New development on the Slammer site at Thorpe Park?

[Matt N]

Hi guys. Slammer, an S&S Sky Swat, has not operated at Thorpe Park since 2017, but as of late, some developments have occurred that lead me to believe that we may be seeing development on the Slammer site.

The first thing to note is that Thorpe Park have said for a while that they intend to remove Slammer by the end of the year. Now this is not a smoking gun on its own, and I accept that, but my thought is; why would they remove it if they didn't intend to replace it at some point? It's been there for 7 years; what harm would a few more do if they aren't intending to put something there?

That is not the only piece of evidence I cite by any means, however. Or even a particularly compelling piece of evidence compared to some others.

Another piece of evidence I cite is a recent trademark application by Merlin's trademarking company. In recent days, Merlin's trademarking company have filed a trademark for the name "Skybound", with all of the usual uses listed:

https://www.facebook.com/AttractionSource/posts/830235939140659

This would indicate to me that Merlin are planning to install an attraction somewhere within their estate that is to be named Skybound, but I can't think of any currently known Merlin plans that would fit this overly well. I don't see this name being very befitting of Project Ocean at Alton Towers, and I think this is too soon to be for Project Horizon at Alton Towers. However, it is worth noting that the Slammer site is within the area that Thorpe Park is now coining as "Fearless Valley", the new area surrounding Hyperia. And I don't know about any of you, but given that Hyperia's theme/style centres around flight, Skybound sounds to me like it would be quite a fitting name for an accompanying flat ride addition to Fearless Valley...

Finally, Thorpe Park have now begun clearing the old queue of Slammer with machinery, as per Thorpe Park Mania on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thorpeparkmania/posts/958603549598834

If they're clearing the queue, I reckon they must be intending to do something with it...

Could all of this potentially be pointing towards some sort of new development on the old Slammer site? I think it's very possible... although I'm not saying that this is confirmed by any means or even much of a rumour. This is purely me linking a few things together and offering my thoughts on what they could potentially mean. I could well be adding 2 and 2 and getting 5 here, but I think that these pieces of evidence could well suggest some sort of new development on the former Slammer site.

What does anyone else think?

 

[Niles]

I certainly hope so, they did say it would be going and seeing something happen to the site is promising. I agree that a ride called Skybound would best fit at Thorpe of the Merlin parks.

For what I would want it would be a Star Flyer, always wanted a taller (Detonator is small) sight seeing ride at the park and after riding the 80M high one at winter wonderland, not only do they give great views but I found it a bit terrifying.

Another tower ride would be great as it could easily fit in the space and make Thorpe's skyline even more impressive, whatever happens I hope its something as I'm tired of seeing Slammer and with all the investment in that area its time for it to go.

 

[owenstreet7]

I can imagine Skybound being something for the Slammer spot.

I think there's quite a few attractions that can fit the site however I'd love to see a Giant Gyro Swing from either Intamin or Zamperla there.

It would certainly fit into the name, theme of Hyperia and finding one's fearless. 🪽

 

[Will]

Probably too similar to Vortex - but I'm in total agreement.

Based on Merlin at the moment, probably another sky swat

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

Based on Merlin at the moment, probably another sky swat

And give S&S more business? Noooo thank you...

(I understand that S&S knows how to make their flats well and all but we North Americans are still kind of reeling from the disaster that was Steel Curtain and long term inconveniences on other rides coming back to bite those parks in the ass right now. S&S new products are fun in limited quantities nowadays)

 

[owenstreet7]

And give S&S more business? Noooo thank you...

(I understand that S&S knows how to make their flats well and all but we North Americans are still kind of reeling from the disaster that was Steel Curtain and long term inconveniences on other rides coming back to bite those parks in the ass right now. S&S new products are fun in limited quantities nowadays)

I'm pretty sure S&S don't make Sky Swats anymore as this likely factored into why it was closed, been SBNO for years and soon to be removed.

Probably too similar to Vortex - but I'm in total agreement.

Based on Merlin at the moment, probably another sky swat

Potentially yes, although possibly could be distinct enough to have both. Something like Tundra Twister at Canada's Wonderland could be awesome though.

I wouldn't put it past Merlin to add two similar/near identical rides following Chessington with Trawler Trouble

 

[Rob Coasters]

Huss Top Spin.

But in all seriousness that'll never fit "Skybound". I kinda don't hope it's a Tundra Twister as those look to have more bark than bite - they look like tamer Star Shapes to me and I'm not even sure how that's possible. I kinda hope it's a drop tower. Some sort of Intamin drop tower with tilting seats (whether it's a Golden Driller or an Ikaros) would be awesome. "But Detonator exists!" parks can have more than one drop tower, it's not uncommon in the slightest!

 

[Berksfan]

Im still grieving the loss of slammer, but it’s about time they got a new flat ride…a decent one I mean.

 

[roomraider]

With a name like Skybound I'm fully prepared for an unthemed Fabbri Booster to show up.

Although it is Merlin so are we sure it's not sponsored by Sky and is actually just called Bound.

 

[Serena]

With Black Mirror next door now closed, could we be looking at a bigger site for Skybound than just the Slammer site?

If so, I'm predicting a Flying Theatre. Fills the family-friendly ride gap at Thorpe, fits the flying theme of Hyperia, high capacity, suits the name Skybound. They can even market it as a World's First:

The Worlds First Indoor Ride at Thorpe Park That Isn't Themed To The Undead.

 

[Georgie-M]

I can imagine Skybound being something for the Slammer spot.

I think there's quite a few attractions that can fit the site however I'd love to see a Giant Gyro Swing from either Intamin or Zamperla there.

It would certainly fit into the name, theme of Hyperia and finding one's fearless. 🪽

I was 100% gunning for this in that other thread but honestly, I'd rather they added something else to this site. If Thorpe ever built a Vortex 2.0 as it were, I would want them to pull a "Liseberg placing a screamin' swing halfway up their hill" and have guests swing over the lake. Potential risk of loose items falling in the water? Eh sure, but would be a spectacular use of the park's unique location.

I do like Serena's idea of using the labyrinth space for something better, but honestly, at this point, I'd rather they either gut or remove the X pyramid and use the space as part of whatever replaces that. Scrap Storm Surge too while they're at it. Use it for spare parts to upgrade Rumba or something idk.

 

[Graeme]

Purely by name it makes me think of an S&S shot tower or one of those reverse bungee things, but there's no doubt a gyro swing would be best. With a really great flat ride on the Slammer site, they could remove Vortex, Zodiac and Rush and use that area for a family-thrill coaster.

 

[Swat]

Based on Merlin at the moment, probably another sky swat

Don’t give me hope

 

[JoshC.]

Let's rewind and take stock for a moment.

-The park have said on a number of occasions they will remove Slammer. The most recent suggestion was they would remove Slammer this upcoming closed season. Frankly, I won't believe it until I see it.
-Whilst I admit Skybound fits in with Hyperia, there's no reason to believe it definitely will be.

At the same time, the removal of queue line and such is interesting. It's also worth noting that there has been some removal of the interior of Black Mirror too.

It could easily be space for Fright Nights, and the possible removal of Slammer ends up just opening the area up for picnic area / shop / restaurant.


But, it certainly makes sense to replace that area with a new attraction, especially since it increases support around the brand the new ride.

Assuming it is a new ride, and it is for 2025, it needs to be something that can be constructed reasonably quickly. Removal of Slammer plus construction of a new ride (to open no later than May, say) means we likely won't see an indoor ride or a more complicated ride. Some sort of Star Flyer or similar tower-based ride might work pretty well to be fair.
Equally, if they choose to wait until 2026, they could build something a bit more in depth.

So yeah. Cause for optimism, but cautious optimism for now.

 

[Gargamel]

Surprised nobody’s mentioned a Zierer Star Shape yet

 

[InvertsAreMyJam]

Alright, this is probably out of the realm of possibility. But what about a dark ride? They are removing part of Black Mirror after all.

 

[Graeme]

Alright, this is probably out of the realm of possibility. But what about a dark ride? They are removing part of Black Mirror after all.

I'd love that, personally. There are a lot of buildings there they could theoretically turn into one, big show building. There are a lot of caveats, but if they wanted more family rides again, and if they decided to throw in the towel with the not-very-well-received Ghost Train, combined with the fact the Walking Dead coaster is very outdated, they'd have a lot of room there. It would be great if they could do an indoor boat ride like Pirates of the Caribbean or Fata Morgana.

 

[emoo]

Oh really, an outdated theme at Thorpe?

 

[Niles]

Another trademark has been filed this time for "EYEFLY".

 

[Rob Coasters]

Eyefly sounds like it could be a flying theatre of some sort, to me it gives off 'London midway attraction' vibes like the Dungeons or Tussauds. Doesn't sound like it would be a Thorpe attraction as much as 'Skybound' does, but still very Merlin-y.