MattyMoo

We visited the island like no other on Monday 19th October, so here goes a little review. The park was quiet - almost too quiet as us oldies can't handle doing all the park's coasters in 30 minutes with no queue, where as at Towers - you have the walk to the next coaster to give you some respite Ride count: Swarm x2 Stealth x5 Inferno x2 Colossus x1 Rapids x2 Depth Charge x2 Rush x1 Think that was everything - we didn't do Saw as we were shattered haha. Have to say - Stealth is still as good as ever, and there's nothing better than a front row ride in the dark. Or at any time for that matter. So so good. Did Colossus first, first public train of the day and front of the queue so we had front row - and I have to say - if you lean forward into the harness, it was almost quite fun! We did Platform 15 and there were some very very good jump scares, would suggest perhaps they leave a little bit more of a gap between the groups as we had to hang back a bit a few times, but overall, was pretty good. Worth £10? No, more like £6-8 but still glad we did it in these UncErtAiN TiMEs. All things considered, I think Thorpe did very well with the scare zone format - had great interaction in the Fearstival arena and also with Amity High. Creak Freak was a good laugh but made me pine for the original - happy memories of being thrown down the "bad wood" tunnel and my mate telling the Buckwheats to call me a "prat" The actors around Swarm were great but I think calling that a "scare zone" was pushing it a bit - but got taken to one side by a solider and interrogated, which was quite impressive. Lycanthorpe cast were enthusiastic but wasn't really busy enough in that area to have much interaction but maybe that's not the case on busier days. Saw the Crows at one point and they are mighty impressive with their costumes. Samurai seems to be living it's best life at the moment, it's on a very long cycle! Also, the food in Wilderness Bar? Is that what it's called - previously Bush BBQ - £9 for a loaded hot dog, all be it a Rollover, plus loaded lattice fries and a drink is pretty damn good value I have to say for a Theme Park. Sure, it was a filthy meal but it did the trick! Like I say - I think it was a pretty decent effort all things considered by Thorpe, and whatever happens, I hope the Oktoberfest -> Fright Nights/Scarefest format remains next year at Thorpe & Towers, because it's quite a seamless transition including the stage and side stalls, and in my opinon, really works well. Also as a random point, the revised design on the queue boards (both on park and in the dome/screens in Infinity) is a lot better and clearer, good work there. Would have loved to have seen how the "original" Fright Night's 2020 would have panned out - but either way, am glad that there are no IP branded mazes anymore, and I would imagine that's the plan going forward due to the cost of licensing.

Twitter would seem to suggest that today is "that Sunday". Really don't envy the staff and actors tonight :(

See you there, I'll be wearing my TPWW mask and SLKSTN x XNWO hoodie.

👀 👀 👀 Classified information.

Can't wait for press night tonight, see you there lads.

I think the word of the day for Fright Nights and Scarefest is repurposing 🙃

It's tomorrow, just waiting for my confirmation of attendance thanks to "nearly 400 followers" on my instagram.

Will they close the Guest Services queue early so MAPpers can't compain about the main queues being closed early? If you are in the Guest Services queue after 8pm will you still be allowed to complain about the queues closing at 8pm resulting in a one shot fastrack for a ride that is not usable as the ride queues closed at 8pm? So many questions! 😃

Lets cut to the chase: does the Haunted Cinema have the "Popcorn Baes" 😍 - or the nurses? 😄

Not sure if I'm going to make it to Fright Nights this year or not.... if I do go, it'll be Friday 16th after reading reviews from this Friday - bit concerned though that no days will be "quiet" this year, and I'm not sure I want to take that risk after forking out £42 + £10 per maze plus parking.... And also, what JoshC said - there's no way people are queuing in that tunnel.

I've translated the second sign and it says "Brave It Backwards 2021" 🤫

Please all hold a moments silence for all staff, especially guest services, for the Thorpe & Towers MAP exclusive days A whole park full of lanyard flashing, pop badge laden, entitled guests, lovely stuff. Wonder if the RAP queues will be bigger than the main ones... 🤔

Thanks for the clarification on that, had no idea! Squeaky bum time for Merlin parks for the next couple of weeks...

Yes, worrying times - think Tulleys played a blinder in retrospect... it would be far more damaging to go ahead with an event that doesn't go ahead/gets cancelled half way through vs. no event at all. The 10pm rule is for bars and restaurants, is it not? Therefore, they just don't serve any food or drink after 10?

The Oktoberfest set up looks pretty decent - does definitely look like a case of "We have a massive dead space so we best use it" - so fair play to Thorpe there I have to say. I would assume that DBGTROTD, TWDTR and Black Mirror can only open once social distancing isn't a "thing"...

Putting the MMMM in Immersive innit.

Looking forward to the 5th anniversary of DBGT next year, I'm sure the park has lots of plans in store for this much applauded and loved attraction that is, and forever will be, the future of theme parks ❤️

For £10 I will expect to have a ball gag in my mouth, made to squeal like a pig and crawl around on all fours whilst being pushed about and then have a big fat man dressed as a baby put a custard pie in my face and throw straw at me #BigTopBraveItAlone #TheGoodOldDays #SharedBallGagNotCovidSecure

MAPpers and Pop Badge Collectors rejoice, the WickerLad is open again! And probably with a RAP queue bigger than the main queue.

P15 and Blair Witch 2 better be good - as both I found the weakest last year. Agree a 2 maze deal for less money would be good... I predict they will struggle to have enough people for it in the early days of Fright Nights, so drop the price, and then end up putting it back up again towards the end of October.

As I just posted on social meeeedya... I'm hella impressed with that promo video. Good to see Swarm get some loving... And no IPs at all! £10 a maze upcharge is pretty "frightening" though 😄

Never mind that, where's The Juggler nowadays?

The Wickerboi has been down for a number of days now, and a little tent has appeared on part of the track. Vicious rumours were that Extinction Rebellion had taken it over but a more believable rumour is that there was a track issue, perhaps the heat the other week didn't help.

Should I feel a bit miffed that seemingly there is no option to get a refund...? I suppose they don't sell lots of early bird tickets. Hopefully us early supporters who would have ended up buying tickets 18 months in advance for Shocktoberfest 2021 will be shown some love!

I'm shook that they are actually going to get an actual Oktoberfest beer in... they can keep the Becks though, cheers