MattyMoo

Agreed - can't sing the praises of the Hyperia ride ops enough, the whole team were ON IT when I visited a few weeks ago (as they were on re-opening day when I visited). They will surely have to install proper fencing at the edges at the very least as it's a queue jumper's dream at the moment... I would imagine they'll add some more planting over closed season (Spoiler alert: trees tend to die if you plant them in blistering heat and then don't water them). Not really an excuse, but - what queue IS any good at Thorpe? You could say the Swarm I suppose, but the TVs have been off for ages (and fixed recently, then off again)... Stealth queue is pleasant for the views I guess?! My views on the splashdown - it'll go the same way as the return of the Tidal Wave fire effect...

Definitely - permanently set up big screen (that actually works, cough)... food and beverage units around it for a food hall/food market kinda vibe. Actually get some decent beer and food pop ups in for Oktoberfest and different theme nights at the Cabins - could be a winner. Would also be a good holding area to start the day where people can grab a coffee, breakfast option etc.

I can't see it being a new flat ride, personally. I think Josh is on the money with permanent events space. Could even be used in conjunction with the Shark cabins for events and such too.

Agreed. Wild Asia being bulldozed is bizarre to me when you have Tomb Blaster which is past it (both ride and building). In my mind, would have made more sense to rip out Tiger Rock and Tomb Blaster since Merlin don't like flume rides and it's also pretty old. Wild Asia is one of the best themed areas in the park IMO.

That 1 hot drink included has swung it for me, is that small, medium or large?

I wouldn't mind paying more for entry if it was unlimited runs on the mazes - like, the current price point would be acceptable if that was an option. I went to the Blue Light day for Fright Night's the year before last with a mate - was just like the glory days, multiple run throughs with no stress!

Was saying to Josh - I can afford to go this year, but, I don't think it's good value. £10 a maze is a lot. No maze at Tulleys is worth £10. If it was nearer £5 I'd go for it, but as I've said before, the Fright Night's model is not for me - I don't like the idea of one - paid - run through that can easily be ruined by the group you are batched with, or actors being misplaced/on a break etc. Am happy paying ~£90 for Tulley's VIP, because we normally get 20-24 runs in total on a night - so around £4 a run, and that's before you take off the £15 merch voucher and food and drink token. There's been times at Tulley's where we start a maze and straight away we'll be like "We'll do this again later because the group are slow/annoying/ruining it" (you know what I mean) whereas that is not an option at Thorpe unless you want to fork out again to roll the dice again for a good runthrough. And you know that run through is going to be nothing like the POVs from press night - whereas, genuinely - run throughs I see from Tulleys are at the same level for us mere mortals as that of the press night.

I'll take that as a win. . That said, I have no intention of going this year unless I can snare some cheap/complimentary tickets as it's basically best part of £90 including parking for one person, with every chance your run through of a maze is going to be ruined by the group you are forced to be with as the staff try and battle ridiculous queues because off peak Fright Night days don't exist anymore Grim:

Ahhh OK - didn't realise they'd changed the info to show opening times. Wonder if there's any reasoning to rides chosen for late opening? Obviously they are all flats, but Samurai in particular surprises me as it's very close to Saw & Hyperia so does get queues...

Today's status, at 10:15 - Detty, Samurai, Vortex, Quantum, Tidal Wave opening later. Hyperia - opening soon. 11.15 - No change

Yes agreed. And dare we speak of the Tidal Wave fire effect, or.....? Looking at the app today, everything is open with the exception of Ghost Train that is current closed, and not marked as "Opening Soon", "Opening Later", "Planned Delayed Opening" or similar. So assume it's just playing up - for a change.

Yes quite. I think the biggest tell of their state of affairs/management is to what extent the Sparkle Project continues over closed season. It does feel like all of a sudden the pitch has shifted from closed season 2023/start of season 2024 to where we are now and it's quite concerning as to why and how quickly. Hopefully this won't affect the taste and enjoyment of my currywurst pizza next week.

Yes, Chessington is another moot point. With the rumours circulating about animals leaving the park and such... You do have to wonder if there is truth in that with everything else going on. Calling it now whilst we're here... No Skyride at Towers for 2025.

Yes, it's very strange. Is the fact there's been very little Fright Nights promo this year so far connected? You'd barely even know there was a new maze really at the moment... Intriguing.

They've got a new one now - Nemesis Inferno says "OPENING LATER" What that means, who knows. Could mean 4pm like Flying Fish yesterday.

All this talk of Oktoberfest being rubbish means I really should dress up when I visit next Tuesday to help with the IMMERSION.

I see today Thorpe has "scheduled late opening" for some attractions, except... none of the attractions were scheduled to open late in the app or online... At 1pm, Flying Fish, Zodiac and Detonator are "scheduled late opening" and WDTR hasn't opened yet today. Are they low on techies so prioritising opening each day? What's going on?

Just saw they are serving the most traditional of German treats ever in the Oktoberfest area, you know and love it, German's have been making it for years and years, with the recipe being handed down from generation to generation. You'll see it all over Berlin, with restaurants serving just this absolute classic. Curly fries with sour cream, salsa, jalapenos and guacamole.

Just watching some DigitalDan - Thorpe are definitely going to have to put fences in over closed season, otherwise those woodchips are going to be a continual mess, and the plants are never going to grow. Can't really believe that no one thought about this, but then - it's not like they were still planting and finishing the area off the day of the press launch or anything.

That's not the Merlin way - website, signs, emails or otherwise 🙃

Definitely this - really think something should be on the front page or during the booking process for those dates, as currently the only way you would know is to check the ride availability page in advance. EDIT: No sooner had I posted this, I see that the downtime is now considerably reduced and now does not clash with Hyperia:

Looks like Inferno has some long downtime coming up. And that was nearly a no Stealth situation for my visit on 17th and 18th which would be UNSPEAKABLE.

Revealed as "The Carving" Definitely got potential this. And I mean, Tulleys is literally a farm so... Playing to their strengths there. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_d7Bb2xRqJ/?igsh=MW5mbjkwam05b3pzeQ== The Buckwheats might have a new home 🤫

Just had a brainwave, if it is a club type scenario, the preshow could be doorstaff, and then you are split with a "you're on the list" or "you're name's not down, you're not coming in"... Just an idea, like. In the same way as good Vs bad wood on Creek.

Tulley's have removed the "Scare Factors" from the haunts page, which is probably a good thing because they were pretty nonsensical anyway. We've had the best scares in Creepy Cottage on some visits, for example - all just depends on the actors.