Vinlarr89

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

Pacing will alter significantly as testing continues. Firstly the train literally crawled over the crest of the lift hill, in a couple of weeks it will be going significantly quicker over the top as Mack lifts are normally fast. This won’t dramatically alter the speed at the bottom (probably only a couple of mph) but that will mean a significant amount of additional kinetic energy is being carried by the train. Secondly the friction will reduce as the ride beds in and warms up so the speed will be maintained throughout the layout. This will probably mean more airtime but less hang time

I think the flooring needs a full refresh throughout most Merlin parks. Resin flooring throughout would look far fresher and easier to maintain than block paving, and can be laid directly over existing tarmac. Overall however, I feel the sparkle project has been a massive success, stealth in particular looks the best that it ever has, even including launch. Quite clear the direction Thorpe are going in, big bright and fun feels, and whilst it is a bit brash, it’s a definite step forwards over everything looking ageing and run down. I hope Merlin keep this level of investment moving forwards, but also hope that Thorpe gets some more highly themed areas in the future, especially having seen what has been achieved with nemesis reborn.

I think it’s probably driven by a time and budget constraint as many have said. Cost wise, I’d say it’s cost significantly more not only because of the shop, but also due to the changes incurred to get the planning permission. The sheer cost of infilling and then reinstating the lake has been massive, I was worried things would get cut as a result. Time wise, again, I’d say clearly behind schedule and struggling to hit the spring target, something has to give. However. The ride looks incredible. First drop is going to be terrifying in a great way, and from then on is pure forces from the looks of it. Clear.

Non inverting Immelmann is complete. It looks insane. Going to feel so exposed in those Mack trains at the top of that thing!! In other news the park have confirmed that the trims are only precautionary so will only be fitted if required during testing.

Personally think they will only be fitted in the event that the ride is running too fast and pulling too many forces through the twist element. Even if they are fitted… it’s a very small trim section for the speed that things going to be carrying so will have minimal impact. Mack will be keen to get the pacing just right on this ride!!

Can’t see a chance of making march 24th personally. The Immelmann isn’t yet complete, think that will be most of next week gone to do that, then there’s the lift and first drop to construct which is a mammoth structure and connect and complete the dive loop which interacts with the drop and lift structures. 4 weeks is optimistic for that I would say. That puts us into mid feb. There’s all the mechanical and electrical install for the lift hill and brake runs to be completed before any testing can commence, therefore I would say any testing before start of March is more than optimistic. on top of this, there’s all of the landscaping and reinstating of the lake, therefore I see a late April or early May as a more realistic possibility.

I can’t see track completion prior to end of February. Will take a good few weeks to fully assemble that massive structure for the first drop and we still have the Immelmann and dive loop to link which I think will be end of next week absolute best. Then there’s all the mechanical and electrical installation and so I doubt a test is realistic until early march at best. I therefore see the ride opening in May. But that’s just my take. id agree about the construction ebbing and flowing. Although time of the year, heights and complexity of the structures all take their toll on a project of this size.

Apologies, didn’t see those topics. Thought that something of this magnitude would have been spoken about previously. Was this land ever owned by Merlin? I’m guessing not, as surely the security of not having risk of planning complaints would have outweighed the revenue generated from selling a fairly small parcel of land albeit with development opportunities. I guess you’re right about the staff area being between, although I’m sure things could have been configured to optimise the land differently. It’s all irrelevant now of course as the area is due for redevelopment into the retirement complex. I suppose we will just have to watch this space on what it means for the park moving forwards, but I do sense that it will certainly make things more complex from a noise and height perspective in the future. Thorpe get that noisy RMC in quick 😂😂

Feel like there is risk on the horizon for the future expansion or continued development of large scale attractions on the horizon for Thorpe park. Also think Merlin have missed a big opportunity, but may be missing something, so feel free to correct me. Seems the old Cemex offices have been sold and purchased by a property developer that is converting them to a care home facility and assisted living complex. Hardly ideal having such a complex located next to a theme park for noise etc. really feel that this will form rejections incoming for future planning applications, especially on the Northen side of the park, island behind stealth etc. However looking at the plans also a massive missed opportunity. Could have made a fantastic park hotel, and would have allowed future expansion on the north side of the park at a great distance from any neighbours. Just hope this doesn’t come back to bite the park.

Really don’t see the point in heavily theming a ride that you’re either 200ft in the air or flying by at 80mph. Save the pennies for the next one instead 😏

Am I the only one that actually likes the fact it turns white at different points? Think it breaks it up from looking too basic personally. Guess a fade would have looked better though.

Great choice in my opinion. Nice and vibrant, and will tie it in well with amity next door. Looks fantastic

Honestly think we will have one of the best elements in Europe with that outerbanked turn / dive. It looks insane from some angles

I have to be honest. I thought it would look horrendous. But I actually really like it now it’s going in.

They went for a staggered option instead of a gradual fade. If you watch the POV, you’ll see it’s the same in there.

Anything is possible… just possibly not at a price Thorpe would be willing to pay. However looking at the second turnaround tower I would say that this has been in the planning for a while as the white sections are staggered, and I can’t see that this could or would have been accidental. Interesting creative choice IMO, see how it turns out. Either way, this is going to be a beast on the skyline!