Lewis.

Oh yeah I have absolutely no doubt that hell will freeze over before we ever implement something even half sensible in regards to literally anything in this country but I can dream 😂 

Maybe the problem is bigger than just Thorpe, as many of you have said they really are backed into a corner. I've said for years that having some form of general, official ID card would come in handy in so many situations. You can sort of get them now but they're in no way "official" or I think accepted anywhere as actual proof. I think it would work; I have a free bus pass, if I don't have my pass I don't get on the bus for free. The same could be applied to Thorpe and any other place that offers stuff for disabled people, want the RAP? You need your disability card. Like the bus passes they could even be scanned, maybe coming up with some vague info about the persons conditions and whatnot. Surely the technology is there. 

Maybe the problem is bigger than just Thorpe, as many of you have said they really are backed into a corner. I've said for years that having some form of general, official ID card would come in handy in so many situations. You can sort of get them now but they're in no way "official" or I think accepted anywhere as actual proof. I think it would work; I have a free bus pass, if I don't have my pass I don't get on the bus for free. The same could be applied to Thorpe and any other place that offers stuff for disabled people, want the RAP? You need your disability card. Like the bus passes they could even be scanned, maybe coming up with some vague info about the persons conditions and whatnot. Surely the technology is there. 

Is it only a doctors note that's required? I would have thought that asking people to present a blue badge/PIP letter would be safer and weed out people who just want to milk the system. For example I go to tons of concerts every year and most venues grant early access for people like myself with disabilities, most of them just requiring you to email them a copy of your PIP letter and you're on the list. 
 
That picture above of the queue to get the ride access pass is genuinely worrying, I'm on the fence wether or not I want to go back to Thorpe this year after already having not been since 2015 and the whole system just seems like it's being abused to the point where it would impact my day. 

I visited BPB with some friends this weekend for the fireworks/rides in the dark. Two things:
 
. I really like their new system for disabled guests, it's fair and mostly efficient. The only thing I'd change is that I think they need to have a clearer distinction between disabled access and speedy passes, and to prioritise disabled guests slightly more. A few times we were stuck waiting in a queue at the ride exits, even 10-15 minutes standing around can be difficult for me so I definitely struggled with that, especially towards the end of the evening. I don't think it helped that operations across most of the park were dreadful though tbf. The Big One was an absolute shambles with the disabled/speedy pass queue out of the station by the time we finally got onto the ride. 
 
. Does anyone else not find Infusion rough? I always go on wondering if this is the time it'll finally cave my skull in but I've never had that bad a ride on it. I really don't know what all the hysteria is about. I always really enjoy it. 

OLD TOWN 
 
As much as I’d love “the next big thing” to happen at Thorpe I really feel like adding a substantial family attraction should be their top priority at the moment. So I’m going with the obvious Old Town overhaul… with a lot of the rides telling a story of how Old Town is now run down and neglected due to the logging company closing down at the hands of the corrupt, money grabbing people (cough, cough) running the town and the residents retaliation in trying to save their beloved town by themselves. Notable theming elements would include the CCR train abandoned and derailed somewhere but also lots of flower beds, painted buildings that still look slightly derelict - lots of little things suggesting the residents of Old Town have taken it upon themselves to make the place look nice again. 
 
Loggers Leap: The Legend of Diamond Creek
Long after the logging company closed down the residents of Old Town, facing ruin set off on an adventure to look for the never seen before diamond creek. On the journey you will encounter bears, rogue hunters and a strange cave filled with a mysterious gas that will make you “hallucinate” a musical number featuring animatronic animals, all camp as tits and totally out of place. You eventually end up falling down a “waterfall” into diamond creek itself, the end curves surrounded by rocks and all sorts of colourful diamonds and jewels and whatnot. 
 
Cows & Aliens 
One of those Gerstlauer things - similar to Firechaser Express (or perhaps go to Intamin as I'm assuming Merlin wouldn't consider Gerst these days). Using the wooded area beside loggers and meandering over to the Slammer site along the old train track where the reverse/switch happens and the train launches backwards along through the old train station site. The ride being themed to a cow farm that you guessed it - is home to a lot of alien activity! You could even have it so that the cows and aliens have started making babies (imagine the cute little alien cow babies) - and the residents of Old Town are now selling the “super healthy alien cow milk”, with some sort of weird milkshake parlour (think Shakeaway - lots of crazy options) kind of messed up I know but I’m trying to be original ?
 
 + show Rocky some love, actually make an effort to incorporate the newer kiddie rides into the Old Town theme and also possibly do the same for Samurai. Also add a Vegetarian and Vegan diner, specialising in fake meats. Vegetarianism/Veganism is a massively growing trend at the moment and meat free options have made tons of progress in terms of quality in recent years so it could do very well. 
 
As for the "next big thing", Vekoma gets my vote. Whatever they want to build, give them a maximum height to work with and let them go mad ? 
 
(P.S haven't read this thread in years so sorry of I'm stealing anyone elses ideas - everything I've written to me seems like pretty obvious things to go for so I wouldn't be surprised if someone already has!) 

2020: A Mack Wild Mouse themed to Operation Yewtree 
2021: A children's playground with year round live scare actors 
2022: "The Thorpe Park Dungeon" 
2023: The Octopus Garden rides return in the Saw area 
2024: The whole "resort" falls apart from neglect, Merlin assure everyone that they are looking into options and that despite nothing being open, there are tons of events to look forward to on the beach this summer, including The Cannibal Holocaust Experience and the return of Love Island (which got cancelled in 2022) 
2025: The Thorpe Housing Estate 
 
The worrying thing is that whilst I'm exaggerating, it's not by much. Merlin really do need to go. 

OLD TOWN 
 
As much as I’d love “the next big thing” to happen at Thorpe I really feel like adding a substantial family attraction should be their top priority at the moment. So I’m going with the obvious Old Town overhaul… with a lot of the rides telling a story of how Old Town is now run down and neglected due to the logging company closing down at the hands of the corrupt, money grabbing people (cough, cough) running the town and the residents retaliation in trying to save their beloved town by themselves. Notable theming elements would include the CCR train abandoned and derailed somewhere but also lots of flower beds, painted buildings that still look slightly derelict - lots of little things suggesting the residents of Old Town have taken it upon themselves to make the place look nice again. 
 
Loggers Leap: The Legend of Diamond Creek
Long after the logging company closed down the residents of Old Town, facing ruin set off on an adventure to look for the never seen before diamond creek. On the journey you will encounter bears, rogue hunters and a strange cave filled with a mysterious gas that will make you “hallucinate” a musical number featuring animatronic animals, all camp as tits and totally out of place. You eventually end up falling down a “waterfall” into diamond creek itself, the end curves surrounded by rocks and all sorts of colourful diamonds and jewels and whatnot. 
 
Cows & Aliens 
One of those Gerstlauer things - similar to Firechaser Express (or perhaps go to Intamin as I'm assuming Merlin wouldn't consider Gerst these days). Using the wooded area beside loggers and meandering over to the Slammer site along the old train track where the reverse/switch happens and the train launches backwards along through the old train station site. The ride being themed to a cow farm that you guessed it - is home to a lot of alien activity! You could even have it so that the cows and aliens have started making babies (imagine the cute little alien cow babies) - and the residents of Old Town are now selling the “super healthy alien cow milk”, with some sort of weird milkshake parlour (think Shakeaway - lots of crazy options) kind of messed up I know but I’m trying to be original ?
 
 + show Rocky some love, actually make an effort to incorporate the newer kiddie rides into the Old Town theme and also possibly do the same for Samurai. Also add a Vegetarian and Vegan diner, specialising in fake meats. Vegetarianism/Veganism is a massively growing trend at the moment and meat free options have made tons of progress in terms of quality in recent years so it could do very well. 
 
As for the "next big thing", Vekoma gets my vote. Whatever they want to build, give them a maximum height to work with and let them go mad ? 
 
(P.S haven't read this thread in years so sorry of I'm stealing anyone elses ideas - everything I've written to me seems like pretty obvious things to go for so I wouldn't be surprised if someone already has!) 

I don't know why but the fact this is actually happening really tickles me. If I had put money on the next large scale coaster to be built in the UK I would never in a million years have gone with Intamin - 10 Inversions, at Flamingo Land of all places. I was certain this was simply a rumour started by some daft 12-year-old that everyone was for no reason other than having nothing better to discuss indulging in. I quite liked the place when I went in 2016 but left thinking it would take a large one for them to tempt me back, so count me in!  
 
 

OLD TOWN 
 
As much as I’d love “the next big thing” to happen at Thorpe I really feel like adding a substantial family attraction should be their top priority at the moment. So I’m going with the obvious Old Town overhaul… with a lot of the rides telling a story of how Old Town is now run down and neglected due to the logging company closing down at the hands of the corrupt, money grabbing people (cough, cough) running the town and the residents retaliation in trying to save their beloved town by themselves. Notable theming elements would include the CCR train abandoned and derailed somewhere but also lots of flower beds, painted buildings that still look slightly derelict - lots of little things suggesting the residents of Old Town have taken it upon themselves to make the place look nice again. 
 
Loggers Leap: The Legend of Diamond Creek
Long after the logging company closed down the residents of Old Town, facing ruin set off on an adventure to look for the never seen before diamond creek. On the journey you will encounter bears, rogue hunters and a strange cave filled with a mysterious gas that will make you “hallucinate” a musical number featuring animatronic animals, all camp as tits and totally out of place. You eventually end up falling down a “waterfall” into diamond creek itself, the end curves surrounded by rocks and all sorts of colourful diamonds and jewels and whatnot. 
 
Cows & Aliens 
One of those Gerstlauer things - similar to Firechaser Express (or perhaps go to Intamin as I'm assuming Merlin wouldn't consider Gerst these days). Using the wooded area beside loggers and meandering over to the Slammer site along the old train track where the reverse/switch happens and the train launches backwards along through the old train station site. The ride being themed to a cow farm that you guessed it - is home to a lot of alien activity! You could even have it so that the cows and aliens have started making babies (imagine the cute little alien cow babies) - and the residents of Old Town are now selling the “super healthy alien cow milk”, with some sort of weird milkshake parlour (think Shakeaway - lots of crazy options) kind of messed up I know but I’m trying to be original ?
 
 + show Rocky some love, actually make an effort to incorporate the newer kiddie rides into the Old Town theme and also possibly do the same for Samurai. Also add a Vegetarian and Vegan diner, specialising in fake meats. Vegetarianism/Veganism is a massively growing trend at the moment and meat free options have made tons of progress in terms of quality in recent years so it could do very well. 
 
As for the "next big thing", Vekoma gets my vote. Whatever they want to build, give them a maximum height to work with and let them go mad ? 
 
(P.S haven't read this thread in years so sorry of I'm stealing anyone elses ideas - everything I've written to me seems like pretty obvious things to go for so I wouldn't be surprised if someone already has!) 

2020: A Mack Wild Mouse themed to Operation Yewtree 
2021: A children's playground with year round live scare actors 
2022: "The Thorpe Park Dungeon" 
2023: The Octopus Garden rides return in the Saw area 
2024: The whole "resort" falls apart from neglect, Merlin assure everyone that they are looking into options and that despite nothing being open, there are tons of events to look forward to on the beach this summer, including The Cannibal Holocaust Experience and the return of Love Island (which got cancelled in 2022) 
2025: The Thorpe Housing Estate 
 
The worrying thing is that whilst I'm exaggerating, it's not by much. Merlin really do need to go. 

IAC is staying alongside an RMC themed to Dec downing a bottle of Jack Daniels and going drink driving through the jungle/Pinewood Studios, though Merlin only gave the park a budget of £50 so they've just got an old wacky worm and put some nice fencing from B&Q around the area hoping nobody will notice. You heard it here first! #worldsfirsthybridwackyworm

IAC is staying alongside an RMC themed to Dec downing a bottle of Jack Daniels and going drink driving through the jungle/Pinewood Studios, though Merlin only gave the park a budget of £50 so they've just got an old wacky worm and put some nice fencing from B&Q around the area hoping nobody will notice. You heard it here first! #worldsfirsthybridwackyworm

IAC is staying alongside an RMC themed to Dec downing a bottle of Jack Daniels and going drink driving through the jungle/Pinewood Studios, though Merlin only gave the park a budget of £50 so they've just got an old wacky worm and put some nice fencing from B&Q around the area hoping nobody will notice. You heard it here first! #worldsfirsthybridwackyworm

2020: A Mack Wild Mouse themed to Operation Yewtree 
2021: A children's playground with year round live scare actors 
2022: "The Thorpe Park Dungeon" 
2023: The Octopus Garden rides return in the Saw area 
2024: The whole "resort" falls apart from neglect, Merlin assure everyone that they are looking into options and that despite nothing being open, there are tons of events to look forward to on the beach this summer, including The Cannibal Holocaust Experience and the return of Love Island (which got cancelled in 2022) 
2025: The Thorpe Housing Estate 
 
The worrying thing is that whilst I'm exaggerating, it's not by much. Merlin really do need to go. 

2020: A Mack Wild Mouse themed to Operation Yewtree 
2021: A children's playground with year round live scare actors 
2022: "The Thorpe Park Dungeon" 
2023: The Octopus Garden rides return in the Saw area 
2024: The whole "resort" falls apart from neglect, Merlin assure everyone that they are looking into options and that despite nothing being open, there are tons of events to look forward to on the beach this summer, including The Cannibal Holocaust Experience and the return of Love Island (which got cancelled in 2022) 
2025: The Thorpe Housing Estate 
 
The worrying thing is that whilst I'm exaggerating, it's not by much. Merlin really do need to go. 

Had another trip to BPB on Saturday. I've never found Grand National rough and wondered what everyone was moaning about but there was a definite jolt of spinal doom at the bottom of the first drop that took me by surprise ? Apart from that I thought it was actually running quite well, she was flying around the track! 
 
I also did Icon front row this time. Much better IMO! I thought I was content with the back row but it just felt a lot more intense. Most of the staff seemed to be giving us a choice of row with the disabled pass which was unusual and obviously went unquestioned. Merlin could learn a lot from BPB about how to treat Disabled guests. Even if the park is an absolute bitch to navigate. I intend to send an email to them to let them know they're doing great ? 
 
 

Visited the Pleasure Beach for the first time since 2010 last week, I absolutely loved Icon. We left it until later in the day to whore it and were all blown away! It's not intense but it's so much fun. I giggled the whole way through, especially exiting the top hat, zero-g and immelmann, it was like the ride was trying to throw me out and kill me and I loved it! The UK needs more solid coasters like this. 
 
I'm hoping to get back to Blackpool soon. Even by British Seaside/Northern standards it's run down and the people are rough as anything but it's such a fun, welcoming place!   
 

Anyone know if Storm Surge is on the disabled pass?Soooooo not going to bother riding if I have to wait an hour or so to get on another ride when I could spend my time on better things

There were engineers working on the launch yesterday, so something to do with that I guess. 
 
I overheard one of the staff members yesterday saying "If you want to make a complaint you can go to guest services, or you could go and speak to the rides themselves". I love those totally bonkers members of staff you occasionally come across!

Went to Thorpe yesterday (5th of June) for the first time since 2013. 

 

It was a scorcher so all the rides were running extremely well, Colossus felt especially fast but just as rough as I remembered it. That ride hates me. The park wasn't exactly quiet but wasn't busy either, it was a nice atmosphere. Queues ranging from 5-70 minutes (not that it mattered, I had the disabled wristband as usual which again resulted in some death stares from some - always hilarious) 

 

I was highly sceptical about about I'm A Celebrity because eww ITV, but it was actually really fun. We ended up doing it last and it was a great end to the day. You do get the feeling they're rushing you through on parts though, I thought the woman was joking when she said we had 5 seconds to find as many stars as we could! 

 

Saw closed all day (Obvious reasons) 

Stealth closed all day (Engineers were working midway down the launch at some point)

Samurai on THE most pathetic setting I've ever witnessed (I even overheard a staff member complaining)

Rush had a period of downtime at some point, as did Flying Fish 

 

I had a great day, and I can't wait to go again 

 

 

 

Went to Thorpe yesterday (5th of June) for the first time since 2013. 

 

It was a scorcher so all the rides were running extremely well, Colossus felt especially fast but just as rough as I remembered it. That ride hates me. The park wasn't exactly quiet but wasn't busy either, it was a nice atmosphere. Queues ranging from 5-70 minutes (not that it mattered, I had the disabled wristband as usual which again resulted in some death stares from some - always hilarious) 

 

I was highly sceptical about about I'm A Celebrity because eww ITV, but it was actually really fun. We ended up doing it last and it was a great end to the day. You do get the feeling they're rushing you through on parts though, I thought the woman was joking when she said we had 5 seconds to find as many stars as we could! 

 

Saw closed all day (Obvious reasons) 

Stealth closed all day (Engineers were working midway down the launch at some point)

Samurai on THE most pathetic setting I've ever witnessed (I even overheard a staff member complaining)

Rush had a period of downtime at some point, as did Flying Fish 

 

I had a great day, and I can't wait to go again 

 

 

 

Went to Thorpe yesterday (5th of June) for the first time since 2013. 

 

It was a scorcher so all the rides were running extremely well, Colossus felt especially fast but just as rough as I remembered it. That ride hates me. The park wasn't exactly quiet but wasn't busy either, it was a nice atmosphere. Queues ranging from 5-70 minutes (not that it mattered, I had the disabled wristband as usual which again resulted in some death stares from some - always hilarious) 

 

I was highly sceptical about about I'm A Celebrity because eww ITV, but it was actually really fun. We ended up doing it last and it was a great end to the day. You do get the feeling they're rushing you through on parts though, I thought the woman was joking when she said we had 5 seconds to find as many stars as we could! 

 

Saw closed all day (Obvious reasons) 

Stealth closed all day (Engineers were working midway down the launch at some point)

Samurai on THE most pathetic setting I've ever witnessed (I even overheard a staff member complaining)

Rush had a period of downtime at some point, as did Flying Fish 

 

I had a great day, and I can't wait to go again 

 

 

 

There were engineers working on the launch yesterday, so something to do with that I guess. 
 
I overheard one of the staff members yesterday saying "If you want to make a complaint you can go to guest services, or you could go and speak to the rides themselves". I love those totally bonkers members of staff you occasionally come across!

There were engineers working on the launch yesterday, so something to do with that I guess. 
 
I overheard one of the staff members yesterday saying "If you want to make a complaint you can go to guest services, or you could go and speak to the rides themselves". I love those totally bonkers members of staff you occasionally come across!