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[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*
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TheMan
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- NemiLerVion
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
NO LIKE!!
No really, I don't! I hope there will not be too much greenery around in a grassy sense, I'd rather have a rocky backdrop, industrial.
I know this will not likely go down well, but no, definitely do not like that.
Dobba said:
NO LIKE!!
No really, I don't! I hope there will not be too much greenery around in a grassy sense, I'd rather have a rocky backdrop, industrial.
I know this will not likely go down well, but no, definitely do not like that.
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Have to say I'm not keen on the creepier aspect of the Smiler's music playing across X-Sector. It sounds a bit too Carnival of Screams for my liking, though the rest of the music is okay. I'd have thought some ambient tune consisting of the main beat from the original track (played just in the station or on queue videos) mixed with a few other sound effects would have worked better? Ah well.
On a positive note, I'm glad to see the landscaping is being done nicely. That grass and the bushes along the path make it all look much better. The track is standing out against the green rather than it all just blending in and looking like a construction site. The only thing I dislike about the hedges is actually the long line of black fences that they sit behind. There's nothing to break it up like some concrete slabs with the Smiler logo in them (like what Oblivion and the flats have), some more pipes or something.
Have to say I'm not keen on the creepier aspect of the Smiler's music playing across X-Sector. It sounds a bit too Carnival of Screams for my liking, though the rest of the music is okay. I'd have thought some ambient tune consisting of the main beat from the original track (played just in the station or on queue videos) mixed with a few other sound effects would have worked better? Ah well.
On a positive note, I'm glad to see the landscaping is being done nicely. That grass and the bushes along the path make it all look much better. The track is standing out against the green rather than it all just blending in and looking like a construction site. The only thing I dislike about the hedges is actually the long line of black fences that they sit behind. There's nothing to break it up like some concrete slabs with the Smiler logo in them (like what Oblivion and the flats have), some more pipes or something.
E
electricBlll
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
This is basic landscaping but it's great. It feels much more like a finished product now - something established - rather than incomplete and rushed. The fences will also be better disguised once the bushes have had a chance to flesh out.
Strangely the rides that needed foliage the most, Air and Thirteen, were left looking like construction sites for months after opening. So I never expected them to bother with the Smiler. Good move!
...Now if they would just trim the massively overgrown trees around Oblivion, that would be even better.
Thorpe Park caters for your every need. :twirly:TheMan said:
This is basic landscaping but it's great. It feels much more like a finished product now - something established - rather than incomplete and rushed. The fences will also be better disguised once the bushes have had a chance to flesh out.
Strangely the rides that needed foliage the most, Air and Thirteen, were left looking like construction sites for months after opening. So I never expected them to bother with the Smiler. Good move!
...Now if they would just trim the massively overgrown trees around Oblivion, that would be even better.
rightbackgranty
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
I wouldn't worry too much there, Mr TheMan, this forum seems to disagree over things for sport!
I'd like to see some big boulders placed about the site, or even some bright yellow "Smiler Cans" but im pleased to see some turf being placed as there is such a sheer amount of dirt around this site it got a bit too "Brownfield site".
There's plenty of grey around to suit even the bleakest personality
Lets face it too, the grass wont get cut, it will look wild eventually.
TheMan said:
I wouldn't worry too much there, Mr TheMan, this forum seems to disagree over things for sport!
I'd like to see some big boulders placed about the site, or even some bright yellow "Smiler Cans" but im pleased to see some turf being placed as there is such a sheer amount of dirt around this site it got a bit too "Brownfield site".
There's plenty of grey around to suit even the bleakest personality
Lets face it too, the grass wont get cut, it will look wild eventually.
Ian
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Dizz, Bobby’s Yarn Land
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
I have to say, though it might not fit The Smiler 100% I'm glad they've added some greenery just to break up the bland concrete jungle. I think it kind of suits X-Sector though. The area has always been industrial and very brutal, but it's managed to tie it in with the natural surrounds nicely. I've always loved the planting around Oblivion's queue. It's not in your face nature, but it's not barren concrete. It strikes a balance perfectly for me, and I think it's visually brilliant.
I do hope that the area around The Smiler will be similar in time
I have to say, though it might not fit The Smiler 100% I'm glad they've added some greenery just to break up the bland concrete jungle. I think it kind of suits X-Sector though. The area has always been industrial and very brutal, but it's managed to tie it in with the natural surrounds nicely. I've always loved the planting around Oblivion's queue. It's not in your face nature, but it's not barren concrete. It strikes a balance perfectly for me, and I think it's visually brilliant.
I do hope that the area around The Smiler will be similar in time
E
electricBlll
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
After a day of test riding, John Wardley's marmalisation is complete:
From the Alton Towers Guide thingy.
After a day of test riding, John Wardley's marmalisation is complete:
From the Alton Towers Guide thingy.
CoasterCrazyChris
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
It's good to see they are landcaping that muddy bank along the back of the site, there isn't really much else they could do with it really other than put turf down.
It is a shame that most of the site is screened off by that ugly black fence running down the entrance path to X-Sector, it seems that unless you queue for this ride there won't be many chances to really interact with the coaster as a spectator. I wish they had put the jetty in.
It's good to see they are landcaping that muddy bank along the back of the site, there isn't really much else they could do with it really other than put turf down.
It is a shame that most of the site is screened off by that ugly black fence running down the entrance path to X-Sector, it seems that unless you queue for this ride there won't be many chances to really interact with the coaster as a spectator. I wish they had put the jetty in.
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
These new photos of the planting and turf going down are pleasing me so much. Finally, for me, it's starting to look complete. I was worried the whole area would be concrete on concrete, with black fencing.
This softens it up a lot.
Hopefully, they will put a finish to the ends / tops of those supporting walls and I will be satisfied
These new photos of the planting and turf going down are pleasing me so much. Finally, for me, it's starting to look complete. I was worried the whole area would be concrete on concrete, with black fencing.
This softens it up a lot.
Hopefully, they will put a finish to the ends / tops of those supporting walls and I will be satisfied
CGM
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
I think that the rocks lined paths, planting and landscaping make it look great. It really makes the ride look complete and gives it that unique Alton identity. In fact I, think it's the first coaster at Alton since Air that looks like an Alton Towers coaster which I find very exciting.
Spinball, Rita and Thirteen are just plonked on a bit of land and could belong to any park. Alton's coasters are known for being a bit more than that and thankfully, The Smiler is continuing that tradition.
I think that the rocks lined paths, planting and landscaping make it look great. It really makes the ride look complete and gives it that unique Alton identity. In fact I, think it's the first coaster at Alton since Air that looks like an Alton Towers coaster which I find very exciting.
Spinball, Rita and Thirteen are just plonked on a bit of land and could belong to any park. Alton's coasters are known for being a bit more than that and thankfully, The Smiler is continuing that tradition.
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