Shenzhou 7 and Thorpe Park: Difference between pages

Coordinates: 51°24′17″N 0°30′47″W / 51.40472°N 0.51306°W / 51.40472; -0.51306
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{{otheruses4|the English theme park|the Lincolnshire village|Thorpe Park, Lincolnshire}}
{{Current_spaceflight}}
{{Infobox Amusement park
<!--{{Copyedit}} begin-->{{ambox
| type = style
| name = Thorpe Park
| image = [[Image:Acap.svg|30px]]
| image = [[Image:Thorpe park new logo big.jpg]]
| location = {{flagicon|UK}} [[Chertsey]], [[United Kingdom]]
| text = '''This translated article needs [[Wikipedia:How to copy-edit|copy editing]] for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling from a native English speaker.'''<br /><small>You can assist by [{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} editing it] now. A how-to [[Wikipedia:How to copy-edit|guide]] is available.{{#if:{{{date|}}}|''&nbsp;({{{date}}})''|}}</small>
| opening_date = [[May 31]] [[1979]]
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| previous_names =
{{Infobox Space mission|
| season = February to November
mission_name = Shenzhou 7|
| area = {{convert|500|acre|km2}}
insignia = |
sign = |
| rides = 24
| coasters = 5
crew_members = 3 |
| water_rides = 3
launch_pad = [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] |
| owner = [[Nick Leslau]], leased to [[Merlin Entertainments]]
launch = [[September 25]], [[2008]] at 21:10:04.988 [[China standard time|CST]] (13:10:04.988 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])|
| homepage = [http://www.thorpepark.com/ www.thorpepark.com ]
landing = [[September 28]], [[2008]] at 17:00 CST (09:00 UTC)|
| slogan = The nation's thrill capital
crew_photo = |
crew_caption =|
next = [[Shenzhou 8]] |
previous = [[Shenzhou 6]] [[Image:Shenzhou-6.png|40px]]|
duration = |
orbits = |
}}
}}
'''Thorpe Park ''' is a [[amusement park|theme park]] located in [[Surrey]], [[United Kingdom]]. It was built in [[1979]] on the site of a gravel pit which was partially flooded with the intention of creating a water based theme for the park. The park's first large [[roller coaster]], ''[[Colossus (Thorpe Park)|Colossus]]'', was added in [[2002]]. In [[2007]], Tussauds was bought out by [[Merlin Entertainments]], who now operate the park on a lease from [[Nick Leslau]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2779452.ece/ |title=Merlin sells Alton Towers in £622m deal |accessdate=2007-07-30}}</ref>


In 2007, the park had 1.7 million visitors, making it the second most visited theme park in the United Kingdom (after Alton Towers), and 13th most visited in Europe. <ref>{{cite paper
'''''Shenzhou 7''''' ({{zh-stp|s=神舟七号|t=神舟七號|p=shénzhōu qīhào}}) is the third Chinese [[human space flight]]. This mission marked the commencement of the second phase of [[Chinese space program#Manned spaceflight programs|Project 921]] of the Chinese space program. A [[Shenzhou spacecraft]] carrying three crew members was launched on [[September]] 25, [[2008]] at 21:10 CST on a [[Long March 2F]] (CZ-2F) launch vehicle from [[Jiuquan Space Center]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071120/ap_on_sc/china_space;_ylt=AlY9TmqX4L5d8TLlL7v1tjkPLBIF|title=China manned mission to follow Olympics |date=[[2006-11-20]]|accessdate=2007-11-20}}</ref> The mission is scheduled to last three days, after which the craft will land in [[Inner Mongolia]] on [[September]] 28, [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.longhoo.net/gb/longhoo/news/tech/userobject1ai796208.html|title ="神七""神九"将太空对接 "神七"准备工作顺利|publisher= [[龙虎新闻中心]]|date=March 4, 2008|accessdate=May 1|accessyear=2008}}</ref> During the flight, an [[Extra-vehicular activity]]([[EVA]]) was carried out by [[Zhai Zhigang]], making China the third country to have conducted an EVA, after [[Russia]] and the [[United States]].
| author = [[Themed Entertainment Association]]
| coauthors = Economics Research Associates
| title = Attraction Attendance Report
| publisher = Park World
| date = May 2008
| url = http://www.connectingindustry.com/downloads/pwteaerasupp.pdf
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2008-07-03}}</ref>


==Crew==
==History==
===Crew===
[[Image:CNSA.svg|thumb|150px|right|Logo of the [[China National Space Administration]] (CNSA)]]
The crew for Shenzhou 7, which was announced on [[September 17]], [[2008]], is made up of the following astronauts:<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/17/content_10050286.htm China names first "spacewalker" astronaut]</ref>
*[[Zhai Zhigang]]([[:zh:翟志刚|翟志刚]]) (1), Commander
*[[Liu Boming]]([[:zh:刘伯明|刘伯明]]) (1)
*[[Jing Haipeng]]([[:zh:景海鹏|景海鹏]]) (1)


Thorpe Park is situated on what was a quarry in Chertsey / Staines, up until the late 1970s. Former owners Ready Mix Concrete filled the site with water after the quarry's closure, with the intent to start an educational leisure park.<ref name='about us'>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark-jobs.com/about_us/more/ |title=More about Thorpe Park - Three decades of thrills |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> On [[May 24]], [[1979]], Thorpe Park was officially opened by [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Louis Mountbatten]] who lent his name to the Mountbatten Pavilion, a large domed structure located at the entrance to the park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chertseylocal.co.uk/History/P11ChertseyHistoryModernTimes.php |title=A History of Chertsey - Modern Times |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkinsider.co.uk/history/story.php |title=The History of Thorpe Park |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> At this early stage in the park's history, the complex consisted of educational exhibitions such as ''Model World'', a collection of famous structures from around the world built in 1:36 scale, with the Mountbatten Pavilion housing a standing aircraft display.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkguide.com/features/historytp/index.html |title=A restoration success story |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>
<small>Number in parentheses indicates number of spaceflights by each individual prior to and including this mission.</small>


In [[1998]], the park was bought by [[The Tussauds Group]], who at the time also owned [[Chessington World of Adventures]], the sister attraction of Thorpe Park.<ref name='about us'/> As a result of the close proximity of the two parks, Tussauds decided to cater for two different markets, with Chessington being transformed into a family park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark-jobs.com/about_us/the_group/ |title=The Tussauds Group |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>
===Back-up crew===
*[[Chen Quan]]([[:zh:陈全|陈全]]), Commander
*[[Fei Junlong]]([[:zh:费俊龙|费俊龙]])
*[[Nie Haisheng]]([[:zh:聂海胜|聂海胜]])


===Timeline===
==Mission highlights==
'''Pre-1987'''
The Shenzhou 7 mission marked a number of developments for China's space program, including several first-time achievements.
*A few attractions including the Cinema, Magic Mill, Waterbus services, Model World, Railway, Teacups, Nature Trails, Phantom Phantasia, Thorpe Farm and Sunken Gardens.


'''[[1983]]'''
===China's first three-person mission===
*[[Space Station Zero]] opened.
Shenzhou 7 was the first Chinese space mission to carry a three-person crew for for several days and conduct a full operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.war-sky.com/forum/attachment/Day_080429/18_125297_2f3e24cba953501.jpg|title =神舟七号出舱图|publisher= [[虚幻军事天空]]|date=April 29, 2008|accessdate=April 29|accessyear=2008}}</ref> A total of six astronauts were trained, three to conduct the mission and three others to serve as as a backup crew.


'''[[1987]]'''
===China's first EVA spacesuits===
*Thunder River water ride opened.


'''[[1988]]'''
A Chinese-developed spacesuit named [[Feitian]](飞天) was used for the Extra-vehicular Activity (EVA).{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The Feitian spacesuit borrows some designs from Russian [[Orlan spacesuit|Orlan-M]] spacesuit (known as ''Haiying'', 海鹰, in Chinese); the designs are similar in shape and volume and designed for spacewalks of up to seven hours<ref name="Xinhua_suits"/>, providing oxygen and allowing for the excretion of bodily waste.<ref name="Xinhua_suits">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-06/01/content_6182498.htm|title =China's astronaut outfitters design material for spacewalk suits|publisher= [[Xinhua]]|date=June 1, 2007|accessdate=December 2|accessyear=2007}}</ref> According to Chinese media reports,{{who|date=September 2008}} 300 square meters of spacesuit material had been manufactured as of June 2007, with such features as fire and radiation resistance. Each suit was reported to have cost 30 million [[Yuan]] [[RMB]] (about 4 million USD).<!--an English source would be preferable here--><ref name="Xinhua_suits_price">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2006-09/21/content_5119752.htm|title =“神七”太空服每件造价1.6亿 将实现太空行走|publisher= [[新华网]]|date=September 21, 2006|accessdate=July 13|accessyear=2008}}</ref>
*Palladium Theatre opened.


'''[[1989]]'''
On September 27, [[Zhai Zhigang]], wearing a Feitian spacesuit, conducted a 25-minute space walk from 16:35 to 17:00.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The first space walk was relatively tentative: cables were used to tie Zhai to the handrail outside the Orbital module, and his moving route was restricted to areas near the exits. [[Liu Boming]], wearing an Orlan-M suit, stayed in the airlock in the orbital module to monitor [[Zhai Zhigang]] and provide help if necessary.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The third astronaut, [[Jing Haipeng]] remained in the re-entry module to monitor the general situation of the spacecraft.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} During the space walk, Zhai performed such tasks as wandering around the orbital module, retrieving experiment samples, and waving the Chinese flag in space.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The space walk was broadcast live on Chinese media, and two cameras provided panoramic images.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
*Canada Creek area opened.
**Loggers Leap (largest [[Log flume (attraction)|log flume]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] until [[1993]], and again since [[2005]]) opened.
**Rocky Express opened.


'''[[1990]]'''
The space walk was the primary goal of Shenzhou 7 mission.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
*Re-themed Space Station Zero into the Flying Fish.


*Carousel Kingdom opened.
===Solid lubricant experiment===
*The Rangers Show opened.
*Drive in the country opened.


'''[[1991]]'''
Scientists conducted a solid lubricant exposure experiment during the mission. A piece of equipment the size of a book was installed on the outside wall of orbital module, and was later retrieved during the space walk, after having been exposed in the space for more than 40 hours. The experiment was aimed to study a lubricant which will be used for space-based moving components in future space facilities.{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
*Fantasy Reef area refurbished.
**Depth Charge opened.


'''[[1992]]'''
===Release of miniaturized satellite===
*Children's area refurbished.
A [[miniaturized satellite]] was released during the mission on September 27 at 19:24, after Zhai returned to the spacecraft. The satellite was a cube about {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} long and having a mass of {{convert|40|kg|lb|abbr=off|lk=off}}; it carried boost devices and two 150-megapixel [[stereo cameras]].<!--An English source would be preferable here--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104656.htm|title =伴飞小卫星将给神七“照相” |publisher= [[Xinhua]]|date=September 24, 2008|accessdate=Sept 24|accessyear=2008}}</ref> The technical goals of the miniaturized satellite included such tasks as the following: to test the mini-satellite technology; to observe and monitor the spacecraft; and to test the tracking and approaching technology used for [[Space rendezvous|space rendezvous and docking]].{{Fact|date=September 2008}}
**Viking Rowers opened.
**Hudson River Rafters opened.
According to the mission plans, the miniaturized satellite will first take photos and videos near the spacecraft, then maneuver to about {{convert|100|to|200|km|mi|abbr=off|lk=off}} away from the spacecraft. After the return module separates from the spacecraft and re-enters the atmosphere, the satellite will catch up to the orbiting spacecraft using a liquid ammonia engine, then continue to orbit near the spacecraft. The mini-satellite will work for about three months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104787.htm|title =伴飞小卫星将“追赶”分离后的神七轨道舱 |publisher= [[Xinhua]]|date=September 24, 2008|accessdate=Sept 24|accessyear=2008}}</ref>


'''[[1993]]'''
===Data relay satellite test===
*Calgary Stampede opened.
*Virtual Reality Centre opened.
*Magic Mill closed.


'''[[1994]]'''
China launched its first-ever [[data relay satellite]] (数据中继卫星) '''[[Tianlian I-01|Tianlian I]]''' (天链一号) from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] on a [[Long March 3C|Long March-3C]] carrier rocket on [[April 25]], [[2008]]. The [[Tianlian I-01|Tianlian I]] will be used to increase the communication time between the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft and ground stations, it will also increase the amount of data that can be transferred to the ground. The Tianlian I satellite alone can cover 50 percent of the orbit of Shenzhou 7 while the [[Yuanwang]] space tracking ships along with China's ten ground observation stations have a coverage of only 12 percent, thus increasing the total coverage to about 60 percent of the mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7170743.html|title =我国首颗中继卫星发射成功 将测控神七飞行|publisher= [[人民网]]|date=April 26, 2008|accessdate=April 27|accessyear=2008}}</ref>
*Ranger County area opened.
**Carousel opened.
**Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride opened.


'''[[1995]]'''
==Mission support and preparation==
*Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels opened.
*Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari opened.
*Drive in the country closed.


'''[[1996]]'''
===Subsystems===
*X:\ No Way Out, the world's first dark backwards roller coaster opened.
The Shenzhou 7 project consists of seven subsystems, with the Chinese military responsible for launching, recovering, crew, and tracking subsystems, [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] responsible for the carrier rocket and spacecraft itself, and the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] responsible for the payloads on board the spacecraft (other than the crew).


'''[[1998]]'''
===Water training pool===
*[[The Tussauds Group]] purchase the park.
*Palladium Theatre closed.
*Ranger Show closed.
*Dare Devil Drivers opened.
*Wet Wet Wet! opened.


'''[[1999]]'''
A columniform water training pool of 23m diameter and 10m depth is located in [[China Astronaut Training Center]]. The water provides similar zero gravity condition to outer space, a model of Shenzhou Orbital module under the pool has been used to train Shenzhou 7 crew for space walk.
*Pirates 4D, a 4D cinema attraction starring [[Leslie Nielsen]] opened.
*Carousel Kingdom closed.
*Viking Rowers closed.


'''[[2000]]'''
===Modifications of the CZ-2F carrier rocket===
*Tidal Wave, a Shoot the Chute made by Hopkins Rides, opened becoming the tallest ride in the park, at that time.
*Dare Devil Drivers closed.
*Bumper Boats closed.
*On [[July 21]] a major fire broke out in the centre of the park.
**This destroyed The Wicked Witches Haunt and the inside area of Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels, The Wicked Witches Haunt got closed immediately but Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels was reopened until the end of the 2001 season, it was then demolished to make way for the 2003 rollercoaster Nemesis Inferno
**A Huss Enterprise was drafted in as a replacement.


[[Image:Zodiac thorpe park.jpg|thumb|right|The Enterprise was renamed Zodiac.]]
Special attention has been given to solving vibration problems encountered at the 120-second mark of the [[Shenzhou 5|Shenzhou-5]] mission. These vibrations were described by [[Yang Liwei]] as hard to endure. Corrective measures were implemented for the [[Shenzhou-6]] mission but further improvements have now been added to the carrier rocket, and to the pipes of the second stage. More than thirty other modifications were also added. Finally, the entire flight will be broadcast due to the addition of one more camera.<ref name="CZ-2F">{{cite web|url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/07-19/1317666.shtml|title="神七"运载火箭完成总装和出厂测试 今将出征|publisher= [[中国新闻网]]|date=[[2008-07-19]]|accessdate=2008-07-19}}</ref>


'''[[2001]]'''
===Modifications of the spacecraft===
*The Lost City area was established, with the Enterprise (that was introduced in 2000) being rethemed and renamed Zodiac and Vortex (A [[KMG Afterburner]]) as its first rides.
*Thunder River closed, ready to be revamped into Ribena Rumba Rapids for the 2002 season.
*Detonator, Mega Drop made by [[Fabbri]], opened in Calypso Quay.


'''[[2002]]'''
The [[Orbital module]] has been modified and its solar panels removed in order to allow for the EVA experiment. For this same reason, in contrast to previous Shenzhou missions, it will not remain in space after its separation with the departing crew in the Return module.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ifeng.com/mil/2/200806/0626_340_617870_3.shtml|title=神八2010年首飞 运载火箭将有重大变化(组图)| publisher= [[凤凰资讯]]|date=June 26, 2008|accessdate=July 8|accessyear=2008}}</ref> Handrails have been added to the external wall of the Orbital module to allow the space walking astronaut to reach specific experiment areas.<ref name="second_astronaut">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2008-06/12/xin_0420605121410078265007.jpg|title =神七准备中俄产两套航天服 出舱将穿国产服|publisher= [[人民网]]|date=July 23, 2008|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008}}</ref>
*Colossus, An Intamin roller coaster with a record-breaking 10 inversions and a quadruple corkscrew, opened.
*Safari High Dive show opened for one season.
More cameras have been installed on the spacecraft than on the Shenzhou 6 vessel, in addition to those covering the Orbital module and the Return module.<ref name="Xinhua_suits_price"/>
*Thunder River re-opened as Ribena Rumba Rapids.
*Debut of the park's annual Halloween event, Fright Nights.
*"Dino Boats" removed in the Calypso Quay area of the park.
'''[[2003]]'''
*Nemesis Inferno, a [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] inverted roller coaster themed around a tropical volcano opened.
*Also Quantum, a Fabbri [[Motion platform|magic carpet]] ride, opened.
*Eclipse, a Fabbri [[Ferris wheel]], opened.
*A Spiderman show was performed in the arena. This continued into 2004 and was replaced in 2005 by Stuntzmania.
*Calgary Stampede closed, to make way for Samurai from Chessington World of Adventures


'''[[2004]]'''
===New space tracking ships===
*[[Samurai (top scan)|Samurai]], a Mondial Top Scan, moved from [[Chessington World of Adventures|Chessington]], opened.
Two new, recently commissioned [[Yuan Wang class tracking ship|Yuanwang]]-class space tracking ships, Yuanwang-5 and Yuanwang-6, will play a key role in the Shenzhou VII mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7170743.html|title =我国新一代航天远洋测量船完成海上设备精度鉴定|publisher= [[中国政府网]]|date=July 10, 2007|accessdate=July 11|accessyear=2008}}</ref>
*New Spiderman show opened.
*Tea Cup Twisters rethemed to 'Storm in a Tea Cup' to fit with nearby Amity Cove's theming.
*Flying Fish closed at the end of the season to make way for Stealth in 2006.
*Eclipse closed at the end of the season due to lack of riders, only lasting one season. It was moved to Chessington and renamed 'Peeking Heights'.


'''[[2005]]'''
===Space toilets===
*Slammer, an S&S Sky Swat, opened on March 26th, after being delayed due to technical issues.
*Rush, an S&S Screamin' Swing and the world's biggest air-powered speed swing (Until the opening of Skyhawk at Cedar Point in the US), opened during the afternoon of 27 May.


'''[[2006]]'''
Custom-made, compact, foldable space toilets will allow the astronaut's collected urine to be recycled for use as drinking water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuaibao.net/html/2008-09/03/content_64419025.htm|title =神七厕所南京制造
*[[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]], an Intamin Accelerator Coaster which launches riders from 0-80 mph in 2.3 seconds opens with the park on March 15th. A 'Ride It First' competition was held with the lucky winners experiencing Stealth before it opened to the rest of the guests.
|publisher= [[现代快报]]|date=September 3, 2008|accessdate=September 3|accessyear=2008}}</ref>
*Zodiac is replaced by another Enterprise, sourced from Drayton Manor.
*StreetXtreme replaces Stuntzmania in the Arena.


'''[[2007]]'''
===Project management===
*Flying Fish returned, located between Tidal Wave and Wet Wet Wet.
Most of the [[Shenzhou 6]] [[Shenzhou 6#Mission highlights|project management team]] has stayed for the [[Shenzhou 7]] misison. Changes include:
*Thorpe Farm closes. Lack of visitors is the main reason for the closure.
*General Project Manager / Commander [[Chen Bingde]] has been replaced after his promotion to the position of Chief of the General Staff, by the current Director-General of the [[General Armaments Department]], [[Chang Wanquan]].
*Canada Creek Railway reopened as a small circuit around Canada Creek, and it no longer travelled to Thorpe Farm. The railway takes a 'Spot the Bear' theme, the bear hunt.
*First Vice General Project Manager / Commander [[Lieutenant General]] [[Hu Shixiang]] ({{lang|zh|胡世祥}}) has been replaced after his promotion, by the current Vice Director-General of the [[General Armaments Department]], [[Lieutenant General]] [[Zhang Jianqi]] ({{lang|zh|张建启}})
*Ribena's sponsorship contract ends and so "Ribena Rumba Rapids" changes its name to 'Rumba Rapids'. The ride remains unchanged.
*Vice General Project Manager / Commander [[Zhang Qingwei]] has been replaced after his promotion to become the head of the [[ACAC consortium]], by [[Ma Xingrui]] ({{lang|zh|马兴瑞}}), the head of [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]]
*Stealth is 'upgraded'. The ride now accelerates from 0-80 mph in under 2 seconds, previously it was 2.3 seconds <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.com/explore_the_park/stealth/stealth.asp?css=2 |title=Thorpe Park: Explore The Park: Stealth |accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref>.
*Vice General Engineer of [[Shenzhou 6]], [[Zhou Jianping]] ({{lang|zh|周建平}}) was promoted to General Engineer of [[Shenzhou 7]], succeeding [[Wang Yongzhi]].
*StreetXtreme removed, no show is currently hosted in the arena although planning permission has been applied for to host the Se7en marquee for a period of 5 years, starting from October 2007. {{Fact|date=September 2007}}.
*Director of the [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]: [[Major General]] [[Zhang Yulin]] ({{lang|zh|张育林}}) has been replaced after his promotion to Chancellor of the [[National University of Defense Technology]], by the Vice Director of [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] [[Major General]] [[Cui Jijun]] ({{lang|zh|崔吉俊}})
* The park started opening for February half term, in previous years the park had not opened for the season until March. During February reduced entrance fees apply as limited rides are available. Many rides are still closed for winter maintenance.


'''[[2008]]'''
==Controversies==
*New 4D Cinema film "Time Voyagers" to replace "Pirates 4D" opens.
*It is announced that Canada Creek Railway will not run for the whole season due to construction of the 2009 Canada Creek Coaster.
*Arena is once again used for shows this season after not being used last season.


===Fake news report===
==Park guide==
{{Unreferenced|date=August 2007}}
A "time travel" report appeared on [[Xinhua News Agency]]'s website xinhuanet.com. on 25 September 2008 reporting mission events dated 27 September 2008, it was exposed first on some Chinese BBS and later reported by News agencies and papers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3082804/China-fakes-reports-from-space.html|title=China fakes reports from space |date=[[2008-09-26]]|accessdate=2008-09-26}}</ref><ref name="apFakeArticle">{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ig_kaxVkOSnGAZwKb9JC6z6RyTNwD93DPSS00|title=China space mission article hits Web before launch |author=Associated Press|date=[[2008-09-25]]|accessdate=2008-09-26}}</ref> The report described the launch in detail and included dialogue between the crew members in space before it had happened. The report was taken down the same day, and a staffer contacted about it stated that it was a "technical error" by a technician.<ref name="apFakeArticle" />
[[Image:Thorpe Park Map 3.png|thumb|right|Map of Thorpe Park.]]
Thorpe Park is split up into eight themed areas, although they are not used often in the park.


===False fire alarm ===
===Port Atlantis===


Known more commonly as "The Dome", Port Atlantis has a marine theme. This building contains such essentials as guest services, shops, toilets, lockers, a bar and staff areas. It includes a large restaurant called 'The Glasshouse'. When the park initially opened this was known as the Mountbatten Pavilion.
At the begining of space walk a fire alarm was reported to the control center indicating there was fire in the Orbital module, engineers immediately checked the safety of the craft and confirmed it was a false alarm as the Orbital module was already in vacuum.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} The reason of the false alarm has not yet been determined.


==See also==
===Lost City===
* [[Space program of China]]


Lost City is the largest area in Thorpe Park, hosting the majority of the rides in the park. It is based around a Mayan temple/land.
==References==

* '''[[Colossus (Thorpe Park)|''Colossus'']]''', a [[roller coaster]] with 10 inversions built by [[Swiss]] manufacturer [[Intamin]]. Upon its opening in [[2002]], it broke the world record for the roller coaster with the most inversions. The ride currently jointly holds this record along with an identical ride in [[China]].
* '''[[Samurai (top scan)|''Samurai'']]''', a [[Mondial (amusement ride manufacturer)|Mondial]] Top Scan which originally opened in [[1999]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures]]. It moved to Thorpe Park in [[2004]] with a new colour scheme following refurbishment.
* '''[[Vortex (afterburner)|''Vortex'']]''', a 32-seater park-based model of the [[KMG (amusement ride manufacturer)|KMG]] Afterburner. The ride opened in [[2001]].
* '''''Quantum''''', a [[Fabbri]] Magic Carpet ride, opened in [[2003]].
* '''''Zodiac''''', a [[HUSS Maschinenfabrik|Huss]] [[Enterprise (ride)|Enterprise]]. In [[2000]], following the destruction of the Wicked Witches Haunt, the park purchased an ex-German Travelling Huss Enterprise as a filler attraction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkinsider.co.uk/history/timeline.php |date=2002 |title=Thorpe Park History |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> This was refurbished and themed to blend into Lost City for [[2001]] but was removed at the end of [[2006]] only to be replaced by another from [[Drayton Manor]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkinsider.co.uk/history/timeline.php |date=2002 |title=Thorpe Park History |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> with all the original theming (the zodiac signs and sun shapes) gone with the old Zodiac.
* '''''[[X:\ No Way Out]]'''''. Housed within a terracotta-coloured pyramid is the world's first and only backwards in-the-dark roller coaster which opened in [[1996]]. It has been through a number of changes, such as: the on-train sounds were replaced by on-ride sounds and a large section of the queue line was cut off for the temporary ''Fright Nights'' attraction, ''Freakshow 3-D''. In [[2007]], the ride was refurbished and now has a storyline added and the robot dummies from the original queueline have been put on the third animation block brake run of the ride.
* '''''[[Rush (Thorpe Park)|Rush]]''''', an [[S&S Power|S&S]] Screaming Swing. The ride features two arms which seat 32 people, secured by lap bars. Opened in 2005. Compressed air is used to propel the arms up to a height of around 60ft. The ride lost its crown as the world's largest Screaming Swing when [[Cedar Point]] opened a larger model.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}

===Calypso Quay===

[[Image:Nemisis inferno.jpg|thumb|right|Nemesis Inferno's first inversion.]]

Calypso Quay is home to:

* '''[[Nemesis Inferno]]''' &mdash; a [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] inverted roller coaster. It is marketed as the 'sister' ride of the original Nemesis at [[Alton Towers]], which is also a B&M inverted roller coaster, and a sign along the ride exit invites riders to visit Nemesis at Alton Towers. Themed as an escape from a volcano.
* '''[[Detonator (ride)|Detonator]]''' &mdash; a Fabbri [[Drop tower (amusement ride)|drop tower]] in which riders are hoisted up 115 ft, with legs dangling, and launched down by [[pneumatics]]. This gives a comparable amount of airtime to freefalling from a tower twice as tall.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* '''Time Voyagers''' &mdash; a 4D cinema with water and vibrating effects in the seats.
* '''Rumba Rapids''' &mdash; a river rapids ride by Intamin, which was updated from Thunder River in [[2002]] for a sponsorship deal with Ribena (and renamed 'Ribena Rumba Rapids'). The sponsorship ended for the 2007 season, so the ride was renamed again to simply 'Rumba Rapids'.
* '''Storm in a Tea Cup''' &mdash; this ride was rethemed to look worn down and damaged to fit with nearby Amity Cove's Tidal Wave theming.

===Canada Creek===

Themed around a [[Canada|Canadian]] creek, this area is home to:

* '''[[Loggers Leap]]''' &mdash; a log flume which is themed around logging in [[Canada]] (hence the boats are themed as "logs"). Features two drops (one indoors/underground). The larger of the two drops contains a straight section (double drop) which adds airtime to the ride. Currently the tallest Log Flume in the UK.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* '''[[Slammer (Ride)|Slammer]]''' &mdash; an [[S&S Power]] Sky Swat, located to the rear of X:\ No Way Out. This ride is the first Sky Swat outside of America, and only the second to be built by the company. On [[March 19]], [[2006]], emergency services were called when the ride malfunctioned, leaving riders stranded for nearly an hour.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4822328.stm |title=Park closes ride after 41 trapped |date= [[2006-03-19]] |publisher=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
* '''Rocky Express''' &mdash; small, circular roundabout-type ride for younger visitors.
* '''Canada Creek Railway''' &mdash; A miniature railway that runs through Canada Creek and around Loggers Leap, offering views of forest land and the lake the park is built inside. From 1989 until 2006 the railway ran to Thorpe Farm, but was re-routed to its current shorter route ready for the 2007 season, with the closure of Thorpe Farm. The ride is mainly aimed at family groups and since the closure of Thorpe Farm the ride has adopted a bear hunt theme, where riders are invited to see how many bears they can spot during the journey (there are models of bears at various locations around the track). The ride is closed for the 2008 season due to work on Thorpe Park's new 2009 roller-coaster.
* '''[[SAW: The Ride]]'''&mdash; Opens March 13th 2009.

During the Fright Nights around [[Halloween]], Canada Creek also becomes home to the "Hellgate" horror maze (previously Freakshow 3-D).

===Amity Cove===
[[Image:Stealththorpepark.jpg|thumb|right|Stealth, looking down the track at sunset]]

Themed around a 1950s New-Hampshire fishing village devastated by a tidal wave. It has its own park radio station, WWTP radio, hosted by 'Big Bob'. The rides in this area include:

* '''[[Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park)|Tidal Wave]]''' &mdash; a "Shoot the Chute" style ride from O.D. Hopkins, on which riders are carried in a 4-tonne reinforced [[Glass-reinforced plastic|GRP]] hull to a height of 85 feet over a 3 million gallon lagoon. The boat is then dropped down a track into the lagoon with an impact force of 1.5[[g-force|g]],{{Fact|date=August 2007}} forcing 3 tonnes of water into the air. Most of this water either shoots straight up and lands back on the riders, or shoots forward in a long spray that reaches a 'Splash Zone' where spectators can stand.
* '''[[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]]''' &mdash; Thorpe Park's newest roller coaster which opened in 2006. Stealth is an [[Accelerator Coaster]] designed by [[Intamin AG]] and features a hydraulic 80 mph (128 km/h) launch up a 205 ft top hat incline at approx 3gs, a vertical drop and a large "airtime" hill. In 2007 Stealth was upgraded to Stealth 1.1. The upgrade was in the ride's acceleration - it now launches riders to 80mph in 1.9 seconds as opposed to the original 2.3 seconds.
* '''[[Flying Fish (roller coaster)|Flying Fish]]''' &mdash; Small Mack powered roller coaster. Removed in 2005 to make way for Stealth, but now has been re-installed between Tidal Wave and Depth Charge. The re-installed version carries a photo section and a fastrack queue. In 2004, the Fish carriage was green, but for 2007 a brand new train has been purchased - Orange cars including 'bucket' seats and proper lapbars.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The original track is still used - but has been re-painted blue - and a new ride theme has been adopted (Surfer Dude) Many announcements are to do with surfers and all have a children friendly appeal.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Flying Fish was renamed after having been called Space Station Zero when it was installed in 1979.

===Ranger County===

Ranger County is themed around the "Thorpe Park Rangers" mascots. The current rides consist of:

* '''Mr Monkey's Banana Ride''' &mdash; a small swinging ship type ride, themed to a banana.This famously appared on the inbetweeners episode thorpe park
* '''Chief Ranger's Carousel''' &mdash; containing figurines of the Thorpe Park rangers and vehicles themed as current and past rides. These include a Logger's Leap boat, a Thunder River boat, a Wicked Witches Haunt car, a Hudson River Rafters raft, a blue and green Flying Fish car, a Teacup from Teacup Twisters, a Viking Rowers boat and a Mr Elephant car (as well as traditional carousel horses).
* '''Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari''' &mdash; cars travel around a short track through figurines and shrubbery. Fungle Safari originally opened in 1990 as "A Drive In The Country" in the area where X:\ No Way Out is currently located. This was closed in 1994 and relocated in the Ranger County area in 1995. After Tropical Travels was destroyed by a major fire in 2001, some of its surviving theming was moved to Fungle Safari and the ride was also shortened to make room for Nemesis Inferno.

"The Showcase" is currently featuring on the Ranger County stage. This was once home to shows featuring the Thorpe Park Rangers, since then the Showcase has been used for karaoke and is currently showing the "Top Rockers" show during busy periods.

The area also contains "Calypso BBQ and Bar", a covered outdoor BBQ restaurant and "Jumpin' Juices" which sells fresh fruit juices.

During the Fright Nights events in October, Ranger County also contains a themed maze, which has been known as "The Asylum" since 2005. This enters through a door at the back of "The Showcase", with the queue line starting at Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari and using the queueline for the ride (the ride closes early), continuing through the ride exit for Fungle Safari and then entering a cattle grid which goes through The Showcase. The attraction exit is located just to the right of The Showcase.

===Neptune's Kingdom===

Themed around the mythical Neptune, this area is home to:

* '''Depth Charge''' &mdash; a 40ft tall four lane water slide, in which riders sit in dinghies. The ride, when opened in 1991, was advertised as being the "World's First Four Lane Water Slide".{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* '''Neptune's Beach''' &mdash; two large paddling pools for small children with various fountains and an imitation sandy beach.
* '''Wet Wet Wet''' &mdash; 3 water chutes differing in height.
* '''Sea Snakes and Ladders''' &mdash; 1.2m in height, ideal for young thrill seekers.

The park have confirmed that a new Fright Night maze will be constructed on the beach for Fright Nights 2008. This attraction will be called The Curse <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.com/what_coming_up.php |title= What's coming up at the UK's most thrilling theme park! |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>.

===Octopus' Garden===

Located in the area between Port Atlantis, Amity Cove and X:\No Way Out. Octopus Garden is a small aquatic-themed area with several small rides for very young children. There are seven rides:
* '''Swinging Seashells''' - a small Ferris wheel which contains seashell themed cars, each seating four children
* '''Fantasy Fish''' - a small carousel type ride which contains individual fish which the children can sit on top of (like carousel horses although they don't move) and fish that two children can sit inside. The ride then rotates at a slow speed.
* '''Galleon Race''' - a round ride with boat shaped cars. The ride rotates round, and as the ride rotates the boats move over small bumps.
* '''Happy Halibuts''' - another round ride with suspended fish shaped cars which are free to swing. The ride rotates and lifts to an angle, with the cars being free to swing under [[centripetal force]]. This ride is the only ride in the area to have a minimum height restriction, which is 0.9m.
* '''Ollie Octopus''' - a round ride with one continuous ring shaped car which the children sit in. The ride rotates slowly and lifts at an angle.
* '''Up Periscope''' - a round ride with submarine shaped cars. The cars rise and the ride rotates.
* '''Slippery Serpent''' - a small track based ride, with a small train which moves slowly around the track.

Each ride has a maximum height restriction of 1.3m, the only ride which has a special exception is Slippery Serpent where a guest over 1.3m can accompany one under 1.3m.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.com/explore_the_park/height_guide.asp?css=2 |title= Explore the Park: Height Guide |accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>

All rides are usually open, although there are usually fewer operators in the area than rides available and so the operators rotate around the rides when they are available to do so.

The area also has a Donuts shop and an entrance to Thorpe Mega Store.

==Fastrack==

Fastrack is the current name for a priority queuing system in place at Thorpe Park as well as other Merlin parks. The system is based on the idea of assigning a limited number of guests a time to ride a particular attraction and allowing them reduced queuing time. The system has worked in a number of ways at the park and under a number of different names.

===Q Bot===

The first such system to be introduced, which was trialled for three seasons, was the Q-Bot system which emerged in the 1990s and attracted attention from [[BBC]] programme [[Tomorrow's World]]. This system gave guests a pager-like device which beeped when it was their slot on a particular ride.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lo-q.com/press/Amusement%20Business%20March%202001.htm |title=Six Flags Debuts Queue Management |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>

===Virtual Q===

The Virtual Q system emerged in 2000 and worked by using a number of machines by the entrance to a ride where guests would scan their park tickets and received a printed out a ticket with a time to ride the particular ride. The system was renamed "Fastrack" in 2003 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkguide.com/parktour/calypsoquay/photos/nemesis5.jpg |title= Picture of Nemesis Inferno's entrance showing Fastrack ticket machines in operation |accessdate=2007-09-02}}</ref>.

===Fastrack===

The current system is based on the "4Play" ticket which was introduced in 2004 as an adjunct to the ticket machine issued Fastrack tickets. The ticket allowed guests to pay £4 and get a non time limited ticket for one Fastrack ride on Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, Tidal Wave and Logger's Leap. The range of rides that Fastrack is offered on has since been extended. From 2006, tickets could be purchased in themed packages or individually. Fastrack tickets are also available for Thorpe Park's Fright Night maze attractions. The current packages available are:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.com/tickets/ticket_prices.asp?css=2 |title=Tickets: Ticket Prices |accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>

* Adrenalin - one Fastrack ride on Rush, Slammer, Samurai, Vortex
* Extreme - one Fastrack ride on Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, X:\No Way Out and then either Tidal Wave or Loggers Leap
* Stealth Only ('Pole Position' front seat tickets are available at an additional charge)
* Hydration - one ride on Rumba Rapids, Tidal Wave & Logger's Leap.
* Ultimate - a wristband which allows unlimited Fastrack access to Fastrack rides (Colossus, Stealth, Nemesis Inferno, X:\No Way Out, Tidal Wave, Logger's Leap, Flying Fish, Rush, Slammer, Samurai, Vortex, Rumba Rapids) all day.

===Single Rider Queue===

As another way of aiming to reduce guests' queuing times, Thorpe Park also operates single rider queue lines as an adjunct to Fastrack. Single Rider is available on Stealth, almost every day, and also on Flying Fish on busy days. The system allows people who don't mind riding alone another way to queue in a separate queue line. If a single spare seat becomes available, then a single rider would be admitted, potentially reducing the queue time <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themeparkjunkies.co.uk/index.php?act=parkguide&pip=8&park=2 |title=Single Rider |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>. Riders are informed that the single rider queue may be as long as the main queue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themeparkreview.com/miniuk2006/thorpe41.jpg|title=Stealth Single Rider Entrance, from Theme Park Review|accessdate=2007-09-07}}</ref>

==Records==
Thorpe Park has held, and still continues to hold, a number of records for its rides. These include:

*[[Colossus (Thorpe Park)|Colossus]] was the world's first roller coaster to feature ten inversions (the highest number of inversions in the world). It has not been succeeded by any other coaster, but equalled by an identical coaster in China.
*[[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]] was previously the fastest rollercoaster in Europe until [[Furious Baco]] took the record in 2007. Stealth still holds the record for the fastest acceleration of any rollercoaster in Europe (0-80 mph in under 2 seconds as opposed to Furious Baco's 0-83.9 mph in 3.5 seconds).
*[[X:\ No Way Out]] opened as, and is still, the world's only backwards in-the-dark roller coaster.
*[[Loggers Leap]] is the tallest log flume in the UK.

*[[Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park)|Tidal Wave]] was the tallest water ride in Europe until 2002.
*[[Nemesis Inferno |Nemesis Inferno]] has the longest pre lift section of any inverted B&M coaster in the world.
*[[Saw: The Ride |Saw: The Ride]] Will have the tallest beyond vertical drop in the world.

== Special events ==
=== Fright Nights ===
''Fright Nights'' have been running at Thorpe Park since 2002 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://hauntedattractions.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=74 |title=Haunted Attractions UK - Thorpe Park Fright Nights... an EVILution! |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>. For a period during October the park opens until 8pm on off peak days and 10pm on peak days (11pm in 2003) to allow guests to ride the rides in the dark along with some additional attractions. Some of the extra attractions that have featured over the years are:

====Current attractions====
*'''''The Asylum''''' is a 'Live Action Horror Maze' attraction which has been a part of Fright Nights since [[2005]], replacing '''''The Freezer'''''. It uses a maze of chicken wire fencing, smoke and strobe lighting to disorentate, and involves various actors, including a patient armed with a chainsaw.

*'''''Hellgate''''' is another maze, and was first introduced in [[2005]], located at the rear of X:\No Way Out. The attraction is based on a run down stately home, ruled by the fictional evil spirts of Lady and Lord Denham.

*'''''SE7EN''''' open in [[2006]] is the gruesome third maze, based on the Seven Deadly Sins. The attraction is situated in the Arena in the centre of the park where a temporary structure is erected inside a tent.

*'''''The Curse''''' is the latest edition to Thorpe Parks horror mazes. Opening at the 2008 Fright Nights, this maze is based around an old ship wreck which was washed ashore to Amity Cove.
(These four attractions are not recomended for anyone below the age of 12.)

*'''''Circus of Horrors''''' a show which takes place in the Time Voyagers theatre.

====Former attractions====
* For [[2002]] only, the stretch of park from Canada Creek through Ranger County was converted into '''''Scare-Zone'''''. Two haunted-mazes, ''The Freezer'' and ''Freakshow 3-D'' were installed at either end of the area.

*'''''The Freezer''''' ran from [[2002]] until [[2004]]. The attraction consisted of a maze which was entered through a large freezer-style door. ''The Freezer'' was altered slightly for the [[2005]] season and was renamed ''The Asylum''.

*'''''Freakshow 3-D''''' ran from [[2002]] until [[2004]] Guests wore 3D glasses through the maze style attraction.

*'''''Ultimate Horror Movie Bites''''' was a film shown in the ''Pirates 4D'' building comprising of a montage of [[horror films]].

In adverts for Fright Nights, the three main rollercoasters ([[Colossus (Thorpe Park)|Colossus]], [[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]], and [[Nemesis Inferno|Nemesis Inferno]]) are referred to as the "Unholy Trinity" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thorpepark.com/misc/fright_nights/fright_nights.asp?css=2|title=Thorpe Park:Fright Nights|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref>

===Thorpe Blast===

''Thorpe Blast'' is the name for Thorpe Park's annual fireworks display. The event is held during the first weekend of [[November]], and features music and late closing. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.com/misc/thorpe_blast/thorpe_blast.asp |title=Thorpe Park: Thorpe Blast |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>

==Future Attractions==
On [[16 November]] [[2007]], planning permission for a [[Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter]] roller coaster was applied for,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2007/wk46/1230.DCAPPINFX.001.pdf |title=Thorpe Park 2009 Coaster Plans |accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> and has now been accepted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpepark.co.uk/docs/2008releases/Press%20Release%20-%2009%20Coaster%20Approved%2031.01.08.doc|title=Thorpe Park 2009 Coaster Plans Accepted (.doc format) |accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> It is expected to open in the [[2009]] season. The upcoming ride will be located in the Canada Creek area of the park and the queue line will be located on the new island which has been created in Abbey lake next to the Samurai entrance, with an additional new path being created via the walkway under Colossus's inline twists. The ride is expected to include a 100ft drop reaching an angle of 100 degrees (the second steepest drop in the world) and three [[inversion]]s, including a [[Roller coaster elements#Diving loop|dive loop]], [[Roller coaster elements#Immelmann loop|Immelmann loop]], and a [[barrel roll]] in the dark before the main drop. The previous layout included four inversions but was revised in May 2008; the third inversion in the layout was removed and replaced with an airtime hill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thorpeparkguide.com/2009/|title=The Thorpe Park Guide 2009 New Coaster |accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> On 13 October 2008, the ride's name and theme was released as SAW - the ride, based on the movie series of the same name. It will be the first Roller Coaster in the world to have a horror movie theme. The ride is expected to open on 13 March, 2009.

== 2009 Ride Confirmed 13/10/08 ==
Today the 2009 ride is confirmed to be called SAW the ride. The UK's thrill-capital, THORPE PARK, leading next generation film studio LIONSGATE (NYSE: LGF) and TWISTED PICTURES today announced that they will launch SAW - The Ride, the world's first ever horror movie-themed rollercoaster, in Spring 2009. Based on Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures "Saw" franchise, the most profitable horror franchise in movie history, SAW - The Ride is the scariest ride in the world. The latest installment in the series, 'Saw V,' premieres on Friday 24th October, and THORPE PARK will be inviting visitors to 'Face Your Fears' on their new terrifying attraction next year.

Like the films, THORPE PARK's new rollercoaster will test the nerve of all who dare ride it and visitors will be at the mercy of the series' master manipulator, Jigsaw. The ultimate test of SAW - The Ride will be a 'beyond vertical' drop of 100 degrees from a height of 100ft, making it the steepest freefall drop in the world. Riders will also endure three inversions that will add another dimension to a whole new experience of adrenaline-fuelled fun for thrill seekers.

THORPE PARK will open for the full 2009 season on Saturday 14th March but to preview the ride visit www.sawtheride.com

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
{{Shenzhou program|before=[[Shenzhou 6]]|after=[[Shenzhou 8]]}}
*[http://www.sawtheride.com sawtheride]
{{Chinese space program}}
*[http://www.thorpepark.com Thorpe Park's official website]
*[http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/homepage/homepage_en.aspx Merlin Entertainments official website]
*[http://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk Thorpe Park Mania]
*[http://www.projectdylan.co.uk Thorpe Park Mania's Mini-site for the 2009 Coaster]
*[http://www.thorpeparkinsider.co.uk Thorpe Park Insider]
*[http://www.themeparkjunkies.co.uk/index.php?act=parkguide&park=2 Thorpe Park at Theme Park Junkies]
*[http://http://www.themeparks-uk.com/thorpe-park-guide/ Thorpe Park at ThemeParks-UK]

{{TP Coasters}}
{{British theme parks}}
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[[Category:Amusement parks in England]]
[[Category:2008 in space exploration]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]]
[[Category:Shenzhou programme|Shenzhou 07]]
[[Category:2008 in China]]


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Revision as of 18:29, 13 October 2008

This article is about the English theme park. For the Lincolnshire village, see Thorpe Park, Lincolnshire.
Thorpe Park
File:Thorpe park new logo big.jpg
LocationUnited Kingdom Chertsey, United Kingdom
OpenedMay 31 1979
OwnerNick Leslau, leased to Merlin Entertainments
SloganThe nation's thrill capital
Operating seasonFebruary to November
Area500 acres (2.0 km2)
Attractions
Total24
Roller coasters5
Water rides3
Websitewww.thorpepark.com

Thorpe Park is a theme park located in Surrey, United Kingdom. It was built in 1979 on the site of a gravel pit which was partially flooded with the intention of creating a water based theme for the park. The park's first large roller coaster, Colossus, was added in 2002. In 2007, Tussauds was bought out by Merlin Entertainments, who now operate the park on a lease from Nick Leslau.[1]

In 2007, the park had 1.7 million visitors, making it the second most visited theme park in the United Kingdom (after Alton Towers), and 13th most visited in Europe. [2]

History

Thorpe Park is situated on what was a quarry in Chertsey / Staines, up until the late 1970s. Former owners Ready Mix Concrete filled the site with water after the quarry's closure, with the intent to start an educational leisure park.[3] On May 24, 1979, Thorpe Park was officially opened by Louis Mountbatten who lent his name to the Mountbatten Pavilion, a large domed structure located at the entrance to the park.[4][5] At this early stage in the park's history, the complex consisted of educational exhibitions such as Model World, a collection of famous structures from around the world built in 1:36 scale, with the Mountbatten Pavilion housing a standing aircraft display.[6]

In 1998, the park was bought by The Tussauds Group, who at the time also owned Chessington World of Adventures, the sister attraction of Thorpe Park.[3] As a result of the close proximity of the two parks, Tussauds decided to cater for two different markets, with Chessington being transformed into a family park.[7]

Timeline

Pre-1987

  • A few attractions including the Cinema, Magic Mill, Waterbus services, Model World, Railway, Teacups, Nature Trails, Phantom Phantasia, Thorpe Farm and Sunken Gardens.

1983

1987

  • Thunder River water ride opened.

1988

  • Palladium Theatre opened.

1989

  • Canada Creek area opened.
    • Loggers Leap (largest log flume in the UK until 1993, and again since 2005) opened.
    • Rocky Express opened.

1990

  • Re-themed Space Station Zero into the Flying Fish.
  • Carousel Kingdom opened.
  • The Rangers Show opened.
  • Drive in the country opened.

1991

  • Fantasy Reef area refurbished.
    • Depth Charge opened.

1992

  • Children's area refurbished.
    • Viking Rowers opened.
    • Hudson River Rafters opened.

1993

  • Calgary Stampede opened.
  • Virtual Reality Centre opened.
  • Magic Mill closed.

1994

  • Ranger County area opened.
    • Carousel opened.
    • Mr. Monkey's Banana Ride opened.

1995

  • Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels opened.
  • Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari opened.
  • Drive in the country closed.

1996

  • X:\ No Way Out, the world's first dark backwards roller coaster opened.

1998

  • The Tussauds Group purchase the park.
  • Palladium Theatre closed.
  • Ranger Show closed.
  • Dare Devil Drivers opened.
  • Wet Wet Wet! opened.

1999

  • Pirates 4D, a 4D cinema attraction starring Leslie Nielsen opened.
  • Carousel Kingdom closed.
  • Viking Rowers closed.

2000

  • Tidal Wave, a Shoot the Chute made by Hopkins Rides, opened becoming the tallest ride in the park, at that time.
  • Dare Devil Drivers closed.
  • Bumper Boats closed.
  • On July 21 a major fire broke out in the centre of the park.
    • This destroyed The Wicked Witches Haunt and the inside area of Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels, The Wicked Witches Haunt got closed immediately but Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels was reopened until the end of the 2001 season, it was then demolished to make way for the 2003 rollercoaster Nemesis Inferno
    • A Huss Enterprise was drafted in as a replacement.
The Enterprise was renamed Zodiac.

2001

  • The Lost City area was established, with the Enterprise (that was introduced in 2000) being rethemed and renamed Zodiac and Vortex (A KMG Afterburner) as its first rides.
  • Thunder River closed, ready to be revamped into Ribena Rumba Rapids for the 2002 season.
  • Detonator, Mega Drop made by Fabbri, opened in Calypso Quay.

2002

  • Colossus, An Intamin roller coaster with a record-breaking 10 inversions and a quadruple corkscrew, opened.
  • Safari High Dive show opened for one season.
  • Thunder River re-opened as Ribena Rumba Rapids.
  • Debut of the park's annual Halloween event, Fright Nights.
  • "Dino Boats" removed in the Calypso Quay area of the park.

2003

  • Nemesis Inferno, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster themed around a tropical volcano opened.
  • Also Quantum, a Fabbri magic carpet ride, opened.
  • Eclipse, a Fabbri Ferris wheel, opened.
  • A Spiderman show was performed in the arena. This continued into 2004 and was replaced in 2005 by Stuntzmania.
  • Calgary Stampede closed, to make way for Samurai from Chessington World of Adventures

2004

  • Samurai, a Mondial Top Scan, moved from Chessington, opened.
  • New Spiderman show opened.
  • Tea Cup Twisters rethemed to 'Storm in a Tea Cup' to fit with nearby Amity Cove's theming.
  • Flying Fish closed at the end of the season to make way for Stealth in 2006.
  • Eclipse closed at the end of the season due to lack of riders, only lasting one season. It was moved to Chessington and renamed 'Peeking Heights'.

2005

  • Slammer, an S&S Sky Swat, opened on March 26th, after being delayed due to technical issues.
  • Rush, an S&S Screamin' Swing and the world's biggest air-powered speed swing (Until the opening of Skyhawk at Cedar Point in the US), opened during the afternoon of 27 May.

2006

  • Stealth, an Intamin Accelerator Coaster which launches riders from 0-80 mph in 2.3 seconds opens with the park on March 15th. A 'Ride It First' competition was held with the lucky winners experiencing Stealth before it opened to the rest of the guests.
  • Zodiac is replaced by another Enterprise, sourced from Drayton Manor.
  • StreetXtreme replaces Stuntzmania in the Arena.

2007

  • Flying Fish returned, located between Tidal Wave and Wet Wet Wet.
  • Thorpe Farm closes. Lack of visitors is the main reason for the closure.
  • Canada Creek Railway reopened as a small circuit around Canada Creek, and it no longer travelled to Thorpe Farm. The railway takes a 'Spot the Bear' theme, the bear hunt.
  • Ribena's sponsorship contract ends and so "Ribena Rumba Rapids" changes its name to 'Rumba Rapids'. The ride remains unchanged.
  • Stealth is 'upgraded'. The ride now accelerates from 0-80 mph in under 2 seconds, previously it was 2.3 seconds [8].
  • StreetXtreme removed, no show is currently hosted in the arena although planning permission has been applied for to host the Se7en marquee for a period of 5 years, starting from October 2007. [citation needed].
  • The park started opening for February half term, in previous years the park had not opened for the season until March. During February reduced entrance fees apply as limited rides are available. Many rides are still closed for winter maintenance.

2008

  • New 4D Cinema film "Time Voyagers" to replace "Pirates 4D" opens.
  • It is announced that Canada Creek Railway will not run for the whole season due to construction of the 2009 Canada Creek Coaster.
  • Arena is once again used for shows this season after not being used last season.

Park guide

Map of Thorpe Park.

Thorpe Park is split up into eight themed areas, although they are not used often in the park.

Port Atlantis

Known more commonly as "The Dome", Port Atlantis has a marine theme. This building contains such essentials as guest services, shops, toilets, lockers, a bar and staff areas. It includes a large restaurant called 'The Glasshouse'. When the park initially opened this was known as the Mountbatten Pavilion.

Lost City

Lost City is the largest area in Thorpe Park, hosting the majority of the rides in the park. It is based around a Mayan temple/land.

  • Colossus, a roller coaster with 10 inversions built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin. Upon its opening in 2002, it broke the world record for the roller coaster with the most inversions. The ride currently jointly holds this record along with an identical ride in China.
  • Samurai, a Mondial Top Scan which originally opened in 1999 at Chessington World of Adventures. It moved to Thorpe Park in 2004 with a new colour scheme following refurbishment.
  • Vortex, a 32-seater park-based model of the KMG Afterburner. The ride opened in 2001.
  • Quantum, a Fabbri Magic Carpet ride, opened in 2003.
  • Zodiac, a Huss Enterprise. In 2000, following the destruction of the Wicked Witches Haunt, the park purchased an ex-German Travelling Huss Enterprise as a filler attraction.[9] This was refurbished and themed to blend into Lost City for 2001 but was removed at the end of 2006 only to be replaced by another from Drayton Manor,[10] with all the original theming (the zodiac signs and sun shapes) gone with the old Zodiac.
  • X:\ No Way Out. Housed within a terracotta-coloured pyramid is the world's first and only backwards in-the-dark roller coaster which opened in 1996. It has been through a number of changes, such as: the on-train sounds were replaced by on-ride sounds and a large section of the queue line was cut off for the temporary Fright Nights attraction, Freakshow 3-D. In 2007, the ride was refurbished and now has a storyline added and the robot dummies from the original queueline have been put on the third animation block brake run of the ride.
  • Rush, an S&S Screaming Swing. The ride features two arms which seat 32 people, secured by lap bars. Opened in 2005. Compressed air is used to propel the arms up to a height of around 60ft. The ride lost its crown as the world's largest Screaming Swing when Cedar Point opened a larger model.[citation needed]

Calypso Quay

Nemesis Inferno's first inversion.

Calypso Quay is home to:

  • Nemesis Inferno — a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster. It is marketed as the 'sister' ride of the original Nemesis at Alton Towers, which is also a B&M inverted roller coaster, and a sign along the ride exit invites riders to visit Nemesis at Alton Towers. Themed as an escape from a volcano.
  • Detonator — a Fabbri drop tower in which riders are hoisted up 115 ft, with legs dangling, and launched down by pneumatics. This gives a comparable amount of airtime to freefalling from a tower twice as tall.[citation needed]
  • Time Voyagers — a 4D cinema with water and vibrating effects in the seats.
  • Rumba Rapids — a river rapids ride by Intamin, which was updated from Thunder River in 2002 for a sponsorship deal with Ribena (and renamed 'Ribena Rumba Rapids'). The sponsorship ended for the 2007 season, so the ride was renamed again to simply 'Rumba Rapids'.
  • Storm in a Tea Cup — this ride was rethemed to look worn down and damaged to fit with nearby Amity Cove's Tidal Wave theming.

Canada Creek

Themed around a Canadian creek, this area is home to:

  • Loggers Leap — a log flume which is themed around logging in Canada (hence the boats are themed as "logs"). Features two drops (one indoors/underground). The larger of the two drops contains a straight section (double drop) which adds airtime to the ride. Currently the tallest Log Flume in the UK.[citation needed]
  • Slammer — an S&S Power Sky Swat, located to the rear of X:\ No Way Out. This ride is the first Sky Swat outside of America, and only the second to be built by the company. On March 19, 2006, emergency services were called when the ride malfunctioned, leaving riders stranded for nearly an hour.[11]
  • Rocky Express — small, circular roundabout-type ride for younger visitors.
  • Canada Creek Railway — A miniature railway that runs through Canada Creek and around Loggers Leap, offering views of forest land and the lake the park is built inside. From 1989 until 2006 the railway ran to Thorpe Farm, but was re-routed to its current shorter route ready for the 2007 season, with the closure of Thorpe Farm. The ride is mainly aimed at family groups and since the closure of Thorpe Farm the ride has adopted a bear hunt theme, where riders are invited to see how many bears they can spot during the journey (there are models of bears at various locations around the track). The ride is closed for the 2008 season due to work on Thorpe Park's new 2009 roller-coaster.
  • SAW: The Ride— Opens March 13th 2009.

During the Fright Nights around Halloween, Canada Creek also becomes home to the "Hellgate" horror maze (previously Freakshow 3-D).

Amity Cove

File:Stealththorpepark.jpg
Stealth, looking down the track at sunset

Themed around a 1950s New-Hampshire fishing village devastated by a tidal wave. It has its own park radio station, WWTP radio, hosted by 'Big Bob'. The rides in this area include:

  • Tidal Wave — a "Shoot the Chute" style ride from O.D. Hopkins, on which riders are carried in a 4-tonne reinforced GRP hull to a height of 85 feet over a 3 million gallon lagoon. The boat is then dropped down a track into the lagoon with an impact force of 1.5g,[citation needed] forcing 3 tonnes of water into the air. Most of this water either shoots straight up and lands back on the riders, or shoots forward in a long spray that reaches a 'Splash Zone' where spectators can stand.
  • Stealth — Thorpe Park's newest roller coaster which opened in 2006. Stealth is an Accelerator Coaster designed by Intamin AG and features a hydraulic 80 mph (128 km/h) launch up a 205 ft top hat incline at approx 3gs, a vertical drop and a large "airtime" hill. In 2007 Stealth was upgraded to Stealth 1.1. The upgrade was in the ride's acceleration - it now launches riders to 80mph in 1.9 seconds as opposed to the original 2.3 seconds.
  • Flying Fish — Small Mack powered roller coaster. Removed in 2005 to make way for Stealth, but now has been re-installed between Tidal Wave and Depth Charge. The re-installed version carries a photo section and a fastrack queue. In 2004, the Fish carriage was green, but for 2007 a brand new train has been purchased - Orange cars including 'bucket' seats and proper lapbars.[citation needed] The original track is still used - but has been re-painted blue - and a new ride theme has been adopted (Surfer Dude) Many announcements are to do with surfers and all have a children friendly appeal.[citation needed] Flying Fish was renamed after having been called Space Station Zero when it was installed in 1979.

Ranger County

Ranger County is themed around the "Thorpe Park Rangers" mascots. The current rides consist of:

  • Mr Monkey's Banana Ride — a small swinging ship type ride, themed to a banana.This famously appared on the inbetweeners episode thorpe park
  • Chief Ranger's Carousel — containing figurines of the Thorpe Park rangers and vehicles themed as current and past rides. These include a Logger's Leap boat, a Thunder River boat, a Wicked Witches Haunt car, a Hudson River Rafters raft, a blue and green Flying Fish car, a Teacup from Teacup Twisters, a Viking Rowers boat and a Mr Elephant car (as well as traditional carousel horses).
  • Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari — cars travel around a short track through figurines and shrubbery. Fungle Safari originally opened in 1990 as "A Drive In The Country" in the area where X:\ No Way Out is currently located. This was closed in 1994 and relocated in the Ranger County area in 1995. After Tropical Travels was destroyed by a major fire in 2001, some of its surviving theming was moved to Fungle Safari and the ride was also shortened to make room for Nemesis Inferno.

"The Showcase" is currently featuring on the Ranger County stage. This was once home to shows featuring the Thorpe Park Rangers, since then the Showcase has been used for karaoke and is currently showing the "Top Rockers" show during busy periods.

The area also contains "Calypso BBQ and Bar", a covered outdoor BBQ restaurant and "Jumpin' Juices" which sells fresh fruit juices.

During the Fright Nights events in October, Ranger County also contains a themed maze, which has been known as "The Asylum" since 2005. This enters through a door at the back of "The Showcase", with the queue line starting at Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari and using the queueline for the ride (the ride closes early), continuing through the ride exit for Fungle Safari and then entering a cattle grid which goes through The Showcase. The attraction exit is located just to the right of The Showcase.

Neptune's Kingdom

Themed around the mythical Neptune, this area is home to:

  • Depth Charge — a 40ft tall four lane water slide, in which riders sit in dinghies. The ride, when opened in 1991, was advertised as being the "World's First Four Lane Water Slide".[citation needed]
  • Neptune's Beach — two large paddling pools for small children with various fountains and an imitation sandy beach.
  • Wet Wet Wet — 3 water chutes differing in height.
  • Sea Snakes and Ladders — 1.2m in height, ideal for young thrill seekers.

The park have confirmed that a new Fright Night maze will be constructed on the beach for Fright Nights 2008. This attraction will be called The Curse [12].

Octopus' Garden

Located in the area between Port Atlantis, Amity Cove and X:\No Way Out. Octopus Garden is a small aquatic-themed area with several small rides for very young children. There are seven rides:

  • Swinging Seashells - a small Ferris wheel which contains seashell themed cars, each seating four children
  • Fantasy Fish - a small carousel type ride which contains individual fish which the children can sit on top of (like carousel horses although they don't move) and fish that two children can sit inside. The ride then rotates at a slow speed.
  • Galleon Race - a round ride with boat shaped cars. The ride rotates round, and as the ride rotates the boats move over small bumps.
  • Happy Halibuts - another round ride with suspended fish shaped cars which are free to swing. The ride rotates and lifts to an angle, with the cars being free to swing under centripetal force. This ride is the only ride in the area to have a minimum height restriction, which is 0.9m.
  • Ollie Octopus - a round ride with one continuous ring shaped car which the children sit in. The ride rotates slowly and lifts at an angle.
  • Up Periscope - a round ride with submarine shaped cars. The cars rise and the ride rotates.
  • Slippery Serpent - a small track based ride, with a small train which moves slowly around the track.

Each ride has a maximum height restriction of 1.3m, the only ride which has a special exception is Slippery Serpent where a guest over 1.3m can accompany one under 1.3m.[13]

All rides are usually open, although there are usually fewer operators in the area than rides available and so the operators rotate around the rides when they are available to do so.

The area also has a Donuts shop and an entrance to Thorpe Mega Store.

Fastrack

Fastrack is the current name for a priority queuing system in place at Thorpe Park as well as other Merlin parks. The system is based on the idea of assigning a limited number of guests a time to ride a particular attraction and allowing them reduced queuing time. The system has worked in a number of ways at the park and under a number of different names.

Q Bot

The first such system to be introduced, which was trialled for three seasons, was the Q-Bot system which emerged in the 1990s and attracted attention from BBC programme Tomorrow's World. This system gave guests a pager-like device which beeped when it was their slot on a particular ride.[14]

Virtual Q

The Virtual Q system emerged in 2000 and worked by using a number of machines by the entrance to a ride where guests would scan their park tickets and received a printed out a ticket with a time to ride the particular ride. The system was renamed "Fastrack" in 2003 [15].

Fastrack

The current system is based on the "4Play" ticket which was introduced in 2004 as an adjunct to the ticket machine issued Fastrack tickets. The ticket allowed guests to pay £4 and get a non time limited ticket for one Fastrack ride on Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, Tidal Wave and Logger's Leap. The range of rides that Fastrack is offered on has since been extended. From 2006, tickets could be purchased in themed packages or individually. Fastrack tickets are also available for Thorpe Park's Fright Night maze attractions. The current packages available are:[16]

  • Adrenalin - one Fastrack ride on Rush, Slammer, Samurai, Vortex
  • Extreme - one Fastrack ride on Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, X:\No Way Out and then either Tidal Wave or Loggers Leap
  • Stealth Only ('Pole Position' front seat tickets are available at an additional charge)
  • Hydration - one ride on Rumba Rapids, Tidal Wave & Logger's Leap.
  • Ultimate - a wristband which allows unlimited Fastrack access to Fastrack rides (Colossus, Stealth, Nemesis Inferno, X:\No Way Out, Tidal Wave, Logger's Leap, Flying Fish, Rush, Slammer, Samurai, Vortex, Rumba Rapids) all day.

Single Rider Queue

As another way of aiming to reduce guests' queuing times, Thorpe Park also operates single rider queue lines as an adjunct to Fastrack. Single Rider is available on Stealth, almost every day, and also on Flying Fish on busy days. The system allows people who don't mind riding alone another way to queue in a separate queue line. If a single spare seat becomes available, then a single rider would be admitted, potentially reducing the queue time [17]. Riders are informed that the single rider queue may be as long as the main queue.[18]

Records

Thorpe Park has held, and still continues to hold, a number of records for its rides. These include:

  • Colossus was the world's first roller coaster to feature ten inversions (the highest number of inversions in the world). It has not been succeeded by any other coaster, but equalled by an identical coaster in China.
  • Stealth was previously the fastest rollercoaster in Europe until Furious Baco took the record in 2007. Stealth still holds the record for the fastest acceleration of any rollercoaster in Europe (0-80 mph in under 2 seconds as opposed to Furious Baco's 0-83.9 mph in 3.5 seconds).
  • X:\ No Way Out opened as, and is still, the world's only backwards in-the-dark roller coaster.
  • Loggers Leap is the tallest log flume in the UK.
  • Tidal Wave was the tallest water ride in Europe until 2002.
  • Nemesis Inferno has the longest pre lift section of any inverted B&M coaster in the world.
  • Saw: The Ride Will have the tallest beyond vertical drop in the world.

Special events

Fright Nights

Fright Nights have been running at Thorpe Park since 2002 [19]. For a period during October the park opens until 8pm on off peak days and 10pm on peak days (11pm in 2003) to allow guests to ride the rides in the dark along with some additional attractions. Some of the extra attractions that have featured over the years are:

Current attractions

  • The Asylum is a 'Live Action Horror Maze' attraction which has been a part of Fright Nights since 2005, replacing The Freezer. It uses a maze of chicken wire fencing, smoke and strobe lighting to disorentate, and involves various actors, including a patient armed with a chainsaw.
  • Hellgate is another maze, and was first introduced in 2005, located at the rear of X:\No Way Out. The attraction is based on a run down stately home, ruled by the fictional evil spirts of Lady and Lord Denham.
  • SE7EN open in 2006 is the gruesome third maze, based on the Seven Deadly Sins. The attraction is situated in the Arena in the centre of the park where a temporary structure is erected inside a tent.
  • The Curse is the latest edition to Thorpe Parks horror mazes. Opening at the 2008 Fright Nights, this maze is based around an old ship wreck which was washed ashore to Amity Cove.

(These four attractions are not recomended for anyone below the age of 12.)

  • Circus of Horrors a show which takes place in the Time Voyagers theatre.

Former attractions

  • For 2002 only, the stretch of park from Canada Creek through Ranger County was converted into Scare-Zone. Two haunted-mazes, The Freezer and Freakshow 3-D were installed at either end of the area.
  • The Freezer ran from 2002 until 2004. The attraction consisted of a maze which was entered through a large freezer-style door. The Freezer was altered slightly for the 2005 season and was renamed The Asylum.
  • Freakshow 3-D ran from 2002 until 2004 Guests wore 3D glasses through the maze style attraction.
  • Ultimate Horror Movie Bites was a film shown in the Pirates 4D building comprising of a montage of horror films.

In adverts for Fright Nights, the three main rollercoasters (Colossus, Stealth, and Nemesis Inferno) are referred to as the "Unholy Trinity" [20]

Thorpe Blast

Thorpe Blast is the name for Thorpe Park's annual fireworks display. The event is held during the first weekend of November, and features music and late closing. [21]

Future Attractions

On 16 November 2007, planning permission for a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter roller coaster was applied for,[22] and has now been accepted.[23] It is expected to open in the 2009 season. The upcoming ride will be located in the Canada Creek area of the park and the queue line will be located on the new island which has been created in Abbey lake next to the Samurai entrance, with an additional new path being created via the walkway under Colossus's inline twists. The ride is expected to include a 100ft drop reaching an angle of 100 degrees (the second steepest drop in the world) and three inversions, including a dive loop, Immelmann loop, and a barrel roll in the dark before the main drop. The previous layout included four inversions but was revised in May 2008; the third inversion in the layout was removed and replaced with an airtime hill.[24] On 13 October 2008, the ride's name and theme was released as SAW - the ride, based on the movie series of the same name. It will be the first Roller Coaster in the world to have a horror movie theme. The ride is expected to open on 13 March, 2009.

2009 Ride Confirmed 13/10/08

Today the 2009 ride is confirmed to be called SAW the ride. The UK's thrill-capital, THORPE PARK, leading next generation film studio LIONSGATE (NYSE: LGF) and TWISTED PICTURES today announced that they will launch SAW - The Ride, the world's first ever horror movie-themed rollercoaster, in Spring 2009. Based on Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures "Saw" franchise, the most profitable horror franchise in movie history, SAW - The Ride is the scariest ride in the world. The latest installment in the series, 'Saw V,' premieres on Friday 24th October, and THORPE PARK will be inviting visitors to 'Face Your Fears' on their new terrifying attraction next year.

Like the films, THORPE PARK's new rollercoaster will test the nerve of all who dare ride it and visitors will be at the mercy of the series' master manipulator, Jigsaw. The ultimate test of SAW - The Ride will be a 'beyond vertical' drop of 100 degrees from a height of 100ft, making it the steepest freefall drop in the world. Riders will also endure three inversions that will add another dimension to a whole new experience of adrenaline-fuelled fun for thrill seekers.

THORPE PARK will open for the full 2009 season on Saturday 14th March but to preview the ride visit www.sawtheride.com

References

  1. ^ "Merlin sells Alton Towers in £622m deal". Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  2. ^ Themed Entertainment Association (May 2008). "Attraction Attendance Report" (PDF). Park World. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b "More about Thorpe Park - Three decades of thrills". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  4. ^ "A History of Chertsey - Modern Times". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  5. ^ "The History of Thorpe Park". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  6. ^ "A restoration success story". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  7. ^ "The Tussauds Group". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  8. ^ "Thorpe Park: Explore The Park: Stealth". Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  9. ^ "Thorpe Park History". 2002. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  10. ^ "Thorpe Park History". 2002. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  11. ^ "Park closes ride after 41 trapped". BBC News. 2006-03-19. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "What's coming up at the UK's most thrilling theme park!". Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  13. ^ "Explore the Park: Height Guide". Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  14. ^ "Six Flags Debuts Queue Management". Retrieved 2007-08-29.
  15. ^ "Picture of Nemesis Inferno's entrance showing Fastrack ticket machines in operation". Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  16. ^ "Tickets: Ticket Prices". Retrieved 2007-08-29.
  17. ^ "Single Rider". Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  18. ^ "Stealth Single Rider Entrance, from Theme Park Review". Retrieved 2007-09-07.
  19. ^ "Haunted Attractions UK - Thorpe Park Fright Nights... an EVILution!". Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  20. ^ "Thorpe Park:Fright Nights". Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  21. ^ "Thorpe Park: Thorpe Blast". Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  22. ^ "Thorpe Park 2009 Coaster Plans" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  23. ^ "Thorpe Park 2009 Coaster Plans Accepted (.doc format)". Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  24. ^ "The Thorpe Park Guide 2009 New Coaster". Retrieved 2008-02-07.

External links

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