ImLucifer

I visited earlier today. It feels that the park is lacking capacity. Vortex, Quantum, Zodiac and The Swarm were closed all day. Depth Charge was only open until 2pm.

Hyperia hit 190 minutes. Even Tidal Wave was up to 30 mid afternoon.

All the ride staff were trying their very best to keep throughputs up. Lighting has improved over the years.

For me the bottom line is that the park feels stale and is crying out for some major hardware investment. Apart from GT, Hyperia and some bumper cars the park is no different to 2012.

Very weird year at Fright Nights this year, on paper it should be very strong. (More scare zones/shows and a new maze).

It is not strong and possibly very weak.

A good line up has had to come with sacrifices which are:

The removal of a free walkthrough which was pretty long in favour of a paid attraction.

Tenement is good concept and great to see another scare maze at the event. The issue is its location, it’s used a l good space for a long scare zone. There are a few other places it could have gone but would have required a bit more ground work. More mazes are good but I cannot pay for mazes every visit, so I normally do one visit doing them all once and that’s it. I relied on the crows to give me the scare and in its new location, it’s so so short you just don’t get the same experience. To me the current location feels like it’s just been put there with no thought other than they need less actors. There are multiple pathways they’d could have used as a walk through but they decided to cram it in under nemesis inferno. Deaths doors was pretty short but it was extended by the fact you had to knock on each one. The queue was massively long for a 30 second experience, it was very annoying.

Lucifiers lair has had the load split up between it and rebel ball

Lucifers lair should have just been moved to the launchpad with the same entertainment and that be it. Not remove the entertainment from lucifers lair and then create rebel ball and I’m not really sure what the show is about or what the actors are??? It’s not really the hub of the event and I thought it would be more scare zone when teased how good the launch pad was for events. It’s just random, Lucifiers lair is very very boring and actors were hardly out.


Seperate note, trailers is a shell of its former self. One actor per room and they just have a maze host inside the foyer scene. It just needs to go, it relies on having multiple actors per room

First visit of the year yesterday (10th September) as didn't manage to get a date that worked with my park buddy in April time and once it starts getting busy we CBA with the queues!

Anyway, my rambling thoughts
Got 3 rides on Hyperia - max queue all day was 50 mins, bottomed out at 15 minutes. We decided to wait for it to open in the morning, it opened around 10.30am. I know that it's an off peak day, but I think it's a valid point to say that as the headline (icon?) ride it really should be open for park opening. I appreciate that problems happen butit seems to happen too often. Our first ride was Row 1, second was Row 2 and last ride of the day was Row 10, so as someone who only visits once or twice a year, I was very happy with that. Row 10 is absolutely nuts. The force of being dragged over the first drop is just ridiculous. I don't care what anyone says, I adore Hyperia - I personally don't want another element, I like the fact it's compact, does just enough (in my opinion) to make it super thrilling without ruining your day. The area is looking far better now that the plants have started to bed in. Good to see station effects are all working too still.
Stealth is evidently upset that my love has switched to Hyperia 🤣 Ended up on one train operation, we suspected there must be a train issue from the up and down time (no pun intended) in the morning. Maxed out at a 40 minute queue on one train which really shows how painful it is when it's not at full capacity. Still had 2 good rides, but can I just say - those Stealth birthday flags were evidently bought on the cheap because they are all missing bar one, so you have barrels there with metal poles on and nothing at the top. I say close RIta now and use it all for parts to keep Stealth alive, please and thankyou.
Nemesis Inferno was INTENSE, I swear this gets more and more intense every year. Flies up the lift hill every time, and feels faster than ever, if you like that sort of thing. For me, it's a one and done really as I like to keep my stomach contents down. An advertised 15 minute queue ended up being more like 40 minutes though due to loading of guests with accessibility issues, which I understand and appreciate - but the whole thing seemed to take forever with two empty trains sitting there with no guests in sight. Empty trains were sent round also prior to this - not sure of the process they have to go through but I've never seen anything like it before.
Colossus was incredibly unpleasant.
Ghost Train was closed all day and then opened at 3.30pm approx, so fair play for them bothereing to do that. We didn't get to ride as didn't want to risk being stuck on it if it went down, as that seems to happen to us far too often. Have to wonder how much longer this has left in it, it must cost them a fortune in power and staff.
Quantum was shut until late in the day.
Samurai was closed all day and advertised as so.
Vortex & Zodiac both closed of course.
Walking Dead The Ride had a lot of downtime - when we did get on, a lot of the effects in the first half seemed to be inoperable, I'm guessing that's why they didn't bother opening? In the pre-show, they now have a tensar barrier infront of the board with the creator names "easter eggs" on, assume that's to stop people vandalising it but odd that's suddenly been done now as I haven't seen anyone do so prior. The walk through to the station was very dark (too dark?!) - they've turned off that car that honks all the time so that's good, especially when we had to wait to load in the station for 10 minutes or so for reasons unknown. Also, incredibly oddly, you can hear the Nemesis Inferno music INSIDE in parts of the ride?!
The Launchpad has all the F&B units there - closed, and the flower entrance sign/portal, minus the central sign - so just some flowers on some wood.
There were no staff in the car park directing you where to park, so went and charged my EV on the hotel charge points (as the ones in the "main" car park have a number out of action).
The entrance bridge looks tired after it's glow up with the rebrand - specifically, a lot of the flags with the new branding are again missing. Appreciate these are effectively small details, but that's the entrance to start (or finish) your day and to me speaks volumes.
We felt the staff in general were pretty downbeat/narked/didn't want to be there (which we totally get tbh, but still) - with the exception of a very cheery chap who was at the queue line entrance on Colossus who wished us a good time and an enjoyable ride (Colossus did not adhere to these wishes) and also a queue batcher on Hyperia who commented on my retro Stealth shirt (Human cannonball one). Tiny details but they help make the day more enjoyable. We spotted a ride op on Inferno leaning on the barrier where the train exits the station whilst waiting... now, I'm sure it's probably safe but I don't think I'd put my trust in that with the drop below and probably not in the ride handbook...!

So all in all - the park is tired in places (as are the staff) - will we ever see a relaunch of the Sparkle Project because I feel the park needs it (Whilst I'm here - the Stealth tyre entrance is completely faded and unreadable again...).

Hyperia still very good indeed and much needed for the park - getting queues of 40-50 minutes on a "dead day" is impressive.

Will be interesting to see what 2027 brings, if anything, but it all just feels a bit stale and stagnant at the moment there, tired is the operative word and the state of the flat ride lineup (not that I really ride them, but they serve a purpose) with increased downtime ahead of the busiest time of the season is concerning, and indicative of the age of them all. It seems a done deal that Zodiac isn't coming back this year... Vortex is more of an issue as this is always popular. Hopefully Samurai is nothing too major considering it's work in closed season.

One final thing - we actually saw SAW have a 5 minute queue at one point, which is normally unheard of, but for most of the day that thing still pulled in the crowds. Whoever signed that IP has a lot to be thanked for by Merlin....

PS. I await Parm Pap's thoughts on the above.

now something to replace ready player one PLEASE IT'S NEARLY BEEN THREE YEARS.

shush

shush

Is this 1 foot more than Blackpools ?

Taller?

Maybe TPM's April Fools was more prophetic than joke?

Rest in piece.

We can scrap it and Thorpe can buy Aerie Force One.

They've done quite a lot in recent years which has collectively improved throughput.

- Increased the amount of bag storage
- Pretty much always have 4 hosts checking restraints rather than 2
- Pretty much always have someone batching to fill empty seats
- Pretty much always on 2 trains
- New PLC means all restraints don't have lift all the way up
- Queue line announcement with boarding instructions
- Boarding instructions/screen before entering the station

Due to my favoured ride misbehaving, during a walkabout, I had two virtually walk-on front row rides on this, and they were the smoothest rides I'd ever had on it.

I did a Hyperia coaster climb this evening.
 
There was some chatter when it was made live about the cost being expensive (£120). It is, no beating around the bush. But it is worth it. My experience was about 3hrs all in, and included lots of time spent scaling the ride, time spent in the console and time spent around the turnaround outside the station, with lots of opportunities for photos, fabulous hosts and a great vibe. 
 
Find attached a variety of photos (of me). I'll write a proper TPM article later.

So to bring some additional clarity to the situation...
 
-The park are awaiting a part. This is evident by the fact staff aren't working on it actively. This means it'll be closed a while. Even when the part arrives, they will require time to test it. 
 
-It is likely a bigger / more expensive / specialist part, hence why the park didn't have one already. This takes time to acquire; it's not like they ring up Intamin and say "Can we have 1 [thing from catalogue] please?" and Intamin ship it out the next day from their warehouse either. 
 
-Time frame is unclear at the moment. How long is a piece of string. 
 
-Thorpe have no intention of getting rid of Stealth. 

we have all had enough of this thing.
 
 
nothing cryptic about it anymore.
 
 
it just doesn't work.

Just a post about some Thorpe Park history some people may not know.  In the early 2000's, the park installed its first fast track system, which was very similar to the ones used at Disney.  You would put your park ticket in the machine and receive a printed fast track ticket.  The system was free to use, and ran for about 1-2 seasons until they decided to follow Universal and charge for the service The machines were ripped out but you can still see remnants of the system today.
 
Tidal Wave:
 
The steel structure with the red roof covering the F&B kiosk was the original covering for the fast track machines
 

 
Nemesis Inferno had an actual area for the machines included as part of the design. You can see this to the right of the queue line entrance, where the retail kiosk is now located.
 

 
 
The ones for Colossus was located where the F&B unit at the bottom of the hill (near Samurai) is now located. 
 
Loggers Leap also had machines installed, and these were located next to the entrance to the queue line.
 
Hope this was some fun bits of information from the parks history!
 

Ding dong no
 
The sky is dark, the coast is rocky, the island mountainous. Construction is far away.
 
Wait bugger wrong account

So after doing Fright Nights a few times now, I'll give my review. 
 
Dead Beat
I did this for my first time yesterday. After seeing lots of mixed reviews I hadn't bothered with it before but kept it spoiler free for myself. But I was really pleasantly surprised with this, was my favorite maze last night by far. 
Its long, themeing is great, great smells, loved the soundtrack, lots of great scares (actors had some really good hiding places.)
 
The ending with the actor flying above your head was my favorite part by far. That got me good, never seen something like that in a maze before.
 
Survival Games
Did this on the opening night and last night. 
On the opening night it was great, pretty much the same as last year. It was having a lot of issues that night though and saw the area got evaced at least 3 times due to the fire alarm going off. 
Yesterday however, it wasn't so great. Absolutely no smoke in the main area which made a huge difference. Potentially due to the fire alarm issues? But they really need to sort that out. What made this maze great was that you couldn't really see where you where going in the main part and it was confusing. With no smoke, you can see everywhere you're going. Actors seemed very hands-off yesterday too. 
 
Stiches
Pretty much the same as last year. I don't know what it is but I feel like I've never had a particularly good run through in this maze. I want to enjoy it but its not for me and has never been one of my favorites unfortunately. 
 
Trailers
Another one where I've never been the biggest fan off. This year does seem consistent though, good amount of actors and its a decent length. Just always felt this has lacked scares though.
 
Bit cheeky calling them new scenes this year as not a lot has really changed. 
 
Crows
Decent scarezone, pretty much an outdoor maze. Not as strong as last year though unfortunately. Lots of security/staff visible throughout the walk really kills the atmosphere too. On the first couple times I went they were constantly telling us to keep moving which was annoying, less of that yesterday but still does kill the atmosphere having them visible everywhere. Hopefully they can improve on this next year or have a change up as Crows are getting pretty stale now.
 
Lucifers Lair and Creature Campus
Can't really comment on either of these as I haven't really spent any time in either of them. 
Luciers Lair is decent and creates a nice atmosphere at the center of the park.
I think its pretty cheeky calling Creature Campus a scarezone, its a dance show. I don't go to scare events to watch people dance to be honest, so not a bit of me. 
Not for me and I'd rather the budget was used for a different scare attraction instead, but I do understand the reasons for keep bringing it back as it does seem to be popular.
 
Everything else
Fright Nights will never be as good as it was in its old days, but overall its another strong year for Fright Nights. Yesterday in particular was great, got 3 mazes done in less than an hour. Operations across the park were great and didn't see a single breakdown or ride shutdown all day.
 
Park wide audio I'm really not a fan of this year. Disappointing they haven't bothered with individual ride audio again too. Was always one of my favorite things about Fright Nights.
 
Lighting looks great though this year, great to see so much permanent lighting. Best the park has ever looked at night. Theres still improvements that could be made though. Detonator for example had programmed lighting not long ago which seems to have disappeared. 
Would like to have seen them do more with Hyperia too. Imagine if the lights flashed as it went down the lift hill? Or flashed a different color even? 
 
There used to be a lot more smoke machines around the park as well which was cool, so would be nice to be see them return, especially with the new lighting. Vortex is looking great with a smoke machine, but other rides would benefit from this too. Samurai was always a good one. Stealths hasn't worked the last few times I've been which is a shame. 
 
Oh and lastly, I'll keep saying this every year. But 10pm closes are missed as there isn't enough time in the dark. Even if it means doing 11-10 or 12-11. Or as Josh has said before, even keeping the mazes and coasters open till 10 would be good.

Vortex has been consistently running so well ever since it got its new PLC a couple years ago. Noticed the cycle slightly changed too, it stops spinning midway through so more seats reach full height, rather than the same seats all cycle. 
 
My favorite flat at Thorpe flat at Thorpe now. Nearly 25 years old and looks and runs as good as new. 
 
Its also looking amazing at night. Lots of coloured permanent lighting added and they've got a smoke machine under the floor which goes off as the floor is going down 🥰
 

It must be an absolute nightmare for the staff to have to haul all those dummies around every time it needs to test .

Ahh man, we've had so much peace and quiet, but you've ding dong done it

We all know that 2025 is reserved for hyperia updates and theming (perhaps removing the bog).
Who knows what’s in store for 2026 perhaps a new rollercoaster or flat ride central at the beach…..
 
Perhaps @Parm Pap could shed some light…..

2, 3 and 6 are definitely in them.

The closure was very much for maintenance checks and nothing else. Due to large equipment being in the plaza, I expect that logistically it wasn't practical / H&S-advised to also do things like work in the queue line.
 
But yeah, it's a real shame to see it in such an unfinished way. I didn't expect it to be perfect (the ride area side of things moreso), but the queue line section is bland and sad. That really should have been dealt with. We can only hope they sufficiently add to that over winter.
 
The ride area side I'm happy for them to let bed in. Many ride areas have been like that. Colossus is a Thorpe example. But even rides abroad like Baron 1898 (Efteling) and Fenix (Toverland) started off a bit bland and muddy, but grew into it naturally over time. I think the ride area for Hyperia will be the same. I noticed yesterday that the lake has 'returned' a bit more now, with the final remaining land that connected the two sides of land together now submerged (thanks to the rain). I'm sure over time things will slowly progress.
 
 
The splashdown is verging on being the biggest waste of money if the park can't / don't reintroduce it. Whatever the reasons are for it not operating, it's not good that it lasted a couple of months before stopping. Doesn't help that, despite being 'okay', it wasn't a special splashdown in any way.
 
Feels very much like a design choice which didn't appreciate the operational practicality. 
 
 
 
 
My biggest concern for Hyperia, right now, though is it stalling again.
 
Yesterday, I saw it shutdown a couple of times. When it did test runs, empty, it was going through the outerbank twisted dive (and even the stall loop) quite slowly. I was getting serious déjà vu from a visit a few days before it stalled.
 
This wasn't a case of it needing to warm up either. One instance was just after 5pm. It had been running reasonably consistently throughout the day, and then had a short (5-10min) shutdown. Both test cycles were worryingly slow through the outerbank. Yesterday was cool, but certainly nowhere near as cold as we're going to see over the next month. 
Should stress that with riders, it didn't struggle, but was slower than other rides I've had.
 
I don't know how Macks run and if they have winter / cold-weather wheels. But if they do, it feels like Thorpe need to put them on now if they haven't already.
 
A second valley would not be a good look or ideal for the park, especially in their busiest period of the year.

From what I understand, it was actually just a typo, and was always set to be just the 4 days.
 
So ladies and gents, boys and girls, make sure to proof read your work!

On the topic of Make Your Mark / putting your own Easter Eggs in mazes, I think we can thank/blame @Glitch: