Re: Thorpe Park construction?
I've not done this weird Thor ride, but I'm not worried about this being that kind of bad, because Merlin know better than to try.
Giving praise where due, Tussaud's/Merlin have always been good at finding creative solutions that fall within their budgets. That stereotypical British thing of selecting concepts because they can portray them with low budgets. Whilst we all criticise the repeated use of shipping containers and the like, they are choosing these themes because they will look good with what small budget they have. I wanted Chessington's Runaway train to be an Aztec themed ruined jungle with carved rock work and foliage - and it makes more brand sense, especially given the new hotel, but there's no way they could make that look good with their budget, being realistic. So they went with a theme that could utilise manmade structures, flat facades and found objects.
So I really do not believe this will suffer the fate of being a high budget price of tech with detailed immersive theming that none the less falls short (Darkastle comes to mind here - huge budget, high quality, but just not that great).
As for them learning that actor led is a bad idea - given that they went there with Sub Terra... And that they did that Krake maze. (That's open year round, though... Even off peak when the park is DEAD. Which demonstrates the differences in markets?) I think the company suffers from poor communication with the parks and a lack of reviewing over time to avoid repeating issues. In order to maximise their budget, I bet different departments pass the strain on, and the company is too large for anyone to go "hang on a minute, if we make this actor led to cut hardware cost, its just passing the cost onto Thorpe, and will cost the company MORE money then just giving the project a larger budget...."
I'm expecting, instead of a grand classic dark ride, something with staggered pre shows - like Hex and Sub Terra. And I'm expecting actors to pick up the narrative pieces. Hex is great and Sub Terra far from bad, but since neither have been a monumental success it seems odd to risk one at Thorpe. It's good news for us though - it means that, perhaps, they're thinking less about instant return and more for the overall quality of Thorpe Park, which is the lowest of their resort theme parks without a doubt. Maybe they're aiming to improve guest experience and not just pull people in en mass. Maybe they've realised that adding new attractions only contributes a tiny part to attendance. Or maybe this is Hunger Games themed and they know it'll solve both issues, smirking to themselves.
Someone mentioned to me that the Thinkwell group based in CA have rights to the Hunger Games...
http://m.hollywoodreporter.com/entry/view/id/352779
Now, if only Thorpe would hire Thinkwell for this project. Oh we can dream.
