JoshC.

-Audio is my main bug bear. -Colossus paint job would be nice, especially as it's 10 next year, but I wouldn't be THAT fussed if it wasn't (same in case of Inferno).-Entrance refurb would be nice, but I'd prefer them to not rush that, so if it is worth waiting for, them I'm fine.Not something I'd like them to do over closed season, but still something for next season nonetheless:-Some sort of actors/mascot(s) roaming around the park (heck, even having a Lez Cougan in Swam's area would be great). Little bits of entertainment like that go a long way.

Saw > Stealth. Longevity and theming are the main clinchers. Stealth's audio and lack of killing your neck were positive which make it a hard choice.Saw > Tidal Wave. For the simple fact that it can be ridden all year round. Tidal Wave has better audio, theme and theming, but I just can't ride it unless it is boiling. And even then, I struggle with that amount of water being thrown on me... :SSaw > Colossus. Theming and I enjoy the ride slightly more. Quite close in some ways, especially as Colossus has a more interesting layout, better audio and doesn't try to brake your neck..

Inferno > Saw. Ride experience and audio clinches it.Inferno > Colossus. Ride experience, theme and theming pummels it for me.Inferno > Stealth. Ride experience, longevity, audio and theme are some of many reasons. In other words; Inferno wins.

To add to this conversation...I live over 2 miles away from Thorpe Park. I just stood at the end of my street and saw and heard basically the whole show (including the audio)! The only thing I didn't really see was the actual blowing up of the vehicle, though I saw the fiery flashes and loud bangs of course. :PBeautiful show and an amazing way to end the season - well done Thorpe!

Lookalike a bit of what should have been seen as banter in this topic went a bit far...Despite Inferno being practically my favourite ride on park, I agree with Jack in that it's not that forceful. The vertical loop and one of the turns (honestly cannot remember which one mind) bring force for me. However, that elegance, mixed in with forceful points, is exactly what I love about Inferno. I find Saw much more forceful (well, intense, for a better word) and have greyed out on it once before. I guess people react differently to G-forces on rides.Though, the really funny thing is, Jack moans that Inferno lacks any force, yet has no problem with Air and absense of any force whatsoever... ;)tl;dr: People are different!

Quick brief of my views:-Chart music all around park; did not like.-Fire performers: were a little boring.-Burning effigy (of Jedward): good fun, great way to wet the whistle.-Main display: one of Thorpe's best firework displays I can remember. Park itself was a bit below par I think; all views will come in a TR tomorrow.

Amazing. That is all.

What were the reasons B&M decided to pursue their own Wing-Rider concept?Are there any ride concepts from other manufacturers that B&M wished they had 'thought of' first?(As a side note, if this is general B&M stuff we're asking, why's it in the Thorpe Park subforum? I know Swarm is a B&M, but why stick a B&M topic in a Swarm area? :S)

Looks like it's one of the times to 'agree to disagree'. :PI think it adds a whole new dimension to the story, and like what it has done. I do look forward to how they go with it and how much of a story link this will have with the ride itself. I think what it also does it helps when it comes to actors promoting the ride (and ones that will be around when the ride is open, with a bit of luck), as it doesn't restrict them to having a single actor for Lez. It could be that this idea is just being done to make it logistically easier for them, but I'd hope that's not the main reason..

^Depends what they do with it really.My theory would be...One Lez has said how 'The Swarm' are an alien race which have invaded and go inside your ears, brainwashing you (or along those lines at least). So, The Swarm brainwash everyone into thinking that they are someone / something called Lez Cougan, and that they should spread their message (of what, I dunno, but some sort of alien-like thing), but some 'Lez Cougans' are fighting back (typical film story of when someone is brainwashing you I guess), spreading the warning that it is not a roller coaster, but instead a way to infect and brainwash you, etc. etc.Shameless speculation on my part, but I think they could certainly create a realistic (or, as real as you get with aliens) story line with this one, which is out of this world...

Love the video concept!Not a fan of all the Lez's, but still, brilliant video - can't wait for the story behind this...

^With Saw's though, the pre-footage bit didn't show much any new footage that they hadn't already recorded for internet virals (I think), so it could've been feasible. I guess where the concept was new though, it is understandable. It does depend on what else they include, but I would really hope and like that it was up and running more or less when the ride opens, or at least within the first week (to be reasonable).

I wouldn't say I love them, but it makes sense.After all, the park don't open the on-ride photos late, so why should they with their on-ride videos? That, and I'd like to see my facial expressions first time..

Not something that I'd like to be included within the DVD, but a general view about the DVDs:I'd like it if they were available when the ride first opens, as opposed to a couple of months later, a la Saw..

I might be mistaken, but I think Thorpe tend to require a grade C or higher in GCSE Performing Arts / very similar qualification?

I don't think he was disputing that it's part of the T&C, but more arguing that fact that it's silly that they're actually doing it..Tbh, I think there should be standard and premium TPAP if they want to charge for such events.

http://puu.sh/5Oyq*Does not let me post as an image for some reason *

Yep; I think they changed the way they the measured the time or something? Thorpe advertise their main coasters for two years now it would seem; the year it opens, and the year after. Hence why we had Stealth in 06, then the 'Stealth v1.1' in 2007 and Saw in 09, then the extra of Saw Alive in 10.Will be interesting to see if that happens with Swarm, and how it happens..

Anyone who's interested in finding out what the routes for Asylum, Hellgate and Se7en back in 2006 were should check this site out http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/magazine_23a_01.htm]HERE[/url].Pretty sure the Se7en one has remained unchanged, Hellgate's seems the same, but unsure about Asylum. Experiment 10, I could more or less recall, but don't know any link that shows one.

According to Thorpe's Facebook, Experiment 10 will be on the Xtra Factor, not the X Factor.

^Is one day younger than me! Think it was late 08 / early 09.

Used to change his signature reguarly with different 'Rules of Life', which I found highly entertaining.God, that was ages ago..

So I visited Thorpe again today, so here's another PTR! Basically, the reason for me making 3 FN visits this is, what with me starting uni next year, and with my uni choices being a fair way away from Thorpe, the chances are that this will be my last Fright Nights visit for at least 4 years! Anyway, this'll be one of my briefer PTRs, but I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless. :)After collecting our pre-paid tickets (which we bought this morning, considering we wouldn't have been able to buy them at the gate - silly, eh?) we got into the park just after 11. As expected, it was busy.It was sunny, which was better than the past couple of days of rain.Busy car park! MAHOOSIVE queue for Advanced Tickets! Much like most fanboys would do, I decided to do a bit of Swarm spying...Certainly makes an impact.Sorry about the appalling quality, but Swarm banners in the dome. Don't remember these being up on my last visit..Okay, I'm not going to go through 'We did this, we did that' all the time now, but instead just a nice general overview. I was glad that I wasn't stuck in a boat ankle deep in water this time on Storm Surge. However, it seemed as if there was a boat in a similar situation and when the operator says you're feet need to touch to floor and 'It's only a water ride, you're bound to get wet' in response, it is a bit poor really. Also disappointed by the lack of any spin I seem to get now... Guys up the top of Swarm, probably taking photos for the Developer Diary.Liking the views of Swarm you get on Flying Fish. Of course, no photos from on ride itself, but instead a selection of photos from around the general Fish area:You can just imagine the trains elegantly flying down that now..Me taking a photo of a guy taking a photo. Why does roller coaster construction always make me feel a bit perverted? Work on THAT trim!The Missing Wall near Stealth.FN theming. *Shock, horror*Another necessity of the day was a couple of goes on the beloved CCR. Of course, my last go will come next Saturday, but a couple of goes now can't hurt, right? (No photos, for a reason, which I'll reveal at a late date - the suspense! )Now, for critics of the lack of FN theming (basically everybody, me included):Decapitated body bags. It's a nice touch, but this should be a park-wide minimum in my eyes.A quick mention of my visit into Saw Alive today. It has really improved, with actors doing incredibly well. There was one actor who literally appeared from no where, and seemingly disappeared - kudos to her. In general, though not a scary experience, it was an enjoyable one. 3:30 had came, so we decided to do Experiment 10 for one last time as well. We started queuing up and gates opened at 5 to. At about 10 past-ish, when we were near the front, something happened inside the maze. What exactly I have no idea, but considering the queue was evacuated, it must have been something of importance. I really have no clue as to whether it was a technical issue or to do with a guest / actor, but there you go. Fastrack was given to all those who waited the 10-ish minutes before the queue was evacuated, valid for Asylum or Experiment 10. We decided to get some donuts, and wait a bit for the Barry and Stuart show. Couple of blokes went through that door; didn't see them come out. Like the little details such as a bit of 'blood' on the side of the door. (Also, some may find interesting, just as you go in that door, there's a sign saying ear protection must be worn. Lil' bit of trivia I guess).Queue evac. Notice the police? hmmBarry and Stuart sign.As we were queuing to get into the theatre, the roaming clowns came around. Photo times were had of course!I ask for photo; he just gives me a stare as if he's about to cry. Love how well he stayed in character.Evils?THIS GUY! <3 He had the highest, squeakiest voice I've heard and was absolutely hilarious. I was genuinely laughing with him; he deserves tonnes of praise!Some girl wanted a photo with him, but when she gave her friend her phone, it stopped working. The clown started telling her to hurry up and such, before going in a 'strop' and saying he had enough - more a 'you had to be there' moment; hilarious nonetheless!What you lookin' at?Hurry up!He gave up...Anyway, Barry and Stuart were great. I didn't get the chance to see them last year, so really did not know what to expect. They were a good laugh more than anything, with their slightly twisted, low-brow humour. Some of their tricks were quite 'simple' shall we say, but they pulled them off beautifully, so I don't really care about that. As many have probably said, the ending is rather weak, predictable and does not do the show, nor Barry or Stuart, justice. Shame really. However, a solid 7/10.By this time, we went over to Experiment 10, and as the queue wasn't too long, we just queued up for it, rather than using Fastrack. SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD: It has changed a little now, in the sense that the groups you are dispatched in are HUGE - like 24 people huge. How does that work you may ask? By putting people the little rooms in twos. Personally, I don't think it is as effective, but ah well. Also, another bug-bear of mine, the actor who puts you in the cell talks too much really. That experience should be brash and in your face, not 'Put your hands on your head, quickly, in here, don't come out, don't take your hands off your head'. It doesn't work as well that way; it should just be 'IN HERE - NOW!' like how I experienced it on the AP preview night. The lack of actors in the second bit disappoints me still - as I said on my previous visit, more actors in the second half. As Fastrack was not used, and we didn't want to do Asylum, I got them put under my name on the system - aww yeah. That concluded in evening really, just around six-ish. I feel in the three FN visits I've done this year, I've certainly done the event justice and have been left with a brilliant vibe from them. Now all that is left is to wait to see how big Thorpe 'Blows it up' next Saturday, for my final visit of 2011!

The first world problem that is the 200 photo maximum per album on Facebook..