Fright Nights Preview 2020

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 Fright Nights Fearfestival 2020

FRIGHT NIGHTS 2020 | Tickets and Hotel Deals

In the age of COVID-19 any Halloween event going ahead must be applauded for its bravery and ability to work around major obstacles. Thorpe Park's Fright Nights has been a major part of the resorts year ever since it burst onto the scene in 2002 and has always relied on scare mazes to attract crowds. This year the pandemic has led to the park only being able to operate outdoor mazes, meaning for the first time since 2003 the event will run with two mazes. The park however has knocked it out of the park with several other non maze attractions which will make an appearance at the 2020 event.


The event will run from the 9th of October to the 1st of November and opening times have been reduced by an hour to 10am to 9pm.


Platform 15 (2016-) 

Platform 15

Platform 15 has gone through many changes during its previous 4 seasons at the event, but its 5th may be the biggest. The route has swapped round with the start now being next to Samurai rather than in the old Canada Creek Railway station. This is most likely to remove the tunnel ending to help with social distancing. While on Saw The Ride if you look into the woodland the maze goes through you can see construction taking place, most likely to turn around buildings and sets to fit the route. Work can also be seen in the the Canada Creek Railway station and the mazes former queue line extension. I am excited to see the changes for this season although it is a shame there is now a £10 up charge for the maze but it is understandable looking at the current circumstances. 


Roots Of Evil (New For 2020)

Roots Of Evil

Roots of Evil is the parks new maze for the season and like Platform 15 will have a £10 up charge. Following the former route of the second incarnation of the Blair Witch maze which ran from 2018 to 2019, starting next to Jungle Escape and exiting next to Nemesis Inferno, this maze has a similar theme to its predecessor with overgrown paths and 'abominations' lurking throughout.  Much of the maze is hidden in the trees but the end scene in the shed has clearly been extended with a Platform 15 like tunnel in place and overgrown theming being added to the exit. This maze could definitely be one to watch, could it be a success like Creek Freak Massacre or just be an IP less Blair Witch?

Creek Freak: Unchained (New For 2020)

Creek Freaks Unchained2019 Fright Nights was blessed with Creek Freak Massacre, a great scare maze in Loggers Leap's old station. Due to the inability to have indoor scare mazes unfortunately Creek Freak Massacre cannot return in its 2019 form so instead for 2020 a scare zone will replace it, following the story from last year. Located in Old Town I think this will be one of the highlights of the event. If I had to make a prediction I would say it will engulf the whole area around Rocky Express due to the fact it is a dead end so no need for a empty path next to it as the Old Town rides close at 2pm. Lots of loud audio, chainsaws and lighting will make this attraction one not to miss! 

The Swarm: Invasion (New For 2020)

THE SWARM INVASION
Swarm Island is one of the best themed areas in the UK, but has always lacked atmosphere at Halloween with no scare attractions being based in the area. This will change for 2020 as a brand new scare zone will be added. The Swarm's story has never been built on since it opened in 2012 so hopefully this attraction can add to the lore of the ride, much like Alton Towers do with there scare attractions such as The Welcoming for Wickerman and The Sanctuary for The Smiler. Due to the narrow nature of the area I could see the zone being on the left hand side of The Swarm shop, meaning people who do not want to go through can go on the other side. This zone could be amazing if done well, costumes could be amazing with the focus being aliens and lighting and general ambience is already half way there with the coaster racing around above. Could we see the return of Les Coogan?

The Fearstival Arena (New For 2020)


The FEARSTIVAL Arena

The stage opposite Derren Brown's Ghost Train will not only host Oktoberfest but also The Fearstival Arena. Most likely to be similar to The Big Top Showtime in 2018 it is great to see the park are going for more shows in the park after the success they have received in previous years. Unlike Amity High I believe this show will be more magic and stunts, rather than dancing. Hopefully this show is at regular times and becomes a must see for this years event. It is great to see the park pushing entertainment rather than just attractions and I am hoping this is a success and something that can be brought into the normal season at the park. 

Terror At Amity High
Terror At Amity High (2018-)

One of the only successes of the 2018 event was Terror At Amity High. The first Fright Nights dance show has became a main stay at the event and always drew crowds outside Stealth in previous years. Hopefully the show remains similar to last season with some new changes. Make sure to get to the Stealth plaza 10 or so minutes before the advertised show time to see the actors roaming around making an Amity High mini scare zone!

The Howling Of Lycanthorpe High
The Howling Of LycanThorpe High (New For 2020)

Based in the old location of Bouncezilla and The Walking Dead: Do Or Die, this show could potentially be an almost sequel to Terror At Amity High. Hopefully this show goes off what the other dance shows do well and adds to it to keep the two dance attractions fresh and separate from one another. 

Extra Attractions

The event has lots of smaller attractions this year. Most notably 'The Crows' which will be a set of roaming actors around the theme park, this has lots of potential and hopefully has great costumes and interaction. Screamplexx Cinema returns for a third year and offers a great time to sit down, watch a horror short and break up your day a bit. The Luna Cinema will be returning with screenings of legendary horror movies after the park closes on select dates.

Conclusion

Although some may be disappointed by the lack of scare mazes this year and up charge fees, I personally believe this could be one of the best years of the event as the atmosphere will be all over the park in all areas. I can't wait and I'll be sure to attend and support the park several times.

Thanks for reading and be sure to follow @corkscrewcoast on Twitter for all the latest theme park news in the United Kingdom.

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