Credit: Thorpe Park ResortA guest at one of the world’s leading theme park resorts was forced to exit a ride in front of his family and friends, leading him to change his life for good.
Thorpe Park Resort, located in Chertsey, Surrey, has been thrilling visitors since its debut in 1979. Built on a former gravel pit, the park has transformed into a top-tier destination for adrenaline seekers and families alike.
With immersive themed lands like the dystopian Swarm Island, 1950s-inspired Amity, and the ancient Lost City, Thorpe Park offers a blend of storytelling and excitement. Its standout attractions include Stealth, a high-speed launch coaster reaching 80 mph in 2.5 seconds, and The Swarm, the UK’s first winged roller coaster. Then there’s the record-breaking Hyperia.
For a splash of fun, water rides like Storm Surge and family-friendly areas like Angry Birds Land add variety. Seasonal events like Fright Nights elevate the experience, making Thorpe Park a must-visit destination for heart-pounding adventures and unforgettable memories.
With such an assortment of activities, Thorpe Park is popular with a variety of guests who come to celebrate birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and more. For one guest, though, Thorpe Park proved to be a life-changing experience.
“I went to Thorpe Park, and they tried to get me on the rollercoaster; several of them tried to close the restraints, but they physically couldn’t do it up,” Craig Stokes told the Daily Echo. “I had to get off the ride in front of all my friends and family and all these strangers.”
The Bournemouth man said being removed from the Stealth ride “was the ultimate most embarrassing moment of my life.” Mr. Stokes was visiting the park with family and friends in 2022 for his nephew’s bachelor party.
On Thorpe Park’s official seating requirements webpage, the resort says: “Before any of our attractions receive the all-clear to begin their ride, they must meet strict safety measures. Some of these measures include a minimum closed position in restraints and seat belts.” The same webpage confirms the measurements for the Stealth attraction at the park.
“Prepare to experience the brake horsepower of two Formula 1 cars on our giant accelerator coaster,” the official Thorpe Park Resort website describes the Stealth attraction. This hydraulic-launched roller coaster will propel you from 0 to 80 miles per hour in 1.8 seconds!”
Mr. Stokes explained that his embarrassing moment at the theme park led him to change his life. “The wedding pictures were the most horrific photos of me; I was embarrassed about the way I looked,” he told the outlet. The 43-year-old described how he would eat three to four takeaways a week, and his goal was to lose half of his body weight. At the time, he weighed around 322 pounds.
Before he could begin consistently exercising, he dropped 70 pounds and then started walking before going on to run. The Slimming World program aided him in his weight loss journey, and in May, he placed in the top 10 for Slimming World’s Man of the Year, having now dropped down to 162 pounds.
“But it’s sort of come full circle now,” Mr. Stokes told the Daily Echo. “I went back to Thorpe Park with my other nephew two weeks ago and I went on everything, including Stealth.” He went on to explain how he will be the best man for his nephew and is looking forward to the wedding pictures.
“My life couldn’t be any more different now. I feel so positive, happy, and active,” he said. “I secured my dream job, which I never would have had the confidence to even interview for before. I’m the healthiest I’ve been in my whole life.”
This is not the first time a theme park incident has prompted a guest to lose weight. In 2023, a report shared that a 46-year-old man had an uncomfortable experience on rides and lost 49 pounds in the first year of his weight loss journey. In another story, a girl claimed that “rides aren’t built for plus-size/fat people” after going to Thorpe Park to test multiple ride vehicles.
Have you ever experienced or witnessed an incident like this while visiting a theme park? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!