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The Smiler - General Discussion

OilyWater said:
Yes but the layout of the track makes the plan on the scheme look impossible, even before ground problems. The base of the batwing is right in the way of where the level path was planned to go out the back, and the winding ramp down from the current entrance would clash with the base of the loop in that area.

Otherwise it would have been way better to create a plaza and get all those good views of the ride while being able to freely walk around, and landscape the pit properly!
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Yes the plan doesn't quite look right but as you say if it did happen it would have still allowed the views, but they would be optional too, you can wander down and watch the ride but you aren't stuck in a cramped wet loud cage for an hour in a queue.
 
Danscott22 said:
What was theming feature B supposed to be do we know? And for that matter, theming feature C?
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I think B was one of those weird bits the ride went though with spikes and stuff on it. Was clearly all linked to the original theme, or IP which the ride was rumoured to have.

C was some kind of surveillance van, in the end we got the HB leisure games stall in its place.

You can see some here: https://towersstreet.com/theme-park/ride/the-smiler/#gallery
 
Wow rode Smiler yesterday first time since 2016 got to say it's still so incredible, it did break down for 50 minutes whilst I was just about to get on in the station but it was worth it for the front row ride.
The first half is glass smooth, beautiful ride just insanely fun the second half is more intense but it was a little bit rough, nothing too bad I didn't have any head banging though but I would be worried about a back row ride.
 
George Williams said:
Wow rode Smiler yesterday first time since 2016 got to say it's still so incredible, it did break down for 50 minutes whilst I was just about to get on in the station but it was worth it for the front row ride.
The first half is glass smooth, beautiful ride just insanely fun the second half is more intense but it was a little bit rough, nothing too bad I didn't have any head banging though but I would be worried about a back row ride.
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It's considerably smoother than recent years. Even the back row isn't bad nowdays
 
Ethan said:
It's considerably smoother than recent years. Even the back row isn't bad nowdays
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That's good to hear, as I'm going to muster all the courage I have and brave Smiler on Sunday. I'll be forced to sit at the back as I'm mask exempt though. I really would prefer the front for my first ride. :(
 
I've never found The Smiler rough (with the exception of one ride in 2013) so you should be fine! The back row is fine honestly, my and cousin obviously go on the back with RAP and it's absolutely fine!
 
Last season I used RAP and mostly got front row, since the merge point is before the stairs, by the time you get to the gates you could be anyone and could get any row.
 
Skyscraper said:
That's good to hear, as I'm going to muster all the courage I have and brave Smiler on Sunday. I'll be forced to sit at the back as I'm mask exempt though. I really would prefer the front for my first ride. :(
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I guess you could just wear a mask for the 2-3 minutes while on the ride in order to get on the front
 
D4n said:
If you refuse to wear a mask then, yes, you will be put on the back.

For the safety of other guests.
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Now that’s interesting at Thorpe last year I found that out and started using the back rows to have a few rides without a mask on (which is different to refusing to wear it) the first few times I tried it no problem but then I was told that wasn’t the case so without argument I put it back on.
 
spinba11 said:
Now that’s interesting at Thorpe last year I found that out and started using the back rows to have a few rides without a mask on (which is different to refusing to wear it) the first few times I tried it no problem but then I was told that wasn’t the case so without argument I put it back on.
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if you do not have a medical condition preventing you wearing a mask then please do wear one.

I’m sure those who are genuinely unable to wear them don’t like people just deciding they want to try it without.
 
D4n said:
If you refuse to wear a mask then, yes, you will be put on the back.

For the safety of other guests.
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I don't "refuse" to wear one, I'm genuinely exempt as a mask would cause me severe distress. I understand why they do that, but what made it worse was they didn't tell me about it at all when I collected the towers-issed mask exemption card back on my October visit last year. Not knowing that was a thing was a factor in my (unintentional) meltdown at the batch point. And, if I'd known that, I probably wouldn't have entered the queue line! Plus, no other coaster required me to do that. :confused:
I still regret having the meltdown (more evidence for me not wearing a mask), even though I can't really control it, and wish I'd just bitten the bullet and braved the back row. Made even worse knowing that I caused a friend who also hasn't ridden Smiler before to miss out as wel (which I still feel guilty about now)l. :(

spinba11 said:
If you don’t show your band you don’t get put on the back unless it’s the only row left.
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Thameslink Rail said:
Last season I used RAP and mostly got front row, since the merge point is before the stairs, by the time you get to the gates you could be anyone and could get any row.
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I'm still annoyed at myself for not trying Smiler in 2019, or earlier. I had plenty of chances but just coudn't find the courage.
I'm going to Towers on Sunday and will muster all the courage I can to finally ride (in the back row of course).
 
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Skyscraper said:
I had plenty of chances but just coudn't find the courage.
I'm going to Towers on Sunday and will muster all the courage I can to finally ride (in the back row of course).
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I obviously don't know your reasons for being scared of the The Smiler and being someone who isn't scared of coasters at all myself, being scared of it is sort of alien to me. But trust me, and I'm sure others will agree, you have nothing to fear, it is great fun. It's over so quick and you get so disorientated within the first couple of inversions that - hopefully - you'll love it. I would recommend though that whatever row you sit in,you sit in one of the middle 2 seats and not on the outside seats - for 2 reasons; 1) I think the outside seats are rougher and tend to through you around more and 2) if you're nervous about heights and looking to the side and seeing nothing other than fresh air unnerves you. then the middle seats will give you the comfort of having things around you.
 
Steve74 said:
I obviously don't know your reasons for being scared of the The Smiler and being someone who isn't scared of coasters at all myself, being scared of it is sort of alien to me. But trust me, and I'm sure others will agree, you have nothing to fear, it is great fun. It's over so quick and you get so disorientated within the first couple of inversions that - hopefully - you'll love it. I would recommend though that whatever row you sit in,you sit in one of the middle 2 seats and not on the outside seats - for 2 reasons; 1) I think the outside seats are rougher and tend to through you around more and 2) if you're nervous about heights and looking to the side and seeing nothing other than fresh air unnerves you. then the middle seats will give you the comfort of having things around you.
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I think it's just all the things I've heard aout it being rough, and not knowing if I'll be able to handle all the inversions. Plus the size of it is so intimidating. :p
Thanks for that tip, I'll remember it. :)
 
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Steve74 said:
I obviously don't know your reasons for being scared of the The Smiler and being someone who isn't scared of coasters at all myself, being scared of it is sort of alien to me
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I understand it and I've been on it many times. It is a massive twisted track of steel, its certainly the most daunting ride at towers imo. Most people say Oblivion, but with that being just a drop I've never found it intimidating. Well obviously you get nervous on the ride but offride I've never looked at it and thought 'oh crap'
 
Also depends on how long the RAP queue is. If it's an hour all day I won't do it as I don't want to wait that long for a ride which I don't know if I'll like. Although if I don't wait that long I might not get to ride. :p
 
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