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Thorpe Park: General Discussion

Matt N said:
@speedy It is called a reward trip, but we have to pay £36 for it.

we're predicted to be leaving from our school in the South West at 7:30am and arriving back at school at 8:30pm
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Where from? There is nowhere in the south West where you'll be able to get to Thorpe Park and be in by 10 am on Monday morning if leaving at half 7!
 
matthewgcole said:
Where from? There is nowhere in the south West where you'll be able to get to Thorpe Park and be in by 10 am on Monday morning if leaving at half 7!
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On the Welsh border by the Forest of Dean. Normally takes us about 2 hours to get to Thorpe.
 
Matt N said:
On the Welsh border by the Forest of Dean. Normally takes us about 2 hours to get to Thorpe.
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Ah yes, but this is a Monday.

Assuming you're going to take the A417 and A419 across the Cotswolds and join the M4 at Swindon rather than taking the M5. You'll be hitting the Reading area around 9 and then queuing on the M25 by Heathrow. You won't get to the park by 10, then toilet, security and ticket faff, the earliest you'll be in will be half 10, maybe later.
 
matthewgcole said:
Ah yes, but this is a Monday.

Assuming you're going to take the A417 and A419 across the Cotswolds and join the M4 at Swindon rather than taking the M5. You'll be hitting the Reading area around 9 and then queuing on the M25 by Heathrow. You won't get to the park by 10, then toilet, security and ticket faff, the earliest you'll be in will be half 10, maybe later.
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We might go over the Severn Bridge. I'm not entirely sure, to tell you the truth.
 
The problem won't be your end, it'll be the gridlock you hit from Andover/Reading upwards that'll slow you travel time down.
 
That guy just looks like he's had a good Saturday night out, are you telling me that's all they could do to get the "zombie" look?
 
Traffic will also be a problem at the other end of you're going across the Severn bridge (depends if you live to the south of the Forest of Dean or not) as you'll be at a standstill on the M4 at Bristol by the M32 exit. I used to take this route to work and would wait in that for around half an hour or more if I hit it between 7:30 and 9.

Then Reading/Aylesbury area, then Heathrow on the M25.

I would always leave by 6:30 if going to Thorpe (but I know that's not an option for you). 2+ hours on a clear run indeed, but there's about an hours worth of traffic there, plus you want to be there before 9:30 before the crowds flood the security checkpoints and ticket barriers.

I remember a school trip (in the 90's of course) where we went to Towers by coach. Picked us up from Tesco in Bradley Stoke at 7:30. Teachers wanted to stop at Frankley services to fluff around and have toilet break etc. Didn't get there until 11, annoyed me greatly as a young, spotty, teenage roller coaster fan. Had a right 'tude on me after that.
 
Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I'm sure it will be absolutely fine!
 
I wouldn't bother with Thorpe unless I got there very early on a rainy weekday during Fright Nights. Any other time, park is unbearable.
 
No, had two great Sun voucher visits off peak, before and after the Hallow'een events.
Completely free, no queues all day, and enough punters to give the place a bit of atmosphere.
Wouldnt touch the place with a bargepole on a peak day though.
 
Just got back from my first ever trip to Thorpe Park, which seems strange as i have done so many European parks, that being said, I've come away slightly disappointed.

The first two hours were great and got on Stealth, Swarm, Tidal Wave and the circular dingy ride which i can't remember the name of. Staff were great and operations were good.

As soon as 12 hit there just seemed to be problems at the park, Saw and Colossous both down at the same time, The ghost train breaking down constantly and the announcer on the ghost train even coming on the tannoy telling people at the back of the queue to not ever bother waiting. We then went for some lunch which was fine and then tried Saw again but was broken down again, which isnt acceptable. Very disappinting as stated, the staff and ops were good but the ride availability is very poor.

Also what the hell is going on with Derren Brown opening at 12. Yes i know its probably to save money in the actors but what's the point in putting in attractions like that if you are unwilling or unable to open them during your park opening hours. Also saw a ride closed down which is now a walking dead scene which was closed and I'm a celebrity not open yet.

All in all, probably the worst theme park day I've had anywhere. Sad to say really, as normally I'm very positive.
 
Dogdangling said:
Also what the hell is going on with Derren Brown opening at 12.
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I'm not entirely sure, but TT had an event at Thorpe today which included some sort of "first access" to Derren Brown's Ghost Train, which is possibly the reason for the late opening...
 
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