backwards swarm

It was announced today via the Official Thorpe Park Facebook page that this year in 2013 riders can experience The Swarm (the UK’s first winged coaster where riders are suspended at the side of the track) backwards! A photograph has been revealed of the trains covered with a giant tarpaulin, however photos of the reversed train are expected to emerge soon. The park also confirmed that a new near miss element has been added for the 2013 season.

Be dragged backwards into a blind 127ft drop before hurtling through the wasted landscape in a series of gut-wrenching near misses, including, new for 2013, the mangled metal of a devastated billboard.

Face the fear head on, or brave it backwards on the last two rows… do you dare take on THE SWARM?

• Winged seat position – nothing to hold, nothing to help you.
• Terrifying 127ft inverted drop hurtles you through a plane wing.
• Extreme near miss experiences + NEW near miss for 2013!
• 5 inversions, all properly gut wrenching
• Speeds of up to 92 KPH pulling up to 4.5Gs

john wardley retires soon :(

Today it was announced via Season Pass Podcast that ride designer & “imagineer” John Wardley is to retire following the completion of SW7 (The Smiler) roller coaster at Alton Towers Resort. John has been involved with Merlin Entertainments for many years and his projects include The Vampire, Bubbleworks, Th13teen, Oblivion, Air The Smiler – Alton Towers’ latest thrill incarnation and of course Nemesis, perhaps the project for which he most renowned.

John Explaining Nemesis in 1993:

Johns career started out as a stage manager at Windsor’s Theatre Royal which then moved to the film industry where he became involved with animatronics and special effects. He later moved to the Tussauds Group (Now Merlin) where he has remained to work on many successful projects spanning a number of decades.

Now, at the tender age of 63 John has chosen to retire and can do so looking back on a successful career which has had an impact on so many people both enthusiasts and general public.

We hope you have a happy and relaxed retirement.

John Wardley

oakwood £4 million investment

Despite investing more than £4m on new attractions Oakwood Theme Park has pledged to freeze its admission prices for 2013. Earlier this year the Pembrokeshire attraction announced plans for a major new family park area – featuring a series of new rides and experiences.

The new development will feature seven new rides and attractions, including a spectacular water ride alongside a series of children’s play areas and other themed attractions.

Park Director Dominic Jones said: “We took the decision to freeze our admission prices in response to feedback we received from visitors – many of them locals – who continue to be affected by the current economic climate.

“It’s highly unusual for a theme park to be making such a major investment without increasing admission prices but I hope it underlines our commitment to the local community and the fact that we listen to what people are telling us.

“Work is now well under way on the new attractions and, despite the recent spell of bad weather, we’re confident it’s all going to plan.

“There is a huge amount of construction involved in the developments and we will be taking delivery of a number of new rides over the coming weeks – it’s an incredibly exciting time for all of us here and we can’t wait to see visitors’ reactions to all the new additions,” he said.

Full details of the new attraction will be released next month with a planned opening prior to the 2013 summer holidays.

sw7 consturstion

CONSTRUCTION

Construction of the new £18 million roller coaster at Alton Towers Resort began in early 2012 with the removal of the Black Hole tent structure. Some 800 lorries, each carrying 20 tonnes of soil, removed earth from the site.

In late 2012, sections of the 700 tonne roller coaster structure were delivered to the site, before being pieced together, section by section – like a giant 3D jigsaw.

Keep up to date with construction with our gallery below.

February 2013

January 2013

these photos and info from the smiler web-sit  as a update

sw7 news

KEY FACTS

Ride time: 165 seconds

Passengers per ride train: 16

Minimum rider height: 1.4m

Location: X Sector

Highest drop: 30m

Maximum speed: approx 85 km/h

Track length: 1,170m

Opening: May 2013

SW7 OFFICIAL GAME

SW7 GAME THIS MONTH !!!! :D
the game could show us the SECRET weapon what were all waiting for but at the moment i will give you alot of news and info so here we go

Experience The Smiler on the move with our amazing game for tablets and smartphones!

Available on both iOS and Android devices, The Smiler Game App is set to bring The Smiler roller coaster to life, consisting of a full 3D recreation of the actual ride.

You will be able to take control of the ride cars and navigate your way around the track in as perfect a line as possible. Experience the intense thrills, twists and turns of the ride, with the opportunity to be rewarded with upgrade points to spend on a wide range of track upgrades.

Plus if you visit the Alton Towers Resort, unlock hidden content using Augmented Reality technology, with access to additional images, videos and secret upgrades for the game.

Game launch date – February 2013

paultons park

paultons relise there new map first for 2013!