I love this ride. First time I went to thorpester is 2012 I was desperate to ride it but the queue was too long. It was 80 mins. So I came on 31/8/12 and queued 90 mins, honestly too long bjt I loved the ride it was thrilling and the near misses were great. Ever since I have been on it 8 times fowards and 2 times backwards.
Thrill - 7/10
Fun - 8/10
Comfort - 9/10
Overall - 8/10

'Brave it backwards' was our first experience as this was advertised as the most challenging - sadly not!

We got in the queue, close to the main entrance and after 10 minutes of not moving, they announced that the 'Brave it backwards' queue would take nearly two hours, not a good start, but understandable as this is a newish attraction!!! Finally we got to our seat close to two hours later and hoped for the best! We were both excited and couldn't wait!!

After 75 seconds or so it ended and we both turned to each other and said, "is that it?" 1/10

We queued up again later on in the day to try it forward and the queue by now was a lot less and we had a funny feeling this was because people thought that it wasn't worth another go!
We did, we thought it was before we made a final decision on Thorpe Parks new £20 million ride!

A lot better going forward, but still too tame and too smooth, noting really exciting about it. A generous 6/10

There is a positive about The Swarm, the decor and overall styling of the ride is brilliant. Love the theme and the attention to detail in the queue line and the winged coaster is amazing, the 'News Reports' to build up tension was good, but the ride itself is just a let down.

Overall an average 5/10.

Rise itself is pretty average- its that first twist and half loop that I think makes it special

I went on swarm with a friend yesterday and although there was long queing time which was mainl due to the hype it was worth the wait. It was the first big rollercoaster i have ever been on other than the vampire ride at chesigton. It was amazing and i would recomend that it was the one ride you have to go on if you go to thorpe park. Next time though i would consider buying a fast track or que for it as soon as i got there.

4 of us travelled 125 miles to go on this after the hype!
we decided the queue was too long in the morning so did the rest of the park 1st after going on many roller coasters (some of us different ones around the world) we went on the swarm after a 35 minute queue we was hauled up the incline and poof it was over, did we blink and miss it? extremely disappointing coaster slow and awful!
other reviews are saying collosus and saw are better,
WE AGREE! we cant say it is even remotely good we say dont waste your time its slow and too comfy not what we expected DONT WASTE YOUR TIME!!

The Swarm was the most disappointing ride at Thorpe Park.
We had to wait over an hour even though we had purchased the fast track wrist bands.
When we finally got on the ride we thought that we were in for something really exciting but sadly that was not the case.
This ride has nothing on the likes of Saw or even Colossus.
I felt so sorry for the people without the fast track that would have been waiting for over 2 hours.
I would not waste my time waiting for this ride and only do it after you have enjoyed the rest of the park first and only then if you really have time.
All the money they must have spent on PR and advertising this ride could have been spent on actually making the ride worth going on….
Sadly very very disappointed…..

Well, I made sure we headed for it as soon as the park opened and me, my sister and best friend got in. The queue wasn't bad at all - about 15 minutes (we went on a Friday in the middle of August) and then waited until just after 6pm and went on it again 3 times, once at the front!

I loved it - smooth, the feeling of flying, the beautiful scenery amongst the man made desolation of the 'incident site'. Colossus used to be my thorpe park fave, but Swarm is now.

Definitely have a go n the front row if you can, it was so much fun, a bit scarier and very floaty. Ok so it doesn't leave your heart in your mouth , or your stomache on the floor, but there's other rides for that!

Personally I think it should have been a powered launch coaster. The idea of the ride is that you are plucked up by the swarm and flown around, the fact you have to slowly ascend a lift hill really detracts from this. I went mid July and had to queue for 130 minutes which was really not cool, the queue is too long and when you go up the stairs you don't realise there is a whole other section of queue awaiting you. Did enjoy it but powered launch would have made it epic

I was slightly annoyed when I got off... It was not as good as nemisis inferno or SAW, or even most of the rides! I was looking forward to going on it. But when I did it disappointed me. Don't get me wrong it's worth going on it, but you probably do not want to go on it again :)

I thought it was very poor.when they were building it last year I thought it looked like it would be slow and short and indeed it was.nothing compared to the coasters in Florida and saw,nemesis and colossus I feel are more enjoyable coasters.dont get me wrong, the swarms design is cool and the seats are very comfy.its just more of a roller coaster for your mum to go on and get off saying 'that was great fun wasn't it!' meh...waste of money

Great review. I completely agree about the theme of the ride and how the surroundings help to enhance the experience.
(Loved the lost reference in the article by the way!)

First time in Thorpe park for 2012, heading straight for the swarm, this ride is like no other. I personally would say this is one of if not the best roller-coasters I have experienced, I have been to america several times but I think the swarm lives up to its expectations. The excellent theme, excellent inversion drop and 100ft zero G make you feel like your flying with nothing holding on. The ride is really secure and unlike SAW and COLOSSUS there is no head banging. Overall 9/10 if the ride was slightly longer it would get 10/10.

In reply to by Adam Spencer (not verified)

quie is dredfull

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

SO IS YOUR SPELLING YOU FOOL

In reply to by Adam Spencer (not verified)

quie is dredfull

The Swarm is absolutely amazing! It was totally worth the wait, the theming is fantastic, the actors are hilarious, the ride it's self is jaw dropping. The best parts are all the near misses during the ride. You HAVE to go on this ride, don't miss it for the world!!!

Thanks for sharing your positive & clear review of the ride. Good job guys!

I also went on Swarm on the opening day and totally agree with your review. Nice smooth roller-coaster. It does feel like your flying around in a invisible stunt plane. As you say, just as you get into it, it's all over
.
Though the inversion at the start was great I personally think if it was a forward drop like SAW and then corkscrewed round and went under the plane wing it would be even better.

I was seated 3rd row from the back on the inside as my Daughter insisted on being on the outside so the first rotation wasn’t as big for me but she has been raving to school friends about it. It looks scarier than it feels but defiantly worth a ride.

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...