Ryan

Last Friday after my last exam for 1st year at uni I decided to buy a switch and hop on the odyssey bandwagon (well almost 2 years late!).
 
Much like everyone else here, I’m absolutely loving the game! I cannot decided whether I prefer this or Galaxy (which was my favourite video game of all time).
 
I’m so glad they went back to the non-linear formula because whilst 3D land and world were good games in their own right, they just weren’t true 3D Mario games so odyssey was a smart move!

I had low expectations, but **** me ?

I had low expectations, but **** me ?

I had low expectations, but **** me ?

I had low expectations, but **** me ?

StevenVig being unnecessarily sarcastic about a justified comment? Shock horror

Today was very good.  All the coasters were running multiple trains, the park was quiet and whilst there were some breakdowns/rides closed, for a preview day it seemed very well organised and everything that was open ran like clockwork.  Also it was great that Stealth opened!
 
I mean sure, I still don't like a lot of what Thorpe is doing, but it's fantastic that they were able to have every coaster open and running more than one train on the first day of being open to guests, and that they limited numbers rather than over-filling the park.  Much better than opening to 10,000 people when you're nowhere near ready.
 
I'm really not a fan of some of the cosmetic changes, the dome looks soulless now compared to how it looked before, the removal of Tidal's bridge is a shame as is Colossus' concrete (though I appreciate the reasons for this).
 
Only real annoyance from an operations perspective was that Derren Brown's Ghost Train had closed with the shop shutters down by 4:40.

So TheJackSilkstone got shown around Thorpe Park early and showed some of the changes happening at Thorpe Park:
 
 
For those not wanting to watch the video, I noted the following:
New projector in the Dome with some new signage (modernisation of the Dome happening in phases) New speakers on the entrance bridge Tidal Wave's exit bridge has been replaced, the other bridge for spectators has been removed Oasis branding replaced Dr Pepper at Tidal Wave Stealth's supports have been painted Sticky Sisters is being changed into a hot dog type restaurant I'm A Celeb branding has been removed, area will be covered up until opening of Jungle Escape Colossus has had the area around its supports filled in with concrete, some supports have been painted Bouncezilla is going in the area outside Crusts 'Old School' merch will be available for the 40th birthday with the old logo on GameFX will have a range of consoles with new games and a retro area, will also be a tournament as an 'introduction to e-sports' Coke Freestyle is being rolled out across the entire park with refillable drink quenchers available for them

Interesting to see that Disney are holding a gaming event - because no one goes to a theme park to play games they clearly have no idea what they are doing... ?
 

Thing is as well, these are things that are pretty plentiful in loads of places now... Can't fall over without finding an Escape Room company (there's about 5/6 in city centre alone up in Leeds), there's numerous trampoline/activity places opening, and gaming stuff is starting to come in due to esports...
 
But if you're interested in these things would you do them at a theme park? It's a similar question to having a Dungeons attraction at Towers (though at least at Thorpe the hours are slightly better), why would you take 45 minutes out of your day to partake in something like this after paying whatever the entry fee is?
 
Would people rather this, or the park replacing Slammer with, well anything? These additions scream of a park under the thumb of a company giving them little money to spend, and the worrying thing is it's only going to get worse apparently since the focus is on building Legolands everywhere in the world... Towers has an attraction foisted upon them, Thorpe have no money to spend on anything worthwhile and Chessie are getting another retheme of an attraction which was mothballed...
 
Here's the thing, these events would be fine IF (and I cannot stress the IF enough here) the rest of the park wasn't in dire straits and in desperate need of picking up, getting a dusting down (or a repaint) and generally sorting out... But the parks aren't given enough money to do this because of KPIs or ROIs are directly noticeable from such things, even though having a park that looks the part is one of the most important factors in terms of guest satisfaction... If it looks like a cheap death-trap, then likelihood is guests will come away with that viewpoint...

I disagree with this. The large collection of consoles, retro gaming and virtual reality experiences on offer won't be found in any home across the country, making this a unique experience that many people can't do at home. 

Thorpe better than Europa Park and Disney? 
 

 
I personally think the idea of an Annual fastrack ticket is pretty ridiculous, but if people will buy it then Thorpe will sell it!
 

Thorpe better than Europa Park and Disney? 
 

 
I personally think the idea of an Annual fastrack ticket is pretty ridiculous, but if people will buy it then Thorpe will sell it!
 

Given that Thorpe's social media has taken a bashing lately, only fair for Alton to receive the same.
 
 
I'm all for banter between parks, but for there to public admittance that it's going to take a long time for part of the same company to 'sort itself out' (especially since it's actually true) seems like a rather large faux pas, surely?
 
Maybe I'm just getting old and don't get social media. Or I'm just looking for things to moan about. But I just don't get it.

Done, few good questions in there, good luck!

Question for Coaster Jamie.

More info here - Loggers Leap closure confirmed

Can also use Meerkat Meals meaning 2for1 starters, mains and deserts for up to 6 people on a table.

Place your bets on Nemesis Inferno being the first ride knocked out of the 2019 version first people.

Reading this last page has convinced me to play next year, and I will be voting for the superior Thorpe ride Nemesis Inferno at every opportunity! 

I have...
 
But of course, you'd never get anything wrong. ?

Nah that’s just Staines.

Nah that’s just Staines.

Nah that’s just Staines.

Nah that’s just Staines.