Is it just me, or does the whole ride get lit up because of the tiny green led lights on the emergency lights? Not the lights, not the emergency lights, but merely the lights that tell you there's power!

Out of curiosity, how often do actors appear in The Walking Dead? And do they ever appear when not advertised outside?

 

I only ask because I haven’t actually done it since the retheme due to a bit of a phobia of/aversion to costumed actors, particularly scare actors. I rode the coaster hardware itself in 2014, prior to the retheme, but I haven’t ridden it since.

 

I’m wondering if I should rip the plaster off and try it next time I’m at Thorpe, but I’d really prefer not to risk it if there’s a strong chance of actors being in there.

31 minutes ago, Matt N said:

Out of curiosity, how often do actors appear in The Walking Dead? And do they ever appear when not advertised outside?

I’m sorry I can’t answer your question, but in my experience it’s extremely rare, and on the few occasions when they have had actors in there during my visits over the years, it’s simply one in the pre-show room, but the “scares” are minimal and it’s more of an “opening and closing the doors” sort of role.  Another actor or 2 is then in the corridor just after the station exit, although realistically the scares here are minimal too and it’s more for show as you file past.

My advice would be, if you’re really wanting to ride TWD, depending on your phobia of course, it isn’t comparable to a scare maze and is a very brief interaction. You’ll be walking past them for a few seconds at most, and the environment doesn’t lend itself to being scary or really give the staff any opportunity to hide.

you’ll also be one of a trainload of people so it’s safety in numbers!

 

If you just come through the doors, keep your head down and walk, once you’re in to the narrow corridor you’re past where the actors usually are (if there are any!)

 

I think there will always be someone in the preshow room, who often has a mask of some sort on, but as I’ve mentioned it’s far from a scary experience and really no different than any member of staff dealing with a preshow 🤷‍♂️ 

 

Do they even have actors in there anymore actually?

 

Actors are in there in the afternoons most days this year in my experience.

 

They always place a sign outside the entrance when there are actors, and there almost always won't be actors in there if that sign isn't out.

 

If you want to experience it without actors, I'd try to ride it before noon.

Thanks, both!

 

I doubt I'll end up doing it anyway. If there are probably actors in it, I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance, and besides, there's too much at Thorpe that I actually like for me to be overly worried about not having done The Walking Dead! I'll probably be far too tempted by the bigger coasters on my next visit, particularly seeing as I definitely need more goes on Hyperia...

On 4/1/2018 at 10:04 PM, ProudToServe said:

It sure is a weird way to advertise something. and with all the actors in the PR for it, which you wont get on the day. I was hoping for new train shells sadly not..

See, the idea of the safe zone is that they have "taken over X" so the remains of old X being there can work from a story point of view. despite it coming across lazy and cost saving.

 

I do agree, they could have created their own IP relating to the music and old X, a better music and light show throughout the attraction. Like rockin rollercoaster. done something that was actually pretty neat. some video wall at the blocks. using lights and sound to make the coaster feel faster. With the budget, some pretty neat stuff could have been done! But instead gone for a decreasing in interest IP. god knows what happens in 2 years time when walking dead is dead.

You’re absolutely right 👌 it really feels like they went for a short-term hype ride instead of thinking long-term. Like you said, if they had created their own unique concept with better use of lights, sound, and immersive effects, it could’ve stayed exciting for years. The way it is now, the novelty might fade pretty quickly and in a couple of years it’ll already feel outdated.