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The Smiler - General Discussion

To revive an old topic but should be a interesting one.

For some reason, anything more then about 7 inversions always gets my anxiety right up. I’ve done colossus and the quad heart line was fun but unneeded if you know what I mean.

Now, Smiler, last time I was on park and probably next time, was missed because I chickened it. Now most of the inversions are in the form of dive loops of bat wings. The double cork at the end puts me off a little.

I’ve sat and watched the POV maybe a hundred times now. And I’m fine. But I can’t get rid of the damn sickness anxiety. I’ve yet to find a ride that’s made me blow chunks but I just feel like this may be it. And then I think we’ll, it’s the repeated spinning in one direction that makes you sick, and apart from that mental double cork at the end, your always half inverted/going different ways through the rolls.


What is the “Smiler” Experience? Riding, describe it to me. Like a summers night. Because I cannot go on being so damn anxious about 7+ inversion coasters. Also, how in the name of all that is holy does that first heart line work?! I can’t figure it out from the POVs.

If nothing else should be a bit of fun trying to describe it in a interesting way.

Thanks guys :)


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USLShadow said:
What is the “Smiler” Experience? Riding, describe it to me
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Ok I'll break it down for you by element:
1st inversion- best part of the ride imo
2nd inversion- meh it's a whippy one but it's ok
3rd- this is an underrated element it gives you this weird floating sensation
4th- similar to the first dive loop except more snappy
First air time- brilliant
5th- unique and fun
6th- weird but interesting inversion going back on yourself
7th- classic corkscrew with little jolt as you come out of it onto the half way point
Vertical lift- nowhere near as scary as it looks but interesting experience
8th inversion- much better than the first one coming out of the first lift hill
9th- swoops to the side comfortably
10th- biggest inversion on the ride and just like the first inversion get a bit of hang time
Second air time- better than first and one of the best parts of the ride
11th- a bit sharp but it's ok not bad
12th- terrible transition they really need to work on it
13th- roughest and most uncomfortable part of the ride, it throws you into it
14th- definitely better and a more forceful inversion.
And that's that all in all a good ride but the 12th and 13th inversions ruin it a bit for me, but it's still brilliant
 
Ethan said:
Ok I'll break it down for you by element:
1st inversion- best part of the ride imo
2nd inversion- meh it's a whippy one but it's ok
3rd- this is an underrated element it gives you this weird floating sensation
4th- similar to the first dive loop except more snappy
First air time- brilliant
5th- unique and fun
6th- weird but interesting inversion going back on yourself
7th- classic corkscrew with little jolt as you come out of it onto the half way point
Vertical lift- nowhere near as scary as it looks but interesting experience
8th inversion- much better than the first one coming out of the first lift hill
9th- swoops to the side comfortably
10th- biggest inversion on the ride and just like the first inversion get a bit of hang time
Second air time- better than first and one of the best parts of the ride
11th- a bit sharp but it's ok not bad
12th- terrible transition they really need to work on it
13th- roughest and most uncomfortable part of the ride, it throws you into it
14th- definitely better and a more forceful inversion.
And that's that all in all a good ride but the 12th and 13th inversions ruin it a bit for me, but it's still brilliant
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That was absolutely beautiful. Is it as bad for dizziness as it seems or does the fact it’s mainly half inversions/Rolls (Batwings etc instead of corks and heart lines) help?

Which was does that first inversion go? I still can’t work it out ahah


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USLShadow said:
Is it as bad for dizziness as it seems or does the fact it’s mainly half inversions/Rolls (Batwings etc instead of corks and heart lines) help?
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Personally I feel worse coming off nemesis as that's intense and consistently pulls the Gs throughout the ride. The smiler is just a bunch of inversions so apart from the air time hills it's fairly tame I'd say. You'll be fine I think you're just overthinking it. I was worried before I first rode it how I was gonna feel coming off with it having that many inversions but it's nowhere near as bad as you expect
 
Ethan said:
Personally I feel worse coming off nemesis as that's intense and consistently pulls the Gs throughout the ride. The smiler is just a bunch of inversions so apart from the air time hills it's fairly tame I'd say. You'll be fine I think you're just overthinking it. I was worried before I first rode it how I was gonna feel coming off with it having that many inversions but it's nowhere near as bad as you expect
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Thanks for the reassurance dude :) I’ll have to pick the nerve up in the next trip or two I think


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Ethan said:
It's an intimidating ride I understand. That's most likely because of how crazy the layout is but I'm so glad they built it as it brings something to the park completely unique and impressive
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Honestly it’s an absolute masterpiece. I love just watching it apart from anything else. I still can’t believe they squeezed that much of a ride into a hole the size of the black hole. It’s mind boggling just trying to keep track of the trains


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The Smiler is a naff coaster but an incredible thrill ride. It sounds weird but it really doesnt feel much like youre on a coaster, more like a top spin that moves around a concrete pit. The most amazing parts are seeing the other train duel with you.

I think if it had lap bars the coaster aspect would feel a lot better, and if it wasnt quite so compact that it gave you some feeling of travel, but that's what makes it what it is after all. A terrible brief (break the world record but we only have a tiny space) turned around by an amazing layout.
 
Absolutely fantastic day of enthusiast bromance.
I still have the trainers, with the moldy bits in the stitching.
Couldn't shame dippy by actually naming him.
Oops.
 
I guess it depends what you find nauseous. I don't like most flat rides because rotation in the same axis makes me feel really ill, so even things like teacups are a no-no. However things like The Smiler I don't find a problem because it's all movement in different axes. Whilst it's quite long, I don't find it any worse than any other coaster at Alton Towers.

One tip I've found is that you're best not to ride anything hungry. Paradoxically an empty stomach makes me feel more nauseous than if I've eaten, so I always have a breakfast before I go to the park and always have a lunch when I get hungry. I do do a gentler ride immediately after lunch though.
 
Alsty said:
I guess it depends what you find nauseous. I don't like most flat rides because rotation in the same axis makes me feel really ill, so even things like teacups are a no-no. However things like The Smiler I don't find a problem because it's all movement in different axes. Whilst it's quite long, I don't find it any worse than any other coaster at Alton Towers.

One tip I've found is that you're best not to ride anything hungry. Paradoxically an empty stomach makes me feel more nauseous than if I've eaten, so I always have a breakfast before I go to the park and always have a lunch when I get hungry. I do do a gentler ride immediately after lunch though.
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I’m exactly the same. I love the idea of flats but I just can’t do them! Make me wanna blow chunks constantly because it’s alllll one way so the fact Smiler doesn’t set you off is hopeful aha!

Agreed on the not riding hungry, nemesis is a bad one for that I think due to the constant G force it pulls but if I go on hungry, like a “I should eat...ah sod it do nemmy first” with an hrs queue I’ll feel ill coming off but if I’ve eaten am fine


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skyscraper said:
A problem I have is if I'm nervous waiting to board a ride, I tend to feel queasy. When the gets going I tend to feel ok though.
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I get that! I’ll be the same ahaha until strapping in and lift hills. For whatever reason, lift hills get me if I’m hungry/vaguely nervous. But then I’m fine once actually rolling


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