Mattgwise Posted August 10, 2020 Report Share Posted August 10, 2020 Must just be unfortunate as I think all coasters were being run very well on the two visits I've had. I was mostly impressed with Inferno getting the trains out within seconds of hitting the final brakes following a few seasons of dire operations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 Hoping to visit Thorpe for the first time in like 2-3 years next month. Anyone got any idea what the operations have been like? Factoring in the cleaning procedures and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 31 minutes ago, alexander said: Hoping to visit Thorpe for the first time in like 2-3 years next month. Anyone got any idea what the operations have been like? Factoring in the cleaning procedures and such. They've been a mixed bag really. It does seem to differ day-to-day frankly. However, I think on the whole, operations are better than they were 2-3 years ago. The cleaning procedures may close a ride down for 5-10 minutes once an hour or so, but you can be lucky and have it not affect your day at all (equally, you can be unlucky and notice it on every ride). Queues look longer because of social distancing, so generally they may look bad but they're a bit more manageable. If you're going on a school day, the park will be more than manageable tbh, with likelihood of re-rides quite easily. If you're going on a weekend, just being sensible enough should mean you'd get most things done. Equally though, there's the Oktoberfest event starting from 7th September - if it's similar to the Towers one, the weekends will have later closer times, which would help further (and potentially see the park quieten down). tl;dr - operations will probably be okay compared to your last visit. alexander 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted August 17, 2020 Report Share Posted August 17, 2020 Thorpe have updated there opening hours every Friday and Saturday in September and the first week in October (before Fright Nights) to 10am-8pm for Oktoberfest. Good to see they've extended their opening hours and I do hope it'll be popular for them. Crazy that they're open later on Fridays and Saturdays in September than they are during the whole of July and August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 And a little more about the event: https://www.thorpepark.com/explore/theme-park/events/oktoberfest/ Quote New for 2020 - dust off your lederhosen and join us for an Oktoberfest event like no other! Tuck into classic German delights or chill out with a cold Stein of traditional Oktoberfest beer all whilst soaking up the atmosphere of traditional Bavarian sights and sounds in the Island’s Festival Centre. Then brace yourself (and your vocal cords) and be sure to yodel if you want go faster on some of Europe’s most thrilling rides! Raise a glass and join us at THORPE PARK Resort from 7th September to 4th October. Quote Quench your thirst Get in the Oktoberfest spirit with a stein of traditional German Spaten lager, or chill out with a cool glass of Beck’s or alcohol-free Beck’s Blu Quote German delights Tuck into some traditional German delights. You’ll find a huge selection across the Island including; Bratwurst, fresh pretzels, Black Forest sundaes - even a Currywurst pizza! You could call it an OktoberFEAST! The event sounds promising, and it's good to see they're actually planning on having an actual Oktoberfest drink there. Hopefully they can do it some justice. --- On a different note, I visited on Monday. Something which was very striking was that, during a thunderstorm, every ride was closed (completely understandable and obvious). The only open attraction was Angry Birds 4D. I know there's a slight element of this being out of their control (Derren and Walking Dead being closed due to Covid, though I'm sure the latter could have reopened by now, which makes me wonder if there's a different problem...), but it really highlighted the park's need for more indoor rides frankly. They'd also have two indoor walkthroughs if it wasn't for Covid, but yeah, that's not what I'm talking about. Yes, it's always been a problem for the park, and they face challenges with the amount of indoor space they can have. But it's something that really needs addressing, and something which I was just starkly reminded of during my visit. TPJames 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 I'm shook that they are actually going to get an actual Oktoberfest beer in... they can keep the Becks though, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobF Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 Can you imagine the complaints even sized groups only can ride! TPJames 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 One of the main issues which likely prevents TWD from currently reopening is it’s “two to a row“ rule, which makes loading solo or odd numbered guests on the ride impossible without breaching social distancing measures. The rule came in a few years ago and given how safety stringent Merlin are these days it is unlikely to change unless the vehicles are modified to enable this again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 The Storm Surge rule was being enforced by a staff member at the front of the entrance. Didn't seem to cause many issues, but did overhear one conversation from a group of 3 who just didn't get it. It's a weird one as I don't think similar rides have the rule, nor did it have the rule in Cypress Gardens. Reason it exists is to prevent it from 'stalling' whilst going down the slide I've heard, but just seems weird. TPJames 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 On 8/12/2020 at 9:12 PM, JoshC. said: They've been a mixed bag really. It does seem to differ day-to-day frankly. However, I think on the whole, operations are better than they were 2-3 years ago. The cleaning procedures may close a ride down for 5-10 minutes once an hour or so, but you can be lucky and have it not affect your day at all (equally, you can be unlucky and notice it on every ride). Queues look longer because of social distancing, so generally they may look bad but they're a bit more manageable. If you're going on a school day, the park will be more than manageable tbh, with likelihood of re-rides quite easily. If you're going on a weekend, just being sensible enough should mean you'd get most things done. Equally though, there's the Oktoberfest event starting from 7th September - if it's similar to the Towers one, the weekends will have later closer times, which would help further (and potentially see the park quieten down). tl;dr - operations will probably be okay compared to your last visit. Thank you very much Josh! I'm planning to go on a weekday so hopefully that'll have a positive impact also. I'm actually quite looking forward to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenVig Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 👀 Ringo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 Ah yes, the screenshot of a webpage with no link to said webpage. Always useful... Didn't realise that season pass holders no longer for discount. The fact that they're slicing away at the discount for Thorpe Park specific passholders sucks a little bit to be honest. Makes sense I guess given how cheap they are and how many they probably sell. Though maybe that's a sign they should scrap the cheapest version of their season pass... I guess the Infinity version has the added discount, maybe free parking and less restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshuaA Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 I think the prices really reflect the quality of the product.. Sure lowering your prices down will get more sales, but then you have a million passholders who get discount on everything and all want to visit the park all the time (and trying to get a passholder pre-book is like trying to light a candle under-water..) Honestly I feel the premium passholders need more incentives. Six Flags with their membership offer things like passholder-only areas and entrances just for passholders. Maybe Merlin should expand on the tiers and benefits in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 Doesn't the premium annual pass already offer free parking and less restrictions? Hope this infinity one isn't a VIP type pass with unlimited fastrack all year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringo Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 6 minutes ago, ThorpeAddict said: Doesn't the premium annual pass already offer free parking and less restrictions? Hope this infinity one isn't a VIP type pass with unlimited fastrack all year... Would make sense with a name like infinity... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringo Posted August 29, 2020 Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 And to complete the Fastrack offering, Thorpe are now offering one shot fastrack for general sale. https://www.thorpepark.com/tickets-passes/extras/fastrack/ Quote One shot theme park fastrack Just want to skip the queue once? During your visit you can purchase a One Shot Fastrack from £10 - available to buy from our roaming fastrack sales team. In the morning our roaming fastrack sales team can be found on park as you exit the dome near Island Help and Information. The afternoon the team can be found outside our major rollercoasters. Feel ask a member of staff if you are trying to locate the roaming fastrack sales team. Please note that our fastrack is being sold on an extremely limited basis as part of our ongoing safety enhancements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringo Posted September 1, 2020 Report Share Posted September 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Ivsetti said: Colossus - showing its age - has now been closed for 2 days and counting. Same as Wicker Man and that’s a new ride... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobF Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Colossus goes through periods of downtime.... it always has had them. normally computer/lift hill related but could be anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshuaA Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 Its an intamin, duh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 Back open today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 This isn't the most accurate thread to say this, but probably the one that will be seen the most.. From Tuesday, Annual Passholders no longer need to spend £1 to reserve entry to any Merlin attraction. I know it's a contentious point, but given the fact that many dates for passholders are sold out at other parks (especially weekends), and people don't always turn up despite paying the £1, it's perhaps a weird move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 Very weird decision For me the £1 booking fee isn't a problem. Its the fact you have to book weeks in advance. Some people don't plan and can't plan in advance. I find it frustrating not being able to visit when it isn't capacity If anything this is just going to make that problem even worse, as more people are going to book tickets and less will be available Ringo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 16 hours ago, ThorpeAddict said: Very weird decision For me the £1 booking fee isn't a problem. Its the fact you have to book weeks in advance. Some people don't plan and can't plan in advance. I find it frustrating not being able to visit when it isn't capacity How do you alleviate that problem exactly? We don't live in a normal circumstances world right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 To be fair we have been moving into a pre-plan/pre-book world for years now and maybe even more-so with current positions in the world. I always try and book/plan things in ahead but I know there will always be some who will leave it last minute for better and worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted September 10, 2020 Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/5/2020 at 9:05 AM, Mark9 said: How do you alleviate that problem exactly? We don't live in a normal circumstances world right now. Some people get there shifts for work on a weekly basis for example. Makes it very hard for them to plan in advance. I tried to organise a weekend up in towers for scarefest this year. Every single weekend is fully booked for the rest of the year for pass holders, well over a month in advance. I know we don't live in a normal circumstances world right now, I'm aware of that, and I agree the parks need to limit there capacity. But my point was that I think they are treating pass holders very differently to paying guests throughout this, and in my opinion think the pre booking system has been managed poorly for pass holders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.