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A restoration success story..
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In 1998 Thorpe Park was bought by The Tussauds Group, one of Europe's largest operators and developers of visitor attractions. The Tussauds group strategy is to develop an international entertainment business of successful visitor attractions that are special, imaginative and exceptional visitor value. Thorpe Park is now part of an impressive portfolio alongside Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Heide Park, Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds.
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Thorpe Park is now rated as one of Europe's most popular leisure attractions. What started out as an ingenious restoration project back in the early 1970's, has developed in to a high profile leisure business. Let's look at how Thorpe Park has stood the test of time..
	In 1970 the site was an active gravel pit owned by Ready Mix Concrete, planning permission was granted broadly requiring the site to be refilled. Land filling this kind of acreage would take up to 20 years, during which time local residents would have been subject to the nuisance of the tipping operations. A change in planning conditions was granted and construction of the 500 acre water park began in 1971. With over half the area consisting of lakes, the accent was on water, and so the central theme "The history of the British people as a maritime nation" was born.
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The "theme" park concept was new and exciting, but not a theme park by today's standard. Thorpe Park was to be an exhibition blending together Britain's fascinating past with the 'latest' in entertainment to stimulate the imagination.
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In 1979, the late Lord Louis Mountbatten opened Thorpe Park to the public. A standing aircraft display, The Mountbatten Pavilion (better known today as the dome) and a few other exhibitions with educational elements were the main attractions. Man's achievements for example, were featured in Model World where 1:36 scale models were displayed in a garden setting. The CN Tower dwarfs Nelson's Column, and The Pyramid of Cheops stands massive beside numerous other models, such as The Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Tower of London.
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Each year developments were made such as the history of man to a Celtic farmhouse and a Roman port. Waterbus trips were introduced, water skiing, windsurfing, Thorpe Farm, a nature trail, Magic Mill, 3D Cinema and so on. Although each and every one were very successful they lacked two vital elements - most were neither thrill seeking or participative.

Scanned in guidebook featuring the history of Thorpe Park:

Hold your mouse over a picture for a description.

Click for larger versions:

Hold your mouse over a picture for a description.

From the mid 1980's it was decided that for Thorpe Park to compete in the leisure industry, it needed to move away from it's original concept. The changing attitudes of the target audience bought about this change. Here is a list of attractions that were added each year:

Before 1987: Thorpe Park consisted of a few non-thrilling rides.

1987: Over 2 million was spent on the Thunder River rapids ride.
1988: The 630 seat Palladium Theatre opened.
1989: Canada Creek and it's attractions were born.
1990: Space Station Zero was re-themed in to Flying Fish. Carousel Kingdom and Drive In The Country opened.
1991: Fantasy Reef and it's attractions opened.
1992: Redevelopment of the children's ride area plus the introduction of The Hudson River Rafters and Viking Rowers.

1993: Calgary Stampede arrived with a virtual reality centre.
1994: Ranger Country opened with two new rides.
1995: Two more rides opened in Ranger Country. Project X construction began.
1996: X:\ No Way Out opened, one of the biggest investments in the history of the park.
1997: No new rides this season but the park was voted the most parent-friendly leisure park in the UK.
1998: The Dino Bumper Boat Ride opened as well as Wet! Wet! Wet!, torpedo water slides in the pool area.
1999: Following the Tussauds Group purchase of the park, Pirates 4D cinema opened starring Leslie Neilson.
2000: New this year was Tidal Wave. Fantasy Reef was re-named and re-themed.

2001: The park opened three new thrill rides: Zodiac, Vortex and the 100ft high drop tower, Detonator.

2002: Visitor numbers boomed with Colossus: The world's first ten looping coaster, and Ribena Rumba Rapids.

2003: Continuing the trend of large coasters, Nemesis Inferno was introduced.

2004: The mighty Samurai from Chessington replaced Calgary Stampede.

2005: Slammer and Rush, two creations from S&S opened in the spring and summer. Flying Fish was removed.

2006: Promoted as the 'Icon' ride for Thorpe Park, the launched coaster Stealth opened.

2007: Flying Fish makes a splash once again in its new location by Depth Charge.

2008: The aging Pirates 4D show was replaced by Time Voyagers.

Click for larger versions:

Hold your mouse over a picture for a description.

Today Thorpe Park remains one of Europe's leading leisure parks, with constantly rising visitor numbers. The past decade, in particular have seen a huge change from what was originally an exhibition style park to a highly successful leisure attraction particularly popular amongst the family and teen thrill markets. It is a restoration success story that has stood the test of time.

- Remember to visit the Wicked Witches Haunt page, click here.
- See more pictures from the past, in features.