I am very lucky to have loved this ride when I was 5 so much that I own a postcard of the skull chandelier in all it's 1980 glory. Agree with another commenter on here that while it was not scary there was a lot going on much like a Bosch painting and was almost like a journey or decent into madness and hell the further you went never knowing what to see next. Much liek the video from ring full of disturbing imagery.
Wish they would bring haunted houses back to the UK. No more laser gun rides,
1:22 it's Sweeney Todd in a ride looks like one for pie and it's werid because he closes the window shades he doesn't let anyone see what he dose and Mrs. lovett is too fat and her shop isn't that close to Sweeney's shop
Went thorpe park today and the same style seat they still have on the carousel reminded me of this. Where was this ride? like around where detonator is now? Also where was that rabbits boat ride? Also saw octopus gardens closed off permanently so prob not long before banana boat is gone too, theyre only good for nostalgia value for old customers really in its current thrill seeker setting, im looking forward to the new rollercoasters coming
That sooo brings back memories! the amount of times I went on this ride as a kid! luved this and Magic Mill. shame they burnt down cos they were great. Thanks so much for posting this :-)
I loved this ride as a kid! Only ever went on it twice (When I visited with my Grandad) as my Mum was always over protective bless her! Thorpe could do with a cool dark ride. Oh and before I get jumped on as Thorpe is now a "Thrill seekers paradise", this particular Thrill seeker still has to entertain her young Kids somehow while waiting for whoever I'm with to queue fro a coaster/ride with the Q share passes! :)
@LittlestarRed I totally agree, tame rides are even good for the thrill seekers as they give them something to do while waiting for their Fast Track. Considering Thorpe Park is number 1 for Halloween events a re-vamp of the ghost train would fit in perfectly.
This was by far my favourite ride at Thorpe Park and you didn't have to queue long to get on it. I went there most years between 1984-1993 and if memory serves they frequently changed the walk in part. I think the best one was where they made it look like a court room on the day of judgment. The ride was good because it wasn't frightening but it was slightly disturbing and there was alot going on.
I worked as a member of the Street Theatre Team at Thorpe Park in 1993 and I LOVED this ride. I spent all my spare time hanging out in the walk-through section, jumping out at visitors. Thank you so much for posting it - I never thought I'd see this again.
I'd love a copy, but it's not the one taken from the Thorpe Park Memories website, is it? Because the mp3 on there is the one I made myself. Not great quality but, as you say, no one on it (I worked there as an actor in 1993 and made the recording before the park opened). Please let me know if not as I'd like a better one!
It's really sad because I only ever remember coming to Thorpe Park prior to the fire when I was really little (like 3 or 4) so I don't remember the rides, but I've been asking my mum!
I have very vague memories of this ride and Magic Mill, not enough to remember the ride tho =[
Ooo i memba dish ride i was like 5 years old i fiink :S. I went on it n ah still mebah ah had my eyes shut throught the ride. N mah brother wen on dah ride n he cme out the ride with his lips cut n so much blood everywhere. Mah Family thought it myhh have been reallu haunted. They shuld have bought this ride back.
oh thanks for putting this on here!!, shame it aint there now..oh the memories, even the smell of the place came back to me just watching this, best ride there, no wonder i like my horrors lol..i used to get off this ride and just get back on it straight away...great days..thankyou!!! : )
the head at the beginning reminds me of lon chany!!(sorry i can't spell his name) i saw very many different horror films on the ride!! it would have been better if it was still around and we could see it.
Thanks for posting this, I lived in Thorpe and worked at the Park around this time. I remember the tape being a bit dodgy that plays the background noise, hence some of the DONGS sound a bit weird!
This ride was the best ghost train I've ever been on. Some of it was really creepy and sinister. I mean, the ballroom dancing skeletons - who thought up this sort of stuff?
Really? I knew there was a gravel pit next to Thorpe Park (as I used to think a massive converyer belt in the sky was a ride as a kid) but never knew they owned it!
I must have been about 5 or 6 when I first went on this ride when it was turned into the Wicked Witches Haunt. It's amazing how I can watch this video and remember the props and sounds of the place. I'll never forget this ride as my first proper scare. Thanks for the childhood memories :)
I went on this ride when i was six FOUR DAYS before the fire happened! me and my dad went on and i loved it and i remember the tudors eating their dinner in red light!! X
Can Anyone have some or can find some footage of the old Pirates Train Ride that used to be at thorpe park? Had a wee look but am having no results:( pls msg me people with any results! Many thanks
I worked on this ride for a while in 1997, with the lights on the ride was a complete mess, sets built mostly of thin wood and cardboard.
the roof had a motorised roof that would lift in the event of fire to let out the smoke, but even still it used to worry me whilst working on it , very dark and depressing job.
the younger members of staff used to smoke, drink and have sex in the control booth.
I really am suprised it lasted so long and nobody got killed!
Wow that was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park too! So great to see it again - such a shame it went in the fire - along with my other favourite Thorpe Park ride as a kid, The Magic Mill!! - please bring them back, Thorpe park isn't Thorpe Pak without them
Well done with the video, amazing footage, this was like my favourite ride at thorpe park in the 90's, its a real shame its gone now but as someone else mentioned apparently they're going to build a new ghost train at thorpe park in the not to distant future, hopefully they'll resurect phantom fantasia, was a great ride!!
I went on this ride in the early 90's and it broke down now that was scary.....yep this was my fave ride back in the day all we need see now is a vid of space station zero !!
Top marks for the video, well done! The ride however I'm not into at all. Its way too disney and clean looking (the skeletons are even bleached). I like darkrides to be dingey, dirty, gory, and with a bit of well placed nudity like Draculas Castle in WW was (RIP). Also not a single trick tries to scare the patron which isn't a good thing. This ride was clearly made with small children in mind.
wow this ride was great! i went on it when it was Wicked Witches Haunt in the early 90s, but i was so little i hardly remember any of it! I cried when this and 'Mr Rabbits tropical travels' burnt down. Thorpe Park is long overdue for a new darkride!! They should call it 'The Wicked Witch returns'!
Phantom Fantasia was built by MACK a German Theme park designers, and was actually a Copy of a Ride called geisterschloss at Europa Park which still exists - In fact there's a video on here of it!
Phantom Fantasia was class though - along with Chessingtons 5th Dimension and Prof burbs Bubble works!
Wow, this takes me back... When I was a school kid in the 80s, this ride was legendary. I still think it was one of the only decent dark rides we've had in this country, a real shame it has gone for good... I must also say that the Disneyland Paris Haunted Mansion, although quite a bit more sophisticated, has some really similar features - any idea if it's the same ride manufacturer?
This is the same ride model as The Spirit of London at Madame Tussauds London. Looked really good, shame it burnt down when I was really young. :(
SnappyPenguins 1 week ago
Fucking terrifying wen I was younger I'm 23 now and this video brings back so many amazing memories cheers for the upload :)
shatoogan 1 month ago
Thanks for posting this video, brings back lots of memories, you don't happen to have one of space station zero by any chance ?
benjyboba 5 months ago
God, how I miss this ride
I walk past Detonator and think of the better days ( before Detonator was there )
andyknight1 5 months ago
There is something chilling that this ride burnt down.
JCVDbaby 6 months ago
It looks pretty nice for a good paranoia feel and maybe some relaxing sicne it's slow.
Danzilla1996 7 months ago
Pity it's no longer around. The amount of detail shown in the video was pretty astounding.
Filmwolf1 8 months ago
this was the BEST ride ever, so sad to find out that it burnt down, I'm coming down there in July and i know it won't be there :-(((
forkihalei 8 months ago
lol at this ride
NiksDjs 10 months ago
I am very lucky to have loved this ride when I was 5 so much that I own a postcard of the skull chandelier in all it's 1980 glory. Agree with another commenter on here that while it was not scary there was a lot going on much like a Bosch painting and was almost like a journey or decent into madness and hell the further you went never knowing what to see next. Much liek the video from ring full of disturbing imagery.
Wish they would bring haunted houses back to the UK. No more laser gun rides,
Nebucanezzer 1 year ago
please upload the wicked witches haunt before it got on fire! PLZ!
Emilythebrawler 1 year ago
Thanks so much for re-living the magic!
irawryouman 1 year ago
2 – Sweeny Todd, the demon Barber, slitting someone’s throat while next door Mrs. Lovett makes pies with fingers protruding from the crust.
horrorstudieo 1 year ago
1:22 it's Sweeney Todd in a ride looks like one for pie and it's werid because he closes the window shades he doesn't let anyone see what he dose and Mrs. lovett is too fat and her shop isn't that close to Sweeney's shop
horrorstudieo 1 year ago
Comment removed
horrorstudieo 1 year ago
Yes, the.lady in the lake is still where she's always been. The sword to this day sticks out of the water, but is no longer in a public area.
Neilfever 1 year ago
@Neilfever Where is this?
benneb07 9 months ago
does anyone else remember there was a castle at thorpe park wen u looked in the window there was a battle going on ???
and the lady of the lake??
sycomac 1 year ago
Went thorpe park today and the same style seat they still have on the carousel reminded me of this. Where was this ride? like around where detonator is now? Also where was that rabbits boat ride? Also saw octopus gardens closed off permanently so prob not long before banana boat is gone too, theyre only good for nostalgia value for old customers really in its current thrill seeker setting, im looking forward to the new rollercoasters coming
kmm559 1 year ago
Haunted Mansion rip-off much?
8DXD8 1 year ago
great memories! they should close x-no way out and turn that into a phantom fantasia style ride.
thebryman 1 year ago
That sooo brings back memories! the amount of times I went on this ride as a kid! luved this and Magic Mill. shame they burnt down cos they were great. Thanks so much for posting this :-)
nezhead12 1 year ago
It looks bad
NiksDjs 1 year ago
if they still had this ride they would turn this into a interactive dark ride like usual
smartguest 1 year ago
I loved this ride as a kid! Only ever went on it twice (When I visited with my Grandad) as my Mum was always over protective bless her! Thorpe could do with a cool dark ride. Oh and before I get jumped on as Thorpe is now a "Thrill seekers paradise", this particular Thrill seeker still has to entertain her young Kids somehow while waiting for whoever I'm with to queue fro a coaster/ride with the Q share passes! :)
LittlestarRed 1 year ago
@LittlestarRed I totally agree, tame rides are even good for the thrill seekers as they give them something to do while waiting for their Fast Track. Considering Thorpe Park is number 1 for Halloween events a re-vamp of the ghost train would fit in perfectly.
PepsiMewMew 1 year ago
@PepsiMewMew Very True! There aren't enough 'good' dark rides at UK Theme parks in general, but Thorpe is sadly lacking in particular!
LittlestarRed 1 year ago
thank you for posting this is a real treasure u hav ehere it brings back childhood memories
nikkijscraig 1 year ago
This was by far my favourite ride at Thorpe Park and you didn't have to queue long to get on it. I went there most years between 1984-1993 and if memory serves they frequently changed the walk in part. I think the best one was where they made it look like a court room on the day of judgment. The ride was good because it wasn't frightening but it was slightly disturbing and there was alot going on.
Tuberstar08 1 year ago
miss this ride so much.......
inconceivabledark 1 year ago
I worked as a member of the Street Theatre Team at Thorpe Park in 1993 and I LOVED this ride. I spent all my spare time hanging out in the walk-through section, jumping out at visitors. Thank you so much for posting it - I never thought I'd see this again.
GuildfordGhost 2 years ago
:D I have the music/man talkin in a mp3, anyone want it? Its recorded but its a good one without any people.
benneb07 2 years ago
I'd love a copy, but it's not the one taken from the Thorpe Park Memories website, is it? Because the mp3 on there is the one I made myself. Not great quality but, as you say, no one on it (I worked there as an actor in 1993 and made the recording before the park opened). Please let me know if not as I'd like a better one!
GuildfordGhost 2 years ago
they should do a revamp, like a survival horror, or a shoot em up, where you can choose the ending
rayblack2004 2 years ago
But its gone... Waaaaayyyy gone....
benneb07 2 years ago
still, it would be cool to do a theme park that was like the ones we grew up with.
rayblack2004 2 years ago
IT's a shame they never rebuilt it, as I always loved going on it as a kid.
Plus there was never a queue to go on it!
ScrewAttackEurope 2 years ago
It's really sad because I only ever remember coming to Thorpe Park prior to the fire when I was really little (like 3 or 4) so I don't remember the rides, but I've been asking my mum!
I have very vague memories of this ride and Magic Mill, not enough to remember the ride tho =[
Same with alot of the old Chesington rides.
overgrowneden 2 years ago 2
this is when thorpe park was awesome, its just alton towers part 2 now.....
NintyGuy999 2 years ago 3
I'd say it was indecisive land myself
rayblack2004 2 years ago
Ooo i memba dish ride i was like 5 years old i fiink :S. I went on it n ah still mebah ah had my eyes shut throught the ride. N mah brother wen on dah ride n he cme out the ride with his lips cut n so much blood everywhere. Mah Family thought it myhh have been reallu haunted. They shuld have bought this ride back.
DhattWifayy 2 years ago
oh thanks for putting this on here!!, shame it aint there now..oh the memories, even the smell of the place came back to me just watching this, best ride there, no wonder i like my horrors lol..i used to get off this ride and just get back on it straight away...great days..thankyou!!! : )
daddyscafff 2 years ago 2
the head at the beginning reminds me of lon chany!!(sorry i can't spell his name) i saw very many different horror films on the ride!! it would have been better if it was still around and we could see it.
phantomess1870 2 years ago
haha nice one. I worked in the shop for a while when you exit the ride. Brings back memories...
tfrancis13 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this, I lived in Thorpe and worked at the Park around this time. I remember the tape being a bit dodgy that plays the background noise, hence some of the DONGS sound a bit weird!
wicksta1 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this, Neil. Brings back so many memories. I did the one at Europa Park for the senimental value. We need this ride back.
andyknight1 2 years ago
did this ride have any drops?
jimbolimboboy 2 years ago
No it was a small haunted house ride like Phantom Manor
THORPEPARKOFF 2 years ago
The ballroom dancing skeletons were amazing. That image has imprinted itself on my mind.
Aueneye 3 years ago 3
they had a Sweeny Todd set on the ride, now after I saw that movie I realized what that was all about on the ride
1000FeatheredOwl 3 years ago
I read somewhere that they might be planning to build a new haunted house for 2013. But it is a pity that this one was destroyed, nether the less.
CompleteMurder23 3 years ago 3
yeah, i'm thinking it could be in amity cove or canada creek
rasmet0193 3 years ago
BTW, wasn't the ride called Phantom Phantasia, because Disney owned copyright on Fantasia?
ScrewAttackEurope 3 years ago
I imagine the it was a pun on Pantoms.
compressedfilms 2 years ago
Whats a Pantom?
ScrewAttackEurope 2 years ago
a type of ghost, i think its similar to a wraith
rayblack2004 2 years ago
I thought that was a Phantom.
ScrewAttackEurope 2 years ago
omg i never new aobut this! damn! wish it didnt get burned down lol
duncz001 3 years ago
This ride was the best ghost train I've ever been on. Some of it was really creepy and sinister. I mean, the ballroom dancing skeletons - who thought up this sort of stuff?
Perranporth 3 years ago
'who thought up this sort of stuff?' - Ready Mix Concrete - the original owners of Thorpe Park before Tussards/Merlin.
TonyW1000 3 years ago
Really? I knew there was a gravel pit next to Thorpe Park (as I used to think a massive converyer belt in the sky was a ride as a kid) but never knew they owned it!
ScrewAttackEurope 3 years ago
wasent tht ride burnt down?
MoggyMolly 3 years ago
Thanks so much for this video. This ride is one of my earliest theme park memories
SkepticsClaw 3 years ago
I must have been about 5 or 6 when I first went on this ride when it was turned into the Wicked Witches Haunt. It's amazing how I can watch this video and remember the props and sounds of the place. I'll never forget this ride as my first proper scare. Thanks for the childhood memories :)
D00Z00 3 years ago
I went on this ride when i was six FOUR DAYS before the fire happened! me and my dad went on and i loved it and i remember the tudors eating their dinner in red light!! X
justmeandmyfriendsx 3 years ago 2
I was there on the same day as you!
Perranporth 3 years ago
i remember this ride but it is pointless being re-built because thorpe park has become an ultimate thrill theme park !!
061tclos 3 years ago
Thorpe park needs to build a creepy indoor ride its the only tussards park with out a dark ride now!
clevm002 3 years ago 3
What a great dark ride! R.I.P.
Thank you for the video. Its om my fave list.
Thank you for the Time Capsule.
betelman 3 years ago 3
Can Anyone have some or can find some footage of the old Pirates Train Ride that used to be at thorpe park? Had a wee look but am having no results:( pls msg me people with any results! Many thanks
drewpzoot 3 years ago 7
@drewpzoot Treasure Island Railway????
Xenomorph237 1 year ago
It took me, as a kid, about 2 hole years before i had the kohunas to go on this ride! Tob job posting it! many thaks :)
drewpzoot 3 years ago 3
i was so young when i went on this, i can still remember the dancing skeletons at the end and the witch. thankyou for this refresh in my memory.
starbattle 4 years ago 2
this was also called the Wicked wiches haunt but sadly it went in 2000 by a fire!
KatanaS2 4 years ago
Not suprised it burned down.
I worked on this ride for a while in 1997, with the lights on the ride was a complete mess, sets built mostly of thin wood and cardboard.
the roof had a motorised roof that would lift in the event of fire to let out the smoke, but even still it used to worry me whilst working on it , very dark and depressing job.
the younger members of staff used to smoke, drink and have sex in the control booth.
I really am suprised it lasted so long and nobody got killed!
compressedfilms 4 years ago 8
@compressedfilms Oh no you have just shattered all my childhood memories lol!
bumperboy 1 year ago
this was the best dark ride in all the world, it really was and anyone who rode it understands why, RE BUILD IT THORPE PARK!
FRIENDLYMEXICANBOY 4 years ago
YEA RE BUILD IT! ... it was so creepy it has to be rebuilt !
clevm002 3 years ago 4
this ride changed to the wicked witchs haunt in 1995 i think.
KatanaS2 4 years ago
phantom fantasia terrified me when I was 6. It was sweeney todd that did it haha
GRANKOR 4 years ago
Amazing!
rottenbitch 4 years ago
The Wicked Wiches Haunt!
altontowersnerd 4 years ago
Wow that was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park too! So great to see it again - such a shame it went in the fire - along with my other favourite Thorpe Park ride as a kid, The Magic Mill!! - please bring them back, Thorpe park isn't Thorpe Pak without them
ellh874 4 years ago 2
Well done with the video, amazing footage, this was like my favourite ride at thorpe park in the 90's, its a real shame its gone now but as someone else mentioned apparently they're going to build a new ghost train at thorpe park in the not to distant future, hopefully they'll resurect phantom fantasia, was a great ride!!
ChrisRedDevil86 4 years ago
This was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park, my brother and I would continue to sit in the cradles and keep going round. The best sit down ride ever.
angelselondon 4 years ago
I went on this ride in the early 90's and it broke down now that was scary.....yep this was my fave ride back in the day all we need see now is a vid of space station zero !!
sebloveX 4 years ago
Top marks for the video, well done! The ride however I'm not into at all. Its way too disney and clean looking (the skeletons are even bleached). I like darkrides to be dingey, dirty, gory, and with a bit of well placed nudity like Draculas Castle in WW was (RIP). Also not a single trick tries to scare the patron which isn't a good thing. This ride was clearly made with small children in mind.
jungletekno 5 years ago
I'd love to see another dark ride to replace it but it'd probably be filled with lasers and junk and I don't want that. :oP
nuclearbuddha 5 years ago
i heard that there gonna make a ghost train (no lasers)in the year 2013 in thorpe park talk about planning for the future
marleymation 5 years ago
wow this ride was great! i went on it when it was Wicked Witches Haunt in the early 90s, but i was so little i hardly remember any of it! I cried when this and 'Mr Rabbits tropical travels' burnt down. Thorpe Park is long overdue for a new darkride!! They should call it 'The Wicked Witch returns'!
Rachael8989 5 years ago
When I was 1 year old lol
coughingg 5 years ago
Phantom Fantasia was built by MACK a German Theme park designers, and was actually a Copy of a Ride called geisterschloss at Europa Park which still exists - In fact there's a video on here of it!
Phantom Fantasia was class though - along with Chessingtons 5th Dimension and Prof burbs Bubble works!
snowglobe82 5 years ago
i dont really know what to say. I can only remember various diffrent parts of this, riding it back in 1995. You are a star!
lamptonimagebank 5 years ago
Wow, this takes me back... When I was a school kid in the 80s, this ride was legendary. I still think it was one of the only decent dark rides we've had in this country, a real shame it has gone for good... I must also say that the Disneyland Paris Haunted Mansion, although quite a bit more sophisticated, has some really similar features - any idea if it's the same ride manufacturer?
soundrome 5 years ago
Yay. I've been waiting years and years for a video like this.
nuclearbuddha 5 years ago