There’s been a lot of chatter here about Alton Towers and Chessington recently, now the cool kids at Thorpe Park Resort have got in touch to share what’s happening at Thorpe Park in 2019! There had been many excitable rumours about new rides, and their possible locations. This isn’t the case, however, it’s the 40th Anniversary of Thorpe Park in 2019, and to celebrate they are hosting some different events across the year. After the rather dark and heavy ‘Year of the Walking Dead’ in 2018, it’s interesting to see they’ve switched it up to something a little more brighter and fun. It makes sense really, no-one wants scary birthday celebrations!
So let’s walk through what’s happening at Thorpe Park in 2019!
GameFX
GameFX is first on the calendar at Thorpe Park in 2019. The free event happening in the ‘Gaming Arena’ (the Lakeview Marquee) runs from the 6th April to the 31st May 2019. GameFX is powered by HYPD and will allow guests to practice their eSports skills across multiple consoles and games. You will be able to immerse yourself in nostalgia as you reignite your childhood in the retro gaming lounge. You can also defy your senses and push yourself to the limit as you engage with the latest virtual reality tech too!
The GameFX event is free, although you will have to book a timeslot which will allow you 45 minutes of game play. If you wish to use the VR games then there is an additional cost. Guests under the age of 12 will need to have their parents present if they wish to play because some of the games have a ’12’ rating.
Jungle Escape
Whilst the ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’ attraction is no more – a new attraction joins the roster for Thorpe Park in 2019 – Jungle Escape.
In Spring 2019, select only your bravest and most daring friends as you enter the depths of the unforgiving undergrowth in Jungle Escape. Engage your senses, prime your wit and unleash your strength as you undergo a series of testing rituals before facing off with your rivals to ultimately decide which team will leave victorious and which will be banished from the Jungle forever. Decode the clues, test your physical limits and prove yourself worthy of joining the Jungle Clan in this new for 2019 live adventure game!
So, I would guess the smart money would be on the former IACGMOOH building is becoming what sounds like an ‘Escape Room’. There’s very little more information right now about ‘Jungle Escape’ – with no firm opening date, or if it’s a pay-extra attraction – rest assured as soon as I have more details, I’ll share it! Escape Rooms are very popular at the moment, so it’s good to see one coming to Thorpe Park in 2019. They do have ‘Containment’ during the Fright Nights – it would be great to have a family friendly one during the main season though!
Bouncezilla
Next up on the roster of entertainment at Thorpe Park in 2019 is the fascinating ‘Bouncezilla’. Bouncezilla will operate between 25th May – 8th September 2019. It’s BIG, it’s BOLD and it’s definitely BOUNCY! Bouncezilla is a 96m long inflatable assault course that will ‘Bite Back’. Ditch your shoes, assemble your team and prepare yourself for the loudest, most outrageous and brilliantly bonkers inflatable course in the UK! Bounce past obstacles, tumble through tunnels and slide your way to the finish!
What birthday celebration would be complete without inflatables? This sounds like a LOT of silly fun. Perfect to celebrate the fact Thorpe Park is 40 years old! Again, there’s no mention of costs (or not) we’ll have to wait and see, either way, it should be FUN!
And of course, no season would be complete without…
Fright Nights
I bloody love Fright Nights, and it looks like it will be running 28th September – 3rd November 2019. Which gives you well over a month to experience the Island’s darker side. I’m really hoping for a maze that incorporates the Whisperers from The Walking Dead. Imagine having a herd of walkers shuffling towards you, with a few of them springing into life and charging at you. I don’t think my nerves could take that! Fight Nights 2018 was without question one of the BEST events they’ve run, so fingers cross Fright Nights at Thorpe Park in 2019 will better that. Wouldn’t it be awesome if the Big Top returned too? Fingers crossed!
Any other business?
Rumours are flying around that the ‘Thorpe Park Rangers’ MIGHT return in some form for the park’s 40th anniversary, there’s no official confirmation, but I reckon we might see them. Thorpe Park Resort are selling their ‘Season Pass‘ at a bargain £55. If you’re near Thorpe Park, and pretty much only visit there, it’s worth every single penny! If you like the other parks, then the new Merlin Memebership might be of interest! Also, something I’ve spotted is that you can by a ‘Fastrack Pass’ for £400 per person, which gives you UNLIMTED Fastrack for the duration of the 2019 season. It’s a big outlay, but when those queue lines are heaving, it will be worth it!
It’s also worth noting that if you wish to park at Thorpe Park Resort it will cost you £15 on the day. You can book online in advance and pay £8 instead, so it’s REALLY worth planning ahead.
So whilst the rollercoaster enthusiasts will be shaking their fists at the fact there isn’t a new ride appearing at Thorpe Park in 2019. However these events will bring new guests, and hopefully, more income to the park, and who knows, as the 2019 season draws to a close, we MIGHT see an exciting planning application go in.
Whatever happens, I’m very much looking forward to going back to the Island Like No Other. It’s where me and Mrs Hakes met, so it will always have a special place in my heart!
