THORPE PARK Gets New Psychological Attraction

Okay, I don’t know what a “psychological them park attraction” is, but that’s what  THORPE PARK says it will unveil in Spring 2016. I do know if it has creepy mascots running around like the pair of life-sized Victorian dolls it had strolling around London, I’m not sure I could handle such an experience.

That’s how I came to learn of the park. The images of the dolls standing arm and arm on a train caught my eye on social media immediately. Had to know what that was about so I clicked through to the Laughing Squid article about it.

Here’s a video showing the dolls on their adventure:

Apparently they were a stunt to promote THORPE PARK Resort and a new ride it has opening in Spring of this year: Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

Who is Derren Brown?

I had never heard of Derren Brown, but I’m thinking he must be a big deal in the UK. Apparently he’s a mentalist and illusionist. He’s also a BAFTA award winner (which I believe is the equivalent to the Emmys in the U.S.?).

Here’s a snippet from his About page. (Which I encourage you to take a gander at. Freaky. He pulls his face off as you scroll down.)

Derren began his UK television career in December 2000 with a series of specials called Mind Control. Since redefining the genre of magic for intelligent, modern audiences, he has become synonymous with the art of psychological manipulation. His TV shows have become must-see events. Amongst a varied and notorious career, Derren has played Russian Roulette on live television, convinced middle-managers to commit an armed robbery in the street, led the nation in a séance, stuck viewers to their sofas, successfully predicted the National Lottery, motivated a shy man to land a packed passenger plane at 30,000 feet, exposed psychic and faith-healing charlatans, and hypnotised a man to assassinate Stephen Fry. On top of this he tours the UK every year with a sell-out stage show.

Okay, so that gives us a better idea of the kind of man he is and the kind of park he’s likely to design.

Derren Brown’s Ghost Train

There’s not a lot of information about it, but here’s what it says on the THORPE PARK Resort website:

THE SECRET IS FINALLY REVEALED

NEW ARRIVING SPRING 2016, a WORLD’S FIRST, one-of-a-kind experience like nothing you have ever seen before arrives at THORPE PARK Resort. Re-invented for the 21st century, this Ghost Train will blow your mind!

Crafted by the master of mind control, Derren Brown, this one-of-a-kind 13-minute theme park experience will be the world’s only fully immersive psychological attraction designed to manipulate the human mind.

At the heart of the island you discover a disused warehouse.  As you enter a seemingly innocent Victorian train carriage, it soon becomes clear as sights and sounds fill your senses, that you will come face-to-face with what lies at the end of the line.

Prepare to derail your mind on a ghost train re-invented for the 21^st century that will leave you questioning where perception ends and reality begins.

Wow. 13 minutes long? Get your money’s worth on that ride, eh? I’m thinking this will be a little more intense than Universal’s Hogwarts Express…

General info about THORPE PARK Resort

THORPE PARK Resort is located 20 miles from central London. It is accessible by car, train, bus, and even bike.

Here’s the exact address as posted on its website:

THORPE PARK Resort

Staines Road

Chertsey

Surrey

KT16 8PN

It has all the standard theme park attractions: thrill rides, water rides, and family-friendly rides.

A couple of things on its map cracked me up. Like a seasonal attraction called Amity Beach. (Apparently in nice weather you can wear your swimming suit and take a dip.) But Amity was the name of the town or the beach in Jaws, wasn’t it?

Speaking of sharks, Amity Beach isn’t far away from something on the map called the Shark Hotel. Which is an on-property themed hotel. Check out this video I found about it:

According to reviews on TripAdvisor, rooms are “cozy” (read that as “dinky”). However, reviewers also said the rooms, while tight, were clean and tidy and perfect for conking out after a hard day enjoying the park.

It also has “the world’s first horror movie themed roller coaster” – Saw – The Ride.

Oh and there’s also an Angry Birds section with a restaurant that serves, what else? KFC! Cracked me up. (Or I guess I should say, “Clucked me up.”)

If we ever jaunt across the pond again I’d love to check out THORPE PARK resort. What about you? Or have you already been? If so, I’d love to hear about it. You know what to do. That’s what the comment section is there for.