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The Smiler - General Discussion

Pleasure Beach Valhalla said:
It and Oblivion both need jet washing done on their track, because i just think they're looking in need of a bit of track revival just like Nemesis and part of Galacticair got!
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The problem with jet washing track is it can make things worse depending on the quality of the finish and especially if it’s the first do after the paint has been applied a while. When Air, as it then was, had a pressure washer taken to parts of it the paint actually started to come away.

Oblivion’s track is fine. Not as pristine as it looked after the repaint, but it’s a million times better than it’s anaemia phase around 2010! The Smiler has looked naff since it reopened from its SBNO period. The rust really started the streak then while it all stood without running.

The whole ride is high maintenance really. Bare, frequently soaking wet concrete and black paint are a match made in hell.
 
I did it twice yesterday, luckily got the front row both times and left hand seat - which is my favorite.

First ride i clobbered my shoulder, second ride was smooth as silk, apart from the jolt on inversion 2 and the exit of the cobra roll, no worse than my headbanging ride on Nemesis earlier.

It seems to depend on the train you get, the height of the rider and other things - always love the ride though, makes me smiler and laugh like an idiot.
 
It’s funny, I have never had a particularly rough ride on the Smiler b4. Always used to think people were just being overly sensitive. ‘A little banging on such an intense coaster is to be expected,’ I thought. Well I went on a few weeks ago and it was rough as hell! I must of just fluked the smooth trains over and over until that ride?
 
I think the debate on smooth v rough depending on people’s different visits is pointless. It’s completely dependant on how recently the wheel compounds have been replaced. You see this on other coasters (particularly Nemesis) but it’s less variable as 1) there are fewer trains so less random chance and 2) the compounds wear faster on Smiler as they have had to put fast compounds on because of the stall issue and these wear out faster (I assume they will be a harder compound and therefore more prone to wear).
 
Dave said:
I think the debate on smooth v rough depending on people’s different visits is pointless. It’s completely dependant on how recently the wheel compounds have been replaced. You see this on other coasters (particularly Nemesis) but it’s less variable as 1) there are fewer trains so less random chance and 2) the compounds wear faster on Smiler as they have had to put fast compounds on because of the stall issue and these wear out faster (I assume they will be a harder compound and therefore more prone to wear).
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I've often thought what any rollercoaster would be like if it had car-like suspension on it. Would it smooth things out so much that motion sickness would be more common? Or just completely ruin the experience?
 
skyscraper said:
How were your rides? We're they similar or different?
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The operator kept giving me the front left seat, my favourite, i did do a 2nd row and a back row one though.

To be honest, apart from the jolts in the usual places (which i always brace for) i enjoyed every ride
 
Mikw said:
The operator kept giving me the front left seat, my favourite, i did do a 2nd row and a back row one though.

To be honest, apart from the jolts in the usual places (which i always brace for) i enjoyed every ride
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How easy is it to get the front row? I'm going to brave Smiler for the first time at Scarefest but I only want to do the front row.
 
skyscraper said:
How easy is it to get the front row? I'm going to brave Smiler for the first time at Scarefest but I only want to do the front row.
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Usually you go where they put you, but if you ask nicely (depending on the ride dispatch host) and explain that this is your first time and that you are feeling apprehension and would brave it, but only that if you could sit in the front row, I'm sure that they may allow you to.

I've many times have asked the ride host nicely if I can sit in my favourite seat on a ride and they usually accommodate, but not always guaranteed.
 
RoyJess said:
explain that this is your first time and that you are feeling apprehension and would brave it, but only that if you could sit in the front row
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That's a new one :tearsofjoy:

Policy on all rides at the moment is that you sit where the dispatcher tells you. I think it's unfair on the ride host (and other guests) to ask for a particular seat in those circumstances to be honest.
 
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