Rob
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Incident on The Smiler 02/06/2015
Tom
TS Member
It will not operate again this season.
We do not know if the prohibition notice is still in effect, however I believe it won't be - that is to say that Merlin will have satisfied the HSE that it can be run without causing another collision (that was probably proven when we saw the cars going round a few days later). That therefore leaves the decision in the hands of the park, who have seemingly written it off for this season.
It's reopening is far more complicated than most of you seem to comprehend. It is possible that they still haven't decided what to do, however a design review is in progress with Gerstlauer. I personally believe it will not re-open as The Smiler we know, be that a gimmicky change to the trains and/or possibly simple rename....or something else. The popularity of The Smiler as we knew it re-opening is unlikely to be worth it from a business point-of-view. Despite some of the delusional comments on here, people aren't staying away from the park because it's closed and it certainly would be the least popular rollercoaster in the park if it were to reopen.
We do not know if the prohibition notice is still in effect, however I believe it won't be - that is to say that Merlin will have satisfied the HSE that it can be run without causing another collision (that was probably proven when we saw the cars going round a few days later). That therefore leaves the decision in the hands of the park, who have seemingly written it off for this season.
It's reopening is far more complicated than most of you seem to comprehend. It is possible that they still haven't decided what to do, however a design review is in progress with Gerstlauer. I personally believe it will not re-open as The Smiler we know, be that a gimmicky change to the trains and/or possibly simple rename....or something else. The popularity of The Smiler as we knew it re-opening is unlikely to be worth it from a business point-of-view. Despite some of the delusional comments on here, people aren't staying away from the park because it's closed and it certainly would be the least popular rollercoaster in the park if it were to reopen.
Scott
Former TS Team Member
It's certainly not delusional to say that people are staying away because it's closed. Evidently people are by the comments given on Alton Towers social media.
It would also be hard to outright say it will be the least popular coaster on park upon reopening. Again, the number of people asking when the ride will reopen is many.
It may not be as popular but I wouldn't write it off like that.
Oh and where have we seen proof of this Gerst design review? Just curious if I've missed it somewhere...
It would also be hard to outright say it will be the least popular coaster on park upon reopening. Again, the number of people asking when the ride will reopen is many.
It may not be as popular but I wouldn't write it off like that.
Oh and where have we seen proof of this Gerst design review? Just curious if I've missed it somewhere...
James
TS Founding Member
The only place I've seen this design review mentioned is on Ride Rater... and with no offense to them I don't trust that info with no proof to back it up.
I think it's probably a given that Merlin are working with Gerst in some capacity though to review train design and maybe even the state of the track.
I think it's probably a given that Merlin are working with Gerst in some capacity though to review train design and maybe even the state of the track.
phildenholm
TS Member
People are staying away because it's closes, last November a group of us at work decided we would go to scarefest this year 2 people have dropped out because the smiler is closed, simple.
micksalt
TS Member
Precisely, it's perceived as bad value to visit with a major attraction out of action, yet the ticket price being unchanged. I cannot understand why Merlin do not apply a discount to the tickets to compensate for the Smiler being out of use, much like Telford railway have done with one of their 'rides' being out of service.
http://telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/telford-steam-railway-urgent-operational-update-sun-16th-aug/
bluesonichd
TS Member
so would reducing prices to 2012 gate prices make people want to visit, no, people are idiots! end of.
the guys staying away as 1 ride is shut, really?! what you gonna do instead , sit on your ass and watch tv!
shockingly there was a time before the smiler.
the guys staying away as 1 ride is shut, really?! what you gonna do instead , sit on your ass and watch tv!
shockingly there was a time before the smiler.
Rob
TS Team
It's more delusional to state that people aren't staying away because The Smiler is closed. I've seen lots of people on social media commenting that they don't want to go as it is closed. People have also said to me personally that they are holding off visits as they want to go when it is open.
I agree that it's popularity will be down when it does re-open but there are plenty that still seem to regard it as the best coaster at Towers. As I said previously it will have been closed for at least 3 months before it re-open, that is a lot of time to implement any possible changes.
bluesonichd
TS Member
micksalt
TS Member
and these people need shooting, IMO,
It is a real technical accomplishment to fit so much into such a small space. Yes, certain elements of the execution are lacklustre, but I can understand it being a favourite for many.
Rick
TS Member
On the earnings call
Tom
TS Member
I'm sure there are enthusiasts staying away because it's closed, however the number is immaterial. People are staying away because of safety concerns, the park owners have said that themselves. If the majority of stay-awayers are not visiting because they have concerns about safety of Alton Towers in general, then it can logically be deduced that an even greater proportion of people will avoid the ride itself if and when it reopens.
The third party design review in conjunction with Gerstlauer was revealed by Varney in a conference call at the time of the release of the financial results at the end of last month.
The third party design review in conjunction with Gerstlauer was revealed by Varney in a conference call at the time of the release of the financial results at the end of last month.
Grand_Nash
TS Member
Shorley though if safety was a massive issue families would be staying away? It's the thrill seekers staying away the 13+ who love nemesis, oblivion and the smiler.
Sonic, thirteen air are getting big waits 45 mins I have seen, and Wednesday was the busiest I have seen the park in a long while, 5 - 20 mins on the big rides min all day peaking to 30 and thirteen, sonic constant 30-45
I think it's a mixture of issues. There are people staying away because the smiler is closed, but the smiler being closed could make people believe the ride was always a death trap, and this is only proved by the fact is now closed so other rides must be the same.
Sonic, thirteen air are getting big waits 45 mins I have seen, and Wednesday was the busiest I have seen the park in a long while, 5 - 20 mins on the big rides min all day peaking to 30 and thirteen, sonic constant 30-45
I think it's a mixture of issues. There are people staying away because the smiler is closed, but the smiler being closed could make people believe the ride was always a death trap, and this is only proved by the fact is now closed so other rides must be the same.
Rob
TS Team
Of course the majority are staying away because of safety concerns. But there are members of the public, not enthusiasts, holding off their visit because they want to go when The Smiler is open. I'm sure the number is a lot less than the number staying away because of safety cocnerns though.
Thing is, those staying away because of concerns over satety are simply going to stay away regardless of when The Smiler re-opens. They have it set in their minds that the place is not safe. Opening it this season or next will have a minimal difference on this group.
Rick
TS Member
Do you not think that there is a (misplaced) perception that thrill rides are more dangerous than family attractions, because of the height and speed involved?
Tom
TS Member
There are costs and risks associated with opening the ride. If the prohibition notice HAS been lifted, then they have determined that it is not worth re-opening at this stage. That is the case I am trying to present to those people that think that it should be reopened now to solve (or at least begin solving) the park's attendance problems. I'm supporting my case with the fact that the majority of people are staying away due to safety concerns and no other stay-awayers are significant in the grand scheme of things. At this time, there would be insufficient (but not zero) interest in the ride if it were to reopen, and that an insufficient (but not zero) number of people would return to the park if it were to reopen today.
Grand_Nash
TS Member
I can only go with what I saw on park and the majority of the target market for thrill rides were simply not there. But if a parent is scared they won't let little Johnny go on that awful high octonaughts or the dam right dangerous sonic ride or thirteen, these rides have had the rough treatment to in the press ( excuse my sarcasm). But these are still popular as families are visiting
as I have mentioned before will the smiler be as popular as before, hell no! but over time it will get back to a decent level.
Rob
TS Team
Opening it this season will not solve this season's major fall in guest numbers, no-one has said that. This season is a total write off and Towers can only hope that people turn up in larger numbers for Scarefest and Fireworks. I'll be amazed if Towers hit 2 million visitors this year.
However opening it this season could help in regards to next season. It would just stop bad press in March 2016 which could put people off further. Towers must want to just get it all over and done with any try and let 2016 be as business as usual as possible. It makes sense from almost every angle.
Anyway right now the only thing we know for fact is that it will not open this summer, that was the last Nick Varney said. He left the window open for a possible opening after that.
Tom
TS Member
I suspect they have decided that any adverse coverage by opening in March would be much less than if they were to open this season. If you think about it they can respond by saying they have spent all winter reviewing it with a third party and the designers etc. They will have decided that opening at any point this year would just seem rushed in much of the public's eyes, I'd imagine.
I can envision some conflict with Gerstlauer actually, as they will likely be of the stance that there is nothing wrong with their ride and that it has been failed to operate correctly by the owner-user. Merlin might take the view that while they should have prevented the collision, the design of the trains needs to be looked at or something. I can imagine all sorts of friction which would support the case for it being a rather lengthy process which si unlikely to be resolved this year.
I can envision some conflict with Gerstlauer actually, as they will likely be of the stance that there is nothing wrong with their ride and that it has been failed to operate correctly by the owner-user. Merlin might take the view that while they should have prevented the collision, the design of the trains needs to be looked at or something. I can imagine all sorts of friction which would support the case for it being a rather lengthy process which si unlikely to be resolved this year.