Thorpe Park: General Discussion

[owenstreet7]

The closure of Rumba Rapids in September is a mixture of impending weather changes and the need to increase available staff hours.

Rumba Rapids is a staff intensive ride, eating up a considerable amount of staff hours. As the park transitions to Fright Nights, it needs all of the available staff hours it can to assign to scare attractions and other operational areas.

Although Fright Nights doesn't start in September, staff training and the most intensive parts of set up will.

It's budget management, not budget cuts.

This is a factor in why I'd support a year round replacement for Rumba Rapids with either a dry attraction or a water ride that is less energy and staff intensive.

The operating season for Rumba Rapids has reduced significantly over the last two seasons and got even shorter this season than last. In 2023, it ran from start to the end of season.

I'd also say that with the weather, there is just as much cause to open Rumba throughout the season than it is to keep it closed as it can be warm one day and stormy the next.

I'm surprised it opened this year with no significant changes however I'd be surprised if it opens in 2026 (or even beyond 2026).

 

[Hid]

This is a factor in why I'd support a year round replacement for Rumba Rapids with either a dry attraction or a water ride that is less energy and staff intensive.

The operating season for Rumba Rapids has reduced significantly over the last two seasons and got even shorter this season than last. In 2023, it ran from start to the end of season.

I'd also say that with the weather, there is just as much cause to open Rumba throughout the season than it is to keep it closed as it can be warm one day and stormy the next.

I'm surprised it opened this year with no significant changes however I'd be surprised if it opens in 2026 (or even beyond 2026).

Rumba is by far the weakest Rapids in the UK, Adventure Cove Rapids has at least decent theming and some water effects. And Congo is much better now to also say don't underestimate how wet Congo can get you it can be a soaker sometimes

 

[spotweld]

Will Inferno ever get retracked or is it scrap?

 

[DistortAMG]

One of the problems with Rumba and all Rapids in the UK is they are the 2nd most dangerous ride since it is very unpredictable what the boats will do. In combination with UK high safety standards and no restraints its Safety inspection nightmare.

Also Rapids are incredibly staff intensive being one of the most costly rides to run.

Whats the 1st most dangerous?

 

[flyingguitar]

I understand the concern about replacing a family ride, in a park with very few family friendly rides, however it is never very busy, whenever I have gone it is always a walk on, even now mid summer with blistering heat it is only a 20 min queue.

I would like it to be replaced with a family / family thrill coaster, whilst it may not be as available I think more families can enjoy it as it is much less dependant on whether (it doesn't need to be hot) and it would probably be more desired as many people don't want to get wet

 

[Hid]

Whats the 1st most dangerous?

Reverse Bungees

 

[owenstreet7]

I understand the concern about replacing a family ride, in a park with very few family friendly rides, however it is never very busy, whenever I have gone it is always a walk on, even now mid summer with blistering heat it is only a 20 min queue.

I would like it to be replaced with a family / family thrill coaster, whilst it may not be as available I think more families can enjoy it as it is much less dependant on whether (it doesn't need to be hot) and it would probably be more desired as many people don't want to get wet

With the Rumba land and possibly Treasure Island, I think you can fit in a wooden rollercoaster such as Joris en de Draak at Efteling (dueling could be fantastic) and a flume along the lines of Catapult Falls at Seaworld San Antonio which surprisingly doesn't take up as much room as Rumba Rapids. If it's an out and back woodie, it would take advantage of the Treasure Island area and not take up much of Rumba's space.

With Joris being 1.1m and Catapult Falls being 42 inches which is roughly 1.05m - you'd have two 1.1m rides with high capacity in replacement for one that cannot run reliably throughout the year

One of which has a USP which could complement along with eventually replace Tidal Wave and the other a solid family thrill ride that could theoretically replace Flying Fish in the line up.

At the same time, this would actually offer something for the thrillseekers, those who are not tall enough for Hyperia and those who are not quite brave enough to ride Hyperia. That's my thoughts on what they could do with Rumba.

 

[Matt N]

Out of curiosity, which Saturday in September is likely to be quietest at Thorpe Park out of the 13th, the 20th and the 27th?

I was pondering a nice September trip to Thorpe, and had provisionally pencilled in the 27th in my mind. I thought that the further from summer and the school holidays I get, the quieter the days at Thorpe are likely to be.

However, I’m wondering if that would be the best of the 3, as you are starting to get towards Fright Nights type season by the 27th. FN seemingly doesn’t start until 3rd October, but I wondered if crowds crept back up again towards the end of September in anticipation.

What do any Thorpe regulars think?

 

[owenstreet7]

Out of curiosity, which Saturday in September is likely to be quietest at Thorpe Park out of the 13th, the 20th and the 27th?

I was pondering a nice September trip to Thorpe, and had provisionally pencilled in the 27th in my mind. I thought that the further from summer and the school holidays I get, the quieter the days at Thorpe are likely to be.

However, I’m wondering if that would be the best of the 3, as you are starting to get towards Fright Nights type season by the 27th. FN seemingly doesn’t start until 3rd October, but I wondered if crowds crept back up again towards the end of September in anticipation.

What do any Thorpe regulars think?

I'm going to be blatantly honest with you Matt

You're going to be very surprised - Last Saturday was very quiet by Summer Saturday standards and the queues were like 20-45 minutes for most rides including Hyperia.

Next weekend and the weekend after will be very busy because it's the very end of the school holidays but it calms down to a typical Saturday for the next few weeks until Fright Night afterwards.

With this, I mean that you'd get 45 minute queues average for the big coasters, slightly more for Hyperia and you won't wait long for the flats, that's about 10-20 minutes, maybe longer on some.

I'd say you've chosen a good Saturday to go in my honest opinion. If you can make weekdays, you'd get walk on pretty much on almost every ride bar Hyperia which has a queue of up to 40 minutes off peak.

Enjoy your visit to Thorpe Park