The New Derren Brown Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon at THORPE PARK Resort Review

Reviewed by Emma Salmon

Last year when the original ride was first announced, code named WC16, via sneak videos on Twitter and YouTube, along with a mind bogglingly tricky set of puzzles to solve, I was hooked and spent hours trying to work out what was being suggested. Having been a fan of Derren Brown for many years, and seen him live on several occasions, the idea of a Ghost Train, with him at the helm of design and concept, exceeded all expectations when it was finally revealed.

The ride opened last year, with a few technical hiccups and, as with his live shows, guests are requested to keep the actual contents of the experience a secret so as not to spoil the surprise for those who follow. Passengers travelling from Platform 13 reported a fully immersive psychological experience, quite unlike anything they had experienced before, but it lacked a level of ‘scare factor’ that the 2017 launch of Rise of the Demon hoped to address. Speaking to members of staff who had test ridden the train, they all felt that the brief had been fulfilled, and then some.

The ride is part virtual reality, part holographic interaction and part live action. The concept of using virtual reality is pretty new on the block for theme parks, and many just use them to provide a virtual ‘ride’ rather than as part of the experience itself. The HTC VIVE headset is deemed to be the best of them all, and is used to full capacity in this experience along with the Nokia’s 360-degree OZO camera. Although many of the teething problems last year seemed to be with the computer system overheating and the headsets not functioning our 15 minute ride went ahead without hitch.

We queue to enter the ride outside an old Victorian train station, plastered with doom laden posters, peeling paint and graffiti – a mix of old decay and postmodern Armageddon creating a feeling of unease and dystopia before we even start. I admit to feeling quite sick the nearer the entrance we get, and with trepidation we are ushered inside by a burly station master, who seems to have stepped right out of a Dicken’s novel.

We enter a room, where we are greeted by a hologram of Derren Brown who gives us the lowdown of why we like to frighten ourselves, and invites us to enter HIS ghost train ……

“You are going to find yourself in a unique experience,” he tells us, before finishing with a piece of advice: “If you do find yourself slipping down a rabbit hole, if it all gets too much, close your eyes, it’ll be easy.”

We are led along a causeway to a 20-tonne Victorian Carriage, which looks as though it is suspended mid-air by thick metal chains. Its deep red panelling belies the modern interior, which resembles a modern underground train, complete with promotional videos playing on advertising screens, promising that drilling for gas will deliver a utopian future for all, but occasional leaks required us to wear masks for our own safety, cleverly tying the VR headsets with a real life application. Once the headset is on VR kicks in, and you realise that, although you came into the carriage with 59 other people, you now are totally alone.

The ride recreates the feeling of movement – fast acceleration, the wind down the carriage, the shaking on the line – anyone would recognise the effect of travelling on the Tube – but this is a journey with a difference as you become aware of the dangers lurking deep underground and are warned of the horrors by an array of characters who warn you of the corrosive effects of the gas as the lights switch on and off, and windows smash.

Suddenly you are hurried off the train and into a cramped, smoky and frenetic area of live action, where it is hard to tell what is real and what is a horrific fantasy – the hysteria and screams of the group become contagious as you are herded along a smoke filled tunnel as panic warnings shout out to cover your faces and don’t let anyone touch you – and you return to another train to get out.

This time when you put on your headset you are not alone, there are several other people along with you in the carriage, but again things escalate very badly, very quickly and quite fatally for many of your companions as it becomes evident that your journey is a literal one way ticket to hell, complete with demons grabbing at you. Just as you plunge to your demise Derren’s voice comes through your earpiece to count you back into reality, and you can disembark for the relative safety of the shop……………..

The VR creates an immersive theatre – there are 12 different storylines and 2 different endings, which add to the disorientating feelings of otherworldliness, as everyone seems to have a different perception of what happened to them. It also ensures that when (or should that be, IF) you go back, by choosing a different seat you can have a whole new adventure.

The really clever mix of modern media technology combined with the tradition of the ghost train, and a sophisticated use of psychological makes this one of the most incredible experiences I have had. Heart stopping at times but strangely enjoyable!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets fro THORPE PARK Resort cost from £29.99 (if booked online in advance).

Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is now open at THORPE PARK Resort, for more information or to book tickets online visit www.thorpepark.com.

THORPE PARK Resort, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PN