JoshC.

TPM are here! We'll be posting throughout the evening on Twitter: https://x.com/ThorpeParkMania?t=XyD6ImOMwqzukHS-ClsM8w&s=09 I'll try and post an honest review on here tonight too. Will probably set up a new thread

I think they'll make more than enough through merch and food sales anyways in those first few days. But yeah, a surprise that they've removed those hoops to get the Fastrack. Even if they're confident with the operations and everything, and even if they're limiting the numbers, it just makes sense to have as few Fastrack as physically possible, surely? Also, they're not planning to run the front row queue from opening, so it shows they do know how to make operational decisions which could have reasoning behind them. My biggest surprise is that no date is currently sold out. With Friday and Saturday apparently having a reduced capacity, and it being half term, I'd have thought one day would be sold out by now.

I feel like there must have been a bet on how many times they could say "scan" in a video.

I rode Ghost Train yesterday for the first time this season. Interestingly, there was no Fake Shop scene, but there was an additional actor in the Crypt (in the form of a wraith / hooded creature). The Fake Shop only requires one actor, so this appears to more be a creative decision. The finale was cool, especially for first-timers, but definitely loses its appeal quickly. And with the Ghost Train shop no longer existing, I wonder if they're contemplating something different for the finale, or just scrapping it altogether.

There was also a teaser for 2026: No indication what it could be or where, although with the park planning on redeveloping the Cobra-side of the park, it could end up there. There was an animation of that version of the park's logo inverting too, so some are speculating it could be an inverting coaster.

On Friday, Hyperia took its first non-Mack riders: Yesterday, significantly more staff were given training on how to evacuate Hyperia. This is the state of play of the plaza as of yesterday: The water effect tested for the first time today: Everything is coming together and, whilst the area might not be the most glamorous-looking, and might need time to bed-in with foliage needing to grow, everything seems on track to open THIS FRIDAY.

Here's a look at area today:

We have an info video about opening: Basically there won't be any sort of rope drop; there will be a very controlled pathway to the entrance, with there being a 'holding queue' for the ride alongside the old Saw Alive pathway when the main ride queue is full.

Contender for best theme park photo ever?

They usually have a 30 second and 15 second TV advert, so more likely a shorter one.

I like the advert, it feels reminiscent of the Colossus and Inferno adverts specifically too. I still find it odd they're not shouting more about it being the tallest UK coaster. That feels like something that would grab people's attention much more. But heyho, they're going a different direction with it and making that a more sideline fact. Hopefully it all works out.

Thanks, very informative 👌

Let's take stock for a moment. -The park have said on a number of occasions they will remove Slammer. The most recent suggestion was they would remove Slammer this upcoming closed season. Frankly, I won't believe it until I see it. -Whilst I admit Skybound fits in with Hyperia, there's no reason to believe it definitely will be. At the same time, the removal of queue line and such is interesting. It's also worth noting that there has been some removal of the interior of Black Mirror too. It could easily be space for Fright Nights, and the possible removal of Slammer ends up just opening the area up for picnic area / shop / restaurant. But, it certainly makes sense to replace that area with a new attraction, especially since it increases support around the brand the new ride. Assuming it is a new ride, and it is for 2025, it needs to be something that can be constructed reasonably quickly. Removal of Slammer plus construction of a new ride (to open no later than May, say) means we likely won't see an indoor ride or a more complicated ride. Some sort of Star Flyer or similar tower-based ride might work pretty well to be fair. Equally, if they choose to wait until 2026, they could build something a bit more in depth. So yeah. Cause for optimism, but cautious optimism for now.

The video in all its glory... Video is fine enough, but I agree with the mish-mash of directions. That backstory fits a themed ride area. A mountainous-looking station, being a cave that Hyperia took refuge in, would be a start, for example. Thing is, there seems to be a lot of want online for a backstory and a theme. There seems to be a common opinion these days, especially with younger enthusiasts and more casual fans, that "theming + story = better", and so they are necessary for a good ride. Of course, those things are good, but they need to be done correctly and in a worthwhile manner. Feels like Thorpe saw it as a box to check, and came up with something. We'll see how it all comes together. I'm not against either approach (light on the theme and just make it look nice vs theme and story), but it feels like they've tried to get the best from both and risk not hitting either.

The Burger King and toilets have been refurbed. All other Canada Creek buildings were demolished. I agree that there should be a wider, more cohesive, 'area', but everything has been touched.

Hyperia doesn't need theming, or a story or anything like that. Granted, the station exterior isn't the best looking. And it will take a while for the landscaping to bed in and grow. And things like the queue line fencing (and queue design in general) are bland. But at the end of the day, this is a 236ft tall monster of a coaster. The 'Find your Fearless' tag suits. The atmosphere will be upbeat. That's all it needs. Would theming be nice and add to it? Yes. Does theming not being present take away from it? I don't think so. Do agree with Benin that they need to stick with a direction.

Wonder how much someone could claim if that went wrong... Unsure. We can see during the human rider video that there's still one train on the track. But that doesn't mean they haven't switched and cycled out. I believe the park said on their passholder group that the tops just came loose; these things happen. Equally, it is also just a great way to empty them haha

It will be interesting to see what happens. I think a new modern water ride is needed at the park. A proper dark ride would be good too. But also, coasters are what work for the park, so who knows. Maybe they should sack off doing anything else and just stick in a bunch of coasters?

Looks good tho

Train looks lovely. Sleek, simple, all it needed to be. Hopefully testing starts very soon.

Maybe you should have spelled it out clearer, like Parm Pap

That is generally what roller coasters do, to be fair.

I don't particularly want to "do" Thorpe Park... Good to have a date, but it's a brave choice to announce it when trains have only just started arriving on park. So many variables which could impact completion. And we have seen issues like this affect Lego Racers coaster. I also wonder if it will therefore end up opening but not fully finished in terms of landscaping, etc. Ultimately, 24th May is the latest they could open it for it to be ready for the half term. Opening it mid-half term wouldn't be ideal. So I guess that was the aim anyways. In other news, the park have announced the Hyperia rooms, and that they're also doing a 'golden ticket' deal, where you can pay once and visit twice: once before Hyperia opens, and once after it opens: https://www.thorpepark.com/tickets-passes/day-tickets/golden-ticket/

Not that it makes a difference to your point, but Scorpion hasn't run since mid-2022, and is completely absent from the park's map now. Whether it's died a slow and painful death or just taking a hibernation, who knows...

Update to this; the park are keeping these for a further 10 years whilst they work on a permanent hotel: