-

2004-2009

On 20th August 2003, Thorpe Park submitted a Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP)  to Runnymede council. The plan sets out the vision for development at the park until 2009, and provides the framework within which more detailed planning applications will follow. This page lists the main features of the plan and highlights what enthusiasts look for.

Please note that the plans on this page have been taken from the files on the Runnymede Council website. Download the full set from http://www.runnymede.gov.uk.

-

What follows is a brief summary of projects proposed (does not mean they will happen) in the MTDP. The grey text means that the selected plan was not carried out at the relevant time.

-

2004

- Mondial Topscan (Samurai from Chessington) in place of Calgary Stampede

- New arena show in place of Spiderman

- High Season Lake Show using a structure on Abbey Lake - next to Thorpe Belle

- Extensions of various buildings around the park to increase capacity

- Infilling of lakes to start

-

2005

- Introduction of second Detonator tower

- Two high capacity thrill rides

- Widening of entry bridge and routes through dome

- A central engineering, landscaping and recycling facility

- Continued infilling of lakes (area around Dome)

-

2006

- Installation of a Intamin Hydraulic Rocket Coaster in Model World - signature ride for the park

- A round ride

- Ownership of the RMC plant site next to existing car park - overflow car park relocated

- Continued infilling of lakes

-

2007

- Establishment of an all season lake arena show

- A round ride

- High capacity ride (Flying Fish)

- Continued infilling of lakes

-

2008/9

- A coaster in Canada Creek of similar scale to Nemesis Inferno

-

You may be thinking how is all this going to fit? Well in simple terms, parts of the lakes will be filled in to create new park extensions and islands. To compensate the lake areas lost, land will be transformed / flooded in remote locations that are not near the main park area.

-

Two new islands will be created in Manor Lake. Locations of land extensions are Loggers Leap lake, Colossus area, Treasure Island, Peninsula and around the dome.

Areas that will be flooded are Thorpe Farm South in 2007, Thorpe Farm North in 2006, North Meadow in 2005 and an extension of the existing flood area in 2004. These are all visible on the diagram to the right.

-

The most attention seems to be around the two large coasters that are planned for 2006 and 2008. The layouts on the plans are for impression only, and are subject to change. They just give an idea of the area to be used.

-

2006 Coaster - 'Icon of the park'

The main plan at the top of the page shows what looks to be a Intamin Hydraulic Rocket Coaster in Model World and Flying Fish area. The layout looks very much like Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm in California, USA. This coaster launches riders from 0-82mph in 2.3 seconds up a 205ft Tophat element. Thorpe's version will be similar, without the overbank turns, but with a speed hill.

2008 Coaster - Unknown ride type

With the new land available from the infill site near Colossus, the plan shows another coaster of the non looping variety. The complete layout is not clear, but what is visible is highlighted in yellow. It is not known what type of coaster it is, but a paragraph in the MTDP states that a wooden coaster's structure may be too dense and is deemed not suitable for Thorpe Park. A B&M Flyer? Possibly.

The planning statement also mentions the long term plans for the park in minor detail. This will be the development of the infill islands and extensions. They may include attractions such as a Kids area, Runaway Train, Haunted House, Bobsleigh ride and another coaster. These are all once again subject to change and are only initial ideas. One project that is not mentioned in the plans is the retheme of X:\ No Way Out. Part of the long term plan shows a LIM Coaster on it's spot.

-

Well that's a summary of the MTDP. This page will be kept updated if more information becomes available.

Latest discussion on the plan can be found in the future section of the forum.