March 27, 201411 yr comment_179435 During the summer from August through to October, at least when I went, it seemed to do the fire every 3 rounds.
March 27, 201411 yr comment_179436 Visited Thorpe today and rode the swarm four times. The staff were quick (kind of) at checking safety bars and the queue didn't get big (was kinda big in the morning) the trains were dispatched quite quickly the fire went off every time (seemed to) and was quite powerful!
March 27, 201411 yr comment_179437 During the summer from August through to October, at least when I went, it seemed to do the fire every 3 rounds. Yeah I have noticed that it seems to go off every 3 rounds (the fire that is) As for the queue times yesterday - there was a teachers strike which probably explains the volume of guests in the park. Though saying that, I went there last Friday and the amount of school kids there was ridiculous - I was saying "do these kids not bother with school these days?" Back on topic - I recently braved it backwards on The Swarm for the first time (too scared last year after almost boffing on XNWO years ago) - first time I was second row from back and felt a little dizzy afterwards, second time was right at the back. Still prefer front row but back is a unique experience - especially that first drop I screamed my head off!
March 27, 201411 yr comment_179440 haha! Go Han! Being at school still, Many schools have inset days (or teacher training days) around this time of year, so schools get a day off. Also, as said, yesterday was strike day. Private schools or religious schools have longer Easter holidays, so there may be that. Also, YR11 schooling ends in Late May, early June, so my year group will be heading thorpe quite frequently!
March 27, 201411 yr comment_179448 School's week is also fast approaching... Yes, last year Swarm's fire was notably every three trains; although this year I've seen it every other train, so if it's becoming yet more frequent then good on it, because it's a notable effect in the Zero-G. I also have to agree it has seemed to 'worn in' a little and has seemed more forceful than usual. I still personally don't find it anything amazing, but a bit more to it than it was. Also very proud of you for Braving it Backwards Han, I learnt from Samurai however not to hold your hand
March 28, 201411 yr comment_179470 Definitively going to this ride first on Sunday as it looks like its been kept in fairly good condition. Does anyone know how busy it might be on Sunday, because like most people I know are saying they're going!?
March 28, 201411 yr comment_179471 I'm sure mothers days have been quiet at Thorpe in the past, Sunday's are usually the quieter day of the weekend too. Shouldn't be too bad hopefully!
March 28, 201411 yr comment_179480 As to the bag drop, with one train today, they were "dropping" on the platform, but it would be dodgy if two trains were running.
April 19, 201411 yr comment_181350 Swarm station really is a mess when there's nobody batching, especially on the Saturday of Easter weekend.
April 19, 201411 yr comment_181359 Swarm's station is a mess anyday of the week on two trains... Such an awful design...
April 19, 201411 yr comment_181368 It's rubbish, having three queues going into the baggage hold doesn't work well at all either.
April 19, 201411 yr comment_181370 Not very nice queueing from the back of the left side and having staff shout at you to join the queue on the right when that's at the bottom of the stairs anyway too. They seriously need people batching in there, the whole system is a mess.
April 19, 201411 yr comment_181382 Last visit, the backwards queue was 10mins and forwards ended up being 20. I told a staff member that we had seen people abusing the system by joining the backwards queue and then choosing to go forwards on the ride. Saving themselves 10mins and queue jumping everyone in the forwards queue. Did she care, of course not... Rudeness. No apology, nothing. Needs sorting asap...
April 20, 201411 yr comment_181385 Whilst obviously staff being rude is a total different matter I don't really think Swarms station needs batchers inside the station, people sort them selves into 2s easily enough, will wait for the front if they wish too. I guess the problem starts with the back rows, I think what would work better is to have no backwards row queue at the entrance and allow people who wish to do it backwards queue in the station. Would all work much better IMO
April 20, 201411 yr comment_181390 . I guess the problem starts with the back rows, I think what would work better is to have no backwards row queue at the entrance and allow people who wish to do it backwards queue in the station. Would all work much better IMO This is so painfully obvious when you are there watching it go wrong, quite why they persevere with the split queue system I can't imagine. And can be fixed instantly by blocking the backwards queue and putting up a sign. As for the batching in stations in general, it used to always be the case (years ago) that a ride op on the platform would go along the queue from the ride side between dispatches checking the right amount of people were in each row and shuffling them if needed to fill all the seats. Never seem to see that happen any more, the staff often spend a lot of time standing around waiting (especially on one train op) when they could be doing something useful like this.
April 20, 201411 yr comment_181451 On a different note I've been finding the restraints really uncomfortable as of recently. I don't know why but I just find the vests very restricting to the point that I was in quite a bit of pain throughout the ride, but I don't recall having that issue when I first went on Swarm? Is there really any need for those ghastly vests? (Without wanting to sound stupid).
April 20, 201411 yr comment_181453 Actually, I have to admit, when I went on the 13th april my restraint had tightened a couple more notches when I had got onto the brake run. not sure where in the ride it had tightened, but I could definatley feel the difference. Not as bad as G Force though.
April 21, 201411 yr comment_181469 It's something that all the Wing Riders have. I was pretty sore after a day on Raptor!
April 29, 201411 yr comment_182169 Nice to see the water effects (by the fire engine, under the plane and by the helicopter turn), as they all weren't working on my visit last month... Shame the fire isn't on today! I just say The Swarm just seems faster and faster every time I ride it... Its turning from a floaty Air to an intense Nemesis!!
May 12, 201411 yr comment_182998 Anyone know why THE SWARM was shut all day on Friday? (which was bad news for me )
May 12, 201411 yr comment_183000 I believe it was due to the wind being strong and in the wrong direction.
May 12, 201411 yr Author comment_183002 All day?! That must be the first time it's been closed for an entire day!
May 12, 201411 yr comment_183006 That must have been a strong wind. I cant think where it goes slow enough it could valley.
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