Thorpe Park - Derren Brown's Ghost Train

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Sazzle

And while James was busy typing that post, I was busy pulling shapes behind his back and deleting off topic posts which were that bit too far over the line and away from the topic.

Guuuuyyyyssss, listen to Jaaaaaaaaames, kk? :D
Longy

Sorry James, and Sazzle.

I guess they'll go for a woodie or a hyper of some sort.
It will fill the gap in their line-up, and Thorpe will probably use the other option as their next big coaster after this one.
Dingerbell

James wrote: hysteria
Oh yeah...


Anyway, back on topic, I'm almost certain this coaster will be air-time heavy- and will probably be an Intamin, Blitz or Mega-lite- who knows. Despite this, I've been hearing excellent things about the Mack Megacoaster, and would LOVE one of these at Thorpe. Needs to have air-time, but I'll give an allowance for one inversion (the killer heartline roll), if there is an other aspect to the ride. The thing is, with the Mack, that it can be launched or use a lift-hill, allowing Thorpe to decide what they want, and I think a lift-hill would be the most appropriate thing here (otherwise it'll be like "isnt tat the wel crap Rita innit" which would, as shown, create unnecessary comparisons).
Sazzle

The thing is, the more I think about it, the more I think the park have shot themselves in the foot with their portfolio - they pretty much have everything on the market in some form or another!
+ Launch coaster
+ Sit down, multi inversion coaster
+ Invert
+ Winged with flying elements
+ Beyond vertical, multi inversion coaster
+ Powered family coaster
+ An indoor joke

All of those are pretty comparable to anything they could install, as they're the basics for most manufacturers.

Wood is the only way(!) really, but I've reservations about the state of the ground? I have it in my head that the water table and the fact the soft ground type prevent such a huge, heavy, compact structure from being built... I could have dreamed that of course :-s!
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Rob L
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I don't see how that is the park shooting themselves in the foot at all? Surely it is a good thing that they have such a great range of coasters. They're only other options would have been to install coasters similar to other coasters they have which would be silly or install nothing at all which would be even more stupid. So adding new coaster types is essential for success and Thorpe are lucky enough to have pretty much everything.

There is still a lot that can be done however. Wood as people are saying but also an airtime coaster of some sorts; that would be completely different to anything else they have and pretty unique in the UK seeing as PMBO doesn't exactly provide any airtime. Then it has to be remembered that the coaster industry is always moving forward and new ideas and innovations are pretty much constant. Who's to say that Thorpe's 2015 addition won't be something completely new that we have no idea about?

:)
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Sazzle

Rob wrote:I don't see how that is the park shooting themselves in the foot at all? Surely it is a good thing that they have such a great range of coasters. They're only other options would have been to install coasters similar to other coasters they have which would be silly or install nothing at all which would be even more stupid.
Uh... that was exactly my point :P maybe read through my post again?
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Rob L
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Sazzle wrote:
Rob wrote:I don't see how that is the park shooting themselves in the foot at all? Surely it is a good thing that they have such a great range of coasters. They're only other options would have been to install coasters similar to other coasters they have which would be silly or install nothing at all which would be even more stupid.
Uh... that was exactly my point :P maybe read through my post again?
Yes, but my point was that although they currently have a diverse range of coasters it does not mean that there is not still new stuff they can add. There are still coaster types that Thorpe do not have, and new coaster types are always being developed. So although they could potentially end up adding coasters that are similar to what they currently have that is not their only option.

:)
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Sam
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The two big coaster types they don't have are wooden and an airtime coaster.
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BigAl
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Some sort of replacement for X:\ might be a good idea at some point. The whole structure could be taken down and a new dark ride area could be built. Perhaps a large Mack spinning coaster could fit in it? The park doesn't offer a spinning coaster type (although Chessington down the road does) and I'm sure they'd be able to make something that's suitably intense for a thrilling dark ride. Imagine spinning in the darkness whilst whipping through tight turns, down steep drops and up hills that you can't see coming. Disorientation: The Ride? :P

That's just an idea. I'd much rather see a B&M mega coaster or a GCI woodie (even if it isn't as likely) like pretty much everyone else here. Although an Intamin airtime woodie like El Toro or Colossos would tick both boxes at once.

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:)
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JoshC.
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As BigAl said, a X replacement will occur at some point down the line - would any of us be surprised if it was gone in the next 10 years?  When Thorpe decide to get rid of it, a new indoor coaster may be an option; extend the size of the building perhaps?  Or perhaps employ a similar idea of Saw's and have a 'ride of two halves' - an indoor and outdoor section - except with a larger indoor than outdoor section?  All pure speculation there, but of course we won't see an X replacement for 2015 (woooo :P ).

As for 2015, I just can't see a woodie.  Wasn't it said in this thread that the woodie was considered for Island E; adjacent to the bridge?  If so, I can't see the park developing that island, which is largely out of the way from the public when they pass the dome (and can be used nicely as a bit of advertising space...), before Island A, next to Swarm, which is crying out for attention at the moment - it looks blank which, perhaps strangely, can serve as a distraction from Swarm.  In other words, seems likely it will go there.

As for the ride, I'd love to see an airtime-filled coaster, and it certainly seems possible - plus the 50m maximum height restriction (I think?) would be brilliant for an airtime coaster.  I'd also like to see a major coaster with lapbars, simply to offer variety..
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James6
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I personally think the park is missing a quality family coaster. I know it isn't their target market, but it doesn't have to be presented as one. I was at the park last week when it was pretty quiet, after going on most things we got to the point where we didn't want another "launchy-loopy" ride/coaster, and just wanted a "fun" ride. Something where you can just sit back, with a lap bar, and laugh. Colorado Adventure clone please :P
Last edited by James6 on Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Dylan
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I'm personally expecting to see some sort of mini Hyper in Canada Creek coming next, with a wooden coaster on the island behind The Swarm to follow.
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SwEDEN
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sorry if a bit off topic, yet how would people feel about a this coaster being themed like Oziris at Parc Asterix, how would an egyptian area be for Thorpe, just looked at some videos, and the theming is AMAZING!!!
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Dylan
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SwEDEN wrote: sorry if a bit off topic, yet how would people feel about a this coaster being themed like Oziris at Parc Asterix, how would an egyptian area be for Thorpe, just looked at some videos, and the theming is AMAZING!!!
I think any theme that is not 'abandoned warehouse', 'post apocalyptic', 'merlin shipping container' would be welcome.
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SwEDEN
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After Stealth the seemingly happy theming seemed to vanish :(
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Dylan
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I think the focus seems to be on minimal upkeep and maintenance to their themed areas. Would be nice for something fresh and clean with a distinct theme again.
Saying that it would be a tragedy to add level of detail such as Colossus' and just let it rot again.
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SwEDEN
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Yeah, there is theming in the pool, by the Colossus supports that I did not know existed until quite recently, theming a ride is one thing, but then keeping it cleaned and well maintained is another.
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ImURNemesis
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I can picture a vekoma mine train going on the the Island between Inferno and the Swarm. Just looks and feels right for some reason. A much as I would like to see a Bliz/mega/woddie coaster, the park need a family coaster that can a stepping stone from the Fish. For an example, a person might to go on some that isn't as thrilling as Saw, colossus, stealth, inferno or Swarm but Somthing more thrilling than the fish or going on crappy X.

A 1.2M coaster thats more fun than thrilling will do nicely. Thorpe need a family ride, just as much a Chessie needs a thrill ride.
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Ritadz
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Pretty sure LC15 won't be a mine train... ;)

Although I agree Thorpe could use another family coaster, either for Canada Creek or as a replacement for X. I know that they are aiming to be "The Nations Thrill Capital", but I'm pretty sure in about 5-10 years they'll start to re value the family market, especially with the planned hotel.

:)
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iriderides101
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Ritadz wrote: Pretty sure LC15 won't be a mine train... ;)

Although I agree Thorpe could use another family coaster, either for Canada Creek or as a replacement for X. I know that they are aiming to be "The Nations Thrill Capital", but I'm pretty sure in about 5-10 years they'll start to re value the family market, especially with the planned hotel.

:)
Possibly
But because of Chessington/ Legoland i think the strategy of having a different park cater a different market and the AT take the whole family/thrill and children still exists. The trouble is with having a family coaster is that it would be very difficult to market to a Thrill market. And there would be very little point in targeting Thorpe park to families as there is little else compared to Chessington/Legoland.

If they did install a family coaster the marketing would have to go into overdrive to make it seem appealing (Think Th13rteen). To their target audience the ride would seem unappealing, and to be honest a waste of space. If you are after a fun roller coaster which could target families a mini hyper, or a woody would be best. I'm not sure where this idea that wooden coaster would be unmarketable as BPB's woodies are popular as well as Megafobia at Oakwood is ridden by all member of the family. Plus they could always use an IP to make it more appealing.
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