Phantom Fantasia ONRIDE video

In 1984, Thorpe Park opened Phantom Fantasia. A haunted house type ride, that took guests on a slow moving journey into the darkness.
The ride was changed very early on and most notably, the queue line, that opened originally with a 'cattle pen' queue, in front of a stage with some animations on, later became what is seen briefly on this video, a short walk through to the station.
In 1995 the ride was re-themed into Wicked Witch's Haunt, a lazy re-theme with some witch animations added here and there. Again, the most notable change was the ride entrance that was now one of the fire exits from the original queue line. A large laughing witch sat on top of the new entrance, and the hall way that once held the queue had been turned into an on ride photo unit.
In the year 2000 a fire destroyed the ride and that marked the end of its history.

[@marioyacoub]

I used to work during my school Easter and Summer holidays at Thorpe Park from around 1981-83. I worked as a litter picker, walking around the park with a black bin bag and a grabber on a pole. It was amazing exercise, I reckon I did about 12-15 miles a day and had the freedom of the park. I never got used to how filthy the habits were of the visitors. I used to follow behind some families picking up their discarded trash. I also had a summer working the rides for the small kids and also had various roles in the Phantom Fantasia ride. Such as marshalling the crowd around the snaking lines in a holding room, operating the ride or helping them in and out of the seats. This ride comprised of seats for up to 4 in the shape of a black sea shell. The linked shells would wind around and even go to a second level past an array of sets to frighten the visitors although they were a bit tame for older kids. Upstairs there was a large glass panel that the shells passed that looked down on to a Tudor feast made up of animatronics see 2:00. I remember having to clean the panel with colleagues at the end of each day with a bucket and cloth as it was covered in spittle. We decided to catch these people in the act. When teenage suspects clambered on we followed by standing on the platform next to the shell which was like a cowl. They were not even aware we were there looking directly at them because their eyes had not adjusted to the dark. Sure enough when we got to the Tudor scene they began with the spitting, I leaned over, turned on the torch to uplight my face and bellowed ‘STOP THAT!’ Their reaction was priceless, no doubt some wet themselves. Some kids loved it so went around again to be properly frightened and it seemed I had started something. My workmates and I took turns at giving them frights when they least expected it. The management caught wind of it after a few weeks and stopped us as it was feared we might inadvertently give someone a heart attack.

[@haribo6344]

Such an interesting account, except for the spit - just gross! I remember in the early 90s there was someone in the ride - but properly dressed up - as monk I think, so I guess your idea caught on! Was there a way to walk around the scenes? cos i remember some where really deep below the track! was with the Tudor scene - where where the hidden figures than lit up? I know how the effect is done - but can never get my head around at which angle the light needs to be to the figures etc. Do you remember much of the scenes inside?

[@marioyacoub]

Harry Peach no we didn’t have access to the animatronic sets themselves, I don’t even know how they were accessed. It wasn’t part of my job so I guess they didn’t have to tell me.

[@Rachael8989]

still seems amazing, even 25 years on. I really hate that this burnt down, as I think it may have been one of the only rides of Thorpe Park's past that may have survived in today's utterly different park. They may have killed off the rangers, culled the creatures in Octopus Garden and demolished so many other classics, but Phantom Fantasia/Wicked Witches Haunt would perhaps still be there, what with it's dark horror theming and the new adult direction of the park today. It would probably have laser guns though, like Alton Towers' Duel. It makes me so upset that such a beautiful, intricate, and properly spooky (unlike most of the ghost trains in the UK) ride was completely destroyed. :(

[@WillMundee]

15 years on

[@Rachael8989]

Sorry I meant 25 years from this video, not since the fire.

[@WillMundee]

+Rachael8989 Ah yes sorry

[@thephantomfantasia]

Never passed the entrance I like the magic mill which was next door I was shocked wen that got burnt because the fire started on Magic mills inside section of the main attraction then spread in to the wicked witch building plus I know how it started some one was smoking on the ride

[@thecinematicmind]

Mr Duncan's vlogs Whoever was smoking on the ride I hope was arrested and got a lifetime ban from entering Thorpe Park again at the time.

[@AvroHawker]

Takes me back to my childhood. This creeped me out, especially the queue line with the laughing skeleton King. Thanks for sharing

[@starbattle]

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.

[@drewpzoot]

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 :)

[@Rachael8989]

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'!

[@Gryljams]

I went on this in 1994 when I was a wee 4 years old (I think my dad probably dragged me on!). This brings back loads of memories; all the sounds are so nostalgic! Amazing upload, thanks!

[@Tuberstar08]

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.

[@LeppardPrintAnimal]

I was so scared of this ghost train as a kid that I had actual nightmares about it.

[@GuildfordGhost]

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.

[@Oatz1]

GuildfordGhost really....

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

This must be the only video copy of the ride, its amazing you caught it. This was one of my fave rides as a kid

[@flidson]

Yes - I rememeber that room so well. I was obsessed with this ride!

[@Bermondseybob]

Man did I love this thing as a kid! I remember going out of season one year and there were no lines for almost everything so I must have gone on this about 12 times that day! Great times!

[@nezhead12]

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 :-)

[@flowerhornpliskin]

Brings back so many memories. I loved this ride seems like there aren't many decent ghost trains in the UK anymore

[@andyknight1]

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.

[@Travelmatt23]

Used to love Wicked Witches Haunt as a child, I was gutted when I learnt the ride was destroyed by the fire back in 2000.

[@Larry]

They really should have rebuilt it.

[@lianarosebanana]

Brings back all my memories , loved this ride I think the 1st time I was on this was when i was 5

[@TheMistriBox]

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,

[@betelman]

What a great dark ride! R.I.P. Thank you for the video. Its om my fave list. Thank you for the Time Capsule.

[@ChrisRedDevil86]

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!!

[@chanapatata4925]

the visual hits just right for me… I wish we could still ride it :(

[@harrycallahan9143]

This was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park and they never really replaced it, instead we've got about 5 or 6 roller coasters now, how original...BRING IT BACK!!!

[@MarkAlden1978]

First time I went on this I scared myself lol But Phantom was a brilliant ride! Cheesy - but entertaining :D Loved it when staff would jump out at particular areas lol

[@erinloveswendy]

Hey! That Phantom Fantasia is not a cheesy Ride, it's a cool scary Ride that it was opened on October 25, 1983 before it was closed on July 21, 2000!

[@cecilyroberts1696]

It certainly was - I'm glad so many people remember that bit - I thought I was the only one who could.

[@inconceivabledark]

I have some very treasured memories of this place, my dad took me to thorpe Park loads of times and this was always my favorite ride. Gutted that it got destroyed but i hope they would one day make a bigger and better version.

[@WillMundee]

Derren Browns ghost train comes out in May 2016

[@inconceivabledark]

Yeah I don't know much about this Derrin Brown but I hope he makes it a good'un.... Maybe one day I'll be able to go on it if I'm not too old and have a pacemaker....

[@dollyholz]

My grandparents used to take me and my brother to thorpe park all the time when we were kids. Big part of my childhood. This was always one of my favourite rides. I loved the turns floor room lol. It broke down once when we were by the man handcuffing the lady and my bro freaked out lol. Remember that like it was yesterday, even the smell. How strange is that

[@tailsmileslover]

Loved this ride! My favourite bit was the bit with the skeletons dancing in the Georgian clothes.

[@dots532]

I miss this ride when I were little we used to always go ,,, that sparks my love of scary stuff

[@shatoogan]

Fucking terrifying wen I was younger I'm 23 now and this video brings back so many amazing memories cheers for the upload :)

[@inconceivabledark]

miss this ride so much.......

[@LittlestarRed]

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! :)

[@lucyberry9087]

Loved this ❤️ Somerville it got burnt down

[@compressedfilms]

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!

[@cecilyroberts1696]

Never!!! That really scared me when I was young - so did this - especially the skeleton ballroom scene.

[@rad92]

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.

[@mikekaraoke]

Overgrowneden-You must remember some of them

[@TimeBunny]

This was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park. It broke my heart when I found out what happened to it :(

[@thephantomfantasia]

I never got on this ride because I was so scared it was only wen it was rethemed to the wicked witch

[@TheRivetts]

the best ride ever made, I miss it so along with the magic mill

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

BTW, wasn't the ride called Phantom Phantasia, because Disney owned copyright on Fantasia?

[@leelavyas6170]

This was possibly the best themed ride of the park. Its a shame that it was demolished...But I think the fire changed the park from a family - friebdly park to a thrill park. R.I.P Phantom Fantasia.

[@cecilyroberts1696]

I certainly remember the Lady of the Lake and something similar to the castle.

[@HeyLaserLips]

I can't get it out my head that the last time I went on this ride was about 25 years ago. Where has that time gone?

[@FlyingHawlucha]

Enrages me to think some asshole burned it to the ground with a cigarette i was 1 years old when it happened i would have loved to have gone on it

[@thebryman]

great memories! they should close x-no way out and turn that into a phantom fantasia style ride.

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Whats a Pantom?

[@compressedfilms]

I imagine the it was a pun on Pantoms.

[@Rae0814]

I know I can't see it now, I'm a 2000s kid, but I wish I had. It looks so cool.

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

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!

[@benjyboba]

Thanks for posting this video, brings back lots of memories, you don't happen to have one of space station zero by any chance ?

[@1000FeatheredOwl]

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

[@Perranporth]

I was there on the same day as you!

[@TDarkReaperW]

cheers for the memories :)

[@DGneoseeker1]

Is this the ride I'm thinking of that at some point had a pretty big entrance/queue room with skeletal chandeliers? And weird clamshell-like seats/cars? I can't imagine what else it would have been but it doesn't look like I remember in the videos I'm finding. I see a rather blurry chandelier in this video that COULD be what I'm thinking of, but I can't see the ride cars.

[@marioyacoub]

DGneoseeker1 it is that ride. I operated the ride in the very early 1980’s and helped with marshalling the queuing crowds in the darkened room you mention

[@andyknight1]

God, how I miss this ride I walk past Detonator and think of the better days ( before Detonator was there )

[@thecinematicmind]

andyknight1 I remember the days with the old Flying Fish and nowadays every time I go on The Swarm I flip the bird at the new version as I go down the first drop.

[@clevm002]

Thorpe park needs to build a creepy indoor ride its the only tussards park with out a dark ride now!

[@Perranporth]

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?

[@smartguest]

if they still had this ride they would turn this into a interactive dark ride like usual

[@knightofarkronia9968]

Wasn’t this based around moments of Britain’s history?

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

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!

[@snowglobe82]

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!

[@EuroThemeParkArchive]

snowglobe82 It wasnt a copy of Geisterschloss, the two had different scenes and were created by different studios. Although the studio that did Phantom also did Geisterschloss’s preshow hallway and station so they are similar

[@clevm002]

YEA RE BUILD IT! ... it was so creepy it has to be rebuilt !

[@rayblack2004]

still, it would be cool to do a theme park that was like the ones we grew up with.

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

I thought that was a Phantom.

[@marleymation]

i heard that there gonna make a ghost train (no lasers)in the year 2013 in thorpe park talk about planning for the future

[@300imperium]

Whats the giant face meant to be in the torture chamber? Reminds me of ALton Towers' giant from their haunted house

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

I bet Space Ghost would like this ride... *_Phantom_* Fantasia... *_Phantom_* Cruiser...

[@GuildfordGhost]

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!

[@GRANKOR]

phantom fantasia terrified me when I was 6. It was sweeney todd that did it haha

[@rayblack2004]

they should do a revamp, like a survival horror, or a shoot em up, where you can choose the ending

[@sycomac]

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??

[@Danzilla1996]

It looks pretty nice for a good paranoia feel and maybe some relaxing sicne it's slow.

[@ColinWatkinsMusic]

this was also called the Wicked wiches haunt but sadly it went in 2000 by a fire!

[@cecilyroberts1696]

So was mine - I'll always remember it!

[@vincentlaplaca2049]

Went on this for the first time in 1985.

[@LittlestarRed]

@PepsiMewMew Very True! There aren't enough 'good' dark rides at UK Theme parks in general, but Thorpe is sadly lacking in particular!

[@cecilyroberts1696]

Same thing - I remember being scared of that when I was about 8 or 9.

[@TonyW1000]

'who thought up this sort of stuff?' - Ready Mix Concrete - the original owners of Thorpe Park before Tussards/Merlin.

[@phantomess1870]

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.

[@kellyhenderson9972]

The Henry the VIII scene was cool I also appreciate that they slightly ripped off Disney Parks Haunted Mansion ballroom and seance scene. I’m from Canada. Been to both Disneyland parks and I’d say this ride in some regards is a Disney lite version.

[@THORPEPARKOFF]

No it was a small haunted house ride like Phantom Manor

[@Bermondseybob]

I can't find the group

[@rayblack2004]

a type of ghost, i think its similar to a wraith

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

Wraith? I guess the "Wrath" special ops unit of the Peacekeepers in the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries makes sense now...

[@ColinWatkinsMusic]

this ride changed to the wicked witchs haunt in 1995 i think.

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

A year after a certain space phantom (re)debuted to the world...

[@drewpzoot]

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

[@cecilyroberts1696]

So can I - really scary!!!

[@TheLampshade301]

Went there today. Didn't know this ride had gone. I came just to show my kids it. I don't think I'll go back again. Thorpe park theme park is ok, but not great anymore. (my opinion)

[@ThemeParkWorldTour]

Hope it is ok to use a little of this footage in a video I am making, will be sure to give you a credit.

[@Neilfever]

Theme Park World Tour Sure, just give me a credit. I remember these Thorpe days very well.

[@andyknight1]

@funfairfan. yes it was, from 1994 I think till the fire in 2000. and my opinion. I would rather have this than Nemesis Inferno and Detonator

[@scrunts666]

I got tricked into going in there when I was a kid. They knew I hated that sort of thing so I got lied to about what it was. Anyhow, at the beginning you can see an emergency exit. I saw that too and booted it open and ran outside, much to the annoyance of the other people who saw it all in daylight. Well, that taught them for trying to trick me, bwahahahaha.

[@TheFunfairfan]

Apologies for my ignorance but was this later called Wicked Witches Haunt????

[@Larry]

It was yes, possible copyright with Disney. Even though it was ripping off The Haunted Mansion as it was :D

[@jimbolimboboy]

did this ride have any drops?

[@balamena75]

Seems like I'm the only one who rode on it in 1984...

[@mikekaraoke]

James-Why on earth would you say that, If that was the case it would of closed after a month lol

[@marchudson1]

I created a facebook fan page for the ride with as many pics as I could find! I can post the link but it's called - Phantom Fantasia / Wicked Witche's Haunt at Thorpe Park - Facebook Share memories there too :o)

[@NintyGuy999]

this is when thorpe park was awesome, its just alton towers part 2 now.....

[@rintosakikagami7077]

it like a haunted mansion

[@rayblack2004]

I'd say it was indecisive land myself

[@cecilyroberts1696]

So do I!!!

[@josmith3268]

Don't go in the spooky home ride

[@CompleteMurder23]

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.

[@NiksDjs]

lol at this ride