Ben Mower

Worry not, everyone's favourite unofficial Thorpe Park fansite shall be covering the event!

See you there, I'll be wearing my TPWW mask and SLKSTN x XNWO hoodie.

I've translated the second sign and it says "Brave It Backwards 2021" 🤫

For £10 I will expect to have a ball gag in my mouth, made to squeal like a pig and crawl around on all fours whilst being pushed about and then have a big fat man dressed as a baby put a custard pie in my face and throw straw at me #BigTopBraveItAlone #TheGoodOldDays #SharedBallGagNotCovidSecure

£10 for Platform 15...
 
£9 if you’re a pass holder...
 
A maze that was once free for the last 4 seasons...
 
And now costs more money for both a regular guest and a pass holder than any ScareFest maze did last year...
 
And the park still have the nerve to charge standard pass holders a minimum of £10/£25 to enter this “Fearstival”...
 
This could get... interesting. 
 
😬

...followed by Mr Sickstone over here squealing into his camera that Creek Freak Massacre is the "sickest maze he's ever done"...
 
(I'm calling it)

And he’ll say “oh my god” at least 50 times

My thoughts from last night's mEDiA pRESs NigHT at the Island Like No Other as follows...
 
Top 5 Celebs I spotted.
1. TheJackSilkstone - was behind him in the free buffet queue so I now know how to create the SICKEST of SICK combos of buffet food. ?
2. The Scottish Man What Won Strictly Last Year
3. Err....
 
Right onto the important stuff - at approx 9pm the bar bill on just one of the tills in Fins was over £2k already. Oh no wait, I jest, now onto the important stuff...
 
Mazes Ranked from Best to Really Really Really Awful:
 
1. BLAIR WITCH
If you told me I was going to find this the best maze of the night before visiting, I would have said pickle me sideways and call be Shawn Sanbrooke but alas here we are! We had 3 run throughs on this, two of which where we were in just a pair and I have to say, the first in particularly, was ruddy brilliant. The scene is set very well at the start, love ending up "back where you started", some excellent jump scares, was proper dark and you really did feel you were going through the woods - Thorpe have played a blinder with the scenery in the dark, not so sure how it would work at 3pm! One run we had in a group of 8 (C'mon guys it's press night m8) wasn't as good so maybe come proper FN's with large groups this won't rank highly among da fans - but yes, for us it was our standout. One thing I will say - the Heras temporary fencing (Thorpe love the stuff) at the very start should have black plastic or a thicker tarpaulin on it because yellow (?!) doesn't exactly set the scene, nor does it manage to hide the platform of P15 to the left, so you can see the tour guide waiting for guests. I can also forsee the queue of Blair Witch going far far beyond the area they have set aside, it's tiny. 
 
2. CONTAINMENT
Cracking run on this in it's tweaked format. We were useless. The actors were most definitely not - the blonde girl doing the doctor intro at the start was fantastic, delivered so many lines as if she knew them like the back of her hand and performed it like she meant it. No actors in first room obvs, but the second room with the clocks - man, the actor in there was losing his sh**, amazing stuff, trashing the filing cabinet, getting up in our faces, muttering about time, freaking out - awesome. Similarly, the dentist room next was equally as hectic and delivered with passion, I was made to sit on the chair and the actor performed the creepy dentist role perfectly - also love how the assistant in the back ground does nothing and just looks creepy - until you get into room 4 where it all kicks off! Again we were thoroughly impressed with this attraction and the actors involved last night should be commended if they end up reading this, they knocked it out of the park.
 
3. THE WALKING DEAD: LIVING NIGHTMARE
We got a Neagen, and Neagen had a proper mic! Impressed with this, as anticipated - top notch theming inside, and I love the intro (even if the families don't like the swears). New little twist halfway through at the car scene which worked well. As I say, love the theming on this, the bus is absolute quality and the rooms prior to that were packed with actors - good scares, breathing on your neck etc. Top tip: don't point out to the girl freaking out on her bed that her bottle of Smart Water is on her bedside table as she'll gesture to you to move away
 
4. MATT CREEK'S HAUNTED WOODED AREA
This isn't actually a scare zone but a legit maze... we had low expectations but again there were some decent scares and everyone loves a chainsaw right? Again, a good intro and set piece (via some temporary fencing and you end up doubling back on yourself) which sets the scene well, a decent amount of actors scattered about. I liked it - some actors followed us out too (as they must have been going on their break!) but continued to scare us outside of the maze which was cool. Good interaction, and good to see the actors progressively more "contaminated" as it goes on. A solid effort if you ask me and we enjoyed.
 
5. SAW ALIVE
Not much really to say about this - nothing has changed, it was OK... seemed to be over very quickly and there weren't too many actors vs. other mazes but it's SAW and it's well themed. 
 
6. SANCTUM DO OR DIE THE WALKING DEAD 
If you look very carefully at this you can tell they've used the shipping containers from Sanctum in it's construction...
We were underwhelmed by this, considerably. Expected good things - again, a good start with the bus and set piece with two actors arguing but after that it deteriorated pretty quickly. The area is too well lit (considering it was 8pm!) so you can see exactly where the actors are... just didn't do it for us at all and it all feels very temporary in it's construction (I appreciate it is temporary but you know) - this wouldn't be so noticeable if the lighting wasn't so bright. Perhaps we got unlucky with our run but for us it ranked about the same as Sanctum last year.
 
7. PLATFORM 15
Right, whoever's vanity project Platform 15 is at Thorpe Park - please, please, please admit defeat and get rid of it. I cannot comprehend any Youchoober or vlogstar or fan site raving about this. The walk at the start goes on for too long and does nothing in particular, walking alongside a rotting Loggers Leap, still lit up like a Christmas tree. You see the train with some dummies on it, you might get a bit of fire, you find a bride wandering about, then there's a house that smells of human faeces (which to be fair, had like 4 actors in which was random), then there's the never ending tunnel where not much happens and you get told to go back, and then you have to do a seance (and to put some positive spin on it - the actress here was good and felt like she was holding onto my hand for dear life) and then the conductor appears and then you're out, and you wonder - what the hell was all that about? And the answer is, no one actually knows. Maybe if they filled some areas with some smoke machines (although that's an expense) there'd be more atmosphere, but the walk is just too big and any pace or anticipation just goes and then you think "oh look, there's some actors coming up" and there they are. Kudos to the actors involved like I say because they were good, but the maze just doesn't work and we found it more of a chore to complete than a thrill. Sorry guys but I think Platform 15 needs a new timetable in 2019 where it gets taken over by Southern and then just never turns up.
 
8. VULCAN PEAK
Well. Wow. This has to be quite possibly one of the most hastily and cheaply thrown together embarrassments of an attraction at Thorpe Park I've ever seen. Heck, it wasn't even supposed to open last night because it was still being finished, showing as "opening 5th October". The only plus point I can draw from this "attraction" is that they created an introduction video to watch, but make no mistake other than this, this maze is total utter garbage. I find hooded mazes pointless anyway, the original Hellements at Tulleys was poor, but they at least improved it last year by adding a live action section at the end. We must have literally had 1 actor in Vulcan Peak last night, and it was basically 5 minutes of walking round in the dark with a bag on your head. You then have to take off the bag, before walking through the inflatable walled section, and then you're out. Because that makes a lot of sense. Also - and this is possibly a small thing but it's all about the details - why on earth are there blue LED string lights in the bit where you take off your hood? Do they mean anything? Who decided to put them there? Who at Merlin signed that off? It looked like something from Maplins (RIP) and served no purpose - why not have a flickering light or something SpOoKy. Why not green so it's vaguely "jungle" themed? Anything, but that. That detail just typified the maze for me: cheap, tacky and pointless and I defy anyone to find it anything otherwise. This just screamed to me, Merlin wanted quantity over quality this year. I take pity on anyone should this get big queues and people decide to pay for a Fastrack one shot not knowing the horror that awaits.
 
I can't comment on Fanta Horror Thing as it was still being finished (though did look quite impressive), nor Screamplexx. Spotted the Big Top show happening in the dome but didn't bother watching. Terror at Amity High - I assume this just means the roaming actors? I think? Anyway, they were out in force on the entrance bridge and were good! Massive shout out to the awesome clowns and associated freaks too, they are fantastic walking around and then starting their menacing clap before terrorising someone - genuinely top stuff there, was impressed and added to the night. More of this please!
 
Had two rides on Stealth on the dark including one front row (swoon), a nice night ride on the smooth Swarm, a not so smooth ride on Sore The Ride, and my first ever ride on X Version 2.0. Which, to be fair to Thorpe really isn't that bad at all considering what they had to work with in terms of converting a family coaster. However, as expected, whoever signed off the article stating "15 out of 10 on the scare scale" really really needs to consider their life choices ? Total utter hyperbole as I expected but like I say - in terms of slapping on an IP on to X, they've done a pretty good job - I like the nod to X on the trains (at first I thought they'd just left the old logos on, ha!) No actor in the after ride bit though which was a shame.
 
One thing I touched on earlier - being able to see P15 from Blair Witch etc. - those 3 mazes in Old Town are seriously seriously close together, and I wouldn't like to be queuing round there once FN's get in full swing and there's fast tracks and RAPs and what not going on because there is going to be SO many people in such a small place, it isn't going to be pretty. The Blair Witch queue as I say is tiny, assume they can extend out but yes, the quantity of mazes angle they are going for, when you have a finite amount of space like Thorpe has, could make peak times pretty horrific.
 
Congratulations if you read all that. Bit of a mixed bag as you can see. Be intrigued as to how I find it when the general public (shudder) are allowed in when in visit on the 11th and 13th! ?
 
Oh one thing I forgot to say - Thorpe definitely got a great bulk deal on human waste smell pods this year, bleugh! Could smell 'em in 4 different locations.

Same for me! I usually only ever go to the park 2 times a year, one of those being for FN.  
 
4 times in total for me this year is a first and pretty much a miracle! ? 

The MAP group aren't happy bunnies with regards to the Annual Pass Preview not being exclusive. I can see it being a recipe for disaster only allowing people with MAPs into the mazes with non MAP holders kicking off etc... Or is that just me?
 
Also please tell me it's not just me that's on the MAP group just to check out the sheer ridiculousness levels of entitlement on there.... But then the same could be said for #enthusiasts sometimes I suppose ?

TPM meets are lots of fun and this one should be no exception. 
 
You get to meet people of different ages and opinions, but everyone has one main thing in common, they enjoy theme park type attractions. 
 
Its not just sbout getting on tonnes of rides but the social side too. From laugh out loud memories to plenty of banter and shenanigans. 
 
Still thinking if I should dress up for this meet up. If yes, what as? 
 
Being myself is perhaps scary enough for some people!

I may come along as am planning to visit Fright Nights for Passholder preview then the following 2 weekends before Scare Season begins for me anyway so might aswell pop along when there is a meetup! Will be my first time so be nervous but seems I won't be the only one

I may come along as am planning to visit Fright Nights for Passholder preview then the following 2 weekends before Scare Season begins for me anyway so might aswell pop along when there is a meetup! Will be my first time so be nervous but seems I won't be the only one

Its time for that weekly Fright Nights photo round up  anyone miss My Bloody Valentine? This photo should bring back some memories. 

 
Lots has happened over the closed season days... this years event should be amazing if the park pull it off.

 
Big Top Entrance Face feature thing: 

 
Big Top Red Lights in the dome:

 
*Insert pun about lots of photos here. "A container load of photos at the usual place"
https://themeparkguide.biz/news-page/1523/Fright-Nights-2018-Main-Work-Begins

Watch a YouTube vid of the carnival of carnage at HHN, and then cry as you realise Thorpe will never produce anything remotely close to it 

Ok... I am not usually the optimistic type... however today is turning out to be a great day! Is there not any chance guys that Thorpe just want to get LIL out of the way before they start construction? Last day is September 1st.. they crack on with setting up the next event after that w&nk is finally over and done with; opposed to trying to organise two events at the same time? Think of the resource costs!
 
Also, isn't there more closed dates this September compared to last year.. meaning they can work around the clock to turn this all around in time? 
 
Again, only a suggestion.. let the rampage commence  

I always look forward to Fright Nights every year and love the event however this year with all the rumours and by the looks of the direction the event is heading in I feel no hype what so ever. If The Big Top does not return (please god no) then Thorpe have a really made a bad mistake. In my honest opinion who's smart idea was it to remove a fantastic themed indoor maze which was one of the best last year and replace it with a old returning outdoor walk through when there is already one of those (Platform 15) plus Sanctum. It just makes no sense, it's not even a new attraction it's a 'returning' attraction and probably the weakest out of all the Lionsgate mazes in my opinion. If Big Top is going I would much prefer to see a NEW maze in it's place. The way the current rumours stand it seems only 2 mazes could be indoors this year with the remainder outside which is pretty crappy. Obviously all is rumours until Thorpe announce anything but the way it is currently looking all I can say is Thorpe really need to pull there finger out as this is looking like the end of Fright Nights, it feels the passion has gone and they just don't care anymore, just all about making that money. I'm already tired of all this Walking Dead stuff and it's not even October! Just waiting for all this to hopefully blow over, at the moment I'm 50/50 about attending the event at all. Fingers crossed the rumours could be wrong (unlikely I know).

Rode for the first time yesterday and I was sightly disappointed. At times I wasn't even sure if my headset was working but it was just part of the ride, the evacuation scene was done really well as actors made it seem like we were actually being evacuated but that weird tunnel scene made no sense as no one (Including me) really understand what the hell was happening and was just running around. The 2nd part seemed pretty blank to be honest with no much happening, the only thing that got me was how the train actually moved location making me think how the hell they do that. For me though all the hype didn't live up to what I thought it would be.

Spinning tunnel hasn't been active for few years now, I remember they mentioned about 2 years back in a backstage tour that the reason it is out is because it was using to much power and kept cutting everything else in the maze out. It is basically too much money to remove it from the building so now it just sits there broken which sucks.  

Spinning tunnel hasn't been active for few years now, I remember they mentioned about 2 years back in a backstage tour that the reason it is out is because it was using to much power and kept cutting everything else in the maze out. It is basically too much money to remove it from the building so now it just sits there broken which sucks.  

I just replied to your message about last years experience

If we're doing requests, I'd like the Inferno dispatch bass to be loud enough for me to be able to hear it at home in Essex.

What has that got to do with the volume of the music?

The wolf head in CITW is meant to be back to squirting water and blowing air this weekend as the sensor is meant to be fitted today I believe aswell as the tunnel is meant to have some work done today and this week to try fix it. (Source - Maze Manager from Behind The Scenes Tour On Saturday)