Nick Hutson

Its budget is in the region of £30M. Biggest merlin budget ever - even more than the entire new London Dungeon cos. Exciting times!

And Derren Brown has automatons...

No.

All very exciting. Can't wait. Things are going to be very different this year.

And some of them were at the back of the park...

I agree the entrance area is too long - but the theming is fantastic. Where did you hear it's not selling? The midway attractions don't have queues coming out of the door now because of the timed entry system they all employ. I've heard it's selling incredibly well. It probably doesn't help that they're not allowing pass holders in - so maybe the crowds will pick up a) when the British school holidays start and b ) when the pass-holders are allowed in. My one reservation is that I hope they update the shows over time - at least in Christmas/Halloween they could add some different set dressing. The ride is a triumph, the theming is world class and the scripts were actually quite funny at times.

Hi! I've composed for this attraction that I thought might interest you all! Lynton V Harris & The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company have created the world’s first live interactive GHOSTBUSTERS attraction, under License from Sony Pictures Consumer Products, and launched into previews this past weekend ahead of an expected blockbuster Summer season starting mid-July. The company has inked a three year deal with Sony Pictures Consumer Products in Los Angeles, and continues its relationship with Six Flags Mexico following the success of the Company’s previous attractions there, ‘The Van Helsing Experience Live!’ and ‘TerminatorX: A Laser Battle for Salvation’. Harris commented...“We probably could have eeked out another year with Terminator X given that the fifth movie comes out this Summer, but I have been pestering Greg [Economos] at Sony for the past couple of years to get a Ghostbusters attraction happening”. Gregory Economos, Senior Vice President Global Consumer Products at Sony Pictures says, “We’re excited to collaborate with Lynton on this fun, yet spooky laser tag attraction. It’s a natural fit for the Ghostbusters brand, and we’re sure that attendees of Six Flags Mexico will know “who to call” after making their way through the arena as paranormal heroes themselves.” The new attraction has a cast of between six and eight live actors who will play as seasoned ‘Ghostbusters’ to interact with guests across two floors, in the historic La Llorona building inside Six Flags Mexico. Players are ‘prepped’ downstairs in the Ghostbusters Headquarters, given their laser ghostbustin’ gear, then led upstairs and broken into teams of Ghostbusters in order to compete against each other in an experience that features iconic environments and characters from the film. There are also cool ghost gates, hidden targets, and ‘surprise characters’ that appear and disappear with the help of UV and laser- tag LED technology. Director of Live Attractions Worldwide for Sudden Impact!, Dominic McChesney commented that “this first preview weekend was a litmus test to determine if we got the brand fit right, and the audience have already confirmed that it is a much more fun approach than Terminator X which had more of a ‘firm handed’ approach, but enjoyed a successful four year run. Ghostbusters will be a hit!” “We are very excited to have an attraction like this – GHOSTBUSTERS - the attraction is based on the iconic and famous characters with the spooky adventure that the brand warrants. The families visiting us can enjoy a unique live - interactive attraction. We invite you to be part of this exciting experience that you can only find at Six Flags México”, said América Sosa, Communication manager at Six Flags México. “It’s perfect for us” enthused Harris... our reputation is second to none in the interactive scare attraction domain globally, and we also pioneered branded live laser tag adventures. Ghostbusters is one of the most iconic brands in the history of the movies, and as the No #1 ‘horror-comedy’ of all time, and a new film in the works for 2016, it’s a chance to converge the Ghostbusters brand with an elevated laser tag experience to create the core brand value through creative application, along with a few fun startles.” About Lynton V Harris & The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company Lynton V. Harris is a world-class keynote speaker, an entertainment industry groundbreaker, and the subject of a Harvard Case Study, ‘Lynton V. Harris & Madison SCARE Garden’ and has been both a commencement speaker and a guest lecturer to MBA Students at Harvard University & Business School. Harris was awarded a prestigious Brand Laureate Award from the Asia-Pacific Brands Association – an iconic ‘Brand Personality Award’, and he is also the subject of an Emmy Award winning documentary. Harris and his team have imagined, created, and/or produced live attractions based on an enviable multi- billion dollar brand list that has straddled the Hollywood Studios of Paramount, Universal, Lions Gate, MGM, Warner Bros, Twentieth Century Fox and Sony Pictures and has included some of the biggest blockbusters of all time: The Mummy Live!, The Mummy Returns Live!, Lara Croft:Tomb Raider LIVE!, The Mummy – Tomb of The Dragon Emperor Live!, The Scorpion King Live! , BATMAN: Arkham Asylum Live!, Prison Break LIVE!, Van Helsing Live!, Alien Vs Predator vs You, TERMINATOR X, Universal Monsters Alive!, SAW LIVE!, Ice Age Live!, Night at The Museum Alive!, The World War Z Experience, The Mazerunner Adventure Live! and in 2015, Harris & Sudden Impact! are opening the world’s first GHOSTBUSTERS X: The Ghostbusters Experience under license from Sony Pictures, at Six Flags Mexico City. Harris is also due to deliver an address on BRANDS ® at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions [iAAPA] Asian Conference and Trade Show in Hong Kong in June 2015. www.suddenimpactentertainment.com About Sony Pictures Consumer Products Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) is the licensing and merchandising division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com. About Six Flags Mexico City About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.2billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 54 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest® and Holiday in the Park®. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com. GHOSTBUSTERS X LIVE! EXPERIENCE LAYOUT & DESIGN ©COPYRIGHT 2015, THE SUDDEN IMPACT! ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY GHOSTBUSTERS © COPYRIGHT 2015 COLUMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED UNDER LICENSE.

The whole dome just needs to be knocked down and a whole new entrance needs to be built - pronto.

This is all down to Picsolve, not Thorpe Park. I agree pIcsolve need to get with the times - and they're aware of this situation. I think just give us a download/email for £1 and they'd rake it in. The photos end up online anyway!

I wish they'd make use of their beautiful lake area and end the night with a laser (or fireworks) show to make people stay a bit more into the night. But I guess local residents, blah blah blah.

This is interesting... I wish they'd just have opening hours from 10-10 all summer, with concerts in that useless dome at weekends for free. Bet they regret getting rid of their arena now! haha However - the charging extra for this, charing extra for that is just confusing. OR No concerts and just have 1000 people minimum for summer nights every night in the summer from 7pm to 11pm for free for Premium pass holders :-D

Yes - when I was at the Fright Night's VIP Event - some young people were in the area with us - and they were being hounded by the young people also walking through the dome as they entered the park. One was screaming for someone called Harry... I thought it was Harry from One Direction... shows how much I know. It's interesting how they just play video games and record themselves doing so and they get 346643344 Billion views on YouTube. That girl Zoe they're doing at Madame Tussauds makes £20,000 a day from her views. Imagine how much Google rake in! The only British YouTuber I know and admire is Stuart Ashen. Look him up if you want endless laughs!

Only because there's naff all to look at in most badly done queue lines. It saddens me they can't do a cover for the cattle pen queue line and do it indoors. What's to stop them having a bit of atmospheric lighting, wall displays and stuff in an indoor cattle pen queue line?

HAHAHAHA! Brilliant! I'd pay to see that.

Okay. 1) It's an SFX Coaster from Dynamic Attractions. 2) Jack the Ripper is okay for a family market (look at the Dungeon) 3) You're not getting a wooden coaster. Get over it.

...what?

Yes - we've heard from Dynamic Attractions that a major park in the UK has bought one of their rides...

I don't understand one of the perks. They advertise London Eye FastTrack access for £7.50 (or whatever it is). Yet, I just flash my premium pass and I get fast-track access at the eye. Is the fast-track price as advertised for standard pass holders? As usual - the website is overly convoluted with "wizard this" and "wizard that" nonsense - but there is no real clear information.

Well, this is a business. They have to see a return for their investment. If you spent money on a meal and it took you years to stop you being hungry - you'd think it was a bit of a waste of money. I know it's different - but that's sort of how this works. The sad case is - the ride SHOULD have been a hit, but the elements were against it (bad weather, olympics). The ride theming is good (though I do wish Merlin would build more indoor queue lines) and the ride is of decent quality. I think the dark ride will bring people in as it's something the whole of the UK has been crying out for - especially Thorpe where there aren't many places to sit dow and have a relaxed experience (apart from The Flying Fish ;-) )

They're getting a smaller version. Remember - the video they have is ALL the options available (turntable, drop track, sideways drop, etc) A company can choose to just buy some of the elements. The good thing about this coaster is that doesn't require lift halls - so it can all be done from one height and go downwards instead of up. Guy Nelson has told us they sold one to the UK at IAPPA. There's no other large scale attraction being built in the country... so - thusly, it must be an SFX coming to Thorpe.

This is going to be a SFX from Dynamic attractions. They've said they're building one in the UK, China and Abu-Dabi.

Expect to see this on a timed entry system only.

Do M£rlin charge for Brainiac live? Seems like the sort of thing they'd do now...?

Wouldn't HAVE surprised me. I think the silly OTT marketing was all down to that woman who has now moved on (and I don't mean Candy Holland) Good riddance.