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[2024] Thorpe Park: Hyperia - Mack Hypercoaster

I’ve climbed higher structures that Hyperia - mountains - think I’m qualified to climb up a lift hill.

Just seems odd. I’m sure all the relevant h&s will be in place so not sure experience counts
Yeah but for most mountains I'd guess there isn't up to a 200ft drop visible directly under your feet!! 🤣 That could freak some people out so they want evidence they are happy with that from other similar climbs I guess.
 
Fair enough - but why?
I can think of a few reasons, but it's likely a combination of them all.

Exclusivity will be a driving factor. Hyperia is the tallest ride in the UK, there will be more of an interest in climbing this than any other coaster. If you make it difficult to do, or put barriers in the way, you give the walk a little bit of extra kudos and a sense of accomplishment.

It's likely that the park also wants guests and visitors to be aware of what they're letting themselves in for. The "qualifying" rides each have stomach churning drops / climbs.

The park could genuinely want to only extend this experience, at least initially, to those who they see as enthusiastic about rollercoasters and their operation.

There's a commercial incentive, with people having to pay to do one of the qualifiers before they can take on Hyperia, and a climb this year would likely count.
 
"3.4 Guests wishing to climb Hyperia must have previously climbed The SWARM, Colossus or Oblivion within the last 3 years. Proof of this will need to be shown on the day of your experience. Failure to produce proof will result in the experience being cancelled and no refunds will be given."

Have to say it's pretty off that the only qualifying previous climbs are all at Merlin attractions. I sort of get the request for previous experience but that should really apply to any tall structure of a similar nature.
 
I've stood and walked around the top of Griffon without any safety equipment attached. That surely counts right!?

£120 to climb up a lift hill? No thanks Thorpe Park, I'm good. My full behind the scenes tour at BGW (albeit over 10 years ago) was far cheaper and no doubt far better than that!
 
It’ll be due to the equipment Merlin uses and wanting to ensure that guests are familiar with it. Due to the height I imagine it’ll take a lot longer anyway so having someone who knows how to use it will make the experience smoother.
I doubt that is the case. Someone using that equipment once before is not going to make a whole lot of difference. And if that was the case, they'd allow for those who have used such equipment either in their own jobs or whilst doing other activities.

I see it as a way of making people pay for another experience before they do the one they want to. You could also argue that they would claim to be doing it as a gesture of goodwill/priority to those who have done another of their experiences.

It doesn't bother me at all as I won't be doing it. But I suspect that they'll drop that pre-requisite in time.
 
This has to be a joke?

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I don’t know why the link isn’t working but I took some screen prints of the article
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