[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[7thHeaven]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I suppose also, if he was telling the truth, it wouldn't exactly be the smartest move to make. Given how easy it will be for Merlin to find out who took the photo, and given the fact that he has also "leaked" information (true or not). So if true, I imagine telling everyone you took the photo could get you into trouble.

Sorry dunno whether that was post worthy, I must say I was really excited to see some actually development that didn't just invovlve analysing soil shapes

 

[Danny]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Ah, the same person who suggested we'd have just one standard Eurofighter car as the ride trains and has also promised there will be a beyond vertical drop in the pit [which I believe is looking less likely each update]. I'm taking anything they say with a pinch of salt at this stage, but revealing that they took that image? I'm sure they'd know if they worked for the park they'd be taking a dive into the deep end here.

 

[Tim]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

If we are going to quote information lets at least quote it correctly.

The person in question is once again spin_doctor but he neither claimed the ride would use standard Euro-fighter cars nor that it would involve the "Washing Machine" element. What he actually said about the cars is that they'd have a standard seating design (as in not flying or stand-up ect.) and later he also suggested they would be twice as large which has since been proven to be correct. As for the Washing Machine element that was TTF's announcement, not his. All he claimed was that the ride would have 14 inversions.

Now as for the picture this is what he has to say:

I don't work for Merlin exactly. I am a freelance cameraman/photographer who's partner happens to be pretty high up at Merlin, so I get work because I am enthusiastic about it. I have been a member on here for a while, and I have divulged details about certain things but never anything that would get me or my partner into trouble. People dont believe me but I'm not too fussed, it will all fall into place and hopefully then I might be considered a valuable source.

I revealed that the ride will have 14 inversions but the 'washing machine' was never my idea. I did an artists impression of it for fun after towerstimes revealed that they heard it was the secret element. It might seem like a risky idea posting that it was I who took the pic but realistically, it doesnt matter. Of course it's easy to trace who I am but I know it wouldnt get me into trouble because I always check first, in all fairness, you knowing who took the pic and who edited it reveals nothing more than the picture shows. Enthusiast forums will always scrutinise fine details hoping for more information but I hate to say that not everything is as complicated and ambiguous as you think. Remember, these marketting releases are aimed at the general public, not enthusiasts, and the general public wouldn't give it a second glance.

Also can I just remind you, I said this ride will have a beyond vertical drop, dont forget that.

I have no issue with anyone judging a source of information but I can’t stand it when people do so on hearsay without checking that what they’ve heard is even correct.

 

[CupCakeMonster]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, it could have been when the facts were released in the newspapers. But, I was just on the SW7 mini-site, and the smile logo fades and facts come up, like the speed of 85km/h, the highest drop being 30m, a confirmation of the train size of 4 rows of 4, a track length of 1,170m and a ride length of 165 secs (apparently 3x longer than Rita). I was just thinking, is there a way to tell how long the track is on the plans, to test the theory of whether the plans will drastically change or not. And I would say that this definitely means that the 'washing machine' won't be happening, as surely for the entire ride to take place, and for them to do a spin or two would be longer than 165secs... I don't however think that the ride shown in the plans would take as long as that, so either they do change drastically... or, there's some trick track. Shame, I was hoping for no trick track... oh well.

 

[Rob]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

If we are going to quote information lets at least quote it correctly.

The person in question is once again spin_doctor but he neither claimed the ride would use standard Euro-fighter cars nor that it would involve the "Washing Machine" element. What he actually said about the cars is that they'd have a standard seating design (as in not flying or stand-up ect.) and later he also suggested they would be twice as large which has since been proven to be correct. As for the Washing Machine element that was TTF's announcement, not his. All he claimed was that the ride would have 14 inversions.

Now as for the picture this is what he has to say:

I don't work for Merlin exactly. I am a freelance cameraman/photographer who's partner happens to be pretty high up at Merlin, so I get work because I am enthusiastic about it. I have been a member on here for a while, and I have divulged details about certain things but never anything that would get me or my partner into trouble. People dont believe me but I'm not too fussed, it will all fall into place and hopefully then I might be considered a valuable source.

I revealed that the ride will have 14 inversions but the 'washing machine' was never my idea. I did an artists impression of it for fun after towerstimes revealed that they heard it was the secret element. It might seem like a risky idea posting that it was I who took the pic but realistically, it doesnt matter. Of course it's easy to trace who I am but I know it wouldnt get me into trouble because I always check first, in all fairness, you knowing who took the pic and who edited it reveals nothing more than the picture shows. Enthusiast forums will always scrutinise fine details hoping for more information but I hate to say that not everything is as complicated and ambiguous as you think. Remember, these marketting releases are aimed at the general public, not enthusiasts, and the general public wouldn't give it a second glance.

Also can I just remind you, I said this ride will have a beyond vertical drop, dont forget that.

I have no issue with anyone judging a source of information but I can’t stand it when people do so on hearsay without checking that what they’ve heard is even correct.

Going off what he's said there I'm prepared to say it sounds pretty believable. His location is also showing as Poole, which if true makes sense if his partner does work for Merlin as their HQ is in Poole. Though on the other side of the coin, anyone can make anything up a la leroy2009jones!

My gut feeling though is to believe him. He was obviously right about about the trains/cars if that is what he said. And I've seen 14 inversions rumoured over the internet on various different forums so he could well be right there. So if what he says is all to be true, should be be expecting a beyond vertical drop? Possibly. I'm not sure where it would be though as personally I can't see it happening in the outdoor section of the ride. There could potentially be room for it in the indoor section, I don't know what heights are required for it to be able to have a drop that is beyond vertical. However there is a rectangular section of the pit that is deeper than the rest of it, on the side furthest away from the station. Could they fit one in there? Interesting thoughts!

 

[Danny]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Actually Tim, he has claimed knowledge that standard Eurofighter cars will be used in the past:

I'm not believing anything until I see it with this project at this stage.

 

[Bethany]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I revealed that the ride will have 14 inversions but the 'washing machine' was never my idea.

If this person is a 'photographer', why would he be doing 'artists impressions'? Also, why would these be introduced to Alton?

 

[Fredward]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Because people have hobbies? They enjoy to do other things besides their trade.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk, please excuse any ridiculous mistakes!

 

[Bethany]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Because people have hobbies? They enjoy to do other things besides their trade.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk, please excuse any ridiculous mistakes!

My main question is that if it was just a small hobby, why would Alton know about it? In my opinion, Alton wouldn't choose this 'washing machine element', (if they even have, which I doubt) they wouldn't get the idea from a photographer that drew a 'silly artists impression'.

 

[Fredward]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Alton Towers read forums, that's probably how they picked it up. But he's not the original guy to come up with the idea. It came from Towerstimes staff somewhere.

A little condescending to say a silly artists impression, when all he did was help the community visualise TT's idea.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk, please excuse any ridiculous mistakes!

 

[Osaka12]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I have no doubt they are going for the inversion record. Its easy to market, it's "world beating" and is easy for the masses to talk about. Couple this with all the spiralling logo's, "insanity theme" and the general twistiness of the Eurofighter coasters there surely is no doubt.

As for this source I can't see why he would mock up one of those impressions of the washing machine other than to help spread speculation. Was a clever play if that was his intent.

 

[Adam]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I'm actually amazed so many people believe this guy. Anyone can claim to know anything, I could just as easily say I live in Poole and know people high up in Merlin HQ, anyone can. The guy is blatantly lying, atleast I think so.

 

[Fredward]

Re: Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

As for this source I can't see why he would mock up one of those impressions of the washing machine other than to help spread speculation. Was a clever play if that was his intent.

For fun?! Why does everyone have to be so conspiracy driven! Cad work is fun, people do it for fun! I think that's all that is done!

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk, please excuse any ridiculous mistakes!

 

[Osaka12]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

As for this source I can't see why he would mock up one of those impressions of the washing machine other than to help spread speculation. Was a clever play if that was his intent.

For fun?! Why does everyone have to be so conspiracy driven! Cad work is fun, people do it for fun! I think that's all that is done!

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk, please excuse any ridiculous mistakes!

Alright, so say he did it for fun half knowing it wasn't going to happen. I'd do the same thing in his position.

 

[Fredward]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I would, I do CAD work, for a portfolio, for fun, for work. If you enjoy something you do it for fun. Besides if this is the model I'm thinking of, its a simple sketchup animation, a very good one. But simple.


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[jamesm74]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Maybe 5:14 is a reference to a date (in American style) - maybe the opening date has been pushed back to 14th May??

 

[Tim]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Actually Tim, he has claimed knowledge that standard Eurofighter cars will be used in the past:

I'm not believing anything until I see it with this project at this stage.

... and the post just after that? If you noticed I replied to that post saying that the throughput would suck to which he replied that all he knew for certain about the cars was that they wouldn't do anything special, which is what he meant by standard.

Here's the quote:

It’s a shame it sounds like they are sticking with the standard trains as I calculated the theoretical capacity of this scenario a while back and got an answer of 864pph. (original post). That would be really low by Alton's standard (at the Th13teen event they said 1000pph was the absolute minimum for a coaster). I was hoping they'd add an extra row of seats at the very least.

By standard cars I meant, the small cart type cars we are used to seeing on eurofighters as apposed to the trains that have been speculated on prior. Standard cars with no special elements such as tilting or rotating. I cannot confirm what restraints will be used, how many seats per car or how many rows. So theres still chance of a decent throughput but I can't see them designing a whole new car just for this ride, but who knows.

As for his mock up of the “washing machine” it is irrelevant as he only did it for a bit of fun in the same way I mod stuff into RCT. I’ve made a mock up of several Legoland rides and B&M’s Wingrider, doesn’t mean I came up with them originally.

---

As for my own view on this I hold a similar opinion to Rob. I can believe Alton got a photographer in to take that picture. It could have been him or someone completely different but as he believes there will be 14 inversions it does at least explain where the 5:14 came from.

 

[AstroDan]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

The photo will have been taken by Marketing.

The claims to the contrary are complete lies.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[James]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Alton Towers do not employ freelance photographers to take pictures for their marketing ploys. The only time they employ professional photographers is for big events and promotional materials which require people with such talents. Even then, they do not use freelance photographers, they approach a photographic agency to book photographers for X amount of time.

As Dan has clearly said above, marketing would have taken the photo. A few members of staff in marketing will know their way around a camera. Although in this case I highly doubt they'd need professional knowledge to create that image, as it's just a viral update, not a piece of promotional materials used as a marketing piece outside of the internet.

I find it quite laughable that people believe this guy and are arguing about it on here. Closed season ahoy.

 

[Dave]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Indeed he didn't take the photo and he is being incredibly irresponsible as he could have triggered an investigation on the person who did take the photo as he makes it look like the photographer is a leak.

Luckily the rest of his story doesn't hold up so its obviously tosh. He is spouting off some common internet rumours and throwing out a load of lies. Like the enthusiast community isn't seen as mad anough without the fantasist such as this and the fake John Wardley twitter account doing the rounds.

its a bizzare world