Closed Season

[Mattgwise]

Most of the farm area was flooded in order to compensate the land infilling. See below. I think I also read somewhere about 6 years back that the rest of it was used for planting trees and shrubbery to be used in the park, although I could be wrong.

http://planning.runnymede.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=169971&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Runnymede_AA/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=&DAURI=PLANNING

[pluk]

The new park map design has already been confirmed for 2014?

Is this a question or a statement, I can't see any one else suggesting it has?

There's a 'navigation' map on the app, but that is not the new park map (sadly).

[OldFarmerDean]

I swear Thorpe said it themselves that they were going to redesign the map, moving away from the big headed people design to fit to an all round target market for everyone.

[Mattgwise]

http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/10105-themed-areas/#entry160297 Confirms a new park map style for next season.

[pluk]

http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/10105-themed-areas/#entry160297 Confirms a new park map style for next season.

Also 'confirms' the map will be changing in style for fright nights, which it didn't!

There will be a lot of changes to the Park over the coming months! We can't confirm yet whether this will involve a stronger return to the themed areas but the Park Map will definitely be changing in style for Fright Nights and next season onwards

But my point was that I read TPJames' post as if the actual new map design had been confirmed, not that there will be a new map. There is to one extent or another a new map design each year, so there obviously will be one. Whether that will be a completely new style or just the usual tweaks, who knows? There are a couple of things I thought were going to happen towards the end of the season to do with the direction and target of the park which never materialised, including the map change. I get the feeling the park themselves aren't entirely sure what market they are going to be aiming at, how far they'll push towards family, and therefore how much that is reflected in things like the park map.

It is about time we got a completely new look map though, I do expect to see one next season.

[Glitch]

Park map changing could be anything though. It could just mean the removal of slammer if it goes.

Imagine if they painted Colossus bright pink!

[FrightNights04]

Is this a question or a statement, I can't see any one else suggesting it has?

There's a 'navigation' map on the app, but that is not the new park map (sadly).

What I meant was that I would like a new map design, without the fat heads!

[JoshC.]

If you look back at old park maps, the design usually changes every 2 years. This year was the fourth year of the current design (though you could argue the past two years were slightly different due to the slight 'Swarmification' of the map).

So, I do expect the park map to change to some degree, and in honesty, I do think we'll see a notable change, not just slight cosmetic changes.

With regards to the FN map, whilst it pretty much was the same, the little characters that were dotted around the map were no longer there, bar a couple 'running away' from the entrance of the BWP. So there was slight cosmetic changes.

[FrightNights04]

new entrance (something like the new Cedar Point one would be nice

That would be good! when the new hotel comes, if they put a roller coaster on the crash pad island then it could link into the bridge if they don't re-do the entrance!

[th13teen]

I couldn't find a relevant post beforehand so here goes, and this was meant to be for Alton Towers, but easily transferable to Thorpe, Chessington, Legoland, etc.

After I got back from the Fireworks I realised how upsetting it was that the season has come to an end, and it got me thinking, for most people the end of the season is just the end of the season and that's it, nothing is ever celebrated about the achievements of the year, and I saw this last year from BBC F1, and I thought, Alton Towers could easily do the equivalent for the season. Here is the BBC F1 Season take about a minuet to watch it;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQgE4PpXAMs

Imagine if Alton Towers did this at the end of their season, but imagine the park empty, staff closing/shutting down the rides and queue lines, and perhaps following one member of staff who looks back towards the towers/General Park before he/she walks out leaving the season..."see you in 2014".
However the video could incorporate everything from the year from the snow/Christmas, Concerts, Fireworks, Scarefest the open season and all the new rides, attractions and shops/restaurants.

This could also be done throughout the year for each individual event ie Christmas/Ministry Club Nights, Scarefest/Fright Nights, Fireworks, Concert and general season.
What does this do?
Its an excellent marketing tool, promotes the park, advertises the park, and gives you that lump in your throat thinking, "I don't want the season to have ended, I can't wait for 2014", and I think this is what the video would do, and imagine this video on the websites homepage.

Hope you enjoy, and ponder on the idea.

[Hunter]

I couldn't find a relevant post beforehand so here goes, and this was meant to be for Alton Towers, but easily transferable to Thorpe, Chessington, Legoland, etc.

After I got back from the Fireworks I realised how upsetting it was that the season has come to an end, and it got me thinking, for most people the end of the season is just the end of the season and that's it, nothing is ever celebrated about the achievements of the year, and I saw this last year from BBC F1, and I thought, Alton Towers could easily do the equivalent for the season. Here is the BBC F1 Season take about a minuet to watch it;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQgE4PpXAMs

Imagine if Alton Towers did this at the end of their season, but imagine the park empty, staff closing/shutting down the rides and queue lines, and perhaps following one member of staff who looks back towards the towers/General Park before he/she walks out leaving the season..."see you in 2014".

However the video could incorporate everything from the year from the snow/Christmas, Concerts, Fireworks, Scarefest the open season and all the new rides, attractions and shops/restaurants.

This could also be done throughout the year for each individual event ie Christmas/Ministry Club Nights, Scarefest/Fright Nights, Fireworks, Concert and general season.

What does this do?

Its an excellent marketing tool, promotes the park, advertises the park, and gives you that lump in your throat thinking, "I don't want the season to have ended, I can't wait for 2014", and I think this is what the video would do, and imagine this video on the websites homepage.

Hope you enjoy, and ponder on the idea.

They do something very similar but only the staff see it at the end of year party, obviously the quality isn't amazing and if it was to be shown to the public they'd have to get a proper camera crew in with editing which would probably be very expensive.

[pluk]

Like the idea, although it would probably be viral only thing so not be given much budget, but could probably done quite well without much money.

[Fred]

Thorpes year-on-year staff videos which end up everywhere are proof you can do it with no budget (just enthusiastic members of staff).

[th13teen]

That was also my inspiration, I kept thinking, if they used it as a genuine marketing tool, there is nothing more thrilling than seeing an end of year video, a proper one which shows the park in its ultimate light, it is incredible marketing, and encouraged people to see the next installment and makes them want to come and visit again!

I understand budget issues, but it could easily go into the 'advertising' aspect of the business! But I am glad some of you enjoy the idea!

[Inferno]

I think this is a fantastic idea!

As for the issues with cost... Merlin have an enormous marketing and PR operation! Surely they can cobble together a little video?

In fact they've just released this one which is really well put together! Looks so professional! So they're definitely capable of doing it.

[Marc]

http://thorpeparkmania.co.uk/news/26-11-2013/Closed-Season-November-2013

Closed season update from the park here.

Please avoid taking these pictures / uploading them to your own twitter / FB

Enjoy!

[Benin]

Naked Swarm trains make you glad Merlin actually bothered to theme them...

[MattyMoo]

Thanks for these, TPM and Thorpe It does fascinate me seeing rides in closed season in their dismantled state

[THORPE PARK]

You're welcome! Beautiful day today - bit chilly though!

[EC!]

Thanks thorpe and TPM the photos are great, I'm just slowly counting the days till annual pass day now!

[pluk]

I love seeing these sorts of things, thanks for sharing. How about an addition to the VIP package line up for closed season, 'come and take a ride apart with us' offer. I'd be up for that!

[THORPE PARK]

I love seeing these sorts of things, thanks for sharing. How about an addition to the VIP package line up for closed season, 'come and take a ride apart with us' offer. I'd be up for that!

If you have any ideas for something we're not currently offering, send an email over to our VIP manager at vip@thorpe-park.co.uk and she'll be able to tell you if it's possible!

[Ryan]

How about a VIP let's all grab a paintbrush and paint Colossus?

[Coaster]

How about a VIP let's all grab a paintbrush and paint Colossus?

I'd actually do that!

[Fred]

Good range of photos. I particularly enjoy Samurai looking like normal, and stealth pretending it belongs to a less reputable park with its harnesses casually laying there.