JoelAllen

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

I’ve definitely noticed a massive improvement in operations in the last few years. Especially on off peak days (or the season it was on during one train for awhile), throughputs were terrible.

They dispatch much quicker nowadays and that queue just keeps moving. In general, Thorpe’s operations are something they should be proud of!

I’ve definitely noticed a massive improvement in operations in the last few years. Especially on off peak days (or the season it was on during one train for awhile), throughputs were terrible.

They dispatch much quicker nowadays and that queue just keeps moving. In general, Thorpe’s operations are something they should be proud of!

I've always had a soft spot for Colossus, massively over-hated.

Its looking and running better than ever. I love that they seem to permanently have 4 hosts checking restraints now too, used to be very common to see 2 off peak.

Noticed the smoke machine has been off the last month or so. Hopefully it'll be back for Fright Nights when it looks its best.

On Stealth today and a guy next to me announced that he first rode it twenty-five years ago. What large sticker is on the front of each train? 20 years old. He must have had heat stroke.

Depth Charge opened at 9:30 today, and launch pad has opened.

I’ve heard Depth Charge is now going to open daily at 9:30, with it being right next to Launch Pad.

Big fan of that. It gives people something else to do in the morning and helps bring some kinetic energy to the area.

I did 6 hours of driving today to get back on Stealth. (3 hours each way and going around the theme park).
She really did well. I managed to get 8 rides on her whilst doing the other coasters. No fast track. Really so chuffed with engineering 😀. Great job Thorpe 😀
Just about managed it all in a day. Knackered myself but worth it.
It's always a massive gamble with the cost of fuel and getting up at 4am to be home for 9pm.

Whoa! Poor Stealth, get better soon 😭

She's had a few test runs today. Looking quite promising. The launch bunker doors were open the other day. Perhaps they've done a cable change too.

Though a different situation to last year (where Stealth effectively opened weeks into the season), it must be a concern for the park that for the second year running they've had early-season issues with Stealth.

The issues with hydraulic launches are well documented now. And one as powerful as Stealth will add to that complexity.

At the same time, Thorpe are well-versed in dealing with complex, unique and temperamental rides (for better or worse). So hopefully they're not thinking of giving it up yet. But equally, from a purely business perspective, if this keeps happening, one has to expect they'll at least consider changes to it.

Closed all day again today, no train on the track, a sign in the plaza and a member of staff letting people know, but that’s it 😭

It looks like Stealth has been having a few issues recently. It's not looking great. Hopefully it isn't too bad and the engineers have her fixed soon enough.

Something I've noticed with Zodiac testing is that its actually reaching the full 90 degrees height and staying at full height for a few seconds before it starts to lower again.

Haven't seen it reach full height in years! Will be interesting to see if it does that when it opens or if its just engineers running it in manual.

Zodiac has been doing a lot of testing so far this season so will likely re-open soon.

I do agree with your point though. I’d love to see Thorpe add some new flats rather than slowly losing them like we’ve seen at other parks.

Completely agree. Overall the park looks pretty fresh and they're on form operationally as we've come to expect the last few years. I'm disappointed the Colossus repaint wasn't finished though.

I know Thorpe had Hyperia but it does feel Thorpe has lacked ££ out of the merlin parks.

- Chessington has had a serious amount of investment the last few years. Jumanji, Paw Patrol land, and minecraft land next year.
- Towers has had Nemmy retrack, Toxicator, millions on skyride refurb, and new family coaster within the last 3 years.

Would love to see a new flat on the Slammer site next season to complement Hyperia, and a new major investment on the Rumba site or island behind Swarm before universal opening in 2031 would be fab.

I agree it is a huge shame that there is quite literally nothing going on.

Although to be fair over the last decade there has been a lot of rubbish advertised as “new” - the various year-round mazes and some of the events for example. The absence of those sort of things isn’t that bad in my opinion, and realistically something new isn’t needed every year. Not many parks do that do they.

In recent years they have also made a lot of improvements to the areas other than the rides - the toilets to name one example.
Thorpe is probably one of the (if not THE) best Merlin park in terms of general upkeep.

I agree though that it is a shame there doesn’t appear to be anything at all happening again. It’s been a few years now since they’ve been able to boast anything notably new.

I wonder if Colossus will finally be finished in the next couple of months at least? Despite all the cuts to spending at Merlin I’d at least expect that to be done before opening, as well as Zodoac getting sorted.

I wonder if the beach project will ever happen now? I can’t help but think the money would be better put towards a larger project.

Thanks for that, they were awaiting test and inspection on Wednesday.
 
Yesterday it was running.pretty well though at least three hiccups due to sensor issues.
 
All rides suspended in anticipation of a thunderstorm, which materialized mid afternoon.

Stealth is back open today 😃

Stealth is back open today 😃

Stealth is back open today 😃

First not-too-good day at Thorpe in a while it appears today.

Colossus is closed all day, and was yesterday.
Nemesis Inferno closed all day.
Stealth on one train.

Well having it closed will do no 'arm to the line up.

STEALTH HAS OFFICIALLY REOPENED!!

Saw it testing a few times today 

Me too! We'll see what happens from here