[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[Rob]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

In terms of lap bars or over the shoulder restraints, remember at the end of the day it is the client (Alton Towers) who will have the final say on what the coaster gets. Gerstlauer will simply provide what Towers ultimately choose and just because most other Gerstlauer's are getting lap bars doesn't mean this definitely will.

 

[Tim]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

True, but I'd like to think Merlin are just as susceptible to Bandwagons as everyone else

 

[TheMan]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Ha-ha, yes!

Let the bandwaggoning commence!! (In this instance anyway).

 

[KingNemesis]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

What annoys me the most is that they are just trying to forget it was ever supposed to opened March 16th.. And thinking no one knows that this is the opening date..

There has been nothing for the Towers saying "Look guys, It may not open on time" because if they leave it too long there will be an uproar of people complaining because they had no time to change dates of work or book hotels outside and will have to pay a cancellation fee.

If they dont hurry up and mention something, this will be extremely bad news for AT's reputation and image.

 

[TheMan]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I agree with most of what you say KingNemesis, and what I don't agree with isn't worth mentioning.

People will have made plans for this, having already advertised it, I absolutely agree they should come out with some further information. It is the only decent way to treat your loyal paying customers.

Good points, well made.

 

[Moley]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Hopefully a good sign

Not for that poor sod on the right, he's about to have his head caved in by that track.

Do all regular "Eurofighters" have OTSR?

 

[Tim]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Hopefully a good sign

Not for that poor sod on the right, he's about to have his head caved in by that track.

Do all regular "Eurofighters" have OTSR?

A small price to pay for comfort.

All the old Eurofighters have OTSR. Most of the new designs however have lap bars:
2011 - Dare Devil Dive
2012 - Iron Shark
2013 - Tripsdrill's new ride (although only shown in concept art)

There have been 3 Eurofighters built after Dare Devil Dive but 2 of them were the same standard model as Rage and Iron Shark was the first classic Eurofighter trains to have lap bars which would explain why Takabisha doesn't use them.

As Rob pointed out this doesn't confirm them for SW7 but is a good sign.

 

[KingNemesis]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

From RideRater:

Alton Towers has said it is still working towards opening its new rollercoaster for the start of the theme park’s main season.

A countdown references to the 16 March opening date have recently been removed from the park’s website, sparking considerable speculation enthusiast message boards.

However, the park’s PR Manager Liz West told this website: “We’re still working towards opening the ride at the start of the season and will endeavour to put updates on our website if this looks likely to change.”

http://riderater.co.uk/2013/alton-towers-reiterates-sw7-opening-date/

 

[Alastair]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

From RideRater:

Alton Towers has said it is still working towards opening its new rollercoaster for the start of the theme park’s main season.

A countdown references to the 16 March opening date have recently been removed from the park’s website, sparking considerable speculation enthusiast message boards.

However, the park’s PR Manager Liz West told this website: “We’re still working towards opening the ride at the start of the season and will endeavour to put updates on our website if this looks likely to change.”

http://riderater.co.uk/2013/alton-towers-reiterates-sw7-opening-date/

Still leaves it open for them to change the date. Sounds like park management trying to provide some reassurance with an added disclaimer.

 

[TheMan]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Agreed Psycho, and good find Nemmy.

However, please, if an article is only 3 paragraphs long - proof read it! (Author, not forum).

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

It goes slightly further than that, it's effectively saying "it'll be open on time unless we say otherwise".

I think a slight leap of faith is required now and we should believe her, or we'll all end up going crazy.

 

[Alastair]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

It goes slightly further than that, it's effectively saying "it'll be open on time unless we say otherwise".

I think a slight leap of faith is required now and we should believe her, or we'll all end up going crazy.

At least they haven't categorically stated it'll be delayed yet, I will take that as a margin of hope.

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

They've said they're working towards 16 March, which would indicate they haven't given up on it.

 

[James]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

To be honest, by the sounds of things Alton Towers have no idea whatsoever if it will be ready by March or not. Would explain why the opening date has been removed off the site and why there has been no press release. They are most likely pushing for a 16th March opening, but have no 100% certainty if it will indeed reach this target.

 

[Rob]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Interesting! Though I suppose if they haven't fully given up on it opening on time then they would say that. I guess they see taking down all mentions of the date as a precaution. I am still confident it won't open on time though, and I do think Towers will confirm this by the end of the month.

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I don't think we have any reason to doubt her, if she says they'll advise of a change in the date looking likely, then that's good enough for me - for now.

I accept that they may not be 100% confident, but you also can't rule out that we've been had by a playful marketing staff member with the removal of the dates.

 

[Wilsy]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Alton Towers are clearly not going to commit to anything at the moment, they've been burned by setting an opening date so early in the construction phase.

It would be silly of them to not to continue to target for the 16th of March, but privately there is probably a lot more doubt about being able to complete the project by that date.

 

[GAGrathea]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

My immediate impressions of that quotation are: it doesn't specify a date, it doesn't confirm anything, and it goes as far to admit the possibility of the ride being delayed.

Why would you even bother making a statement about announcing delays if you were confident in it opening on time, it's not even an idea they'd entertain unless there were serious doubts!

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

It's interesting how people's interpretation of the English language differs so greatly.

"Start of the season" is very clear in my mind, it defines 16 March (or a date to which the start of the season is pushed back) without question.

There's no "hoping to have it open for the start" no "early in the season" no "as close to the start of the season as possible" or anything of the sorts, it's fundamentally precise from someone who is likely to have excellent grammatical skills in her role.

I admit that to acknowledge the possibility of the opening date changing is a little strange, but I interpret it as trying to put people's minds at rest and possibly avert additional inquiries by assuring us that any change will be advised of on the website.

As I say, it's up to those who stress/panic/wonder if they want to continue to do so, but I'm resting a little easier now, until something appears that should concern me.

 

[Rob]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

The way I read it is that they know that they are behind schedule, but they have not yet totally given up hope of it opening on time. However they are well aware that there could well be a delay and will let people know when they think this is very likely to happen.

My guess is that they are going to see how construction goes over the next couple of weeks. That should give them a much better idea of how long the project will take to complete. And if it is delayed then they probably aren't yet in a position to announce a new opening date.