Thorpe Park Event Timeline

1991- Fantasy Reef is renamed as Neptune’s Kingdom this year. This area contains Depth Charge, and the beach areas.

1992 - The Hudson River Rafters and Viking Rowers opened this year, along with the Redevelopment of the children's ride area into what is now known as Octopus Garden.

1993 - Canada Creek grows as the Calgary Stampede as added next to Loggers Leap.

1994 - Thorpe Park’s mascots get their own area near the back of the park, named Ranger Country.

1995 - Project X started construction starts and the “Magic Mill” is re-themed into Tropical Travels. The “Fungle Safari” also opened this year.

1996 - RMC’s biggest and last major investment to the park is opened. X:\ No Way Out was the worlds first ‘blackwards’ rollercoaster. The park launched a huge advertising campaign declaring that there is No Way Out!

1997 - Whilst no new attractions opened this year, the park won the Tommy award for its dedication towards family fun.

1998 - For the second year running, the park won the Tommy Award. Not only this but three new attractions were added. The ‘Dare Devil Drivers’ was a dodgems ride located near the entrance at the park, ‘Dino-boats’ were basic bumper boats near Tropical Travels and ‘Wet Wet Wet’ was built near Depth Charge. Tussauds also purchased the park mid-season.

1999 - Tussauds added the first attraction, Pirates 4D near Wicked Witch’s Haunt. The film is still playing today.

2000 - The first new direction ride added by Tussauds, Tidal Wave was Europe’s highest and fastest water ride. Featuring a brand new themed area called Amity Cove, the ride was a hit for the park. Unfortunately the success was eclipsed by a fire in July which completely destroyed Wicked Witches Haunt, the parks only dark ride. The rides structure was torn down shortly leaving a large space in the centre of the park. Tropical Travels was also damaged in the fire. A temporary Enterprise was added.

2001- The park opened with news that the Worlds first 10 looping rollercoaster was to be added the following year. This buzz was helped along by three new additions. Zodiac (which was the Enterprise) was made a permanent feature in Lost City along with a KMG afterburner named Vortex. A 115 foot drop tower called Detonator was added into Central Park on the space where wicked Witches Haunt used to live. Unfortunately Watchdog picked up on the parks poor reliability during Easter half term where Detonator and Zodiac were often closed and Vortex was not even constructed. Luckily the park shook the criticism and opened Vortex in June.

2002 - Thorpe Park opened the world’s first 10 looping roller coaster this year, Colossus. Extensive coverage of Tussauds brand new Intamin record breaker featured in the media on the rides opening day, 22nd March. Along with the opening of the looper another rollercoaster was announced for 2003. Nemesis Inferno was to be built in Central Park, a successor to the original Nemesis at Alton Towers. This was the first year of Fright Nites.

2003 - To start the new season, Thorpe featured a premier screening of its new addition. Nemesis Inferno was a hit with its guests in its first season and its popularity continues to grow. Unlike Colossus, Nemmy had to share its debut year with Quantum (a magic carpet) and Eclipse (a Ferris wheel). Eclipse offered excellent views of the rides from above the trees whilst Quantum offered a fun and thrilling ride to Thorpe’s line up. This was to be Calgary Stampede’s last season as the ride was seen as less exciting compared to the parks recent additions. Samurai was announced as moving from Chessington to accommodate its space.

2004 - Samurai opens to a rather muted audience as the ride was seen as slower then other rides of its type. Teacup Twisters opens with a new Amity cove style, renamed “Storm in a Teacup.” The park announces two new rides for 2005. The year was seen as a disappointment by enthusiasts as “night rider” which was heavily advertised in 2003 maps was cancelled as well as the firework nights which had long been a feature during the RMC days. Also the Flying Fish, one of Thorpe’s old favorites flies for the final time (or so we thought) as it is removed for Stealth construction.

2005 - Slammer, a new S&S Skyswat opens a few days late but offering a different take on going up-side down. Unfortunately the ride had poor reliability and on one occasion leaving guests up-side down. Rush, an S&S Swing opens late May. Stealth construction begins in mid April with the ride track completed in September. The Fright Nite mazes are renamed and styled to “The Assylum” and “Hellgate”

2006 - Thorpe Park’s signature rollercoaster Stealth opened this year. It launches riders 0-80mph in just 2.3 seconds. In July The Flying Fish is announced to be returning. Away from rides the park begins a new event, named “Be Discovered” with singing competitions taking place in the Dome. Fright Nites also features a new maze, named Se7en and themed around the seven deadly sins.

2007 - The park opens for the February half term making it the earliest opening of the park ever. Whilst limited rides were available, three of the major rollercoasters were open to guests, as were a number of flat rides. Flying Fish flew back with a new surfer dude theme-tune. Finally, the fireworks returned in a new event named Thorpe Blast.