JoshuaA

I wonder what the ratio is of RAP users to Disabled ticket purchases (free carer so essentially a 2-4-1). Might make for some interesting reading.
 
Honestly not sure what the parks can do short of ACTUALLY ENFORCING THEIR RULES. So often we've not had the RAP signed, so that in of itself opens it up to abuse and that's before we look at the actual hand out system.
 
To say that the increase of RAP distributed is down to the "snowflake society" is utter nonsense. It'll be tied into an increased awareness (and detection/diagnosis) of mental health issues. I doubt many kids first thought when being diagnosed with ADHD or severe Autism is "omg I can jump the queues at Thorpe Park". 
 
I don't really think that the sort of people who would be termed as "snowflakes" would be the sort of people abusing this as a system.
 
I'm intrigued as to how the systems will work in the States this year. But I think the amount of people using RAP here is a culture thing rather than any fault of the parks. And I'll imagine Disney is the worst for it, hence why their modern rides in the States make wheelchair/mobility scooter users go in the main queue.

Just to clarify my "snowflake society" comment as I do fear I may not have made myself clear.
 
I am in no way shape or form trying to say that mental health/disorders should not be eligible for a RAP. No way would I say that especially as a guy who lives with ADHD. What I'm simply trying to voice is my agreement on what JoshC said in relation to how they have backed themself into a corner with how they have distributed it. I feel that people just rock up and the parks will literally give them the pass for fear of offending people and not wanting the backlash. That is what I meant in my comment. I am somebody who very much supports the steps society is taking to support mental health given how close to the heart I hold the issue. I am simply saying that it now feels that there is a huge amount of people faking doctors letters getting away with cheating the system purely because the park does not want to risk coming across as offensive. That in my honest opinion is down to this culture of "everything is offensive" and that's where I was coming from with my snowflake society comment. In regards to "not being able to wait in a long line", again I refer to my point regarding the massive cattle pen queue just to get the pass or indeed the sizeable queues the RAP queue gets during busier times at the parks for that matter.
 
I do hope I've worded that OK and am in no way trying to call those genuinely disabled who need RAP snowflakes if that is what my previous comment has come across as.

I honestly doubt that as much abuse really goes on as some here are suggesting.

The issue is that the RAP rules are not being abided by. Those who do abuse it (like having more than 3 carers) should have action taken against them by the staff. Be that a removal of the RAP or having to reapply with different documentation.

On the whole though, I'd say the problem here is the opposite of a "snowflake society". It is still this prevalent belief that if you don't *look* disabled, you can't be disabled. My disability can only been seen in my brain, so unless you're walking around with an MRI scanner in your back pocket, you can't see it.

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Thorpe is officially the worst Merlin park. Confirmed.

Thorpe is officially the worst Merlin park. Confirmed.

Can't wait for sex education the experience xx
 
 

I understand that the growth that Thorpe took on in the noughties was extreme and unrealistic (as far as a long term business model goes), and it is pretty clear they have invested in cheap additions additions (especially in recent years), just for the sake of something new. Of the choice of this or something every few years or something, I would rather see the latter. Whether that be some big thrill coaster, a fun flat ride or even a family attraction, which the park seemingly lacks.
 
Swarm is a tricky one, as whilst it didn’t bring in the numbers as hoped it was still a generally well received ride (as many have said before). DBGT in the other hand was a massive failure to them in many ways.
 
Indeed, but when you look at the quality of what Phantasia have added, it can simply put wonders and jealousy upon other parks. One has to just mention Taron and see how much better the overall quality that Park has risen to in that time.
 
I think Thorpe do seriously need to reconsider what they are doing and where they are going whilst trying to make it more of a commercial success. It won’t be easy or happen overnight, but let’s see. Legoland targets the younger families and Chessington caters for slightly older families and animal lovers. So it’s a question whether they go for the all ages or just the thrills.
 
Were they to increase promoting within central London, I do wonder how much of a difference it would make?
 
 

I think you're overestimating the influence fans have here. Thorpe (and any park really) aren't going to rush a big new investment because fans (which make up less than 1% of visitors) are "pressuring" them. In this sense, fan opinion really means nothing: they'll add a new coaster when they want to.
 
They won't do that until they replace them. Sad fact, but true.
 
tbh, Loggers doesn't even need removing for the sake of removing really. You can hardly see these days. I'd rather them invest the time, money and effort into something else. And anyways, the only thing I can see replacing Loggers is a roller coaster, since they wouldn't be able to open a new log flume there.
 
Slammer is easier to replace, but since Merlin rarely seem to invest in flat rides - and there's a very small list of suitable flat rides for Thorpe - it's hard to see what they could replace that plot with. I think it's more realistic to expect a coaster to go there and in the surrounding area than a new flat ride, for example.
 
So really, the bigger issue here is Merlin's "risk free" strategy. They won't invest unless they feel basically certain they can make some money from said investment.
If this is true, then just..wow.
 
Wickerman bought a noticeable increase in numbers. The brand is reasonably strong and I've seen quite a few people with related-merch. It's a slow burner of an attraction too; it had the instant hit, and it'll also have to repeat value of people coming back to it in years to come. 
 
If everything that Wickerman has done for the park hasn't led Merlin to say it's been a financial success, then maybe, just maybe, they're setting the bar too high.

That's just the thing though. Chessington is a family park and knows it's a family park. Their investments have suited that market (As such they haven't necessarily needed a coaster specifically) and they have their direction.
 
Thorpe Park however made a name for itself as the "thrill seekers" park. What appeals to that market? Coasters and thrill rides. However, the issue currently I feel with Thorpes recent investments is the park very much seems to be having an identity crisis as to is it a thrill park or is it a family park. The prime example being going from X:no way out into X and then to Walking dead. I just think the powers that be need to sit down and actually decide who/what is Thorpe Parks market and go with it.
 
If they want to be a family park then I agree that they don't necessarily need a new coaster if that's the specific market they are going for. However if they want to roll with the park being a thrill park, then a new coaster is what would make perfect sense as the "next big thing"

That would 100 percent confirm to me that Thorpe is indeed bottom of the food chain when it comes to the companies priorities. I maintain that if they don't want to give Thorpe the money it needs to get itself back on track, just sell the damn place. I know that's not happening any time soon but when even the general public are waking up and smelling the coffee as well as the so called "entitled" enthusiasts, it's game over. 
 
I don't think asking for the SBNO rides to finally get removed and space developed is too much to ask. It's hardly asking them to build an expedition everest level of detail attraction. 
 
In terms of a new coaster, Alton Towers has now been given 2 (3 if you include the Galactica overlay) major coasters since Thorpe last had one. So I agree, a new coaster at Thorpe is really not too much to ask either. Unless the future of the park is indeed just cheap short term tat and IP driven summer events.

Just taken a glance at the comments on Thorpe's recent 2020 social media posts. So much hate, and that isn't just from hard to please can't win enthusiasts. 
 
All the general public want is a new - not rehashed - coaster. The general public are now as tired of Thorpe's PR and false hope as RMC thirsty enthusiasts were 5 years ago. If 2019 was a tough year for gate figures, then 2020 is going to be even tougher. 
 
People don't want "experiences".
People don't want actor led attractions all year round.
People don't want a tent with old consoles in.
People don't want upcharge attractions that add to the entrance price.
People probably do want to leave the car park in a timely fashion. #NewFor2020
People. Want. A. Big. Massive. Themed. Tangible. VR Free. Coaster.... And wanting that after eight years isn't too much to ask.
 
If Alton get another "next big thing" before Thorpe does then it's clear where Merlin's priorities lie. But still, it's great to go to a park and see an SBNO sky swat, log flume and scare maze - right lads?
 
PS. Thank goodness for Stealth.
 
 

theres nothing for 2020. deal with it lol

They are getting.......
 

I guess it depends on the maze. Haunts such as Hayride or Wastelands will suffer, but mazes such as Cellar or Cottage honestly won't be affected at all but this as they don't tend to get  a queue anyway!
Cellar seems to get a tad forgotten about until the final hour or two and cottage really never seems to get a queue, some people going through those mazes twice or more honestly won't affect it too bad. I also think during the quieter nights it won't be too bad as the queues are very mild anyway. I went on one of the busiest nights and the largest queue was a hour. The event during the first operating hour and the final operating hour is also very quiet too, with smart planning you can avoid those bad queues.
 
I really hope they limit re-runs for other guests on the more busier attractions as that could certainly prove hetic, though for mazes such as Cellar or Cottage, or even Twisted to a certain degree, it shouldn't be too much of a issue.
 
If it does turn out to be a bad idea, Tulleys will probably revert it back anyway. They've run the event so efficiently the last two decades, I would be surprised if they would let their current standards drop. 

It's good but it lacks a Nemesis Inferno.

Even just the parks alone are literally the most attended and profitable parks on the earth. I'm sure one park going under for a month or two won't hurt too much in the long run, Disney literally own the monoply board when it comes to attendance and profit. Like the nearest chain is Merlin, which really wouldn't even be relevant if it wasn't for the Legolands..
 

CAD mostly

For it's age, Magnum is one brilliant coaster and one of the coasters I most look forward to whenever I visit the point!!
 
Such a pioneering coaster for the industry and that is so often overlooked in the community. Hope it has a long future at the park.

It would be a shame to see this ride go its a real asset to the park and something the UK park industry really lacks in two aspects is water rides and immersive dark rides, I could understand from a financial point of view but having ridden it a few years back it was a highlight of the park for me and great ride.

Given the pleasure beach financial figures coupled with how expensive Valhalla is to run, I honestly would not have blamed them if they just cut their losses and did away with it altogether. It would be a shame to lose it but buisness wise it would make sense. Lower ridership for it goes against it too considering it only ever gets major queues on baking hot days which is hardly ever taken into account this is Blackpool we are dealing with.

I changed it for you so it makes more sense
 

Will we change the name of the thread though?
Personally I think it should be renamed Nemesis Inferno after one of the UK's best roller-coasters.

2020 Or 2021?

Chessington nice move. Replacing Buccaneer with a similar ride model, replacing Rameses pretty much right after closing with another decent looking flat ride.
This is how the Merlin parks should deal with closures.. Don't just leave your plots of land derelict (Skyway, Loggers, Slammer. Ripsaw)