Thorpe Park
Two years after X opened more 'theming' was added in the form of some strobes and other lighting. The queue was, indeed, very long and look you through a number of rooms. The robots weren't actually 'UV' as such, they were green and black (not the red you see today in the ride).
When the queue was shortened (to its current length) the remainder of the queue was used as a seasonal maze- The Freakshow 3D (a spookier Hocus Pocus Hall if you will). I think it was my favourite maze as the illusions used were very good. It was during this period the robots were painted as they are now, to react with the UV lighting the maze used. The robots themselves looked as though they were climbing out the walls. The maze used very detailed UV drawings on the wall and THE best soundtrack and sound effects I have ever witnessed on a maze (including HHNs in my opinion).
This maze was eventually ripped out and HellGate was born. They basically painted over the old drawings with black paint and put some fake candles, castle smell and some coffins in etc. the same layout was used.
In 2007 the ride was 'rethemed' into the current X. With a video explaining about 'The Incident' (sort of LOST style). However, as previously stated, this only lasted a year as the TVs where turned off the following year and lighting was changed etc. But the robots stayed in their new home (the second lift within the ride). So, then for some reason, in 2011 we has a small section of the track painted with yellow UV paint (about two feet, if anyone knows why it would be interesting to know). And the ride has now been given a horrific soundtrack and lighting.
HellGate was closed after the 2010 season and remained closed until Halloween 2012 when it was modified into 'The Passing' with a new layout (pretty much in reverse) and small tunnels etc added. But I like the maze.
The bag room within the ride has moved numerous times, with it now situated where the old photo viewing/collect point was (which was removed with the invent of Stealth).
