Under strict embargo until 00.01 hours on Friday 8 July 2016

THE SECRETS BEHIND DERREN BROWN’S GHOST TRAIN REVEALED…

  • The WORLD’S first multi-sensory theme park experience launches today at Thorpe Park Resort - from the acclaimed British maestro of mind control Derren Brown
  • After over three years in the making the ground-breaking attraction is a total reinvention of the Ghost Train for the 21st Century, which combines cutting edge VR technology and illusion to create an exciting new experience for thrill-seekers
  • Rated PG-13, the new attraction promises to blow guests’ minds by fusing five multi-sensory experiences: grand illusion, live action, next generation technology, 4D special effects and physical transit
  • The fully-immersive high-octane experience takes passengers on an apocalyptic journey which will leave guests questioning their perception of reality

THORPE PARK Resorttoday announces the launch of the world’s first ever multi-sensory theme park experience - Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

Marking a new dawn in theme park experiences, this world first deeply psychological thrill ride aims to trick and disorientate guests as they board what appears to be a suspended 20ft Victorian Carriage.

Rated PG13 and with the Park’s longest restrictions board to date – the attraction includes virtual reality, special effects and live action, with the largest static illusion in the world – the suspended Victorian carriage. The Ghost Train resides in a 2,306 metre square warehouse,in the heart of the Resort.

Each passenger will enjoy an intense and personal experience. The vibrating floor plates and self-steaming windows, alongside virtual reality, all ensure high-octane live action throughout, toying with guest’s minds and perceptions of what is real and what is not.

The suspended Victorian Carriage is laden with secrets of a toxic gas leak which is hinted at in the queue line - as guests’pass through infection check points. A company called Sub Core Energy has been drilling into the earth’s core, and the results of their actions will lie in wait for guests on board Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

Even though guests will enter the experience as a group, they are isolated and alone once their VR headsets are on because everyone will disappear from around them. Once guests have finished their journey on board the Ghost Train they may find out what they saw was quite different to the person they sat next to.

Derren Brown comments:

“I’m thrilled that the ghost train is finally launching to the public and everyone will be able to experience what I’ve been working on behind the scenes over the last three years.

“This has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve undertaken, but without doubt the most enjoyable. I can’t wait to see the public’s reaction after unleashing this wonderfully twisted experience for the world to enjoy.

“From training the actors to shovelling coal under the suspended Ghost Train, this experience with the team at Merlin Magic Making and Thorpe Park has been a perpetual delight.

Mike Vallis, Divisional Director of THORPE PARK Resort commented:“We’re thrilled to announce the opening of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train. This is a true world-first attraction and believe this development is a daring and exciting step into a new realm for theme park attractions around the world.

The attraction is a full assault on guests’ senses and will play with their minds - in an original and fully-immersive experience. We ask that guests keep their experience secret, so that other visitors are also allowed to take their journey unaware of the shocks that lie behind the doors once they board the Ghost Train.”

Guests will be subject to a variety of multi-sensory surprises throughout the journey including a series of high-octane live action sequences where participants will take centre stage in the story. And like his TV shows and stage performances, Brown will toy with guests’ minds and perceptions throughout the journey on board the Ghost Train until they no longer know what is real, before leaving them on a cliff-hanger ending.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

TICKETS

Tickets start from £27.99 and are available from

RIDE FACTS

*The Victorian train carriage itself has been modelled on an antique carriage built in 1903; the North Eastern Railway clerestory bogie composite coach No.3071

*Next generation technology includes HTC Vive’s VR headsets which are one element of the overall experience. HTC’s Vive is a market leader which has received a phenomenal reception at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Las Vegas. The Vive headset has a stunning high-definition display, running at 90 frames per second, and together with Steam VR from Valve, offers class-leading motion-tracking technology ensuring positional and rotational tracking sub-millimetre accuracy. A unique feature is that multiple headsets can work in the same space with no impact on performance. This makes it the ideal choice for Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

ABOUT THORPE PARK Resort

With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events to enjoy, THORPE PARK Resort is the ‘must do’ destination for thrill and chill seeking families and friends – located just 10 miles from Greater London. NEW for 2016, fans will be able to experience a unique NEW attraction created by the master of mind, Derren Brown.

Brave iconic rides such as the UK’s first winged rollercoaster THE SWARM, SAW – The Ride, the world’s first horror movie themed rollercoaster, STEALTH, one of Europe’s fastest and tallest roller coasters and COLOSSUS, the world’s first ten inversion rollercoaster, as well as attractions such as RUSH, the world’s largest Speed Swing. Younger theme park fans can grab their adrenaline apprenticeship as they ride on junior coasters X and The Flying Fish, before enjoying rides like the gravity defying ZODIAC and magic carpet ride QUANTUM. There are also FOURwater rides to excite the whole family, including the ultimate super-soaker TIDAL WAVE and STORM SURGE.

Don’t forget to make the most of your stay and book into the Park’s bitesize accommodation at the THORPE SHARK Hotel.