Thorpe Park Discussion Thread

It says "I See You" in his eye

So today a bit more information was revealed on Thorpe Parks Facebook page.

Meet the maker of THORPE PARK Resort’s 2016 NEW attraction, Derren Brown. Prepare for the world’s only psychological attraction, a smart ride that promises to blow your mind… Visit http://www.mindswanted.co.uk to find out more information over the coming months...

Still no word on what the ride will actually be though? What are your thoughts on Derren's involvement? Do you think it will be a popular choice?

Have you checked the fansite? There's extra information there:

http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/11038-derren-brown-attraction-2016-theme-discussion/

"Confirmed today:

• THORPE PARK Resort’s biggest investment to date

• The world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction – from the mind of Derren Brown

• A team of 1,000 specialists and experts working to bring the new experience to life in 2016

• Each visitor to the new attraction will experience a 13 minute long journey"

There's also a construction topic: http://forum.maniahub.com/topic/11039-derren-brown-attraction-2016-construction-topic/

^'worlds first' and Merlin aren't a great combination, they could literally market anything as a worlds first. World first ride with 32 steps leading to the station.

• The world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction – from the mind of Derren Brown

Yup

Plus didn't they market Smiler as a fully immersive psychological attraction?

I'm not really a fan of Derren so the association doesn't really do anything for me at all. I think its quite an interesting choice using an individual rather than a brand isn't it? In as much as it might actually put some people off because they hate the guy and the whole thing is sort of marketed as an 'experience' he's come up with. Suppose I'm not really the target audience though

Any ideas as to what the 13 minute minute long journey might consist of? A few preshows and an actual ride? By the looks of things nobody really know what it is yet.

The name "Chronicles of London" has been Trademarked

Suppose I'm not really the target audience though

 

Any ideas as to what the 13 minute minute long journey might consist of? A few preshows and an actual ride? By the looks of things nobody really know what it is yet.

I have no idea who the target audience actually is. Sadly, so much of that money has probably gone to buying Derren Brown's name and not much into the actual experience itself.

The pre-show will probably be 10 minutes long. Then it will be similar to Hex (which is just a Vekoma Madhouse), a standard ride that's been seen before re-marketed. It might still be interesting, but it's not the most exciting announcement and Merlin has such a terrible reputation at this point it's hard to be optimistic.

I hope they pull out something decent for the 2017 coaster. It's never going to happen but wouldn't a wooden coaster be fantastic for Thorpe?

Suppose I'm not really the target audience though

 

Any ideas as to what the 13 minute minute long journey might consist of? A few preshows and an actual ride? By the looks of things nobody really know what it is yet.

 

I have no idea who the target audience actually is. Sadly, so much of that money has probably gone to buying Derren Brown's name and not much into the actual experience itself.

 

The pre-show will probably be 10 minutes long. Then it will be similar to Hex (which is just a Vekoma Madhouse), a standard ride that's been seen before re-marketed. It might still be interesting, but it's not the most exciting announcement and Merlin has such a terrible reputation at this point it's hard to be optimistic.

 

I hope they pull out something decent for the 2017 coaster. It's never going to happen but wouldn't a wooden coaster be fantastic for Thorpe?

Wasn't the 2017 coaster pushed back to 2019 because of this? I know Alton is still possibly on for 2017

^Yeah, it certainly will have been pushed back because of this

Wasn't the 2017 coaster pushed back to 2019 because of this? I know Alton is still possibly on for 2017

If it's their most expensive project to date that makes sense. That's a shame as it was already pushed back once.

2016 Thorpe Park

2017 Heide Park +Chessington

2018 Alton Towers

2019 Gardaland

in theory:

2016 Thorpe Park

2017 Alton Towers

2018 Heide Park +Chessington

2019 Gardaland

but it could go so:

2016 Thorpe Park

2017 Gardaland

2018 Heide Park +Chessington

2019 Alton Towers

I do like how they are slowly revealing little things. It definitely has got my interest!

Normally, Merlin markets stuff very highly building up a lot of anticipation, only to crush it with a lesser creation that has only a cool element or two. Think Thirteen or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I am intrigued with this though. I am really hoping that it turns out good.

• The world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction – from the mind of Derren Brown

The name "Chronicles of London" has been Trademarked

Oh no. Could this be Merlin's answer to Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York?

This is definitely an interesting marketing tactic... If the experience really is 13 minutes long, I'd be inclined to believe that this is a multi-media based experience, akin to Soarin' at Disney.

Oooh!! Feeling exited about Thorpe Park's new ride!

The website.

Oh no. Could this be Merlin's answer to Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York?

Of course not! Universal won't keep cutting the budget on that ride.

This is definitely an interesting marketing tactic... If the experience really is 13 minutes long, I'd be inclined to believe that this is a multi-media based experience, akin to Soarin' at Disney.

So does that also come with Soarin' like queue lengths?

^Queues like that have done wonders for Epcot and Disney California Adventure, so it couldn't hurt for a place like Thorpe to help cut the crowds that are queuing for the more popular rides.

Not sure how feasible or efficient it would be for a theme park attraction? But based on all of the clues about mind and psychology, could this be an attraction like those "escape rooms" where you need to put together clues to escape? Just a thought considering it's supposed to be a world's first. But Merlin could market a lot as a world's first.

^Queues like that have done wonders for Epcot and Disney California Adventure, so it couldn't hurt for a place like Thorpe to help cut the crowds that are queuing for the more popular rides.

Thats actually a really good point. I wouldn't complain at shorter queues for Stealth or Nemesis Inferno.

^Its good to finally find out what it is, even though not many details have been released here, i cant wait for it!

Found this article: http://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=413&codeid=320805 (link seems to be down at the moment but the google cached version works)

Exclusive: Merlin creative director reveals new details about Derren Brown attraction coming to Thorpe Park in 2016

Paul Moreton, global creative director for Merlin Magic Making at Merlin Entertainments has exclusively revealed to Attractions Management new details about Derren Brown’s new ride at Thorpe Park, which will use a number of modern and traditional techniques to create an experience right from the mind of the master illusionist.

 

Touted as a ghost train reinvented for the 21st Century, the age-restricted Derren Brown’s Ghost Train will incorporate grand illusion, live action, next-generation technology, 4D special effects and physical transit to create an experience unlike any other.

 

“We’ve taken the ghost train as an inspiration,” said Moreton speaking exclusively to Attractions Management. “The thing we love about a good ghost train is creating that sense of being scared, but laughing at the same time. We’re trying to capture that element and we thought it was about time we took that standard, that Victorian product which has been around 200 years or so, and gave it a 21st century makeover. It’s Derren’s interpretation of that.”

 

Upon entering the 2,300sq m (25,000sq ft) warehouse encompassing the ride, guests will encounter a large disused Victorian warehouse, which in its centre will have a 20 metre (65 foot) -long, seven tonne Victorian train carriage suspended in mid air by iron chains.

 

Little detail has been revealed about what will actually take place within the attraction. What is known is the ride is designed to leave guests questioning where their perception ends and where reality begins.

 

“Like with Derren’s show, he doesn’t really want everyone to say what happens so they can experience it for themselves because the less you know, the more you will get out of it,” said Moreton.

 

“Just like Derren’s shows we’re playing with your mind, making you question what’s real and what’s not. When the ride ends, we want you to come away with a thought-provoking experience. Did that happen? Did that not happen? That is the new generation experience we are talking about and that’s what will make it very unique.”

 

Moreton revealed that virtual reality would be one of the elements used to create the illusions, using an HTC Vive headset within the train. He was keen to stress however that the attraction is not a VR experience.

 

It’s not the same as our launch of Glactica at Alton Towers last week,” he said. “We’re using that to enhance the experience but crucially it’s just one element of several which are all equally as important as each other.”

 

One of the attraction’s key elements, is that each rider will have a unique experience. On the 10-15 minute ride, there are 12 possible journeys to get to two alternate endings. Dependant on choices made, each individual rider will encounter a different path as they go through the experience.

 

“If you and I went on the attraction together, you would probably experience something different to what I did,” said Moreton. “You may come out and say ‘did that happen to you’ and I’ll respond ‘no this happened instead’.”

 

“I firmly believe that this kind of multi-sensory, mind blowing attraction represents a glimpse of what the future holds for theme parks the world over,” said Derren Brown.

 

“Akin to my shows, I ask that when you board the train, the secrets remain mine and yours to share and fear, and you don’t spoil the experience by telling others ahead of their visit.

 

“People should also note that this is not an experience for the faint hearted. But to ensure you are in the right frame of mind to take full advantage of the journey I will send you on, I refuse to reveal any further details past the doors of the carriage.”

 

Can't say a VR-based immersive tunnel really interests me. I'm sure it'll look good, but it can't be long before it suffers the usual Merlin problem of either being forgotten about or gutted when they realise that it's going to cost them the same amount of money every year despite bringing in less and less.