George W
TS Member
You gonna be on park on 11th or 12th?
2021: General Discussion
- Thread starter Skyscraper
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pluk
TS Member
And that is absolutely fine, my issue is with the tediousness of the continued repeated dismissveness of that poster, not the opinion.
For me The Smiler is a fun ride, but atrociously presented to such to such extent it really takes away from my enjoyment of it. Its 'thing' is inversions but it doesn't have one single standout inversion amongst them, and its two fleeting highlights aren't inversions at all. In fairness it probably has the most valid claim to a meaningful world record of any coasters in the UK, in that sense it has some world class kudos.
Wickerman is the opposite. Yes, it has some show about it, but the ride itself is middle to low par, even as a family thrill. Again, doesn't stop it being fun, and it's fair to say I like wood big and rough so it's not been designed with me in mind, but even so it only really comes in around average overall for me. I find it hard to think that given a blank bit of land this design is the best woodie that could have been built there, and that's a shame.
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CherryBerry17
TS Member
Originally the 11th but now we're going 10th!
jon81uk
TS Member
I agree and think the coaster line-up at Busch Gardens Tampa is quite similar to Alton Towers, they are all just longer!
Montu is a great inverted coaster, but its not worth travelling to when we have Nemesis.
Sheikra is really just rising Oblivion twice (I'm only half serious).
America tends to build bigger and longer coasters as they often have the space to do so. Whereas the planning restrictions and terrain issues in the UK tend to result in more compact coaster that can often feel like they are more intense as they do more than just "be tall".
Matt.GC
TS Member
I appreciate your views, and everyone else's on here regarding what they get particular enjoyment from. I'm glad you have a good time and enjoy what they have on offer, even if that differs from mine.
But let's please not pretend we should be "grateful" for Towers lineup. It's a business relationship at the end of the day. If you like what Towers offer, you offer them money in return to experience it, gratitude doesn't come in to it.
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Wouldn't that be the case with any theme park then?
Has it still got the squirts? I don’t remember seeing them at all in 2019.
Matt.GC
TS Member
Yes, it would. Gratitude suggests something exists out of kindness. Theme parks don't exist as a gift to their visitors out of the kindness of the operators heart. Alton Towers and it's ride lineup is a service offered in exchange for money, therefore a consumer should scrutinise said service. I may be appreciative of certain aspects of some theme parks and show my appreciation by handing them cash, but I'm certainly not greatful.
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Yes I understand what you mean and I know you pay money in exchange for their rides and attractions, but I meant grateful that these rides actually exist and you are able to simply pay some money to experience some absolute marvels of engineering. I haven't been to barely any parks abroad and that may explain why I rate the alton coasters so highly. However I think there is some explaining to do with my opinions.
The smiler is a record holder and no other coaster currently has as many inversions. Therefore I cannot go anywhere in the world and experience a ride like the smiler. Nemesis however is an invert with nothing unique about the layout. The most unique thing about nemesis which no other invert can provide is the terrain and pit it's in. However in terms of a coaster perspective, to me there's nothing special there compared to other inverts like montu for example which looks like it absolutely craps on nemesis when it comes to sheer size and layout
tayspru
TS Member
“Bigger ride go loop de loop”
Montu is completely different to Nemesis for plethora of reasons, and the most loops or steepest drops doesn’t make a ride world class (Colossus and Saw)
People have different opinions to you, that’s life. It’s all a matter of taste, but objectively speaking there are many rides that are similar experiences to Wickerman and Smiler . Smiler is still listed as a standard model for the Gerstlauer Infinity , and the only special thing of Wickerman is the theming. I haven’t ever seen an equivalent to Nemesis though.
Montu is completely different to Nemesis for plethora of reasons, and the most loops or steepest drops doesn’t make a ride world class (Colossus and Saw)
People have different opinions to you, that’s life. It’s all a matter of taste, but objectively speaking there are many rides that are similar experiences to Wickerman and Smiler . Smiler is still listed as a standard model for the Gerstlauer Infinity , and the only special thing of Wickerman is the theming. I haven’t ever seen an equivalent to Nemesis though.
I don't know as I've not visited any parks since covid hit the world
Josh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Having been on Montu I can say I still think Nemesis is better. Montu isn't even my favourite coaster at Busch Gardens, that award goes to Kumba.
The only invert I've ever been on that even comes close to the intensity of Nemesis is Batman: The Ride.
That's not to say Montu is rubbish, it's still a great coaster.
EDIT: also in terms of the most inversions re- The Smiler, I'm pretty sure Eejanaika in Japan inverts the riders 14 times too, but it's done with rotating seats rather than track inversions.
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Matt.GC
TS Member
I get all that, you like what you like and that's great! No problem with that at all. It would be a boring world if we all liked the same things.
But it's perhaps a problem with the differences between our definitions of the word "greatful". Twice now you've called forum members who disagree with your opinions "ungrateful". This can be a little insulting. If I slave over a hot stove to give my kids a free meal and they throw it back in my face, that's being ungrateful. If I criticise Alton Towers coaster lineup and say I prefer coasters in other parks I've visited, that doesn't make me ungrateful does it?
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I was more referring to whoever said that the smiler is average, which based on its world record achievement, can't possibly be true. I don't think it's the best thing created by any means but for someone to say its average I'm sure people would agree is harsh. There is also no definition of the term average when it comes to coasters. An average coaster to someone may be absolutely world class to someone else. For example, I think the smiler is easily the standout coaster in the uk, others would think I'm mad and it's an abomination that shouldn't exist. Unfortunately with a ride like the smiler, you either love it or despise it. There's not many in the middle who don't sway one side of either liking it or disliking it
jon81uk
TS Member
It can be true. Bigger, faster, longer doesn’t always mean better.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
See Formula Rossa, Kingda Ka or Smiler for reference... Ouch or Zzzz.
When it comes to high inversion rides the smiler is the best. You'd surely take it over Colossus and the other 10 inverters wouldn't you
jon81uk
TS Member
Being the best high inversion coaster doesn’t stop it being an average experience overall.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
I'd rather sit on a park bench than ride Colossus.
I don't rank coasters, but given the choice, without the travel logistics, I'd take 100 different coasters over Smiler in terms of the experience overall. Going upside down for the sake of it is not interesting. You only have to walk from X Sector to Forbidden Valley to see what fun you can have, with ten less inversions.
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