Thrill Nation attended the press event of Thorpe Park's Fright Nights 2017 to be one of the first victims to test out this year's attractions. For 2017, AMC's The Walking Dead, invades the park with 2 brand new live action horror mazes as well as roaming actors, including walkers and known characters from the popular TV series. 3 mazes from last year also returned to the event, as well as the live escape room, Containment.
The Big Top
Twist your way through THE BIG TOP, a carnival come back to life to terrorise those who dare to trespass. Will you succumb to the torturous antics of the wicked Figaro Bros. as they return for another year of crazed debauchery?
The Big Top returns for it's third consecutive year at Fright Nights with multiple changes and improvements from previous years. A new layout and scenes give a whole new experience. Improvements can be seen from the start, from the audio to the themeing. This year, you have several options of routes to take as well as taking on feedback from previous scenes to improve the general experience. Overall, it ends up being one of the top contenders for Thorpe Parks Fright Nights 2017, and our personal favourite.
Themeing & Story: 9/10 | Actors: 9/10 | Scare: 9/10 | Overall: 27/30
Saw: Alive
Guess who’s back to play? One of the most extreme live action horror mazes returns. Wind your way through heart-racing horror scenes and come face-to-face with Billy.
Saw Alive comes back for it's eighth year after opening all the way back in 2010. No changes have been made to the maze from previous years and follows the same route and scenes as before. Saying this, it is still a solid attraction for the fright night line up, however, is sadly seen to be more to the weaker side with other mazes stepping up this year. Regardless of the maze itself, the acting team seem very experienced and do know how to create some intense scares in a well known and loved attraction.
Themeing & Story: 6/10 | Actors: 4/10 | Scare: 3/10 | Overall: 13/30
Platform 15
Dare you depart on a one way ticket from PLATFORM 15, to trek along the forgotten railway line and uncover the chilling fate of the Sleepers, once passengers of the ill-fated Sleeper Express? As the next chapter of their story unfolds, will you outrun what lies at the end of the line or will your journey terminate here, at PLATFORM 15?
Platform 15 returns for it's second year with major improvements from last year. Adding new scenes as well as keeping to the original story line, creating an immersive experience. The actors are spread out and use the space they are given wisely, creating some top scares at critical points in the attraction. The effects really set the scene for Platform 15 this year, with mist covering the route ahead with pyrotechnics and flashing lights being used effectively with the soundtrack.
Themeing & Story: 8/10 | Actors: 8/10 | Scare: 7/10 | Overall: 23/30
The Walking Dead - Sanctum
In The Walking Dead: Sanctum, guests will experience a live-action outdoor maze like no other. Following in the footsteps of survivors, they have to navigate their way past the roaming walkers or risk being captured.
The Walking Dead Sanctum is brand new for 2017 and is one of the two new The Walking Dead mazes this year. Sanctum is based outside and is more like a scare zone. One of the shorter mazes Thorpe have to offer, yet it still packs a punch with several actors and some storyline to it also. The acting in this maze is on top form with some great hidden spots (even from the outside) to get you jumping out of your skin! The attraction is much better in the dark with all of the lighting and smoke effects but is also quite enjoyable during the daylight. The costumes and make up were also of high quality and really helped the attraction as a whole. Overall, not one of the scariest "mazes" we've been through, but still a great attraction to join the Thorpe Park line up this Fright Nights.
Themeing & Story: 3/10 | Actors: 7/10 | Scare: 4/10 | Overall: 14/30
The Walking Dead - Living Nightmare
The indoor maze called The Walking Dead: Living Nightmare will see visitors experience terrifying iconic scenes of the global phenomenon, including the world’s first live attraction featuring of season 7. They will join other survivors on the brink of death at the mercy of the notorious Negan.
The Walking Dead - Living Nightmare is the other Walking Dead maze for 2017. This one, based inside, shows iconic scenes from Season 1 all the way through to Season 7. Right from the start, characters such as Negan make an appearance and you start to remember some of the scenes from the series. The acting in this maze is really clever, using story telling at certain points whilst keeping the scares coming throughout. Several rooms inside this maze are very heavily themed and is some of the best we have seen in any horror attraction. Overall, a must do maze for all Walking Dead fans as it will not disappoint and will make you want to go round again and again!
Themeing & Story: 10/10 | Actors: 8/10 | Scare: 6/10 | Overall: 24/30
Park Themeing / Roaming Actors
Around the park, there are several themed elements linking in with The Walking Dead theme. From the bridge as you cross into the park and outside the mazes. These really help with the whole global phenomenon taking over the park. New lighting and smoke machines have also been added, to create a more spooky feeling for this years event. A new terminus burger has also been added to the Pulled Pork food outlet with the launch of The Walking Dead mazes. On top of all this, the roaming actors are back. We have seen a group of survivors walking around, being a part of Negan's group. As friendly as they might seem, you have no idea if they are friends or foes. After all, they are Negan, you are Negan, we are all Negan....
If you like the sound of our review, check out our documentary on the event below...
Otherwise, head over to Thorpe Park Resort and check out Fright Nights for 2017. You wouldn't want to miss the best one yet!