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.