MattyMoo

This is true. But reduced merch before has meant changes/removal (though that's not applicable obviously in this case) for the next season. The Swarm medal is generic and doesn't exactly take up lots of stock space - and there are medals for other rides too, so if they are stopping selling those medals, you'd probably expect them to be reduced for all rides not just Swarm...

Just to update on this, I've just sent this to Thorpe Park's PR team so looking forward to seeing all the ex Big Brother and Only Way Is Essex zelebs on the 28th!

I want to know why there isn't a chainsaw in the picture

DBGTROTD's merch is reduced because they'll be adding another room - and words to the attraction's name - in 2018 too I would hate Swarm to have VR - if it did, all those near misses and theming - which, rolling news channel aside, is the best in the park - would be missed. What on earth would be the point of that? Maybe they'll just call it Swarm Blaster and stick guns in front of you somehow.

Thorpe Park website showing Rush as not currently available...

Media Night is 28th September - if it hasn't already been said.

Yep that's how the cards work - so if you were able to have more than one card, you could do each maze twice etc @Mer - yep we did go on preview night last year, and we did get everything done but it was quite busy at the start of the evening, then thinned out (I guess as everyone has done their haunts once and so have nothing else to do) - we would've liked to have "re-ridden" the haunts as we had time to kill! My mate can't make preview night this year so I think we are going to go on Saturday 7th October.

We haven't booked as yet - there's 4 of us. Can you chaps "inbox" me as they say what the score is?

I do remember the groundworkers being completely shocked when I told them that the countdown website to a March 2013 opening had gone live.

That's abandoned "Old Town" themeing, how very dare you.

I think you are right - like I just edited my post to say, if you look back at Smiler construction, it's shocking how little was done until Winter 2012 - the first track was in place at the end of October 2012! I appreciate woodies are a whole different kettle of fish, but still...

I'm sure Smiler PR was far more advanced at this stage of construction, from memory...? One would assume a start of the season opening considering how quickly construction is progressing... I think that would do Merlin a lot of favours if that was the case. EDIT: Looking back - the Smiler site had no vertical construction whatsoever at this stage (Aug 2012), track arrived middle of September...! At least that implies SW8 is porgressing nicely.

"World class experience" is an interesting term.... sounds a bit half-arsed to me (hashtag pessimist) Looking at the coding for the page - the background is called "wood1.jpg" so that implies to me that the coaster is going to be made of wood Agree on the branding iron vibe, I was thinking that too.

Am definitely VIP-ing it this year for the sake of £60 - regretted not doing that last year at my first visit to Tulleys

Looks like two shipping containers stuck together with a yellow slide to get out, hope this helps? Surprised it's not an upsell attraction tbh.

This does tickle me Next time I go to Thorpe I'm going to wear an empty Kellogs box round my neck so people know I paid "half price" to get in.

Heyyyy - I like the Swarm! Whether the preshow isn't perhaps that impressive - you can't deny that the Swarm island is pretty damn impressive looking theming wise - it puts the most of the "island like no other" to shame really.

Hey you gotta have a hobby m8!

Amazing graphic design work lads, 9/10 - only way it could be improved is if they used Comic Sans.

Two things: 1. I don't really get the hYpE behind pop badges, soz 2. Someone on the MAP Facebook page congratulated Merlin on getting some listings on eBay removed selling pop badges - I don't see the problem, sure it's not with the "spirit" of pop badges swapping etc. but it's not as if it's against any laws as such? They're just plastic discs given away free... 3. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Merlin-Pop-Badge-myfirstcoaster-Thorpe-park-/222593949077?hash=item33d3a21d95:g:xbYAAOSwReBZc4h~ - if you pay for £45 for a small plastic disc with a sticker on it, you are an absolute idiot.

Dropping = drop tower = finally the second duelling Detty tower, REJOICE!

Details details...! Are the queue line TV's working again does anyone know? Be a shame for all that production of a rolling news channel - which was genuinely impressive - go to waste.

Yep - the safety alert from KMG specified particular model numbers/makes - this just confirms the fact.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40788040 This article details KMG Afterburners that are closed in the UK - as mentioned, Vortex does not appear affected or under scrutiny.

Yep I agree Hellements will go - that was by far the weakest maze last year. The novelty just didn't work.