Not if Thorpe clearly stated it as a "uniquely themed" ride.

 

Uniquely-themed = Hunger Games 

 

A Hunger-Games themed version of the ride that Toy Story Mania is. 

Yeah, I don't know how many times parks in general have to stretch the worlds/continent/coutrys first/only/record lines beyond any kind of reality before we stop believing the press release puff?

I'm not saying there's any reason this won't be great, but nothing significant can be read into the scant details we have so far.

Anticipation has diminished 60%. 

Am I the only one who wanted something a little more cheerful than another run down building theme?! Which would also mean something a little more family than Hunger Games (if its an IP) I'd ride Toy Story over any dark ride we have in the UK as its, dare I say, Fun?!

I have a suspicion this will be a more futuristic approach to the laser battle type rides that are currently in place at the other Merlin parks. Something along the lines of a trackless interactive dark ride would be amusing and innovative.

Everyone loves pictures of construction:

Weird settng the space without the seats.

Again, these photos are from TPM's FB (cheeky little plug )

^ Arena looks huge without the seats! First photo makes the park look like Camelot though, it that it looks awful. </3

This photo makes me laugh.... I wouldn't like to accidentally fall down here when at slammer... 

Credit: http://www.themeparkguide.biz/news/closed-season-changes-around-thorpe-park

Am I the only one struggling to see the point in this sign...:

 

*crosses fingers* hungergamesridehungergamesride

One of these days I'm gonna visit this thread and find pictures of the stark, cold space where the carousel once stood, I don't think there's a way to mentally prepare for it. 

Does anyone have a rough idea when they would start ground breaking?

Merlin haven't done anything groundbreaking for years.

(Sorry! )

Merlin haven't done anything groundbreaking for years.

(Sorry! )

Now you mention it, the floor near truckers was made uneven at Chessington recently. That's the biggest ground breaking they've done for a while

Does anyone have a rough idea when they would start ground breaking?

If I remember correctly, there's no indication on the plans when it will start. Given the site is now almost fully clear, I imagine it could start very soon, but at the same time, it could be a couple of months away yet! Just a case of playing the waiting game.

I imagine sooner rather than later, it depends how much ground work is needed.

Teasers are up. Dalek eye stalk anyone?

Here is an image of the teaser from South Parks FB page

Looks 'Dr Whoish' to me... Please please no... Really not a Dr Who fan and personally the majority of the visitors to Thorpe I doubt are either too... Personally I was hoping for more of a horror themed ride but anything but Dr Who imo...

That's surely a Dalek eye, surely?!?

It's the box amy was locked in for 2000 years a couple seasons ago. not sure if it's pandoras box, or pandorica or something?

 

It would absolutely have to be something on this level to be pleasing for me, as I'm not a huge who fan, but also it would need to be thrilling for the average, teen visiter at Thorpe.

I knoe the chances of something like this happening is slim, however if this can be made in a game, I'd love to think something similar could be made in real life.

 

Doesn't really look like that

On second thoughts yeah not much. 

I'm hoping it isn't a IP... Merlin have done decent dark ride that aren't a IP such as Duel and hex at Alton and all the laser battles. Thorpe don't need another IP ride and I hope if it is a IP it isn't Dr Who...