Vinlarr89

Given the fact that there are several elements that are not only taller than stealths but more complex in construction due to the quantity of supports compared to a B&M design, I would expect construction to take significantly longer than the swarm. There are some big structures which will need assembling that exceed the 150ft mark, I believe in the plans 2 months are allocated for the vertical construction element.

Still think from theme park guides latest update, we are 2 months away from going vertical. Lots of footers are now complete, however probably only 10% at best. I see a minimum of 6 further weeks to complete these, before vertical construction can likely begin. However the compact nature of the coaster should streamline the time to assemble once it goes vertical.

Likelihood is that they are delivering the tops first so that the bases are closest to access first later on. All these things will be taken into consideration for ease of vertical construction. Got to say from Jacks video, the supports look enormous! Gonna be some structure. I know everyone is suspecting top of lift hill, but they may be for the big turnaround for the back of the site. Two reasons for that. One it’s the first ground pins that have gone in and the cure will be first. And secondly from an access point of view probably far easier to put that up first. This of course is a complete Hunch!

Just dawned on me just how many deliveries it’s gonna take to deliver all the track and supports for a coaster of this scale. The steel work involved is massive!

Ground pins on site, and the first shuttering for the footers assembled ready for concrete to be poured! Getting closer to the skyline changing forever. 🏗️🎢 https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Project-Exodus-Support-Footer-Ground-Pins-Delivered-To-Construction-Site

I think it’s important to take a balanced view on some of those points. In relation to the IAAPA, there’s two sides to every story, and whilst what they did might not have been great, I’d hope they learnt from it, and maybe B&M did too. The question around the payday loan company, whilst it might be immoral, I’d argue how many sports teams and organisations have funded themselves off tobacco and gambling companies. Is it any more immoral than that? However the icon accident if true is simply immoral and unquestionable on every level. How anyone could profit from a tragedy and expect to be held in any form of regard is beyond me. I don’t actually know why they would do that to themselves, as it may have driven short term growth but at what cost? Either way, does that make Thorpe immoral for using them to help grow and promote themselves? I’m not sure I know where I sit with this one.

Interesting move by Thorpe!

The pile driving looks to be taking far longer than the original plan, however footers and pins should be getting installed now, with track and support delivery in July with vertical construction due to start towards the end of that month. Hard to tell how much is remaining of the piling, however looks 2-3 weeks behind the schedule to me.

Not ridden this yet, but from the reviews I’ve read or watched I’m impressed with the work that’s gone into this. Honestly thought it would be undercooked, but everyone seems positive. Can’t wait to give it a go tbh. given the limitations of the ride system, it sounds as if Merlin have nailed it. Which is 3 attractions nailed this year. Think they’ve definitely raised the bar. Which makes me excited for the future

I think what’s really important for Thorpe and Merlin to realise is that whilst adding a new attraction will increase or should increase visitor numbers and volume, it has an affect for a finite period of time before visitor numbers reduce back to baseline unless the investment is backed up or followed up with another investment. Adding a flat or water ride for 25 will be really critical in keeping the momentum of exodus going, as will the marketing and increase in events etc that support such investments. I think to really push on and get back to the parks good times, another big investment within 3 years will be necessary **cough** RMC **cough** 😂😂 to bring in and attract an international audience and grow the park further. Just my view of course

Please don’t let anyone from Thorpe or merlin see that 😂😂

100% agree with all of what you’ve said. They definitely finally get it. In the insta world in which we live in, the giant lettering including all the detail is such a great move on the parks behalf. Not only from a marketing perspective, I think it lifts the visuals of the park and really uplifts it. I really hope they continue this momentum, and having seen the work on jumanji, am really excited by what they might do for the opening of exodus next year. Come on Merlin, keep it going. On the Aramark subject. Yeah, big mistake, hopefully they can terminate the contract sooner rather than later. As soon as I heard they were involved with Aramark I was concerned, they have a horrendous rep and it’s not only poor quality but overpriced

It fits!!! Haha yes, good to see her back in one piece. Hopefully they can get testing underway soon and the ride back open! Doesnt half stand out like a sore thumb given the rest of the track looks so tired! Hopefully Thorpe bite the bullet next year and do the rest properly once exodus opens

https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Thorpe-Junction-Ghost-Train-One-Last-Look I’ve got to be honest, and obviously reserving judgement until it’s complete. But there’s some good attention to detail going into this ride by the looks of this so far. Do Merlin finally get it? 😂

Completely agree. Just get rid. Actually think that’s been one of the most under utilised assets of the park, and if they had a good creative team, could really make for an interesting and lasting first impression. however unless they are going to utilise it properly, and by that not just have a logo on it, then why spend big money on replacing it, when a sign would do the same effect. That being said, having seen curse and now jumanji, I’m holding judgement until ghost train, but it feels as if merlin have turned somewhat of a corner and may have finally grasped that attention to detail does count for something. Let’s see 😂

Merlin need to realise not everything needs a USP. I’m fact having the right capacity at its parks and keeping queue times reasonable would do more for the parks than new headline rides as it makes people want to return again. Anyway I digress. Thorpe does look better in 2023 than previous years, and I do feel that some effort has gone into the presentation this year even if nowhere near enough, but I’m comparison to some years where it’s literally been zero it’s a welcome move. I guess for 24 they need to continue the good work alongside exodus opening, I just wish they would build a decent hotel and get rid of the god awful containers

Yep, add detonator onto that list too. Wasn’t it only meant for a one year stop gap at first… 22/3 years later… still think it’s a great ride btw, but now that planning restrictions have eased would be great to see it upgraded to a larger tower with better capacity

At this rate nemesis will be retracked before Colossus! Thorpe need a replacement strategy for Rumba soon too, and not with a coaster. Need a quality water ride

Wonder if this will influence next steps. Must say, this could be expensive for Taziker, as Thorpe must have a clause in the contract for disruption to park operations

The current stage is piles which preceded the pins. This is the process of essentially drilling down into the site bedrock (10m) below any reclaimed land, and filling with concrete reinforced steel. This will take approx a month I believe off the plan they intended to originally work to. once that is complete the next stage is the “capping” of the piles which is essentially where the piles that have been created are capped off with the pins that interface with the supports to the exact height and location in all axis. This will take a further 6-8 weeks to fully complete including some additional work around the lift hill. Once that is complete then track and supports can begin. So I doubt we will see much going vertical until august at best. And I don’t believe it’s due to arrive on site until July anyway.

I can never understand why Thorpe don’t have the pyramid repainted to be more in keeping. But your right transforming it into an Egyptian tomb would be the best use of what is otherwise an eyesore on the skyline. If done right it could look really impressive…

Hats off to the construction team. Pulling this right back on track. Piling for foundations has commenced… https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Project-Exodus-Foundations-Begin

Exactly my first thought. One of the images in the planning did seem to have some kind of hieroglyphics in them, however could be complete coincidence. Some kind of gold mine theme another possibility?

So glad they’ve gone with gold as a colour scheme. Will look fresh and really stand out. Bit confused what theming options it opens up, and from the plans it seems it won’t be heavily themed, but I’m okay with that tbh

Fair play to jack, that’s a great piece of work. I actually think it’s great that Thorpe are working with jack by the way. Having an enthusiast working closely with the park will hopefully be helping in terms of giving them some valuable feedback, and makes me wonder if it’s any coincidence that ghost train has had this revamp at all. Let’s hope he fills their heads with plenty of good ideas going forwards