Marhelorpe

Contrary to the over-exaggerated praise I am seeing from many blogs/YouTubers about last night's preview everywhere online at present, if everything from yesterday remains in place and things are not improved upon considerably by the time the event arrives in just a week's time, 2018 is shaping up to be potentially the worst Fright Nights in the park's history through my eyes and here's why.
 
Almost every year I have attended Fright Nights since 2007, I have always enjoyed visiting this event to try some of the exclusive attractions the park offered and most times, these mazes were thoroughly enjoyable as they felt very polished and delivered on what makes a good scare attraction, especially for the likes of Asylum, Big Top and Experiment 10. Back then, the park used to pride itself with the event. However, the mazes last night had none of these qualities at all. Blair Witch being a perfect example. It was horrendously and laughably bad and I kept on thinking "why is this back?" the whole time going through it.
 
As for the audio, my question is "what audio"? If you take away Inferno and Canada Creek, along with the bizarre speech coming from Vulcan Peak's empty queue line, not a single other ride or area had music or ambience which matched the event. Everything was playing it's regular version, so you would scarcely think this was a Fright Nights evening if you were on-site. I understand there are more audio changes on the way but come on now, adding at least something to every area whether it's IMAscore's 30-minute Fright Nights loop, or a bit of Midnight Syndicate would've been an improvement. Not impressed with the audio and frankly haven't been with this event since 2011 in all honesty.
 
Park-wide theming was non-existent other than across the entrance bridge, so clearly this is still not a priority for the park when it comes to Halloween. I still miss the days of 2007 - 2009 when this used to matter to them...
 
As for operations, this was the most concerning area. Even on a preview night they were terrible in terms of queue management regarding Fastrack/disabled guests and I dread to think how much worse they will be when the event is in full swing next week when even more people are attending. I'll post these problems experienced in the "Park Operations" topic with examples.
 
The overall vibe I was getting from last night was the park only cares about having the largest number of scare attractions possible now, not about the quality of the mazes and the event itself anymore. Not a single maze impressed me, the audio was a right mess and very inconsistent, the queue management was awful and there was simply no trace of anything resembling Halloween at this park at all, thus having no atmosphere anywhere. There is no "go-to" maze anymore and I doubt Vulcan Peak or Do or Die will change that when they finally open.

It truly saddens me that the park is now going down the route where "more equals better" because last night has proven this not to be the case at all. People everywhere are falling over themselves because of the quantity and as a result, the mazes we are likely going to see this year are going to be both short and poor in quality for many guests, especially in comparison to previous years with excellent attractions such as Big Top, Asylum, Experiment 10 etc.
 
For example, Blair Witch didn't need to come back and I would happily have sacrificed this entire attraction and picked a longer version of Dead Creek Woods over this if it meant delivering a better maze. Vulcan Peak feels extremely lazy as it's just gonna use I'm a Celeb's building and route for the most part, just with some changes inside with the props and theming. Do or Die looks to be extremely short and is just Sanctum under a different name, and as for the misleading advertising for the park to class Terror at Amity High an attraction when it's just actors...... no comment needed.

Maybe this is an outdated opinion, but I would much rather see fewer attractions of higher quality than more attractions of less quality as we are now seeing. My worry is when the event arrives next week, people are not going to care about the fact the event might have some very poor mazes and will instead focus on the fact there are (supposedly) 12 attractions altogether, which is more than other competitors like Tulleys Farm for example. I guarantee those with a position of influence like bloggers and YouTubers are gonna keep mentioning this in all their reviews and forget everything else at the event (such as the mazes, atmosphere, audio etc), which is going to be sub-standard.
 
As others have said, it was just a preview night, so things might improve and I really hope they do so everyone can enjoy it. But I'm concerned with the way things currently look, this year's quality control will be at an all-time low for them.

A scare zone doesn’t specify that it requires theming, it’s an area where you can get scared. And this falls under it. 
 
I think you need to stop defending the audio. Someone didn’t like it, it’s personal preference just like you not liking imascore.  if it wasn’t finished, it shouldn’t have been published, pretty simple. People would assume it was a finished product. Would you expect to see 3/4 of a movie at a preview screening? You bashed imascore stuff when it first came out at the park and you bashed that, despite it not being finished. 

You will never know the frustration and the ridiculousness of the true story of audio at Thorpe Park. 
 
The whole sorry mess, from a long forgotten relationship with a once industry leader in site wide audio systems; to the only governance over what music actually plays across the park being down to whoever shouts the loudest at any given time is just the tip of the iceberg. 
 
Fundementally, all there really is to say is that Merlin are not and will never be a production company and as a result have very little industry competency when it comes to professional audio, video and lighting; theatrical technical systems which make such a stark contrast between them and theme park industry leaders, or audio/music that augments and is designed for the experience rather than a complete and underbudgeted after thought.
 
You’ve all enjoyed music in the past that Thorpe Park / Merlin never really had the legal right to play to a mass audience in a commercial environment. You’ve all heard tracks that you can’t find anywhere other than Mania’s old audio libraries or YouTube because they were created in someone’s bedroom.
 
Colossus and Nemesis Inferno? If only you knew. Be grateful for what you have. 
 
One day, creative audio will once again be a priority at Thorpe Park and seen as a contributing factor to excellence in guest experience. 
 
Until then, literally it is luck of the draw on any given visit. Let’s hope Nick has specified the sample rate of his compositions so that they play at the correct pitch across the island.

I hope this is sarcasm... The Nick Hutson pieces suck... 
 
I really don’t like the park’s decisions regarding audio recently. Removing the original Inferno, Rumba and Colossus/Lost City pieces in favour of very bland, generic and unatmospheric IMAscore tracks was a very poor move. The entrance theme is certainly very nice, and a vast improvement; I just wish there wasn’t this brand-obsessed idea of redoing all the music to feature that one park jingle. Homogenising the park for the sake of fan service is not a good idea... 
 
Fright Nights too, the old Midnight Syndicate tracks that they used to play were great. The Asylum’s music was .
 
From what I’ve heard of the Hutson music (2017 Dragon Falls mix, Pandamonium and Molly Crowe), it’s all just as unimaginative as IMAscore’s anyway, just without the glossy overlay. So this isn’t really much of an improvement.  

Blimey! Was expecting you to be upset it isn't IMAScore! ?

Ahh the audio at FN was so much better in the mid 2000s, virtually every ride a different track! Midnight syndicate rules for Halloween!
 
Detonators Humpty dumpty, Charlie and the chocolate factory on Rumba and Asylum/freezer are among some of my favourites from over the years!

Its cool they are aiming to have so many attractions this year, it should hopefully make the mazes a little less stressed when it comes to queues.
My only issue is the quality in the lineup.. The only maze that really interests me is Platform at night.. The rest of them (bar LN) don't interest me in the slightest..
I think its also kinda dumb that we have another outside attraction.. If in a secluded area like Tulleys then having outdoor elements is fine, but in a very compact theme park such as Thorpe it kinda spoils the atmosphere..
 
It also kinda worries me how last minute this event seems.. It seems like they just cropped up some attractions in a very short amount of time.. Like they just announced this.. Passholder Preview is a week or so away..
Overall its cool they plan to open so many attractions, but more doesn't always mean better..
 

They won’t - under one of those leaves is Mr Monkey’s Banana Ride: Extreme which is new and unique for this year. 

Can't wait for those 2 new themed fastrack booths to be announced!

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Right, so with this new announcement today, this is what we have for Fright Nights 2018. Italic ones mean they are "new", or something:

• Saw Alive - ticked off as done for 2018 earlier this summer. Not unique to FN.
• Platform 15 - average outdoor attraction with a long tunnel again.
• Living Nightmare - again, ticked off earlier this year during summer. Not unique to FN.
• Containment - more than likely the same rooms as before with a +£10 charge.
• Do or Die - Sanctum with a different name. Simples.
• Blair Witch - why is this back again? Never thought it was that good.
• Terror at Amity High - Dead End Terror Zone meets Amity Cove?
• Vulcan Peak - I'm a Celeb meets The Passing?
• Screamplexx Cinema - 99% certain it will just be Walking Dead scenes coupled with the occasional Lionsgate film.
• The Big Top: Showtime - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the best attraction in 2016/2017 becoming this...

If you factor in Do or Die just being a revised version of Sanctum, the return of Blair Witch and cancel out the scare zones and cinema, the only genuine new maze for this year is Vulcan Peak, which is frankly just gonna be "I'm a Celeb: Extreme Edition" with bags on your head to hide yourself from the frighteningly glaring faces of contempt from Ant and Dec.
 
Still not hyped or excited about this year one bit.

Be interesting to see the Pallet Maze™ when it's completed... assume that's where Zombie Hunt was?
 
Less than 24 hours to go until all 10 "mazes" are revealed...

I'd managed to block that from my memory ?

Lest we forget. Lol (image from theme park tourist)

Dead end scare zone several years ago, possibly one of thorpes worst ever offerings. 

Who remembers when Thorpe did Halloween like this? 
 
 

It would be really terrific is somebody could just make their mind up about what on earth they are doing. The erraticness of the delivery this year, from changing times to spelling errors to managing to copy Universal Studio’s marketing campaign is just painful. I have no doubt that the additional six days until announcement gives them six more days to determine what they can realistically deliver. It baffles me that every other resort or attraction across the globe have the confidence, knowledge and marketing strategies to announce their line ups with months until the event to allow for significant pre-book numbers and upsell opportunities. 
 
Once again, Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights screams last minute and rushed.
 
 

From what I understand Figaro Bros are some individuals who used to work at the park and have gone off to do their own thing - totally unrelated to The Big Top in that sense, there would be nothing contractual stopping them bringing it back.

So is it safe to assume this "reveal" means that there is no sign of the Big Top returning then?...... *golf clap* This looks like it's gonna be the first Fright Nights since 2008 where I'm not gonna bother going this year. The one and only thing left which drew me back to this event for the last couple of years is now likely gone.
 
I guess the Figaro Bros. couldn't continue with another year of "crazed debauchery" it seems. ?