Vinlarr89

They need to develop a system that is on the zero car that in the event of a valley can be hooked up to a power supply (battery) and power the train to the top of the outerbank, it should make it back from there even from a standing start

Seen someone on X earlier suggesting that the issue is a faulty motor on one of the drive wheels just before the lift which is causing it to trip out. If true at least that would be a relatively routine fix

Why not go the whole hog, take the lift hill down increase the angle by a couple of degrees and add 5-8 ft to the top of it. Should do the trick 😉 All seriousness though, a zero car with a ballast tank built in? Fill it during downtime then empty it before sending first riders around. Seems the cheapest solution.

I very much would have thought the demolition of two big structures for a rollercoaster would only be done when all other available land has been utilised for ride construction. To recap there is the land behind swarm which is large, and if the hotel ever gets built where the planning permission was applied for there is another prime real estate plot at the front of the park which was identified for a coaster. One day I’d like to see the pyramid come down and a brand new show building constructed there to house a new modern dark coaster. However there are many many other issues to resolve first at the park

To be honest whatever happens to ghost train, flattening the building after 10-15 years of operation would be ridiculous quite frankly. Can see the building being repurposed for a complete new ride system one day. Even the possibility of combining it with the area of the walking dead when that goes. All that being said, the walking dead ride building also has solar panels adorning it, I don’t foresee that being there for another 10 years, however I’ll caveat all of that by saying this is Merlin, and there are far more areas requiring attention before removal and replacement of rides, including new areas ready for development.

So frustrating that Merlin financials have put them in this position, honesty felt the last couple of years that things were moving in the right direction, and the beach felt like a really positive move for the park, that could open up late night events etc throughout the season. Sadly it feels like if this is postponed or cancelled then it’s a step backwards

Fond memories of Hydro as a kid. What a ride it was!! Unfortunately the accident was the end of it

I live in hope that an investor comes in for Thorpe / Chessie and Towers. My biggest concern is the level of investment towers and Thorpe are going to need over the coming years with the aging profile of their rides.

This Merlin saga just couldn’t have come at a worse time for Thorpe. Just as they’re finally on the up and need more investment to stay on that trajectory.

Totally agree with the multi launch coaster. So many options in the market today, and it really feels like a gap in the lineup. Intamin multi launch would probably be my preference, but a Mack Stryker would be a great addition. Wouldn’t even need a top hat IMO, keep it low and snappy! RMC- would need to be a good one or not bother at all IMO. 170-180ft range, great first drop etc etc. not sure it’s needed because of the range of rides already available, but I have no doubt it would draw crowds! Vekoma flyer. Something outside the box. Feels like it could work especially if it was launched instead of having lift hills.

Just go all out and bring a fury 325 regen 😂

Out of interest for the next major investment. What would people’s top 3 be?

Agree, personally think they will target their 50th anniversary, which is 2029?!?? Would make sense as the next major attraction for the park. What that is… or where it goes who knows. I think your point in relation to the anticipation or reaction to universal is really valid. Hard to know what timescales universal assuming it goes ahead would work to, but can’t see it being prior to 2030 as it’s a whole resort from scratch. It would then also work for Thorpe to go for a major attraction in 2029 prior to universal, then aim to target circa 2032/33 once the universal buzz starts to calm down. in addition to this, Thorpe Chessington and Legoland all stand to profit from Universal, as it draws people in to visit from afar. Hence why I think all 3 will invest in more accommodation as part of this. Just my take on it

My understanding is from last year during Hyperia build a significant amount of material was placed on this island. I thought back then that it was probably a sign that it would be for future development. Still think this is probably 2030 ish tbh 🤔

Got to agree with Mark here. For me it’s a top top ride and would love to see one at Thorpe one day (hopefully to replace Saw). I will caveat it by saying that personally I think it does require a strong theme, and this isn’t Thorpes strongpoint, so maybe a better fit as a RITA replacement at AT

Biggest problem for towers is what’s next… I see this becoming a problem too for Thorpe in the not too distant future. Oblivion- actually think this ride can have some significant maintenance and continue without too much issue. Galactica- needs significant investment and a new theme. Several million Rita - will require replacement within next 10 years. Tens of millions. On top of this X sector- new flat ride required Dark Forest - new flat ride required Forbidden Valley - replacement for blade now required My Biggest issue with the recent strategy is this. Millions and millions have been spent to end up with the same ride line up that previously existed. And because of the state of above millions more will have to be spent to tread water so to speak. Thorpe will have to start planning for replacing the likes of stealth and even Colossus at some point which will put them in a similar predicament.

Firstly you make some really good points, and a well thought out discussion starter. I was surprised to find out quite how many operations Merlin had. As Josh has said there are so many layers and moving parts to an organisation the scale of Merlin, that we must be very careful to understand that at times decisions can be made to move in another direction which can be seen as negative, when in reality it’s simply a reaction to the market or an adjustment. I will try to summarise all my thoughts in a more detailed response but for now I broadly agree with what Josh has said. Aramark joint venture will have been set up with Merlin taking a percentage and an annual fee, and the arrangement is probably very risk free from Merlin’s perspective, although I agree the standard of service is poor and should be carefully monitored by Merlin. MMM is an interesting one. As Josh points out it is studios north that is closing. Now my suspicions are that Merlin are starting to show their hand on the moves they will make to react to Universal. And for me that is a focus shifting to the south parks that stand to benefit from universal. What does that mean? Time will of course tell, but the recent applications for Chessington suggest a shift towards harnessing the family market that Universal will pull to the UK shores, and the hints of the Thorpe hotel and project pivot suggests the park moving to start harnessing the enthusiasts and teen market that universal will create. All of that coupled with project horizon seemingly slipping further to the right suggests a smaller budget being spent in the north, and when you think of universal as a threat or opportunity, geographically it’s probably more of a threat to towers than it is an opportunity. As I’ve said, probably more to add to this tomorrow, but that’s what’s top of my head RN

Yeah, that’s a fair point. I just can’t see them investing on the level required for Thorpe pure thrill audience into a whole section. Imagine it would be in the 40-50m bracket in one hit. Especially given all the Merlin cuts. I do think Merlin will shift their focus South to react to Universal, and probably already starting to see them react to that with investment into Chessington and will expect more in the form of a big headline ride for Thorpe next big anniversary

An intertwined GCI woodie or intamin multi launch with an intamin modern flume in the rumba treasure island area would be sick. Trouble is it won’t happen under Merlin’s watch as they don’t invest in entire areas it’s all piecemeal expansion unfortunately.

Hoping that this stage and the planning application with 18 late nights means late weekend opening hours for the park in the summer and more night rides!!

Think 100 rooms is an ideal starting point. Thorpe need to use their location to their advantage with the upcoming universal park. People travelling in from abroad will naturally flow through London, and thorpes best move would be to have means of getting to and from the hotel easily from the airport as a way of harvesting the traffic en route to universal. Interesting to see what happens next

Runnymede planning is quite stringent, Thorpe always have to include significant detail and apply for planning for even small modifications. Can’t see any world in which they could install even a small ride without planning. Personally agree with others that the area isn’t best suited to a ride, however I do also think Thorpe need to be savvy in terms of usage of space for rides given the target audience. The park is very limited for future expansions

A big events space for the events that aren’t put on 😂

It’s a big space… always thought it would be a good place for an entrance plaza… but when you consider the limited space available you wonder if that is the wisest choice. No way it will be a major investment so close to Hyperia, so will be interesting to see what goes there

Got to say I also think the next big investment will align with Thorpes 50th. Coasterwise RMC is the no brainer, we all want it, and I’m sure JB would love to be involved in one, with Thorpe the only obvious choice. Also to top Hyperia will be difficult for the park, but an RMC has the ability to do so. However. I actually think the park is CRYING OUT for a multi launch coaster. Quite flexible with the type tbh. Intamin make great ones, Mack extreme spinner or even a Mack Stryker. As it wouldn’t need a massive height to achieve a great ride experience it could be situated towards the front of the park aka outside the dome leaving the island behind swarm and potentially rumba area all free for a future expansion. Just my 2p worth