Ghost Train - NEW for 2023

[Mattgwise]

Ghost train will still have a cast of actors. Some people have just been appointed the role.

[JoshC.]

The fake ending shop didn't quite hit the same for the new Ghost Train in my opinion.

 

From my understanding, the creative behind Ghost Train was quite big on retaining that ending, but there was some reservation from the park owing to the fact that it had become known and predictable. So I'm not surprised that it didn't last, and I imagine that there wasn't enough of drive post-opening to be able to change it (given it would require money, time, etc).

 

For what it's worth, the ending only used 1 actor in 2023; the "retail host" would disappear, throw on a cloak, and then come out. In DBGT it required 2 as they were completely different costumes. Obviously the removal of the actor there was balanced by the fact that there were more actors elsewhere.

 

As mentioned, seasonal staff have been cast for Ghost Train, so that at least gives us some evidence that Ents haven't been completely removed from the park, like some people have suggested. I also believe that Thorpe still have a permanent Ents team, who would be responsible for FN and running the main season Ents operation, again, going against suggestions that the Ents team were made completely redundant.

 

The bigger question mark surround Thorpe Ents, and Ghost Train, is the level of staffing we're getting. Will Ghost Train becoming a peak-only attraction maybe? Will we see anything Ents wise outside of Ghost Train and Fright Nights? How else will the day-to-day operation of Thorpe be impacted by the reported redundancies?

[Inferno]

I’m wondering if Thorpe are avoiding some of the cutbacks to be honest as they’re a very small team compared to Towers etc. And perhaps they have been more profitable than other parks recently so are being left alone a little more? 🤷‍♂️

[MattL28]

6 hours ago, JoshC. said:

The bigger question mark surround Thorpe Ents, and Ghost Train, is the level of staffing we're getting. Will Ghost Train becoming a peak-only attraction maybe? Will we see anything Ents wise outside of Ghost Train and Fright Nights? How else will the day-to-day operation of Thorpe be impacted by the reported redundancies?

I assume it will be similar to 2018/2019 with a few roamers if not needed for rides.

[JoshC.]

In an interesting recent development, it appears most (if not, all) Ghost Train merchandise is on sale / reduced.

 

https://x.com/CalVickers33/status/1959594519923442085?t=3dYMeueKswge5Nfu0LzrBQ&s=19

 

Parks do tend to put merchandise on sale for rides which aren't returning the following season. Equally, they can just do if it's not popular and they want to clear space. 

 

I think it's fair to say that Ghost Train isn't the most popular attraction, and none of the merch is must-have stuff, so it's certainly the realm of possibility that they're simply getting rid of the range. However, given the financial issues and potential cost-cutting Merlin are facing, plus the fact that Thorpe are set to be outsourcing Ents next year, it also wouldn't be too much of a surprise if it didn't return next year...

[Matt 236]

I feel the retheme in some ways worked, but in others less so. They’ve done an ok job integrating what’s there into an original storyline, but it feels less iconic/distinctive regardless of the many setbacks from the very beginning.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the ride mothballed in the near future, especially with the problems highlighted above.

[coasterverse]

Wouldn't even remotely be surprised if this was the outcome (even as potentially one of Ghost Train's very few genuine fans) - I think its days were numbered when they stopped running the fakeout finale and just chucked ride staff in front of it to guide guests in the other direction instead of bringing it back or at the very least redecorating the fakeout finale room to be something different so that the original exit route is retained even if the fakeout was cut.

 

I said at the start of the season that I reckon Ghost Train had maybe 2 seasons left in it at most. I will genuinely be sad to see it go - but even more so if it goes without a plan for its future. It may be a bad attraction on paper, but I'd rather take something rather than nothing any day of the week. I just hope that whatever comes next isn't a demolishment of the building and another coaster built there.

 

Thorpe are crying out for a good dark ride - I love the Ghost Train building and is definitely sizeable enough to fit something else in there - the only issue would be getting the motion platform out and the new ride system in. There's many more much more appropriate locations for a new coaster when the time comes. For the love of Christ keep it as a dark ride, but do it more traditionally this time.

 

I'd love to have seen how DBGT could've gone if it weren't for the VR gimmick and Derren had been given full creative control...

[Inferno]

Interesting!

 

I agree with the above comments about dark rides.  Ghost Train robbed us of the dark ride we were supposed to have.  I hope they do have another go at one at some point because I think the park really would benefit from one.

 

As for the immediate future though, I agree, this has got to be the end of the line for it now hasn't it?

Merlin have £0, and Ghost Train must cost a fortune to run in staff costs compared to other rides.  It simply can't be worth the money to keep it going every day.

 

I am sad that we never got the groundbreaking dark ride that it was supposed to be, but realistically it was a swing and a miss right from day one, and never really hit the mark, even after the re-theme.

 

An ambitious but expensive miss-step, followed by a good attempt at a re-theme given what was available, and the bizarre investment in the adjoining cafe and shop later on after it was a proven flop - it's just never really worked, and must have been a huge drain on resources and money right from the start, despite the best efforts of the amazing cast.

 

If it is closing, I honestly don't think many would even notice next season...  Such a shame.

[JoshC.]

A slight correction I need to make: Ghost Train merchandise has been on sale all season, so this isn't a recent thing. 

 

Much less likely it's a decision in anticipation of its closure, but rather a way to shift stock. But hey, anything can happen I guess!

 

7 hours ago, Inferno said:

and the bizarre investment in the adjoining cafe and shop later on after it was a proven flop

 

I'd say the cafe was the smartest investment from the 2023 retheme. Though the park is small, that part of the park needed a coffee shop, and it proves to get a regular, steady footfall. 

 

If the ride was more popular I could see that being even more popular too.

[MattL28]

I think the whole project was a shame really. They tried something different and have a great themed show building but it just has never worked and retheming it to ghost train or anything else would have never saved it. It’s demised has been written since 2016.

 

It would have been 10 years next year since its opening and it wouldn’t surprise me after 10 years that they think it’s ok to scrap it.

 

Thorpe have just got rid of all SBNO rides, so it will be sad seeing a massive one hidden in a building again. I’d rather have it open