tomglazed

It does definitely look like there are about 5 separate LEDs in each eye; and to think we were doubting we'd get LEDs for eyes, looks like we have light up eyes and some form of red LED swarm weaponry! Awesome stuff.

I wouldn't have thought so, we probably won't be hearing any actual ride audio until opening day when we hear it for ourselves.

I presume the reason all those things were removed was that they either just left them to break or it was deemed to expensive to prevent them from breaking? Minus the queueline change: did they do that with a view to do the fright night maze or was it altered way before that was on the cards?I would suggest that they don't make such a big thing about the backwards in the dark aspect now e.g. remove all the "WORLD'S ONLY" stuff from queueline signs; guess they have to note that it is dark and backwards on the safety information. I'd understand if the ride concept become a run away success and we started seeing several more popping around the Uk or worldwide then they'd still have the "world's first" but it hasn't so its best not to make a song and dance about a ride concept which obviously has just shown itself to become more funny and vomit inducing than thrilling.

If they called it Vertigo then I'd be up in arms on behalf of U2! (quality song and one of the most generic ride names ever).

Wow Would be interesting to see what their logo ideas were like for The Edge like Stealth includes the top hat to make the A in Stealth. Was it changed lbecause of the whole Pizza Hut copyright claim or is that just assumed?

I'm surprised Thorpe haven't begun doing this more really; advertising for ride opening a month or two after season start so they can open for "previews" or my favourite when american parks call them "technical rehearsals".

So by the looks of things the name change to Stealth was quite a last minute one especially if the merchandised is tagged with edge?

I agree, I feel like Stealth can pass as a name for a race car driver (just about) like Rita; The Edge just stands like a typical ride name which tries to make it sound all big, bad and terrifying.

I totally agree but I'm really not sure it should still be in the same category of thrills as Colossus or Stealth. Maybe bump it down to thrilling and fun; never did understand why Zodiac was bumped down instead so maybe put that back up to extreme.

It would be awesome to see the Swarm trains as a christmas advent treat but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see them until the new year; some eagle eyed lookers will probably catch far away glimpses of them before we get to see any decent shots on the developer page.

I'm wondering how they are going to work Fasttrack into the ride; like is it going service only one side and also, are they doing single rider or are they scrapping that entirely?

That would be awesome but I wouldn't be surprised if they used the same facias as Raptor but with a different colour scheme; it would suit the ride just fine. They'd have to be very strong LED's like the ones used on Rip Ride Rockit so they can be seen in the daytime.

There are pictures during construction which show that they did have to excavate in order for the drop to be the size that it is.

Honestly my worst fear is that they will attempt to add The Swarm on to the link system and the ride audio is just doomed to begin with.

It does make me laugh that the judge is now concerning himself with the fact that the Ropers will be in financial ruin if their claim goes on much longer.Umm hello? If they used the money they've plowed into this claim to move and sort their situation out then there wouldn't be an issue. Don't moan about your situation if you aren't doing anything to help yourself; and plowing money into a claim against the noise of the UK's best theme park run by one of the largest theme park owners in the world, is not helping yourself

The circuit looks epic and that plane wing looks rather beasty as well.Quick question though. I know that before they even think of letting a train run a circuit of the track, they usually do a pull through to check safety envelopes and clearances; do you think they will use one or two cars from a train and gradually pull them through the track (like on Stealth) or will they setup some kind of representation to mimic the train plus the reach of riders' arms and legs etc. (like on Kingda Ka). What do B&M usually do for this?

Question for Carsten: How would you describe the feeling of seeing the final piece of a rollercoaster you have been putting together for weeks on end being set in place?

I love that they are even continuing the destroyed church facade across the maintenance shed from the station. Seems undeniable that they are pulling out all stops right now

Fair point but like I said it is my only gripe among so many other things which are great about it; never mentioned there being a gargantuan issue with the ride else where and the experience it provides. I do still love the ride.Plus, if there has been one that has been redone this year then we can only hope something will be done to the rest over the closed season

I completely agree and I believe dueling should continue; if not then the name really needs to be rethought because it is hardly a challenge if one dragon is going to be constantly "chasing" another . I'm not really up on the respective strictness on health and safety from the UK compared to the US; was purely a presumption

Seems Dragon Challenge/Dueling Dragons at Universal in Florida is unlikely to duel each other again. Seems plausible I guess, I mean lets face it, had this been a UK ride, health and safety would have enforced this modification years back; incident or no incident. The area especially where the two "dragons" charge at each other and dive upwards into a loop just before touching each other must be quite a high risk area for loose objects to become projectiles.

It'd be a perfect marketing spin. The Swarm opening would have to take most of the lime light but Colossus: 10 seasons of the power of 10, possibilities are endless with that.

A solid ride which doesn't rely on gimmicks. Purely a smooth ride with a load of force at the right times.

As already said, sort the music out. Have chart music playing at the turnstiles and then to act as a good break point, go to the ride themes from the bridge onward. I personally don't think the the Saw sign looking faded and a flickering light is too bad; again, Thorpe's good ol' "themes which can degrade overtime but still look good", they've honed it to a fine art park wide really.

I can't remember when the contract ends but right up until that date they are bound by it so they should technically fix it.