JoshC.

https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/news/03-10-2017/Thorpe+Park+Seeks+Planning+Changes Thorpe are looking at being able to change the way they submit plans for new rides. It means naff all in terms of final results, but what it does mean that plans for most new things won't have to appear online. So for all the impatient people who love to trawl through every millimetre of the plans, or those who love a good old nose through the MTDP, you're going to need to find something else to do this winter...

In other news, it's possible that Rookburgh / FLY might not be opening until 2019, according to a Dutch paper who recently had a chat with Vekoma... Sourced from - https://www.looopings.nl/weblog/8664/Opening-flying-coaster-Phantasialand-mogelijk-pas-in-2019.html

In 2015, Thorpe were open (during BTS tours and that) that they removed the first hospital scene container from MBV because it was damaged and not useable. The damage occurred due to general wear-and-tear from the mazes it held - shipping containers aren't really designed to cope with thousands of people walking through them and having things bashed against the sides. As such, it will be the case that mazes in shipping containers will have a limited life span. Presumably more damage occurred to the other containers making them less usable. This has cropped up many times over the past couple of years, so it's not really inside knowledge anymore. It's certainly true that the attraction would have had more scope and potential if it had utilised going in the containers as well. However, from a story telling perspective, I believe that Sanctum is all about an outdoor 'safe zone' which turns out not to be safe, so it wouldn't make much sense for it to go inside. Of course, nothing stopping them from going with a different story telling perspective, but that is the logic I guess. And also my biggest issue with The Walking Dead attractions...they are too fixed in their narratives.

As has been said by others elsewhere, it is worth keeping in mind that a large majority of people won't do mazes multiple times. Even with Annual Passholders, they may only do them once or twice a year. Some people here will do mazes more times in 1 night than some will ever do. So whilst it's true it is getting too samey, for lack of a better word, for regulars, that won't affect as many people as some think. Both reviews here are only critical because it's the same. The same, good quality maze it's been all the time. The same maze I'd assume would be given a reasonable 6-7/10 if it was their first ever go, maybe even more. They certainly could invest in some larger scale changes (and perhaps arguably should), but why risk fixing something that isn't broken? There could also be the issue that the park cannot change the scenes as part of a contract with Lionsgate. There's a reason they haven't used the shipping containers since MBV, and even scrapped one in that maze's final year. So I wouldn't be so sure that they're "perfectly good"...

Not really. With mazes, it's pretty much all down to the time between groups being dispatched. You could have a maze which takes 10 minutes and a maze which takes 2 minutes have a group go through every 60 seconds in theory, so long as there's enough actors and enough space to separate them throughout the whole maze. I assume that they'll also be able to batch in bigger groups for Sanctum because of the zone style, which will massively help the throughput. That's something that Blair Witch was able to do, but the maze didn't suit that idea as well as Sanctum does to be honest.

Somehow I just doubt that it was 3 hours long... Unless the throughput is insanely awful, but it doesn't seem no worse to other mazes.. Sanctum being 5 minutes is at least partially down to the location. It's quite tucked away anyway, and away from all other scare attractions. The scare zone / walkthrough style set up of the attraction means it probably does have a high throughput too.

A quick word from me... The Big Top - amazing! I'd say around half the maze is different, and they're all largely an improvement. The strobe / mesh section is the most disorientating version I've ever done. Platform 15 - very very different to last year. The first third has seen some changes / improvements. The middle third is completely different and is fantastic, very good, creepy and complete. The tunnel is a little better, but the ending needs a bit more oomphf. Saw Alive - same as ever. Living Nightmare - not the greatest. In short, the theming is fantastic (arguably the best Thorpe have in a maze). The maze also features a pre show which is truly fab and has some real suspense to it. The rest of the maze is pretty weak, the ending is poor and it just needs a bit more scare. So a very similar vibe as from the German maze, even though this is different. PS - This is a bit of a multi route attraction at the start! Sanctum - a bit of fun, nothing special. Think of a huge, coherently themed version of Dead End with a good set of actors and you're pretty much there. It's more like a scare zone than a maze. The ending is a bit weak though. Warning - parts of it will get very muddy when wet! Containment - didn't get a chance to do. All in all, it's a fair line up this year. Big Top is astounding, Platform is creepy and Saw is dependable. The Walking Dead mazes need some tweaks but hopefully they will come. Obviously difficult to judge from a media night, but I think things will be good. Also, there's a new 'scare rating' guide this year... Intense - Big Top, Living Nightmare and Containment Creepy - Platform 15 Gore - Saw and Sanctum

So the merch is literally just the FN advertising poster stuck on whatever? Tad disappointing.

Of course, Thorpe Park Mania will also be around giving updates from tonight's event. In fact, we've already got some updates on our Facebook page...

But the sticker has a meerkat AND a teddy meerkat. That x200 its value.

Confirmation from IMA Score that they're involved with Avalon, and new entrance...

I guess they could make the dark ride work with an Ali Baba theme if the 'films' are of that theme / style. I doubt it will be, since I assume Alterface will want to replicate it elsewhere, but there's a shred of hope.. They still haven't confirmed the manufacturer of the megacoaster. I don't think that layout is definitive yet, so they might have multiple manufacturers all with slightly different layouts on the go still. Rumours suggest that Mack, Intamin, Vekoma and B&M were all looked into though..

And out of nowhere (well actually the EAS, but it wasn't known is Walibi stuff would be revealed) more stuff is known about Walibi Belgium's expansion plans... As Benin mentioned, 2019 is going to see the Boomerang area rethemed. The originally announced plan was to turn it into a Bollywood area, stick a kiddie cred there and turn the currently unused building nearby into a revolving theatre. The plan has changed, instead it will be Ali Baba themed, with a kiddie cred and a new shooting, trackless dark ride. Concept art Warning - if you're the type who wants to completely avoid spoilers, maybe skip this bit as there's a lot of detail... Walibi already has a shooting trackless dark ride (Challenge of Tutankahmon), but this one will be different and largely screen based. Manufacturered by ETF, and with the media side of things coming from Alterface (a Belgian company who also were involved in the Justice League dark rides at Six Flags), the ride is being advertised as an 'Erratic' dark ride... Basically, each ride has the potential to be different, with each car taking different routes and certain special effects triggered when people reach a certain score, hit a certain target, etc. Similarly, cars can also take different routes if people do certain things during the ride. So basically think Symbolica, Challenge of Tutankahmon, screens and more interactivity all combined into one. It's actually crazily ambitious if you ask me. Image from Alterface, saucey - http://www.inparkmagazine.com/alterface-debuts-new-erraticr-ride-at-eas-2017/ The building layout is that it'll have 7 scenes - 6 outer room and a central room. The idea is that each outer room has its own screens, theme / style, etc, and the central room is like a 'base', which will help with story continuity and still give people something to do as you change between rooms. From what I've read, it is possible in theory that cars can return to certain rooms during the ride as well. As for the theme, it will be an Alterface 'off the shelf' design (though obviously this is the first one), called "Popcorn's Revenge". The idea is that you're in a cinema, and the popcorn comes alive and wants to be a part of the films - you have to go in there, shoot the popcorn and save the films from being ruined. And the films in the ride will be based off real films.. To be fair, sounds really fun if it gets pulled off correctly, though not sure it fits with an Ali Baba theme... Whether this installation is spelling the beginning of the end for Challenge remains to be seen. The 5 year plan Walibi released says nothing about its removal, but I do wonder if long-term they're considering scrapping it. Would be a shame as it is a lot of fun. In other news, Walibi have said they plan to do add a Gerst Sky Fly in 2020, along with the Mack Twist n Splash, near their drop tower. Oh, and here's their initial plan for the 2021 megacoaster... I don't know what the management at Walibi have been drinking recently, but I want some of it...

Haven't watched the video (cos spoilers), but I always find it a shame when parks spoil their own attractions. Hope it doesn't show too much. *puts Mod hat on* With Fright Nights fast approaching and more members than ever going to the Media Preview, if people want a spoiler thread set up to help avoid spoilers, whilst still allowing spoiler-conversation to flow, please go ahead and set one up for now...

Wing over drops (or should that be The THORPE PARK Inversion? ) need to be taken at a slow speed, otherwise they'll be uncomfortable and create awkward amounts of g-force. Lost Gravity has a very similar style inversion mid-way through the ride (even though it's not a wing rider), and there's a MCBR before it which basically brings the car to a halt for it. So that's why they can't really do anything dramatic prior to the drop. Remember that though the wing over drop is common on wingriders, in their own individual locations, they are special, they are a visual spectacle and they are exciting and different. Though Heide Park is nearby with Flug, this will still be unique enough for 98% of guests. So it's completely fine there. Also, B&M wingriders aren't really rides that are designed to be forceful. They are there for graceful, drawn-out elements that look as-good-as (if not, better than) they ride. Though there's nothing stopping a park wanting to get a forceful wingrider, it is unlikely to happen. Though it is true that this offers little different compared to all other wingriders.

The boat ride is largely outdoors. It does have an indoor section (I think it starts or/and finishes inside) though. I spose technically speaking that would be Toverland's first dark ride experience. But when half the park is indoors, and even some of those ridss there are in buildings of their own, we could be pedantic and say they have loads of 'dark rides'... The Avalon area will also include a new a la carte restaurant called The Flaming Feather.

Unprecedented 5th post in a row... The announcement has confirmed a King Arthur style theme. The area will be called Avalon (a mythical island from Arthur legend). The coaster will be called Fenix, and the boat ride will be called Merlin's Quest, and last ~12 minutes. The rumoured layouts posted ages ago are correct, making Fenix the tallest and longest wing coaster in Europe. Some pictures from the park... Fenix has 6 rows. This just loves awesome I'm so excited for this in case you couldn't tell. Truly fantastic investment from the park. Some more photos from the park and the story of the ride are over on Looopings - https://www.looopings.nl/weblog/8529/Toverland-onthult-details-en-ontwerpen-van-spectaculaire-wing-coaster-Fenix.html

After re-riding Gruffalo several times with my little brother, I really do think Chessington have hit the nail on the head with this attraction. There are still flaws, and I'm not a fan of the 'you need to look in a specific direction for every scene' thing it's got going, but it does work. Most importantly, I think they've got something that is timeless for the next generation to enjoy for years to come. Gruffalo is a popular story, and even if you haven't read the book, you get the gist of it quickly. The ride sparks imagination and wonder for younger children, and is something which I think it always will do. It is also something which an older audience can enjoy and appreciate. Sure, it's not the same heights as the original Bubbleworks, but that's an extremely high bar to reach. But it's definitely a fantastic investment, one which will truly last, and arguably the best thing Chessington have done this century.

So I visited the park yesterday, and noticed a fair few closed rides. On top of Dragon Falls and Peeking Heights (which was obvious), there was Rameses, Black Bucaneer, Galleon and I'm fairly certain Zufari opened a lot later than 12. And no Lorikeet Lagoon. Is that all standard procedure for off peak days or is something up? Yesterday was absolutely dead though. Everything was walk on all day. The restaurants had way too much food prepared and I'm sure most of it would have ended up in the bin.. Good to see the park open and stuff of course, but it certainly felt like they were operating at a massive loss...

To be fair, if I'm paying £100 for a tiny piece of metal, I'd want it to be delivered by a courier with at least 5 years experience along with 2 bodyguards. Not sure you can get that for £2 though

Don't think the theming picture is getting enough love. Thorpe have demonstrated time and time again that they can do excellently themed set pieces in their mazes, and almost always do. The snippets we've seen from Living Nightmare prove that it'll be no different. As my the maze I'm most looking forward to this year...The Big Top is my choice. As I've explained in the past, though I'm sure I'll enjoy them, I have reservations about TWD mazes. I'm looking forward to Platform's improvements but after last year, you need to keep expectations realistic. Saw will be Saw, and Containment will be Containment. It feels like Thorpe are trying to make Big Top their headline thing, the maze that'll be back year-in, year-out, and will always deliver. Essentially the equivalent of what Asylum was, and what Tower of the Terrors currently is. And if there's supposedly enhancements / changes, I'm all geared up for them...

It's concerning that I'm quadruple posting without batting an eyelid... Another new video from Toverland: Dragon / castle / knight theme seeming more and more likely, which would be a lovely fit for the park. Still hasn't truly sunk in for me that tiny Toverland is getting a (albeit small) monster B&M next year...

Lumber Jump is still there and open. And though Rumba Rapids is closed for the rest of the year, it is back next year.

Not strictly true. Wicked Witches Haunt was a family-aimed dark ride; Vortex (and Detonator) were thrill rides. Zodiac was more the attempted 'replacement' (for lack of a better word), since that was geared as a family ride. The fire happened at the start of the transition period from turning Thorpe Park from a family park to a more thrill-focused park. There had long been plans for thrill rides to join the line up in the Lost City area, and for Mr Rabbit to be replaced by a coaster. Because of the fire, Zodiac was bought in in 2000 (under the name Enterprise) to make up for the fact that 2 rides were closed. It's popularity meant it was introduced permanently in 2001. Vortex also came along to help increase the thrill offering, and start the Lost City area (with Colossus already well underway). Detonator was introduced to further help the thrill offering, and to have something in the area where WWH stood. It was originally only meant to be around for the 2001 (planning permission was only granted for a year, and originally Thorpe wanted a drop tower in the Lost City area). But because of it's popularity, Thorpe decided they wanted to keep Detonator as it was and eventually got permanent planning permission. More backstory on what happened with Detonator can be found on my blog... (Though spoilers - some of the information there is wrong. Thorpe were originally going to get a Vekoma launched coaster, not an SLC...) All the info about the Thorpe fire can best be found over with our friends Memories of Thorpe Park.

I reckon with Thorpe wanting to include families more now (as seen in particular with the addition of Timber Tug and Lumber Jump), Banana Ride is pretty safe. Mechanically speaking, the ride is simple and well looked after, so there's no real reason for it to be removed. So it'll be around for a good while yet.