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[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation
- Thread starter Wilsy
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LiamC
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Hex
Oblivion is certainly going to have some stiff competition from this ride in terms of imposing natures. This thing is literally huge when you see it from afar, so god knows how mental it will look once we get up close to it 
I still would love to know how they've go around the restrictions that are in place whenever a new ride of any height is built.
I still would love to know how they've go around the restrictions that are in place whenever a new ride of any height is built.
Dave
TS Founding Member
I don't think it will overshadow too much as The Smiler is further down the hill than Oblivion so the vertical drop will be higher than The Smiler.
If I'm honest I think they have been very clever as the two rides are very different and will hopefully compliment rather than detract from each other. Very glad they didn't opt for an over 90 drop on the smiler.
If I'm honest I think they have been very clever as the two rides are very different and will hopefully compliment rather than detract from each other. Very glad they didn't opt for an over 90 drop on the smiler.
rightbackgranty
TS Member
The Smiler will be very much dwarfed by the height of oblivion, so I dont think that Oblivion will lose any of its visual fear factor. If you look at the most recent overhead shots it's actually quite striking the difference in height of the vertical drop of oblivion and the height of the cobra roll. In addition, comparing the box track of B&M's with the Gerst track makes The Smiler look like a baby version of an adult coaster! Despite the fact it may have 14 inversions!
LiamC
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Hex
rightbackgranty said:
Just on the inversion count, Astro was saying earlier that if this does have 14 inversions it's going to take the whole park inversion count from around 5/6 to around 20. I'd never actually thought about this until he brought it up in conversation, but that's a staggering feat in just one ride
;D
rightbackgranty
TS Member
LiamC said:rightbackgranty said:
Just on the inversion count, Astro was saying earlier that if this does have 14 inversions it's going to take the whole park inversion count from around 5/6 to around 20. I'd never actually thought about this until he brought it up in conversation, but that's a staggering feat in just one ride
It is. Looking through the inversion records on RCDB it really rams home how far ahead of the rest this ride could be with regards to inversions! I know that a 12 inversion ride is being constructed but this will likely add at least one or two more to that. If you ignore rides like colossus that added heartlines just to beef out the inversion number then this ride could beat the inversion record by a good half dozen!
However, I personally wonder if there will be a sneaky slow speed heartline placed in the straight section before the first lift hill just to up the inversion count further. I don't think it needs it and would much prefer a plain straight track, a bit of pre show and then the lift hill. I think a "calm before the storm" moment will be needed!
And though I don't want it to happen, if this ride were to have a "washing machine element" then the inversion number could be quite frankly ridiculous!
Josh
TS Member
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- Nemesis
rightbackgranty said:
I don't think there will be another heart line roll in the straight leading up to the first hill, I think that there will be a series of rooms each containing one of the 5 mind-manipulating elements of the ride, with loads of effects
rightbackgranty
TS Member
LiamC said:rightbackgranty said:
Do you mean after the station drop? As far as I know there's already one in place that you can see from aerial shots
I was more thinking just after the inversion we can see on the photos. There seems room for a quick flip if they wanted to add one to me. Can't really judge the ground/wall clearance from the photos though so i'm relying on someone else to tell me there isn't room!
To be honest, the lack of footers probably rules out my theory, but since being proved wrong about the track on the plans being the track built I'm keeping an open mind! Must admit that the lack of footers is getting me slightly - I know a launch has been pretty much ruled out but it does make me wonder!
Would love more than anything to see a good pre lift section like you suggested Josh. It would bring it in line with Disney in my opinion - so far it's not looking far off!
rightbackgranty
TS Member
Alastair said:JayTricky said:
The tube would have to turn the same way as the inversion - but yes, I agree, it would be a great effect
And has a multitude of advantages over the washing machine element - much lower maintenance costs, more comfortable, easier to install, less chances of it causing an entire ride break down...
Dave
TS Founding Member
Based on the game video I can total up 13 inversions (the 8 we knew about, 2 inverted drops, indoor inline and 2 corkscrews before final breaks). There are also strong indications of another inversion after the batwing before the vertical lift which would take us upto the 14 inversions so often discussed on these forums.
Its clear this is taking the inversion record, there may be other features to the ride that they market but I think the inversion count is the key. I was worried when I first heard the rumour about it being the inversion count record back when the plans came out as I thought they would just tack in-lines all over the place but this seems to be taking a creative approach to the record so I am happy.
And it fills the neglected thrill market for Towers, which hasn't really been satisfied since Rita and hasn't been satisfied creatively since Oblivion.
Just hope it doesn't have gerstache!
Its clear this is taking the inversion record, there may be other features to the ride that they market but I think the inversion count is the key. I was worried when I first heard the rumour about it being the inversion count record back when the plans came out as I thought they would just tack in-lines all over the place but this seems to be taking a creative approach to the record so I am happy.
And it fills the neglected thrill market for Towers, which hasn't really been satisfied since Rita and hasn't been satisfied creatively since Oblivion.
Just hope it doesn't have gerstache!
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I do agree that this will take the inversion record. However after hearing what John Wardley had to say, I don't actually think that this will be what the worlds first is. He said "...one secret that we're holding back until you actually ride the ride and it's a worlds first, it's never been done before and you'll need to go to Alton Towers to find out what it is". To me that says something other than inversions. What exactly I don't know. My one guess is mid ride boosts although I see this as unlikely. It's just that there are definitely mechanisms on to "hills" leading into the knot elements, they will probably be trims but I suppose they could be boosts, maybe!
Dave
TS Founding Member
Yeah I am reserved about saying the inversion count is this rides only trick, but know it isn't the washing machine element so here's to guessing. My only concern about getting too hyped up about extra features is the Bolton FM interview was aimed at the GP who wouldn't have studied the plans and game like we have.
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