JoshC.

Has an unhealthy obsession with Nemesis Inferno...

As I've said time and time again, Thorpe need to bite bullet and try it with no standby queue. It's how the system was designed to be used, and creating standby queues and whatnot makes the system more complicated. I possibly think I'd have got moot done last night if it wasn't for the standby queues. Let's hope that next year (or later this year), they can give it a go and see if it works out!

Think Paige makes a good point too, in that the main audience for the film is either in school (on weekdays) or unlikely to visit the park because of Fright Nights. It's supply and demand really - if there's not enough people wanting to watch the film, run it less often. Simple.

You don't know that I benefited from the system failing. In fact, I actually wasted a bit of time today because of the system and its failing. Despite that, I actually managed to get all mazes done and have a very good time. Indeed, it was infinitely more fun than sitting behind a computer tweeting Thorpe Park about why their system is useless when you're not experiencing it first hand...

Quick words till Saturday evening, when I'll post full reviews... Got in all mazes thanks to RnR; wouldn't have done without it. There's some problems with it, but I think Thorpe are overcomplicated it with too many queuing systems. Possible spoilers ahead (worst to best): MBV: I had a leak of actors and it was unentertaining for the most part. How is this the only 5* maze? Saw Alive: Good fun and I enjoy it. Possibly the most consistent maze I've done. Just not as good as the above. BWP: Really enjoyed this this evening. Plenty of actors and they use the space well! CITW: Not as fun as last year, and the idea of being a room and things happening is lost. Still very good though and plenty of actors. Studio 13: Great theming, loads of great actors, nice story that creeps through. Good scares and great fun. Prefer the way the ending is executed too. Face it Alone: Did Studio 13 and it was absolutely ruddy brilliant. Just sheer and utter brilliance and my favourite maze experience to date. Well done to all involved in that!

I also think it's a bit weird to remove X, especially given the new market. Of course, I can't say who I heard it from. Heard it a while back, but didn't think much it. But with the removal of seats and with the recent discussion of a dark ride, I guess anything is possible. Just something I thought I'd chuck out there really!

Interesting stuff. I've been hearing some rumours about X not having long left. Maybe that space and the arena could be making way for development? Fingers crossed that something is done to the arena though!

No trick or abuse of the system. Just choosing the shortest queue when my previous reservation has been fulfilled.

They've had problems with the system. I think it's fine now but is having trouble coping with earlier issues. I arrived into the park at 5:30 and have got MBV and Cabin done; currently queuing for Studio 13. I personally think the system would be better if there was no standby queue, add the ratios are not going well given the problems. Shame.

Glitch with system. Things will be more reasonable quickly.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that has to be 6 (or however many) weeks continuous? So, you can't say do 4 weeks at the end of one season, return next season, then be eligible for the Magic Pass 2 weeks into new season.

My 6th ( ) anniversary on here was two weeks today! Drinks all round for the October joiners

Rogan JoshC. better be a hot curry Mer..! Personally, I love the idea of member resin statues; they'd be a crowning jewel of my collection... Or failing that, Alton Towers should at least create a Limited Edition 'The Josher' resin - http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/10669-how-would-you-improve-the-smiler/#entry184656

I'm evidently being a bit dim here, but what Merlin attraction is getting a new show?

Not even appearing in signage any more (unless there's one I missed!); the You're Next character was cropped out of the main promo image and the logo no longer appears on posters either. Can only assume it was the plan for a long time that they wouldn't return this year!

Making the farm return is always a nice idea which I suspect most on here would love to see happen, but I just can't see it happening. The buildings themselves are now used by local schools/something I think, so it may prove difficult for the park to essentially kick them out. Another issue is the fact it *could* end up treading on the toes of Chessington, which I guess is something Merlin want to try and avoid. It's also worth remembering that Thorpe's target market, whilst being more family-friendly, is still focusing a lot on 16-34 year olds (thrill seekers). Whilst I'm not saying that a farm area could be enjoyed by all, it's not the most worthwhile solution for the continued cost of it. Worth remembering as well that there's a big empty island between Thorpe and the old farm area, meaning that the waterbuses can't make their way between the old farm area and the core of the park.

Ahh, it's been a while since there was a made up story about a new attraction at a Merlin theme park for publicity. Kinda missed them.

Just worth pointing out that Reserve and Ride is a system that is trying to solve the issue of long queues and (if successful in the long run) makes Fastrack a somewhat pointless system. So they are trying to improve guest experience in that respect. Personally, I don't think the Fastrack system is terrible, but Priority Passes and disabled guests add complications to the system, ruining numbers and such. That makes it more terrible. I'd feel confident in saying that if Priority Passes didn't exist, the Fastrack system would be rather trouble free. But that's the trouble, Thorpe's got the right idea (making sure that a bad thing doesn't ruin a guest's day), but doing it all wrong (by doing something that ultimately makes matters worse. In my opinion, if you compare the queueing and Fastrack system now to even 2-3 seasons ago, things have improved as well. They're making improvements, but unfortunately they're also shooting themselves in the foot at the same time.

I agree. I personally think it is a bit of a...barren name for a coaster...

I've bolded quite a few bits of your post here... -You wait a long time for a maze, much longer than expected. I know exactly how that feels; it's not nice. -You complain about this, and get given a free Fastrack ticket for the exact same maze, which doesn't get taken out of the Fastrack quota for the day, and use it that same day. Surely you can see the problem here? People are handed out free Fastrack like sweets, which doesn't come out of a Fastrack quota for the day, and can be used whenever. When people do use them, Thorpe need to fulfil the premium service they are giving to Fastrack guests (a reduced waiting time). Hence, it increases the queue times and mucks up the estimates they have. Then if more people complain, they get free Fastrack tickets, and low and behold the deadly cycle continues. By using those tickets, especially on the same night for a maze you've already done, you're making the problem worse. Not just the queue for MBV, but the free Fastrack culture that Merlin adopt. Just something to think about there... You say Thorpe only care about money, but I guess the one good thing about the handing out of Priority Passes is that it shows the park aren't afraid to compensate you if you've had a bad experience. I'm not a fan of the fact that 'free money' is going to Fastrack ticket (why not give guests money off food, drink, merch, or a free return ticket?), but it shows they're not all about money. They do care about customer experience.

Happy birthday to Mr Fish (even though he hasn't put his birthday on TPM)!

Blair Witch is no longer going to be RnR during this trial, instead just being the four mazes - https://www.thorpepark.com/tickets-passes/reserve-n-ride/overview/

From a few posts up... (Sourced from Towers Street). So we have no idea on the layout - exciting times!

I do agree with you there Benin, which is why I've been wanting the park to trial it with no standby queue for the post couple of months now. Perhaps they just want to introduce it very slowly to ensure the system itself works and get people to understand the system. No one can know the true popularity or use of the system until they try it with no standby queue in my opinion (as long as there's a non-smartphone option as well). I do hope Thorpe try it next year, just to see how well it works.

Admittedly I haven't been to Fright Nights this year so don't know first hand what the throughputs for mazes are like so far, but I'm pretty certain that the mazes have throughputs of more than 360pph, so I think you're exaggerating things just a bit there. Also, there shouldn't be a 50:50 split. RnR is the main way to queue for mazes during these trials, it should be prioritized over the standby queue.