Parm Pap Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 Spiiiiiin, click click click click spiiiiiin, click click click click spiiiiiin, click click click click spiiiiiin, click click click click Last year the golden goddess ding dong danged down to the water and found her wings One day, might she navigate to her happy ride? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 There’s no reason this couldn’t be the start of the next big thing in the works. I’m sure there’s a fair amount of forward planning going on with Universal making their appearance. I wonder if logistically they need to get the ball rolling and get things planned in and on the calendar with the manufacturers and those who actually build these things? I would imagine they need to “book their slots” before Universal “book theirs” - because they will hoover up quite a lot of the manufacturer and construction people’s time for a few years I guess. Merlin won’t want to be forced to wait until universal is built before they can build something! Just guesswork, but I can’t imagine there are many companies out there who do this sort of stuff… and they’re going to be fully booked for a few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted January 16 Author Report Share Posted January 16 5 hours ago, MattL28 said: If they are to decrease the gaps in investment, planning permission for a new ride surely has to be put in this year? It's hard to gauge. In terms of major investments (ie big coasters), the best we can do right now is look at Hyperia's timeline, as that is most reflective for how the planning timelines will work in current-day Thorpe. The public consultation started in December 2021, so a 2024 opening (I believe the original hope was for it to open at start of 2024 too). So, using that: 2029 opening -> December 2026 consultation 2028 opening -> December 2025 consultation Given Hyperia's larger size, if a new coaster is a similar scale to the park's other coasters, it could even be a later. We've got no sense of idea as to when the park will next invest in a major ride. Or anything really. Looking at Chessington, they got World of Jumanji in 2023, and Minecraft Land seems to be coming for 2027. Towers got Nemesis Reborn for 2024 and Project Horizon is rumoured to now be happening for 2027. Thorpe, it's very quiet. The European Merlin Theme Parks it's even longer gaps. Given the changes at the top of Merlin in the last couple of years, it's hard to know exactly where the resort theme parks stand, and what sort of budget is going to them, or how often major rides are coming their ways. In terms of a smaller investment (ie a new flat ride), planning could be submitted just a few months prior. If we were to see a new flat ride for 2026, for example, we could see plans online any time from this summer onwards. 28 minutes ago, Inferno said: There’s no reason this couldn’t be the start of the next big thing in the works. I’m sure there’s a fair amount of forward planning going on with Universal making their appearance. I wonder if logistically they need to get the ball rolling and get things planned in and on the calendar with the manufacturers and those who actually build these things? I would imagine they need to “book their slots” before Universal “book theirs” - because they will hoover up quite a lot of the manufacturer and construction people’s time for a few years I guess. Merlin won’t want to be forced to wait until universal is built before they can build something! Just guesswork, but I can’t imagine there are many companies out there who do this sort of stuff… and they’re going to be fully booked for a few years I think there will be a level of caution too. Universal is still not confirmed. Certainly feels possible, but by no means certain. If Merlin want to pre-emptively "respond" to Universal and improve their parks, you're right that they will want to "get in there" prior to Universal in terms of constructors, manufacturers, etc. But if the only reason they want to improve and expand and build new rides is to stop people going to Universal, they'll only green light those investments when Universal is confirmed to be happening. Otherwise, if it's just the status quo, and people are still visiting, why would they need to invest and improve? I should add, I don't think that Merlin will necessarily knee-jerk with loads of new investments if/when Universal happens. There will be a natural step-up in their game following a major new competitor coming, but I don't think they'll start majorly changing how they've done because of Universal. I think there's a level of coincidence in, for example, Chessington's recent investments and Universal potentially happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinlarr89 Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 Agree, personally think they will target their 50th anniversary, which is 2029?!?? Would make sense as the next major attraction for the park. What that is… or where it goes who knows. I think your point in relation to the anticipation or reaction to universal is really valid. Hard to know what timescales universal assuming it goes ahead would work to, but can’t see it being prior to 2030 as it’s a whole resort from scratch. It would then also work for Thorpe to go for a major attraction in 2029 prior to universal, then aim to target circa 2032/33 once the universal buzz starts to calm down. in addition to this, Thorpe Chessington and Legoland all stand to profit from Universal, as it draws people in to visit from afar. Hence why I think all 3 will invest in more accommodation as part of this. Just my take on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinlarr89 Posted January 19 Report Share Posted January 19 Out of interest for the next major investment. What would people’s top 3 be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owenstreet7 Posted January 19 Report Share Posted January 19 On 1/16/2025 at 10:07 PM, Vinlarr89 said: Agree, personally think they will target their 50th anniversary, which is 2029?!?? Would make sense as the next major attraction for the park. What that is… or where it goes who knows. I'd personally imagine we'll see a larger rollercoaster come for 2029 in some shape or form. I'm sure things will come in between however I'm thinking it'll be flats, a water ride or even a middle ground rollercoaster. It is possible it could come in for 2028 straight after Minecraft and Project Horizon. If it does happen in 2028, I think something else will come in for 2029. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 As long as we get a complete layout for the next coaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattL28 Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 It’s less likely now however I still feel like there is room at Thorpe for an out and back b&m hyper at Thorpe. owenstreet7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinlarr89 Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 3 hours ago, MattL28 said: It’s less likely now however I still feel like there is room at Thorpe for an out and back b&m hyper at Thorpe. Just go all out and bring a fury 325 regen 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 On 1/19/2025 at 11:01 PM, Vinlarr89 said: Out of interest for the next major investment. What would people’s top 3 be? -Multi launch coaster. Yes we've got Stealth, but modern day launch coasters are so different to Stealth. Have it as a lower-to-ground, not-as-fast ride with a long layout, and it'll be a winner. Something like Manta at Sea World Abu Dhabi would be incredible at Thorpe. But also the likes of Taron, Taiga, Helix, etc etc. Any smaller version of those would be *chef kiss* -RMC. A balls to the wall RMC hybrid or single rail would be amazing to have in the country. Would it be the right fit for the park? I'm not necessarily convinced. But from an enthusiast wet dream perspective, absolutely. -Vekoma tilt. The gimmick sells itself, and is different enough to anything else on park. But the real kicker is getting a modern Vekoma on park, which are wicked fun. A bog standard Vekoma sit down coaster feels unlikely at Thorpe, simply due to it not having the USP. Chuck on the tilt gimmick and a fab layout though, and they're golden. Vinlarr89 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinlarr89 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Totally agree with the multi launch coaster. So many options in the market today, and it really feels like a gap in the lineup. Intamin multi launch would probably be my preference, but a Mack Stryker would be a great addition. Wouldn’t even need a top hat IMO, keep it low and snappy! RMC- would need to be a good one or not bother at all IMO. 170-180ft range, great first drop etc etc. not sure it’s needed because of the range of rides already available, but I have no doubt it would draw crowds! Vekoma flyer. Something outside the box. Feels like it could work especially if it was launched instead of having lift hills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owenstreet7 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 In my opinion, there's loads of different options they could go for and I'm thinking an 160ft RMC in the vein of Wildcat's Revenge or Aire Force One would really draw the crowds. Other ones I could suggest would be a GCI Wooden Coaster (either family thrill or a record breaker), a water coaster, a Mack Xtreme Spinner or a multi launch coaster such as a Stryker or an Intamin LSM could be perfect for Thorpe Park I'd like to see a middle ground coaster at the park and think it could be a wooden coaster that is under 100ft. I'd think they could break the records still with height, speed and length with that. Texas Stingray at Seaworld San Antonio actually seems to break all three of those records and I'd be happy with that. One thing I've noticed on RCDB is that it's missing rollercoasters classed as Thrill however has two family (Fish and X) and six extreme (the big 6). Having a record breaking woodie would potentially actually fill that gap I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 22 hours ago, JoshC. said: -RMC. A balls to the wall RMC hybrid or single rail would be amazing to have in the country. Would it be the right fit for the park? I'm not necessarily convinced. But from an enthusiast wet dream perspective, absolutely. I reckon a RMC wooden twister (similar to Wildfire at Kolmarden) would be pretty cool. USP as the UK's first wooden twister coaster.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project LC Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 My concern with an RMC or multi launch is thorpe park typically chooses to restrict themselves in coaster length. Hyperia is rather short for its height and it makes me think that Merlin is still keen to keep coaster length to a minimum. It saves costs on steel and on needing an extra train but I do think it leaves the rider feeling short changed. I can see stealth being lined up for removal given sky high energy costs and the slow demise of the hydraulic launch. If they replaced it with a multi launch then perhaps I could stomach the loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owenstreet7 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 13 hours ago, Project LC said: My concern with an RMC or multi launch is thorpe park typically chooses to restrict themselves in coaster length. Hyperia is rather short for its height and it makes me think that Merlin is still keen to keep coaster length to a minimum. It saves costs on steel and on needing an extra train but I do think it leaves the rider feeling short changed. I can see stealth being lined up for removal given sky high energy costs and the slow demise of the hydraulic launch. If they replaced it with a multi launch then perhaps I could stomach the loss. With the area that they have to work with, I'd say they have the potential to work with something that's longer than Hyperia and could be comparable to other multi launches or RMCs. If Rumba Rapids and/or Stealth get removed, it'd potentially double the space it could use for a coaster of this nature. Knowing Merlin and how they tend to restrict length of their coasters, I wouldn't be surprised if it's on the shorter side. Shorter coasters could mean shorter rides, lower capacity, longer queues, repeat rides and more fast tracks 🤣 I'm sure fast track is a consideration for some of these coasters 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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