With all this talk of a "tunnel", and the previous talk of it being a London based ride (Whitechapel), could this be a London Underground themed section of the attraction. Some sort of mind control/illusion stuff going on in the underground? Just a theory I had

Sounds interesting! And maybe this'll give them an opportunity to combine various lighting and smells with the experience; Dimly lit, along with the usual smell you'd get on the Underground.

Ahh yes, urine and burger king. Just looked at the plans again and had a thought. From the side view, that is one long, straight building.

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There is definitely a tunnel like structure being built in there. Whether on not that's how one of the immersive tunnel things is built I have no idea.

I'm not to sure it is an immersive tunnel any more.... I'll post some better photos in a bit from the proper camera

I'm not to sure it is an immersive tunnel any more.... I'll post some better photos in a bit from the proper camera

 

Are we talking about Whitechapel or loggers?    

Well, that definitely shed some light

The lost temple at movie park in Germany cost only 5 million euros.

if the budget truly is around the 30 million mark then god only knows.

Well no matter what we think the ride is, remember just how expensive the thing's gonna be...for Thorpe AND Merlin!

No one knows the budget of this thing. But you've got to see it as large. It's Thorpe's large investment. It is indeed instead of a roller coaster development. If it turns out to be just a 5 million immersive tunnel (which is what should be Merlin's medium year investments) then this will all be very overhyped. It's going to be big, for the park to be advertising it so soon it's got to be special in some way. They want people to know they're up to something, and they wouldn't do this much for a cheaper investment. 

 

It's been rumoured from day one this is Merlin's largest single investment in any park, all rumours but that's all we can go from. A solid dark ride is in the 30 million range which is by no means impossible. The plans state this thing will have a station, the station/load/offload is raised off the ground so there is definitely more to this than an immersive tunnel. Note the plans also state this is a first of its kind or something and they want to keep it a secret. Personally not following the immersive tunnel train, yeah something like it might be incorporated as like a scene but I feel there will be much more to it.

From the planning

 

 

Author: PCA Safety Ltd, 1 Kidderton Close, Brindley, Nantwich, CW5 8JU Project Title: WC16 Value of Project: £ 3m Location: Central area Thorpe Park, Staines Road, Chertsey Surrey, KT16 2NE Project Description: Installation of new themed ride within theme park

 

That appears to be the physical structure and not ride hardware, theming, IP's etc so doesn't really help much.. Wasn't there a powerpoint thing going round which had some rough numbers on it?

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There is definitely a tunnel like structure being built in there. Whether on not that's how one of the immersive tunnel things is built I have no idea.

 

This picture alone is keeping my expectations realistic.

Didn't the plans say the boarding area is on the first floor? And as far as I know, Immersive Tunnels don't change elevations, or do they?

New pics from TPM facebook

 

 

 

That arch like structure seems to come right up to the entrance side of the building, with a gap on the far side. It doesn't look the right shape for one of those tunnel things to me.

This is gonna be a letdown ....

The building doesn't seem as tall as I was expecting, plus those arches concern me a wee bit.

If this new ride turns out to be like Vengeance or that thing at Shrek, I'll be very disappointed.

I'm still holding my breath, just. I'll wait until we know more/I ride it before I slate it completely! I think with coasters it's easier to predict if they'll be decent but this is making me curious I must admit!

It's a little hard to tell from the photos how much has been built, but my guess is something like this...

 

(Apologises for the crude, low quality picture)

 

The yellow section appears the be the part of the building currently constructed, and the starred section is where I think this tunnel segment is.  There's still a lot more to be done - don't judge the attraction by a bit of the building!

I can already guess that the part of the building being built will be the location of the preshows.

There may yet be hope. This thing is flying up though.

Ive got high hopes for this attraction! still think its to early to guess what it could be if I'm honest...

http://www.themeparkguide.biz/news/wc16-goes-vertical

Perhaps the arches will be themed to look like a vaulted ceiling of sorts? It's a long shot though.

I can already guess that the part of the building being built will be the location of the preshows.

 

I thought that, but the queue leads to the other side of the building? Hmmmm

^ This. And if I remember correctly, the plans said the preshow was in the tall part of the building? Might be wrong though.

Just wondering what about that building being built currently makes you think it'd be for pre shows?

Preshows are in attraction building one which is the taller actually themed building (the IAC side of the site or the pit).

This is gonna be a letdown ....

...Seriously?    

Doing a little bit of research and thanks to Total Thorpe Park & Theme Park Guide images (credits to those lovely people), I've been able to tell which part of the building is currently being construction.

 

This is part of the main ride area which strengthens my idea, it is an immersive tunnel experience or something of that sort.

 

Note here the shape of the building:

 

Is this part of the building here: 

 

So it's not the pre show... But whatever Thorpe is doing... It's going to be one of the most exciting dark ride projects not only in the UK... but Europe!