[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*

[Bear]

Went to see The Smiler today, first time since before Christmas that I have actually bothered to go look at the site when on park.

The supports look a little battered in places and could do with a touch up, the building seems covered in mud splashes in places, the landscaping that went in in some places is dying already and needs a prune, the gates to access the landscaping don't look like they were designed to be there, there is no latch and they are kept shut by a crappy bit of chain, lastly towards the toilets it looks like they have recycled on piece of fence from The Black Whole but without cleaning and repainting it.

- The supports and building will be jetwashed prior to opening;
- The plants only went in last week and will probably need to adapt to their new soil;
- That area is for cherrypicker access and is obviously not finished;
- I didn't notice the recycled fencing, possibly due to the enormous rollercoaster just next door.

Also jet washing won't put paint on the places that have already been battered.

They're on that too, don't worry!

 

[djtruefitt]

A few minor things from yesterday, overall the ride looks pretty much complete, they were painting the concrete footers near the top of the site, like they did with the ones near the toilet block. The Rehydrator now has new signs and menus (hotdogs and nachos) all themed to Oblivion.

Finally each leg of the marmaliser has audio! It was just playing at random times at one point, but things like laughing for the giggler. Also I really like the overall audio of the round, it seems very suround sound.

I just cant wait for the ride to open now!

 

[T]

I have a question.

After visiting the Smiler site today, and looking around, I have noticed that there's a rather steep slope to the immediate left of the entrance, that looks, as I say, remarkably steep. Is this going to be a walkway to the public, or will it be behind a restricted fence and therefore not a thoroughfare for people to use? I can't imagine it being very safe come the colder months..


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[James]

I believe Rob confirmed(?) that it will not be open to the public and will have a gate there. It will just be an access path for a cherry picker.

 

[stretchy]

OK photos from Today.

The entrance

The entrance signs

The split signs (look whats being painted behind them..)

Someone asked what colour the LEDs are. They look green to me but could be yellow.

One of the 14 entrance way cameras

Fixing a hand tail for the steps.

Single Rider a bit later, hand rails are finished.

Main

Those metallic sticky out things have now been recessed.

Speakers have been put in the big holes at the top

But there are still two small holes in each side.

S W 7 Completed

At the bottom of the station a new door has appeared

atop a set of metal steps.

In the big pit theming is being added. Yellow chevrons seem to be going in everywhere (and you can just see one eye of a smiler)

The plastic used to create the chevrons (no they aren't painted)

It was difficult to get a picture of them but here are some being added at the time I was photographing

More theming has been added to the central leg of The Marmaliser

and a quick shot of some of the newly laid turf.

Notice the missing fin. There used to be one that was off rectangular here.

But why is there a chair with an air horn?

and just below that is a bin bag around something

Outside X sector is quite a lot of barriers. Maybe a queue will form here on Thursday.

And the Sanctuary is still set up

And I will leave you with the smiler in the sun.

 

[JAMMY_Jaunts]

Great photo's stretchy.

I love how you have to be in a certain place to make out the SW7 text. Marmalising your mind.

 

[pritchardavid]

Great Photos Mate

Very weird about the chair and horn lol
Cant be that much more to do now

 

[tleady]

Great Photos Mate

Very weird about the chair and horn lol
Cant be that much more to do now

Isn't the horn used to warn construction workers of a train... you can hear it at the beginning of a few videos including the Daybreak one

 

[Laura]

It looks good from the photos....except the naffness of the entrance sign is really highlighted from the back!

 

[delta79]

Great Photos Mate

Very weird about the chair and horn lol
Cant be that much more to do now

Isn't the horn used to warn construction workers of a train... you can hear it at the beginning of a few videos including the Daybreak one

It is to warn of a train running on the track, it is shown on Blue Peters coverage of the smiler.

 

[TheMan]

Great Photos Mate

Very weird about the chair and horn lol
Cant be that much more to do now

Isn't the horn used to warn construction workers of a train... you can hear it at the beginning of a few videos including the Daybreak one

It is to warn of a train running on the track, it is shown on Blue Peters coverage of the smiler.

It would be so, so funny if they kept that.

 

[Novas]

Thanks stretchy, lots of positives to be taken from that update!

Happy to see lots of subtle themeing starting to appear around the area, Marmaliser base looks perfect and it's great to see that work hasn't completely finished on the station just yet!

Entrance is still poor, but get the back tidied up and It will do I guess.

 

[electricBlll]

The path from the entrance is looking fairly smart. It could be quite an effective 'descent' into madness going down those steps!

Has the audio been testing at the entrance X Sector yet? Is it just The Smiler's audio?

 

[Deleted member 583]

Have you seen that?

Fanta trying to ruin this ride too...!

=D.

 

[Rob]

I have some more photos for you all. However I must point out that all of these photos are from Saturday. I know some have been posted since but I though I'd still post mine as I still have a few things to point out in them. I hope you enjoy, and I'm sorry that I couldn't get them online sooner!

First of all a look at the entrance, which is now complete with cameras and information signs:

The cameras do make the entrance look a lot better:

A look at the information sign:

Nice first warning:

The sign refers to the station as the Correction Block. Staff are referred to as Smiler Assistants:

Speakers inside the entrance:

This is the path that I've been saying will be gated off for cherry picker access:

Signs where the 'alternative' queue splits:

Starting to look finished:

More fencing on the steps down into the queue area:

A look at the landscaping, you can also see safety bars/fencing along the edges where there are drops:

A look at some of the grass:

An overview complete with some geeks:

Lots of plastic yellow strips can be found around the site:

More in the trailer of a Studios North vehicle:

Merchandise in the shop:

All 4 of the pipes on Rehydrator have now been painted:

Outdoor seating will be making a return:

Another look at Rehydrator:

And a look at the new menu:

Buy The Smiler:

Fencing at the bottom of the site is now complete:

Emergency exit steps from the station:

The base of the Marmaliser is now complete. More cables/tubes have also been added that go to the very bottom of the Marmaliser:

An overview of the virtually complete Marmaliser:

More rock work at the top of the site:

It looks like this area at the top of the site will also be for cherry picker access:

More footers being painted black:

An overview from the top of the site with completed landscaping:

No missing fin here...:

Real cameras on the side of the station:

The halfway TVs and speakers are now fully wired up:

I hope you enjoyed. I hope to be on park tomorrow afternoon for one final update.

As usual, all photos were taken from areas of the park fully accessible to the public. Please do not replicate my photos without permission. TowersStreet may use them if they wish.

 

[Borrissey]

The secret SW7 message is an amazing touch. It's just things like that that make you go "Mmmm..."

 

[James]

Work taking place on a support. Picture by The Alton Towers Guide.

 

[Rob]

Must admit I find it slightly strange that they are working on that now just a few days before opening and after lots of testing. Still I doubt it is anything to worry about at all.

 

[Olii]

That definitely looks like a ratchet/chain system, possibly using the sturdy lift structure to... I don't know really, maybe aligning a bolt or something? I doubt it's anything to worry about though, or else they wouldn't have sent people round the track

 

[pluk]

A ride it first winner (BenC on TPM) has had an email stating the planned Wednesday afternoon ride is very unlikely to be able to happen and instead they are riding before everyone else on the Thursday. Whatever it is they are still tinkering with they are clearly cutting it very fine!