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[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*

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[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

The year after a major investment is usually busier than the year of the investment itself. They were fully expecting 2011 to be busier than 2010 as they boldly stated in staff briefs at the start of the year. I think it's safe to say 2014 will be busier than 2013 though, unless this summers attendance is insane.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Thirteen didn't boost numbers like nemesis and Oblivion because unlike the other two, it's a family ride. nothing to do with the marketing.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Family attractions can be just as popular as white knuckle rides though. It'd be interesting to compare SW years and years where major family rides were installed such as 1992 or 1996. I think Smiler may be successful this year but I wouldn't be surprised if 2014 ended with a higher attendance figure than this year.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

James said:
Park figure in 2010: 3 million
Park figure in 2011: 2.7 million

Where's this 'PR disaster'? A 0.3 million drop is pretty expected after a big year like that.
Click to expand...

Europa's guest figures rose the year after Blue Fire opened.

A great ride should have more visitors the year after it opens, because word-of-mouth spreads about how good it is, and people come back for a second go. :)

I full expect this to happen with The Smiler. [/obligatoryon-topiccomment]
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

The recession probably has a lot to do with it as well though, people have less money and AT have been whacking up the prices of everything lately. Petrol costs soaring as well, with loads of people losing their jobs, gate figures are expected to be down and probably will continue their downward spiral, even with The Smiler opening because people just cannot afford to visit.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Not bad, but it does look awfully slow in some of the inversions.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Wow, how much hang time on some of those inversions, this gets better!
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

They look to only be using 8 dummies, maybe that is the source of the slowness, a lack of weight.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

That may be another potential reason, Tom.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

There appears to be less dummies and they could even be using different wheels - which could be causing the slowness compared to the other day. A balance of speed though and we could get an awesomely fast ride in places with some incredible hang time on some of the inversions...
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

It does look slower. I hope it's not trims!! :eek:
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

aru said:
It does look slower. I hope it's not trims!! :eek:
Click to expand...
It won't be the trims... The train doesn't visibly slow down anywhere where there are trims installed, it merely just struggled to get through a few of the inversions. Probably due to the lack of weight in the car and running on new wheels... Were there trims the car would slow in places like the airtime hills :)
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Exactly, it's just a case of breaking the new wheels and bearings in. Plus, magnetic fins for the trims haven;t even been installed yet.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Looks very close to stalling at certain points.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

It looked so close to stalling at points I almost found it painful to watch the video. :p

Hopefully they can iron out the problems though.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Didn't they put a new train on yesterday. New train, new wheels. It will most likely run way under speed on the first few runs.

Also the train look slow before hitting any trims, so they can't be the case!
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Looks like they may have put different wheels on, that was much slower than the previous test video in places. It did look like it was going to stall going through a couple of the inversions. It's definitely nothing to do with the trims though.

:)
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

It's not a full train, and the front row isn't being used...

No doubt they are testing the minimum limits of the ride so it doesn't stall... Nothing more...
 
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Regardless of how slow it was going through some of those inversions, it still looks incredible. I've never been so excited to go on a ride in my life.
 
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