Roll up, roll up, the circus has come to Thorpe Park! After mysteriously disappearing many years ago, the Figaro Bros are back, and their world-famous circus, The Big Top, has rocked up on Amity Beach. And The Ringleader has taken over the rest of the park for good measure too.

Fright Nights 2015 also sees the Lionsgate-themed films return for a third consecutive season, and the park introduce something completely different: a horror escape room experience, Containment.

Saw Alive

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Review

In a slightly different format to previous years, Thorpe Park hosted a preview evening for both Annual Passholders and VIP/Press last night. We were invited along as VIPs, which did give us (and other Press members) the opportunity to film in mazes. This was only for last night, and so whilst you may see images / videos from inside mazes this year, please do not use your own cameras!

Fright Nights 2015 features two new attractions, as well as the return of the Lionsgate mazes, in what is yet again a diverse and wide-ranging line up!

The Big Top

The Big Top is the big new attraction for this year, taking centre stage in marketing for this year’s event, and with “The Ringleader” being the focal figure for the event. Indeed, he even has his own announements across the park.

Taking place across 3 circus tents on both sides of the Beach, Big Top looks really impressive, especially at night. And the booming music from the second tent really makes it striking to just be anywhere near.

The build for Big Top took longer than anticipated, which meant that actors for the maze only actually entered the maze for the first time about an hour or two before the maze opened. This naturally means that the experience isn’t as polished, as actors still get used to the space. But that did show through in our experience, with the maze feeling ‘good, but not great’ right now.

The maze starts off with a fortune teller – Madame Mephisto – warning of danger. Guests can choose one of two ways to exit the tent, but this isn’t clear and currently lacks impact. The second tent features a hall of mirrors, but is very open.

The transition to the final tent, featuring loads of carnival games, is cool. As this can be seen by all guests, it’s perhaps not impactful or scary, but is very atmospheric, and also great to actually watch.

Going through the large clown head into the largest, and final, tent is where the attraction starts to pick up. This features a funhouse scene, as well as a dungeon where one of the Figaro Bros – “Big Baby” – has been held capitive. Unfortunately, as the maze really finds its groove, it ends, but with the classic chainsaw runout, which is very effective!

The Big Top has all the right ideas, but needs more time to bed in right now. We’re confident the park can improve this as time goes on, and excited to go back to the circus soon!

Containment

The second new-for-2015 attraction is Containment, a horror-escape room based in two shipping containers behind Depth Charge. Unfortunately, by the time our time slot came around, the attraction had to close for the evening so we haven’t gotten a chance to experience it yet (but the park have invited us back to experience it at a later date!).

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We experienced Containment a week into the event. The attraction has capitalised on a recent interest in escape rooms, where people are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles to open padlocks to escape. This is more unique though. In groups of 10, you go through 4 rooms, each with one puzzle to solve. You have 5 minutes to solve each puzzle, or are forced through to the next room. Oh, and 3 of the 4 rooms have actors, doing their best to hinder – and scare – you!

We really enjoyed this, and it is something completely different. Due to the very low throughput (only 50 people per hour can experience Containment), the upcharge of £10 per person (£8 with an Annual Pass) is certainly justified. 

At the end of the maze, you also receive a wristband (either green or red) depending on if you succeeded or not. But be warned, a red wristband is said to make you a target for the rest of your night…

My Bloody Valentine

With the arena now gone, and construction for WC16 well underway, My Bloody Valentine has moved to the open space outside Crust / next to Zodiac and Rush. This area hasn’t been used for Fright Nights since 2010, but the location works well for a maze.

The maze has seen a little change, with the first shippining container (which included the very gorey hospital scene) no longer present. Instead, the maze starts off by splitting the group up down either side of the mines.

Aside from this, the maze remains as dark and intense as before, with lots of narrow pathways, and many different hiding spots for actors. The removal of the hospital scene does make it feel quite short, but the intensity does make up for that!

Blair Witch Project

Blair Witch Project returns for its 3rd year, and this year is by far the best yet.

Thorpe Park have finally cracked how this outdoor maze should run. The attractions starts off very open, with only a couple of actors. But quickly, the route narrows, and becomes more dense with trees and shrubbery, and you feel like you are a million miles away from the park. However, actors are certainly there, but extremely well-hidden, coming at you thick and fast. And the shed-finale is the most intense it’s ever been!

Outdoor mazes are something different and a novelty, but this year shows they can still be as effective as indoor mazes. 

Cabin in the Woods

Cabin in the Woods is a fan favourite, both amongst TPM and with Thorpe Park fans all around. It continues to offer the right balance of intrigue – with its multi-route start – and scares. The cast this year are incredibly lively, and make the most use of their surroundings when it comes to scaring you.

Saw Alive

Saw Alive, the longest-serving maze of the line up, has been freshened up by Scruffy Dog this year, with repaints to some scenes, and some effects feeling re-energenised and more effective. Whilst the maze remains the same, it is great to see the park breath some new life into it!

Roaming Actors

Thorpe Park have once again introduced roaming actors across the park. Known as “The Night Terrors”, these characters travel in a pack, and are noticeable for being dressed all in black and white. They are certainly a creepy bunch…

Bottom Line

The park have once again managed to expand their line up, with 5 indoors attractions, one outdoor attraction, roamers and themed audio and lighting across the park. There are still some flaws to iron out, but we’re certain the park will get there, and believe 2015 will be one of the best and well-received editions yet!