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Wasn’t there some mention a while ago that this project came about and was all agreed under “old Merlin”, so the theming etc was left at the time? I suppose a “retheme” is possible at some point later on. Because as has already been said they do seem to value theming everywhere else, and Merlin have even said recently that they are going with immersive attractions going forward. I do agree thigh that Hyperia doesn’t really need a strong theme at the moment. It would have been nice, but it’s ok. I hope going forward though they do stick with theming their rides

I personally think it’s a shame it’s not themed. The main appeal is obviously the size but just think back to when Colossus was built - the appeal then too was the size and the 10 loops, it could easily have been left with a tin shed station, a concrete pit etc a la Sik at Flamingoland. And same again for Stealth, its main selling point was the height and launch. The minimal 1950s American drag race theming elevates it from what could have been just a plonked generic white coaster. Hyperia will be standing for the next 30+ years, I think it’s a wasted opportunity to build something that looks so bland and generic (and possibly even ugly with its cigarette butt supports). Once the hype dies down, we’ll be left with an unthemed coaster into the 2050s in a park that clearly does value theming, as we’ve seen what they’ve added to Colossus and Stealth this year. Even the newly refurbished toilets this year are themed more than Hyperia! I just think it’s the long term vision for the park that has been let down with this project.

Hyperia doesn't need theming, or a story or anything like that. Granted, the station exterior isn't the best looking. And it will take a while for the landscaping to bed in and grow. And things like the queue line fencing (and queue design in general) are bland. But at the end of the day, this is a 236ft tall monster of a coaster. The 'Find your Fearless' tag suits. The atmosphere will be upbeat. That's all it needs. Would theming be nice and add to it? Yes. Does theming not being present take away from it? I don't think so. Do agree with Benin that they need to stick with a direction.

It would help if the park could settle on a themed/unthemed direction for more than a season mind.

Nah, just glad to have a massive ride there TBH. I can live without theming at Thorpe! I'd be perfectly happy if it was an amusement park

Anyone concerned about the lack of themeing? This is essentially a tin shed rollercoaster… not a chance the landscaping is ready for opening. After strong themes around all of Thorpes previous rollercoasters (bar maybe stealth) I’m feeling kinda disappointed especially looking at what Mac have done with Vultron. Or will this turn into a 2 year project whereby next years new addition will be some added themeing to the ride?

Depends if the park close it early (and actually communicate it properly unlike Towers did). Like hell I am staying that long at Thorpe though.

Good news - definitely will be going on the Friday. I wonder how many people will be trying to get last in the queue at 8pm to try and get a night ride 😆

10am-8pm opening now confirmed for 24th & 25th May.

And we have some new POVS of the almost complete (and updated) Alpen Express & Wildwasserbahn. I can pinpoint the start and the end of where the Diamond Mine used to be in the Alpen video. it still isn’t complete, but what they have done is still astounding, especially when a park on the edge of Greater London still has a similar ride SBNO.

They've confirmed tonight it'll be testing for the first time next week. Also, this below suggests we're getting extending opening hours for opening day/weekend which would be nice.

Wonder how much someone could claim if that went wrong... Unsure. We can see during the human rider video that there's still one train on the track. But that doesn't mean they haven't switched and cycled out. I believe the park said on their passholder group that the tops just came loose; these things happen. Equally, it is also just a great way to empty them haha

Great news. I was wondering if anyone knew if the second train has tested yet? Also I've seen some videos of the trains going around with the water dummies 'open', letting all the water come out around the circuit. Does anyone know what would be the purpose of this? I'm assuming simply that it's easier to empty the water this way than take the dummy out of the seat and tip it over! But wondered if there was another reason?

Will be part of the testing process. Look like important staff people. Probably aiming to stick their arms out to make sure the reach envelope is good.

Wow that’s really good to hear for an off peak day. I assume this is all in prep for the onslaught for the rest of the year when Hyperia opens? I’m assuming some of these staff will go to that now that they’ve done some similar work on the other rides? Things are really looking up at Thorpe

Night time POV Looks insane, will easily be the best coaster on park now

Hyperia has had its first riders today - didn't expect that!

It’s the starting section of the film and the bit with the race where they figure out they have to drive backwards to win. It’s not especially long and rather underwhelming in my opinion. The effects don’t seem thoroughly thought out, it’s a lot of there’s this action so play the same effect we did last time, if that makes sense…

Another park I'd never visited was Flamingoland, so I visited on Friday for the first time. Where I can, I always try to visit theme parks when they're quiet so I've seen a lot of quiet theme parks (BPB the day before for example) but never have I ever seen a park so dead before. According to staff, there was less than 100 people on park? It honestly felt like there was more staff than guests on park. Most of the rides I had on Sik I had the train to myself. I only got my ticket the day before as it was a last minute visit, but this cost me £56. I believe if you book over 7 days in advance its £44.50, pricey for a UK theme park. First impressions of the park were good, it looked fairly well kept and it was actually much bigger than I expected. The park was open 10-5, and the only advertised closure was Flip Flop, however this actually opened for the first time this season which was a nice surprise. Was running terribly though, long cycle but was hardly reaching 90 degrees. Certainly didn't have that KMG power. I'll list the main coasters in the order I rated them worst to best; 5. Hero - Had already done one of these at Prater Vienna so I knew exactly what to expect. Nothing else needs to be said. 4. Velocity - Heard a lot of good things about this but I really didn't enjoy it, found the restraints to be really uncomfy. Punchy launch but I was in pain for most of the layout so didn't particularly enjoy this. 3. Mumbo Jumbo - Always been a fan of S&S Flats so was nice to finally give one of there coasters a go. Its a solid coaster, although them restraints were fine on Slammer they aren't the best on a coaster like this but it's still a fun coaster and I didn't find it to be particularly uncomfy. 2. Kumali - After finally getting to ride as I needed to wait for a minimum of 6 to ride definitely the best SLC I've done. Some really good force in places and is really impressive to look at, and not as rough as the others I've done. Unfortunately the staff were only letting us sit near the front so didn't get a chance to sit anywhere near the back. 1. Sik - I've always had a soft spot for Colossus, so I've been really wanting to get on this to see how it compares. It's really good fun, definitely feels much quicker than Colossus. They've also finished it off really well, it looks good off ride and the station is great. Its even got a single rider queue and pre loading information screens. The only thing I didn't like about it is the heartline rolls with them restraints, they really dig into your thighs. Intamins new lap bar trains are much better. I had some lunch which was reasonably priced and good quality and a walk around the zoo which was nice, and there was also a couple of flats I particularly wanted to get on. I heard Pterodactyl was particularly intense, and even though I've done one more than double the height in Vienna this was more intense. It was very windy so I'm surprised it was even operating to be honest. Cliff Hanger was another one I'd heard good things about. It was nothing special, although it was only running on 'shot' setting so didn't get a drop on it. I'm more of a fan of drop towers myself so that was a shame. After getting on everything I wanted to get on multiple times, I went back to Sik for some re-rides and left the park before 2pm, much earlier than planned but had a long drive ahead and had done everything I wanted. Overall it's a nice park, with a good selection of coasters, flats and a good zoo. I just can't believe they have the park open daily 10 - 5, with every ride fully staffed for there to be less than 100 people on park. Whilst walking round the zoo I saw a peter rabbit character standing around with a few staff for a meet and greet, not 1 person had turned up to it. Some rides I didn't see a single rider on the whole time I was there. Doesn't seem viable for them to be open on these days but can't complain!

Yeah its good to see them well prepared. Meanwhile Chessington can't even open all of their rides on a weekday 😆

Question about the 4d experience, is it a new film or just the movie shortened down? Curious as its opened and theres been minimal buzz about it

Honestly that's great to hear there's more staff. More hosts normally mean faster operations.

Had my first visit this season yesterday. Everything open expect rumba which was a planned closure. Ops were brilliant for an off peak weekday. All major coasters on 2 trains. They seemed really overstaffed. I guess they no longer staff for peak/off peak but it just seemed really excessive? - 4+ staff checking restraints on Colossus and Inferno + staff batching even though they were struggling to fill the trains most of the day - Vortex, Samurai and Detty had 3 hosts - Staff at all the coasters merge points even though they didn't have queues all day Was great to see some Hyperia testing in the afternoon too!

Saw it today folded up down the side of the ride, so I imagine that'll put it back on soon. Was running well today. Anyone know why they continuously cycle it empty when they don't have the minimum of 15 people to ride? Never seen them do that before.

I think I've mentioned this before but I would love them to get rid of all the beach area and Storm Surge and build a new coaster in this place. Have it so when you walk out of the dome you pass under a zero-g roll or something like that; Gatekeeper style. I know it's a total Planet Coaster feeling idea but I think it would be great 😂