It’s really interesting how whenever Towers plans a new coaster, it’s nearly always the way in the community to presume that there’s some sort of “secret element” on it. I guess the park has set a precedent in that regard in the past (the community were right about both Thirteen and Oblivion in this regard), but I do find it fascinating how both Smiler and Wicker Man (particularly Smiler) spawned some rather ambitious “secret element” predictions that ultimately didn’t come to be.
I know Smiler’s washing machine is the most infamous, but I remember similar predictions being made about Wicker Man. Until it was being constructed and we saw a chain return, I remember many (myself included) were sure it would have a launched lift hill, and I also remember quite heated discussion occurring about trick tracks in the shed at the end, although admittedly, no theory ever snowballed quite like the washing machine element on Smiler.
That’s not an insult by any stretch, as I know I’ve certainly subscribed to similar theories in the past. I just find it very interesting given that only 2 of the 6 SWs (Oblivion and Thirteen, and even Oblivion might be a stretch) have ever had “secret elements”, that’s all!
