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The Smiler - General Discussion

No, it wasnt there from the very beginning. Cant remember when it was added ie whether it was later in the 2013 seasons or after. I do remember there being some discussion around it, people felt it ruined the projection mapping (when it worked/works).


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Speaking of the projection mapping, 3 out of 4 projections were working when I was there, which I wouldn’t say is bad at all!

In terms of another Smiler history question of mine; was there originally mist in the indoor section prior the lift hill? Or am I imagining that?
 
The few times I've experienced the strobe going off there were loud groans from people queuing. I'm not sure it adds anything to the experience.
I’ll admit it’s an effect I’m not really a fan of, personally; as I said above, it just makes me wince every time!

In fairness, though, maybe it was intentionally annoying? Maybe they intended it to be like “the Ministry of Joy is testing your capability to be Marmalised” or something smiling-related like that?
 
I’ll admit it’s an effect I’m not really a fan of, personally; as I said above, it just makes me wince every time!

In fairness, though, maybe it was intentionally annoying? Maybe they intended it to be like “the Ministry of Joy is testing your capability to be Marmalised” or something smiling-related like that?
I wouldnt reach that far Matt!

In terms of the mist, it was actually a smoke machine with a strobe light, but like everything else it was a casualty of poor foresight and it kept setting off the smoke alarms so was very quickly turned off. The strobe in the projection mapping room is likely just one left over from this.


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Speaking of the projection mapping, 3 out of 4 projections were working when I was there, which I wouldn’t say is bad at all!

In terms of another Smiler history question of mine; was there originally mist in the indoor section prior the lift hill? Or am I imagining that?

There was mist. Opening week. Don't think it lasted much longer.
 
There's rosse tinted glasses, then there's being actually impressed that something is 'only 25% broken. Really?!
I mean, of course it would be nice to have all 4 working, but given that sometimes there’s only one or even none working, I thought 3 working was good!
 
I'm assuming people have noticed the weird adjustment into the 10th inversion, the one before the 2nd airtime. I don't notice it onride but I noticed it offride the other day
 
I'm assuming people have noticed the weird adjustment into the 10th inversion, the one before the 2nd airtime. I don't notice it onride but I noticed it offride the other day
What do you mean?

Do you mean the jolt going into it? If you do, then I did notice that that one was slightly jolty when I rode on Monday, even in the front row.

Of the inversions on Smiler, I’d personally say that the main rough ones tend to be 2, 7, 10, 12 & 13, with 12 being the roughest of those.
 
I actually really like Smiler’s indoor inversion; it’s incredibly smooth compared to the rest of it, and you get some gorgeous hangtime!
 
The jolt on the 10th inversion is visible off-ride you can see it happen, don't notice is as much on ride compared to the 2nd,12th and 13th inversions!
Isn't the 10th inversion the second half of the sea serpent roll? There isn't a jolt on that? Is there?
 
I'm assuming people have noticed the weird adjustment into the 10th inversion, the one before the 2nd airtime. I don't notice it onride but I noticed it offride the other day
Can't say i noticed it on Wednesday when i rode, didn't seem any different to me.

Love that part of the ride, the inversion and the second airtime hill, such great feelings on that bit.
 
Out of interest, which half of Smiler do people think is more intense?

Strangely, I actually think the first half feels more intense than the second; my head is always spinning on that brake run before the vertical lift hill, and I often feel a little bit strange in that bit, whereas I don’t have the same feeling on the final brake run.

I know this might be a controversial opinion, but out of the 74 coasters I’ve done, I honestly think Smiler is possibly one of the most intense. I’d say it feels like Alton’s most intense coaster to me, personally, and if you like your rides intense, relentless and packed with g’s, I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it, and I honestly think Smiler will be one of your favourite coasters.

For me, however; I prefer more fun, rerideable coasters that strike a nice balance between thrills and rerideability, so Smiler isn’t my favourite coaster.
 
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