I think to suggest they didn't think through the ramifications of something like this is as daft as you're making it out to be.
Past Furie's concern, I don't think it's problematic at all. In fact, I think a lot of people are just going "LOL THORPE MARKETING SO STUPID" just because that's what we have had to do for years.
Do you guys reaaaaaaally think that the turnout is going to be less than it would have been, because of this? Do you really think more people won't ride it than would have? Do you not think it's just raised talk of Thorpe Park, like all shock marketing campaigns do?
The mindset of "it wouldn't be open to the public unless it was safe" conquers pretty much all. There are a lot of examples of people who have been seriously injured, or even died, because they put their own judgement to one side.
I question the effect it will have on people who come to the park in the first place, but I think the thing about Thorpe is it really doesn't need to be too concerned with that. People will come, regardless.
I've seen a few people propose that this raises a safety concern that the park didn't plan it properly. I think anyone who thinks they use dummies to test clearance this late in the day is not going to be too bothered about that. They're going to think this is the common way of testing clearance, and that they just need to make changes now. Which is what the report is claiming, anyway.
Anyone with a brain would be suspicious as to why the story was leaked if true.
I'd love to know what B&M think of it all. Lmao.
It's a marketing stunt that emphasises the coaster's intentions. That, in my eyes, is great.