December 14, 201311 yr comment_173189 When was the last time Thorpe invested into anything worth the money that wasn't a coaster? The S+S brothers? At least one of them worked out well, and I still love the other regardless of its failings. Surely this year will see some investment for the park in previously closed attractions, along with the hotel? The value of the 'hotel' as an investment is misguided at best in my opinion, but I still think the park itself will do well with whatever they do with it if they go at it with the same attitude and sense as they did with last years bits.
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173194 The thing which always makes me think when people say about the park's non-coaster year investments: What worthwhile addition could Thorpe add? Thorpe have quite a large variety of flats; I can't think of many flat rides the park could add which aren't overly similar to other rides on park and which would be a good addition. A dark ride is missing from the line up, but where could you put that? All about the right place at the right time for that. I think a couple of smaller things (return of cinema, CCR, a show, etc) would be great. But you can bet your bottom dollar that if that's what Thorpe did one year, people would moan it wasn't 'a good year of investment' or something like that. People can say about the park losing the ability to add rides outside of coasters - but the question is, what can they add which will satisfy everyone?
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173195 Assuming they return the 4d cinema and train it will be scoffed at because of their removal the other year because of not suiting the target market at the time, cos Thorpe were silly... It's not necessarily rides that the park needed (although a dark ride replacing the arena and/or X is ideal), but it's providing other things to do... If you don't feel like doing a ride at Thorpe (after lunch as an example), your choices are limited to queuing for one or sitting on a bench... A show, gentle ride or a farm did wonders for this situation when they existed, but now it's just rides... In order to be successful (especially with families) parks need variety of things to do, but Thorpe didn't see this and as a result we've had crap like Storm Surge and Saw Alive because they felt a new ride every year was needed... I repeat, it's not necessarily rides that the park needs... Although of course an Air Race wouldn't go amiss...
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173197 I think Dan meant worthwhile investments during none coaster years... When was the last time Thorpe invested into anything worth the money that wasn't a coaster? I guess it depends how you look at it, whilst not massive id say X was a worthwhile investment its significantly better than it was before, I'm not to sure what to think about Storm Surge, it don't look great but it can be fun and its another ride for families to enjoy rather than just the very youngest which OG served, Saw Alive whilst it didn't last more than a couple of seasons served its purpose, taking people out of other queues on park when the park was at its busiest point. Then the general investment on park with queue boards / new park wide sound system the park do make plenty of investments in areas which IMO need it.
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173200 X is a coaster. Updates to park infrastructure is something which should happen every year anyway, and shouldn't be counted in investments anyway. Christ.
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173204 X is a coaster. Updates to park infrastructure is something which should happen every year anyway, and shouldn't be counted in investments anyway. Christ. True.. But when you look at the other Merlin parks it's not really the case.
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173206 I think the park definitely needs more which reopening CCR and the cinema would be a good resolution. Unless you have a strong stomach (or enter a 30+ min queue) the only rides you can do after lunch are a Rumba, Loggers, Caroulsel and Storm Surge at the most. It looks very likely we won't see anything new next year, at least on a medium to large scale.
December 14, 201311 yr comment_173209 True.. But when you look at the other Merlin parks it's not really the case. Thorpe are the only park to have done such a thing (and the sound system doesn't work very well let's be honest)... But, 2 things? There's a lot more to be done than that... That Merlin's parks don't really believe in infrastructure improvements is shocking... The improvements to X were the very definition of polishing a turd, whilst providing a ride younger people could go on whilst spending as little money as possible... Such is the Merlin way really... Slightly better than DIC's ways of running minimal investment for maximum returns (mainly as most new attractions do have some thought behind them, apart from Storm Surge), but it's not that much of an improvement...
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174712 This seems to have slipped completely off the radar... Posted on Thorpe's FB page (hopefully this link should take you there too... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=p.10152133644380867&type=1 ) Interesting idea; if pulled off correctly, it would look pretty sweet!
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174713 A new entrance / theme to the Crash Pad / Waterfront Hotel? (look like that in the background) Would certainly give the new Crash Pad an edge / some uniqueness which can only be a good thing!
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174714 It's a bar by the looks of things... It's fab though whatever it is, why can't this level of imagination be imbraced more?
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174716 This looks excellent. I take it this will either be the Waterfront hotel entrance or a new bar. Which ever it is, looks fantastic.
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174729 Don't get too excited.. This is an idea we've had for a new hotel. It's 'an idea', it's not actually happening.
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174734 Don't get too excited.. It's 'an idea', it's not actually happening. But it's a GOOD idea... This is the sort of concept that should be supported for it's uniqueness and originality... Otherwise we end up with crap like Storm Surge...
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174747 All references to "The Waterfront Hotel" have been removed so can only assume this wont be the name of the final hotel.
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174748 Great to see that kind of thing is still being 'created'. A lot of Merlin's new attractions all feel the same Saw/Raptor/Krake/Swarm/Zufari. Whilst they are happy with their brand, it's all pretty samey.
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174750 Yes was just going to say - now referred to as "Resort hotel" or "on site hotel" - I'm sure a 'proper' name will be announced soon. Big thumbs up for the Shark concept art - it would be amazing if something like that did come to fruition. As I said in the 2014 thread - theming wise, Swarm island is a huge thumbs up from me - and what was promised in the plans was delivered, and then some - so hopefully this concept art is another good sign of things to come - and maybe Angry Birds land will be well themed. (It still pains me that Stealth never got it's grandstand, I would've loved it even more if so )
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174773 I like the first one, but the second as a overall concept looks great IMO would be somewhere everyone could chill in the evenings other than the dome
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174774 I prefer the boardwalk idea as it seems to have a theme within itself, and would fit... I just can't see the other idea working.
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174775 I like it, but it makes me think Brighton Pier, not Thorpe Park. The first one felt a lot quirkier, and could still create a relaxing atmosphere afterwards, just with a bit f humour thrown in. Could still work rather well though!
January 10, 201411 yr comment_174776 Park/Crashpad2 opens in a couple of months, what the hell are they doing looking at concepts now? Nice to see they are planning ahead as usual.
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