What a year it has been for Thorpe Park in 2023 topping it off with a complete logo overhaul ahead of the 2024 season where the park saw the opening of the UK’s tallest roller coaster Hyperia.
Let’s dive into some absolute MUST DO rides at Thorpe Park and in my opinion, the best rides!
Hyperia
Hyperia instantly jumps to the top spot for me as the park’s best ride, this Mack Rides hypercoaster is an absolute masterpiece when operating properly (it’s had a few teething issues since opening) but it is the UK’s best roller coaster ride experience.
Queueline and station theming are a lot to be desired but Hyperia really stands head and shoulders (quite literally) above the rest of the park’s line-up. It almost makes every other coaster in this list seem inferior as flocks of crowds go to Hyperia as the other rides stand quite quiet and lonely on many park operating days.
Hyperia is a ride the UK can be proud of and whilst it can’t compete with some of the big hitters on a European stage it certainly is the UK jewel in the crown of roller coaster ride experiences with a great soundtrack to boot!
The Swarm
Manufactured by B&M The Swarm is an apocalyptic experience indeed. The theming around the UK’s only winged coaster is superb with various elements including crashed trucks, broken jet engines and the queue area itself being an open destroyed building.
Thankfully we visited on a sunny day but an open queue line without a roof or cover like this in the rain would be apocalyptically depressing indeed.
Aside from the incredible attention to detail, the coaster trains themselves look absolutely stunning. Two people sit on each wing either-side of the main train and the 39m climb instantly begins.
The coaster then twists at the highest point before hurtling to the ground. This slow-motion effect is nothing short of terrifying.
After flying through near-misses the coaster actually becomes rather relaxing.
The Swarm also seems to speed up just after the mid-way point as it smoothly glides through the terrain corners.
Beautifully designed and with a terrifying twist at the top, The Swarm is a superb coaster.
It’s a shame that after the initial drop the coaster is way more relaxing and less scary than it’s heart-stopping introduction into its descent.
Rating 4.5/5
Colossus
Manufactured by Intamin Colossus is Thorpe Parks oldest coaster. Opening in 2002 Colossus once held the world record for the most loops in a single coaster.
This steel giant takes riders 30m up into the air before curving round and down into a giant loop.
I’m certainly no rollercoaster expert but enthusiasts have long slated Colossus for its roughness. Being 17 years old naturally, the coaster isn’t going to be the smoothest ride in the park however alterations have been made for the 2019 season.
I can’t compare it to any past rides being my first time at the park but it certainly wasn’t as rough as I was expecting.
The restraints were comfy but riding at the front certainly had limited leg room. I felt secure in my harness and felt comfortable up until the coaster went into some multiple loop straight. I felt like I’d just climbed into a washing machine and came off the ride shaken and not stirred.
Colossus was our first ride of the day and what a way to start. An absolute legend and grandaddy of the park!
Walking Dead The Ride
Based on the hit TV show Walking Dead The Ride used to be an indoor dark coaster named X. The rides queue line theming in addition to the buildings theming is heavily detailed.
A tall watchtower overseas the rides entrance and winding corridors intertwine before you reach your boarding station.
The ride itself is very (and I mean very) tame. There are no frightening moments other than you being in complete darkness. I imagine if the lights were on the ride would represent a kids coaster or similar.
Old style animatronics are lit-up throughout sections of the ride but the experience as a whole is severely under utilized.
A building of that size and scale that is so heavily themed deserves more attention to detail. Live-actors would be a must (not just for Fright Night) to add to the experience.
The various doors that line the corridors even so much as a hand smacking up against them as you walk past would be more immersive than some flashing lights.
The actual ride experience could also be enhanced with much more immersion. Special effects and theatrics are sorely needed in there but after taking a recent behind the scenes tour my original 2 out of 5 rating was improved to a 3 purely because of the intracacies of the props within the ride building that you sadly fly past too quickly to appreciate them.
Rating 3/5
Stealth
Upon entering the park the first thing your eyes see is the towering structure that is Stealth. Me and heights don’t really mix and this intimidating structure had me very apprehensive about riding it.
At a height of 62m this ride is absolutely terrifying. This launch coaster has you sitting in a rather comfy seat and harness. But comfort doesn’t make up for the fact that you’re staring ahead at a drag-strip style track that is soon to shoot up vertically and over a Top-Hat ready for its descent.
Stomach churning and intense Stealth was one of the (if not the) most intense ride in the park.
The theming orientates around an American speedway and with classic American diner tunes playing and various American vehicles in attendance (even the trains are themed as vintage American cars) it calms you down from the sheer terror you are about to encounter.
Nemesis Inferno
A beautiful steel inverted coaster has your legs dangling through loops, swoops, and corkscrews. Considered the baby brother of Nemesis at Alton Towers and made by the same company, Nemesis Inferno is quite the experience.
After descending through a fire tunnel you fly up a lift hill at considerable speed before the insane journey begins. I do love a B&M coaster although I’m not a big fan of their harnesses. They never fit me right and I always have way too much room that always adds to my fear. There’s my buddy sitting next to me his harness all tight and comfy and I’m always there with enough room to do the cha cha slide in it!
This coaster is a great addition to the park and it’s fast, intense and enjoyable.
I personally think the title of the little brother is fitting as for me it doesn’t compare in any way shape or form to Nemesis at Alton Towers. Points of Nemesis Inferno at Thorpe Park feel a little slow and the intensity/adrenaline wears off in places.
Nemesis at Alton Towers feels as thou it’s a bat out of hell never relinquishing its absolute batshit craziness.
Rating 3/5
Saw: The Ride
For those who have already read my Thorpe Park 10th Anniversary Saw – The Ride review, you know my thoughts on this incredible ride.
Yes, it’s a little bumpy towards the end but the immersive experience, incredible theming and that beautiful 100ft vertical climb and beyond vertical drop are breathtaking.
Ten years old and still going strong Saw – The Ride is a fan favorite and here’s to many more years of being at the park (here’s hoping).
Rating 4/5
