Dark Rides
parkworld-online.com
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DERREN BROWN’S GHOST TRAIN Thorpe Park, UK
Not only
is this Thorpe Park's most expensive attraction to date, it also comes complete with its longest ever list of rider restrictions, including a minimum age rating of 13
T ” 42
hough it might be named a ghost train, this new attraction created by TV star and “maestro of mind control” Derren Brown together with Merlin Magic Making is not a traditional dark ride as we know it. Rather than boarding a ride vehicle and sitting back as they are transported though a variety of spooky scenes, Thorpe Park guests are subjected to a multi- sensory experience that fuses grand illusion, live action, 4D special effects, virtual reality (VR) and physical transit together with other high tech elements. The fully-immersive and “deeply psychological”
attraction takes passengers on an apocalyptic journey which will leave them questioning their perception of reality. Not only is this Thorpe Park's most expensive attraction to date, it also comes complete with its longest ever list of rider restrictions, including a minimum age rating of 13. Much of the drama unfolds inside what appears to be
a Victorian train carriage suspended in mid air, one of several illusions designed to trick and disorientate visitors. The inside of the carriage is themed to resemble a London Underground train, and laden with secrets of a toxic gas leak which is hinted at in the queue line as guests pass through “infection check points.” A company called Sub Core Energy has been drilling into the earth’s core, and the results of their actions lie in
wait for those brave enough to board Derren Brown’s Ghost Train. Vibrating floor plates, self-steaming windows and
bespoke VR content ensure non-stop action from start to finish during two separate ride sequences. Even though passengers experience the attraction as a group, they are isolated from others once they put on their VR headsets and may discover afterwards that what they saw was quite different to the person they sat next to. “The attraction is a full assault on guests’ senses and
will play with their minds,” highlights Thorpe Park Resort divisional director Mike Vallis. “We ask that guests keep their experience secret, so that other visitors are allowed to take their journey unaware of the shocks that lie behind the doors once they board the Ghost Train.” The turnkey contractor for the ride system was
regular Merlin collaborator Simworx, which also supplied Thorpe Park's Angry Birds 4D Experience. Media content for the attraction was developed together with Figment Productions, with HTC providing the Vive VR headsets. Two unique photo opporiities are provide by Picsolve.
More on Derren Brown's Ghost Train will follow in a future edition of Park World
AUGUST 2016
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