Could Thorpe Park Get Another Major Coaster Before Universal United Kingdom Opens?

When Hyperia opened in 2024, many fans assumed Thorpe Park had just completed its “big investment” for the decade. After all, the park had spent years developing the record-breaking coaster, which now stands as the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.

But with Universal’s huge UK resort now officially under construction and targeting a 2031 opening, a new question is starting to spread across the enthusiast community:

Could Thorpe Park build another major coaster before Universal UK opens its gates?

Surprisingly, the answer might actually be yes.

Why Thorpe Park May Not Wait Until After Universal Opens

Historically, Merlin parks tend to invest heavily when competition is increasing. Universal entering the UK market is arguably the biggest challenge Merlin Entertainments has ever faced in Britain.

Universal’s Bedfordshire resort is expected to become one of Europe’s largest theme park destinations, with room for future expansion beyond its already massive opening phase.

That creates pressure on existing UK parks — especially thrill-focused parks like Thorpe Park.

Rather than waiting for Universal to dominate headlines, Merlin may instead try to strengthen Thorpe Park beforehand by:

• Increasing repeat visitation
• Keeping the park relevant in enthusiast conversations
• Protecting annual passholder loyalty
• Maintaining Thorpe Park’s “thrill capital” identity

And importantly, Hyperia alone may not be enough to carry that momentum all the way to 2031.

The Biggest Clue: Thorpe Park Is Already Talking About “Future Developments”

In early 2026, Thorpe Park officially confirmed the permanent closure of Rumba Rapids. The park stated that it was “always reviewing” its lineup of attractions for the future.

That wording instantly sparked speculation.

Rumba Rapids occupies a substantial footprint inside the park, and enthusiasts quickly noticed that removing such a large attraction could free up land for a sizeable future development.

At the same time, construction work has begun on smaller infrastructure projects around the resort, including “The Launchpad” redevelopment near Amity Beach.

While none of this confirms a coaster, it does suggest Thorpe Park is still actively evolving after Hyperia — not entering a quiet “maintenance era.”

Could Thorpe Park Actually Fit Another Major Coaster?

One of Thorpe Park’s biggest challenges has always been space.

Unlike parks such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park is built on a relatively compact island site with strict planning limitations.

However, there are still a few realistic expansion opportunities:

1. The Rumba Rapids Area

This is currently the most talked-about possibility.

The area offers:

• A large waterfront footprint
• Existing guest pathways
• Strong visibility inside the park
• Potential for a major themed zone refresh

Some enthusiasts believe the site could support:

• A Mack multi-launch coaster
• A modern family thrill coaster
• A water coaster hybrid
• A compact but intense thrill ride

A huge hypercoaster-style attraction is unlikely here due to space restrictions, but a high-energy launch coaster could absolutely fit.

2. The “Island Behind Swarm”

This plot has been rumoured for years.

Thorpe Park’s long-term development discussions have frequently referenced unused land behind The Swarm, though nothing official has been announced.

If Merlin wanted another headline attraction before Universal arrives, this location could theoretically host:

• A modern hybrid coaster
• A terrain-style coaster
• A launched wing coaster
• A multi-record-breaking thrill ride

The challenge would be planning approval and environmental concerns, which have historically slowed development at Thorpe Park.

Would Merlin Spend That Much So Soon After Hyperia?

This is the biggest argument against another coaster arriving before Universal opens.

Hyperia was an enormous investment and only opened in 2024.

Traditionally, Thorpe Park has waited many years between major coaster installations:

• Saw: The Ride (2009)
• The Swarm (2012)
• Hyperia (2024)

That gap suggests another huge coaster before 2031 might seem unrealistic.

However, Universal changes the equation entirely.

Merlin may decide that waiting another decade risks Thorpe Park losing momentum precisely when UK competition becomes strongest.

Instead of another giant record-breaker, the park could pursue something smaller but highly marketable:

• A themed launch coaster
• A family-thrill hybrid
• A unique multi-element attraction
• A coaster tied to an immersive new area

That would cost significantly less than Hyperia while still generating major publicity.

What Type of Coaster Makes the Most Sense?

If Thorpe Park does build another coaster before Universal UK opens, the smartest move probably would not be another extreme height record.

Hyperia already dominates that category.

Instead, Thorpe Park currently lacks:

• A modern multi-launch coaster
• A heavily themed immersive coaster
• A strong family-thrill transition ride
• A standout indoor coaster experience

That makes a Mack launch coaster or indoor thrill coaster feel far more plausible than another giant hypercoaster.

A launch coaster especially would balance the lineup perfectly alongside:

• Hyperia
• Stealth
• SAW – The Ride
• Nemesis Inferno
• The Swarm

The Most Likely Timeline

If Thorpe Park is planning another major coaster before Universal opens, the most realistic timeline would probably be:

Year	Possible Development
2026	Site clearing and teaser activity
2027	Planning application submitted
2028	Construction begins
2029	New coaster opens
2031	Universal UK opens

A 2029 opening would give Thorpe Park a huge marketing boost just before Universal enters the market.

That timing would make strategic sense.

Right now, there’s no confirmed evidence that Thorpe Park is building another major coaster before Universal UK opens.

But there are enough signs to suggest it’s genuinely possible:

• Large areas becoming available
• Ongoing infrastructure investment
• Universal increasing competitive pressure
• Merlin needing to keep Thorpe Park relevant
• Continued enthusiast rumours surrounding future expansion

The most realistic scenario is probably not another “world’s tallest” attraction — Hyperia already fills that role.

Instead, Thorpe Park’s next move could be a highly themed launch coaster or immersive thrill experience designed to strengthen the park before Universal changes the UK theme park landscape forever.