Inferno

What's always baffled me about the entrance is how long it can often take to get inside the park. Alton Towers can get you through the turnstiles in minutes. Yes, the Monorail does drip-feed guests in a controlled manner, but even the queue for the monorail at the other end is nearly always much faster than queueing to get in at Thorpe. AT can process far more people, far more quickly. I kind of agree with Marc, for me the issue isn't with the buildings or how it looks (although yeah, wouldn't complain if they did something different..) It's more about how dreadful the first impressions often are. The big logo sign is pretty cool imo, and the screen is quite good. It's the queues and temporary "f*** it that will do for now" nature of everything that's the problem. Is it just a case of more throughput needed maybe (somehow)?

Well my first thought is "ugh please no", but considering Zodiac and Detonator were basically funfair rides, they fit in nicely.. I guess they could keep them (or similar) and try to make them fit in?

That could be cool - do we have any reason to think this may be something 'special'? It looks like a jetty to me.

This hasn't aged well, has it. Both of these things seemed better before 😐

Wow, same here for DBGT. I thought Covid would be a good cover story for closing it down for a second season, conveniantly phasing it out without drawing too much attention to the closure. Surely Ghost Train isn't bringing in any money, especially considering the number of staff it takes to run it, plus the additional cost of actors for Black Mirror? Does anyone even think of DBGT when they think of Thorpe, really? Good news Black Mirror is finally opening.

Good point, considering they can't have anything big, there's a fair amount there these days isn't there. They have a good few indoor attractions as well now. Hopefully that trend continues. I'd like to see a decent indoor family coaster in the future, something with good capacity to get through the queues. Considering Legoland is (shockingly) the UK's busiest theme park, do you think they'd look to extend their season through the winter in the future, even with a reduced lineup focusing on indoor stuff?

My first thought is that it's quite embarrassing that the UK's "number one theme park" has to hire in a load of fairground rides to keep themselves going. I really hope this screams to Merlin how bad things have got over the past few years. Saying that though, this is better than nothing isn't it, and I can understand they will want to sell as many tickets as possible this year to get the most from the season after last year. Also weren't Detonator and Zodiac temporary fairground rides that stuck around? 🤔

Good to see the tidal wave refurb going on, and even better to see the entrance plaza getting a bit of work done. The last few years they’ve been doing a fair amount of small improvements haven’t they - looks like the same this year too.

Hey guys, I don't know about you, but I am fed up of seeing all the negativity out there about Thorpe Park. Sure, it's far from perfect, but this is the Thorpe fan site - If you're reading this forum, you must love the place to some extent? So why not share why?! Let's bring back some of the glassy eyed excitement we all used to feel when using these forums Please let us all know what are your 3 favourite things about Thorpe Park. Why do you love the place? I'll start. My favourite things about Thorpe are The atmosphere. I don't know what it is about Thorpe, but it has a certain atmosphere that you don't get anywhere else. I can't put my finger on it, it's just "that Thorpe feeling" you get as you walk over the bridge in to the park - it's the same today for me as it was when I was a kid back in the early 2000's! I think it's that it doesn't take its self too seriously, and it's certainly rough around the edges, but it's just got a chilled, fun vibe. It's quite a unique atmosphere in my opinion. The park has stayed humble as well which I like - it's not pretending to be more than it is. Fright Nights. It's not the best horror event out there anymore, and yes some of the recent attractions have been a bit lack lustre, but Fright Nights is almost its own 'thing', and is a must-do at Halloween. The familiarity and "at home" feeling. A lot of people say walking in to Disney is like coming home. Now, I wouldn't say that about Thorpe, but it certainly has that kind of vibe for me. I think it's because it's always been my "home park", and I sort of grew up with it over the years. It's by far my most visited park, so feels like "my place" if you know what I mean? I bet there are a lot of people that feel that way

It's a great shame that there's rarely ever any real 'news' anymore isn't it. I do miss the excitement of a new Thorpe coaster, like the 2011 buildup to the Swarm (seriously how is that 9 years ago now...) - there was such a buzz watching it go up throughout the year. When Thorpe get a new coaster it's going to be so well covered by Jack & co, especially these days with Monk's Walk offering such a good view and drones being easily available. The fanbase for this sort of stuff is definitely there too judging by the views! People love a coaster construction site! Will be interesting to see where the next big thing ends up. The island by Swarm is crying out for attention, after spending the money on reclaiming it they must be wanting to make use of it? On the other hand though making use of "the woods" around Canada Creek would be really nice, and could bring guests in to a bit of nice natural woodland scenery, which Thorpe doesn't have a lot of being an island.

Considering they have recently had a massively publicised crash that literally the entire target audience knows about, this is a very good result I think? Interesting to hear the CEO’s opinion on esports.... Judging by the feedback on social media, the public don’t get it either... Hate the continued “copy and paste” approach these days but I guess that’s what makes the money. Do we know how well Thorpe / Towers / Chessington are doing specifically? I’d be interested to see if TP’s lack of anything has actually had much affect on revenue

What...... o.0 What is happening to Thorpe Park?

What? I thought they’d got away from all this nonsense? Surely the ride should be good enough / exciting enough to advertise on its own merits? Things like this make the place look like a joke.

I’m not sure about this cashless system... Even looking back 2 or 3 year’s ago, trying to even pay by card was a nightmare - when producing a card you got a roll of the eyes from the staff, and then got sent down to the other end of the counter where there was a single card machine... I've always made an effort to get cash out when I go to Thorpe because of this - and also so I can leave all my cards and wallet in the car (hate leaving valuables in the bag storage on the station)

This bodes well... usually when a Merlin attraction gets a year round horror maze it’s a sign of a very long and successful future..

? if I’m being honest I plan to spend as little time with Merlin as possible.... I am pretty sure it’s the lacklustre Merlin attitude of late that put me off theme parks for a while in the first place. But actually having a couple of new coasters being built in the UK, and seeing the potential of Fright Nights it has sparked my interest again ——————— Guys seriously thank you so much for all the tips This is all so useful to a novice like me. It’s likely to be Phantasialand this time, then Perhaps a combined Disney / Paris city break trip later in the year. Mixed thoughts on Phantasialand it seems though?!

Thank you guys - car hire seems to be a good tip even if it’s just to get to and from the park from the airports etc Will check out the various hotel options Is Disneyland Paris easily doable from staying in a hotel in central Paris?

Thank you so much

Hi guys, Been a long time lurker on here, thought I would show myself! Had a bit of a lull from theme parks over the last couple of years, but after following SW8 and going back to Fright Nights would like to start getting back in to it again, and thought maybe you guys could give me a hand to kick start it? So in the spring I'd like to go with Mrs Inferno on a theme park trip somewhere in Europe. I have done the UK and various US parks, but never Europe how ridiculous. Was wondering if I could ask some advice? Sooo... - Where's good to go? What's the best European theme park for adults? - Are the various resort hotels worth the money? - Where's the best places to stay for the best prices? - When's the best time to go? - ... any tips for a good europe theme park visit? Quite tempted by Phantasialand and the Matamba hotel... Any good?? Thank you all so much for your help!

"The end is here. It's time. Heads back and brace yourself. Nothing can stop the Swarm." Is it an American accent? or is it Scottish? A bit of an anticlimax considering this is supposed to be the apocalypse... Where's the sense of panic, urgency, suspense? Where's the imagination!

Varney' appearance is now on the Sky News article: http://news.sky.com/story/1494944/carriages-crash-on-alton-towers-smiler-ride

^ This I agree with this tbh... Yes, each ride has its own logo and entire 'brand' really, but the new branding kind of covers it all up. The website is just SO generic, there is absolutely no hint of theme on each ride's page at all, which is a massive shame. Don't get me wrong I love the new branding, but I hate that it's hiding the identity of the park and all the rides and events. It's just way too generic! Seems daft that they take the time coming up with brilliant logos and brand identity's for Fright Nights and The Swarm, and even buying in brands at huge expense (Saw), then not bother showing it all off around the park or on any of the marketing material.

Is it because they only have 4 barriers? That's what causes the bottleneck in my experience.

This sums up my opinion That looks pretty poor tbh. Thing is where does it stop? The lake is still open for morons to walk in to without looking - should that be fenced off too?

I'm sure it will be fun and a good laugh, but Shrek?? Seriously?!