Matt 236

**David Attenborough has entered the thread**

So me and others went to the island today for a little early season park trip. Like a number of parks, there’s been a noticeable amount of TLC around numerous park areas, from the truck at the front, Dome and Tidal Wave changes. Most of which is a noticeable improvement. park operations were generally positive especially for early season, although the park were “Swarmed” (pun intended) with a certain clientele known to break the rules a little! The B&Ms and Stealth were great as always, Saw was rideable and Colossus was poor. Thorpe has a lot of creases to iron out, but it was just lovely to be back at another park. Especially with the lovely weather. To add, audio at the park was the best it’s been in years too!

That is indeed a great problem that must be managed and has only continued to spiral out of control. In many cases like yesterday, the RAP queue has been equal or greater than the main queue. I do think the U.K culture has (further) mutated into one where there is an expectation or entitlement. When seeing the guest services queue, almost all were queuing for a RAP Pass. And this precisely why it’s become such an “ albatross around their neck” situation where they are doomed if they do and doomed if they don’t! If they don’t do anything this will probably continue for the forseable future. However if they do, there will obviously be hefty backlash and “certain” newspapers really milking this cow with headlines like “Theme Park Eliminates disabled queuing”. All just to push the stir and of course, click bait! Someone once criticised the system on a social media post and was verbally pulled apart like a pack of wolves. That same part of society who “WANT TO SPEAK WITH THE MANAGER” when they’ve been overcharged by 10p are responsible for this. Now let’s get to this. Not every disability is visible. And some may look fine until such circumstances. The issue isn’t with this, but putting in a system where something like RAP must be seen as an option for people who are can’t use the main queue, as opposed to won’t! The latter seems increasingly common with people taking advantage and essentially using this as some sort of “free fastrack”. It is also these people that will likely scream the loudest if the system ever had a significant shake up.

Right. So Wisey & myself took a little trip to Chessington today, which would be our first trip and park visit of the year. To Sum Up: Park is the best it’s looked in years, from areas such as Mexicana and Land Of The Dragons receiving noticeable touch ups Park Audio was rather messy and untidy in several places, maybe there’s issue All key eating places were open, although the surprise lack of outdoor seating was a little disappointing Majority of staff were friendly enough, although there were some issues with one or two Blue Barnacle is alright, least they replaced Buccaneer Zufari has interesting amendments Park operations left room for improvement, with rides stacking and breaking down often. Maybe these are start of season glitches but they still need addressing. RAP needs sorting because it’s getting a bit out of hand now! The park definitely warrants 7pm close, was very busy today! Finally tried Croc Drop too. It’s a nice enough addition and looks visually pleasing (from the front). Nothing ground breaking but fun all round.

We’re clearly forgetting all the things that the park is planning on adding in the next 5-10 years here! As well aware Top Scan, we have: A Topple Tower A multi-launch coaster opposite Fury A Rapids near Zufari The rebuild of Skyway The source is Ketchup Fans. I will see myself out!

Based on the given images, the area looks absolutely phenomenal and one of (if not the best) themed areas within the U.K. I hope we see more additions on this level in years to come! Very soon too (hopefully) I’ll be chasing down the M3 (pun intended) to see this place!

Great improvement there, Funshine really adds some character back to these otherwise adequate arch signs. Also yay to more PMBO re-tracking!

Nothing controversial really about the first point. It seems in the early years Nemy was by far the favoured of the two, but nowadays it seems almost 50/50. I think Nemy will probably always have the higher vote, but nothing controversial at all. There’s some similarities between preferring Taron or Helix. I think it’s natural to still like a park even if the area it’s located is unfavourable. I’ve certainly heard of many who like BPB but hate the town! I guess this whole “Southerners hate Blackpool” thing must be relating with the North/South divide. I personally don’t mind Blackpool due to it’s Sea Side location and array of attractions. It’s got a lot of rough edges but otherwise it’s ok. Maybe that’s an unpopular opinion on its own. Aside from it’s historical content and “Spoons”, I guess the overall appeal about Blackpool is all within the variety of rides. Coasters, dark rides, etc. Plus it features some of the highest and biggest rides in the country. Don’t get me wrong, it has imperfections like everywhere, but it’s all a question of what one likes or expects from the park. There seems to typically be three types of enthusiasts as BPB is concerned. Those who love and adore the place, those who like it (but say it’s not as good as it was) and those who don’t really like the place.

I’m currently halfway through reading the History Of Thorpe Park book which somewhat clarifies the rides closure. I believe it was down to a number of things, rising safety requirements, lack of available funds and also sadly neglect. Merlin spent the essential safety upgrades for Tiger Rock (then Dragon Falls) but were not in a position to do so for Loggers.

I mean, Towers has the benefit of having several large open space areas such as the lawn near the lake and that square near Hex. And also unlike Thorpe, it doesn’t seem to be a graveyard for derelict attractions “glares at most of Old Town”. This is where the Arena would’ve been handy for Thorpe.

Now that’s absolutely bananas! Model looks better though.

(Spoken in a Coasterbot style dialogue) “What makes a decent theme park entrance?” Right! Here’s the basic fundamentals that should result in a decent theme park entrance: Clear and straightforward navigational layout Visually welcoming presentation A hub/point which can handle a moderate amount of guest volume At this point of time, Thorpe’s entrance fails to achieve any of these. You park up or leave the bus only to find a mess of corrugated steel fences and a confusing queue to park checks. You are greeted by the further view of chipped buildings and ageing features, leaving no form of excitement buildup. Ok, let’s settle this! Not every theme park entrance is going to feature some stunning thematic street or centre-piece, at or beyond the turnstiles. Thorpe is one of these parks. The ideal thing would be extensively strip back or completely flatten the existing entrance area for a hugely renovated or brand new entrance. Something like Paultons park wouldn’t be too unreasonable IMO. Security (and even temperature) are inevitable in this shaky world, so permanent fixtures must apply. The bridge section (post-turnstiles) is perfectly suitable and shouldn’t need too much work. But don’t get me started on the dome!

Yikes, it’s starting to look more like the entrance to a penitentiary prison than a theme park now! just bulldoze the whole thing and start again I say.

Well yes, they probably are then. Along with the return of Bling, The Gold Mine and Log Flume. That’s impossible!

Who’s betting on these becoming permanent if they are successful!

A moments silence to the days of efficient three train operations on this ride. They will be remembered!

Basically.

Crazy yet amazing how long ago 2006 was. Stealth was the ride that got me back into Thorpe Park in the mid-noughties after a number of hiatus years. Happy 15th Anniversary Stealth!

This “Tomb Blaster year xxxx Refurbishment” thing is becoming more speculative than what the next iPhone will be like? And yes. I suspect the reason why Tomb isn’t listed currently is due to enclosed attractions not being able to open just yet. Hopefully May.

Depending on what happens with the (unfortunately) ongoing pandemic, Legoland Windsor will definitely be the first major U.K. park to become an almost year round park. Whilst I doubt some days they’ll be open I.E Christmas Day, weekdays etc. Legoland are definitely on the way to being open almost all year. As for the new area, it sounds great and surprisingly creative too. The location of the Sky Lion attraction is slightly better than Monster Party’s, although throughput could be a problem. Given they have just one theatre as opposed to two or three in most other parks.

Things be like.

Tidal wave refurb? I’m putting strong bets on more de-theming. The fireball gone forever and never replaced. Just like the shortcut path and other pieces removed over the years! I hope I’m wrong. The entrance work is promising though and to be honest it doesn’t take much to improve that plaza at all, which ideally needs an extensive rebuild. But that will never happen.

Sure. 1/ Life centre point I have visited this place most years of my life. 1996 was roughly when I first went with family and fondly remember the charm and now defunct attractions such as Carousel Kingdom, Tropical Travels and Wicked Witches Haunt. After a six year hiatus I finally returned to the park in 2006 (which by then felt almost unrecognisable). Countless trips with school, family and friends took place. Before an even bigger influence commenced. The park certainly had much influence into who I am today. I even worked there a number of seasons ago. 2/ Friends and Social Aspect Thorpe has been something of a social hotspot for me. I’ve been here with friends and bumped into friends. I’ve even made new friends there (some on this forum). Some of my favourite trips to the park have been during TPM meet ups. As others have said, this lead to visiting further parks in Europe and beyond. 3/ Certain Rides Thorpe’s selection is arguably a mixed bag. Some are great, others can’t hold a candle and the rest might just be adequate. Those that are great are simply something. Inferno gets better with age, Swarm is a decent wing rider and Stealth might just be only second to TTD when it comes to first launches. The flat rides range from ok to great, but with rides like Detonator and Quantum it is probably the best in the U.K.

The ghost train has truly had its day. It was nice while it lasted! (Or was it). The ride has aged like a ripe avocado in a kitchen above room temperature.

This place will be humongous if this actually goes to plan. The mine train coaster looks decent so far. Transport rides and a proper hotel are definitely what they need.