TraX

A few of the effects are ready to go, although were not running yesterday during the rehearsal.Those of you who wanted spinning helicopter blades though, they heard 'ya..

JoshC, many people have been asking that very question, although I understand you were after a predicted gate figure instead, which we rarey know either.I'm with Mark on this, it's gonna be a busy year due to The Swarm, opening weekend in particular. The Swarm is a great ride, don't let a busy queue put you off from enjoying it, although if you want to avoid the rush-a school day the following week would be better.Hope that helps some of the other questions.

Come on guys, you know the drill.. How busy do you expect? It's the opening day of a major UK roller coaster. Look at your Facebook friend lists, isn't this a hot topic? It's going to be busy. Do not expect Swarm to be walk on!A-Is it a school day?B-What's the Weather trend recently?C-Are there any special events?None of us know exactly how busy any day will be, but the questions above can help anyone guess.

A bit better detail of the on-ride photo art work. The DVD's were not available today.

If you want to miss the crowds, I'd wait for Monday following the opening weekend ram.War has indeed come, it's a big deal for the UK so opening day and opening weekend will be rammed.

Whilst it's not a 'spoiler' of The Swarm, I was happy to find the walls of Neptune's Beach covered in glitter and the beach generally touched up seeing as even today with such low guest flow, the once dead fish path behind Depth Charge was heaving with people Swarm bound.

As I tweeted today, interestingly, the final turn is constantly at a different speed too. Sometimes taken at speed, others slowed to a crawl.Back left seat = several grey out moments too.

I think as stunning FJ is, it just lacks a full story to get involved with, it just throws everything at you in one go (spectacular).Spider-Man has a great story that guests are 'in the middle of' and it makes all the difference! However theming wise (aside from the shed) FJ and it's queue line is just stunning.

Lots of updates on Twitter. The 'Blow **it Up' fire truck lit and smoking opposite the fish. 'The army' are there.. all kicking off for the VIP launch.

So air-time filled, looks fast and furious!

The difference in what Alton have done, is that none of the developments look like they're still in a car park.

Something else I'd like to see would be a Statix model of the unique Swarm train. I was happy to find Busch Gardens selling them at their parks.

I didn't actually see this in the Krake shop at all! :(Imagine a Swarm 'beast' one lol

LOVE IT.

Oh dear, not as good as Raptor or Krake then..

Just Stunning.. :D

I did say that they wouldnt do it. Mind you, Krake is looking fantastic. Disney constantly adding to rides is fantastic and what a reputation they have. Mind you, I know that Merlin are already on their tail.. right?

Too true, although nothing else at Thorpe offends my eyes as much as SS does!

I honestly don't think that it would cost a huge amount to throw some theming at SS. By walking under it, it could have some interesting interactivity. The scaffolding needs to be hidden somehow, and by adding some triggered water effects (somekind of hill-billy giant 'Mouse Trap' game, or this Brilliant 80's board game.. IMAGINE!) it could look really quirky and fun (I'm thinking Ripsaw Falls quirky here). Obviously, Merlin aren't going to spend on something as un-important as SS now, but if I were given a lump of cash for it, I'd easily be able to turn it around and without having to re-apint the ugly thing either!

I think the biggest problem for me is it's location. I don't think that it could have been plonked in a worse position.

...and will most certainlly ride better than Cheetah Hunts figure of eighZzzz..

Following everyones moans about boats filling with water, can we hope that the park have addressed this, this season?

Looks like the 'shudder' that Raptor has, may be more so here.. The on-ride camera shaking, coming out of the zero-g roll.Certainlly NOT a problem tho!

Sorry to bash the Storm Surge, but as we all marvel at the top notch quality of The Swarm, I was just thinking about last year..

SHUDDER! I'm still scared from the rough hell hole that Thorpe Park was during Fright Nights last year!