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

[cotda]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I doubt they will market the inversions as the world's first, I'm quite certain I heard on John's first radio interview he said that it will be something people have never seen before, and the inversion record has obviously been done before, so I reckon it will be something to do with whatever they have brought in these New Scientist psychologists in for.

Plus one on this! I agree, and personally I think we need to think outside the box a little, I dont believe it will be a track based element, Im thinking some form of new theatrics in an on-ride preshow, possibly with 'physical' elements like prodders (they do like them at the minute!)

 

[Martin]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

so I reckon it will be something to do with whatever they have brought in these New Scientist psychologists in for.

A press stunt?

It's like the Thirteen thing again, where they had some scientist bloke going on about making the perfect drop to make dropping 20 feet sound better.

 

[Poisson]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

We haven't seen 14 inversions before

 

[James]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I fully believe the 'worlds first' is the number of inversions. Element is a very loose term, I think a few people are taking it as gospel for something like Th13teen's drop. When really 'element' could be anything.

I can see this simply being a solid, all round good roller coaster with the world record of inversions and a few smaller surprises in store. Such as something in the station and around the Marmaliser.

I actually find it quite maddening that people would expect anything more!

Regarding the inversions being a secret. Sure we all know, but the general public will be none the wiser, they don't go around counting the inversions then researching what the world record currently is and if Alton have beaten it. They just see this amazing roller coaster. The world record of inversions is (in loose terms) very much still a secret.

 

[Poisson]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I fully believe the 'worlds first' is the number of inversions. Element is a very loose term, I think a few people are taking it as gospel for something like Th13teen's drop. When really 'element' could be anything.

I can see this simply being a solid, all round good roller coaster with the world record of inversions and a few smaller surprises in store. Such as something in the station and around the Marmaliser.

I actually find it quite maddening that people would expect anything more!

Regarding the inversions being a secret. Sure we all know, but the general public will be none the wiser, they don't go around counting the inversions then researching what the world record currently is and if Alton have beaten it. They just see this amazing roller coaster. The world record of inversions is (in loose terms) very much still a secret.

Just to add, isn't this what we all wanted? No silly gimmick that detracts from the ride, which should be a solid addition to the ranks?

 

[Tim]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Just to clarify I think the 14 inversions will be the main marketing point and I don't expect any trick track ect...

... but if both the park and more specifically John Wardley have been saying there will be a World's First that hasn't been revealed yet then it won't be the inversion record as that is already obvious. lets give the average guest some credit the first thing anyone is going to think when looking at The Smiler is "that goes upside down a lot of times, I wonder how many I can count?"

Anyway the game still has 7 locked mystery elements and we know they can't all be inversions.

 

[Scott]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I'm not convinced that there are 7 missing things just cos the app has 7 missing spaces... I thought it was just a placeholder repeated because the other menu had multiple options too? I dunno, I could be wrong though.

But it is a momentous day for the project - the track being finally complete! Be interesting though to find out why scaffolding is appearing everywhere, it's a bit disconcerting.

 

[TheMan]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Wardley and separate press releases have both alluded to this World First.

As everyone keeps saying, this is John we're talking about not Morwenna, he would not talk about something that will be listened to by enthusiasts in the fashion he did about "simply" an inversion record.

It has got nothing to do with wanting anything else, expectations or anything - the only reason we're discussing it, is how many times it has been officially mentioned.

Obviously I wont be disappointed if there isn't other than the amount of text coming out suggesting their is.

Trick track is probably now out unless they've done something beyond prying eyes, which is not impossible.

I'll give John a bit more credit than suggesting he'd go on about something as never been done before, I believe the quote may have even referenced the fact it would ALSO be a world beater?

Someone else can clarify that, so you have the marketing switching between the two or at times both I believe, John, press releases and a secrecy surrounding the ride that does NOT require an indoor hidden inversion to be such a secret.

People can count past ten already as has been pointed out!

No idea what it may be though - and if as many of suspect they still do have some magic up their sleeves, then wow, that's all I can say.

 

[Johno]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

So from the TowersTimes update we appear to have:

- a second parking point for trains that is not the maintenance shed (closer to Oblivion).
- Lots of queue line already in place, mostly cattle-pen.
- The shop is being boarded up, as is the 'underground section'.
- There appears to be some form of barcode striping going on the side of the maintenance building (in addition to spirals already there).
- New trees planted behind the toilet block, and new fencing installed there.
- It appears there could be a possibility of some kind of glass floor in the shop
- Some of the 8ft fencing has already been installed around the drops that would otherwise get too close to guests.

 

[adsyrah]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Looking at that update, there seems to be a fair chunk of track under the maintenance shed before the first lift hill.

Plenty of room for a pre show?

 

[Alastair]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Looking at that update, there seems to be a fair chunk of track under the maintenance shed before the first lift hill.

Plenty of room for a pre show?

I think so and hope so. Not being able to see the barrel roll it's hard to estimate but I'd say it was almost the full length of the maintenance shed that the train has got on level track.

 

[mrvardermier123]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

- It appears there could be a possibility of some kind of glass floor in the shop

I'm probably just being silly, but I can't find any reference to this in the latest TT update?

Not accusing, would just like to read whats been said! :twirly:

 

[Towseriv]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

- It appears there could be a possibility of some kind of glass floor in the shop

I'm probably just being silly, but I can't find any reference to this in the latest TT update?

Not accusing, would just like to read whats been said! :twirly:

Wasn't this discussed ages back based on info from the plans?

 

[Johno]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

- It appears there could be a possibility of some kind of glass floor in the shop

I'm probably just being silly, but I can't find any reference to this in the latest TT update?

Not accusing, would just like to read whats been said! :twirly:

Only due to the right of the shop still being open.

 

[ChocolateStarfish]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I think there are three unique things about this ride:-
World beating, world first and secret part that happens in the building.
You know the first two, as it has been mentioned on here many times but the last part should remain a secret.

As for the scaffolding, I believe that's to assist with the pull through but I could be wrong so don't hold me to that.

 

[Rose Of Dawn]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

At the moment I'm thinking the 'secret element' that has the most evidence pointing towards it is simply the inversion record. Remember the mug which was pulled from sale straight away that had 14 swirls? The inversion count is clearly something that Alton are trying to keep close to their chest still. This is something that would have been much easier to stay secret had they opened on schedule, with only the TowersTimes plane giving any clue as to what they were doing.

Of course, the way Wardley is taking at the moment may indicate something else. And chances are, something will happen within the building - but that could just be another inversion for all we know.

 

[Dar]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

As for the scaffolding, I believe that's to assist with the pull through but I could be wrong so don't hold me to that.

I thought Gerstlauer weren't a pull through type of company, preferring instead to just send a train round and hope for the best? I've only seen Intamin do pull throughs to be honest, unless someone knows otherwise?

I imagine the scaffolding is for touching up the paint, on the joint in that picture it looks a bit rusty so maybe they needed a more stable base than a cherrypicker to prep and re-finish that section?

Who knows! I just can't wait to see this thing testing and then ride it!

 

[alee298]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I just want it to actually work! Not faffing around with washing machines. A good solid ride. Kthxbye.

 

[HaydenCR]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I am hoping the indoor section is as good as Saw: The Ride. There seems to be much more then meets the eye. When Thorpe originally marketed Saw, did they mention any "indoor section"? I swear the only thing they really marketed was that hill, drop and head chopper! Alton Towers up to this point have deliberately avoided anything that happens indoors. Just like Saw you have to ride it yourself.

One thing I know for sure is.... this beats Saw anyday.

 

[Nick]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

To be fair, not mentioning it would mean it's more a surprise for first time riders. When people look at the massive station, they must surely deduce that there must be something inside. I mean, I know Thorpe's demographic is fairly dim-witted, but that must be obvious to even the most idiotic.

Although, they may have marketed- I'm not sure. Although it doesn't seem Merlin's style- as they prefer to market something that can be seen. Makes me think there are going to glass windows in the Smiler's station.