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Thorpe Park: General Discussion

djtruefitt said:
So last Monday I visited Thorpe, the park are definitely struggling with engineers at the moment, so many rides were “scheduled late opening” and you could see them moving from ride to ride to get them opening, with Flying fish being the last to open at about 2pm.

All the ride staff were all just stood outside ride entrances so it wasn’t cost cutting I don’t think.
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So, from what I've seen from a reliable member on another forum, the late openings on certain rides aren't budget cut related and they're actually using time on off peak days to further train staff, mainly engineers. This explains why the rides are still staffed (no cost cutting) and you've seen the engineers going ride to ride.

Normally this can only be done during closed season or with only 1 or 2 staff at a time, so think they're just testing the waters to see if its a better way for them to train staff with limited notable guest feedback.
 
I've just read this article on Blooloop which is an interview with the park's marketing and commercial directors which is an interesting perspective on what's going on at Thorpe Park.

There is a bit at the end teasing a potential RMC coaster and acknowledging enthusiast's desire for one of those to be at Thorpe Park.

It seems like it is a possibility that may be the next coaster behind Swarm Island could very well be that Hybrid coaster we've wanted for years. Whether it happens may be a different matter.

blooloop.com

Why focusing on thrill-seekers makes commercial sense for Thorpe Park

Graham Speak speaks to the team at Thorpe Park about its marketing strategy and the benefits of catering to thrill-seekers.
blooloop.com blooloop.com
 
Call_um said:
So, from what I've seen from a reliable member on another forum, the late openings on certain rides aren't budget cut related and they're actually using time on off peak days to further train staff, mainly engineers. This explains why the rides are still staffed (no cost cutting) and you've seen the engineers going ride to ride.

Normally this can only be done during closed season or with only 1 or 2 staff at a time, so think they're just testing the waters to see if its a better way for them to train staff with limited notable guest feedback.
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It just seems if they plan to close rides and open them late they need to be more honest, the website has no info on it and you arrive to just see “scheduled late opening” on flying fish, detonator, Zodiac, depth charge, walking dead, bumper cars, with no actual clue as to when they’ll open, other then later. I tweeted them and just got told to check the app. Of course the app just have them all as open 10-17, when I questioned this I got told to check the app.

It’s fine as it was quite but you do just find yourself walking around for rides actually open, then for a company which seems to love saving money, having 4 staff stood outside the dodgems just chatting for hours on end is a waste of money? Same with all the other closed rides.
 
djtruefitt said:
It just seems if they plan to close rides and open them late they need to be more honest, the website has no info on it and you arrive to just see “scheduled late opening” on flying fish, detonator, Zodiac, depth charge, walking dead, bumper cars, with no actual clue as to when they’ll open, other then later. I tweeted them and just got told to check the app. Of course the app just have them all as open 10-17, when I questioned this I got told to check the app.

It’s fine as it was quite but you do just find yourself walking around for rides actually open, then for a company which seems to love saving money, having 4 staff stood outside the dodgems just chatting for hours on end is a waste of money? Same with all the other closed rides.
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Yeah I completely agree. They do now update in the app, if you click on the individual ride it'll tell you what time it opens rather than just showing 10-5, but it would still be better to post in advance on the ride availability page.

Its a poor first impression too when you've got ghost train opening at 12 everyday and Hyperia opening late a lot of the time.

Its far from ideal but its good to see it isn't budget cut related at least.
 
The island behind swarm is perfect for an RMC and they could use interactions with the water to make it even better. I can certainly see another large coaster in the next five years, I just hope the next is longer than Hyperia.

I think Thorpe has had a great year overall, if they can pull off Halloween mazes well I'd say probably the best Merlin park in the country.
 
Relife said:
The island behind swarm is perfect for an RMC and they could use interactions with the water to make it even better. I can certainly see another large coaster in the next five years, I just hope the next is longer than Hyperia.

I think Thorpe has had a great year overall, if they can pull off Halloween mazes well I'd say probably the best Merlin park in the country.
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I imagine a wildcats revenge scale RMC would be perfect for the island behind swarm
 
So assuming this is correct what I've been sent, how does this work? If I book to sleep on one of those dates the theme park is actually closed the morning I wake up at the shark ...
 

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Yep that is correct, I've done this in the past.

On the 13th Oct and 3rd Nov you'll get unlimited fast track all day the day you arrive as the park is closed the following day, if you stay on 16th (park closed) you'll get the all day fast track following day on the 17th.

It also includes maze access between 3pm-6pm so its a great deal.
 
Call_um said:
Yep that is correct, I've done this in the past.

On the 13th Oct and 3rd Nov you'll get unlimited fast track all day the day you arrive as the park is closed the following day, if you stay on 16th (park closed) you'll get the all day fast track following day on the 17th.

It also includes maze access between 3pm-6pm so its a great deal.
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Ah thank you, it doesn't state anything about FT on the booking page only about the scare mazes entry
 
A poster has been seen which says 'the final beach party', interested to see what they do with this space!

A new flat would be cool but I imagine the Slammer site would be the preferred location. Having a permanent events location would be ideal, would be a much better location for things like Oktoberfest to take place.

Would be quite happy to see the end of the beach to be honest. Eventually once depth charge has had its day the whole area could be a good spot for a new water ride of some kind.


From: https://x.com/ThorpeGuide/status/1837893337245691948
 
Call_um said:
A poster has been seen which says 'the final beach party', interested to see what they do with this space!

A new flat would be cool but I imagine the Slammer site would be the preferred location. Having a permanent events location would be ideal, would be a much better location for things like Oktoberfest to take place.

Would be quite happy to see the end of the beach to be honest. Eventually once depth charge has had its day the whole area could be a good spot for a new water ride of some kind.


From: https://x.com/ThorpeGuide/status/1837893337245691948
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Who's to say Thorpe Park can't both add a flat ride on the Slammer site and redevelop the beach? 🤔

Highly unlikely to have both open in the same season however I'd say Slammer site could be Summer 2025 and Beach site could be 2026.

I'd have thought we'd see planning or a consultation for developments unless planning is going in imminently. If planning is going in soon, we could see something substantial such as as a larger Intamin Gyro Swing themed to Hyperia.

If it's entirely within GDO perameters and doesn't need planning, Thorpe Park getting a Huss Top Spin Suspended could be realistic. Ramases Revenge II?

For the beach, I'm very keen on the idea of a Flume like Chiapas at the park. If that happens, I'd probably end up lapping it a few times each visit 😂

Not sure if Depth Charge will go at the same time as the beach or get rethemed but I think it's had it's day with the park's focus changed since it opened and it's woeful capacity.

Exciting developments either way 🤩
 
I’d be happy for the beach and slides to go, open it up as large and clean open space for new events, new stage and more seating with a center water feature displaying the Thorpe park logo. It would look so much better as you come out of the dome and have more of an impact which is what many other parks do well!

But if they are concentrating on the front of the park they really need to sort the messy entrance firstly. Along side this painting up the outer dome and modernize the bridge properly, which means not just painting it an awful puke green?
The bridge definitely requires new flooring and updated hand rails with either glass, stainless steel or wood sides. These materials would look far better as Thorpe park doesn’t have the best first impressions in my opinion.

They also need update certain parts of flooring across the park with the priority being the entrance are from the done and Big easy Boulevard which doesn’t look finished currently.

Then they need to replace the flat ride and refurbish the rapids and get rid of the awful old saw alive boat it’s like they can’t it go?
 
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