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It would be a shame to see this ride go its a real asset to the park and something the UK park industry really lacks in two aspects is water rides and immersive dark rides, I could understand from a financial point of view but having ridden it a few years back it was a highlight of the park for me and great ride.

It would be a shame to see this ride go its a real asset to the park and something the UK park industry really lacks in two aspects is water rides and immersive dark rides, I could understand from a financial point of view but having ridden it a few years back it was a highlight of the park for me and great ride.

I obviously mean whilst I'm out there 🙄 if the flights were £50 I would go to Japan everyday but sadly they are not, I'd much rather save for my trips and go to better theme parks out there than pay the same price for a below average one 

They really need to do something the last time I visited was 2016 and that was a free visit due to complaining about Derren's Browns ride being closed the first time all day and then we return and go on it and its basically a VR experience I could have had at home with my friends tickling my legs, anyway you get the gist.
The UK industry as a whole needs to step up because the worldwide and European parks are knocking it out of the park and here in the UK we can't even seem to get to first base!
After going to theme parks worldwide I have no desire to return to Thorpe Park and infact if a friend suggests it I resent the notion! 
When I could go to Tokyo Disney Sea for the day for £50 why would I pay near enough that for somewhere as sub par as Thorpe Park.

They really need to do something the last time I visited was 2016 and that was a free visit due to complaining about Derren's Browns ride being closed the first time all day and then we return and go on it and its basically a VR experience I could have had at home with my friends tickling my legs, anyway you get the gist.
The UK industry as a whole needs to step up because the worldwide and European parks are knocking it out of the park and here in the UK we can't even seem to get to first base!
After going to theme parks worldwide I have no desire to return to Thorpe Park and infact if a friend suggests it I resent the notion! 
When I could go to Tokyo Disney Sea for the day for £50 why would I pay near enough that for somewhere as sub par as Thorpe Park.

Sadly I think the key thing in their decline was DBGT, they created such a hype for something that is pretty much a sit down VR experience you could get at home with some Halloween maze like acting thrown in the middle to break it up a bit (I haven't experienced the new version, so I assume its similar but better themed for the ending)
They threw alot of money into a project that just simply didn't return the profit or the hype for the park even after an essential do over attempt.
 
Then there's the fact old town has been a dormant area for years now with Loggers left SBNO for such a long time with no actual word and mixed social media messages angered alot of enthusiasts because its such an iconic ride (at least they had the decency to admit Slammer wasn't coming back) an area that now houses a couple of kids rides in whats marketed as a thrill park falls flat
 
They then choose a sinking ship of an IP in the walking dead that's been ravaged by bad reviews, much of the main cast being lost/going and fast dropping viewing figures to overlay a ride that had already actually been given a new lease of life and was making progress and adding another dark and depressing theme to a dark and depressing park tbh.
 
These IP events like love island lates and walking dead etc scream of latching onto something in desperation. Part of what has made our theme parks great in the past is creating unique immersive environments for rides that aren't bogged down by and IP and it feels like we are losing that, rather than being imaginative and daring the park seems to be latching onto BLANK the ride just to create buzz which evidently is only fleeting. I wouldn't mind if we got something to the quality of Harry Potter World etc (I KNOW I'M DREAMING HERE) but a walking dead re-theme that involves dark corridors a video and a couple of screens on the ride falls incredibly flat imho.
 
What they really need is a line of strong new additions to really draw people back to the park and stop disregarding unique immersive themes for IP's for a quick fix that obviously isn't lasting.
 
I fear that if they don't announce something soon the park is just going to fall of the map, the UK industry as a whole tbh really needs a kick up the ass right now, look at Eftling for example going from strength to strength great new additions and feedback essentially going head to head with DLP if our parks actually tried to compete with the better offerings out there like you see at Florida with Disney and Universal our theme park industry would improve vastly but being all owned by one company there sadly really isn't any competition that's why I pray this London Resort eventually happens and they actually start competing so they put some effort again into their offerings. 

Sadly I think the key thing in their decline was DBGT, they created such a hype for something that is pretty much a sit down VR experience you could get at home with some Halloween maze like acting thrown in the middle to break it up a bit (I haven't experienced the new version, so I assume its similar but better themed for the ending)
They threw alot of money into a project that just simply didn't return the profit or the hype for the park even after an essential do over attempt.
 
Then there's the fact old town has been a dormant area for years now with Loggers left SBNO for such a long time with no actual word and mixed social media messages angered alot of enthusiasts because its such an iconic ride (at least they had the decency to admit Slammer wasn't coming back) an area that now houses a couple of kids rides in whats marketed as a thrill park falls flat
 
They then choose a sinking ship of an IP in the walking dead that's been ravaged by bad reviews, much of the main cast being lost/going and fast dropping viewing figures to overlay a ride that had already actually been given a new lease of life and was making progress and adding another dark and depressing theme to a dark and depressing park tbh.
 
These IP events like love island lates and walking dead etc scream of latching onto something in desperation. Part of what has made our theme parks great in the past is creating unique immersive environments for rides that aren't bogged down by and IP and it feels like we are losing that, rather than being imaginative and daring the park seems to be latching onto BLANK the ride just to create buzz which evidently is only fleeting. I wouldn't mind if we got something to the quality of Harry Potter World etc (I KNOW I'M DREAMING HERE) but a walking dead re-theme that involves dark corridors a video and a couple of screens on the ride falls incredibly flat imho.
 
What they really need is a line of strong new additions to really draw people back to the park and stop disregarding unique immersive themes for IP's for a quick fix that obviously isn't lasting.
 
I fear that if they don't announce something soon the park is just going to fall of the map, the UK industry as a whole tbh really needs a kick up the ass right now, look at Eftling for example going from strength to strength great new additions and feedback essentially going head to head with DLP if our parks actually tried to compete with the better offerings out there like you see at Florida with Disney and Universal our theme park industry would improve vastly but being all owned by one company there sadly really isn't any competition that's why I pray this London Resort eventually happens and they actually start competing so they put some effort again into their offerings. 

I have a few theories. None of its concrete evidence and is pure conjecture on my part.
 
- The failure of the Swarm. We all know that Merlin were initially disappointed by the Swarms first season. Many reasons were cited (which I'm sure those in the know can find) but essentially, I think this lack of interest in the new coaster dented confidence in what the park could do. Baring in mind, 2011 saw one of the biggest years the park had and that was on the back of Storm Surge. Cheaper investment bought massive returns.
 
- The next Big thing. I think Thorpe has fallen into the trap that Six Flags did. By appealing solely to the thrill sector you severely limit interest. Teenagers want the next big thing and in the 00s, Thorpe easily provided that thrill. Hit after hit, success after success. Coasters galore, several years where we got two flat rides. That investment was unsustainable. Now though, rides like Colossus, Inferno, Tidal Wave, Detonator & Vortex are old hat. They are unmaintained and look their age. Thorpe were unable to drum up interest with The Swarm, Derren Brown opened late and was pretty weak and the less said about the reliance on IP to drive interest the better. The park has a real image problem which leads me to..
 
- Branding. Thorpe has a huge perception problem. Is it a thrill park, is it a park for up for it families, do we make X a family coaster then two years later refurbish it for adults. Do we change our market to families and then close the biggest family ride we've got (Loggers Leap). Do we advertise our park in our 2019 advert or have an image of goats, donuts and a hotel room. None of this evokes excitement. It smacks of a park throwing anything, everything at the wall to see what sticks and new general managers are not given enough time to evolve/change the place before they are fired and a new one bought in.
 
- The Smiler crash. Ironically, four years later, I feel like the crash has had this weird echoing effect at Thorpe compared to the other two main Merlin parks. It's almost like it never recovered from the initial drop in attendance whilst Alton has recovered well thanks to Wicker Man and Chessington never saw the drop because of its family audience. You could say the lack of investment is really hurting Thorpe right now but then there seems to be no steps to change this.
 
- The park itself. It's fallen a long way since the hefty days of 2006. If they are to recover the place they need to sort out their offering. Having abandoned flat rides and log flumes standing doesn't help, neither does the game stalls or the lack of maintenance and paint jobs on their rollercoasters. The basics need to be sorted for Thorpe to recover. Chessington was exactly the same way in the 00's but that now feels like the strongest Merlin park IMO. If Thorpe can sort this then they might be able to get back to the top.

OLD TOWN 
 
As much as I’d love “the next big thing” to happen at Thorpe I really feel like adding a substantial family attraction should be their top priority at the moment. So I’m going with the obvious Old Town overhaul… with a lot of the rides telling a story of how Old Town is now run down and neglected due to the logging company closing down at the hands of the corrupt, money grabbing people (cough, cough) running the town and the residents retaliation in trying to save their beloved town by themselves. Notable theming elements would include the CCR train abandoned and derailed somewhere but also lots of flower beds, painted buildings that still look slightly derelict - lots of little things suggesting the residents of Old Town have taken it upon themselves to make the place look nice again. 
 
Loggers Leap: The Legend of Diamond Creek
Long after the logging company closed down the residents of Old Town, facing ruin set off on an adventure to look for the never seen before diamond creek. On the journey you will encounter bears, rogue hunters and a strange cave filled with a mysterious gas that will make you “hallucinate” a musical number featuring animatronic animals, all camp as tits and totally out of place. You eventually end up falling down a “waterfall” into diamond creek itself, the end curves surrounded by rocks and all sorts of colourful diamonds and jewels and whatnot. 
 
Cows & Aliens 
One of those Gerstlauer things - similar to Firechaser Express (or perhaps go to Intamin as I'm assuming Merlin wouldn't consider Gerst these days). Using the wooded area beside loggers and meandering over to the Slammer site along the old train track where the reverse/switch happens and the train launches backwards along through the old train station site. The ride being themed to a cow farm that you guessed it - is home to a lot of alien activity! You could even have it so that the cows and aliens have started making babies (imagine the cute little alien cow babies) - and the residents of Old Town are now selling the “super healthy alien cow milk”, with some sort of weird milkshake parlour (think Shakeaway - lots of crazy options) kind of messed up I know but I’m trying to be original ?
 
 + show Rocky some love, actually make an effort to incorporate the newer kiddie rides into the Old Town theme and also possibly do the same for Samurai. Also add a Vegetarian and Vegan diner, specialising in fake meats. Vegetarianism/Veganism is a massively growing trend at the moment and meat free options have made tons of progress in terms of quality in recent years so it could do very well. 
 
As for the "next big thing", Vekoma gets my vote. Whatever they want to build, give them a maximum height to work with and let them go mad ? 
 
(P.S haven't read this thread in years so sorry of I'm stealing anyone elses ideas - everything I've written to me seems like pretty obvious things to go for so I wouldn't be surprised if someone already has!) 

To be fair, they did add the Air Race in 2014(?), and around that time they did seem to have their heads screwed on. Thomas Land was doing well for the park, they were hitting the first expansion of that, and still had a good balance.
 
Then things went downhill. Pirates died / they gave up with it. I imagine they were hit by people losing faith in theme parks after Smiler. Stormforce required lengthy work. The rapids incident happened. It's not gone very well for the park.
 
They clearly know Thomas works for them, so that's what they're focusing on as their USP. They won't die away, but they are on a downward spiral and not investing in non-Thomas attractions won't help them get out of it.

I totally agree with you, this was my first Disney Park and its beauty just amazed though before I had only been to the likes of Merlin Parks, since then I haven't been bothered to return to a Merlin park because the attention to detail is next level! I'm so excited for all their expansion plans, soaring next year, Tangled land, Peter Pan Land, Frozen Land. I've also experienced Tokyo Disneyland and I must say you can tell its different because they just put so much into everything I'm so excited for the beauty and the beast ride coming to Tokyo Disneyland the animatronics look like they are pulled from the film!

I totally agree with you, this was my first Disney Park and its beauty just amazed though before I had only been to the likes of Merlin Parks, since then I haven't been bothered to return to a Merlin park because the attention to detail is next level! I'm so excited for all their expansion plans, soaring next year, Tangled land, Peter Pan Land, Frozen Land. I've also experienced Tokyo Disneyland and I must say you can tell its different because they just put so much into everything I'm so excited for the beauty and the beast ride coming to Tokyo Disneyland the animatronics look like they are pulled from the film!

*Meanwhile Elsewhere*
 
Efteling re-tracks Python (despite not being that rough) Phantasialand re-imagines River Quest (with new theming, effects and soundtrack) Europa continue improving and reimagining attractions I.E Madame Freudenrich, Can Can, etc. Etc. Liseberg ‘quietly’ replace the trains for Banen Asterix begin retracking for Tonnere Colossus despite it’s roughness is a park icon for Thorpe and deserves a lot more than what it gets. The park ‘should’ take pride in it by adding new trains, effects and giving the whole area a ‘massive clean’, repaint and thematic elements. 
 
‘However’ the park management don’t see this as necessary  as it ‘apparently’ can’t be seen as worthwhile or marketable. So they invest their money better in other things like ‘gimmicky’ events, ‘short term’ attractions and other things that the park didn’t really need.
 
But ‘oh’, it’s clearly paying off for them when 90% of their customers are complaining about ride unavailability, comfortability and the ‘supposed’ future of Loggers Leap returning (if only). And yet they wonder why numbers are doing so badly compared to other places?
 
  Don’t worry everyone, I’m sure they know what they are doing, so they will probably raise prices yet close more shops, restaurants and attractions when it’s not ‘super peak’.
 
“Four months of Rumba operation” you say!
 

Personally the main points of contention for me are,
Complete Overhaul of Rumba rapids so it actually has some theming and isn't boring. TLC for Colossus which is severely needed Loggers Leap the ride either needs to be fixed up and reinstated or replaced with a new log flume! Slammer if possible repair it if not it needs to be removed and replaced I would personally love them to get rid of storm surge as its just such an eye sore! Stop all these stupid Love Island and Walking dead events this is Thorpe Park not a Z listers version of Universal Studios

Slammer and Loggers Leap for me are sorely missed from the parks line up. They were two of the must rides for me when visiting. 

Slammer and Loggers (I say Loggers because I’d be surprised if it makes a splashback at this stage).   Slammer for its uniqueness and disorientation and Loggers because flumes are fab and that drop ❣️ Ah also WWH as mentioned by others - such a classic ride 

Didn't read the talk of article but the talk of saving sea life centres from decline is amusing since the theme parks have all declined IMO under Merlin. There approach centre's on short lived fad brands and the latest technology as stated, Thorpe Park being a prime example DBGT, the walking dead the ride and Love Island lates (REALLY!) rather than focusing on fad rubbishy events and the latest technology why not stick with the tried and tested and general upkeep to provide a better experience for customers.
 
I haven't been to a Merlin theme park for 3 years now and I really don't feel like I've missed out on anything at all, I'd much rather save my money and go a theme park elsewhere in the world or blackpool pleasure beach where the industry is competitive and the rides and parks are of much better quality and upkeep IMO. 
 
I totally agree on the prices not being warranted for just over £50 I went to Tokyo Disneyland and that is far superior to any Merlin price, asking the same price as that feels like day light robbery and all the bad reviews show many feel the same.

Didn't read the talk of article but the talk of saving sea life centres from decline is amusing since the theme parks have all declined IMO under Merlin. There approach centre's on short lived fad brands and the latest technology as stated, Thorpe Park being a prime example DBGT, the walking dead the ride and Love Island lates (REALLY!) rather than focusing on fad rubbishy events and the latest technology why not stick with the tried and tested and general upkeep to provide a better experience for customers.
 
I haven't been to a Merlin theme park for 3 years now and I really don't feel like I've missed out on anything at all, I'd much rather save my money and go a theme park elsewhere in the world or blackpool pleasure beach where the industry is competitive and the rides and parks are of much better quality and upkeep IMO. 
 
I totally agree on the prices not being warranted for just over £50 I went to Tokyo Disneyland and that is far superior to any Merlin price, asking the same price as that feels like day light robbery and all the bad reviews show many feel the same.

Didn't read the talk of article but the talk of saving sea life centres from decline is amusing since the theme parks have all declined IMO under Merlin. There approach centre's on short lived fad brands and the latest technology as stated, Thorpe Park being a prime example DBGT, the walking dead the ride and Love Island lates (REALLY!) rather than focusing on fad rubbishy events and the latest technology why not stick with the tried and tested and general upkeep to provide a better experience for customers.
 
I haven't been to a Merlin theme park for 3 years now and I really don't feel like I've missed out on anything at all, I'd much rather save my money and go a theme park elsewhere in the world or blackpool pleasure beach where the industry is competitive and the rides and parks are of much better quality and upkeep IMO. 
 
I totally agree on the prices not being warranted for just over £50 I went to Tokyo Disneyland and that is far superior to any Merlin price, asking the same price as that feels like day light robbery and all the bad reviews show many feel the same.

Thorpe has lost its identity with this obsession for tacked-on IPs.

It suits Thorpe to a tee these days.

“When I started in 95/6 every single SEA LIFECentre was in decline,” he says. But we stopped the decline, and turned it around.”
 
In the latter part of 90s Vardon plc started putting all their money into health and fitness.  “It was a bit like a cuckoo in a nest, elbowing out the others,” says Varney. “We weren’t getting any capex, so it was a good thing to go up for sale.”
 
He could be describing the plight of our parks in the current Merlin Midway empire! We need someone to stop the decline and turn it around, I don't believe Varney will be that someone.

I'm supposed to be the target audience, based on age, and this is not a good decision

I personally like the comments from people saying it's gone from "Year of the Walking Dead" to "Year of the Brain Dead" ?

All the feedback ive seen on facebook is negative everyone saying what on earth does is have to do with a theme park and that it makes the park trashy and I totally agree if this is the route they are going I'm glad I haven't visited the park in years.