Thorpe Park: General Discussion

[Rick]

Just like I’m not really fussed about Derren Brown or the Walking Dead, or Angry Birds or I’m a Celeb

This is the part of the problem with these IP’s, they have their fans of course, but the appeal doesn’t tend to be wide enough to result in any significant success for the park.

I don't quite follow how not liking the IPs is enough to put you off enjoying the rides. I know almost nothing about all those that you quoted, I think I've seen one Derren Brown show, but nothing of the others - but it doesn't in anyway make me less interested in the rides.

Derren Brown is a misnomer, he's hardly relevant to the ride after the pre-show. If I am on the Dodgems, what do I care if it's Angry Birds themed - it's all about ramming into people who you took a dislike to in the queue. Walking Dead is general darkness and the presentation is pretty cool overall. My good lady is a big fan of the show and was well into it, I thought it looked cool, better than X. It was a win for both of us.

I think those IPs actually work pretty well in giving the attractions a head start for fans and aren't offensive enough to put people off who are unaware. If you've never played Angry Birds, you have a neutral opinion of the game and the brand and can largely ignore it (I do?).

I think you could argue people who found the Saw films are uncomfortable to watch might be putting off riding it, but internally at Merlin that's one of the prime examples used of where you can get some mid-range ride hardware and do very well on the back of launching it with the right IP attached.

You could also perhaps argue that In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride is a complete acid trip if you're not familiar with the show, but I think that is more true of that style of ride than something like Walking Dead.

 

[AT86]

I’m referring to them actually sparking my interest enough to visit the park.

Surely this is the idea of using IP’s? To get people into the park in the first place.

Of course everyone is different and these brands will have their fans but the appeal seems limited. It might generate lots of likes and ‘wow we need to visit’ comments on social media but you also need to actually get people to turn up.

 

[Benjsh]

Is it really going to get punters in though? It's a great TV series don't get me wrong but is it that well known among the TP community? Seriously doubt the 16-20 year olds that Thorpe like to target are that familiar with it. That age group are more into Love Island and all that reality tv crap.

 

[Rick]

Surely this is the idea of using IP’s? To get people into the park in the first place.

It is that, but it's not just that.

Scenario 1
Build a new coaster, call it 'Saw - The Ride' - you have linked the new investment with a $1bn franchise. You don't need to do more messaging to Saw fans, they're already hooked and there are a lot of them. You then do a second round of marketing focussing on the ride itself - "Hey look, it's a big roller coaster" to capture interest from those not interested in the IP, or unaware of its existence. Saw fans happy, roller coaster fans happy.

Scenario 2
Build a new coaster, call it 'The Swarm' - you haven't linked it to anything, your messaging starts from scratch and you have to draw people in by far more traditional methods. That can be done and has been done, of course. The difference now is, that it's all a tad routine. "Thorpe Park are building a roller coaster" ... "So what, they've got loads of roller coasters".

I'm not using the example above, to say the IP ride did wonders for the park and the non-IP ride failed, it's far more nuanced than that.

 

[evilcod]

I’ll take your word for it, I don’t know anything about this IP.

Just like I’m not really fussed about Derren Brown or the Walking Dead, or Angry Birds or I’m a Celeb

This is the part of the problem with these IP’s, they have their fans of course, but the appeal doesn’t tend to be wide enough to result in any significant success for the park.

I'm a Celeb - upto 14 million viewers
Angry Birds - over 3 billion downloads
Walking Dead - upto 17.3 million viewers
Derren Brown is a little more difficult to put a figure on but I wouldnt underestimate the popularity of these IPs

 

[AT86]

I'm a Celeb - upto 14 million viewers
Angry Birds - over 3 billion downloads
Walking Dead - upto 17.3 million viewers
Derren Brown is a little more difficult to put a figure on but I wouldnt underestimate the popularity of these IPs

And yet the parks visitor numbers don’t improve.

 

[Danny]

The press release for the entire year is out. What a joke.

With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live experiences it is a must-visit for those looking to embark on an incredible, adrenaline-fuelled adventure with friends and family. With the gates to the Park set to re-open on 27th March 2020, it won’t be long before hearts will once again be racing as guests speed, twist, sweep and soar on some of Europe’s most thrilling coasters and immerse themselves in unmissable events and attractions!

Black Mirror Labyrinth

Opens late March! BRAND NEW in 2020 you’re invited to playtest the Labyrinth as Thorpe Park Resort launches the world’s first live Black Mirror experience with Black Mirror Labyrinth.

Get lost as you enter a hypnotic maze using cutting-edge visual technology and sensory-defying environments. Will you keep your grip on reality or will you lose yourself in the digital mainframe as this unpredictable digitised dimension reveals an uneasy truth that manipulates and displaces your very existence, leaving you questioning how well you really know yourself.

HYPERSpring

4th April – 31st May. Launch into the 2020 season with HYPERSpring! Surrender your subconscious and get lost in a digital maze in the new for 2020 Black Mirror Labyrinth, unlock the cryptic code phrase as you ride some of Europe’s most thrilling rides in the Cosmic 6 challenge and indulge yourself with limited edition themed delicacies available at select outlets across the Island. Then, brace yourself for random rollercoaster replays, detonation delays and system overloads in Hyper Ride Roulette – taking place exclusively during this May Half Term only.

What will you experience as Thorpe Park Resort battles a trans-dimensional glitch?

SuperCharged Summer

18th July – 6th September. This summer plunge into fun and soak up the thrills with SuperCharged Summer! Cool down and prepare to get drenched with friends as you experience the UK’s wettest water rides in the #SuperSoakedSelfieChallenge, before you tantalise your taste buds with our other-worldly Island foods.

Soak your mates, challenge your limits and splash into SuperCharged Summer at Thorpe Park Resort.

FRIGHT NIGHTS

3rd October – 1st November. In 2020, brace yourself as FRIGHT NIGHTS returns for another terrifying season. Taking over the Resort this autumn, prepare to be scared senseless at the UK’s premier Halloween event as you ride Europe’s most thrilling coasters in the dead of night before taking on our award-winning live action scare mazes and experiences. Fright Nights – the home of FEAR.

"Other-wordly island foods". Seriously, what is it with Thorpe marketing their food and beverage offerings as above standard? It's the same crap that can be found elsewhere that doesn't deserve an accolade of being shouted from the rooftops from.

This entire PR statement is the validation needed to not renew my MAP this year.

 

[Benjsh]

And yet the parks visitor numbers don’t improve.

There's a lot of reasons why that is and the use of those IP's isn't high up on the list.

The management and upkeep of the place is the biggest reason it's failing to get people in.

 

[SteveWadley97]

I do agree. A love Island maze would have make a lot more sense lol. They seem to have trouble picking an audience, I'm a celeb, fortnite and love Island to black mirror? I'm not going to complain I love black mirror but it does seem a strange idea, maybe they are hoping the UK fan base of black mirror is bigger than we think?

 

[ringo]

The press release for the entire year is out. What a joke.



"Other-wordly island foods". Seriously, what is it with Thorpe marketing their food and beverage offerings as above standard? It's the same crap that can be found elsewhere that doesn't deserve an accolade of being shouted from the rooftops from.

This entire PR statement is the validation needed to not renew my MAP this year.

PR statement translation,

 

[RicketyCricket]

SuperCharged Summer is my favourite bit.

New for 2020: Go on Tidal Wave when it's a bit hot.

 

[Alsty]

So is Black Mirror just an interactive walk-through, like the horror maze walk-throughs but without the horror theme?

I also must admit I didn't even know Black Mirror was an IP. Today is the first time I've heard of it.

 

[Stuie]

So is Black Mirror just an interactive walk-through, like the horror maze walk-throughs but without the horror theme?

I also must admit I didn't even know Black Mirror was an IP. Today is the first time I've heard of it.

It's a pretty decent watch - very thought provoking. But, not the best IP out there really.

 

[Rick]

No pigs, please.

 

[evilcod]

I also must admit I didn't even know Black Mirror was an IP. Today is the first time I've heard of it.

Difficult to put a number on it as Netflix don't like giving out figures but its the most watched Netflix show in the UK so I'd say fairly popular.

 

[Plastic Person]

I'm not a fan of the phrase, "This is like something from Black Mirror" when applied to anything absurd or dystopian, but the fact that a Charlie Brooker project has inspired an attraction at Thorpe park, well, it's like something off Black Mirror.

 

[Chessy Shop]

So is Black Mirror just an interactive walk-through, like the horror maze walk-throughs but without the horror theme?

I also must admit I didn't even know Black Mirror was an IP. Today is the first time I've heard of it.

It's a very popular show. Very dark and depressing though, which probably makes it a good fit for Thorpe Park.

 

[Doublethink]

I seriously hope this is just a stop gap till a substantial attraction. I dread to think what they are spending on this IP and how many Lech Coasters they could have had for it.

 

[Rick]

I seriously hope this is just a stop gap till a substantial attraction. I dread to think what they are spending on this IP and how many Lech Coasters they could have had for it.

This is not Roller Coaster Tycoon.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

Scenario 2
Build a new coaster, call it 'The Swarm' - you haven't linked it to anything, your messaging starts from scratch and you have to draw people in by far more traditional methods. That can be done and has been done, of course. The difference now is, that it's all a tad routine. "Thorpe Park are building a roller coaster" ... "So what, they've got loads of roller coasters".

Literally no one thinks this are you on coke?