JoshC.

The sheer length of this coaster alone is something to be inspired by. It looks absolutely incredible. I also love how the Screamin' Swing (sorry, don't know it's name!) is just going to be surrounded by it.

Brilliant couple of posts on the previous page Sidders! Just wanted to add / point out a couple of things: I really do agree here. Another thought which springs to mind is the fact that the MTDP stated the next two coasters (ie, Swarm and the next one) would not exceed 850m in length. Take into account a potential 50m high lift and 50m high drop, that will add up to about 150m of track there alone (unless you have vertical lift / drop), which leaves very little ride track. Granted, Outlaw Run is just under 900m, but I've always thought it's a short coaster, and doesn't do a woodie justice in that sense. Maybe, though, a short woodie would help with the planning permission, as less track means less 'visual pollution', if you will. Also, with the idea of a flyer, I've heard it's highly unlikely Thorpe would get one now due to Swarm, and the fact a flyer and winged coaster are classed as similar experiences. Whether that holds true though we can only wait and see.. I definitely remember around the time Saw opened hearing that the Saw IP was 'fastracked'. I remember it being in an interview with someone from Merlin and/or Lionsgate, but the actual IP tie-in was pushed forward quite quickly. If I remember correctly, the original plan was just the abandoned windmill style, before an IP was decided later on after planning was granted, with a couple of horror franchises being considered, before Saw was agreed upon (Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a candidate I believe, for example). As you say, the videos didn't really give any nudge to Saw whatsoever until the name was released (at midnight - on a Tuesday ), and then afterwards the videos ran dry until opening. I remember the minisite showed space for monthly videos from November until March, which many speculated would set up a good backstory, but instead a November video with a No Limits recreation of the ride and a March video on the day of opening only turned up. I do agree that a variant of the Dark Forest theme could have easily fit in with Thorpe and Canada Creek too. Swarm's plans came online on 11th February 2011. For comparison, Saw's came out 16th November 2007 and Stealth's sometime in November 2004. For Th13teen and Smiler both had their plans submitted in December/January. So, any time between November and February is usually a safe bet for seeing plans surface.

The 'Merlin Membership Pass' website is live - http://www.merlinmembership.co.uk/ (I understand that the previous discussion was removed for a reason, but outta interest, is there any chance it can be brought back now?)

Pizza Hut seems to be a popular choice with members - maybe TPM can organise a Pizza Hut ERT sometime soon?

I don't think Thorpe themselves have said it, but I think it's a Merlin-wide thing anyway. I can't remember where or when it was said (I get a feeling it might be when the ECC had a Swarm ERT last year and got to see the woodie plans that Saw replaced, but probably earlier than that) that market research has told Merlin that the public feel woodies are unsafe / not good enough, and as such are hard to market. I think it's just easier to say 'because the public think woodies are unsafe' though, rather than explaining it like that. http://www.totalthorpepark.co.uk/features/btsthrillsworkshop.shtml - There's a bit about the Thorpe woodie plans shown during the ECC tour, which says about that. Maybe someone who went (Mer, BenC, Valentez all went I think?) can shed a bit more light there? EDIT: SCB's point is a lot better than mine; feel free to ignore this. XD

But don't RCDB partially rely on the park's press releases and such to help them along? For example, they originally had Swarm down as 4 inversions, but once press releases said it had 5, they changed it to 5? Then it just skews it marketing departments and such.

I do agree with you here, but, to me, there isn't a lot of light, and there isn't a lot of sound. I liked the music, but it wasn't loud enough, and it didn't feel immersive enough. The lights were okay, but they didn't blow me away, and it felt a bit repetitive after a while; the whole 'show' it was putting on was a bit boring. I appreciate it's a family coaster, and certainly seems geared for younger children as a 'build up' ride, but I don't think it's been made clear enough. As it stands, X should be made out to be a junior coaster, as that's what it is, but instead it feels more like it's being made out to be a family coaster, suitable for kids, but appealing to the adults, which it just fails at in my eyes. Maybe if the park do further the whole 'family park with thrill rides' image, X will have a clearer target (to be the kids coaster). As I've only ridden it once, and there's been improvements since then, maybe me views will change once I ride again, but as it stands, I can't help but feel the park tried to accommodate for everyone with the ride, but missed the mark.

The one thing I've never got with Thorpe is, if 'woodies are unsafe' or whatever, why did they show Swarm to be a ride destroying test dummies, Storm Surge to have disturbed an ancient burial ground, Saw to have awoken ghosts after staff used a ouija board (to advertise Fright Nights, but the point stands), etc.? Surely if the public don't want to ride unsafe rides, then such press stunts are going to have a negative affect to people wanting the ride these rides? Yet, we didn't see such widespread responses...

A full price entrance ticket is what, £43.20? And the TPAP is about £85? So, in effect, they're giving people half price Annual Passes, which allows them to come back and spend more money on park as and when they want. It's a big encouragement for guests to return, especially if they thought it was expensive, so it seems to make sense. But, as has been mentioned, it is likely an indication of how well (or not so well!) Thorpe are doing right now...

Do you watch Doctor Who? If so, it could be the 'Are you my mummy?' episode that caused that one - I know I hated the thought of them for weeks after watching it!

The Swarm. Every. Single. Time. X or X:\NWO?

With spiders, I don't really like the thought of coming face-to-face with a huge, potentially dangerous, one in a day-to-day situation. However, I think that's the same for pretty much everyone, with any dangerous creature. Fortunately, there aren't many (if any?) dangerous ones which we come across in England, in our houses say. So, I'm fine with them, and will quite calmly scoop it with a cup and paper. It's not exactly something I like doing, but I can do it.

For Colossus' 10th ERT last year, 11 trains were sent. I don't know what Swarm's ERTs were like, but I'd assume 10 to 12 like EC said. They'll probably try to do at least 10, considering it;s the 10th birthday celebration. After that, it probably depends on what they're doing afterwards and time restraints as to how many more rides there'll be.

I can safely say I have aichmophobia - fear of needles. I absolutely can't stand them, and can go all nervy about having to have injections and stuff. Blood tests are the absolute worst - I go into cold sweats and everything about them. It is something I really want to overcome as I do want to give blood during my life... I must admit the past year or so, I've got a bit better about injections, but still really hate them. In saying that, last year when I was having a tooth pulled, I had the anesthetic needles in my mouth (god, I REALLY do hate them...), but before they started to pull it out, they asked if I wanted to be sedated - I said no, purely for the fact it meant more needles... :S I'm not sure it's an actual phobia to me per se, but I also hate the idea of forgetting. I can't explain why to be honest, but the idea of forgetting things (even if it was just a few hours) scares me. Whilst I know it is possible to have a phobia of forgetting, I don't think I'm it's 'big enough' to be a phobia, but I just hate the idea of it.

I'm also out of this meet I'm afraid guys. I'll probably still be in my aircast for my ankle, and I've an Alton trip planned for the weekend after, so focusing on being fit for that. I will make a meet this year, eventually.

I think it looks as I expected it to look - average, with a fun looking gimmicky feature. No doubt the ride will be lapped up, what with the size and launches. So I guess that makes it a success?

Interestingly, I've noticed in this year's Press Pack, Thorpe state Swarm only has four inversions - http://www.thorpepark.com/downloads/press/THORPE-PARK-Press-Pack-2013.pdf (page 11), but it's still says 5 on the actual Swarm section of the site. Not sure whether it's a typo or they're slowing going to downplay it and eventually just say it's 4? I think what 'makes' an inversion is going to be down to the individual person. I do agree that Swarm's inclined loop can't really be classed as an inversion, but at the same time, I can see why marketing can get away with it. To me, I'd say an actual inversion probably has to be a turn of 150 degrees at least, as there are cases of extremely over banked turns which don't really invert you. I do agree that the line between inversion and 'over-banked' is very hazy, but I guess that makes it slightly easier for marketing departments, ey?

Thanks for the heads up about Gimp - I'll give it a go! Also... Positioning the coasters was the hardest thing actually. Personally, I'd have switched Stealth and Inferno around, but seemed a bit unfair, what with Stealth being the 'majorest' coaster. But, I've noticed in marketing that usually the coasters are mentioned in this way - Swarm or Stealth, Saw, Colossus; Inferno, so decided to stick to that. The best you're gonna get from me is switching Inferno and Colossus around; sorry love

So, as I have a lot of free time on my hands at the moment, I've decided to create a 'Thorpe Park Monopoly' for a bit of fun(Alton Towers have their own version; why not Thorpe?! ). It's a work in progress at the moment, but here's the game board as it stands... As you may notice, the template I found is the American one, so the prices are in dollars, but ah well.. It's lacking text at the moment too, and a few pictures and such, because it's just the 'first version', and it looks really bad because the best editing software I have is Microsoft PowerPoint. The plan I have is to create mock ups for the property, Chance and Community Chest cards as well, pretty much as something to do. Of course, it'll all be themed around Thorpe, so it should be a bit of fun. Here's the 'Space Conversions', if you can't work a couple of them out, as well as the planned Chance and Community Chest cards: Board Places: Chance Cards: Community Chest Cards: If anyone can think of any funny names for Free Parking, Chance, Community Chest or the Bank (relating to Thorpe or Merlin of course!), let me know. Likewise, any suggestions - just throw 'em at me!

Ahem... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150518294479815&set=vb.214001328660864&type=2&theater WE ARE ALL LEZ COUGAN!!!! Oh, erm, and banned for banning me for the same reason Sidders did a couple of pages back.

When was the last time Depth Charge even featured on an advert by Thorpe?! In recent times, the only time I can think of where they had a different advert for summer was 2011, when Saw was said to be 'more terrifying than ever'. Even then, that was just footage of the 2009 advert with a different voice over. If recent discussion is anything to go by, looks like we'll see more of a focus on 'something for everyone', and possibly a focus on summer fun (what with the water rides mentioned) and such. I do look forward to this!

Banned for having a silly-sounding username.

Banned for having ridden Swarm more times than me!

I don't know if I caught it at a bad time (and I did visit during the Preview Weekend last season; thought that shouldn't be an excuse), but I found it a bit boring at times (especially at the beginning), with long sections of nothing happening and a few story line inconsistencies. And, most importantly, the scares weren't anything special. Carnival and Sanctuary are a lot better, and I'd happily say Se7en and Experiment 10 (well, in 2011) were more enjoyable and scary as well. The trouble I have with criticizing it is I can't answer the question of how to improve it. Nothing in the maze feels unnecessary; it is obviously well thought out and is executed pretty well. But, to me, it just doesn't 'do' anything for me. Maybe the actors need re-positioning a bit and just the odd tweak here and there may improve it massively to me? Maybe I just caught it at the wrong time and the problems I had were ironed away? So yeah, would love to see it revamped, but would also love to try it again, and see if I was just unlucky.

Interesting, my view of it was VERY different. Here was my original view, the night of getting back from my first trip (which was for the AP Preview Night): In case you can't tell, I was rather cynical about it (which may have played a part in me enjoying all the more - I had zero expectations, so maybe anything would've had a glowing review?). Whilst I wasn't scared, I did enjoy it and thought it was a good little attraction all in all. I will admit that the last sentence of me saying it was "better than any mazes" is, in hindsight, most definitely wrong, and probably was just the 'new attraction' factor. I will also say that as FN 2010 went on, the scare zone got worst (the actors had masks, they played about with the smoke effects, etc.), and as time went on, I felt it just wasn't up to the same standard as it started off as; shame. I'd love to see Thorpe do a scare zone again, but I also quite like the roaming actors we've had the past couple of seasons. Would rather roaming actors than a scare zone actually (if it HAD to be one or the other); especially as Merlin scare zones are very 'maze-like'.