Thorpe Park has postponed the opening of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train as the ride’s developers add the “final tweaks” to the new concept.
Originally scheduled to open on 6 May, Thorpe Park announced the delay via its social media channels and is yet to reveal a new opening date.
“After careful consideration we’re moving the opening date for Derren Brown’s Ghost Train,” said a statement. “This attraction is a completely new invention and we are making final tweaks to the remaining elements to get things absolutely perfect. We want you guys to have the full mind-blowing experience from the very first time you ride!”
Speaking to Attractions Management in January, Paul Moreton, global creative director for Merlin Magic Making at Merlin Entertainments said that the ride would be “Just like Derren’s show.”
“We’re playing with your mind, making you question what’s real and what’s not,” said Moreton. “When the ride ends, we want you to come away with a thought-provoking experience. Did that happen? Did that not happen? That is the new generation experience we are talking about and that’s what will make it very unique.”
To make the experience completely unique, a combination of technologies have been utilised, including virtual reality. One of the attraction’s key elements, is that each rider will have a unique experience. On the 10-15 minute ride, there are 12 possible journeys to get to two alternate endings. Dependant on choices made, each individual rider will encounter a different path as they go through the experience.
Simon Reveley, managing director of Figment, the man who designed
Alton Towers’ new Galactica VR experience and who is also working with Derren Brown on ride design, told
Attractions Management that work was progressing well and that the ride would be “unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”