JoshC.

At my secondary school, the PE changing rooms were the worst place.You literally could not turn your back on your stuff, and you always had to make sure you were one of the first in there. Many items of clothing were chucked in bins, the showers and goodness knows where else. I remember having footballs kicked at me many a time as well, or having my towel stolen after swimming a few times... And then the actual PE lessons weren't much cop either..

As promised, my Fright Nights 2011 PTR! This is from the first night (6th October), but due to the length, and being busy, that's how long it has taken me to write! :PSo, to set the scene. I knew a couple of weeks ago that college closed at 1 for open-day preparations, but it meant I finished at 9:40. So, theoretically, I could've got to the park just after opening. However, seeinghow my friends weren't able to go till half 1, I decided to go then - after all, Thorpe by yourself is no fun.It was very sunny when I arrived!The recurring theme of the day - it was 'dead' quiet!One-day-only AP offer. £90 - very good price really.Anyways, I arrived at half 1, but due to a punctured bike tire, I was by myself till 2. I took the chance to take some photos of The Swarm site and then a ride on an empty Depth Charge. It was here that I had 'that feeling' that the trip was going to be a good one; FN music was already playing. Compared to the chart music, and considering last year FN music inly started playing at 4, I was jolly-well pleased that this was the case. After that and a bit more hanging around, I was met by the rest of my group.Fright Nights theming. I got so excited, I pointed for the camera.. XDSaw was the first ride for the group, to get it out the way. We must have queued about 15 minutes for it. We were all shocked by the lack of queue there. Staff were very good, and all effects were working too - pleased I was.Samurai. The queue was about 10 minutes worth. However, due to the stupidity of how the one bloke was batching and checking bars, batching people into rows directly, not into the lanes (meant we were directed to row 6, where people decided 'oh, this seat is free, lets go here' meant we missed out on a ride, and the platformer having a go at us!), the queue ended up being about 20 minutes. The ride was, however, going strong. Another good point was FN audio playing, again, already. Anyone who knows of the 'It's only a dream' audio will be pleased.. A quick walk around the park led us to a walk-on Inferno. There was a constant stream of people though, enough to mean that we didn't get a reride. Ah well. Didn't hear any audio being played, though I wasn't paying attention in honesty. No extra theming though, which disappointed me. I mean, come on, how hard is it to stick that 'When hell froze over' cloth up!?Rumba Rapids featured a nice remixed audio of the usual track, mixing together normal audio and FN audio. Big thumbs up from me there. Also got caught by the pre-tunnel waterfall, which was humorous, yet a bit annoying, as the other 2 in my group stayed more-or-less dry... Grrrrr Now, for a twisted tale on Storm Surge. It was around half 3, and Storm Surge has a 5 minute or-so queue. As we were planning to queue up for Experiment 10 before 4, we thought it was the perfect to do. We also felt that, as the queue didn't go anywhere near the water canons, and that the shower is now hit-and-miss (though, for me seemingly, miss), we'd stay dry. My oh my how we were wrong. We were batched together with another group of 3 (which included the Marc Simpson), which, with a 5ish minute queue, I see as unnecessary to be honest, and then directed to our boat...which was ANKLE DEEP in water. Yes, ankle deep. We put our feet up to stop shoes and socks being ruined, but after being instructed to have our feet on the floor for the ride to start, we 'dived in'. It was ridiculous in honesty. The looong lift hill was so uncomfortable and, being at the back of the dingy, even my bum was getting wet. The slide was not at all spinny either, though there was a sprinkler added to the circuit, which is a nice touch. To top this all off, when we splashed down into the water, the water splashed into out boat, and with me being closest to the water, I got the full blast of it. To say I was drenched was a bit of an understatement. I felt almost like I'd gone on Tidal Wave... Nonetheless, I was very disappointed by water-in-boat situation, especially as there was a 'water vacuum thing' (name?) on the platform. Later, we complained to GS and were given Fastrack tickets. As to be explained later, we didn't use them and can instead use them at a later, un-expiring, date. Hovering over water.We headed to one of the heat-wave driers, and paid £4 for two circuits. In honesty, it was worth the money to dry off that little bit. Fortunately, it started to rain as we were in there, and the short shower deterred loads of people from staying - we saw a good hundred plus people seemingly going to leave, using Tidal's bridge as a short-cut. However, by the time we were all set and done, the rain had finished.. YAY.It was ten to four, so just in-time to queue for Experiment 10. I was expecting loads of people to be there, but there were barely a dozen hanging around. To say I was happy is about right. I think the general consensus with my friends and I was that we were looking forward to trying it out, but weren't expecting anything overly special. Staff were going in, and noises could be heard. 4 came and the arena gates opened... Banner.Side of container.After winding through the queue, we got to the front (near enough) and waited a little more. I was expecting a minute for staff to get ready then we'd be off. Ten minutes later, the first group was being briefed. I dunno what the delay was for, however, I didn't mind, it gave a chance to listen to some of the pre-recorded audio, which is interesting. Basically, just your expected laboratory announcements, which work well. There was also some really bad acting from one line, with the announcer saying something, then going 'no, no, noooo'. Ah well, gave us a bit of a chuckle really.Control box. I guess this is where staff can keep an eye of the going ons in the maze.Hazmat suit actor.These guys were really good too. 'Quizzing people' and such. My review of Experiment 10 can be found in the Experiment 10 [spoilerS] topic.However, if you don't want it spoilt, find that too long, or just want a one line summary - Experiment 10: 9/10.After a exited, I had to get a photo of me with one of the actors round the queue line, who, as said, did a brilliant job!This guy was a bit more 'friendly' too compared to the other actors... hahaSo, we had experienced Experiment 10 and it had shocked us all to be honest. Needless to say we had all liked it. Now, we were only planning to do one maze (mainly because rides in dark would take priority), but as it was rather quiet, we checked out the other mazes. We wandered over to Se7en, and this is what greeted us:This was Se7en at it's busiest...So, we tried it out. Now, a lot of enthusiasts don't seem to be the biggest fans of the maze. I don't see why really. Granted, I can't comment on earlier years, but since 2009 (my first time in it), I've enjoyed it. It's been good fun, well themed and produces chances for good scares. The only trouble I've ever really had with it is sometimes it is hard to tell which sin is which (though, I now know). Even with signs, they're sometimes hard to tell. It also seems to have improved this year, being taken to a new level. For example, in one scene, there's a chance for the person at the end of the group to be taken away, and to have rejoin the new group - brilliant stuff. Despite being my favourite for the past 2 years, the originality of Experiment 10 pipped it for top spot for me! Still, a solid 8.5/10.With the queues so quiet, we ended up doing The Curse. Literally, there was no queue. I'll keep this review short - simply because, the less said, the better. There was a serious lack of actors, real predictability in the jumps and scares, and no real chance for the actors to add anything to the theme other than going 'BLERURGH!' at you. Also, the tent is set up so poorly that you can literally see outside this year. VERY disappointed, and should be the next maze to bite the dust. Unrated for being so blooming well poor. The Curse doesn't even deserve a photo of its tent it was that poor.Now it was time to take advantage of the time. It must have been about half 4 by now, so a lot of people were over doing Asylum and Experiment 10 (well, I say a lot, enough for there to be a queue by the looks of things). So, as the plan was, it was time to hit the rides. Rerides on Rush, followed by X:\No Way Out were enjoyed. That, along with general enjoyment was had. It was time for food, so we went to Pizza Hut (which was quite literally the emptiness I have ever seen; they were literally throwing away whole pizzas!). After nearly an hour of slow eating and chatting, we decided to pop down to Guest Services following our adverse experiences on Storm Surge earlier. We took diversions on the way: I got another photo with an Experiment 10 researcher. I questioned her on what Experiment 10 was, after 'not understanding' it following my experience earlier. Her response was that it was a personal reflection experiment, designed with the aim of improving humans. She was unable to tell me what her experience was, how it changed her, and what side effects would be in store for me following being experimented upon... I must commend this actor greatly, for the way she stayed in character following such a tricky question, as well generally keeping up the monotone voice.Looks as if the queue was given up with for Se7en!After registering a compliant in a dead Guest Services, we were given 3 Fastrack tickets, which we felt was fair enough. We planned to use them for Saw in the dark, if we needed them.. Speaking of Saw, that's the direction we headed to. However, we got sidetracked by an empty Asylum queue, and go in we did. Now, much like how I seem to have a differing view to the norm of Se7en, my view on Asylum differs to the norm. I get the whole idea of how it is disorientating and that, I get how it works well, I get why people enjoy, but it's just not that great of a maze in my mind. You go into a hospital corridor, and then walk around what is basically a long corridor with chain-link fencing. You become confused where you are going, follow some people that are screaming and shouting, begin to get a headache, then go into another hospital corridor for a good ending. It's just not that great really. I grant you, the actors do brilliantly (especially the chainsaw actor this year, very active!), and is certainly better than The Curse (or Hellgate, if you really want to throw that in there), but it's nothing special by itself really. 6/10.One thing I did like were how the roaming clown actors stayed outside the exit of Asylum, and when people came running out, give them a little extra scare. Nice little extra ending really. Of course, I got a quick photo with one of them.. All roaming actors are brilliant when it comes to playing for the camera.Now who's creepier - me or the clown? ;)After this little sidetrack, we made our way over to Saw, with the darkness looming..A noose. Unfortunately my camera, even in it's night-vision mode, isn't a fan of the dark, hence the poor quality.Again, can't make it out, but it basically says: 'Queue time: 00 minutes'...We got an ORP on our final go on Saw. All three of us decided before riding to 'act dead' (expects some joke on the word 'act' to come from this, due to the roughness and all). Much love to the single rider guy on the left oh the photo who joined in as to not spoil the photo (again, expecting some joke of 'joining in' and 'acting' ). After two goes, both at the front following two walk ons, we did some more rides. I was keen on doing a maze (well, E10 or Se7en) again, for the sake of it, but my friends are of the thinking 'After you've done it once on the night, you've done it a thousand times'. To be fair, I wasn't really that fussed, as it meant more rides in the dark. Loads of repeats on Stealth were had and some more things were done as well. I will also say that the operator on Stealth was epic - brilliant guest interaction, rotated the way the launch occurred (no audio, 'It's only a Dream' audio, talking, etc.). He did a brilliant chav impression and picked a verbal fight with me for 'disrespecting him', and his version of 'The Final Countdown' over the launch was one of the scariest things all night. Probably his best quote was 'If you think this is ride is scary, I've gotta do this for another 2 hours'. I hope to catch him on my final visit to the park this year to find out his name and give him the praise he deserves at Guest Services! We called it a day round about half 8, as some were getting a little bored in honesty. I'd have loved to stay till 10 and get loads of rerides, but not by myself. In what is a tradition for some trips, after my friends had left, I wandered over to KFC to get some food for the family for when I got home (benefit on living 5 minute drive from the park hehe). I, however, detoured over to Experiment 10 and saw that there was no queue - so I thought oh why not, and had a go. There was 6 in the group, so that, along with basically no queue, I thought, would mean a better experience. However, the opening scene felt rushed, and there were seemingly less actors. Still a great experience, but not as good. I was however told by a staff member that the number of actors was due to increase as FN got busier - here's hoping. I got the KFC, and wandered out the park, but here's a couple more snaps I took (again, poor quality):LITERALLY empty Se7en queue.A group of 5 was the queue for The Curse.Gargoyles on the drinks machines by the turnstiles. As I've probably missed out on some rides, somewhere, here's something that I don't normally do, my ride count:Nemesis Inferno (Nominated coaster) x3 (x1 back)Saw x3 (x2 front)Stealth x4 (x1 back)X:\NWO x1 (x1 front)Rush x2Samurai x1Rumba Rapids x1Storm Surge x1Depth Charge x1Experiment 10 (New for 2011) x2Se7en x1Curse x1Asylum x1Certainly one of my better ones! I think that's about it, sorry that it's somewhat late, but I hope that you enjoyed reading! I'll do another one for my final trip of the season for Blow it Up, so look out for that one!

Nemesis Inferno - brilliant ride, B&M, my favourite coaster at Thorpe at the moment. Plus, nice place for the photo9/10

That is true; didn't think of that actually. Though I guess where Swarm is out on the open, and has a much bigger lift hill (as in length, not just height), that will probably going to cause a lot more fear.

I'd say the reason Swarm will look more intimidating than Stealth is because...it's meant to!Look at Stealth's theme. Quite easily it has the most upbeat theme of any major coaster. The Swarm is meant to be imposing, intimidating, 'scary'. Stealth is meant to be big and fast, yet in a way which seems more like a challenge, something to enjoy. And, of course, the colour schemes (and I'd say even the supports) are a contributing factor to this.

I heard that incident was pretty bad from someone who was on-park yesterday. Apparently it was about 150 'travelling guests' who were escorted from the park for causing trouble; which is a very large number of unruly guests when you think about it...

Personally, I'd say no picture can do justice to how great that lift hill looks.

Thank you! The thing was driving me insane

And he wins a cookie. Though, I believe it was the older one, not the one we currently have on-park. XD

That is indeed the question, isn't it.It's a theme park ride, that was played about with just a little bit on Photoshop when I found a certain warp tool... I'll let everyone guess which one, just to be awkward..

^ Great ride, great clip, great Avatar. 8.5/10

Thanks for that! :)I must say that Se7en was my favourite maze last year, and has only just been knocked off by Experiment 10 this year. Also seems to have been taken up a notch, with actors taken people from the back of the conga line in the Pride room, sitting them in the dentist chair and keeping them until the next group comes. The girl that came along to the end of my group seemed to 'enjoy' the experience greatly..

^ha, gotta love Hellgate photos still being there.Quick question: does anyone know the order of what sin is in what room in Se7en? I can work out the obvious ones of Lust and Gluttony, but from there, I'm at a bit of a lost - which is the maze's only down point for me.

thorpeparkjack chilling out with his bottle-twin.

That second photo Liam posted!

Nice find - shame they've got the watermark plastered right in the middle of the screen in some ways. I get the whole trying to keep all the credit (rightly so too) and all that, but could've done it a bit more subtly.

^I believe that's the current stage of the lift hill, and it will be completed tomorrow or in the next couple of days.

You mean this one?

<3Maths jokes; they tend to the first sine of madness.

The 'height limit' only applies to the core area of the park (ie, all of the park that is currently accessible to the public). Stealth was a special exception to the rule with council talks, etc.The new islands are away from the core section of the park and have carefully positioned high points, which cause minimal impact to the skyline around the area, hence meaning they can go above the general height.

I'm in a bit of a science-y mood this evening:

Whilst I can't be 100% sure, it did seem like he was banging as I felt some vibration from the wall. Of course, could've been an actor, but I'd like to think that it was someone actually banging..

Sorry to bring this back, especially with recent minisite developments, but this is beginning to baffle me now..Maybe I'm being completely stupid, but I do not see how this is a trim piece of track?

My full review / thoughts on the maze, after 3 goes (twice on Thursday, once on Saturday):-The H&S talk outside the maze is nicer compared to other ones, simply because it themes it up a little with the word 'scientist'. I'd like it if the same was done for the other mazes, like 'The lost souls will touch you, but do not touch them' would work brilliant for Curse. The debrief works brilliantly work the attraction. I liked the use of the 'broken' security cameras and the general feel of worry it can create; if you're in the frame of mind to play along with the theme of course. The guy I had first time round did brilliant, very eccentric and set the scene beautifully. He added a bit of dark humour to it, but also came across as slightly schizophrenic as well, which was perfect for the role. I was surprised when he counted all 8 of us and said '4 for each side' - from there, I really did not know what to expect.. The second time was VERY short and sweet, whereas the third time brought a different tone for the rest of the maze than the other times. The first two times I felt like I was going to a lab, but should be very careful, whereas the third I felt as if I was going to be experimented on. -First time round, being greeted by a Hazmat suit in the decontamination room and having a member of my group split away from us, I was wondered what we had got ourselves in for.. Whatever it was, it would be above the norm. After a LOT of smoke, we were directed in different ways. After experiencing the smoke effect and lights turn off and on in different ways each time, I think the best way is a lot of, then the lights go off, then as soon as the lights come back on, be whisked away. -Having a Hazmat suit brashly pushes me through an open door, shouting to go in there is by far the best bit of the attraction. It is frantic and works fantastically well to set the tone of what the maze is about. I'll say one thing after my go on Saturday - it works best with just a Hazmat suit actor in there. On Saturday, there was an actor (not a scientist, more a patient) stopping and dispatching people down the corridor, then you find a Hazmat suit pushing people in. It takes away from it really; I think it works better having one actor there as it makes it more frantic, more shocking. Also, on Saturday, when pushing people in, the actor said 'You, in there, and don't come out.' It sounded like helpful advice, not the brash panic it should be. I much more prefer the 'Get in here now!' approach, so it's more obvious that they don't like you. - Of course, when I was alone, I was a little bit shocked to say the least. I really was not expecting it. To realise I was in pitch darkness, alone and locked in a small room took a few seconds, but when it sunk it, it did what it was designed to do - make me think 'What the flip do I do now?!' I felt a handle, tried opening it, and failed.. I think that, despite actors and loud audio creating bangs, the guy in the door next to me was actually banging the walls. Anyway, after a long amount of time, goodness knows how long though, another Hazmat suit actor final opens the door and forcefully guides me away. First time, I came across a tunnel, and almost instinctively, I went in. It didn't take long for me to catch up with the first guy. Again, the tunnel felt very long and never-ended, and after finally getting up, it is a relief. The other two times, I've gone down the corridor route, which I've found disappointing due to the lack of actors really. Only been 1 on each visit. -From here, it's pretty much a standard maze - a bit of the others in some ways - very bright strobes, dark spots, some decent theming, tight areas, etc, except you don't need to be hand-on-shoulders. I like the testing lab scenes, which are full of ambience and a little jump I s'pose. Not that many actors (though a staff member has told me more will come when FN is busy, and I can see where they would be). The end is a monster-ish noise, sounds like a dragon to be honest, and an actor. It's not a scare or a jump even (as the monster noise can be heard from the queue - it's loud), in a way, it tries - and fails - in doing an Asylum ended - but it's more a 'relief' to be outside again. If there's one thing that needs improving, it's the positioning of actors. Bare minimum before the isolation room, and more after, much more. It would make the maze 10/10. *As a side note, I did not get the feel of the Holocaust from the beginning, like others did. Maybe it's the way the actors set it up in the reception scene, but every time it was clear I was being decontaminated before entering a laboratory. The isolation room didn't remind me in any way of the Holocaust either, to any description. Would be interesting to see if they were trying to give a nod to the Holocaust though.