MattL28

I am concerned that creature campus is a fan service at this point. The only people I see watching it are the creators of the sound track and Merlin pass holders.

The general public aren’t interested/ understand/ aware of this show. I think the show as good as it is to a fan of a scare event doesn’t really have anything stand out away from dancers. I think realistically it needs to be a full production with stunts and effects. It needs to be different and not dancing to a mash up, there is no reason for anyone really to watch that show.

Lucifiers lair on the other hand has got that draw and appeal particularly because of the location and the variety of shows put on regularly throughout the night. Fire effects are a big draw and shows that there is something different.

Purgatory Town is exactly what I thought it would be and unfortunately adds nothing to the event. I’ve visited scarefest at Alton towers with two walk through scare zones and they are both different. One creepy and one abrupt and jumpy. I think this is what Thorpe really need rather than just crows which get you because they are creepy.

I think this year on paper is a really strong year but with no new scare mazes. It won’t have the hype to compete with previous years.

There's been no confirmation either way really.

Obviously the plan was for it to be this year, but planning delays stopped that. They pushed through and it was approved in Spring.

That at least signals intent for them to do it. But whether the plan has changed since then is up in the air.

They technically have 3 years from the approval of the application to start the work, so if it doesn't happen for next year it could still happen later.

This is a very long-winded way of saying "we don't know". At the same time, I still think the default for now should be to expect it to happen.

I think the whole project was a shame really. They tried something different and have a great themed show building but it just has never worked and retheming it to ghost train or anything else would have never saved it. It’s demised has been written since 2016.
 
It would have been 10 years next year since its opening and it wouldn’t surprise me after 10 years that they think it’s ok to scrap it.
 
Thorpe have just got rid of all SBNO rides, so it will be sad seeing a massive one hidden in a building again. I’d rather have it open 

I think there’s a discussion to be had around permanent maze spaces.
 
Theres a higher cost to create the mazes in permanent spaces. For stitches and survival games this is even more apparent. The quality of mazes has gone up and it saves them setting mazes up every year.
 
However because of the high cost and its that it’s a permanent feature. It has to operate for quite a few years and you start getting bored of mazes. Trailers for example, I see everyone complaining that it’s still here and it’s defintely one of the weaker mazes too. However it has to come back to make it worth it 

There was a post on LinkedIn from an BALPA event hosted at Thorpe Park.
 
This graph shows the direction they want Thorpe Park to take. It’s quite simple and fairly obvious but also I’m glad they are taking that direction in becoming the thrill park, nothing else.
 
The graph also shows the way they want to improve revenue and the way they’ve done it. A few things: 2021-2023 it says “event led strategy” and in 2025+ it says “event development” to me it suggest Thorpe management want to and the plan is to bring back events. It was never the plan to drop them from Thorpe’s side.
 
Also they state multiple times how they are keen to remove IP. I hope the management outlasts the cuts as when funding does come back, we need them to push forward with these goals as ultimately this is the correct way forward.

There was a post on LinkedIn from an BALPA event hosted at Thorpe Park.
 
This graph shows the direction they want Thorpe Park to take. It’s quite simple and fairly obvious but also I’m glad they are taking that direction in becoming the thrill park, nothing else.
 
The graph also shows the way they want to improve revenue and the way they’ve done it. A few things: 2021-2023 it says “event led strategy” and in 2025+ it says “event development” to me it suggest Thorpe management want to and the plan is to bring back events. It was never the plan to drop them from Thorpe’s side.
 
Also they state multiple times how they are keen to remove IP. I hope the management outlasts the cuts as when funding does come back, we need them to push forward with these goals as ultimately this is the correct way forward.

There was a post on LinkedIn from an BALPA event hosted at Thorpe Park.
 
This graph shows the direction they want Thorpe Park to take. It’s quite simple and fairly obvious but also I’m glad they are taking that direction in becoming the thrill park, nothing else.
 
The graph also shows the way they want to improve revenue and the way they’ve done it. A few things: 2021-2023 it says “event led strategy” and in 2025+ it says “event development” to me it suggest Thorpe management want to and the plan is to bring back events. It was never the plan to drop them from Thorpe’s side.
 
Also they state multiple times how they are keen to remove IP. I hope the management outlasts the cuts as when funding does come back, we need them to push forward with these goals as ultimately this is the correct way forward.

Just a general observation/thought.
 
I find my enthusiasm & excitement for Thorpe Park/ Merlin parks muted this year. It’s just simply “open”, no new things to do, no events to change things up every few months, no dramas or issues. 
 
No 2025 TV advert, no real advertisement. No communication from parks e.g passholder page.
 
Simply there’s nothing going on and nothing going to happen in the near future (excluding fright nights). There’s no evolving, it’s a difficult one as we had a period of investment and events. To simply going back to basics and providing what they have already. 
 
This is my first season since becoming a passholder which there has been no events or new attraction to keep it entertaining. I suppose what I’m asking, is this normal? Down periods in years gone by, with not much happening.

Just a general observation/thought.
 
I find my enthusiasm & excitement for Thorpe Park/ Merlin parks muted this year. It’s just simply “open”, no new things to do, no events to change things up every few months, no dramas or issues. 
 
No 2025 TV advert, no real advertisement. No communication from parks e.g passholder page.
 
Simply there’s nothing going on and nothing going to happen in the near future (excluding fright nights). There’s no evolving, it’s a difficult one as we had a period of investment and events. To simply going back to basics and providing what they have already. 
 
This is my first season since becoming a passholder which there has been no events or new attraction to keep it entertaining. I suppose what I’m asking, is this normal? Down periods in years gone by, with not much happening.

Just a general observation/thought.
 
I find my enthusiasm & excitement for Thorpe Park/ Merlin parks muted this year. It’s just simply “open”, no new things to do, no events to change things up every few months, no dramas or issues. 
 
No 2025 TV advert, no real advertisement. No communication from parks e.g passholder page.
 
Simply there’s nothing going on and nothing going to happen in the near future (excluding fright nights). There’s no evolving, it’s a difficult one as we had a period of investment and events. To simply going back to basics and providing what they have already. 
 
This is my first season since becoming a passholder which there has been no events or new attraction to keep it entertaining. I suppose what I’m asking, is this normal? Down periods in years gone by, with not much happening.

It is 20%

Jack has posted a video covering the removal of Slammer. 
 
The first thing which comes to my mind is that I highly doubt 2025 Merlin would have committed to this project. I assume they already had gone too far with plans to back out and realistically they’d have to pay for it one day.
 
Another thing to note is that Jack states the site won’t be used for quite a while, I predict it won’t before 2030.
 
You can see that Colossus has had its repaint, hopefully they’ve done the rest of it.
 
Hyperia has grass planted around the plaza area (but looks like weeds and still needs fencing.
 
I am sure there are other minor updates around the park but definitely nothing major.
 
The discussion of Thorpe Parks future is a long discussion with the Merlin group as a whole cutting entertainment. This time last year it was clear, however I believe no more than ever the future is unclear.
 
They admit to knowing they must invest via management and planning applications but will finance allow? 

It’s less likely now however I still feel like there is room at Thorpe for an out and back b&m hyper at Thorpe. 

attraction source have reported that a new hotel is in development 

Right in time for Fright Nights :)))))))
 
It was clear it was running slow, so why not fully load the train with dummies? Especially in the morning
 
Anyway, looks like over closed season they will have to implement new procedures to avoid this occurring. It’s too late now to modify the ride in anyway.

I think a good indication of cuts is if slammer doesn’t get removed this year and sparkle project doesn’t happen again.
 
Both require investment and both were said to happen this coming closed season. So if it’s changed, it will be a good indicator 
 
 

I think a good indication of cuts is if slammer doesn’t get removed this year and sparkle project doesn’t happen again.
 
Both require investment and both were said to happen this coming closed season. So if it’s changed, it will be a good indicator 
 
 

Yes quite. I think the biggest tell of their state of affairs/management is to what extent the Sparkle Project continues over closed season.
 
It does feel like all of a sudden the pitch has shifted from closed season 2023/start of season 2024 to where we are now and it's quite concerning as to why and how quickly.
 
Hopefully this won't affect the taste and enjoyment of my currywurst pizza next week.

From a ride rather article and Bloomberg : Here