Swarm

[marc]

If you compare our recent additions like Ben10, Th13teen, Kiddie Koasta or Zooooom to things like Oz'Iris, Skyrush, Leviathan, Blue Fire, Mountain Flyer or even Verbolten...then that's where my criticism of our rides comes from.

Thing is though, you're comparing our tiny little country to the REST OF THE WORLD! Its not really a fair comparison, is it?

Size does not matter

Tbh yes we do rather well, we have some great older coasters. But let be honest what in the past 5 years has been added thats any bloody good? You have to remember that many people have only been on CF for 5 years or even really into coasters so have have they got to go on?

So if you look at it from that view The Swarm is a big deal to them.

Plus many have not even left the UK so only see POV's and pictures of other coasters around the world.

 

[caffeine_demon]

If you compare our recent additions like Ben10, Th13teen, Kiddie Koasta or Zooooom to things like Oz'Iris, Skyrush, Leviathan, Blue Fire, Mountain Flyer or even Verbolten

well - Ben10. kiddie koasta and zooom aren't really a fair comparison to any of those.

13 V verbolten is a fair comparison though - and Verbolten wins hands down, Maybe the drop on 13 is better, but the rest of verby is miles better!

Swarm or Saw Vs oziris or blue fire would be a reasonable comparison though - and I haven't ridden oz or BF yet, so dunno what's better!

 

[JJLehto]

^ Only two of the wing coasters have a twist and dive element... and I personally wouldn't say being beside the track makes it more forceful. Except for on the inline twists.

My bad.
Was just wondering since the edge seats on Skyrush are clearly more forceful.

 

[Serena]

Thing is though, you're comparing our tiny little country to the REST OF THE WORLD! Its not really a fair comparison, is it?

Ok, I've attempted to do the maths.

Size of UK = 94,526 square miles. Number of coasters in the UK: 582
Ratio of coaster to land space = 1 coaster per 179 squared miles.

Size of North America = North America: 3,794, 100 square miles. Number of coasters in North America: 2713
Ratio of coaster to land space - 1 coaster per 1398 squared miles.

Therefore, for every 1 coaster in North America; there would be 7 in the UK - if the U.K. were the same size as North America.

If North America were the size of the UK, it would only have 67 coasters; according to the coaster/land space ratio.

But that's all ifs and buts (and dubious mathematics). Though, my main point is, for a small island, we've comparatively crammed in a lot more coasters to our limited space than the vastness that is North America. And they're not all wild mouses and Joyland Snails!

 

[marc]

Yes but how many of the coasters are proper adult coasters?

 

[Serena]

It's harder to measure what defines a "proper adult coaster". - Maximum height restriction? Inversions? Level of G- Force?

And to completely undermine my previous point, it's quality, rather than quantity of coasters that matters. But the biggest doesn't always mean the best - Swarm being a great example of this. It's not particularly massive or a crazy layout, but it's a highly enjoyable ride.

Six Flags parks may have lots more 'adult coasters', but how many of them are Vekomas... :S

 

[Ben]

Six Flags parks may have lots more 'adult coasters', but how many of them are Vekomas... :S

Great Adventure has as many B&Ms as England does.

 

[SaiyanHajime]

The UK does exceedingly well for how small we are. Even by population, there are more coasters in the UK than the USA...

That's besides the point though.

Most British enthusiasts barely have the UK to compare, and by that comparison, Swarm is outstanding. What else comes close? Nemesis?

I get the point that it's a bit unfair because few reigons would contend with what the UK has to offer (Florida and Pennsylvania are the big ones, California, Germany perhaps?), but I think a lot of it is down to the fact the UK is so often put on a pedestal. And unlike the other regions renowned for their collection of several quality rides, the UK drastically falls short. Amongst the children's handful of quality, there's a hell of a lot of crap. What's more, is that the UK has a nice collection of "weird and wonderful" coasters which aren't particularly great, but other areas or even singular parks get absolutely slated for their gimmicky but lacking in quality coasters. The UK is very unique in the way people ride, rate and criticise.

"For the UK" is fair commenting, because at the end of the day I live here and these are the attractions I get to ride the most. I don't have the pleasure of popping over to the continent or the US at random when I feel like riding something good.

 

[marc]

It's harder to measure what defines a "proper adult coaster". - Maximum height restriction? Inversions? Level of G- Force?

And to completely undermine my previous point, it's quality, rather than quantity of coasters that matters. But the biggest doesn't always mean the best - Swarm being a great example of this. It's not particularly massive or a crazy layout, but it's a highly enjoyable ride.

Six Flags parks may have lots more 'adult coasters', but how many of them are Vekomas... :S

Not wacky worms etc. Coasters with a height limit of say Nemesis.

There are probably 100 if we are luck? So compare that with the square foot thing and see how we do then. Also how many new coasters have been built in the past 10 years in the uk that are world class.

Yes we are not that bad but we are not that great either.

 

[Martyn B]

^ Yes but you then have to take away all the kiddie coasters from his North America count.

I dont personally think that the last 10 years have been that bad really, the last few years, yes, but not 10. On RCDB, the first page of a UK search (in date order) has 5 years on it! Yet the following 6 years are spread over 4 pages.

In that time: Air, Colossus, Jubilee Odyssey, Whirlwind, Nemesis Inferno, Jungle Coaster, Tsunami, Dragons Fury, Rita, Velocity, G-Force, Stealth, Cobra, Kumali, Speed, Rage, Knightmare, Mumbo Jumbo, Thirteen, Ben 10 and Swarm. I dont think its that bad really.