Thorpe Park: General Discussion

[spinba11]

What happened on X when the brakes stopped the train, I’m intrigued.

 

[John]

Not a lot really, you stopped, rolled a bit in the opposite direction then set off again. Seemed mainly intended to pad out the ride duration.

 

[jon81uk]

What happened on X when the brakes stopped the train, I’m intrigued.

Originally there were sound and lights to make it feel like helicoptors were above you etc. But as time went on it switched to just disco lights and pointless stops.

 

[Plastic Person]

Agree with the above.

The parks location is absolutely perfect from Merlin's perspective. It's easily accessible from all over the south and more importantly, London.

They've got a reputation as a good value day out for large groups of youngsters and also the tourists from London. That's why the Walking Dead is an easy win for them ... Fans of the show from all over the world visiting the capital could hop on the train and visit the park.

And yet, I don't think Thorpe have ever advertised the park in the city, on the tube, and so on. Which is unusual, as it's so accessible. Seems like a wasted opportunity to me. Maybe this is the season?

 

[Cheese]

Not a lot really, you stopped, rolled a bit in the opposite direction then set off again. Seemed mainly intended to pad out the ride duration.

There was also that bit where the train shuddered, moved off briefly, stopped and had a more successful go at restarting, as if it had tried pulling away in third gear the first time.

 

[Ted]

And yet, I don't think Thorpe have ever advertised the park in the city, on the tube, and so on. Which is unusual, as it's so accessible. Seems like a wasted opportunity to me. Maybe this is the season?

When I went to Paris in October, I saw advertisements for DLP's Halloween event scattered at various places across the Metro. It's odd not to see them across London for Thorpe (or even Chessie)

 

[Plastic Person]

When I went to Paris in October, I saw advertisements for DLP's Halloween event scattered at various places across the Metro. It's odd not to see them across London for Thorpe (or even Chessie)

Same deal for EP in Strasbourg and Basel. Even Belantis maintain a bit of a presence in Berlin!

I think that, despite it lying within the boundary of the M25, Merlin consider Thorpe more of a regional park than a destination for international visitors. And, let's face it, compared to EP or DLP, it is. But much crappier parks do well with this kind of push, and Walking Dead is an international IP. Perhaps it's to do with proliferation of Midway attractions within Central London itself? They might see advertising Thorpe as vying for adverting space and eyes against their own, tried-and-tested attractions.

 

[IanSR]

Most tourists (read Americans) visiting London are not going for the theme parks, so no point advertising to an audience whose only hope from their holiday is they get a glimpse of a Royal. In the vein likelyhood they are coming for anything other than Royals/West End shows, they already know about Thorpe. No need either to advertise to their target audience, every secondary school student within a hundred mile radius is already aware of the park.

Chessington can't cope with the crowds they presently get, let alone any new demographics advertising might draw in, same applies to Thorpe too really, the parks are often at capacity, no need to advertise unless you need to burn some money to stop HMRC getting it.

 

[jon81uk]

Chessington can't cope with the crowds they presently get, let alone any new demographics advertising might draw in, same applies to Thorpe too really, the parks are often at capacity,

They need to encourage weekday visits outside term time really. The park only hit capacity at weekends or special events. Pushing Chessington as a weekday add-on with the London Eye might work, but Thorpe isn't that accessible needing a bus and trains.

 

[Plastic Person]

No need either to advertise to their target audience, every secondary school student within a hundred mile radius is already aware of the park.

Thorpe's marketing team and external PR agents deserve absolute credit for their work on social media and other associated platforms. They have made the park an absolute destination, a rite of passage and even a meeting point for young people in the South, and hosting events like Stormzy's birthday have only cemented their reputation.

Now, if only they could work out how to get these kids and AP holders to spend any money?

 

[IanSR]

Spending money at Thorpe? What's this magic you speak of?

 

[Stuntman707]

I don’t have think Thorpe have had their cuts reversed, the late openings are a specific event with a proven track record of bringing in an income.

So the late summer openings, Fright Nights and MOS this year are one specific event?

 

[AstroDan]

Thorpe have increased their opening hours at peak times, and decreased them at off peak times. I take no issue with this, as I feel actually it improves the place.

However, they have made cuts in back office and other areas.

 

[Stuntman707]

I agree the rearrangement of opening hours is much better. The park is generally quiet during weekdays which makes sense to close slightly earlier and add these hours onto the end of the week / saturday during the summer.

Thorpe may have made cuts elsewhere but have manged to do it in a way that doesn't directly impact the attractions.

 

[AstroDan]

The attractions at Thorpe are already impacted enough by low capacity/operation and high fastrack sales.

 

[Matt N]

The attractions at Thorpe are already impacted enough by low capacity/operation and high fastrack sales.

Isn't the highest throughput ride at Thorpe Swarm at 1300pph? Or did I imagine that? Actually, I think it might be the Rapids overall, but Swarm is the best major ride.

 

[TPC]

But consistency of high capacity must be thought of, thus making saw be the best major capacity attraction.

 

[IanSR]

I agree the rearrangement of opening hours is much better. The park is generally quiet during weekdays which makes sense to close slightly earlier and add these hours onto the end of the week / saturday during the summer.

Thorpe may have made cuts elsewhere but have manged to do it in a way that doesn't directly impact the attractions.

These are the cuts that happened sometime midway through last year correct? I know a few people who would disagree that it didn't impact operations.

 

[Stuntman707]

These are the cuts that happened sometime midway through last year correct? I know a few people who would disagree that it didn't impact operations.

Yes, but that was last year. Compared to the end of last year, there will be more attractions and events this year.

 

[Benzin]

The attractions at Thorpe are already impacted enough by low capacity/operation and high fastrack sales.

Gotta make those energy savings though!