Thorpe Park: General Discussion

[Matt N]

Whether you like it or not, the fact of the matter is that generative AI is here to stay and will be used in most, if not all, fields in some capacity. Thorpe/Merlin will be far from the only ones using generative AI in artwork, and if it is used as a supportive tool and its outputs are appropriately critiqued and prompted, it can be very helpful and help to enhance human productivity and outputs. I don't personally have an issue with considered generative AI use in moderation, as it can have great application and really enhance productivity.

Granted, I think using it to generate simple pictures of food is perhaps a bit lazy, seeing as a wide plethora of stock images likely exist that would fill such a role even if the park didn't want to take a picture of its actual product, but I guess that generative AI could help to provide the artistic flourish the park wanted.

 

[Call_um]

Going back to the rapids, its not just the power consumption to consider when looking at cost. Its also needs a lot of staff to run (since the Drayton incident) so there is a big staff saving having it closed too.

It is sad though. 10 years ago it used to be open till 10pm at Fright Nights. Now its open for just over half the season...

 

[Bert2theSpark]

Oh look, more AI graphic slop:


From: https://x.com/coasterizzy/status/1962924571939504248?s=46&t=OuG-53CJRHzzDVEPmDXGSg

My now-former employer did something similar trying advertise sausage sandwiches, the fact they used AI was sloppy, but more importantly the art style of the image made the food seem plastic-y and unappealing, seems the same has happened here. It won't ever look as appealing as professional photography, but the workload is a lot easier in terms of graphic design.

It'll come down to whether the loss of custom is worth the time saved in graphic design. However, its entirely possible that it won't make a difference with quick-service food in terms of hot dogs, burger and chips (famously the food of fussy eaters with bland palates).

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Surely it's easy enough to simply take a picture?

It's really not, as this video from McDonald's will attest:


From: https://youtu.be/oSd0keSj2W8?si=8M_Lt7ASFQY6nPk4


A photoshoot for food is also rather expensive, you're looking at a few thousand pounds a day (on average), based on BECTU rate cards.

Ratecards: find out the rates for the work you do

bectu.org.uk

 

[Islander]

The problem is these rides are so power hungry. The economics have changed drastically since COVID. We have some of the highest power prices in the developed world and they look to get higher. I've been on a smart tariff called agile for about 7 years. I pay basically the market rate for power (my cost changes every 30 mins). On average I was paying about 7p per kWh in 2019 now it's closer to 21p and set to rise.. businesses often pay more for power too! Thorpe tickets have gone up in price but not as much as that commodity. I don't mind them saving some cash, but they should have given it 1 more week or started the rapids for a limited period of time each day (say 1-4).

Whilst the cost of power certainly won’t be ignored by the parks, it’ll definitely take second fiddle to staffing costs and the like. You’re definitely over-playing the role that the cost of power will have in decisions on whether to open rides or not.

 

[Hid]

Whenever you see pictures of food run doesn't look appetising at all

 

[John_P]

The fact is if a company is prepared to save a few quid using AI slop we should be worried about what other areas they want to cheap out on.