Derren Brown’s Ghost Train has been confirmed as the name of Thorpe Park Resort’s new attraction for 2016, along with a number of other details about the ‘world’s first’ dark ride set to open this Spring.
Taking inspiration from elements of the traditional ghost train, the new attraction will aim to combine grand illusion, next generation technology, live action, 4D special effects and physical transit to reinvent the ghost train idea and give it a 21st century makeover.
Upon entering the attraction guests will be transported to a disused Victorian Warehouse which at its centre will have a 65 foot long Victorian steam train carriage suspended in mid-air. Guests will then board a Victorian train carriage (a ride vehicle which will have a capacity of 60 riders) to embark on their journey to come face to face with what lies at the end of the line. The precise details about what will take place and what guests will experience within the ride is being kept a closely guarded secret, however what has been revealed is that the attraction will feature 12 possible journeys to get to two possible endings. Guests will make a series of choices as they make their way through meaning each individual will have a different experience making them question where perception ends and reality begins. It has also been confirmed that Virtual Reality will be one of the features used to help create the illusions within the experience using headsets within the train, although it is important to note that, unlike the recently announced Galactica at Alton Towers Resort, Virtual Reality will only form one part of the experience with other elements forming an equally crucial part of the attraction. As with his stage shows, Derren Brown wants guests to keep precisely what happens within the attraction a secret so as not to spoil it for those yet to enter the experience. It has also been revealed that the attraction will have an age restriction placed upon it, suggesting that the new addition will be aimed at an older audience, as opposed to the family audience 2015’s I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here, and 2014’s Angry Birds Land targeted.
Speaking about the new addition Derren Brown commented:
“Visitors can look forward to experiencing a heady and heart stopping combination of next generation technology, grand illusion, special effects and live action that will completely rewrite the rules of what a theme park attraction can deliver.
“The team has been galvanised by the positive reaction to the first announcement we made last year and we are even more determined to deliver a revolutionary experience; as such we are constantly tweaking things to ensure they’re the best they can be.
“I firmly believe that this kind of multi-sensory, mind blowing attraction represents a glimpse of what the future holds for theme parks the world over.
People should also note that this is not an experience for the faint hearted. But to ensure you are in the right frame of mind to take full advantage of the journey I will send you on, I refuse to reveal any further details past the doors of the carriage.”
Whilst Mike Vallis, Divisional Director of THORPE PARK Resort said:
“We’re pleased to be able to share more details after such a positive reaction to the news we’d partnered with Derren. The team are working round the clock to deliver an incredible experience for our guests in what promises to be the first of its kind in the world, and certainly the most exciting and ambitious project we have ever attempted here at Thorpe Park.
This is a scary new dimension THORPE PARK Resort is entering – different from any other development we have seen anywhere else in the world. It is bold, daring and takes theme park attractions to a new level. This is thrilling fun as you’ve never seen or experienced it before.
“Don’t take the first visuals at face value, as they are deceptive and all is not quite what it seems.”
Today’s announcement follows an extensive marketing campaign from Thorpe Park Resort which has included teasers around the walls of the construction site, a dedicated mini-site – mindwanted.co.uk – which challenged guests to solve a series of clues to discover some of the secrets of the attraction, and a range of other teasers from hints during the Resort’s Fright Nights event, to a final clue released just last night on Derren Brown’s social media accounts.
Masterminded by magician and illusionist Derren brown, who is famous for his television and stage productions – including ‘Pushed to the Edge’, ‘The Heist’, ‘Miracle’ and ‘Enigma’- which play with people’s minds and include “mind-control” illusions, Thorpe Park Resort’s new attraction is being promoted as the world’s first psychological theme-park ride and will see guests taken on an immersive 13 minute psychological journey in a disused warehouse located at the heart of the Island. Originally given the codenames ‘Project Whitechapel’ and ‘WC16’, plans for the attraction were first submitted back in October 2014 for a “first of its kind ‘indoor fully themed’ attraction” to be located on the site of the former Arena which had previously been home to a number of live stunt shows and the My Bloody Valentine scare maze.
What are your thoughts on these latest details about Thorpe Park Resort’s newest attraction? Are you looking forward to taking a trip on Derren Brown’s Ghost Train? Have your say on this and more over on the Attraction Source Forum. As the 2016 season draws ever nearer we’ll be sure to bring you all the latest developments from Thorpe Park Resort.
