[The Smiler] Marketing discussion

Where's the option for "I don't care, the level of involvement of the character won't make the slightest bit of difference when I'm upside down 20 foot above the ground for the 14th time.

If there's any walkabout actors for the opening, I'd rather have Miles Cedars. It is his responsibility to advocate people, according to the second "Smile. Always." video.

I sincerely hope they kill off Miles Cedars. Such a weak creation from the get go, they should have just given the spotlight to Dr. K... only Dr. K.

I'm a fan of there being walk-about characters, but I'm more in favour of 'generic advocates', much like we've already seen in the videos (laughing in a circle). I thought this was strong acting from the AT staff.

They could build it up and get people involved... anyone for a conga line in x-sector? Raise a few smiles? :twirly:

I didn't realise spotting Dr K would cause such a conversation.

Why wouldn't Dr K be in XSector or on Towers street "inviting" people to visit The Smiler? Anyone that says that it doesn't make chronological sense is mad since since when did any of these stories REALLY make sense?

Any character that can add value to an experience has to be worth it, at least for the first year or so.

As for the argument that sanctuary came after The Smiler in planning terms, there is nothing to say that it couldn't just be a happy accident now is there?

Towseriv said:

Anyone that says that it doesn't make chronological sense is mad since since when did any of these stories REALLY make sense?

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Im totally mad for suggesting that a story should actually make sense... Yep.

Try not to get personal when discussing things. We're all allowed an opinion. Thanks.

Towseriv said:

Why wouldn't Dr K be in XSector or on Towers street "inviting" people to visit The Smiler? Anyone that says that it doesn't make chronological sense is mad since since when did any of these stories REALLY make sense?

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Don't be daft Towseriv, The Marmaliser and The Smiler have their foundations based in a reality where even though he appears in the videos, on the screen, apparently in the queue line audio, he has no place in it because he should look a bit older.

Right from the start, there has been abject denial the role The Sanctuary has played - more and more is being added, into the viral marketing, into the audio (if correct we shall soon find that out wont we...?), onto the Marm screens - that some suggested would barely be mentioned at all, and insinuated at times I was almost stupid to wonder where the links have gone!

Thankfully they returned. It just took a little longer than I expected.

If it hadn't made a reappearance as it has, the theme would simply not have the sinister edge it is developing once more, so I credit Alton here for achieving that with such a bonkers piece of theme.

They referenced The Smiler A LOT in the maze this year, to my great delight, almost like it was final preparations for opening their next development - The Smiler, so this nonsense talk that Kelman is somehow out of date is rubbish.

Yeah I am a BIG BIG fan of The Sanctuary, and have been round it countless times now, totally immersing myself in the experience (even after not being that impressed originally). They wound The Smiler back a bit, and bought The Sanctuary forward so they could meet and coexist.

It was about as best they could have done it really given the backwards manner they were developed. That they have managed well, to take either any further would ruin each attractions individuality as they intended (like them or not).

Dr Kelman is not remotely out of place at all in The Smiler. He bloody talks about it in The Sanctuary!

Scott said:

Towseriv said:

Anyone that says that it doesn't make chronological sense is mad since since when did any of these stories REALLY make sense?

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Im totally mad for suggesting that a story should actually make sense... Yep.

Try not to get personal when discussing things. We're all allowed an opinion. Thanks.

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Sorry I'm not touchy enough to think someone using the turn of phrase "you must be mad" to be offensive. But if you are that sensative to take such a line to heart then I apologize.

Back to the point

Yes madness to think that it needs to make sense since there are many different ways for it to be explained that Dr K is still here today, from something as simple as "the process can enhance the length of your life" to as simple but naff as to say "this is the previous Dr K's relation"

Does Ghost Busters, Back to the Future, Star Trek etc make total sense? Of course not but they work so well.

Arguing that The Sanctuary has an important role in The Smiler, and that it would be "bloody stupid" not to include it, is like arguing that the Nemesis comic book should have an important role in Nemesis.

In which case, don't worry, Alton Towers will open The Smiler: Sub-Terra in 2032 - a drop tower/scare maze hybrid, designed by a former Alton Towers nerd fulfilling their dream to make a ride all about the Sanctuary backstory, despite only a few people caring.

Then everybody will be happy.

electricBlll said:

Arguing that The Sanctuary has an important role in The Smiler, and that it would be "bloody stupid" not to include it, is like arguing that the Nemesis comic book should have an important role in Nemesis.

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Without wanting to sound confrontational bill, how many times did you go through The Sanctuary to drop a boat load of sarcasm about me referencing how much Alton decided to tie the two themes together this year?

Obviously you saw the SW7 videos, heard all the in maze audio etc?

I just want to see a TV advert, soonish. Whether it features Kelman, Miles Cedars, Trisha, Dan, whoever. I trust they have remembered that they're opening this in 4 days?

I think they are holding back on marketing and mass coverage until nearer the holidays, and the main summer holidays. They will no doubt hold marketing back a bit until students in the 16-25 range have finished their exams and so on. Makes more sense to advertise the hell out of it when your target market has the most availability to visit the park.

TheMan said:

Without wanting to sound confrontational bill, how many times did you go through The Sanctuary to drop a boat load of sarcasm

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I am one of the 99% of visitors who did not get to experience The Sanctuary and never will; I don't wish my experience of The Smiler to be at a disadvantage because of this.

I have never debated the obvious link between the two attractions. However, if The Smiler turns out to be the big tribute to The Sanctuary you want it to be, then that would be far too meta and irrelevant to the main audience - in my slightly debased opinion.

Dr Kelman would be nice in the queue vids. The Sanctuary was meant to be used to help develop and remove mistakes for The Smiler according to The Sanctuary queue vids. However people like Electric Bill need to be able to understand it as well.

At the moment there are only brief (and i mean brief) references to The Sanctuary on the ride.

In the Marmaliser video of around 20 minutes i would say about 40 seconds is spent on The Sanctuary material. They may do a bit more inside but it's certainly not looking like a big feature of the rides active theme.

TheMan said:

Dave said:

Towseriv said:

Guess who is currently looking after the kids in wobble world?

Dr Kelman!!!!!!!

Don't know how to upload a photo to prove it though

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The guy who plays Dr K worked for Alton Towers entertainments team before he was Dr K, ents run wobble-world so he is often in there.

Don't expect Dr Kelman to be wandering around the Smiler, I get the feeling those videos where intended to move the story away from The Sanctuary.

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I have said it before and I will say it again. That is stupidity.

Not using Dr K for this is just being obstinate. He is by far the best character Alton Towers have and they MUST use him for it! It will increase the impact of the queue and introduction 10 fold.

It seems a role he was just born to play in this case.

Dr K. FTW!

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Fanboy

Am I the only one that is concerned with the apparent lack of marketing of late, especially with its launch being this Thursday?

I politely ask that nobody refer to Thursday as a "Soft Launch", as it is not. It's a full ride launch.


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As I posted further up this page, they are probably holding back on marketing until the holidays. There will be far more money to make when the summer holidays kick in. Far safer than wasting money on marketing now when they can do it around the time when most people will be looking at theme park visits.

Nothing to worry about.

To be honest, given what happened the other night, I'd imagine that they will want to test it a couple of days first knowing full well it will hit the fan properly at the weekend.

I think it is wise personally

James said:

As I posted further up this page, they are probably holding back on marketing until the holidays. There will be far more money to make when the summer holidays kick in. Far safer than wasting money on marketing now when they can do it around the time when most people will be looking at theme park visits.

Nothing to worry about.

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Apologies, skim reading on iPad mini (small screen), on way back from AT today so haven't seen your post fully!

I would have still liked to have seen something at least! Even a blipvert!


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I have to say I agree with TheMan. I think it makes perfect sense for Dr K to be there. For those of us who know who he is it will be a brilliant addition, and for those who aren't aware of him, it will just be a creepy character who is going to make sure everyone gets corrected! Win-win all round.

In my opinion he should be somewhere near dispatch sending us off for our appointment with the marmaliser! I would love for Dr K himself to send me off for correction! ;D