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Only visited Thorpe 3 times this season and went today - it was a nightmare. When we go we always leave to get there later than opening in hope that the majority of the bag search is done and this is usually the case. Not today - arrived and it was heaving to the point where I had a panic attack and spoke to a staff member whilst crying like an idiot - credit to him as I explained that I have anxiety and RAP so he asked to see the RAP card and then sent us down a different queue with about 3 people in. Got into the park - Tidal Wave shut, Inferno shut, Stealth shut, Walking Dead shut and the queue to get RAP was ridiculous - we walked around for about 40 mins (didn’t get on anything as the queues were pretty long) then went back to RAP queue which had got even longer. So yeah, first time I’ve visited Thorpe and only used the toilet - my niece and I decided we’d have a better time going shopping so we walked an hour to Staines. I don’t like to be negative but today just made me dislike Thorpe even more - my first visit this year I didn’t enjoy, the last 2 were ok but today was just terrible. I’m grateful that the guy at the queue for security let us go into a quicker queue but the whole place just feels shambolic at the moment. Massive queues for bag searches, massive queues for the poor sods buying day tickets, massive queue to get RAP. Yes I get that at this time of year it will be busy but surely the park can manage the queues a bit better? More staff doing bag checks, more ticket kiosks open, maybe split the RAP queue between where it is now and Island help. Oh and the cash machine at the front now charges you to take money out which is nice ? If I were a day guest paying full price (if anyone even does) or BOGOF I would be narked - having to spend a large chunk of time just to purchase a ticket is a joke. I fully agree with bag checks but they just need more people doing them to speed up the process - the queue today for bag checks at an estimate must have been at least an hour (probably closer to 90 mins) as the queue was actually coming out of the queue and snaking around. I used to enjoy visiting Thorpe and maybe I’ve just visited the place too many times over the past 6 years but it just feels meh - no new rides this year - the confirmed loss of Loggers and now Saw Alive and in return we get an inflatable obstacle course which frankly looks hideous, naff gaming events and a pay for escape maze. I love the rides at Thorpe (most of them) so I’m in no way slating them but the place just doesn’t have the same feeling that it used to - would love to see it turn around and I get that a lot of people will feel differently but for me recently the main enjoyment I get out of a day there is spending time with my niece

I thought refurbishing a log flume meant putting wooden fences up in front of it and pretending it doesn't exist? In all seriousness though that looks amazing.

I think the security / RAP queues are a tricky one to solve - particularly RAP - I’m guessing it was moved from Island help so that wasn’t clogged up so much in the morning so that guests with different issues were seen quicker - this should in theory have also made the RAP queue quicker as you are in a queue just for RAP rather than mixed with people with other issues. I think the whole RAP system could do with looking at - I know they’ve introduced cards to try improve it but maybe some sort of online q bot system , maybe like the reserve n ride system they used would be perfect for it. As for security it’s another thing which has sort of been rushed in and forced on them - I think the current setup is better than it was in the tents when they first had to start searching every bag but the current entrance area isn’t really designed for everyone to be bag searched. Shame to hear about rides being closed - they’ve stepped their game up this year compared to previous with ride availability - particularly with getting rides open on time and at full capacity- hopefully today was a bit of a blip in that!

Tbh, it is backwards to bring back an old maze unless its to celebrate the anniversary of fright nights with a remake of one of the original mazes !

The Big Top will not return. Id quite like to see thrope going down more the towers route - charging per maze rather than all included - it generally means you get a better quality experience due to the fewer people being rushed through and in turn less wait time.

I’m also so totally excited for Big Top‘s triumphant return. But, I’m afraid, it’s gone. RIP #theydontbuildemliketheyusedto

This is hilarious