Baffles

What have the operations been like? Is there much stacking?

Shame really, but not surprising. I've only visited the park twice, and on my second visit the ride was very painful. Not because it was particularly rough, but one of the running wheels had blown, leaving a bite shaped chunk out of it. I informed a ride op who did nothing. The ride was only shut down when I complained to guest relations on how serious of an issue it was..

Did Batwing not have three trains originally??

Great pics!

Absolutely epic looking ride..

Nice try Very sleek looking though, just wish the Swarm had the extra helix at the end.

Looks exactly how Swarm did on its first runs and first thing in the morning. As mentioned it does appear to have a less of an inline tiwst off the lift and more of a dive, hence why the train starts off quicker.

It is, and it's a very good ride - but it still feels quite fluid and controlled unlike the older coasters.

It rips your head off with 7 cars - imagine it with 8.. So it looks like they are creating a new path to get really close to the ride? Dragon Khan has only ever been photographed from the front - so it'll be nice to get some orginal views and appreciate the Shambhala water splash.

"Yet another Thorpe Park cock up" - Really?! That's a bit harsh. Suggest how they could have done things any differently to avoid this "cock up"? Pretty sad really - wouldn't be surprised if that was you who contacted the BBC. Do you expect a ride on opening day to run absolutely smoothly from the word go? Errors would pop up on any ride when it first starts running with train loads of people. You shouldn't even have a camera on there anyway..

It's by the helicopter on the low turn. The ride has now been handed back over Merlin Studios - there's various things which have not been installed / finished such as station queue TV's, fire ball from the fire engine and the splash. It's not working completely in sync yet and is due to be finished this coming week ready for opening day. More photos from Saturday.. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150320486888495.350458.213894828494&type=1 Amazing ride!

I've actually got tickets for this Saturday where the Swarm will be running for the friends and family preview day. Will post some pics after.

I think it's the fact it's so exposed and pretty much on top of a hill towering above everything around it. What an advert for the park though..

It does make Khan looks like a kiddie coaster.

The second pic was taken late last season - note the scare maze tents.

Amazing!

Amazing photo. Dragon Khan must be feeling rather dwarfed already!

Beautiful, but menacing Pics from SouthParks from yesterday.

Better, but even that could do with a few trees and bushes in the ride area to make it a little more exciting. I like how the track before the curve still has the attachments for the walkway due to it being on the lake at Geauga. SFMM really could do with at least some grass under Scream though..

Great looking ride! Defo on the list for next year..

..and there's me thinking it was a smaller coaster - what a surprise to find it crosses two other rides I am still wondering on the capacity of the ride though - I'm sure they have some genious plan to reach a higher throughput than other GCI's - but will be interesting to find out.

They have another proposed coaster of 160ft going in near The Swarm in the future, so that defies the 120ft myth. Thorpe are generally quite good with planning applications, and the next new coaster has already been approved as part of their long term development plan. Obviously subject to a final specific application as we have seen with the previous coasters - and they all went through okay. It's gonna be one impressive view from the dome balcony in a few years..

But we are talking about the park that dispatches coasters without checking restraints as they trust their engineering to ensure you are safe. As mentioned, none of their coasters have seatbelts, and if you have an accident, you are responsible. Love the German way.. Will be very interesting to see how they do this.

Exactly - Legoland is a huge park now with a lot of rides which unfortunately are not great capacity, so good planning is needed on when to visit. I think the park has the friendliest staff of any in the UK.

Awesome report, thanks.