[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[JB1985]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

is this discussion still ongoing?!?!

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

If we're going to start second guessing people, then I again suggest that the TowersTimes' construction pictures - on which many people base their doubts - are open to a degree of manipulation with their times of emergence.

 

[Rob]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

If we're going to start second guessing people, then I again suggest that the TowersTimes' construction pictures - on which many people base their doubts - are open to a degree of manipulation with their times of emergence.

Apart from the fact that I have seen construction with my own eyes (albeit through trees and from afar), therefore am able to confirm that the photos have all been published at the times they say they have been.

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

If we're going to start second guessing people, then I again suggest that the TowersTimes' construction pictures - on which many people base their doubts - are open to a degree of manipulation with their times of emergence.

Apart from the fact that I have seen construction with my own eyes (albeit through trees and from afar), therefore am able to confirm that the photos have all been published at the times they say they have been.

Then you're in on it too.

No, I thank you for that but as I was told about TT when I questioned them last time, we have no reason to not believe what Liz has said. I think people are trying to overanalyse/interpret a very brief and clear quote, also.

 

[James]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Just reading the quote without looking into it I get the impression that they are aiming for a 16th March opening (they think they might be able to get it constructed by then) but they do not necessarily know for certain if they can get it open by then and they will update the site if need be.

I'd assume at this point Alton Towers have a plan that if the construction doesn't get to a particular point by X date they will then put out a later opening date.

 

[Dave]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I'm scepticle, simply because the ride isn't anywhere near up, and the fact they even consider a delay in that statement is interesting.

I don't particularly want it to be late but i'm also not bothered if it is. So i'm hardley worrying about it but that statement hasn't changed my mind. It just doesn't reak of the confidence of a park that is sure their ride will open on time.

And your right Tom people can interpret English in a whole range of ways, hence why a PR professional will never give a straight answer because they can then spin it later if they need to. That statement has lots of wiggle-room for clarification later so i wouldn't be surprised they are edging their bets.

That said they haven't catagorically said it's late which means there is some hope the opening date it isn't dead-in-the water. But if they open a half complete product to meet opening day i will not be happy.

 

[Harv]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

To anyone else still banging on, trying to tell everyone else what they should/shouldn't discuss, it is possible to have more than one topic being talked about at the same time, as people have generally managed all through this project.

Honestly, are you like that in real life? Proper ignorant that is.

Hm, don't wish to create any sense of personal argument but I find this really quite rude. It's not 'ignorant' to try and stop a discussion becoming stale. Just for the record, I do actually strive to keep conversations and debates moving forwards in real life, yes, because I believe it is ruder to bore whoever may be listening (in this case reading) by repeating my case several times. Once discussion has reached it's conclusion, whether that be satisfying or not, it's a bit silly attempting to carry it on.

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Meanwhile, lapbars are looking good. I don't know how the GP would respond to them, but I do hope that they'd be more than welcoming of them, as after all, they'd be pretty unique, another selling point? I think Alton could make them quite marketable.

Also, do we think the cars will receive much bodywork?

For a fairly tacky looking ride, Iron Shark has some really cool trains! Does anybody else think we can expect some cool designs on the front of trains?

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Could lap bars be a comfort problem on the slower inline-style inversions?

 

[Alastair]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Could lap bars be a comfort problem on the slower inline-style inversions?

I can't see why...? Blue Fire has lapbars and takes the heartline roll at a relatively slow speed and I've certainly seen no one complain about that!

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Could lap bars be a comfort problem on the slower inline-style inversions?

I can't see why...? Blue Fire has lapbars and takes the heartline roll at a relatively slow speed and I've certainly seen no one complain about that!

I believe that this ride could feature several examples of that type of inversion, I was just interested to know how much force it could put on your thighs.

 

[josht]

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.

I'am feeling the same way, but I just want to wait till the end of January to see how much they get done.

 

[Dave]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

There is no reason lap-bars couldn't work but i have a feeling we will be getting OTSR.

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

There is no reason lap-bars couldn't work but i have a feeling we will be getting OTSR.

Aye, I'm not sure they would go down that road with something that inverts this many times in case the average Joe is too petrified to go on it, but I really wish they would take a chance. If we end up with OTSR and it inverts a record number of times, I will still be delighted.

 

[James]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

See, I would have thought lap-bars would increase the appealability of the ride. People want to ride something scary, lap-bars would fit in with marketing perfectly! Lap-bars were introduced at some point, it's about time the UK follows this and introduces something different here.

Either way though, lap-bars or OTSRs, this ride will still be on to a winner.

 

[Nick]

Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

The thing is, would people even be able to tell that there are lap bars anyway? I mean, most people won't know before they go to the park, and even at the park, chances are they won't even look at the coaster that intensely, or even be able to notice that there are lap bars anyway- as the cars will no doubt be moving very quickly, making it difficult to see if they are lap bars or not.

As for whether Merlin will go with the lap bars or not, why not? Sure, there may be a unimpressed focus group, but as said above, the vast majority of guests would not tell if they are lap bars or not until riding.

Lap bars would certainly give a better, freer riding experience, and Merlin would probably have seen the other examples around, and the lack of issues with, and (hopefully) have been convinced. Who knows, maybe they'll give Rita lap bars.

 

[Tom]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Although rare I know, injuries are more severe when collisions occur between trains with lap bars. I wonder how much of a factor that is in terms of insurance or whatever.

 

[Nick]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

The 50% off intrigues me. I can only assume that's the park tickets, which is only a good thing. Although, it could be 50% off the ride's budget or possibly even 50% off the construction workers pay as they fail to complete the project in time. Definitely Merlin being cheap though, as that seems to be a fairly common theme.

 

[Tim]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I don't really want to get into the lap bar debate again as I've already said too much on the subject. But I will note that if the Chinese could be convinced to ride a wooden coaster (historically Bamboo is their material of choice) then us British will be fine riding inversions with lap bars. It’s not like SW7 would be the first either, we've already got G-Force and although I must admit it's not a good example in terms of comfort I've never seen someone refuse to ride that because of its restraints.

Plus lap bars tend to have a better throughput than there OTSR counterparts as they are so much easier to check.

The question is if someone like me is part of the design team who's willing to keep pushing through this matter or will they give in to those who can't recognise the lap bar revolution.

Although rare I know, injuries are more severe when collisions occur between trains with lap bars. I wonder how much of a factor that is in terms of insurance or whatever.

That could be because most lap bars are not tight fitting; these ones would have to be.

 

[AstroDan]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

I am of the view that this ride will have OTSR's.

It has an awful lot of inversions, is likely to be quite intense and fast, and also - lap bars require workings in the base of the ride vehicle.

 

[GaryH]

Re: Secret Weapon 7 Discussion Continued

Plus OTSR stop people messing about