d.m.k

From the links on The Swarm's site, looks like we could be getting a development diary Lets just hope they keep it up!

Love it! Another thing about the Surge though, how comes they haven't added any plants or foliage underneath the main structure of the ride?! That area of sand and gravel looks awful and something they really should have thought about. Any more odds on them making that area look better for next season?

I think you're both right and wrong. The experience inside isn't really affected because after all, the mazes are pretty world class and even the mazes at Universal don't match Thorpe's for intensity. On the other hand, Universal puts so much effort into "the show". It's also something Disney get right, just that bit of magic that makes everything seem so much more exciting. Walking around at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is like being in a movie, every step throughout the park builds up tension and scares - Thorpe could learn from this but I just don't think it's worth them trying with the budget they will receive, it would always just be average. So looking at it from both perspectives, it's probably better to have these little gems inside white tents, just for the brilliant experience

I also noticed a lack of spinning when I went last week, but earlier on in the year it was spinning like crazy! Can only put it down to the pads must have worn which means it doesn't take long for the best part of the ride to fade and I doubt Thorpe will invest in new pads this season - the best idea would be to get some before Fright Nights! But how likely is that...

Just a little update, a picture taken on park today! It managed to kick my excitement for Fright Nights into gear!

This picture was taken today from the Steath exit platform. Strange little building has been put up with a rotating logo on the top! As usual though, just loads of footers and a very obvious and large station base!

After visiting a few days ago, I could imagine how great it would be to see the Lions in Wanyama, however I could never see this happening. They would have to invest so much money to create a secure enough enclosure of that size and due to UK regulations they would not be allowed to place any other animals in Wanyama with them - although they probably wouldn't last long. I think a larger collection of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle and maybe even Capybara would make it much better

While I was at the park yesterday we also had a run round without the blasters working, really got to marvel at the brilliant themed sets in there! We all called out at the end of the ride that the blasters weren't working and got another go around though.The queue stayed at around 45mins all day, quite long I thought considering I thought it had a high throughput.

I was also at the park yesterday. Shame that in the morning during ERT, I was told by staff that Dragon's Fury was just undergoing some minor engineering works and would be back open by 11am. After asking at a few points during the day, staff finally gave in at around 4:30pm and started saying "I very much doubt if we'll open today." What is wrong with that thing?! Never seems to be in full working order. (However, I'm not Chessington bashing, had a great day out! )

I would say it is very likely to have 2 trains in operation. I wouldn't have thought it would even have a 3rd at opening but I'm not sure if anyone could be certain on this. Maybe taking Raptor for example, doesn't it have 2 trains in operation but no 3rd train?

That's not too bad at all actually Wanted to visit Chessington for a while because I've been to Thorpe Park over and over again. I hope it's worth my visit later on this month :(Thank you.

Hi guys, just a quick question...Haven't been to Chessington in about 5 years, maybe more. Just wondering, as I'm going on 24th August, what sort of queues to be expecting and any tips on how to get the most out of the day? Sorry this was put in the general discussion, couldn't see a 'quick questions' topic.

Where did you hear this? If I'm right in saying there is going to be a crashed plane and helicopter, it's likely to be off a manufacturer's scrap or maybe even Merlin Studios? Although I'm doubting the latter because it would be cheaper to just buy an unused/scrapped plane.

I agree, while the larger summer crowds fill the park, they need to hit hard with the marketing for The Swarm and keep up with the actors and that brilliant air raid siren, eerie though because reminds me so much of being in The Asylum Just on the topic of the video though, Les says "The Aliens" when referring to 'The Swarm'. Is that worth believing or could anything be classed as alien really?... because from 'the swarm' in the promo image, it really does look like some kind of small flying creature/insect rather than aliens... food for thought?

Managed to get it

It's similar but there are differences to the video background image. Look closely at the top right-hand corner of the video box and you will see an actual 'swarm' of what looks like small flying creatures. While the video box is loading but not visible, the whole image is seen which shows this 'swarm' coming from somewhere underground or a low building...

Video is fantastic but I think the image below it looks even better! :rolleyes:Would anyone know how to save the image because I only managed to catch a glimpse while the video box was loading and hadn't appeared. That image really shows off how Thorpe could really pull this theme off with the name The Swarm

*slow - sarcastic clap* I was there yesterday and a member of staff in the area said it seems to be a problem with the second lift hill.Don't know if anyone can confirm this but I'm sure I've heard problems in the past with that lift hill?

Oh good, I'm glad it's not just me who's come across how much of a legend this man is

Haha He's a slight built lad, was wearing his aviator sunglasses this weekend and shouting at everyone to scream He's been working on Vortex the last two times I have visited and to match his unique personality has a unique way of checking the bars then dramatically falling to the floor after Great stuff, me and the lads had a photo taken with him on the last ride of the day.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has noticed the legend Michael.On my last two visits I have noticed him working on Vortex in his very unique way Was just wondering if anyone knew him, if he's part of TPM or even if anyone else notices his antics while loading the ride

Was at the park yesterday and went into the maze twice like I usually do, once at the start and once at the end of the day.I noticed that there was a huge amount of smoke through-out the whole maze, I was at the front in the freezer room and had to feel around to get anywhere. Never experienced the smoke in Saw Alive before.Also, there were two pig masked men working all day, one who chased people out of the last room and the other was scaring people out of the photo room, even running across the bridge to get a good scare. Brilliant atmosphere around the ride thanks to one bloke, good work

Thanks! I never knew it was used back in 2008 too! It sounded good, I just wish they would use that more often around the Saw area (I know, great film ayee )

I'm not sure if I'm being stupid here, but have they always been playing the actual Saw theme around the ride?I thought at first they hadn't got the rights to have the soundtrack on the park, but when I went on Thursday I heard it playing.Also wanted to add that I loved the Nemesis Inferno FN music this year.But by far I thought the Samurai music this Fright Nights was brilliant and I wanted to ask if anyone knew if it is available to download?Thanks

I know it sounds a bit picky, but one thing that would annoy me is if the ground is un-themed. It would be pretty easy to stain some bloody footprints heading towards the entrance of the queue and a few blood splatters across that main area, otherwise leaving it looking like new laid brickwork will spoil the great attention to detail they've put into the other parts of the area. I would love to see some heavy bass from the Saw sountrack in the station too. They should get a Bose Cannon over from Inferno :PI hope everyone who's going for Friday or Saturday has a great time! Looking forward to pictures and reviews!