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Thorpe Park: General Discussion

pluk said:
To dwell on something is to think, speak, or write at length about a particular subject, especially one that is a source of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction.
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Dwell generally means to live in a certain place (tribes still dwell in these caves), to dwell on something is a phrase.


pluk said:
Yes, the beach had become an underused and pointless space, but to a stage and empty expanse in this prominent spot, as the first thing many will see on arrival, it just feels a bit crap.
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Seems better than seeing an empty pool with no water in it, assuming it is finished to an ok standard and doesn’t look like a stage plonked on an empty swimming pool. Also of course it’s similar at Alton Towers with the stage and seating on the front lawn.
 
jon81uk said:
Dwell generally means to live in a certain place (tribes still dwell in these caves), to dwell on something is a phrase.
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Yes, I know, it's the alternative menaing being so apt amused me!
jon81uk said:
Seems better than seeing an empty pool with no water in it, assuming it is finished to an ok standard and doesn’t look like a stage plonked on an empty swimming pool. Also of course it’s similar at Alton Towers with the stage and seating on the front lawn.
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I just think theres something inherently sad in an empty (which this will be most of the time) stage. An event space with no event. It doesn't feel like a magical welcome to the park and there's a reason this sort of space is generally hidden when not in use in theme parks.

Yes, the beach was a waste of space most of the time in the modern park and served as little more than a massive water feature, but it looked nice enough so it's presence didn't detract, whereas for me this is likely to.

Just personal opinion, I'm sure it'll serve it's purpose.
 
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I haven't gotten around to writing up a full trip report, but I recently visited Thorpe with some casuals/normies/GP scum, and while the park's grotty cattle pen entrance left them unimpressed, conversely, leaving the Dome and seeing the state of the beach on a grey October morning, actually made them laugh out loud. So I'm glad that something, anything, is being done here.

The application seems to allow dB headroom for gigs, which might allow for later openings in the summer.
 
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Bowser said:
We used to go swimming there in the 80s. Back to the car to get towels and packed lunch, it felt like a major part of the day! Very much of it’s time though I think.
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That 80s era of Thorpe Park was a lot of fun, very much of its time like you say. I remember before I went for the first time I had a park map that listed the “magnetic maze” as an attraction. Being a kid I thought it was going to be some kind of crazy labyrinth where you stuck to the wall or something, so you can imagine my disappointment when the Magnetic Maze turned out to just be some pathways in a garden or whatever it was.

Here’s a link to a scan of the park map from 1986 from the Memories Of Thorpe Park website to take you back.

I also remember there being something on the map called “Smirnoff the Loch Ness monster” (number 20 on the map) and not getting why the adults found the name of it funny.

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pluk said:
Yes, the beach was a waste of space most of the time in the modern park and served as little more than a massive water feature, but it looked nice enough so it's presence didn't detract, whereas for me this is likely to.
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Although it rarely had water in it? Did it actually function as a swimming pool for more than 2 out of 8 months? Whereas I can see something happening on the stage for a lot more than 2 months of the year, between fright nights and Oktoberfest thats almost six weeks, then I expect something for summer as well so thats three months total.
 
owenstreet7 said:
Whoa! Thorpe Park News is on fire tonight!🔥

Hotel Incoming?


From: https://x.com/AttractionSc/status/1854248923264602555?t=QVvcQBNK4gYHKa1gyUDWRA&s=19
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It looks fancy, but is it on-brand for what's supposed to be a fun loving 'feel good thrills' destination? Not entirely sure if the muted, modernist aesthetic suits the park...

The stage replacing Amity Beach on the other hand is a good decision, the park needed more permanent seating areas and a permanent show area. More entertainment can only be a good thing.
 
Call_um said:
The full 20 minute area loop has been released on Spotify now!


From: https://open.spotify.com/track/3pkSHTCHu0gfkAIBHD5WGa?si=ADYNOkmqTpWFdbBwQEAN8Q&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6RFAP29FFjb9ngskhctrNc&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1G2bcYcTdraAg4fEGlhcmGgc4PRjLlAy_n-cDbnbzD4fgwzSnWVLLGxgw_aem_es3iZgHaxpTttBJ0BNU3Lw&nd=1&dlsi=d3ab580a27514503
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That's good. I like how more theme parks have been using Spotify to upload music lately, with Paultons Park, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park all having Spotify accounts.
 
Interesting overview and photos of the behind the scenes tour for Ghost Train here.

I sort of have a morbid fascination with this thing given how much of a spectacular balls up it was as an investment from day 1.

Anyway, didn’t realise they only run it with 2 trains now - the 3rd wasn’t rethemed when the Derren Brown IP was lost and is now just used for spares for the other 2 trains.

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Link:

Ghost Train Behind The Scenes | Theme Park Guide

The behind-the-scenes tour of Thorpe Park's Ghost Train is a fascinating dive into the complex inner workings of a ride that was once a high-tech horr
themeparkguide.co.uk themeparkguide.co.uk
 
ItsAllGood said:
It was a fun tour going behind the scenes of ghost train! So much. waisted space in the building though :(

Can see them removing the ride system and trains in a few years time and doing something else with it.
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It's certainly interesting to see, but I find the whole thing quite depressing. It was so obviously ill conceived from the very start, and everything since has been throwing good money after bad like some hopelessly desperate gambler.

All the things that could have been...
 
Even tho this ride system is very unique I feel a shooting dark ride replacement would suit Thorpe park clientele a lot better, soak up the crowds better and offer a better reliable experience for guests. They don’t really have a dark ride to bridge the gap for all there many coasters?
 
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