Its fair to say that Thorpe Park has probably changed the most over the last 25 years or so, while Chessington had the
history of being a well known zoo, perhaps one of the best, Thorpe Park really only started to come to life in 1979, starting
off, really, as more of a Museum/Exhibition.
Before looking into the History of Thorpe Park, let’s have a look at some of the best and worst years for the park since its
opening.
Best year for Thrill Seekers: 2012
Once again the park pulls forward with the thrill seekers in 2012 with the introduction of The Swarm. The UK's first wing rider
roller coaster opened at the park and with the closure of Canada Creek Railway, really pushes the park forward in thrill
seekers. All other rides remain to give a massive thrill line up for 2012!
Worst Year for Thrill Seekers: 1995
OK, this isn't the easiest one to pick, but the reason I have picked this year over say, 1979, is that Chessington was open,
and keeping things in line with there competition at the time, I thought I’d pick a year that would be in comparison to
Chessington. Although the park did nothing wrong this year, it was full of Family attractions, while Chessington had a top
coaster, and Rameses Revenge, Thorpe Park had a Calgary Stampede, a beach, and just a powered coaster.
Best Year for the Family: 1996
With the opening of X:/ No Way Out (as it had a lower height restriction) it opened up a new, more older generation coming to
Thorpe Park to try it out, Families with older children would have a few more thrilling rides to do, and the park was voted most
parent friendly, with facilities and the park both in great condition.
Worst Year for the Family: 2012
Well the best year for Thrill Seekers, usually means the worst for the Family, and whilst this hasn't always been the case in
the past few years, 2012 is the same as the previous two years, with the closure of octopus' Garden followed now by the
closure of Canada Creek Railway give very little, or even nothing for the very young to enjoy. Accompanied with last years
minimum height changes to two rides and of course the opening of The Swarm, 2012 is all for the thrill seekers only.
Best Year for the Park: 2003
Many may disagree with this, but the best year for the park in my view, has to be one with a good mix, and the whole park is
open with a good atmosphere, for me that was 2003. The reasons for this are the park had a good mixture of old and new,
and a good mixture of thrill and family. On one hand you have recent additions in Colossus and Nemesis Inferno, along with
recent area in Lost City; on the other Hand you have family rides in Eclipse, Flying Fish, and classic attractions including
Calgary Stampede and Model World. Along with the second most improved event in recent times, Fright Nights, and the last
year of the fireworks, Thorpe in my eyes had there best year to date in 2003.
Worst Year for the Park: 2000
Unlike the best year, I think it’s safe to say this can be agreed to be the worst year for the park, and not through anything the
park did. The year started off well with Tidal Wave, but a devastating fire mid season not only closed the park for a short
while, but destroyed one of the parks most classic attractions, Wicked Witches Haunt, and did damaged to Tropical Travels
too. The only plus side was the introduction of the Enterprise (now Zodiac) which was the parks first ride to invert passengers.
This is a difficult list to make up, and I’m sure there are many that may disagree, with the park having big years since
Tussauds brought the park in 1998, and even X:/ No Way Out in 1996, the park has made more progress in the last 8 years,
than any other. The direction of the park is easily the most noticeable of any in the UK, over the past 10 years, over 12 new
thrill ride have come to the park, with less and less for families to do every year. Although there is clearly no problem in
becoming a thrill park, as it is working, there is nothing wrong with a healthy mix.
Yet the burning question still remains, would Thorpe Park be what it is today without the fire of 2000? Yes OK, Tussauds
probably had plans for the park, but would they have brought a 22 year old Enterprise in? I shouldn't think so; would they
have closed Wicked Witches Haunt? Again, I wouldn't think so. This takes Detonator away from the park, which was a last
minute ride based on short term planning. Looking at it now I’d expect WWH to be a laser gun game, with the park keeping it,
but, who knows?
Many people are now wanting a resort out of a theme park, and although Thorpe are doing great at the moment, the concern
has to be that family rides aren't in the best condition (Loggers Leap, the shambles change of Pirates 4D to Time Voyagers
was badly handled, areas of the beach and limited opening) although money is going into new rides, which is great, a new
ride doesn't need to be added every year, and fixing effects for a magical experience to the public (like Disney Land) will
work as well as a new ride. I'd like to see a real clean up of the park, the changes on X:/ No Way Out were a joke, and Tidal
Wave needs to be put back on the map, not sure now these are going to be addressed, but with more and more investment
in the park, someone has to stand back and fix whats broken.
history of being a well known zoo, perhaps one of the best, Thorpe Park really only started to come to life in 1979, starting
off, really, as more of a Museum/Exhibition.
Before looking into the History of Thorpe Park, let’s have a look at some of the best and worst years for the park since its
opening.
Best year for Thrill Seekers: 2012
Once again the park pulls forward with the thrill seekers in 2012 with the introduction of The Swarm. The UK's first wing rider
roller coaster opened at the park and with the closure of Canada Creek Railway, really pushes the park forward in thrill
seekers. All other rides remain to give a massive thrill line up for 2012!
Worst Year for Thrill Seekers: 1995
OK, this isn't the easiest one to pick, but the reason I have picked this year over say, 1979, is that Chessington was open,
and keeping things in line with there competition at the time, I thought I’d pick a year that would be in comparison to
Chessington. Although the park did nothing wrong this year, it was full of Family attractions, while Chessington had a top
coaster, and Rameses Revenge, Thorpe Park had a Calgary Stampede, a beach, and just a powered coaster.
Best Year for the Family: 1996
With the opening of X:/ No Way Out (as it had a lower height restriction) it opened up a new, more older generation coming to
Thorpe Park to try it out, Families with older children would have a few more thrilling rides to do, and the park was voted most
parent friendly, with facilities and the park both in great condition.
Worst Year for the Family: 2012
Well the best year for Thrill Seekers, usually means the worst for the Family, and whilst this hasn't always been the case in
the past few years, 2012 is the same as the previous two years, with the closure of octopus' Garden followed now by the
closure of Canada Creek Railway give very little, or even nothing for the very young to enjoy. Accompanied with last years
minimum height changes to two rides and of course the opening of The Swarm, 2012 is all for the thrill seekers only.
Best Year for the Park: 2003
Many may disagree with this, but the best year for the park in my view, has to be one with a good mix, and the whole park is
open with a good atmosphere, for me that was 2003. The reasons for this are the park had a good mixture of old and new,
and a good mixture of thrill and family. On one hand you have recent additions in Colossus and Nemesis Inferno, along with
recent area in Lost City; on the other Hand you have family rides in Eclipse, Flying Fish, and classic attractions including
Calgary Stampede and Model World. Along with the second most improved event in recent times, Fright Nights, and the last
year of the fireworks, Thorpe in my eyes had there best year to date in 2003.
Worst Year for the Park: 2000
Unlike the best year, I think it’s safe to say this can be agreed to be the worst year for the park, and not through anything the
park did. The year started off well with Tidal Wave, but a devastating fire mid season not only closed the park for a short
while, but destroyed one of the parks most classic attractions, Wicked Witches Haunt, and did damaged to Tropical Travels
too. The only plus side was the introduction of the Enterprise (now Zodiac) which was the parks first ride to invert passengers.
This is a difficult list to make up, and I’m sure there are many that may disagree, with the park having big years since
Tussauds brought the park in 1998, and even X:/ No Way Out in 1996, the park has made more progress in the last 8 years,
than any other. The direction of the park is easily the most noticeable of any in the UK, over the past 10 years, over 12 new
thrill ride have come to the park, with less and less for families to do every year. Although there is clearly no problem in
becoming a thrill park, as it is working, there is nothing wrong with a healthy mix.
Yet the burning question still remains, would Thorpe Park be what it is today without the fire of 2000? Yes OK, Tussauds
probably had plans for the park, but would they have brought a 22 year old Enterprise in? I shouldn't think so; would they
have closed Wicked Witches Haunt? Again, I wouldn't think so. This takes Detonator away from the park, which was a last
minute ride based on short term planning. Looking at it now I’d expect WWH to be a laser gun game, with the park keeping it,
but, who knows?
Many people are now wanting a resort out of a theme park, and although Thorpe are doing great at the moment, the concern
has to be that family rides aren't in the best condition (Loggers Leap, the shambles change of Pirates 4D to Time Voyagers
was badly handled, areas of the beach and limited opening) although money is going into new rides, which is great, a new
ride doesn't need to be added every year, and fixing effects for a magical experience to the public (like Disney Land) will
work as well as a new ride. I'd like to see a real clean up of the park, the changes on X:/ No Way Out were a joke, and Tidal
Wave needs to be put back on the map, not sure now these are going to be addressed, but with more and more investment
in the park, someone has to stand back and fix whats broken.
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