EdwinOkli

It's odd that Thorpe uploaded this photo on the ride page on their website. Earlier version of the photo up there before they had started making it up presumably. I like that they made sure that they had just enough finished to make the video. I think it's a beautiful building. Can't wait to see what it all turns out to be.

I have too found the "final" clue. Mainly by rooting around in the source. But once you observe something strange about a particular part of the website, it's not difficult to put two and two together.

It would be easy to conclude that it's a maze, what with Thorpe's eternal love of mazes. A maze would suit anything that Derren could come up with, especially the "re-rideability" of the attraction. But we know that it's a major investment, so it certainly won't be a maze. Whatever the attraction is, it's bound to be quite trippy, thrilling. There are no tracks, but there has to be a way of moving around the building that presumably is more sophisticated (more expensive) than using your legs. Has anything actually gone inside the building yet? I like how they chose a specific brick, with those dark speckles. Clearly there's some thought behind it.

I'll be outside an exam hall, quaking in my boots, too preoccupied to consider the dark ride's secrets. I'm sure I'll make time for it afterwards, in between crying and focusing on my next exam. I'd really like to be surprised and excited by a dark ride.

I'll be outside an exam hall, quaking in my boots, too preoccupied to consider the dark ride's secrets. I'm sure I'll make time for it afterwards, in between crying and focusing on my next exam. I'd really like to be surprised and excited by a dark ride.

I'm a bit disappointed by the idea that they can't be bothered to theme the ride in reality, so they'll stick a screen in front of your eyes and convince you that it's better themed. It's a dire future for theme parks if everything is plain steel and concrete with "virtual theming".

Note that the time jumps backwards (inconsistently) whenever the man appears. And he seems to be checking a pocket watch. The man walking outside the window is probably just a builder wearing a high-vis jacket. It's very eerie, though.

Perhaps they are appreciating the superior theming.

"Get on board…" I think it's very clear that it's going to be London Underground themed. Kind of strange considering the park is neither in London nor near any Tube station. But OK.

I am expecting something very Hex-esque but with a more intense psychological aspect. But it has to be something that works on 100% of people 100% of the time, otherwise people will just walk off disappointed and call it a waste of time. I am very excited regardless. Derren Brown specials have always been something I've looked forward to so even if he does feature heavily in the attraction, it won't bother me.

Does this really seem family friendly?

Well, advertising a new dark ride with darkness cannot be much of a surprise. Derren Brown has tweeted again, by the way: Something New is Brewing, Derren Brown, 2015, Choccy Dusting on Coffee

The default response on social media now seems to be: "As you may have already seen we have said we would like to reopen The Smiler but the final decision will only be made after we’ve undertaken all necessary steps." Nothing surprising but there you go.

Well, I think it was decided pretty early that this ride absolutely must be for the family market but the marketing is a little… serious. The website has been updated to include a sign up for a 7 puzzle challenge with a prize draw! There's also a 27-day countdown.

Surely they can't build the building and then secretly deliver the ride and install it through the entrance? We must be getting something a little more conspicuous soon. Unless the ride is actually just walking around a building.