Marhelorpe

Aww thanks guys  
 
Gotta love the two Martins though  

Great
 
*Drives straight past to ride Icon.

I hope they don't bring the blocks back, it worked well when the ride travelled backwards but made for a dull coaster experience when they were briefly used after the ride was turned forwards in 2013.
 
I still think this is a daft decision and that the money would have been better spent elsewhere.

Yeah, the 2013 playlist was brilliant - I used to go on X just to listen to the music! 
 
Anyone remember the amazingly sinister orchestral music it used to have as X:/ No Way Out?  So many memories of this!
 

What an interesting selection of results (although some undeniably predictable).
 
Top three UK parks seems accurate as do the ride selections too. It's astounding how popular and successful Gruffalo has ranked upon the polls. Third best UK water ride and best 2017 attraction? Wow. Symbolica still has it for me but Gruffalo for the UK is a top quality attraction. 
 
Derren's placement in everything just epitomises the pros and cons of the attraction. Third best Dark ride, best experience yet it's rated the worst UK ride.
 
it makes me excited (however not surprised) that two of the most promising developments of next year are in the UK (for once). 
 
It seems my inactivity on the forums this year (due to personal commitments) has taken it's toll. Although I made it into a few top 3's it looks like I didn't win anything this year. I'm glad my fellow forum goers consider me TPM's biggest fanboy (again), but am also concerned they consider me most likely to be banned next year. The start of World War 5 maybe?
 
Storm Surge award is perhaps self explanatory.
 
It appears my reign of sexiness is over as Mr Fish is clearly a winner with his fantastic fashion, looks and style. I didn't even make top 3 females either. The Britney wig is going away.
 
Over chuffed though with me and Tomb being ranked TPM's 2nd best couple, but of course Martin and Martin's love certainly appears ever stronger that's for sure!
 
Now to get back on track for the 2018 awards. Here goes!

After a trickle of votes over the past month, I can now officially announce the winners of the 2017 TPM awards...
 
PARK AWARDS
 
Best UK Park
1)  Alton Towers (12)
2)  Thorpe Park (9)
3)  Blackpool Pleasure Beach (6)
 
Best UK Coaster
1)  Nemesis (14)
2)  The Smiler (4)
3=)  The Swarm (3)
3=)  Stealth (3)
 
Best UK Flat
1)  Rush (6)
2=)  Detonator (4)
2=)  Samurai (4)
2=)  Slammer (4)
3)  Time Machine (3) 
 
Best UK Water
1)  Valhalla (14)
2)  Tidal Wave (6)
3)  The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (3) 
 
Best UK Dark
1)  Hex (13)
2)  Valhalla (6)
3)  Derren Brown's Ghost Train:  Rise of the Demon (4)
 
Best UK Scare Attraction
1)  The Big Top (9)
2)  Chop Shop (5)
3=)  Platform 15 (3)
3=)  Sub Species:  The End Games (3)
 
Best Themed UK Experience
1)  Derren Brown's Ghost Train:  Rise of the Demon (6)
2)  Hex (5)
3)  Valhalla (4)
 
Worst UK Ride
1)  Derren Brown's Ghost Train:  Rise of the Demon (7)
2)  Storm Surge (5)
3)  Colossus (3)
 
Best International Park
1)  Europa Park (11)
2)  Phantasialand (5)
3)  Efteling (3)
 
Best International Coaster
1)  Shambhala (7)
2)  Helix (6)
3)  Taron (3)
 
Best New-For-2017 Attraction
1)  The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (7)
2)  Symbolica (4)
3)  Red Force (3)
 
Best International Themed Experience
1)  Arthur - In the Minimoys Kingdom (4)
2)  Wizarding World of Harry Potter (any) (3)
3)  The Flying Dutchman (2)
 
Most Uncomfortable Ride
1)  Furius Baco (5)
2)  Colossus (4)
3)  El Condor (3)
 
Most Disappointing Merlin Moment 2017
1)  Everything, or words to that effect (5)
2)  Budget cuts, in general (4)
3)  Slammer closing (3)
 
Best-Looking New-for-2018 Attraction
1)  Icon (10)
2)  Secret Weapon 8 (9)
3)  Steel Vengeance (5)
 
Best Manufacturer
1)  Mack (17)
2)  B&M (9)
3)  Intamin (2) 
 
MEMBER AWARDS
 
Best Member
1)  @BaronC.
2=)  @Ryan
2=)  @Felicity
3=)  @Benin
3=)  @Marc
 
Best Team Member
1)  @BaronC.
2)  @Ryan
3)  @pluk
 
Best New Member
1)  @Mega-Lite
2)  @Jodie
3)  @Mark9's reappearance
 
Best Quality Posts
1)  @BaronC.
2)  @Wumbamillio
3)  @Coaster
 
Best TPM Meet
1)  Port Aventura
2)  Chessington
3)  Christmas 2016

Most Knowledgeable Member
1)  @Wumbamillio
2)  @BaronC.
3)  @Benin
 
Most Dedicated
1)  @BaronC.
2)  @Marc
3)  @Timber Creek
 
Most Sarcastic
1)  @Benin (!)
2)  @Mitchada04
3)  @MattyMoo
 
Most Likely to be Banned in 2018
1)  @Timber Creek
2)  @Coaster
3)  @Mega-Lite
 
Funniest Member 
1)  @MattyMoo
2)  @Benin
3)  @Martin Doyle
 
Friendliest Member
1)  @Mitchada04
2)  @he who shall not be named
3)  @Kerfuffle
 
Biggest Fanboy/girl
1)  @Timber Creek
2)  @BaronC.
3)  @Marc
 
Sexiest Male
1)  @Mr. Fish 
2)  @Timber Creek
3)  @Ryan
 
Sexiest Female
1)  @paige
2)  @terrortomb
3)  @RubyRed95
 
Storm Surge Award
1)  @Timber Creek
2)  @Coaster
3)  @Martin.C
 
Cutest Couple
1)  @Martin.C and @Martin Doyle
2)  @Timber Creek and @terrortomb
3)  @Mer and @Stuntman707
 
Member You'd Like to See More Of
1)  @Jart
2)  @BenC
3)  @WWTPRadio 
 
Congratulations to all winners!  Wear with pride your victories.  Well done to Mack for taking down to B&M stronghold of Best Manufacturer.  pluk can have a drink knowing that Time Machine has finally made it into the top 3 flat rides...even if Slammer has sneaked in that list despite never opening...

The Big Top sounds AMAZING!!!
All this waiting and we finally got a release

Imascore have released a Thorpe CD!
 
https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/news/12-12-2017/IMAscore+release+Thorpe+Park+CD
 
Link to buy: http://shop.imascore.com/product/thorpe-park-resort-soundtrack/
 
 
 

So it appears Thorpe have decided to take a popular family coaster, which served well between 2013 - 2017 for the 1m - 1.3m audience, retheme it to what is likely going to be on The Walking Dead judging by these plans, possibly add a new height/age restriction as a result, just to make another tacky and depressing IP-based "world first"?
 

Will fit right in...

So it appears Thorpe have decided to take a popular family coaster, which served well between 2013 - 2017 for the 1m - 1.3m audience, retheme it to what is likely going to be on The Walking Dead judging by these plans, possibly add a new height/age restriction as a result, just to make another tacky and depressing IP-based "world first"?
 

This whole thing takes us back to the position that Thorpe were in 7 or 8 years ago though.  Thorpe still catered for families enough up until 2009/2010, and then solely focused on the thrill / teenager market from then.  It worked at first, but wasn't profitable enough, nor sustainable enough, hence why they reverted back to trying to attract families from 2013/2014 onwards.  By turning X back from a family friendly ride to a scare ride is a complete u-turn on what they've done on the past few years.
 
That's where people are having the problem.  The park have been trying to get the family market back and make things more balanced, yet they've done this, which seems to undo all that.
 
Thorpe have strayed away from the Thrill Capital line over the past 3 or so years, instead opting for the 'Island Like No Other' brand (indeed, 2017 essentially saw that rebrand come into full effect).  It's still very thrill focused, but there's no reason they can't be thrilling and attract families!

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Icon photo update from BPB;
 

 

 

 

More photos here; https://www.facebook.com/blackpoolpleasurebeach/
 
Have to say it's looking great - almost surreal to see such a brand new looking coaster next to a 94 year old wooden coaster, and the high-five interaction looks superb!  
 
Only thing I'm unsure on is the station, Pleasure Beach have a tradition of building unusual or iconic ride stations, but this literally looks like a box at the moment - I'll reserve full judgement until it's finished though.

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Sorry, but Timber Tug and Lumber Jump are not worthy subsititutes for X’s replacement. If Loggers Leap was to reopen the same year as this re-theme of X, this may all be manageable but no indication suggests this to be the case at the moment. So as things currently stand, the lineup for families is likely going to be reduced for 2018 and this is where the problem lies with me.
 
If this Walking Dead theme for X is going to result in a new height/age restriction imposed, what coasters are those between the 1m - 1.4m height bracket going to be left to ride in the park other than Flying Fish? Nothing. At least with Chessington and Alton Towers there is a wide variety of coasters which appeal to this market, as well as older audiences such as Vampire, Dragon’s Fury, Spinball, Runaway Mine Train, Thirteen and hopefully Wicker Man soon.
 
X might have spent the majority of it’s life so far since 1996 with a 1.4m height restriction, but I consider these last 4 years to be the better years of the ride since it finally stopped pretending to be an extreme thrill and started to welcome kids as young as 5 onto it at long last, whilst appealing to the young adults at the same time.
 
If it happens, why would the park want to reverse this decision and theme it on a horror TV show, other than to plaster an IP over it with another hyperbolic “world first” claim? It makes no sense other than for marketing reasons.

Does a horror theme really work for a family coaster though? Thirteen when new was not only called out on the ridiculous marketing behind it, but the nature of it being too scary for younger riders, and now we could see the same thing happen all over again with theming a wooden coaster on flippin’ Wicker Man at the same park for crying out loud.
 
But for Walking Dead on the other hand taking over X possibly? That’s the riskiest one yet. The franchise is popular and most people are familiar with what it entails. If a family for instance who visits the park knows the franchise well with two younger kids aged 7-9, do you think they would be happy to allow them onto a ride which could potentially terrify them if there’s no age restriction?
 
This to me seems like a quick and easy way to use yet another IP at the park which appeals to their core market. But by doing so, they are alienating their younger audience further and families might discover in 2018 their kid’s favourite coaster can no longer be ridden due to a new height/age restriction imposed on a horror franchise-themed ride.
 
I’m all for seeing existing rides being spruced up when they need it, but not if it means narrowing your audience.

I’ve really given up caring about Thorpe Park. Recent development history means that I have no optimism that Merlin will create something really special.
 
Is there even a development plan at the moment? It feels like every development completely combats what the last one tried to do.
 
“Thrill Capital” marketing results in the family ride Storm Surge.
 
“Island Like No Other” marketing results in a gory horror overlay of a popular family roller coaster. 
 
Are all of Merlin’s ‘magic makers’ really just headless chickens? Why does a flash in the pan idea seem to override any sustainable long term development? Do they not have a clear vision of what they want the park to look and feel like 10 years from now? It’s the most frustrating feeling when the park you’ve grown up loving and feel that’s got so much potential doesn’t have a clear direction - or any direction at all. 
 
Can someone swap home parks with me please?
 
 
 

Thing is you can't make something like Walking Dead family friendly without, well, defeating the point of having the IP in the first place...
 
So either they alienate the family market, or create a diluted attempt at the show...
 
Neither option is positive...

What an absolutely mental decision.
I would have loved to have seen that meeting where they concluded the best way to make the park more family orientated was to retheme a family coaster that can't have single riders to the walking dead. 
All this will result in is ruining guest satisfaction as they hype up a walking dead coaster that can't possibly fulfill the media hype while at the same time reducing the line up for younger guests. 
 
It's just constant short sighted decisions resulting in higher running costs which when accompanied by the reduction in spending on the theme park division can only end badly.

Ridiculous and bizarre decision, Thorpe is marketed as "an island like no other" but all they do is add depressing and dull horror themes with barbed wire to (almost) everything.
 
X was perfect for families, and following the small refresh this year was exactly the fun, enjoyable attraction that it should be.
 
Thorpe are making a lot of strange decisions at the moment but this just takes the biscuit, first they add angry birds land, install an interactive maze for families, shoehorn in two family flats yet now they're taking a coaster designed for families and alienating them by giving it a horror theme?!
 
Literally makes no sense, especially considering they purchased new trains back in 2013 so the height restriction could be lowered to 1 metre - so families could ride it!!
 
Pathetic use of money and resources for a park which needs so many sensible improvements to be made.

This won't be so much to do with the designers, and more to do with the company/park's marketing strategy which traditionally flip flops all over the place failing to see the clear picture, while succumbing to pressures of shareholders who don't care one bit about the actual guest experience on offer. They just want quick short term solutions, so sticking an IP on an existing attraction it is.
 
Merlin's (failing) marketing strategies lead all aspects of the theme parks development. In fact Merlin Magic Making are just as much a research and marketing division as they are attracion designers.
 
Good marketing is important and would tell you that a hardcore American TV show brand slapped on to the park's only big family rollercoaster isn't the way forward. Superficial marketing gets you I'm A Celebrity, VR hurredly designed into Derren Brown's Ghost Train at the cost of the whole concept working as intended, the flip flopping Thorpe Park brand and the park becoming filled with grey, drab depressing themes.