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1. Memories - regardless of any current opinion I may have on the park currently, that does NOT detract from the fact I grew up with this park and until 2019, had visited every year near enough since I was 6 years old. This naturally means many happy memories of a younger me visiting the park during the days of Wicked Witches Haunt and indeed the early 2000s when the park was firing on all cylinders with its investments of coasters and thrill rides aswell as Fright Nights during its prime years when we had the likes of Asylum and Se7en at the event which very much what started my interest in the horror event industry. Without Thorpe, I ain't sure I would have gone on to have anywhere near the level of interest in theme parks and coasters as I do now. 2. The social aspect - a theme park with several large coasters ofcourse makes for a good day out with friends (yes I actually have them. Shocker I know!!) especially when its local as well. 3. Stealth - nothing else to say really!! Just a good fun iconic coaster for the UK industry

I wonder if it's a case of they feel they have to open. I think everyone understands its closure last year, but if they still have the contract and still pay money for it, and Covid restrictions aren't disappearing any time soon, I guess they have to bite the bullet eventually. If the interest it generates from being open ultimately makes them more money through merch sales than the money they spend on staff and running it, I guess it's a good thing. Though I imagine it's a risk as to whether it actually will... I'm sure the cynic could suggest Thorpe are opening it to show to the higher ups within Merlin how ridiculous the ride is and they need money to either complete re-imagine it or replace it. But who knows. Walking Dead is an interesting one. Storm Surge requires a minimum of 4 people in a boat, so groups of 3 or less we turned away last year. So it wouldn't be much different to that. Obviously it's a bigger problem since it's a bigger ride, but there is form there. Of course, there isn't actually anything stopping the park from sitting people from different groups next to each other. Whilst the idea of social distancing is very much engrained in our minds as a society at this point, the recommendation is - to the best of my knowledge - keep 2m away from people, and if you cannot, wear a mask. That's why mask wearing has been so important in indoor spaces, such as shops, where it is impossible to stay 2m away from people at all times. And this kind of circles back to the points that were raised when parks were first re-opening: what use is social distancing on rides really? When you hurtling round a coaster, what difference does it make if a stranger is sat a row in front of you or next to you? Don't get me wrong, I get why it's being done by parks, and in the absence of any scientific evidence, it's probably the easiest thing to do to keep people feeling safer and happier, but it is very much a placebo-like thing to do. For reference: when I was at Parc Asterix last year, they were completely filling up trains. No social distancing, grouping people together and even using single rider queues. Admittedly it felt a bit odd at first, but really, I didn't feel any less safe compared to the UK parks with their socially distanced trains. Anyways, I've rambled...I imagine Thorpe will go with the easiest rule of 'only even-numbered groups can ride', unless they've someone managed to change the 2 person per row rule (which I doubt)

No. Not even slightly, it's something I ride for the first time, enjoy it, somewhat impressed but after that it's just so meh. One of if not the least re-ridable ride at the park. I'd honestly take a refurbished arena back over DBGT. Excited to see how Black Mirror will be though, however I do hope this is Thorpes last filler attraction before something meaningful goes in again.

Wow, same here for DBGT. I thought Covid would be a good cover story for closing it down for a second season, conveniantly phasing it out without drawing too much attention to the closure. Surely Ghost Train isn't bringing in any money, especially considering the number of staff it takes to run it, plus the additional cost of actors for Black Mirror? Does anyone even think of DBGT when they think of Thorpe, really? Good news Black Mirror is finally opening.

Thorpe Park have updated their website with the following information. Black Mirror Labyrinth is scheduled to open in 21st May The Walking Dead The Ride AND Derren Brown's Ghost Train are set to reopen in 17th May!! I genuinely did not expect to ever see DBGT again tbh. (Presumably this is under the scenario that indoor entertainment can reopen in May)

They've already headed that way really. The past couple of years, they've been open (or at least planned to be) for much of December as well as the February half term. And that's been a largely complete line up. The December event is (or at least was) upcharge for passholders, so doesn't get mentioned much. I'm sure if they wanted to, they could "open" from February half term - even if it's just on weekends until March, to help finish winter work / wait for it to warm up before opening daily. I guess there's other factors at play there. But yes, demand seems to be there, so I don't see why it can't be a target in the future to be seen as more of a year round park than a 'seasonal plus' park.

Legoland's new area, Mythica, has been fully announced now: https://www.legoland.co.uk/explore/theme-park/2021/ Rides: Flight of the Sky Lion. Flying Theatre Fire and Ice Freefall. Spinning family drop towers (like Tikal at Phantasialand, and the ones in the new area at Paultons) Hydra's Challenge. Rethemed Squid Surfer The idea for the area is that any time a 'creature' is made out of Lego, it actually comes to life in an alternate world. The Flying Theatre in particular is about travelling to this other dimension, and meeting some the huge creatures around the area. I believe these creatures are sort of amalgamations of real-world animals, to create that fantasy-feel. The Legoland app will also allow you to scan some of the Lego models around the area to see them come to life on your phone (AR technology), which if works could be great. Other things: -There will be a 'Creature Creation' area for kids to build their own creatures -The Fish and Chips restaurant is being rebranded into The Hungry Troll Restaurant. Not clear if it's serving the same food, but looks likely imo -New character, Bitsandbobs, a unicorn like creature, seems to be pushed a bit -There will be 13 'large' creature models, using over 2 million bricks between them It's a really cool idea imo. It's nice to see something different and unique, away from all of the Lego sets, whilst creating something that feels very Lego-like. It's the sort of thing Legoland parks should be doing. Some of it feels a bit ambitious, and I do worry the Flying Theatre might be a bit rubbish with bad throughput (if the other Lego flying theatres are anything to go by), but on the whole, I think there's lots to be positive about here. Area is set to open May 29th, assuming they're allowed to open the Flying Theatre with Covid restrictions

I often talk down on the park these days (the majority of the time actually) but that is entirely out of my love for the park and frustration with the direction its been moving in over the years. I just want the best for it! But ye... I am honestly tempted to just fill up all 3 points with 1) The Past 2) The Past 3) The Past But I'll actually give it a go... 1) The memories So I've basically just gone back to what I said a second ago but its honestly the best part for me about the place. The park is quite literally like my second home. The amount of incredible times I've had during my childhood and teenage years are countless, it actually hurts to look back on it as I grow up and the nostalgia kicks in... Most particularly stuff like fright nights years ago... The memories of the feeling of nervousness that lasted the whole night of the event in its prime... And in particular, walking through Asylum as a young kid absolutely scared ****less out of my mind are impossible to lose. I used to visit the park so much and have experienced so many different eras it's just played a huge part in my life so far! 2) Fright Nights As pretty much everyone else has said, it is no longer the best Halloween event out there, and has drastically declined. But not only was it once the best, it has still year after year been an annual tradition for me to attend and I still look forward to it every year. Fantastic memories in the past in some mazes, but recently it has been a place to meet with friends and have a good time. 3) The thrill rides and coasters While I'm not a fan of every one of their coasters, like the swarm for example, IMO the thrills that Thorpe park offers are the best in the country. Rides like Stealth, Samurai, Saw, and even the late Slammer and Loggers leap are all top tier attractions my eyes that I've always got a kick out of every single time I've ridden them.

Narrowing it down to 3 specific things was harder than I expected... 1. Flat Rides I might have grown off a few as I've enjoyed spinning rides less and less, and some are ageing, but Thorpe has one of the better flat ride selections at a European park imo. Detonator and Rush are obvious highlights here. 2. Fright Nights As others have said, it's not the best Halloween event out there, but it's easy to go and just get a kick out of it 3. The Connection Thorpe is a park I grew up with. It's the park that got me into theme parks and scare attractions in a wider context. Being able to grow up with them building a major coaster every 3 years and a big flat ride yearly was incredible and really captured the imagination. Things might not be like that now, but it's what got me hooked on this hobby, and I can't help but have that connection and fondness for the place.

Sure. 1/ Life centre point I have visited this place most years of my life. 1996 was roughly when I first went with family and fondly remember the charm and now defunct attractions such as Carousel Kingdom, Tropical Travels and Wicked Witches Haunt. After a six year hiatus I finally returned to the park in 2006 (which by then felt almost unrecognisable). Countless trips with school, family and friends took place. Before an even bigger influence commenced. The park certainly had much influence into who I am today. I even worked there a number of seasons ago. 2/ Friends and Social Aspect Thorpe has been something of a social hotspot for me. I’ve been here with friends and bumped into friends. I’ve even made new friends there (some on this forum). Some of my favourite trips to the park have been during TPM meet ups. As others have said, this lead to visiting further parks in Europe and beyond. 3/ Certain Rides Thorpe’s selection is arguably a mixed bag. Some are great, others can’t hold a candle and the rest might just be adequate. Those that are great are simply something. Inferno gets better with age, Swarm is a decent wing rider and Stealth might just be only second to TTD when it comes to first launches. The flat rides range from ok to great, but with rides like Detonator and Quantum it is probably the best in the U.K.

1. Nostalgia. The construction of Inferno, Stealth, Slammer, Rush. Riding Inferno 48 times in a day. Walking up the Colossus lift hill for the tenth anniversary (after riding it for an hour), riding the Swarm for an hour in the pouring rain for a press shoot. Thorpes jump from tiny regional park to big regional park coincided with my real growth as a rollercoaster fan and I will have always have rose tinted glasses for the 2001-2005 era where it felt like the future of the park was exciting and with no boundaries. 2. Friends. I don't think my social circle would be anywhere near where it is today without the people I met during my earlier Thorpe days. Born out of this era is so many European trips. 3. Detonator. It's just the best ride in the South okay.

1. The size - It's so compact and easy to navigate, which means it's easy to just turn up, do a few rides and leave when you want. I rarely spend a full day there now, but it's sometimes nice to pop in and do some rides. 2. The coasters - World beating? No. Fun? Yes. Sure it could do with some more of them, but Stealth, Inferno and Swarm are solid. 3. Fright Nights - for the last few years this is the main reason I've gone. It's good fun!

I love the place - I just want the best for it 1. Stealth Never disappoints, iconic. There is simply no better ride experience for me in the UK than front row on that beauty. Absolutely perfect, especially at dusk. As long as I get to go on Stealth, my Thorpe trip is worthwhile. 2. Fright Nights The atmosphere is great, and some of the mazes have been legendary - Creak Freak Massacre is definitely a sign of things to come, glad I did it getting on for 10 times when we went on an off peak Fright Night! Just no more Vulcan Peaks please, yeah? I think Thorpe have realised now that quality over quantity is better for mazes. 3. Swarm Island Sticks out like a sore thumb - for being miles above any other themed area on park. Just a shame ol' Swarmy lives on it by itself, another flat ride there would be great. Just something. But yes - cracking theming, and loved seeing it come alive a little bit at Fright Nights 2020.

Good topic! 1. Skyline - it’s got the best skyline in the U.K. by far - it looks so good, from walking over the bridge to driving past on the m3, it stands out and is pretty unique. 2. Fright Nights - like you it’s definitely not the best Halloween event anymore but I’ll still visit multiple times every year, even without the mazes the atmosphere at the park alleys seems to be so good. 3. The rides - it maybe an obvious one, and Thorpe are in desperate need of something new but that don’t take away from the lineup they have - they have a great selection of rollercoasters and flats even with the lack of resent investments in this department

Looking forward to some cringe for breakfast If you are a grown man and want to ride this coaster, make sure you get down early in the day #goodadvice