MattyMoo

Who remembers the last time time Thorpe Park had a new permanent addition that wasn't some second hand rides? It's getting a touch ridiculous now. DBGTROTD has evidently emptied their pockets and left them with their proverbial pants down. To keep it on topic - good to see a dead area of the park having some investment at Towers.

Did someone say Top Spin at Thorpe?

It was a great meet - my highlight was spotting a wild Jack Sickstone in his natural habitat whilst filling up my water bottle. Also spotted the legend that is POWERS TOWERS PRODUCTIONS too. I suppose it was alright spending time with people from here as well, in a way.

Ahahaha that's incredible.

Where did that comment from @Jack go? Care to elaborate and what you saw on the Island Like No Other last night? (perhaps with a careful choice of words regarding the clientele)

BREAKING: SAW Alive, Slammer, Loggers won't be removed/demolished until Thorpe have something to replace them with. So expect another couple of years of them gathering dust/"themeing" When does the Angry Birds IP run out I wonder? Such an odd - and pretty pointless - IP that was, even by Thorpe's standards. That area is starting to look pretty tatty now to be honest, from visiting the other week....

I had to ask @JoshC. to explain that one to me, I confess. Good work indeed.

Congratulations on the success of your campaign.

From the plans is it safe to assume there'll be a new crocodile themed area as such, that will include the new Croc-Tower.

Chessington have just posted on their "socials" that Ramases is indeed leaving the resort this closed season.

One day Thorpe Park will have a planning application submitted again, sigh...

Blimey. Am I missing something as to why it's so difficult to fix it? All about the little details...

I can't help you I'm afraid mate as I get free VIP for being an influencer with nearly 300 followers.

Thought for the day: How long does it take to fix a light? 4/5 on the green scale.

Agree entirely with the above. Similarly with our experience it took a long time to move in the queue, and once we were batched it was a good 10-15 minutes until we were in the preshow. Seeing one group enter every 10 minutes implies to me that it's either on one or two train operation? The theatrics comment is spot on, and ties in with my comments about the walkie talkies. Talk about not giving a flying fig about the guest experience on a multi million pound ride when you can hear staff conversations over the ride audio. It's difficult enough getting "immersed" in it anyway without trying to block out staff messages about preshow, batching yadda yadda. The middle section for us made no sense either, I don't recall seeing the projection of the demon - does that even happen now? - and the staff member didn't explain what was going on or what the rush was. As I understand it, the demon outfit is broken and not coming back, for this season at least. Pitiful really.. a new addition that doesn't even last 2 seasons. A bit like the old middle section that stopped working too. I overheard a couple behind us when we rode discussing it - "Well that makes no sense" and "I don't even know what's going on, I'm confused" was the main gist of the conversation. I suppose the fact the anti fracking posters in the queue line have never been replaced/repaired doesn't help matters at all. Who knows what the 2020 holds for this experience that is "the future of theme parks". I'd take a stab at even further reduced hours or opening on peak days only...

Right - got back from Tulleys at about 1.30am last night, so thought I'd write up my thoughts - we had the VIP pass as always, which I think is well worth the money as it means you never have to queue more than 5 minutes, and should you have a "bad" runthrough with a big group - which does happen - you know you can do it again to hopefully let the maze shine. Our total count of run-throughs was 21 in the night - we nearly snuck in one more but were seconds too late! Anyway, worst to best.... here we go: 9. THE WRECKONING (X1) We feared this was going to be just Colony with some ropes, pirate hats and rigging etc. - and it basically was. Not enough actors, and I joked with my mate that there better not be a pointless chainsaw ending - and there was. The UV section with "spears" on the wall looked particularly poor I'm afraid. The ships were good though. Very disappointed, couldn't wait to get out. Shame really - maybe it wasn't quite ready in time and needs tweaking? 8. VIXI (X1) It's good once you take the hood off. I don't find it scary having the hood on, just frustrating. The finale was good as before, actors were strong here. 7. TWISTED CLOWNS (X1) This suffered from lack of actors for us - not sure what happened there compared with the review above, but there were numerous parts where we were just walking with no actors at all. Shame as this was a highlight last year. No changes from last year that I could see. Disappointing. 6. CHOP SHOP (X2) A massive fall from grace here, again, due to lack of actors - not really sure what's going on as it's the first Saturday, maybe they had agency staff in for Press Night? We gave it a second go to have a second chance but we had only a handful of actors in the finale whereas previous years we've been faced with 3 chainsaws at once. Only really rated over other mazes due to the iconic theming. Good chatter with the actors in the opening scenes! 5. CELLAR (X2) Solid as always - good laughs with the massive snake head on our 2nd run through #toomanysnakes Actors in the strobe/maze part were awesome, using the strobes to great effect. 4. HAUNTED HAYRIDE (X1) A few changes this year but quality as always - highlight for me is always that SPoOKy girl on a swing, classic. If ain't broke don't fix it, this attraction is pure Tulleys and we love it. A must do, well executed, spot on. 3. WASTELANDS (X3) Well - this area, and maze, is MASSIVE. Lots of roamers in the arena, and a crazy rave/dance show goes on every 30 minutes. The maze itself had a huge queue at the end of the evening (but not at the start) so I'm not sure if people didn't realise it was there, maybe people thought the attraction was just the arena? But yes - dominating shipping container structure (Thorpe Park would get very excited about so many containers in one place), it really is HUGE and the maze itself was impressive. Love the way that all the "doors" are left a jar, nice touch. You go through various rooms with various staff - all quality actors it has to be said, before ending up in the cells themselves with prisoners climbing all over the mesh side walls and using the strobes to great effect. Interesting set up where you have the central maze section and then you can go into side rooms too that are dark. After this, there was a torture room on one side, with a finale of being chased by actors with massive weapons (oooh errr) where you then exit back into the arena itself. It was clear that the maze was still being finished - you could smell paint! - but already the haunt is top notch. Really really impressive and love the actors that wait around the entrance to the area. 2. COVEN OF 13 (X4) We were concerned with Chop & Wreckoning not delivering that our night was going to be a bit meh - but that was until we went on good old Coven (and Creepy Cottage). Always a favourite and yet again, the witches that lie in wait were bloomin' fantastic - in the swamp section, one actually climbed onto the side wall which I'd never seen happen before, and on another run through, a witch scared the living sh** out of me jumping out behind me in the swamp, making me jump out of my skin - and whack my knee, ha! The outside sections were fantastic as before, some awesome actresses in there, but a massive shout out to whichever witch hid INSIDE the fireplace and jumped out whilst I crawled through, absolutely scary as hell haha. The new finale was good - and needed - could do with more smoke at times but again the 3 witches in this bit were amazing, with some great interaction/blocking your path. Such a good maze. 1. CREEPY COTTAGE (X6) It's a classic. But in the same way Creek Freak Massacre was so good because of the cast, Creepy Cottage excelled too. On the very first run through, the very first actress appeared in the distance - then disappeared, and then when turning one corner, she screamed full blast in my ear from the left, and I can honestly say I've never had a scare like it. No idea how the actress in question manages such a blood curdling scream - and she did so every. fricking. runthrough. Iconic stuff. I doubt this will ever get back to her but massive props for her dedication! The rest of the cast made the maze too - comments of "What are you doing back here again" - in character of course - to which we reply "We're VIPs hun!" which is met with a sarcastic - in character - "Get you" Brilliant. Same actress as well at one point, my mate said "I can see someone but not sure who" to which a reply came "It's your favourite" 😆 Love it. Just gutted we didn't get a 7th run - we were close! Haha. Just goes to show, you can have all the bells and whistles you want on a maze, but it comes down to the cast - Cottage has never really changed much, and it doesn't need to. That first massive scare will haunt my dreams! Saw the nurses just the once (so sad!) but had some good chat with some other roamers! Staff were lovely on the maze entrances too, friendly and asking how our night was going! We had an awesome night - a shaky start thanks to our maze choices but those witches and cottage dwellers saved the day!

Was on the Island Like No Other yesterday - all be it with a bit of lurgy/cold whatever is going around, so alas I wasn't trusting my stomach too much coaster wise, I know this is officially a FN's thread but here's my rIDe CouNT anyway: Stealth x2 Swarm x2 Colossus x1 Rush x1 Detty x1 Storm Surge x1 Rapids x1 DBGTROTDWTF x1 TWDTR x1 My mates did Nemmy and Saw - Saw they said was rough as hell, but Nemmy was fab, especially a night ride after a bit of drizzle that was coming down! Everything was walk on really after 2/3pm ride wise - longest we queued for was of course DBGT, my thoughts on said "experience" already made clear in another thread. Stealth had some issues early morning but were quickly rectified, thank the Lord Sanbrooke. Heard a rumour that Sickstone was on park too, didn't get to meet him and talk about all things sick and gassed, gutted tbh. Spotted Powers Towers Productions (TM) in the Blair Witch queue lolz. SO ON TO THE MAZES. Gonna rank these poorest first - going to be quite close to call really as they are all much of a muchness with one exception. 5. PLATFORM 15 (x1) I know people lose their Pop Badges over this maze but again this failed to deliver really for me. Preshow/guided walk is good - the tour guide was good. Too much walking with dead space though from one section to another - I know this is supposed to "set the scene" and tension but it doesn't really work. Poly tunnel far too long with nothing happening. Ending got messed up as you arrive at different times and aren't forced to wait, if that makes sense so didn't really get to see what's supposed to happen. I will say that the Sleeper Express looked quality though - now all Victorian Esque on the sides, that was a marked improvement. Shout out to the lad in the house who spewed up some blood or something in front of us #Immersive 4. DO OR DIE (x1) Bus scene was good, also the entrance now makes far more sense being where it is! The next container was completely empty (after chatting with Josh after I now understand why - whatever went on there was evidently for the elites of press night only innit). The maze felt longer than before to me. Some interaction with the guy in the shrine bit which was good. 3. BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (x1) We were worried we weren't going to experience this due to the 30-40 minute queue as soon as dusk fell - then a number of breakdowns. Not entirely sure what the problem was with the breakdowns as such, it didn't seem like an E-Stop as it was taking far too long to reset and get back to operation, and unless I'm mistaken there's nothing much "mechanical" or technical going on bar a smoke machine and some lights? Anyway, we eventually did it, and like Josh noted, I don't understand how the queue moves quite so slowly. Maze is completely different to previous years, kudos to them for that, far far more effort has gone into it and you genuinely feel you are walking through undergrowth, trees etc. Actors that were present did a solid job but needed more really (which I think is the story of the night). Close one between this and my #2. 2. LIVING NIGHTMARE (x2) One runthrough we had Neagen, one we didn't, though the lad did say "We are all Neagen" in his intro speech, which is a good cop out haha. Jokes aside though - I think not having that at the start is a bit rubbish really, you'd hope they'd have a fair few Neagen's ready for the start of Fright Night's but maybe I hope too much. Enjoyable maze, some good scares, I always think they should have actors on that bus though - maybe we were just unlucky or they haven't been recruited yet? I just think it does what it does this maze and was just good really... 1. CREEK FREAK MASSACRE (x8) Well. We had high hopes for this. And for us at least, they were justified. The setting, staging and sound is great - but the interaction with the cast last night with us two was fantastic. I was wearing my Tulley's hoodie - which to be frank I do on purpose just because I know actors will spot it, and I'll be wearing my Smiler hoodie on Saturday at Tulleys - and they clocked it straight away with "What's that sh** you're wearing" and words to that effect - so on our first runthrough, we were put down the bad wood tunnel. On subsquent runthroughs, we were purposefully held back in "reception" so we would be by ourselves, I was put on the secret balcony bit on one run and split from the group, made to jump up and down and squeal like a pig (lolz) and the actress who was on reception first time, who was later inside the maze on 2nd and 3rd goes, pinned me in a corner and then followed me round by the hand to make sure I was introuced to her all her brothers and family one by one, telling them that I thought Chop Shop was better 😄 Cue actors then taking the mickey out of how they grind the chainsaws on the floor in Chop Shop and repeat the same movements etc. Stuff like this completey makes a maze for me and is a testament to the cast moreso than the maze itself. At one part also I had to hold the hand of the actress who was being cut up with the saw and made to operate the "saw". On our 7th and 8th (!) goes, the reception actor was a guy this time, and our final go was just us 2 and he joked with us - in character - about his voice being shot to pieces cos he didn't have a microphone, and we told him he didn't need to bother with the preshow 😄 - which he still did of course. We were split up on this last run too, and were chased even after we were out of the maze, There was more interaction than I've detailed here but can't remember, but in a nutshell - you were all ruddy brilliant, especially red-lumberjackshirt wearing reception girl! Only negatives were - there was a power cut on Creek Freak, which was a bit concerning, so was down for 20 mins (the actors then just roamed the area which was great!) and sometimes the finale with the chainsaw doesn't quite work with timing because the actor comes from the left and you sometimes beat them to it, if that makes sense - but that to the side, we thoroughly enjoyed the maze, all eight times of it, and like I say - this was more a case of it being a solid maze with a fantastic cast. I hope they enjoyed our interaction/winding up with them as they did with us, totally made our night. Just thought it was a bit nasty saying I should be dead with a face like that tbh 😄

So the Demon at the end is now some guy that looks like a vampire or something. Amazing. Have to say, having staff walkie talkies so loud that you can hear them over the ride audio REALLY adds to the immersive experience. On a plus note, I've finally realised that the headset actually has to be put on like a cap of sorts for it to fit properly. Also, second headset had green laser sparkles going on, so kinda killed the effect a bit. Got the old lady at the start this time instead of the homeless guy.

M8 not being funny but SOME OF US don't get invited to the PRESS NIGHT so have to wait and ROUGH IT WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH A TWO FOR ONE ENTRY VOUCHER.

They've deleted it now... unlike Thorpe to make social media bloopers innit? Also, where is the Fright Nights 2020 thread for wild and pointless speculation, this place has gone to the dogs!

And Slammer #RIP ❤️

I'm going on Thursday so if I have to queue for longer than 5 minutes for anything I will be going straight to GUEST SERVICES. Also hoping that Park Pixie will be on the ISLAND LIKE NO OTHER on Thursday.

Oh lord (Sanbrooke), what a state.

Can I just applaud myself for Jack Sickstone being used by another member on here, plus I've seen Lord Sanbrooke used too. I feel I have acheived something in my life, it's only taken 36 years.

Indeed. Just remember that, somewhere, someone - or many people with Merlin - signed off Vulcan Peak as a passable attraction both at conception stage and then once it opened. Might try and stay away from Freaky Creaky spoilers - the whole ImMErSIVe experience has been ruined already as it was leaked that the chainsaw on the sign outside spins round. On a positive note for FNs 2018 - I thought the roaming clowns that suddenly swarmed around people were good last year.