StevenVig Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 will they even let me try though?There is a test seat out the front for a reason..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinyates3 Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 yer but they wont see me in the test seat will they. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenVig Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 yer but they wont see me in the test seat will they.If you can buckle yourself up in the test seat, youll get on the ride. That is after all, the entire point of a test seat..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 If you can buckle yourself up in the test seat, youll get on the ride. That is after all, the entire point of a test seat.....So from what you're saying, if you're under 1.4m and you can buckle yourself up in the test seat you'll be fine... Minimum height and maximum height rules are there for a reason, I'm not sure how strict they are on the maximum height but they should be enforcing it. Tom and thorpeparkjack 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinyates3 Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 yer thats what I'm getting at but 1 inch over and the fact that my body will fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 Usually at maximum height points, if you approach the maximum height you will be advised not to ride due to discomfort, but you can. Sidders 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daboywunda Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 Thanks Jonny, that information is spot on!! I actually can't wait for the fire to be working.. It's going to look epic!! I'm surprised that the fire and LED's are considered a similar risk.. Or could it be that the paperwork was submitted after every-thing else, meaning that it was held up that way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob230 Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w05F8ONOZzw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 'Xplorer Central' have uploaded copious photos of a Behind the Scenes event of Swarm, which was held for the ECC: http://xplorercentra...uk/?page_id=400Here's the cream of the crop (all photos used with permission, and with thanks to XC):Roughly proposed queues, and their lengths. Though cut off, the main queue line is 450m and can hold 90 mins worth of queueing time. Nice shot of the helicopter in the making.By%20the%20looks%20of%20it,%20if%20you%20are%20putting%20your%20arms%20up,%20you%20are%20a%20mere%20couple%20of%20inches%20away%20from%20some%20thematic%20elements.<a%20%20data-cke-saved-href=The accessible rickety jetty was omitted from the plans 3 days before the council accepted them. Could this mean the council weren't too keen on the idea?Love how casual the presenters look in this mock up.. XDInteresting proposal. Very interesting the original concept was 'alien machines', and we've ended up with 'alien life forms'.Comparison between the two.The meaning of LC12 - revealed!More story stuff. Love the teasing 'in the UK... for now' bit. Original plan to have bits of theming in the actual lake.So yeah, all very interesting stuff. Explains a couple of bits and bobs too. Of course, there's more photos in the link above; mostly very good! pluk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 "We've teased the geeks with the project name announcement".Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daboywunda Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 lol, love the "We have teased the geeks" element of the What We Have Already Done..... Slightly rude, but also true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan9 Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 "We've teased the geeks"Respect for Merlin +++++++++++++++++++ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyfingers Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 The behind the scenes tour for the ECC really was great. I'm not the sort of enthusiast who obsesses over the nuts and bolts of a ride, but it really was cool to see the thought and planning that went into Swarm. The concept art, ride technical drawings and marketing ideas were all top notch. Plus we got to see items from years of Thorpe Park history, plans for rides that never game to fruition (including the GCI Woodie that looked very nice!) and various maps showing how the park has changed over the years, and just how much land was reclaimed from the lake.But the best thing about the tour was the enthusiasm shown by the Thorpe Park staff that were present, especially the area manager for Swarm, think his name was Neil but can't be sure. He's an enthusiast just like us and wants to see the best rides added to the park. He admits that what they want doesn't always match what sales and marketing or the development team want, but they always try to come to an agreement. You can see that they put a lot of effort into The Swarm, even going to Gardaland to watch Raptor's operation, picking up ideas on how to make Swarm a better ride, especially from an operations point of view.It has restored my faith a bit in Merlin that, despite all the PR stunts and questionable ride decisions, they have employees that care and do their utmost to make each ride as good as they can. daboywunda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Everytime someone posts a picture of that GCI concept, a part of me dies thinking we got Saw instead...Damn unmarketable Woodies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenC Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 The behind the scenes tour for the ECC really was great.... It has restored my faith a bit in Merlin that, despite all the PR stunts and questionable ride decisions, they have employees that care and do their utmost to make each ride as good as they can.Completely agree - I had a great time on Saturday, and the Thorpe team were both enthusiastic and informative. Re. the 2009 GCII plans, apparently Mike Vallis (Divisional Director) is a big fan of wood, but the sheer marketability of the SAW franchise meant it wasn't to be. There's a little hope for the future, though...Will aim to get a hi-res gallery of the Thrill Workshop/Swarm plans onto Total Thorpe Park at the weekend, although Xplorer Central has done a great job with coverage already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Saturday was great, I'm glad everyone likes my photos from XC.The staff were incredibly friendly and were glad to answer our questions, seeing the woodie plans for myself was one of the best bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentez Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Just to add to the sentiments above, I too thought the staff put on a good show for us "geeks" Really was great to see such enthusiasm towards the project and also the odd teaser here and there. Me and Mer ended up going back to the woodie plans a good 3 or 4 times for a good old nosey :)EDIT: thought I'd throw in some Swarm pictures I took on Saturday.....Sorry about the quality but I only had my phone with me Stealthowl, Mer and Sidders 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 great post, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mer Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 I was actually thinking earlier about posting some of the Swarm pics I took on Saturday here, so here they are, click for full size hugeness!My favourites I think are the train going under the wing, the fire engine shot with the train, going through the Zero-G and the helicopter and train shot :DGotta love my camera for being so awesome yet not being an expensive bulky SLR ^_^Also, has anyone else apart from me and Ben noticed that the helicopter plays sound effects? I believe it was a radio call for help, or something along those lines. And the lights that flicker/flash inside! It's the little details like that which really show how much thought and effort Thorpe have put into this ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Proper good photo's, is that a magnetic brake just under the wing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drawin Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Just asking, have any fire effects been put in yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Proper good photo's, is that a magnetic brake just under the wing?I think the trim brake is mechanical like with all B&Ms so is only used when it's actually needed...Didn't feel it at all over the 9 rides... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentez Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Just asking, have any fire effects been put in yet?They have indeed, just awaiting one final tick in the box, same applies to the train LEDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokesyboy Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 They have indeed, just awaiting one final tick in the box, same applies to the train LEDs.I remember reading somewhere they hope to have it up by the end of the easter break?! Don't quote me on the source I can't remember where I read it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenVig Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 I remember reading somewhere they hope to have it up by the end of the easter break?! Don't quote me on the source I can't remember where I read it!You read it on here, not sure from which user Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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