What Next?

[Secret Weapon]

I don't remember hearing JW's comments regarding Horizon... (other than telling Lift Hills and Thrills that it "could be" SW9)

Regarding the surf coaster: I'd assumed that it was a family-type ride that may have been better suited to Chessington or Legoland, but perhaps I am wrong.

I wish in hindsight that the 2012 B&M wing coaster had been built at AT rather than Thorpe Park because (A) I think it would have been a better fit for AT's woody terrain, and (B) JW seemed enthusiastic about the idea of building a wing coaster at AT in his book, whereas he (and B&M) said in Making Thorpe Park that building one at Thorpe Park was a bad idea.

If Thorpe Park had built Hyperia instead of The Swarm back in 2012, then it would've given AT the opportunity to build Britain's first wing coaster* in either 2013 (instead of The Smiler) or at some point afterwards (instead of Wicker Man, or perhaps an additional new ride after COVID).

(*In my alternate history, Mandrill Mayhem never would have been built)

 

[JAperson]

Regarding the surf coaster: I'd assumed that it was a family-type ride that may have been better suited to Chessington or Legoland, but perhaps I am wrong.

It's very much not, It's B&M's modern take on a stand up coaster, the 'seats' move slightly and they're launched (although I'm sure they'd sell you a lift hill version if you really wanted one). Only one currently open is Pipeline at SeaWorld Orlando. RCDB: https://rcdb.com/20042.htm

I wish in hindsight that the 2012 B&M wing coaster had been built at AT rather than Thorpe Park because (A) I think it would have been a better fit for AT's woody terrain, and (B) JW seemed enthusiastic about the idea of building a wing coaster at AT in his book, whereas he (and B&M) said in Making Thorpe Park that building one at Thorpe Park was a bad idea.

Towers might have lots of land, but it also has lots of restrictions, a main one being really old trees that cannot just be removed. Wing coasters have massive clearances, because of the really wide trains, and so to make a good layout you'd have to remove lots of trees at Towers which just wasn't going to work. I suppose you could have created a decent launched wing, but it would still have to be relatively short.

If Thorpe Park had built Hyperia instead of The Swarm back in 2012, then it would've given AT the opportunity to build Britain's first wing coaster* in either 2013 (instead of The Smiler) or at some point afterwards (instead of Wicker Man, or perhaps an additional new ride after COVID).

Whether Thorpe should have just built the UK's tallest earlier is probably arguable, but I think it would have been a more sensible pick than spending so much money on Ghost Train (which was far more expensive I believe?). But, 2012 was a bad year for theme park attendance across the board, with Camelot closing at the end of that season too.

In terms of Towers, you have to remember that people expect, and Towers need to deliver, far more unique experiences and brands than what they can get away with at Thorpe especially. This doesn't necessarily mean a ride has to be a world first, but it can use clever thematic elements, particularly looking at Wicker Man here. It had what Nick Varney apparently used to call the 'killer image' in that you could look at it instantly, with big bob in the centre, and go wow. It was, I believe, an incredibly good idea marketing wise. Towers have lots of future options in this regard, they don't have to use new protype ride systems, or new worlds first elements to get their unique image.