JoshC.
Moderator
-
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by JoshC.
-
-
-
(Picture taken from The Coaster Guy's FB). Full Throttle's track is merging Looks...interesting. Them supports though; bleurgh.
-
To be honest, as with a lot of this project, I don't have a blooming clue just what is going on!
-
I disagree with you here. Swarm and X have had improvements which have improved their presentation. Inferno has had it's tunnel and station improved, Detonator has new restraints, Depth Charge has new boats, Saw's effects have been working fine and dandy and so forth. I'd say this year has been pretty darn good for presentation of rides (and general presentation inside the park); the Loggers tunnel, as poor as it is presentation-wise in my opinion, isn't a reflection on Thorpe's presentation of rides.
-
That needle looks quite comical doesn't it? I guess that's the point though in a way? Maybe it's just me, or the fact I haven't seen it in person / complete, but not sold on how those legs have turned out. I think that had the legs looked like a 'solid mass' as opposed to the 'criss cross / beam' design they would've looked even more imposing. But the way it looks in those pictures, it just doesn't feel right to me; can't really explain why. Not disregarding it or anything (I almost feel bad for having any form of criticism about it), and I have no doubts that once it's finished it will look amazing, but I'm just not entirely sure on the design at the moment.
-
-
The 1.4m height restriction on a dark ride I assume is a nod to Sub Terra? Wasn't the reason for that because that was deemed scary and it was easier than putting in an 'age restriction' as marketed? To be honest, I'm not surprised that it has OSTRs, but I don't see why they couldn't have had lap bars. Gerstlauer are known for tight elements and lap bars have worked with other rides. There's no doubt a reason for not having lap bars and I don't think it was because 'they couldn't'. But yeah, as said the trains look fab. Just what I wanted really.
-
-
Gonna bring this back up... Fastrack. If it's going to be sold for roller coasters, such roller coasters MUST be on full capacity. Seeing Fastrackers being able to skip queues on a busy weekday whilst the coasters are on one train (or 5-6 cars in the case of Saw) is, quite frankly, ludicrious.
-
Queues were horrendous today for Swarm. The announcements around the area were saying 35 minutes for forwards, 30-45 minutes for backwards. Reality was 70 minutes backwards and something around the hour mark for forwards. The backwards queue system also fails when staff forget to hand out tickets and those who are queueing to go forwards in the station are able to go to the backwards rows and say they weren't handed a ticket... I do dread how this is going to end up on busy days. :/
-
I heard from a member of staff today that X should open "at the end of March or beginning of April". He also said that Ministry of Sound are involved with X, and it includes a £30,000 light show. (This was heard by a staff member who worked on Swarm, so a different ride area to X I think, so take that for what you will. )
-
Is it me or do they look a slightly different style to OTSR on Eurofighters? Hasn't surprised me really, would've liked to have had lap bars, but it's not the end of the world, ey? EDIT: Better view here. They look great! http://www.the-smiler.com/latest-news/the-smiler-ride-cars-arrive/
-
-
Don't see why people are panicking about it just yet - not all trims are noticeable (example - Swarm). Would also be interested to what people would prefer - a trimmed airtime hill allowing for following elements to be taken in such a way that it will smash your head to smitherines or an untrimmed one where following elements smash your head in? Just because Th13teen has trims (like other Intamins) which are painfully noticeable, don't jump the gun and think this will be.
-
1) The backwards seats are an interesting decision. They're very gimmicky, but create a new and unique experience. However, the backwards rows, to me, are poorer than the forwards rows. So, there's pros and cons to them, so that's a 'Not sure' from me. 2) Billboard is a great near miss. No question about it really. 3) Tough one for me. The billboard is great on either side. However, I think that when on the right hand side, the helicopter (specifically the blades) are very unassuming, and catch you off guard the most. So the chopper is the most effective, the billboard the best all-rounded one. But I'm going to vote for the chopper!
-
It's only been unused for one whole season.. Last I heard was the interior needed some work due to damp or it being unfit for public usage or something weird like that. I'd have though using it as a storage area, like Tommy says, would be a sensible idea for the time-being though.
-
Coffee over tea. Cannot stand tea. Coffee is nice, unless it's cheap - then it's pretty bad. With Nicky on the hot chocolate stance tbh.
-
I live under 2 miles from Thorpe; the weather is currently sleet and 1C, with it being cold tomorrow. Don't see any reason why the meet can't go ahead. Do follow Thorpe's instructions of wrapping up warm, and as Peaj says, take advantage of the free AP hot chocolate after 3pm!
-
For £20 a night, of course.
-
It's driving me more crazy than my boot scootin' baby.
-
This guy's job seems quite crumby...
-
Oi, I rate Saw highly, does that mean my opinions are invalid too? Shhh, I was speaking hypothetically!
-
Saw them today. As for the outside appearance, well, they look ugly. However, I'll go back to my original views on this when the plans were first released: In my opinion, it doesn't look too intrusive. When you're on the bridge, you only really see the front (so the blue logo thing), so it does a good job in not drawing attention to itself, even if it doesn't blend in. So yeah, it doesn't look good, but it only looks bad if you go looking for it really. What I mean to say, basically, is if you want to look at it and not go in, you'll see it and see it looks ugly, but if you're not looking for it, you won't see it. Not sure if that makes too much sense, but it's the best way I can describe it. To those who actually use it, yes it will be cramped, but plenty of people won't mind it that much, and will happy to sacrifice some space to sleep on-park. In general, the Crash Pad is not my cup of tea (I would only really stay there if it was the only / most sensible option), and I know many people who would share similar views. However, plenty of people will be happy with what is there, and I'm sure they'll work well for the park. Hopefully we will get a full-out hotel soon.
-
So, was able to ride Swarm today, and was able to do 5 rides. First of all, the billboard. Absolutely great addition. Good near miss, and good secondary near miss when you're on the left hand side. Adds to what is already a brilliant ride. Some may moan that it's needless or just 'another big thematic element', but it work well. And when you're on a ride with fire, well, it makes it all the better. It just works so well. Now then, the backwards rows. I was able to try back right and back left. After my first go, I wasn't sold on the idea. The first drop was good (because the first drop has been designed to be good), and the corkscrew was a surprisingly great feature, but other than that, I wasn't over the moon about it. It was still a great experience, but that's because the 'track and train' features of Swarm are a great experience. I did it later on in the day, and I think I appreciated it more. However, it loses the key feature of the Swarm - the theming. I don't care if you can see the theming elements after you pass them, you lose the effect of them. There's no way you can add 'backwards near misses' either, so you lose the key aspect of Swarm's experience. And, no matter how well it rides backwards, it doesn't compensate the loss of effect. As for the queueing of it, all I can say is I'm not looking forward to it when it's busy. I think they've handled they queueing outside the station okay, but inside will be difficult. Even with VERY short queues today, it was hard for people to get to the backwards rows with their backwards passes, and some people seemed to have lost the ability to use common sense / listen to instructions. Throw in backwards Fastrack, people waiting long periods of time and whatever else, I fear it could well fail. But only time will tell I guess. A couple more points. All effects were working today (including the mist under the plane wing - first time I've seen that working since May time?) bar the water skin behind the fire truck. The fire effect was going off periodically, not every train, but was catching irregularly. Going backwards didn't make me feel queasy or anything at all; felt fine all the way through.. Also, after my first go (which was going forwards), I was reminded just why I love this ride so much. It mixes elegance, force, theming, effects, everything into one. It's perfectly paced and, whilst a little on the short side, doesn't leave you feeling short changed. It is just pure brilliance. The way the near misses work as well is just phenomenal - from the way you curve into billboard (after being distracted by fire if you're lucky), to the way the helicopter blades catch you off guard as they look unassuming (I think I was quickly desensitised to that last season though!), to missing the corner of the billboard that's been chopped off. It all just works so, so well. I'll do a blog entry about this in a bit more detail soon, with specific comparsions between forwards and backwards, and furhter justifying these ratings... The Swarm (Forwards) - 10/10 The Swarm (Backwards) - 8.5/10
