ML27

It could definitely allow them to advertise it as a FN attraction. Especially as they lost creak freak. I know there are some very minor story based things on the outside on posters and timetables. However, the outside isn’t really themed to the specific story. Could change the stop in the middle once in a while and therefore the story

Apparently, people have been on the ride today and apparently it’s been a really bad experience with multiple effects already not working 😂

I’ve ridden it, It’s good, however it’s not a ride anymore and a lot of the GP will expect a ride or the VR. None which is clear from the outside of the attraction. Great actors, story and effects and sets. It’s good for a couple of years at a push but a waste of space for such a prominent ride. They obviously didn’t design the ride for this, hence why I don’t think it can work for a long time. It’s shoe horned in, long term use the building with modifications to the size. But build ride hardware inside, minimising the physical building being wasted, but unlimited space to build a massive dark ride.

Haven’t experienced yet obviously, however…. I’m someone who thinks these kinda attractions shouldn’t be in Theme Parks. At least with the VR made it some sort of ride. I’ve heard what happens on the train and its budget at best. It’s gone from a ride which on paper was world class ( I know in reality it wasn’t) to the same old actor led experience which only last a matter of time. Because it’s actor led, I think it’s a massive waste of space to essentially have this theatre which Thorpe clientele will not care for. They need ride hardware. Ive contemplated if I’ve been too harsh before I’ve been on it but this is just how I feel.

It was Kieron Smith, Global Artistic Director for The Dungeons. Which really sets the scene of what the experience is going to be like.

It’s so hard to judge, I want to believe that. However that’s the line from most attraction openings. I trust TPG, however it’s easy to get caught up in the hype.

It’s open! All be it the opening confetti on a lower par than Jumanji last week 😂 Jokes aside, who’s the guy in the black coat?

love the effort they’ve gone to, to hide the people from DBGT on the podium. Feels very DBGT from what I’ve heard, meant to start at 6pm nearly 7pm and still not open. Still got it’s issues with the train then 😂

Yay, exactly what I needed for when I eventually ride it. I don’t want spoilers but I’d like to see opinions to set expectations as there’s nothing to go by

Surely it will get to the 10 year mark…

Never gonna be the best dark ride, this definitely going to be Thorpe Dungeons. After this, Thorpe doesn’t need any more experience led or actor led attractions. Physical ride hardware purely

My predictions are: - Heavily similar to dungeons, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same team. - Layout the same, lack of a screen based preshow in favour of actors. Floating carriage gone and just the same shell throughout. - I still don’t know how they are going to do that room with the massive space underneath - Onboard there won’t be any smoke due to extraction of the smoke, it will become hotboxed quite quickly. So effects fairly limited, lighting sequence, 3D sound effects, maybe leg ticklers…. - I would have hoped for screens as windows however we are going to get some blacklight and some UV paint. - Basically the train will be like The Curse At Alton Manor Preshow. - The experience will be less rushed, so the tube station scene may have some graffiti but there are going for more an erie experience. - Scare maze portion could be massive, you’d think related to the grave yard. - I have no idea why you would get back on the train again but as we know you do. - Train scene has similar effects as to what I mentioned above. - Fake shop will still act as a big finale with a scare of sorts. Definitely a one time experience ride, no matter how good it is. I think people will come off saying yeah it’s good but I’ve done it now. Improvement over DBGT, but with what the setup is, you can only improve so much. As if the VR had worked 100% time, I believe DBGT would have been received the same. The detail outside makes me hopeful for this ride, it being fully dependent on actors doesn’t and I don’t think it’s going to become a key part of my day at the park.

I’d actually find it funny to see the new American CEO at Thorpe Park for Exodus opening. His Jumanji videos are so over the top. He says it feels like you’re in the movies, I mean it’s a good U.K. land but it’s not galaxy’s edge. There’s nothing like that at Thorpe Park and the bad bits stick out like a sore thumb 😂

I get that exodus is still being built, however with less than a year to go until it opens. I’m curious when Merlin will next invest, will they leave it as long or will there be lots in quick succession ride wise. It’s too early to tell, but it would be nice to have something in 2025

Seat vibrations maybe the movement of the train…

Agree with Aramark comments, had such a good day at Jumanji preview came out to go to burger kitchen, minimum £13 a meal. Which I don’t mind, but it’s just the quality is so rubbish. If I was getting a premium burger then I don’t mind. I feel like they’ve just copied Disneyland paris and assumed it was okay to charge that. Luckily, Thorpe hasn’t been affected too much by Aramark and most has been beneficial. Last call cafe is quite expensive though, but if you want a semi healthy meal you can get a panini. it pains me to see that they were charging £7.50 for a hot dog fries and drink meal a few years back and now it’s £11.50

I know it isn’t new information however I am concerned as tonight park are reaffirming that it is similar to the dungeons being a heavily actor led experience. They normally don’t have a long life span and if Merlin can do anything to reduce the dependency on them past the first year they normally do.

People from Merlin Magic Making have worked on this, I guess JS has worked only on any artwork such as the posters or concept art as that is his background. I’m not sure why he’s needed to go inside but I suppose he does what he wants. Regarding the artwork, clearly shows the underground station has remained the same and the train has been painted. I’d love the silhouette to mean that the windows will be clear or have an effect. Writing this has made me think, the experience could be so different, you could be held at the underground station as you come off and even that would change your experience as you’ll get to take in that room instead of being rushed off the train.

From the passholder group, the Mardi Gras Crewe’s! Glam, Love, Funk, Soul. It’s very Starbucks Girl to put it lightly. Instagramable…. I’m sure the reasoning will be made clear by costumes ect. However, at least last year it was stylised to the rides and made sense. The detail on the pieces is amazing I must say! I love events as a regular visitor, however shows really confuse me. Don’t get me wrong they are good and would fit in with Chessington. At Thorpe due to the marketing and lack of rides for kids, it’s strange as there’s only a limited audience as most people wouldn’t watch it as a teenager or even adult without kids. I’ve only seen a handful for the thrill makers show. Bring back a stunt show.

Thank God it’s been delivered on a closed day

Saw this on Twitter thank god…

Well technically the past few years ( not this year) they’ve tried to upgrade the security check area, fencing, CCTV cameras ect. So I can’t see them straying away with what they have just yet. I agree, it all needs to be knocked down. They just need to make the area bigger and feel welcoming also include some theming pieces. I dont think any Merlin park has a good entrance. Chessington is spacious but bland, Alton towers has been crammed with tents

After experiencing Merlin’s new additions both at Alton Towers and Chessington. It’s making me really excited in what we might receive with ghost train. Combine it with what we are seeing on the ground with awesome signage and the ability to set the scene. The building looks more like a depot/train station than it ever has been. It’s receiving these smallish theming pieces which wouldn’t be needed or missed but they really do go an extra mile (compared to Merlin’s previous standards) like the large sign post, I don’t think anyone would have complained if it wasn’t there. For what the retheme is, which is lower than Curse and way lower than Jumanji. It’s showing the 2023 Merlin signs of a new ride. Exodus is another story but I don’t think that we should be worried about theming or ride experience. Saying all this, if Merlin really don’t care about Thorpe then we might see a poor retheme.

By the looks of it, the infilling of the lake has nearly completed/ been completed. There’s pretty much no water there, except for a shallow area of it which I don’t think will get in the way of the work.

Thorpe have uploaded this to their pass-holder group! Very minor, but they’ve used B&E across the Merlin estate for Jumanji, Croc drop ect. Now they have arrived, it’s a sign from the move away from the ground preparation phase to the ride building phase! Exciting!