Going behind the scenes of Stitches at Thorpe Park was an exhilarating experience, offering a rare glimpse into the intricate details that make this the park's largest maze to date, even surpassing the scale of the legendary Big Top. The level of craftsmanship and creativity behind every corner of this maze is truly remarkable, and getting to explore it up close made us appreciate it even more.
One of the first things we noticed in the pre-show area was the eclectic collection of toys and items, all sourced from charity shops and car boot sales. This added a unique, eerie authenticity to the space, with some toys even serving as clever Easter eggs, nodding to past scare mazes and the upcoming attractions Project Exodus and Hyperia. It's these kinds of details that really set the tone for the experience.
The maze itself features multiple themed rooms, each more immersive than the last. In the mirror corridor, the sight of a mannequin dressed in a boiler suit was particularly unsettling, adding to the maze's disorienting atmosphere. Another room, aptly named the stuffing room, was a standout for its playful use of the Build-A-Bear font, offering a twisted take on childhood nostalgia.
One of the most impressive scenes was in the giant toys room, where we noticed a clever reference to Hyperia's height—236 feet—hidden in a poster about Barbara sales being up 236%. It's these subtle touches, like the rules for caring for the toys scattered throughout the maze, that contribute to the overall immersive experience.
The spider room was another highlight, featuring a massive spider whose head was controlled by an actor from behind a hidden corridor. The actor's ability to see and react to guests via camera made this encounter even more chilling. The level of interactivity in this room really elevated the scare factor.
The wrapping room was a nostalgic trip for any long-time Thorpe Park fan, with Easter eggs referencing old attractions like Canada Creek Railway and Creek Freak Massacre. In the Christmas room, we loved the naughty and nice list, which included names of the creative team behind Stitches and even a cheeky nod to the name Hyperia almost had—Icarus.
As we moved through the maze, the factory floor room stood out for its detail, featuring Mr. Clappy, the bear used in the maze’s promo images, perched on the stairs. A unique poster in this room also hinted at Thorpe Park’s upcoming 8th rollercoaster, adding an extra layer of excitement for what's to come.
One of the most innovative parts of the maze was the Puppet Theatre, where Thorpe Park used a bounce/bungee effect for the first time, adding an unexpected element of surprise. In the store room, the nods to past mazes like Platform 15, with props such as the two girls on a swing, were a nice touch, and the dinosaur on wheels poster hinted at possible new additions in 2024.
The rejects room was both creepy and creative, filled with bizarre cuddly toys that had been altered in disturbing ways, like a baby’s leg attached to a stuffed animal. The stitching room, though dimly lit, was another area where the devil was in the details, with arms descending from the ceiling to stitch up a body on the table—a truly haunting sight.
Finally, the showcase scene provided a fitting finale to the maze. With mannequins dressed as dolls, it was impossible to tell which ones were real, making for a tense and thrilling conclusion.
Overall, going behind the scenes of Stitches was an absolute blast. Seeing the maze without the usual crowds and scares allowed us to appreciate the incredible level of detail and thought that went into creating this terrifying experience. It's clear that Thorpe Park has once again outdone itself with this maze, making it a must-visit for any horror enthusiast.
