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The Smiler - Ride Reviews [Spoilers]

Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

Just got back from a three day adventure in towers. The Smiler is amazing but I think the possible last three inversions, couldn't be sure if it was the last 3 but there could be potential gerstache on this section later on, probably the most painful part for me.

I rode it 4 times twice on the front once on the back and once 2nd row, I think the front of the train is much smoother thank the back I felt there to be a lot of vibration at the back and the ride not as enjoyable. Anyone else think the same?
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

Just got back from a three day adventure in towers. The Smiler is amazing but I think the possible last three inversions, couldn't be sure if it was the last 3 but there could be potential gerstache on this section later on, probably the most painful part for me.

I rode it 4 times twice on the front once on the back and once 2nd row, I think the front of the train is much smoother thank the back I felt there to be a lot of vibration at the back and the ride not as enjoyable. Anyone else think the same?
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

I was on The Smiler today, backseat. The most painfull part was the second half corkscrew on the cobra roll. Other than that the ride was incredible! Definatly better than Nemesis. Loved the queue really disorentates you if you get a fast flowing queue. I got a hoodie and a picture.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

The Smiler is a ride worthy of some incredible merit. The layout itself is just outstanding. It's hard to belief a tiny Schwarzkopf used to live there eight years ago and now a 14 looping giant that barely pokes its head above the trees now does it thing in its place.

I have to say from the start that after my ride on Smiler, I still thought Nemesis and Oblivion are better. That may be the nostalgia talking but Nemesis just does it all perfectly after 19 years of operation whilst theres a few things that bother me about Alton's new toy (they are only niggles however).

Firstly the Marmaliser isn't effective really, particularly its effects. They don't impact the ride enough. Whilst the structure itself is impressive, everything else about it is a useless gimmick

Secondly theres a really big jolt on one of the trains in the middle of the bat-wing. It was enough to make me say a little swear and for a four day old roller coaster, that isn't good. That being said the ride really is one of two halves and the second half is definitly faster and rougher then the first.

Final criticism is the room with the optical effects. Needs improvement as it doesn't capture your imagination or interest for long enough.

But really these are small criticisms when Smiler delivers on so many levels. It's a long ride which Alton have desperately needed for some time. It's a ride with real impact, delivering a proper thrill roller coaster that delivers more inversions then the rest of Alton's coaster arsenal. It looks the part, its duelling trains looking fantastic when they dart around the layout. And more importantly, the public are lapping it up, taking photos and getting off the ride like true advocates, big bright smiles across their faces. Well done Alton is what I have to say. ;D
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

Popped into Towers this afternoon to ride The Smiler as I was passing. I'm not going to do a full review, but here are some of my thoughts.

Ride looks and sounds excellent. The roar! The dueling aspect is amazing to watch and probably my favourite feature of the whole project.
I have always said I've not been a fan of the theme, but it's certainly unique, if a little incoherent from my rushed experience of the ride and area today.
The Marmaliser looks great and a nice centre-piece for spectators, however it serves no purpose to the ride experience - I didn't even notice it as we raced past!

I had one ride as I was short on time and there was a delay while I was queuing (single rider). I think they were removing a train for some reason.
Indoor section had the house lights on, no mist whatsoever, so the first turn and barrel roll, effectively in a dirty shed, wasn't really a great start for me!
First half of the ride was excellent, one jolt at some point after the first drop but otherwise really exhilirating, leaving me smiling at the halfway point!
The second half was fairly unpleasant during my ride. I was seated second row outside left. There were a couple of large jolts, a prolonged section of real vibration (not dissimilar to Colossus) and a couple of shoulder smashing moments towards the end of the ride. I'll let some of this pass until I have had a few re-rides as it sounds unlike most other reviews!!
Intensity levels were perfect, meaning no Gerstache thankfully. The pacing was excellent through the inversions.

Station building and theming is not really to my taste and also seemed to be lazily finished. Too much of the basic building elements exposed, leaving you feeling that you were in a big shed, rather than some kind of facility. The indoor queue section and bag drop area was quite cool, and I really liked the dispatch sequence.

Overall, it's a great addition to the park and people will absolutely love it. I really liked it, and as mentioned earlier, if I were to have a ride where the second half wasn't so painful it would change my opinions for the better. Look forward to visiting again when it's quieter and I can enjoy the full queue experience, to see if I can make any sense of it, and get a few more rides on it.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

Bob said:
Firstly the Marmaliser isn't effective really, particularly its effects. They don't impact the ride enough. Whilst the structure itself is impressive, everything else about it is a useless gimmick
Click to expand...

Sorry to pick this out, but the effects are really not a useless gimmick at all.

Without its effects The Marmaliser would be this lifeless piece of metal, which I think would receive more criticism than it does already. The effects, while they have no impact for people on the ride itself, it's a tool of entertainment for spectators and those in the queue line. As John Wardley has said many times in the past, ride experiences aren't just about being scared, it's about entertainment. The Marmaliser just does that, it entertains, makes something static look like it's living, doing something and looks appealing to the eye.

For a spectator, this is a beauty to look at. It entertains those who are queuing for the ride or in the area.

I'm actually glad that for once Merlin Studios and the creative teams have put some careful thought into queue line experiences and entertaining those outside the ride. It shows that they can deliver very well and I hope they continue to create stuff like this on future projects, not just at Alton Towers, but in their other parks too.

(Sorry for going off topic team!)
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

James said:
Bob said:
Firstly the Marmaliser isn't effective really, particularly its effects. They don't impact the ride enough. Whilst the structure itself is impressive, everything else about it is a useless gimmick
Click to expand...

Sorry to pick this out, but the effects are really not a useless gimmick at all.

Without its effects The Marmaliser would be this lifeless piece of metal, which I think would receive more criticism than it does already. The effects, while they have no impact for people on the ride itself, it's a tool of entertainment for spectators and those in the queue line. As John Wardley has said many times in the past, ride experiences aren't just about being scared, it's about entertainment. The Marmaliser just does that, it entertains, makes something static look like it's living, doing something and looks appealing to the eye.

For a spectator, this is a beauty to look at. It entertains those who are queuing for the ride or in the area.

I'm actually glad that for once Merlin Studios and the creative teams have put some careful thought into queue line experiences and entertaining those outside the ride. It shows that they can deliver very well and I hope they continue to create stuff like this on future projects, not just at Alton Towers, but in their other parks too.

(Sorry for going off topic team!)
Click to expand...

Let me be clearer, I like the Marmaliser. It's an impressive structure (as I said) and the screens on top of it showing people being marmalised and people on other rides such as Submission and Spinball being targeted is a great idea. Once you get down below the Smiler, into the queue line the Marmaliser becomes the imposing structure, again its great. But the effects which are being spoken about on the skyride don't make a jot of difference on the ride.

It's a shame that you only latched onto that line of sentence because as I said, these are tiny criticisms in what is an impressive ride with an impressive theme and greats ideas running through it and a ride impressing the public. I'm just saying that in terms of effects to riders, it doesn't deliver what it promises.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

I would point the finger at marketing for the broken promises. ;) As they did hype it up to do this and that to you while you ride. At least they've toned it down since Th13teen!

I would guess that the creative teams did not solely intend for it to do this and that and wanted it to just be something that provides some near miss opportunities while riding and in the case of The Inoculator provide some light water splashing at you. It looks like it was purely made as something to entertain spectators though.

For the marketing team though, they see it as a opportunity to use it for some hype.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

After riding the Smiler yesterday I now have bruises on my arms between my shoulder join and my elbow on both arms on the inside where the restraint was. I also too find the restraints uncomfortable on my thighs and I'm also 5ft, but I have found by putting my hands under the restraint which the hosts haven't minded me doing to keep the restraint from not touching my thighs I fair a lot better on the ride and I don't worry about them getting crushed.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

davewazere said:
How long is the single rider queue?


Sent from my hand via the not so great iphone 5!
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure what you mean, but I'll try and answer it in a number of ways.

By length, it's not that long at all. There's a short bit outside, followed by a tiny portion of the projection mapping room - right in the corner. Probably the longest section is the actual steps to the platform, but you don't get there until you've stored your baggage.

By waiting times, it seriousy varies. Waiting exclusively in the single riders queue on Saturday I waited no longer than half an hour, but it can be much quicker or slower than that depending on groups. Sometimes single riders didn't get on the train for around five minutes, then a load will be put on one train. You've just gotta hope more people are riding in odd numbered groups.
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

So was at towers today and managed to get through the 3 hour queue, it was pretty bad. Air or as its known "Almost Intaminish Reliability" was down all day as far as I knew and oblivion was also down for a short amount of time which didn't help queues. Anyway The smiler is one hell of a roller coaster, I didn't think to much of the 3d video mapping but that doesn't really matter, We got put on front row and it was just brilliant! The track layout is insane and apart from 2 points on the track the ride is very, very smooth. Massive congratulations to everyone who was involved in making this beast. Its just amazing all I can say is..
I Belong to The Smiler :twirly:
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

Im surprised there is no front row queue - are the staff generally ok if you ask them if you can queue for the front?
 
Re: Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

GaryH said:
Im surprised there is no front row queue - are the staff generally ok if you ask them if you can queue for the front?
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Usually yeah they, takes a bit of persuasion, but they'll let you.



Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk 2
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

They didn't let us wait for front row on Saturday. I explained that we were prepared to wait and thought they'd said yes so moved to wait for the front, then they made us go into row 2. I suppose it probably depends who is on batch as to whether they let you.

:)
 
Re: [The Smiler] Ride Reviews (Spoilers!)

To be fair, when there are only 4 rows I can understand why there isn't a front row queue. Though if no-one else is waiting I think they should let a group wait for the front, it doesn't cause any harm.

:)
 
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