[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[Quetzal]

This from the site which 'exclusively revealed' the washing machine.

I don't think that at this point in time, any date is set in stone at all. The use of 'May 2013' is purposefully vague, because any thing could happen construction wise. Presumably the park are aiming at a launch in early/mid may, so they've got some room for delays.

 

[Nick]

The use of "May 2013" is so they can slyly slip "open" in between the two words.

 

[electricBlll]

This from the site which 'exclusively revealed' the washing machine.

They never "revealed" it or claimed it was genuine. It happened after they were given rumours suggesting the ride was going to break the inversion record, which turned out to be correct. At the time it was thought there was not enough room to contain over 10 inversions, so a TTF member created the trommel element as a suggestion for how it could be achieved with limited space. They removed the suggestion when it became clear that this was not the case.

Alton Towers have offered to give them exclusive information before, so it is believable that this is the estimated opening date. But as others have said the park wouldn't announce this to the public because construction could still be delayed....

 

[Ben]

I dont mean to discredit TTs sources but the washing machine was a large claim to make, and that clearly isnt happening - and they were pretty sure about it too.

TowersTimes does not usually report ‘rumours’ via our news. However, with this information coming from separate multiple trusted sources we have taken the decision to reveal this before any official confirmation.

Multiple sources have contacted us and ‘confirmed’ that the secret element inside the SW7 building and under the shops glass floor will be a revolving track section.

So I think I'll remain sceptical on any news they report from 'sources' and await a date from Alton Towers.

 

[Rob]

I am almost certain that Towers are yet to decide on an opening date yet. There is still way too much construction to be done before they can really be sure of a single date. So I would take what TT have said with a pinch of salt. I don't think Towers will decide on a date until testing has started at least.

I must say though, The Smiler looks very impressive when you see it up close in person. The photos really do not do it justice. The centre of the Marmaliser is massive, much bigger than it looks in photos. There is still a lot of work to be done though, getting it open in May will be a very big challenge I feel.

 

[Dave]

Towers are being cagey about a specific date, we have heard a few (prob on a similar grapevine) but to press Towers won't announce which means its up for flexibility. TT may have the exact date but I know the schedule has moved at least once in the last month so don't make any bookings as even if that date is correct today it may not be by May.

 

[andyramone]

Oooh, the 15th would be the perfect date. I'm heading to Alton Towers for the first time in 14 years on the 14th for 2 days.

If it's not, then I won't be too bothered, as the trip is more about visiting AT for the first time in ages, so there's plenty new things for me to do. But an opening day ride on The Smiler on the second day would be the icing on the cake.

 

[Prometheus]

fiction, we have no confirmed opening date at present. Once we know more we'll tweet about it. Excited?

^^ That's what Towers Twitter replied when asked if the 15th was the planned opening day. I think we can all read that in the way it's really meant can't we lol.

 

[Rob]

This has just been posted on Facebook by TowersStreet:

"With only supports being put in place on The Smiler site today, the first pieces of lift hill have arrived at the car parks"

 

[JAMMY_Jaunts]

Is it only me that can see patches of some of those supports that have not had the final coat of glossy paint. Particularly the end of the second closed support near the fence and the one furthest away in front of the new catwalk. I hope they have noticed this.

 

[Dar]

That'll be the end that gets concreted in, if you look back through the previous images, all the supports have the same grey end.

 

[JAMMY_Jaunts]

^ These ends are different though, they have connecting plates to connect to other supports. There is a gradual fade from the glossy black to the undercoating grey primer. Well at least they don't look like the same style of end that was concreted in place.

 

[siralgenon]

^ These ends are different though, they have connecting plates to connect to other supports. There is a gradual fade from the glossy black to the undercoating grey primer. Well at least they don't look like the same style of end that was concreted in place.

I see what you mean but I think it might just be the reflection from the fence

 

[Buschgardensfan]

Can TS please tweet this image of the lift hill pieces as I can't see anything linked from facebook.
EDIT: Never mind.

 

[Tim]

Does anyone else find it weird that track elements are still arriving even after the planned completion date?

Got to say the May opening is starting to look like a push now aswell :S

 

[Dar]

I think it's more that they have just delayed delivery now they have accepted that it's going to be delayed. Why rush to get everything delivered and on site when they don't need it there?

 

[Tim]

I think it's more that they have just delayed delivery now they have accepted that it's going to be delayed. Why rush to get everything delivered and on site when they don't need it there?

Oh of course. But If you'd told me even a few months back that opening day would come and the track still not complete I'd have said you were having a laugh.

 

[James]

Update from TowersTimes:

On Sunday TowersTimes reported the opening date for The Smiler was set to be May 15th, this was confirmed to us by a lower level employee of The Alton Towers Resort.

Unfortunately following further discussion with the resort this date is unconfirmed and we believe it is exceptionally unlikely the ride will be open by then.

Please accept our apologies for the false information and we will work hard to bring you more details on the opening date when they are confirmed by the resort.

No surprise it's false information. But posting this here just in case any of you believed the date.

---

Based on the state of the construction site currently, I honestly cannot see this opening until the end of May. There's a lot of them to be getting on with still!

 

[Lottie.]

It looks amazing in person, Saturday was the first time I saw it in the flesh and from what I've seen, it won't open until late May at the earliest. But for that TT status, I didn't believe the moment it was posted - 15th May is too optimistic

 

[cotda]

That, children, is what is called a publicity stunt!