JoelPagett

Not sure if this was supposed to be released yet, but ThemeParks-UK has released the below article. SPOILERS: It includes the full lineup! From what I imagine, it sounds like Vulcan Peak maybe in I'm a celebrity? SOURCE: https://www.themeparks-uk.com/thorpe-park-guide/news/872-new-at-thorpe-park-fright-nights-in-2018

Even though the VR is filmed with real people in the first half, the way it flickers in between night vision and normal light is un-realistic in the fact that the timings are slightly off. I rode it twice yesterday and one headset was far better than the first, but it was still very poor even if it was filmed by real actors. I think the problem is still the fact that the technology is still not where it needs to be to make it realistic. The second half was more entertaining, but it really was very random and again very CGI, so it didn't feel very immersive. These are obviously just my opinions, I may go on it again out of tech rehearsal and it could blow my mind, we will just have to wait and see.

NO SPOILERS, ALTHOUGH A RATHER CRITICAL REVIEW Having waited nearly 2 years to get on this attraction, I couldn't wait to see what was hiding in that warehouse! Overall, the outside is visually impressive, and I like the overall theme of the attraction, but its down hill once you go past the pre-show. I thought the VR was not much better than Galactica and was so un-realistic that it was almost laughable. The story is erratic, unexplained and just simply doesn't make sense, to the point of wondering if the attraction was written whilst someone was on drugs. If 1000 people were involved with this I would say too many cooks spoiled the broth. I really think they tried this 2/3 years to early, as I felt the technology wasn't there yet. Now I know it was a technical rehersal, but can they improve the visuals on the VR before it opens? I don't think so, and not at this late stage. The fact that the VR is not very good, as well as being batched in such huge numbers, it makes the entire experience feel rushed and un-realistic, which is a shame as the ride has so much potential, but has failed in my eyes. I know the GP will lap it up and will love it, but it feels so far fetched that I just cannot justify queuing more than 30 minutes for it. Fair play to Merlin for trying to create a unique dark ride experience, and they threw a lot at it, but it simply isn't cohesive enough to be a great experience. I took some photos of the general area and theming, you can see them on my Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/themeparkmania/sets/72157670660505106

Thats very good to hear, although very strange that their Social Media team would be potentially putting people off from visiting by saying its not opening?!

It would be great if you could let us know - hoping to go this week if it is planned to open :-)

Does anyone know if its is going to open this week or was it only available for the weekend?

Hi guys, I went to the press event on the 7th May for Lost Kingdom and have to say I was REALLY impressed! The land is well thought out, the rides are good fun and it looks spectacular! I really think they have hit the nail on the head as far as target market goes. The 2 roller coasters are really good for the size of the park, especially The Flight of the Pterosaur, it had some great airtime hops! I have a fair few photos on my Flickr if you wanted to check them out; https://www.flickr.com/photos/themeparkmania/ Lost Kingdom Paultons Park by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr Lost Kingdom Paultons Park by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr Lost Kingdom Paultons Park by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr Here is a video too showing off the new land!

I was there yesterday as well. I had a really enjoyable day and the queues were very good in comparison to the Saturday by the sounds of it. However, as you say the real terror started when a certain type of clientele landed on park. I felt very sorry for staff as they just ran riot with no regard for anyone... it was rather sad really. All in all though most fun I have had a Fright Nights for years though, Thought MBV was good but The Big Top was a bit of a let down, didn't really flow very well and the first tent was beyond pointless!

I unfortunatley have to agree... I went a few weeks ago and it was a total shambles, at 11am, 10 rides were closed... Its going to get to a point where something major will happen and it will be the straw that breaks the camels back! As for the mazes, I am certainly worried about tommorow!

OUCH! It must be carnage right about now! I am visiting tommorow, I certainly hope its not like this!

Hi guys, Just thought I would share a few thoughts on Scarefest from Saturday Night. The park was absolutley packed - even Duel had a queue (I have never seen this before) and waited over 2 hours for The Smiler! The mazes were good - The Sanctuary was great - Terror of the Towers was predictable and not as good but we didn't have to queue for either which was great as I have waited 60+ mins for both in the past. Scary Tales was a great addition but they were missing a third maze in my opinion! Video from the event... Some pictures as well! Scarefest 2014 by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr Scarefest 2014 by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr Scarefest 2014 by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr FULL GALLERY ON FLICKR - https://www.flickr.com/photos/themeparkmania/sets/72157648947301796/

Thought I would share a video and some images from the event. Went last Sunday, although the rain was abysmal in the evening it was a great event. I do have to say that Blair Witch was one of the strongest attractions this year but I felt really let down by CITW, just didn't seem to flow well at all. Studio 13 was also very good, a strong maze and felt fresh against mazes such as Saw: Alive. Fright Nights 2014 by ThemeParkMedia, on Flickr

Something like Nocturnal at Screamfest Burton would be a great idea to put in the old Asylum area. Nocturnal was themed to a night club where people had taken a bad drug and were hallucinating, think this would work very well as it is something that is not commonly used and you could theme it to a Ministry of Sound night thats gone wrong!

Thought I would share my video from Saturday night :-) I have to say it was one of the best and most imaginative firework displays I have ever seen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXaQGXNkfhA

Hi Guys, Got back from Chessington's Halloween Hocus Pocus yesterday and I have to say I am very very impressed! First of all I want to comment on the park. Usually Chessington is one of the best dressed in my opinion but apart from a huge amount pumpkins there wasn't much else. Although it was only open until 5 the lighting looked very impressive this year and look forward to seeing this! The mazes, or Halloween attractions were impressive, here is my reviews; The Mystery of Hocus Pocus Hall This was probably the biggest surprise of the day. We queued for ages for this ride due to the very low through put. When you first enter the building you are greeted by one of the explorers helpers. She explained to us about how Sir Arthur used to collect rare items and his final item was the mystical gem. This gem transported him into another realm (as you do!). She then comes across the gem and some absolutely fantastic projections swirl around the room show you to a secret entrance. You then gain access to this portal where you come across Cleopatra, some strange man in the middle of the Jungle and finally a scurvy pirate. The mirror maze at the ending was great as you escape this other realm all though the ending was a bit anticlimactic. All in all the theming and the acting was great and some seriously cool effects were used! Highly recommended. The Haunting in the Hollows This was probably the biggest surprise of the day! We got to the attraction just past the vampire at 3pm and there was absoutley no queue! This was a great surprise ;-) and we were then briefed before we made our way through the gates. You are first greeted by Van Helsing who tells you about the strange happenings. You then make your way through the town before you come across a hearse. A strange man starts shouting at you before you are ushered into a coffin shop where you are cornered by a vampire. Making your way our you enter the Tomb of Dracula where an awesome scene comes about featuring Dracula. There was a fantastic strobe finale and it was great fun. All in all was very impressed by all the acting and the mazes themselves and the park just need to open a bit later to enjoy the fantastic lighting they have installed! Would recommend visiting Chessington this year for Halloween! For some more pictures check out my [url=http://www.flickr.com/themeparkmania[/url]Flickr Thanks for reading ;-)

Hi guys, Went to Fright Nights yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts with you! First off I have to say starting the event so early is awesome because at 8pm last night nothing had a queue over 5 mins it was awesome! Firstly I loved the idea behind it, the music at the park with this creepy film director talking over it was amazing, really gave me the chills. There wasn't much park theme apart from at the entrance and at the dome. I will list of my thoughts on each maze below; Asylum This was usually my favourite maze and it did not disappoint. It was noisy, chaotic and jumpy, very good and the ending was even better than I remember. Really great and the actors were great! We got emergency evac nearly at the end of the first run so we went through again! 9/10 - Awesome job. Cabin in the Woods I don't know if it is because I haven't watched the film but WTF? What an earth was going on? It was chaos going through all these doors banging into people and the actors didn't seem to know either. It was very disjointed and no coherent story although the first room looked awesome. Okay but if it has more than a 1/2 queue dont bother. 3/10 - Maybe one of the worst mazes I have ever been on. Saw: Alive Saw: Alive was clearly on steroids. Maybe its because I haven't been in for so many years but it was awesome. Really gritty actors were amazing that night and there were a few new scenes including the final scene with the guns which was amazing. 8/10 My Bloody Valentine Very disappointed by this one. It was just X10 with some branches and twigs and you don't even get locked into cupboards. The ending was utter rubbish really bad, nothing was good about it apart from the first scene in the hospital. 4/10 Blair Witch This was the biggest surprise. We went in about 8:45pm so it was pitch black. You start off at the Canada Creek Railway where you walk down a pitch black pathway and there are campers throwing themselves at you, one was even led on the floor and grabbed me as I walked past not even realising! Should eat more carrots! The ending was a bit naff but all in all it was awesome for no wait! 7/10 Thorpe's new ticket attractions seem to need some work but they may get improved over time. It was a good event and I really enjoyed it. Good effort from the park this year just need to improve park theme and also tweaking some maze elements. Here are a few photos, the rest can be found on my Facebook or Flickr

That is exactly what I thought today. Considering it is less than a month til when they throw open the rusty gates I thought they would have been ready a long time ago. I am also worried there is not even a small hint of on-park theming yet. It has already been spotted at Alton & Chessie :-/

Just got back from being on park and was having a nosy around looking for some tiny tidbits to go on for Fright Nights! Here are some of the most relevant photos! Worth also noting -Experiment 10 is being gutted. -Noises coming from Time Voyagers 4-D cinema may link in with My Bloody Valentine 3-D? -The Asylum is currently having work done on it, this maybe something to do with You're Next? -Work is being carried out along by Nemesis Inferno where the railway used to run. Possibly something to do with Blair Witch Project?! -The Passing is being completely gutted. This could also be something to do with You're Next or possibly Cabin in the Woods? - Also note that Neptune's Beach is still open so will not be drained for the space! You can find the rest of the photos on my Facebook

Sounds a mixed bag really, sounds as though the weather could be a big player in the event. The classic "British" summer is fairly unpredictable! I am off this Saturday so will see how it goes down. Was picking up tickets a pain? If there are lots of people picking them up then I can imagine it would be a pain!

Just a quick question. Does anyone know the actual capacity they are allowing? They are claiming there will be no queues so will everything be walk on?

Hey guys, Just thought I would share my thoughts and some photos from The Smiler! I was lucky enough to queue only 2 hours for this marvel on Sunday. I have to say that it has completely changed the way X-Sector looks and feels. Its a million times better than an empty Blackhole Tent. So after you venture into the queueline I have to say you get completely lost. It is a absolute maze and it is very confusing. You could quite easily spend 2 hours in the outside area before making it to the actual ride. I liked the queue as it interacts with the ride. The Marmaliser, The Giggler and other elements make interesting watching. As you enter the building I have to say I loved the fantastic projections. Another thing I loved was the music, I am still humming it now! As you get into the sterile station you watch as the advocates are loaded into the cars before a puff of mist and the bright lights send them off. A creepy voice announces that you are about to Join the smiler. This is where the fun really begins! After a crazy indoor section the sheer size of the ride hits you as you are at the top. Loop after loop you literally have no idea where you are going next and it is seriously delirious. I genuinely felt giddy and lost for words at the half way point, it is that insane! It truly is fantastic as you interact with other trains and interact with The Marmaliser. One thing I will note and I don't like being negative, but I rode twice and already found it relatively rough in places. Saying this three weeks in worries me slightly knowing how bad Saw: The Ride has aged. Only time will tell, but it is a seriously good line up to the Alton Towers ride selection. From start to finish the ride screams excellence and you will want to join The Smiler! Overall score 8/10, not quite Nemesis but a fantastic addition! You can find the rest on my Flickr! & the video on YOUTUBE!

Hey guys just wanted to show you some old park maps I have just scanned all the way back to 2002 :-) You can check them out on my Flickr HERE There are also park maps from CWOA, Alton Towers and loads more :-)

Went on X couple of days ago and have to say that it has improved 100%. They have removed that stupid confusing theme and given it a new lease of life! It is like being at a disco and is great fun after a few pints :-p I have some images on my Flickr here

I went to CWOA today and got some snaps of the goings on around the park! Some are pretty bad in my opinion but if they will help in the future then I am sure they are welcome! The rest of the photos are on Facebook

I do hope that the ride is ready to open soon, it seems to have a bit plagued with problems. One thing is for certain and that will be EPIC when it opens. Check out this awesome video of The Smiler's theming being tested!