July 13, 201213 yr comment_139062 Not sure if there'd be any point in a Leviathan-style nameboard/set-piece because The Swarm's logo has it's own bridge to itself already. Jack's hit the nail on the head though - the pipe looks more like an internal support for a stood structure, which is to be bolted into the ground as well, so that means it's heavy. My best guess is it's going to be a smashed car that's been picked up and dropped by The Swarm and smashed an enormous whole in the ground. If this is a sign of things to come (first Krake receives more themeing, now The Swarm) then I take my hat off to Merlin. Now if only they took their sights down to the more finite details of a coaster like, oh, I dunno, the paintwork or existing themeing pieces/devices. OH, HEY INFERNO.
July 13, 201213 yr comment_139069 As cool as it is, it begs the question, why would they just randomly plonk a piece of theming in halfway through the season? And why wasn't it in the planning documents? Especially when, the way I see it, the ride isn't even 100% fully complete yet. No fire, no consistent webcam/LED's, faulty jets etc. I'm certainly not complaining, but I just think its odd...
July 13, 201213 yr comment_139070 I'm not quite sure how the theme additions are managed whether they are entirely done by Studios North or Thorpe's own staff have to get involved but if it is entirely down to the studio to sort out then I'd be optimistic in thinking that they wouldn't allow park engineering resources to be spread on to a project I.e. this new piece which we are seeing, which falls quite low on the priority ladder right now. As already said, while Swarm is amazing: it still has some glitchy rows of seats which is a big hit on capacity and current theming elements clearly still need work to be up to the task of day to day operation.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139071 Just dropping this in: the seating issues should be sorted shortly, if not already. A few tweaks here and there have prevented the trains' seats from playing up.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139072 The seating issue may be similar to what Air experienced in its first year, when they had to change all the sensors in the seats to a different system. Hmm.. bit of theming. That must be the only thing why TG Cruise and studios are there for.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139079 I would find it really great if it was an animatronic, which would be of a injured swarm creature trying to move. But since it has been injured, much of it can't move. Can't wait to see what will be placed there.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139080 A turret or something pointing up towards the drop with a smoke cannon that fires as the train accelerates downwards, to create the illusion that it has been hit. Yes please.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139084 I'll be there tomorrow to check it out, it would be good if it was extra theming, but getting the existing ride and effects would be more important to me.
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139085 A turret or something pointing up towards the drop with a smoke cannon that fires as the train accelerates downwards, to create the illusion that it has been hit. Yes please. This got me thinking, Thorpe could play it as if they're bringing in the army (or something similar) to fight against the Swarm, which is why it's being added now and not right at the beginning. This could lead on to a 2013 ride where we need to help fight the Swarm. Something like this:
July 14, 201213 yr comment_139087 Fantastic graphics, and if Thorpe are getting Vengeance from the Dungeons.... the puzzle is starting to come together or I'm completely wrong
July 15, 201213 yr comment_139098 A turret or something pointing up towards the drop with a smoke cannon that fires as the train accelerates downwards, to create the illusion that it has been hit. Yes please. Working with that maybe they are moving the tank that was at the entrance to there. which would follow the train and as you said shoot before it drops
July 16, 201213 yr Author comment_139124 Adz over on TTF posted this, with regards to the holes: It's a Merlin Magic Making theming addition. Yes, you've read that correctly. Merlin are adding additional theming to a ride once its already opened... It should look pretty nice when completed. He's normally reliable for most Merlin things, so it looks like we are in for additional theming! Whatever it is, a huge kudos to Thorpe/Merlin. It sounds as though they may well be responding to some of criticisms that the area wasn't immersive enough, so have decided to add in more theming as a solution. Can't wait to see this!
July 16, 201213 yr comment_139126 One thing that makes me think though, is that that foundation was there before they placed the bricks down. They couldn't have placed it down and let it set already in one night. Whatever it is, it does seem as though it will be something big and impressive.
July 16, 201213 yr comment_139127 Just need to add stuff to the OLDER rides to make them look as new as they did when they originally opened now... I never really had a problem with the Swarm area anyways... Dunno what this could be really but hopefully this will be a precursor to Merlin seeing that they need to upkeep the rides after opening, rather than let them rot and rust...
July 16, 201213 yr comment_139133 Just need to add stuff to the OLDER rides to make them look as new as they did when they originally opened now... I never really had a problem with the Swarm area anyways... Dunno what this could be really but hopefully this will be a precursor to Merlin seeing that they need to upkeep the rides after opening, rather than let them rot and rust... When they start doing that to rides like Oblivion and Vampire, without painting queue lines garish colours or awful sponsorship deals then yes Merlin will have turned some kind of corner.
July 16, 201213 yr comment_139143 I want them to install this over night, so people only see the finished product; not all the bits in between (minus the hole in the ground and support thingy.) I doubt it will be that way, but it certainly would catch all us enthusiasts by surprise, let alone the general public!
July 16, 201213 yr comment_139158 It has electricity wires poking out of it now. Oh the excitement. It reminds me of the days of queueline tvs being installed.
July 17, 201213 yr comment_139172 Credit to Thorpe Park Mania Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/thorpeparkmania
July 17, 201213 yr comment_139176 Not bad at all. Glad to see them continuing to theme the area. Id like to hope that they get round to doing a few small tweaks to other rides and areas, but hey even if they don't, I am glad they have gone that little bit extra for the Swarm.
July 17, 201213 yr comment_139177 Excellent. I'm hoping that it has something in it that allows it to jolt sometimes, as if it were unsteady. Other than that, great work merlin.
July 17, 201213 yr Author comment_139188 Can't remember how many times I've said this with regards to Swarm, but I'll say it again... Brilliant. Top notch stuff. That is all.
July 17, 201213 yr comment_139189 Great new piece of theming! There seems to be some sort of pipe coming out of the top of it. Smoke machine possibly?
July 17, 201213 yr comment_139206 Looks amazing. I wonder if there will be some sort of fence around it...
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