November 7, 2024Nov 7 comment_322953 I think Project Pivot is growing on me and I'm very happy to see it used. I think the main options were a Stage, a Modern Flume or a selection of family flat rides. I didn't want to see a coaster or something too large and imposing for the area as that'd affect the skyline. I'm hoping we see the Curly Fries stand get a permanent home there 😅
November 7, 2024Nov 7 comment_322958 Agreed, this looks like a great use of the space! The Beach has always been a very odd area, and only used for part of the year anyway - this new area will be used every day and solve the event space problem.
November 8, 2024Nov 8 comment_322964 Hoping that this stage and the planning application with 18 late nights means late weekend opening hours for the park in the summer and more night rides!!
January 26Jan 26 comment_323721 Any update on the progress of this? The complete 180 on closed season updates from the parks is amazing. They must not have much to show?
January 26Jan 26 comment_323722 1 hour ago, MattL28 said: Any update on the progress of this? The complete 180 on closed season updates from the parks is amazing. They must not have much to show? Much more speculative than an update, but there's a chance it may not actually happen this year: https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/index.php/2025/01/26/beach-renovation-delayed/ The park have had to submit more planning evidence to satisfy some consultees, which means it's unlikely that planning application will be able to be approved until late February. Just seems unlikely it'll happen for 2025 and more likely be delayed for 2026. There's also rumblings of restructuring happening across Merlin, which may well have knock on effects all round.
January 26Jan 26 comment_323723 Ah thanks for the update! Good to know, its annoying really as they are building on an existing attraction. It’s really baffling and infuriating they are going into a restructuring phase. Especially after 2024, a lot of false hopes for the future
January 27Jan 27 comment_323728 It’s a good point actually - compared to last year, there has been absolute silence from the park on what they’re up to. I suppose there’s a good chance that’s because there isn’t really anything to speak of. Colossus is being painted, but with the stage area project on hold for now I suppose there isn’t much of an update to give.
January 27Jan 27 comment_323729 This Merlin saga just couldn’t have come at a worse time for Thorpe. Just as they’re finally on the up and need more investment to stay on that trajectory.
January 27Jan 27 comment_323732 15 hours ago, Vinlarr89 said: This Merlin saga just couldn’t have come at a worse time for Thorpe. Just as they’re finally on the up and need more investment to stay on that trajectory. Exactly, if they kept the investment up and also invested more into Hyperias landscaping (which they haven’t touched yet), the park would have got better and gette
January 27Jan 27 comment_323733 Yes, the lack of updates compared to last two closed seasons is a shame. It's also not necessarily all that surprising. With no major ride construction, there's naturally less buzz. It very much seems like there isn't a Sparkle Project II this year. And there's no passholder group any more. Obviously, the level of updates we got over the last few years was largely unprecedented for many theme parks. Very few gave the level of insight into closed season work that Thorpe did. It was never going to last long, but it's a shame it went from 100 to 0.
January 27Jan 27 comment_323734 On one hand it’s a shame given that the new brand is all about transparency etc, but on the other hand if there’s nothing to share then there’s nothing to share I suppose. I expect there will be one or two videos over the next couple of months before opening - maybe just to show off Colossus and Hyperia’s finished area (hopefully), and any winter ride maintenance maybe.
January 27Jan 27 comment_323736 I live in hope that an investor comes in for Thorpe / Chessie and Towers. My biggest concern is the level of investment towers and Thorpe are going to need over the coming years with the aging profile of their rides.
January 31Jan 31 comment_323775 According to theme park guide, Colossus is getting another repaint. Possibly complete the layout.
February 1Feb 1 comment_323780 I assume that means an extension of the date that the council will review it? If so looks like the beach is just going to be sitting there this year. It's a real shame that Thorpe's developments keep getting held back like this, but then I guess there's nothing they can really do if the council is so busy with other issues.
February 1Feb 1 comment_323781 On 1/26/2025 at 7:54 PM, JoshC. said: Much more speculative than an update, but there's a chance it may not actually happen this year: https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/index.php/2025/01/26/beach-renovation-delayed/ The park have had to submit more planning evidence to satisfy some consultees, which means it's unlikely that planning application will be able to be approved until late February. Just seems unlikely it'll happen for 2025 and more likely be delayed for 2026. There's also rumblings of restructuring happening across Merlin, which may well have knock on effects all round. All details of the extension of time and the (potential) consequences are in the TPM news story here
February 9Feb 9 comment_323947 If anything, I don’t think these plans will continue to go ahead with the cuts to entertainments and current financial enviroment
February 9Feb 9 comment_323948 43 minutes ago, MattL28 said: If anything, I don’t think these plans will continue to go ahead with the cuts to entertainments and current financial enviroment Certainly seems like a possibility. At the same time, the Beach is long overdue a revamp and opening that area up and including extra retail / F&B unit options (which this would do) would still be a big positive for the park. The stage could still be of use over FN and be an option for an outdoor cinema for hotel guests in the evening, if the park chose to go down that route.
February 9Feb 9 comment_323949 I would hope that this sort of thing would still go ahead. I can’t imagine it’s going to be expensive. Hopefully someone high up at Merlin knows that entertainments are on and off like a light switch across the company. One year it’s “entertainments” galore, and the next they’re cut completely - and repeat. This space will work well when entertainments are back in a couple of years 🙄
February 9Feb 9 comment_323957 So frustrating that Merlin financials have put them in this position, honesty felt the last couple of years that things were moving in the right direction, and the beach felt like a really positive move for the park, that could open up late night events etc throughout the season. Sadly it feels like if this is postponed or cancelled then it’s a step backwards
February 9Feb 9 comment_323959 10 hours ago, Inferno said: I would hope that this sort of thing would still go ahead. I can’t imagine it’s going to be expensive. Hopefully someone high up at Merlin knows that entertainments are on and off like a light switch across the company. One year it’s “entertainments” galore, and the next they’re cut completely - and repeat. This space will work well when entertainments are back in a couple of years 🙄 It is a possibility that they're outsourcing the entertainments side of things over to an outside company like they outsourced food over to Aramark.
March 18Mar 18 comment_324336 Changes to the application, making it smaller and comply with biodiversity stuff https://x.com/ThorpeParkMania/status/1902060291598496045?t=g4E2hlX9nxq7u74Q21fUkQ&s=19
March 18Mar 18 comment_324338 Lack of sculptures is annoying, and possibly less theming/ landscaping. I get it on the planning application front, just really don’t want it to be a flat tarmac area. Hopefully it’s all worth it!
March 18Mar 18 comment_324339 Shame to loose the the terraced seating and a smaller stage, wonder if the budget got slashed with all the recent merlin cuts. Maybe the park don't want to spend as much money on it now with all the recent cuts to entertainment too, as I imagine the stage will only be used for Fright Nights now. Happy its still going ahead though, looks a bit of a mess at the moment and isn't a great first impression. This along with the refreshed beach and depth charge will look nice.
March 18Mar 18 comment_324340 I'll be honest I'm surprised they're carrying on with it at all considering Merlin are in the middle of cutting back on entertainments. Still looks good though doesn't it. Much better use of space than what's there now.
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