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My issue isn't so much it sounding similar to Hyperion (although I still do think it's a fairly valid point, but nowhere near as big of an issue as people are making it out to be), but that it is just a bit... corny? It's a hypercoaster and just feels like a cheap attempt to cram 'hyper' into the name - yes, members of the GP probably won't know what a 'hypercoaster' is, and yes, I know that 'Hyperia' is a Greek goddess so is fairly clever having those play together - but something about it just makes me cringe a little. All in all though, the bottom line is that Thorpe are getting a new rollercoaster next year, and it's going to be one that rivals big boys from overseas. The name and 'interesting' colourscheme mean nothing whilst you're riding it - I can't wait for next season. Crazy how 2024 is such an insane year for rollercoasters in this country - 30 years on from the notorious year of the rollercoaster, 1994! Let's just hope it doesn't take another 30 years for the next batch of big investment across the country 😂

I agree with your review totally, I am not going to type out a whole review but add some observations. The new batching areas added to the queues are brilliant as they force you to listen to a pre recorded safety announcement. Ultimately, with it being a paid attraction plus the reinforcement of the safety message, I don’t think they will have many incidents as before. There is something fundamentally wrong with trailers. I was at the back of the group. I couldn’t physically leave the last scene into the corridor as people were not moving quick enough. So I was akwardly being hurried out by the actor with no where to go. I got into the next room and the scare had already happened and the actor was out and about trying to get close to people, basically missing out on a jumpscare and effectively the same as I walk through the crows (which works for the crows). Also the “run out” corridor was fully lit and not like the first year where it was pitch black and strobing every so often so vision was limited. Lucifers lair adds a much needed area to be able to sit in during fright nights and watch something and grab a drink. The roaming actors do a good job at being scary in an open space. Amity High show (I am still calling it that) doesn’t have a roaming actors anymore and it’s purely the shows and that’s it. I’m not sure operationally what happens to those actors as they go back to the dome after the show 😂

Colossus would have been absolutely slated if it was being built now.

Cool, okay, spoiler review, let's go. I'll prefix by saying these are primarily based on the Press Night runs I had. So, yknow, that means things are slightly different, slightly more actors, less people in groups, etc. As ever, I'll give my honest thoughts and what I think this means for how the mazes will operate in more usual conditions. Stitches Was able to get 2 goes on this. And this maze isn't the most me maze. I'll get there with that explanation. The good stuff though. This is a long maze. I'm pleasantly surprised with how much they've put in the maze; genuinely did not think they'd be able to get that many scenes in there. It's also well themed. Like really well themed. And there's quite a few effects in there, which isn't something that Thorpe have done much of in their mazes. I really liked the mirror misdirection at the start, the teddy bear tunnel and the spider scene, all of which happen fairly early on. The maze isn't in-your-face scary. There are jump scares in there, but it's more about creating a creepy atmosphere and making you worried about what could happen, then being a jump-scare maze about what is happening. That's by no means a bad thing, it's good to have that variety. At the same time, there is a certain level of passive engagement when you walk through - you're not always involved in the story, sometimes you're just watching things happen. The main issue I had was that for the last 1/3 of the maze, there's some very intense strobes. By far the most intense strobes at Thorpe. It helps create a disorientating atmosphere, especially with the ending which is a bit like a mirror maze. But this just does nothing for me beyond give me a headache. It's the same reason I didn't enjoy Asylum. And with this intense strobe being the lasting impression of the maze, it's a proper downer on the maze for me. The maze will get people and will freak them out. I saw that on Press Night. But equally, for some, it will do nothing. This maze, I believe, is the park's biggest investment in a Fright Nights maze. They took a conscious choice to not advertise that though, given they've used that line a couple of times now. But with the level of theming and costume design, I think that really shows. So yeah, not for me. I'm curious to try it out again. And it's not a bad maze or bad investment, but just not what I want. Survival Games This carries on the intensity from last year. My run this Press Night was more intense than last Press Night, and about on level with my last run last year. The inside of the maze basically hasn't changed, bar a chainsaw finale now (which suits the maze and works well!). And it is something where the actors make or break it. It's clearly a strong cast this year who can make it work. Obviously the thing with this is now making sure it will be operated suitably, to ensure the arena section doesn't overcrowd, and people can spend a decent amount of time in there. It was hit and miss last year, so hopefully they've learnt lessons from that. Trailers Basically the same, couple of new bits of theming in the finale, and different posters hinting towards Hyperia. But yeah, nothing new. With this being the oldest maze, it will be interesting to see whether the park plan to replace this next year, update it, or what. In any case, I think it could benefit from a refresh now. Crows This was my favourite attraction at Press Night, and remained strong yesterday in my run. I love it. The extra space has meant they've expanded it and created a longer route, featuring some enclosed sections. There's tons of smokes, a good level of actors and the theming is simple yet effective. It just ticks all the boxes. It is less a scare zone and more an outdoor walkthough / maze, but that's no bad thing. In any case, THIS IS HOW YOU DO AN OUTDOOR ATTRACTION Death's Doors Again, I remain unconvinced by the operational suitability of this for Fright Nights, but it's cheesy fun. Creature Campus Great show with a good dance routine. The addition of the Bleachers is really cool visually. At the end, the Witches point to Stealth and make it flash different colours, which is an awesome touch. Lucifer's Lair This really adds variety to the event. The scare zone side of it is fun, and a true scare zone. There's dance acts, singers (who I believe are external) and a fire show throughout the evening. It's a bit darker in tone, with heavier music playing, quite in your face lighting and really a lot of fire. It feels very Fright Nights, in the best way possible. The area looks nice and it all combines really well. This is a great way of creating a scare zone and show which doesn't pander towards a tamer/younger market for the park. Great job. Other Bits I think it's worth pointing out that the lighting and audio for the shows was really top notch. Feels like they've invested new stuff there and it shows. Parkwide audio feels the same across a lot of the park, but is Fright Nights based. Would be nice to have seen more area-specific stuff. Bottom Line Another great event this year. People will complain about the upcharges, and I think they are still a little too high. BUT, there is clear evidence that they are putting some of that money back into the event and really increasing the budget put into it, which is increasing the quality as a result. If Thorpe continue that, I could see them creating mazes which really do justify the premium price tag. Fright Nights is back to consistent high standards and quality. If we put any one of these attraction into the 2018 line up (you know, the one where they had a billion mazes which were all largely rubbish), they would be the stand out attraction. Even going back 10+ years, to the time when some say Fright Nights was in its hey-day, these attractions would steal the show I reckon.

Unpopular opinion but I wish Thorpe had some sort of embargo on enthusiast reviews / cameras in mazes say till Saturday so others can get the true spoiler free experience. For me there really was something magical in not knowing what was behind the doors of the asylum or curse because they hadn’t been documented to death. I think Thorpe have one goal with the inviting of z listers, yes they may post about it however the stock photos used for articles across the year with the Thorpe park logo is much more valuable.

Soz for double post, but the new 16+ restriction for admittance to Tulleys is coming as a shock and disappointment to people online it seems... they do keep posting about it mind you... I reckon it could make quite a difference to crowd levels, potentially. I know we noticed some teens filming in mazes on Snapchat and the like, but I'm not saying that's limited to under 16s (over 16s would obvs be on Facebook xoxo)