Thorpe Park Discussion Thread

[Nemesis Inferno]

I have been laughing all day today watching people's updates about Saw having a massive queue then breaking down and the whole area getting evacuated...

 

Maintenance wise, Thorpe is a joke, and the punchline is beginning to wear very thin indeed... And this time they cannot blame the weather AT ALL... It's really nice throughout the UK today and isn't as cold as February...

It's a given that all new rides have teething problems, but how bad have the other Eurofighters been? I'm not sure as the others aren't in the most popular of parks that I keep an eye on forums for...

 

They probably got to a stage though where since it wasn't fixed by say 2/3, they wouldn't open it, because if they did it would be HELL, everyone would go to it and god knows what would happen...

 

I'm really really glad I didn't bother... Not even a group of people could make today good...

 

Again, Thorpe is a joke...

[Fry]

Went today at it was just stupid! The only rides I got on were Colossus and Inferno and Colossus was only because we got exit passes - the queue was about 90 minutes. We did at least get free tickets to return but that isn't really the point!

[andyuk200523]

At one point I have heard Inferno was down too, very very bad show on Thorpe's side.....obviously breakdowns cannot be avoided, unfortunate timing, but Surely if things were fully ran in before open season, half of these problems wouldn't happen!

 

They better be working correctly by Wednesday!!!

 

BTW, Stealth will remain closed until all staff have had full training on it, It was unable to operate for most of the winter due to the Launch Cable for the Catch Car needing replacement, this only got replaced last week, Once all staff are fully up to speed on the Running and Safety things, it will open, hopefully Tuesday (get all the faults out of the way, ready for Wednesday )

 

Andrew

[robinschroder]

I was also there today - it was a little disappointing that so many rides (including Saw) were having so much trouble or were down throughout the day, but we had a really fun day nevertheless despite this (and despite all the queueing) - and the free return tickets plus fast-passes for Saw that Thorpe Park gave us at the end of the day were a really nice gesture. Plus all of the staff (including a couple of people we assumed to be park management) were very apologetic about the situation.

 

When we arrived at the park, Saw was running which was excellent news, and we joined the queue. The start of the queue was far outside of the official entrance - as could be expected on the first opening public day - but it seemed to be moving along OK. As I'm sure you've already read by now, at about 11:30 one of the cars stopped on the MCBR which didn't seem to be such good news. Once they'd finally sent it on the rest of its way, it wasn't long before they announced to us that they'd have to evacuate the queue line, although they did hand out fast-passes in case Saw should re-open later on - which, sadly, it didn't; although they kindly extended the fast-passes to be valid at some point over the next few weeks.

 

In the end, we had a ride on Rush (which also experienced a period of being broken whilst we were queuing - a bit over 1hr 30 queue) which was a rare treat for me as it was down every visit I made last year and it's probably my favourite there at Thorpe Park. We also got a ride in on Nemesis Inferno (we only waited 30 mins) and a ride on Colossus (1hr 30 queue) - immediately prior to which I bumped into Non-German Tom; it was nice to catch up briefly!

 

^It's interesting to hear why Stealth was down (and to be fair to Thorpe, its closure was listed outside the entrance, but still a shame not to be able to ride it today).

 

Anyway, looking forward to riding Saw at some other point soon!

Fixing Rush

They sent a mixture of empty cars and cars with water dummies round for a lot of the afternoon.

An empty Saw the ride area.

...still there...

Not a good sign - the car stuck on the MCBR...

[Ed]

Went today at it was just stupid! The only rides I got on were Colossus and Inferno and Colossus was only because we got exit passes - the queue was about 90 minutes. We did at least get free tickets to return but that isn't really the point!

 

It was a fun day.. Ish. I used my exit pass on Rush, and the woman didn't take it off me! Aha! Used it on X:\ instead since it, apart from the fish, was the only decent coaser running.

 

Thorpe really messed up badly today. It went beyond a joke and into the realms of "why the hell did you even open the park?"

[robinschroder]

I'm not convinced today will be going any better - I just read that Thorpe Park are currently experiencing power problems due to a power cut in the local area!

[SteveC]

With what ended up as an otherwise fun day at Thorpe we hit the pubs (which is always a sensible option) and got thinking how it is that a ride can test so successfully for say 20 days straight then when real people get in it it all goes horribly wrong. I recalled seeing a crash test test dummy car going round and hey presto - beer inspiration. It's all about the dummies. They are all the same. They need to use fat ones and short ones and, and random empty seat combo ones so that the train is not balanced either 'totally empty' or 'totally full of standard dummies'. That way the computers brain is tested like HAL and it will take control of the variables and smooth the whole thing out and run.

 

I love beer logic - it is the answer to everything and it means I am right.

 

It's time to mess with the dummies dummy

[Purplepills]

I was also wondering how it gets tested for ages then seems to just not work very well as soon as it opens. Do they open/close the restraints in the station etc during testing, or just send the dummies round over and over again? Did it test a lot better than it's running?

 

It's a real shame that it's started so badly, with Saw still listed as closed on the website today. I was meant to be going next Sunday, I haven't bought my tickets yet but I think I'll wait until Saturday night to do so and see how it's going. I'm not really bothered about visiting the park unless it's open.

[andyuk200523]

With what ended up as an otherwise fun day at Thorpe we hit the pubs (which is always a sensible option) and got thinking how it is that a ride can test so successfully for say 20 days straight then when real people get in it it all goes horribly wrong. I recalled seeing a crash test test dummy car going round and hey presto - beer inspiration. It's all about the dummies. They are all the same. They need to use fat ones and short ones and, and random empty seat combo ones so that the train is not balanced either 'totally empty' or 'totally full of standard dummies'. That way the computers brain is tested like HAL and it will take control of the variables and smooth the whole thing out and run.

 

I love beer logic - it is the answer to everything and it means I am right.

 

It's time to mess with the dummies dummy

 

Beer logic aside, all the dummies are are water containers, i am pretty certain they are all filled with different amounts of water, i have also witnessed on other coasters dummies being removed from certain seats to find out how the coaster reacts to certain weight differences. Good logic though

[SteveC]

^ah in which case they need to put a small hole in one of them so that the weight changes for real as the car goes around and water drains out (is it not sand BTW.... maybe it is a combination?), thus simulating the real life version of cell phones and money flying out of pockets. And maybe put a baseball cap on one of them so it flies off mid course, and have a crash test dummy thrown at the ride simulating someone trying to rescue it and getting killed. You see, the beer is still talking, I am going to fix this problem for good.

[davidmorton]

Some snaps from yesterday at the park.

 

Overall I thought it was a pretty good ride, not the best coaster (but not bad at all), and the themeing works well. Probably not worth the ~4.5 hours I spent in the queue for 2 rides though

 

Saw'd

 

Saw HDR'd

 

Sunset Saw

 

edit; and...

 

Waiting to be Saw-d

[rollerboy]

I was at the park yesterday. We got on everything except Stealth as it was closed. Saw was amazing! Everything about it was top notch. We queued for about an hour, although that was because it broke down. If it hadn't it would have been around 15 minutes!

 

The ride itself was great. The indoor drop had so much airtime! The coaster in general was intense but at the same time smooth. Themeing was superb; only let down was the blade wasn't swinging above the indoor drop.

 

To sum it all up: SAW: The Ride is great. IMO the best ride in the park. 10/10.

[leighton123]

THORPE PARK’S WATERSIDE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

 

 

THORPE PARK is delighted to announce that on Wednesday 1st April, the Runnymede Borough Council resolved to grant outline planning permission for the proposed development of the waterside hotel with unanimous support from the planning committee.

 

Merlin Entertainments Group, who owns the theme park, is committed to continual investment in the long-term success of THORPE PARK and these proposals are central to this. A hotel will not only enhance the quality of experience for day guests to the Park but also responds to growing customer demands for quality short break tourist destinations.

 

Chris Edge, Head of Development at THORPE PARK comments: “We are very pleased that the planning committee recognised the economic benefits that the development will bring to the local area. This is a fantastic development, which we believe will secure the future of the theme park in a very competitive leisure industry, whilst also securing 300 new jobs which are needed in these difficult economic times.”

 

THORPE PARK is one of the top five employers in the area and, with a hotel operating all year round the Park will be able to provide more full time jobs, as well as other spin-off benefits to the local community with associated spending by the hotel, guests and its staff. Additionally, by increasingly offering activity for 365 days a year, and spreading customer visits more evenly, this will reduce the peaks in traffic movements and improve the operation of the Park.

 

The hotel development follows on from the success of THORPE PARK’s latest thrill installation, SAW – The Ride. The world’s first ever horror-movie themed rollercoaster included a total investment of £13.5m and joins an impressive portfolio of rides and attractions that have taken the Park’s total investment to over £50m in the past 10 years, including investment in improved infrastructure and customer service.

 

Taken from HERE

What do you think?

[rollerboy]

Sounds awesome. A step in the right direction for Thorpe. I hope they have themed parts of the hotel. Like Alton Towers. That would be magnificent!

[StealthFan]

23rd April 2009 Update

 

Enjoy.

I will end this park update with this from outside Saw's Single Rider Queue!

 

Hope you all enjoyed this update. There will be another one soon, so keep an eye out!

Rumba Rapids boats and Logger's Leaps boats that are out of service are stored on the old CCR route.

This information sign isnt serving any real purpose as it has no screens inside it.

This sign needs to be replaced still, as Saw isnt coming anymore, its already there!

New chain waiting to be installed on the lift hill when needed.

This is an example of a suttle sponsor ship. But even though its suttle it still works.

This Queue Line TV is abit down.

Tidal Wave is running well this year and is also one of the nicer sponsored rides as the sponsor is not shoved in your face!

Head?

Slammer is running strong this year! And is still a great ride.

This is a Thorpe Park bin! Far superior to a Cedar Fair bin if you ask me!

There are bears all around the track to be spotted!

 

Can you spot them all?

Logger's Leap has abit of a leak on the lift hill, but nothing to worry about, you will still get soaked when you ride.

They have also added a few small touches to the ride such as this.

Such as 70min Saw Queue! Through the trees!

The CCR does allow you to get some great new shots of Saw!

The trains do need some work. They still have the old park logo on.

 

Personally I like the fact they are still there, but the inside of the carridges are a little worse for wear.

Canada Creek Railway has now reopened with Saw being complete!

Make a note! The Top Rockers will be Rocking again on May 2nd!

 

Last time I saw them they were singing Queen's Dont Stop Me Now!!!

This is how one of the rides peices of theming spent its last few years after the effect broke down.

But all the ride systems are still in place.

All ride signs have now been removed.

For those of you that don't know Miss Hippos Fungle Safari has closed now and will not be re-opening.

Poor X has a case of mistaken identity this year. Above the door it says X No Way out but on the signs X:/ No Way Out.

And this crab, that sees all, but says nothing!

Octopus' Garden also has this funky caged thing.

Mr Pirate gives his thumbs up for Octopus' Garden

It is very well looked after and the rides are always clean as a whistle.

Also some what ignored and forgotten about is the Octopus' Gardens which is still a great places for the young ones.

 

I think this was a great thing done by the staff.

Also near Stealth is the much ignored but beautiful looking Sunken Garden.

Stealth is still loved as much even with Saw's arrival.

Stealth is now sponsored by Yorkie. And has stickers on the back of each seat on the ride. My personal favourite being "Stealth! Bricking It?"

Neptune's Beach is open once again, minus the flumes.

And of course Saw The Ride!

Stealth

This years signs over the bridge are.

 

Colossus

This is above the turnstyles and I dont think has been touched in years.

 

All it needs is a lick of paint.

Welcome to Thorpe Park.

 

You would have thought that they would have removed Tussaud's from above the park logo by now.

[Bootharawwwrrr]

Nice idea Craig and some really great pictures you got there!

[cmpunk771]

Press release

THORPE PARK TO LAUNCH “SAW ALIVE” OFF THE BACK OF RECORD BREAKING YEAR

 

Year round live action horror maze underlines ultimate theme park experience for thrill seekers!

 

With the huge success of SAW – The Ride, which launched in March 2009, THORPE PARK has seen visitor numbers increase significantly against 2008, despite the global economic downturn. Today, the nation’s Thrill Capital has announced they will launch SAW Alive, a year round live action horror maze, in Spring 2010 to firmly establish themselves as the ultimate theme park experience for thrill seekers.

 

Based on Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ SAW movies, the most popular horror film franchise in history, SAW Alive will be the world’s most extreme horror attraction and with the latest installment in the series, SAW VI, premiered on Friday 23rd October, THORPE PARK will be inviting visitors to ‘Face Your Fears’ in their new terrifying attraction next year.

 

Like the films, SAW Alive will test the nerve of all who dare enter it and visitors will be at the mercy of the series’ master manipulator, Jigsaw. THORPE PARK’s year round live action horror maze will be the first of its kind at a theme park that does not only focus around the Halloween period, and will feature six iconic scenes from the six films released to date. The attraction will also incorporate a photo opportunity to capture terrified guests as they’re subjected to the horror of the maze.

 

Mike Vallis, Divisional Director of THORPE PARK comments, “THORPE PARK has seen incredible growth year-on-year since the Park was repositioned 5 years ago as the nation’s Thrill Capital - through our programme of regular and continued investment in our thrilling rides, attractions and events.”

 

Marketing Director of THORPE PARK Vicki Smith says, “SAW Alive is definitely only for the brave, and coupled with SAW – The Ride, the new attraction will add an extremely thrilling edge to an already adrenaline packed breadth of thrills on offer. We’re certain the SAW theme will send heart beats pumping and will satisfy the appetite of those in search of the ultimate live action experience.”

 

“Anybody who has sat through a SAW film terrified beyond belief will have some idea of what’s in store for them at THORPE PARK as SAW Alive is going to be shocking and intense to really enhance the experience they will get alongside SAW – The Ride. We have worked closely with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures on this project to ensure total accuracy of the key elements of the SAW films.”

 

Lionsgate UK COO Guy Avshalom added, “As the SAW brand continues to grow we are very happy to be extending our relationship with THORPE PARK with SAW Alive. With the recent release of SAW VI and the success of SAW – The Ride we are delighted that SAW Alive will allow the fans of the franchise to experience fear on a new level. This is an exciting time for SAW fans nationwide.”

 

The new attraction will really add to the thrilling portfolio available at the Park, including the world’s most terrifying rollercoaster, SAW – The Ride and the ‘Unholy Trinity’ of Stealth – one of Europe’s fastest rollercoasters, Colossus – the world’s first ten looping rollercoaster and Nemesis Inferno – the 4.5 G-force experience.

 

The attraction will be placed on the Thorpe Belle which will be moved to Saw island.

 

 

Information from http://hauntedattractions.co.uk/

Edited December 9, 2011 by larrygator

[Tmcdllr]

..."photo opportunity to capture terrified guests as they're subjected to the horror of the maze."

 

...can't wait to see those pics! - lol

[cmpunk771]

Lol

 

I think it will be good for 2 weeks then it will have 1 actor and it will be run down. But a good idea and it shows how much haunted houses are taking off in the UK. Halloween at theme parks are getting bigger and bigger.

[Tmcdllr]

It's odd how Halloween is becoming more popular at parks. It didn't just start yesterday how come it has never been like this before?

 

What's next, Thanksgiving? - lol

[cmpunk771]

Lol, it is odd. We never have really had haunted houses until the past 4 years.

 

Theme parks picked them up from the USA and they have just got more popular and better so give it 10 years and we will have an equivalent of Halloween Horror Nights at alton towers.

[FLIPDUDE]

It's odd how Halloween is becoming more popular at parks. It didn't just start yesterday how come it has never been like this before?

 

What's next, Thanksgiving? - lol

 

 

Hey, don't knock it! Just look at how awesome the thanksgiving section is at Holiday World

[duffgun]

you will probably have to wait about 3 hours before you can get round it like most things at Thorpe Park.

[TPDave]

^ Thorpe Park is a victim of it's own success for sure, but surely you should at least be happy that they're putting something in to dilute the crowds?

 

The park is way down on space, and this seems a pretty good solution to get a medium throughput attraction at the park without spending silly money infilling the lake.

 

Dave

[duffgun]

^ Thorpe Park is a victim of it's own success for sure, but surely you should at least be happy that they're putting something in to dilute the crowds?

 

The park is way down on space, and this seems a pretty good solution to get a medium throughput attraction at the park without spending silly money infilling the lake.

 

Dave

 

yeah i am just having a laugh i think its cool there adding somthing, hopefully it will help dilute the crowds a bit as you say.