JoshC.
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Posts posted by JoshC.
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28 minutes ago, Inferno said:
could we even be seeing a new entrance area? Or I guess we’d have seen plans by now wouldn’t we?
A significantly new entrance area is unlikely given we haven't seen plans yet, but not impossible.
The park are restricted with how much they could do there, but they certainly could revamp it.
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I mean, we've been here before. Several times. Change of brand, change of vision, change of direction.
New logo, however, is different. I like the current logo and I'd argue there isn't a need for a change to it. But at the same time, it wouldn't necessarily hurt, and if they're going all in on change, then sure, why not. I know the park have wanted to change the logo for years, so it makes sense to make it fit.
If they are going all-in, that means completely new signs, new merch, etc, etc. It's a big job, logistically and financially.
I guess it depends on whether the new logo is more an evolution of the existing one, or completely new though.
The main thing for me if that, as I said, we've been here before. Several times. Change of brand, change of vision, change of direction. And it happens for a couple of years, before they decide to slow down with it a bit and then change again a couple of years later. Part of that came down to changing higher-ups. Part of that came down to necessary changes being required. There's a sense of optimism in that the higher-up management at Thorpe and Merlin has been more stable in recent years, which could mean this has been a long-planned process, with people who will then be around for a long-time once in place. But equally, it's cautious optimism on my behalf.
With Hyperia, the change in brand and whatever else the park are cooking behind the scenes, this is clearly going to be one of the biggest closed seasons yet for the park.
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2 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:
As we know the Scorpion Express was destroyed beyond repair by last years fire.
The ride has been seen to move, so not completely destroyed.
2 hours ago, Theme Park Fanatic said:Am I the only member of Thorpe Park Mania who suspects Alpenexpress could be recycled to replace the fire damaged elements of Scorpion Express?
It would make zero sense to buy parts from an equally old to try and keep Scorpion Express alive. I'm afraid you're the only one who thinks this.
Whilst Scorpion Express could well return, I do think the writing is on the wall, as it were.
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1 hour ago, Glitch said:
Will vikings parts by upcycled for rumba. I’m all for sustainability and recycling it is 2023 after all!
Unlikely that any of the ride hardware will be for Rumba since they're different manufacturers.
I guess theoretically some parts could be used if they're cross-compatible, although I'm not what could potentially be.
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3 Intamins in your Top 10 Mark?
Welcome to the dark side...
I've heard very little about Batman GCE, so your brief review has definitely renewed my interest in it. Looking forward to riding it in a couple of weeks!
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1 hour ago, Cal said:
- None of the rides had Fright Nights audio this year which is a shame. Not sure if they just haven't had the time to do it yet or they aren't bothering this year? This really adds to the event normally so I hope they get that sorted.
Yeah, this is a bit disappointing. In the grand scheme of things, it's a minor thing, and with the efforts gone elsewhere, it almost seems like a nitpick point. But the park have done some pretty awesome Fright Nights overlays on rides in previous years, and having them along with the high quality areas the park would be fab.
1 hour ago, Cal said:- There really isn't enough time in the dark. The park looks great at night and its a completely different atmosphere. I know the park aren't keen on bringing 10pm closes back due to a number of reasons like staff welfare etc, but it seriously makes such a big difference. I'd much rather them do an 11am-10pm if its the extra hour which is an issue. Bring 10pm closes back!!!
Big agree here.
I'd imagine another reason for 10pm closes being something they don't want to bring back is because staff aged under 18 can't work that late, which puts pressure on staff (and then links into staff welfare and all the other reasons).
However, I think the park really need to explore ways to bring back 10pm closes. It would help bring Fright Nights in line with scare-specific events across the country, and just give more night time experience. Even if they just kept Fright Nights attractions and coasters open till 10pm, or considered 11am-10pm, that would be a big helpful step.
1 hour ago, Cal said:- Wasn't a fan of the parkwide Fright Nights audio this year.
Another agree here. It wasn't bad, but seemed a bit...meh at the same time.
1 hour ago, Cal said:Next year id like to see them add a 4th maze to the current lineup. I'm sure they'd like to as well as it will help with queues and its an extra income for them. Not sure if they'll be able to do that though space wise until they get rid of black mirror. If a 4th isn't an option next year then I'd like to see a new maze to replace Trailers.
This is something which has been in my mind too. Obviously not to jump the gun, but where do Thorpe go from here?
Do the park expand their line up with a 4th maze, and if so, how? Do they just go for 4 mazes which you can buy separately, and then have a "Terrifying Quad" package? Do they go for a "Terrifying Trio" package plus a 4th maze which is entirely separate? Or do they go for 3 upcharge mazes and then 1 free maze? Or some other weird combo?
Or if they keep with 3, do they replace Trailers? Or just update it? Or, do what seems almost unthinkable now, and stick with the 3 mazes they currently have, have no new mazes, and instead focus on new scare zones/shows instead?
There's lots of options there. I wonder what the reaction would be to a 4th upcharge maze from the masses - would people be happy to pay for everything, or does it leave people picking and choosing what they're doing? It certainly is something they'd need to look at a lot with market research.
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On 10/8/2023 at 4:31 PM, coasterverse said:
Does Ghost Train run all evening until park close, or does it shut early to allow actors to head into mazes? I know the park have said that The Walking Dead won't be running with actors this Fright Nights as they're needed elsewhere in mazes, so wondered if the same happens with Ghost Train.
I also really do think the park have missed a trick this year by not offering something like 'Ghost Train: EXTREME' for Fright Nights (especially considering this is its opening year, so would make sense to maximise the advertising for the attraction by essentially piggybacking off its 'NEW for 2023' motif). I'd have preferred something like this for Fright Nights this year rather than the return of Trailers... again.
I don't know if Ghost Train does close early. However, I'd assume it does, purely because the building isn't the most sound-proofed, and the noise from Lucifer's Lair probably bleeds in.
Tbf, I doubt there's much they could do with the space and ride system by adding more actors. The trains will have a maximum number of people allowed, and they can't go for high-intensity scares there. The only place they could realistically do an extreme version for Ghost Train is in the crypt, and even then, extra actors wouldn't add a significant amount there. Better to have 3 mazes and close it early than 2 and keep it open imo.
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It's very interesting to see the early reaction to the time slots. I still expected the later slots to be packed, but the price difference does seem to be swaying a lot of people. Wonder if that will change throughout the event or be a common theme.
It is a real shame the park haven't managed to sort out the queueing for mazes yet. I think it's unrealistic to expect no queues, but a minimal wait time is okay. Approx hour queues are too much. It's good to see the park have tried something different, in turn acknowledging the issues that were present, but there's clearly still work to be done.
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On 9/26/2023 at 5:40 PM, JoshC. said:
I predict that construction for Project Exodus will go vertical on Monday 9th October. I reckon the first supports will go in sometime between 11am and 1pm that day.
Nailed it 😎
- coasterverse, skelly, Cal and 2 others
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Cool, okay, spoiler review, let's go.
I'll prefix by saying these are primarily based on the Press Night runs I had. So, yknow, that means things are slightly different, slightly more actors, less people in groups, etc. As ever, I'll give my honest thoughts and what I think this means for how the mazes will operate in more usual conditions.
Stitches
Was able to get 2 goes on this. And this maze isn't the most me maze. I'll get there with that explanation.
The good stuff though. This is a long maze. I'm pleasantly surprised with how much they've put in the maze; genuinely did not think they'd be able to get that many scenes in there. It's also well themed. Like really well themed. And there's quite a few effects in there, which isn't something that Thorpe have done much of in their mazes.
I really liked the mirror misdirection at the start, the teddy bear tunnel and the spider scene, all of which happen fairly early on.
The maze isn't in-your-face scary. There are jump scares in there, but it's more about creating a creepy atmosphere and making you worried about what could happen, then being a jump-scare maze about what is happening. That's by no means a bad thing, it's good to have that variety. At the same time, there is a certain level of passive engagement when you walk through - you're not always involved in the story, sometimes you're just watching things happen.
The main issue I had was that for the last 1/3 of the maze, there's some very intense strobes. By far the most intense strobes at Thorpe. It helps create a disorientating atmosphere, especially with the ending which is a bit like a mirror maze. But this just does nothing for me beyond give me a headache. It's the same reason I didn't enjoy Asylum. And with this intense strobe being the lasting impression of the maze, it's a proper downer on the maze for me.
The maze will get people and will freak them out. I saw that on Press Night. But equally, for some, it will do nothing.
This maze, I believe, is the park's biggest investment in a Fright Nights maze. They took a conscious choice to not advertise that though, given they've used that line a couple of times now. But with the level of theming and costume design, I think that really shows.
So yeah, not for me. I'm curious to try it out again. And it's not a bad maze or bad investment, but just not what I want.
Survival Games
This carries on the intensity from last year. My run this Press Night was more intense than last Press Night, and about on level with my last run last year. The inside of the maze basically hasn't changed, bar a chainsaw finale now (which suits the maze and works well!). And it is something where the actors make or break it. It's clearly a strong cast this year who can make it work.
Obviously the thing with this is now making sure it will be operated suitably, to ensure the arena section doesn't overcrowd, and people can spend a decent amount of time in there. It was hit and miss last year, so hopefully they've learnt lessons from that.
Trailers
Basically the same, couple of new bits of theming in the finale, and different posters hinting towards Hyperia. But yeah, nothing new.
With this being the oldest maze, it will be interesting to see whether the park plan to replace this next year, update it, or what. In any case, I think it could benefit from a refresh now.
Crows
This was my favourite attraction at Press Night, and remained strong yesterday in my run. I love it. The extra space has meant they've expanded it and created a longer route, featuring some enclosed sections. There's tons of smokes, a good level of actors and the theming is simple yet effective. It just ticks all the boxes.
It is less a scare zone and more an outdoor walkthough / maze, but that's no bad thing. In any case, THIS IS HOW YOU DO AN OUTDOOR ATTRACTION
Death's Doors
Again, I remain unconvinced by the operational suitability of this for Fright Nights, but it's cheesy fun.
Creature Campus
Great show with a good dance routine. The addition of the Bleachers is really cool visually. At the end, the Witches point to Stealth and make it flash different colours, which is an awesome touch.
Lucifer's Lair
This really adds variety to the event. The scare zone side of it is fun, and a true scare zone. There's dance acts, singers (who I believe are external) and a fire show throughout the evening. It's a bit darker in tone, with heavier music playing, quite in your face lighting and really a lot of fire. It feels very Fright Nights, in the best way possible.
The area looks nice and it all combines really well. This is a great way of creating a scare zone and show which doesn't pander towards a tamer/younger market for the park. Great job.
Other Bits
I think it's worth pointing out that the lighting and audio for the shows was really top notch. Feels like they've invested new stuff there and it shows. Parkwide audio feels the same across a lot of the park, but is Fright Nights based. Would be nice to have seen more area-specific stuff.
Bottom Line
Another great event this year. People will complain about the upcharges, and I think they are still a little too high. BUT, there is clear evidence that they are putting some of that money back into the event and really increasing the budget put into it, which is increasing the quality as a result. If Thorpe continue that, I could see them creating mazes which really do justify the premium price tag.
Fright Nights is back to consistent high standards and quality. If we put any one of these attraction into the 2018 line up (you know, the one where they had a billion mazes which were all largely rubbish), they would be the stand out attraction. Even going back 10+ years, to the time when some say Fright Nights was in its hey-day, these attractions would steal the show I reckon.
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I like it, it's cool. Is it the best name ever? No. Would I have preferred Icarus? Sure. But it sounds cool, rolls off the tongue and is punchy enough. Sure it sounds similar to Hyperion (which was named after a moon of Saturn), but heyho, 90% of people won't know or care. And loads of names are met with resistance at first...in a year, most people don't mind. A couple of years, and no one cares.
The style is fab. The music is fab. The 'find your fearless' seems to be a spin on phrases like 'find your happy', which I'm fine with. Marketing a 236ft tall, inverting coaster with lap bars with an upbeat theme to the UK market is no easy task. This seems like the best way forward.
In short, happy with this. And VERY excited.
- jessica2, Glitch and Martin Doyle
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Spoilers here:
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Sorry for not posting this last night.
This is our Spoiler thread for Fright Nights. All spoilers here, and not in the other topic please
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5 hours ago, Glitch said:
Yay the press night so we can all hear that the event is the best it’s ever been then go ourselves hand over £50 and find out it’s utter rubbish
7 hours ago, JoshC. said:Keep an eye on your favourite Thorpe Park forum afterwards for an honest review of the event...
I like to think I keep my forum reviews from Press Night as reasonable and level-headed as possible!
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On 10/2/2023 at 10:43 AM, tactic said:
Am I going to come back tomorrow and see this post say the 4th when construction inevitably doesn't start then... 😂
... 👀
On 10/2/2023 at 10:27 AM, JoshC. said:To follow up on my previous post, I 4th I heard it may be going up soon 🏗
(In my defence, I wasn't making this up, but last minute changes do occur!)
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1 hour ago, MattyMoo said:
Sorry for double post but I've heard it could be going vertical soon.
Nice try, but I already have made my super-accurate prediction...
On 9/26/2023 at 5:40 PM, JoshC. said:This is a placeholder post.
I will edit this post when vertical construction starts, claiming the exact date and time it will go vertical.
It's the perfect crime.
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Fair enough.
It's possible that took some inspiration from there then. Could also be purely coincidental.
The 'creepy toys' idea isn't exactly original in the world of scare attractions. Neither is 'things from childhood becoming scary'. Thorpe could have seen the successes elsewhere and thought that they'd try to replicate. Equally could have just even their own idea and they didn't take inspiration from anywhere.
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We can see in these photos from Silkstone that the weight of one piece of track is 2074kg:
https://x.com/J_Silkstone/status/1707435850827497911?t=sHW_LBlLJpOckgy93D81aQ&s=09
So yeah, a good couple of tons per piece.
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18 hours ago, Coaster said:
Thorpe Park's new maze for 2023 has seemingly taken some inspiration from the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who.
The similarities are as follows:
1. Both 'villains' are called The Toymaker
2. Both operate out of a similar-looking toy emporium
Whilst the DW 60th anniversary has not aired yet, The Toymaker as a character originated in the 60s, and filming took place for the 60th anniversary special back in May/June last year; meaning that the DW story was likely written and planned well ahead of Thorpe Park.
Interested to hear theories on this. Has it taken inspiration, or purely a coincidence?
I don't know when the Doctor Who Toymaker/Emporium stuff came into the public domain, but it could also be purely coincidence.
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"record throughputs" sounds like a slight exaggeration. Or, at least, for a very specific definition of 'record', as I doubt they're getting the best ever. Still, positive to see they're getting good throughputs. Realistically, I'd've thought the introduction of a single rider at Stealth wouldn't make a negative impact to train dispatches, but given at the moment they don't really batch and people just sort themselves out, I can see why a SRQ may cause problems.
The fire effects comment goes back to something I've said before. Even though they're saying no promises, there's obviously no indication as to when they may be able to get them operational, and just wishful expectations. Feel like they should just keep stum on that.
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It looks like deliveries are taking a *step* in the right direction...
- Inferno and coasterverse
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Hyperia - New for 2024
in The Future
Posted
It looks striking against the night sky: