Out of interest, what makes you say this with such certainty? I fully agree that we shouldn’t necessarily count all of our chickens before they hatch with Hyperia, and I get that the length of the ride is a bone of contention for some, but I’d argue that there are some really decent-looking elements there, and the height and speed could be a great recipe for success in a country that loves record breakers.Hyperia will be another flash in the pan for Thorpe
But at the same time, I’d argue that there’s no evidence to suggest that it won’t, either.There is no evidence to suggest Hyperia will boost guest figures. Swarm, Derren Brown anx intermediate additions failed.
Thorpe have had to wait so long between investment because of these failures. The issues at Thorpe run deeper than simply its rides.
The park has been struggling for 15 years one way or another.
Hopefully 2024 is finally the turning point.
I know Towers and Thorpe are both owned by Merlin so Merlin obviously wont see the competition between the two, but I think to a lot in the community there is this rivalry over which is the best UK park. Right now people would probably say Towers is the best park in the country, but that could quickly change if Hyperia turns out to be as good as it looks. It’s the tallest coaster in the UK and that record has been held by Big one for 30 years so this is quite a landmark attractionNot normally one to post, but this is up there with the most bizarre things I have ever read on this forum. To the GP Thorpe and Towers offer completely different things, and most will visit one of them maybe once a year. (I’m an enthusiast and have been to thorpe once and not made it to towers since 2021, other than for work)
The two UK coasters that people I know are well aware of are Nemesis and the Big One. I was happily relieved when my mate said “yeah but icon at BPB is better”, just for him to know of it was great.
There’s plenty of life in the UK theme park industry, and with Nemesis next year and whatever follows, I feel Alton hold all the cards. Hyperia will be another flash in the pan for Thorpe, but I’m genuinely excited again to see what Alton bring us with Horizon.
Pressure really on now with Universal watching closely
See, I disagree. Among enthusiasts, I’d argue that very, very few like Thorpe more than Towers, and I’m not sure I see Hyperia changing that.I know Towers and Thorpe are both owned by Merlin so Merlin obviously wont see the competition between the two, but I think to a lot in the community there is this rivalry over which is the best UK park. Right now people would probably say Towers is the best park in the country, but that could quickly change if Hyperia turns out to be as good as it looks. It’s the tallest coaster in the UK and that record has been held by Big one for 30 years so this is quite a landmark attraction
I don’t see the correlation between Towers and Blackpool. They’re different in nearly every way. Thorpe and Towers are much more similar so I think comparisons between them make senseSee, I disagree. Among enthusiasts, I’d argue that very, very few like Thorpe more than Towers, and I’m not sure I see Hyperia changing that.
If there’s any rivalry between parks among enthusiasts, I’d argue that Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a fiercer rivalry for which park people prefer. Quite a few people rate Blackpool as their favourite UK park.
It's not about similarity, though. Your post implied that people were comparing Towers and Thorpe "to see which of the two parks was the best UK park". And in that regard, I'd argue that notably more enthusiasts would put Blackpool against Towers than Thorpe against Towers. I know of quite a few enthusiasts whose favourite UK park is Blackpool, whereas I'm not sure I know of any whose favourite is Thorpe Park.I don’t see the correlation between Towers and Blackpool. They’re different in nearly every way. Thorpe and Towers are much more similar so I think comparisons between them make sense
You ask the GP which is the best park in the UK and majority would say Towers or Thorpe. That’s why they’re compared by people because they’re similar in terms of quality. Blackpool is run even worse than the Merlin parks and has a lineup probably with the combined age of 300It's not about similarity, though. Your post implied that people were comparing Towers and Thorpe "to see which of the two parks was the best UK park". And in that regard, I'd argue that notably more enthusiasts would put Blackpool against Towers than Thorpe against Towers. I know of quite a few enthusiasts whose favourite UK park is Blackpool, whereas I'm not sure I know of any whose favourite is Thorpe Park.