Rollercoasters where the best bit is at the end?

[Secret Weapon]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

 

[Martin]

Speaking of Europa, Silver Star's slalom at the end is really fun

 

[Dave]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

I would say those are barrel rolls not corkscrews and not a homage to anything other than quickly getting two inversions in.

 

[Slackjawedyokel]

I love that on Heidi The Ride(ee) they bothered to put theming on the turnaround back into the station. It would’ve been fine just to leave it blank but they bothered to make a little scene there.

I also really like the final elements of the Ride to Hapiness before the brake run; the two pops of airtime over the bunnyhop hills and the headchopper.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I like the fact that The Smiler ends on a high with a double-corkscrew at the end (presumably as a homage to the old Corkscrew ride).

It isn't my absolute favourite part of the ride, but I like the fact that it keeps inverting right until the end, instead of simply rolling to a gradual stop.

EDIT: I personally don't like heartline rolls, but Colossus at Thorpe Park is somewhat similar in that the bulk of its inversions happen at the end.

I think you are being far too literal with your interpretation of "homage", especially given your previous flair for connecting the dots between Staffordshire theme parks and the Gloucester constabulary's excavation schedules.

@Dave is might be correct regarding the type of inversion, but I feel he is missing the subtextual richness that only you can bring to the table.

If John Wardley is indeed Detective Constable Hazel Savage, then surely the final two rolls on The Smiler are not a nod to a defunct Vekoma at all. They obviously represent the twisting double helix of the DNA evidence which finally secured the conviction in the Golden State Killer cold case. The way they wrap around is clearly a metaphor for the closing of the net. It brings a tear to the eye.

And Colossus? Those four consecutive heartline rolls? That isn't lazy design or a cheap way to hit a record. It's clearly a visceral, physical re-enactment of the slow motion white Ford Bronco chase during the OJ Simpson trial. Round and round, going nowhere fast, endlessly repetitive, leaving the entire nation feeling slightly sick but unable to look away.

Truly, the narrative depth of Merlin's coaster portfolio is wasted on the casual visitor.

 

[Secret Weapon]

They obviously represent the twisting double helix of the DNA evidence which finally secured the conviction in the Golden State Killer cold case.

Funnily enough, "Helix" was one of the initial names proposed for Colossus, so perhaps you are right!

On the subject of crime-solving ride themes: I also have it on good authority that the "Detonator" ride at Thorpe Park was a reference to the failed gunpowder plot of 1605, with the steep drop intended to simulate the effect of the gallows, and an accompanying fireworks-based theme as well!

 

[Secret Weapon]

I would say those are barrel rolls not corkscrews and not a homage to anything other than quickly getting two inversions in.

For what it's worth, Wikipedia / RCDB lists the final two inversions as a "double corkscrew" (see screenshot attached).

I haven't got a copy of John Wardley's book to hand to check whether it was a deliberate reference to the old Corkscrew ride (or just a coincidence), but I heard speculation online that it may have been...

Screenshot 20260227 114228 Firefox hosted at ImgBB

Image Screenshot 20260227 114228 Firefox hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

EDIT: Google AI also says that it was a reference to Corkscrew (see screenshot below) and that The Smiler was designed as the spiritual successor of Corkscrew, although I'm not sure whether this is accurate because it doesn't provide any sources and it also changes its answer each time I ask.

I assumed that the corkscrews were there in order to appease people who were disappointed that the old Corkscrew ride was no longer in the park, but maybe I am wrong.

Interestingly, Google AI also says that Flamingo Land have placed the inversions on Sik as close as possible to the inversions on its old Corkscrew ride for this very reason (I think the source for this was Theme Park Insanity's Facebook page).

Screenshot 20260227 210451 Chrome hosted at ImgBB

Image Screenshot 20260227 210451 Chrome hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[rob666]

The very first I have heard of this, having followed every last post of construction at the time.
No homage, as already said, just cramming the inversions into a cramped site.

 

[Poisson]

Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, you come barrelling into the brakes and bounce off limit of swing at the same time, one side then the other. Utterly silly ending.

 

[flyingguitar]

I also quite like the smilers double corkscrew/heartline (it is a weird one, as the ride moves laterally like a corkscrew it could be considered a streached one, but it is also heartlined) not sure why I just like the double heartlined corkscrews and the hand chopper moments you can get on it.


also dose the grand national count, as the best bit about that is when you enter the brake run?

 

[Secret Weapon]

I think you are being far too literal with your interpretation of "homage"

The very first I have heard of this, having followed every last post of construction at the time.
No homage, as already said, just cramming the inversions into a cramped site.

I would say those are barrel rolls not corkscrews and not a homage to anything other than quickly getting two inversions in.

You will be glad to know that I actually e-mailed the man himself (John Wardley) this morning via his public e-mail address, and he replied and said that The Smiler was not intended to contain any references or tributes to Corkscrew, and thus you are all right and I was wrong!

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

You will be glad to know that I actually e-mailed the man himself (John Wardley) this morning via his public e-mail address, and he replied and said that The Smiler was not intended to contain any references or tributes to Corkscrew, and thus you are all right and I was wrong!

Whilst hearing confirmation about something we knew all along is always nice and reassuring, I'm more curious if you told him about your theory of how the discovery of dead bodies under Fred & Rose West's floorboards is exactly like the construction of a woodie at Alton Towers.

 

[Dave]

You will be glad to know that I actually e-mailed the man himself (John Wardley) this morning via his public e-mail address, and he replied and said that The Smiler was not intended to contain any references or tributes to Corkscrew, and thus you are all right and I was wrong!

It was nice of him to reply and I think it was an interesting idea if fairly obviously incorrect so don’t feel bad adding to the debate

Plus top point for accepting you were wrong, it’s a rare gift for most people these days.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

It was nice of him to reply and I think it was an interesting idea if fairly obviously incorrect so don’t feel bad adding to the debate

Plus top point for accepting you were wrong, it’s a rare gift for most people these days.

I'd like to echo these sentiments too too.

As much as I find the @Secret Weapon Extended Cinematic Multiverse® a little baffling at times, they're always well intentioned, good natured and manage to spur on entertaining discussion.

 

[rob666]

And we all enjoy a gentle leg pull in the end.

Back on topic, the wicked last tiny drop at the end of the mouse where the seat was just ripped out from under you, then two impossibly tight right turns.

 

[Smiley]

the wicked last tiny drop at the end of the mouse where the seat was just ripped out from under you, then two impossibly tight right turns.

My left leg has just gone numb again. PTSD