When it comes to thrilling attractions at Thorpe Park, few experiences deliver quite the same level of immersion and intensity as Walking Dead: The Ride. This attraction has a rich history, having started its life as X:\ No Way Out, a groundbreaking indoor roller coaster that originally opened on July 1, 1996. Built by Vekoma, the ride operated with an exciting twist: guests hurtled backward through darkness, disoriented and thrilled by the experience. In 2013, the trains were turned forward, and the ride was rebranded as X, offering a different but equally electrifying experience. However, the ride would undergo its most significant transformation on March 31, 2018, when it became Walking Dead: The Ride, taking on a horror-themed identity inspired by the popular AMC series The Walking Dead.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the ride is its construction. The roller coaster was built first, and only after that was the now-iconic pyramid structure built around it. This creates a surreal experience where the layout wraps around the building, intertwining the story and ride seamlessly. Walking through the ride’s queue line, you're immediately engulfed in the immersive theming that brings the post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead to life. One of the best parts of our behind-the-scenes tour was starting in the Sunset Cinema Theatre, where we were treated to a PowerPoint presentation that included an in-depth look at the theme book for the ride's transformation. It was fascinating to see the original designs by John Burton and witness how accurately the final product reflects his creative vision.
The project to re-theme the ride from X into Walking Dead: The Ride was undertaken under the code names "Revolution" and "Project X." The level of detail and care that went into every aspect of the ride is evident, from the smallest props to the overall atmosphere. For instance, a zombie wearing a red Hawaiian shirt—first seen in the trailer for the ride—appears again in the Zombie Hunt summer attraction and even features in promotional material for the Walking Dead: Living Nightmare horror maze. It's these kinds of connections and Easter eggs that make the ride feel so rich and alive.
The ride features a towering watchtower outside the entrance, which was initially designed to include a cross on top. However, due to health and safety regulations, this was removed. Instead, a smoke alarm sits atop the tower, which must be checked weekly by staff using a ladder at the base. It’s little practical details like this that add to the complexity of the ride’s operations.
Inside the ride’s pre-show area, there’s a fascinating TP Safe Zone sign with the names of the creative team behind the ride cleverly hidden within it. This level of detail continues into the ride itself, with references to Thorpe Park’s past. Above one of the doors in Corridor C, for example, you can find the words “Control Room,” a direct nod to the Cabin in the Woods Fright Nights maze that was once located nearby. As a long-time fan of Thorpe Park, it was exciting to discover these subtle Easter eggs, which pay homage to the park’s rich history.
Throughout the ride, there are plenty of callbacks to the original X theme. In the preload area, you’ll find posters and drawings from the original X ride. There are even remnants of old props, such as plans from the Hell Gate horror maze and the original car from X:\ No Way Out, still bearing a classic Thorpe Park logo.
What really sets Walking Dead: The Ride apart, though, is the seamless blend of storytelling and thrill. The track winds through the pyramid structure, with zombies close enough to almost touch as you speed past. From the original car in the middle of the ride area, complete with a vintage Thorpe Park logo, to the visceral proximity of the undead, every second of the ride feels like a high-stakes escape from the zombie apocalypse.
One of the highlights of our tour was walking around the bottom of the ride and being taken up one of the stairways inside the pyramid, where we had the rare opportunity to view the ride from just below the first drop. The thrill of seeing the maintenance switch track outside the station was enhanced by the realization of how compact the ride’s maintenance garage is compared to other roller coasters. Even the spare parts, such as brake pads, are stored on racks outside the garage—another reminder of the practicalities behind the scenes of this adrenaline-fueled ride.
The batching area before boarding adds another layer of authenticity, featuring original props from The Walking Dead series encased in perspex. These will eventually be returned to AMC if the ride undergoes another re-theme, but for now, they serve as the perfect touch to immerse guests fully in the world of the show. There are also clever nods to X:\ No Way Out, including registration plates from the original ride and Easter eggs in frames referencing classic Thorpe Park rides.
One of the most iconic moments comes at the unload platform, where guests pass through the famous “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” doors—an instantly recognizable feature for fans of the show. This marks the first time guests get to walk through these doors, further enhancing the feeling of stepping into The Walking Dead universe.
The ride even plays on nostalgia with elements like the Thorpe Park power supply Easter egg, paying tribute to the old X:\ No Way Out battery prop, which was removed during the ride's transformation into X. Even the exit corridor bears traces of the original ride’s aesthetic, with old exit shapes faintly visible beneath fresh layers of paint.
All in all, Walking Dead: The Ride is a masterclass in immersive theming and storytelling. The transformation from X:\ No Way Out to Walking Dead was clearly a labor of love for the creative team, and it shows in every detail. From the ingenious incorporation of old props and Easter eggs to the thrilling intensity of the ride itself, it’s clear that this attraction will remain a favorite for years to come. However, with the AMC props slated for return at some point, it does leave us wondering just how much longer the current theme will endure. Regardless, this ride is a true gem of Thorpe Park, and one we’re eager to experience again and again.
