Hysteria For the 2016 season, THORPE PARK introduces ‘Hysteria’, the rethemed Gerstlauer Eurofighter! ‘Hysteria’ takes riders on a journey through a carnival, with unknown horrors that lie within. The same queue line layout of SAW – The Ride has been adopted, but with the entire queue line changed. Some of the queue goes into different carnival tents where different things happen – see below. There is also an extension added that can be opened when long queues occur, that leads to the pathway behind Colossus’ inline twists. This space that was occupied by SAW Alive has now been turned into another carnival tent, with new sideshows taking place.The queue line for ‘Hysteria’ features 2 different tents. One is the cattle pen (previously the area with all the ‘barbed wire’ on top). Audio here says how the carnival has become run down, with performers walking out. Just before you leave this tent, a letter addressed to all performers states ‘Those who leave will be used...’ After a while of queuing outside, you go into the second tent. The entrance to this tent says ‘You were warned’. This tent shows a ‘dead clown’ known as ‘Ria Yhets’ (for those who are quicker, yes, that is an anagram of ‘Hysteria’) made to scare onlookers. Hopefully, it will be obvious in some way or form that the clown tried quitting, but she was murdered, and ‘used’ for the shows. The clichéd carnival music is played in this tent, but also with a strange, dark twist to it. You then go through a stage (this is told by a sign saying “NOW ENTERING STAGE” and “NOW LEAVING STAGE” at the entrance and exit respectfully). Here, there are 2 TV screens, each showing the same thing. The ringmaster appears, addressing those in the queue. He says how this carnival has gone downhill, but he is looking for new recruits. Everyone is asked if they want to join his old performers for a new show, followed by an evil laugh. The indoor queue has been changed. The Fastrack queue goes to where the normal queue enters the building, due to a show scene. There is also a SRQ which joins here as well. Everyone is giving a disc with their number on – this corresponds to what row they are going in (you may this is is impractical, and it might be, but hey, it would be worth a try). People are dispatched is groups. Inside, there is now always at least 2 live actors there, meaning there’s no need for the TV screens. This is said to be an ‘audition’ for the carnival. One actor will be the ringmaster; another will be a zombie like performer. Others could be other performers or the ringmaster’s assistant. After loads of scary waffling on, everyone is deemed unworthy of being a performer, and are told to leave – they are more suited to ‘Ria’s job’. Those who catch on will realise they are going to be killed. Going up the stairs, there are signs saying ‘Ria’s fate awaits you’. The upstairs queue is now like a cattle pen to hold more people up there. Now, the actual building. It has been extended so that is reaches the lift hill, and part of the lift hill is enclosed in the building. The building has a very metallic look, with blood red and white paint to show the carnival colours. Ride cars. Still 4x2. Restraints brown and there’s ‘blood’ on the floor. Ride track. Has now been painted brown, but with blood stains on the track.Ride experience. Where Jigsaw was, there is now pitch black. However, through a new system that doesn’t require a sound box, on board audio takes over. When the second car stops, there’s strange carnival noises and seat vibrations. This show scene is slighter longer, for reasons to be explained shortly. Before and when it moves, there’s a creepy female voice saying “Hysteria takes over – don’t let the same fate happen to you...” The show scene where the swinging axes were now features a ring of fire. There’s an illusion that the track goes through this, but it doesn’t, as you drop. The needle pit has been replaced by a carnival bear (we’ve all seen them in cartoons; the ones with the funny hats). It is obviously reaching out with one paw to grab you and is angry. After many rerides, the more subtle details should become obvious, such as the clown in the bear’s other paw. The indoor MCBR is much slower, and stops as well. The strange voice says “Hysteria. It consumes you.” A spinning unicycle wheel then comes from above you when the car stops. This is followed by the girl screaming. Upon first experience, one or both of these effects will scare you. Again, after rerides, spikes on the unicycle wheel will become more blatant. As you move again, going off the MCBR you here the girl again: “Hysteria. *Extreme panting.” Hysteria. Be careful...” This is followed by the turn into the inline twist. As after this is inside, the walls have the ‘spinning effect’ (it was in X:\WTF’s old queue line and I think it’s in Hellgate), so hopefully you know what I mean. This confuses everyone even more so. The little bit leading up to the lift hill is still enclosed, just like the first 30ft of the lift hill it says. The strange girl comes up again, with “Hysteria. It changes you. Hysteria.” You then go up the lift hill. “Hysteria. You go mad. Or you die... Hysteria.” You then reach the top and she screams “HYSTERIA.” You then go down. The headchopper effect has stayed more or less the same, but with clown clothing tatters on it.. The rest of the ride is the same. No changes to it really. The only difference is the on board audio. The girl occasionally states “You’re changed. Hysteria.” “You’re getting weaker. Hysteria.” These are said very quickly. The brake run features the girl saying “You’re alive, unlike me. Hysteria. But it still changes you. Forever. Hysteria.” The exit stairs still have the TV screens. The ‘dead clown’, Ria is on there, as shown in one of the tents. Most people should pick up on the fact she’s the person speaking to you. There’s whispering of “Hysteria” there. For those lucky enough to get the right timing, you’ll see her stand up relatively quickly (but with great scarce about her), with her head still down, and then lunge at the TV screen. For anyone who watches this the first time not knowing about it, it will be a scary experience, with a destroyed face, etc. Think Hellgate video used a couple of seasons ago. The screen will go black and a final whisper of “Hysteria. It changes you.” is heard. The screen then changes back to her lying in the tent, for those who are late, ready for the next people to leave. That’s about it really. SAW store is changed to have ‘Hysteria’ written all over it. The police car is replaced by a circus stage, with actors on it during Fright Night, and then statues on there (that change weekly) during the rest of the season.Hope you enjoyed that essay. Sorry about only posting the logo; didn't have time for more.
