you have any issues with logging in please feel free to reach out over social media or you can email contact@thorpeparkmania.co.uk Let us know any feedback here also!

there may be some x citing news to come, but my dear fellow, it is everyone's concern

Doesn't help that majority of the guests are MAP holders. One bit of income for the entire season. And most of us are tight when we get to the park(s) or rarely go much because the experiences aren't great.

I think the whole project was a shame really. They tried something different and have a great themed show building but it just has never worked and retheming it to ghost train or anything else would have never saved it. It’s demised has been written since 2016. It would have been 10 years next year since its opening and it wouldn’t surprise me after 10 years that they think it’s ok to scrap it. Thorpe have just got rid of all SBNO rides, so it will be sad seeing a massive one hidden in a building again. I’d rather have it open

Not necessarily. A simple retheme could be hinted at over Fright Nights (to give people a chance to have a final ride), then marketed from early next year. Or even just announced next year. I agree a complete new ride is extremely unlikely, if for no other reason than the fact planning permission would be a nightmare. Plus the fact there is still the Beach development which could happen. One would certainly hope there's thoughts/conversations about the next *big* thing for the park. Though I imagine there's a level of dependence on what the situation with Merlin is there. Arguably though, a major investment shouldn't be the next priority, but rather a couple of medium investments to sort out the support line up (Zodiac and Rumba, I'm looking at you)

A slight correction I need to make: Ghost Train merchandise has been on sale all season, so this isn't a recent thing. Much less likely it's a decision in anticipation of its closure, but rather a way to shift stock. But hey, anything can happen I guess!

Someone walked past me the other day in a cloud of vape smoke that bizarrely smelled just like a Merlin urinal. The smell of bubblegum just isn't the same for me since Merlin use it in their bogs!

To be fair, I have to wonder, is it that dire? Please don't get me wrong, there have been layoffs etc, which is truly awful for everyone affected (and everyone left behind tbh). The parks definitely aren't what they once were either, with reduced offerings, poor food, expensive admission and merch, and all round just shabbiness. Clearly things are not in a good way at Merlin, especially compared with the last decade or so. However.. The parks are still busy. Yes, attendance seems to be down, but it's not like it's completely dried up, and it's definitely not like they haven't invested in anything for years, as is happening elsewhere. Merlin are actually still investing. They are building numerous rides and lands, right now, in UK parks. Alton are getting new things for Scarefest, neglected rides have been re-opened, and they have had a new flat this year. We've just had the country's tallest and fastest coaster open at Thorpe. That's massive investment. Of course there are serious issues... but there are also good things happening, and the parks do seem to be thriving. They are also now not beholden to shareholders, and the idiotic execs that ran the company in to the ground have now all abandoned ship. The relentless pursuit of profit at any cost has finally come to an end - this can only be a good thing. What I'm trying to say is - it doesn't feel like Oakwood for example, which was all but abandoned towards the end. The Merlin parks do seem to be busy, and although I know this is contentious, they are receiving investment, all be it not on the scale it once was. I am hoping they continue investing, and guests continue to come through the gates, and hopefully soon they can turn things around.