From what has possibly been the most frustrating build-up to a £18 million roller coaster The Smiler project has proved that it still has the ability to surprise everyone.
But unfortunately the recent surprise was nothing to do with any secrets that are yet to be revealed about the world-first 14 inversion coaster, the surprise was instead that the ride will not be opening on Thursday 23rd May 2013 as planned.
The Smiler project has been hit by delays from the start, with an initial March 16th opening date scrapped in favour of an ambiguous “May 2013”, but the date of May 23rd was revealed only a few weeks ago yet the ride will miss this target. In a FAQ posted on AltonTowers.com, Alton Towers Resort confirm the ride will also not open on the 24th of May and remain coy on whether or not the ride will be open in time for a busy bank holiday weekend, but tickets will be re-validated if any guests do not wish to visit Britain’s best loved theme park until after The Smiler opens.
Social media and forums have reacted to the further delays seen in the opening of Alton Towers latest roller coaster. Both Facebook, Twitter, the official site and TV adverts where announcing the opening date as late as Wednesday, yet the resort announced around midday on the 22nd that the ride would not be opening on the 23rd.
Social media response has been mixed from guests and enthusiasts with some questioning the ability for Alton Towers Resort to successfully open a project (making comparison with the incomplete nature of the resorts last ride “Nemesis Sub-Terra”, as well as expressing dismay at the general confusion as to when to ride will open. Others have come out in support of the resort noting that the park only have peoples safety in mind.
TowersStreet can confirm that as of Thursday (the announced opening day) the ride site was still incomplete with the queue-line still being constructed in places, painting on-going and work being carried out on the vertical lift-hill of the ride.
TowersStreet approached the resort for a comment, an official spokesman said:
“The Smiler is Alton Towers Resort’s biggest ever ride and as with any new attraction, can experience teething problems. We will open The Smiler when we are fully confident it will meet our extremely high standards”
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