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I really like the sound of this. I’m glad they’re trying something different. I think a ‘more intense’ maze is something they’re currently missing from their lineup, especially since Survival Games got toned down. So I’m hoping this will fill that gap. I just hope they get it right, and I think a lot of that will be dependent on how much they limit capacity for this, especially if it’s smaller groups. £12 is very steep considering there is no AP discount too. Can get 1 shots for the others for £7 so this is a £5 difference. Halloween packages/stays have been released, but they just don’t include the mazes this year unlike other years unfortunately.

Another teaser tonight for Project Blackout, full reveal at 9am tomorrow. My guess is a torch maze which turns off and on throughout the maze, using the same technology the Purgatory at Tulleys uses. More information on their website - https://www.hauntedlantern.com/ Could be why they've decided to do tickets for this one separately and not as part of a bundle, as I imagine this would have a lower throughput.

I can't remember the exact questions on the survey, but one of them asked something along the lines of would you be more likely to attend if there was a well known DJ there, so maybe thats something they'll explore.

I got pretty lucky with the crowds, but having to watch that preshow before every ride is a pain 🤣 I seem to rate it higher than most, but when I was comparing it with Toutatis, I think Toutatis is all about that swing launch, but felt like Batman did everything else better. I don’t like the trim on Toutatis, but on Batman, the trim feels more like a holding brake than an actual trim, and I think it works much better. It’s got everything I love - ejector airtime, whippy transitions, and really enjoy the stall. The trains are very stupid for capacity, but I found it also means it consistently delivers no matter where you sit.

I feel this one is quite important. No one there seemed particularly interested in the DJ on the two evenings I went. They were paying for the DJ and a couple of techs by the looks of it, then there’s the stage as well. I’m not sure whether they hire the stage or own it, but it does make you wonder whether they’re getting much value out of it. I do think they need to do a better job of advertising the whole thing beforehand though, as I didn’t really get the impression that many people knew much about it. Social media posts seemed to be really last minute. I’m not complaining anyway, as I said, Saturday in particular had a lot of people staying. Launch Pad all the seating was being used and there was a really good atmosphere.

I agree. Using the bigger queue time boards and the big screen at launch pad would've been a good start. Maybe a park wide announcement or 2.

Updating my 10 top as I don't currently have any more trips planned this year, new entries in bold. 1) Batman Gotham City Escape 2) Toutatis 3) Untamed 4) Kondaa 5) Shambala 6) Hyperia 7) Ride to Happiness 8) Taron 9) Balder 10) Hyper Coaster Helix and Zadra now both fall out of my top 10. Batman has always intrigued me, but I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Every element hits no matter what seat you're in. The tophat works, the ejector airtime is insane, and it's easily my favourite stall I've done on a coaster. I never really see Hyper Coaster talked about, but it's a solid coaster. Pretty traditional hyper layout with an insane first drop and a crazy zero g roll.

Summer lates were great, really hope they build on them and we have more of them next year. I normally completely avoid Thorpe during July and August but I went last Friday and yesterday for the afternoon/evening. Last Friday seemed to be the quietist of the 4, but I think a lot of people left/were put off due to the heat. Yesterday a good amount of people stayed till the end which is good to see. I do think they could do a better job of advertising it though. I don't think theres enough (anything?) on park telling you the park is actually open until 9. I got sent a survey the other day about the event, asking about reasons for visiting, rides being open late, the food stalls, DJs and what time of year is best for rides in the dark. So it's good to see they're at least considering expanding on it.

Its certainly a lot shorter than the Saw Alive path. I guess it worked okay with Death Doors as you'd spend time knocking on doors and hanging around rather than walking straight through. I always liked the Blair Witch location as a scare zone, but that obviously isn't viable anymore with Hyperia. Couldn't they make something work starting to the left of Trailers and exiting by the Rumba Rapids smoking area though?

Looks like we'll see the return of a scare zone in the previous Death Doors location

Back of the seats were removed last week so work has been taking place. And apparently it tested yesterday so hopefully it won't be too much longer!

Aren’t these types of IP usually on a 10 year deal? Will be interesting to see whether they extend it or move on from Walking Dead. I was a big fan of X. Realistically I can't see Ghost Train much longer either which would leave a huge space in the middle of the park with this + Slammer site too if they were to get rid of it all together.

It appears they haven't given up with Zodiac just yet - quite surprised to see all the doors from the gondolas seem to have been removed.

Hopefully was just for today. The look of it all is bad enough, but even worse that its effecting operations and guest experience.

Hearing that the SRQ is also closed today? Which would be the first time since opening they haven't operated the SRQ. I wonder why? EDIT: RAP queue is closed, so they’re using the SRQ for RAP. Unsure why RAP is closed though.

Some more photos I've seen on twitter This looks dire.

I wish Thorpe were the first in the UK to get an Intamin Gyroswing. Thought it would've been good to have one in Slammers spot to compliment Hyperia. Swinging above the lake would be cool though. Would love to see Rush get replaced with a bigger model and moved so its swinging above the lake.

Vortex has now been removed from the app, which likely means it won’t open anytime soon. It was testing mid July but hasn’t been seen testing for a good while now so another issue must’ve cropped up. Fingers crossed it’s back soon. Very rare I go to Thorpe and don’t have a couple rides on Vortex.

Looks great. Exactly what we all said it needed, more seating and more food units

Agreed the Glitch last year was very disappointing. The fact it's gone after 1 year probably says everything about the guest feedback it received. I'm not sure four new mazes fills me with confidence though. I'd much rather they focus on quality over quantity. Purgatory, Doom Town and Wastelands show what Tulley's can produce when the budget is right so I'd rather see fewer, higher quality attractions than 4 that feel rushed.

Interesting, always thought that was a good location for the Crows and has always been by far the strongest scare zone. It also has a high capacity so would be a strange decision to remove it. I dont have any pictures of the Stiches tent, but is that about the same size or smaller? Looks smaller to me? I wonder if this could be an extension to the Crows to make it a full maze, new maze location, or Stiches relocation.

Good to see an additional maze, will definitely help with capacity. Looking forward to seeing more details on this. Having an additional maze is going to have a significant positive income on their income from Fright Nights too. It's also worth noting that stays at the Shark Hotel no longer seem to include entry to the mazes, whereas they have been included every other year. They will be expecting the newest one to have the highest demand, so having it single shot only will allow them to have a better control on capacity I imagine. Will be interesting to see if its priced higher than the others though.

I do agree. The buzz we had with Hyperia and the Passholder Group has certainly gone, and we're technically 2 rides down with Rumba Rapids permanent closure and Zodiac being SBNO for over a year. I'd love to see some new flat rides to bring some excitement back into the park, but there are also some pretty significant issues that need addressing, such as the security/entrance procedure and the Ghost Train. One thing I will say though, is that although we've had nothing new and not much excitement, it's still the best run Merlin park in the UK by far in my opinion, and it continues to have the best opening hours. Operations are always on point whenever I go, and I always have a pleasant day. I can't say the same for most other parks in the country. I usually avoid the park most of July and August but will certainly be going to a couple of the 9pm closes in August.

Not sure whats up with it, but it has been testing on and off so hopefully nothing too serious. Personally my favourite flat at the park in recent years so hopefully be back soon!

It has now been removed from the app, and still no sign of testing since May. It has now been closed for over a year.