I feel with the recent opening and general good PR in publicly announcing what's best for the victims and increased safety protocols, The Smiler doesn't NEED to shut from a reputation point of view. Polls suggest that many of us and the GP will still ride it. (As much as the spoon-fed redtop readers might have you believe). It would be too much of a loss, I feel a rebrand is much more likely. You must wonder where this Smiler merch has gone. Most likely into storage away from the public e.g Nick Outta Control etc, that appears to be the only indication of a current departure for The Smiler, but this could just as well mean a retheme. Which I'd be in favour for, as much as i love The Marmiliser, X-Sector was never the best themed in the park and I'm all for customer confidence with safety and such over themeing. Just don't taint our Blivvy!
With the financial implications of the incident set to affect seasons to come, I feel Merlin's recent decimation of flat rides would leave The Blade or the ride I have always been a bit iffy with - Ripsaw to go next just to saw a bit of dosh and be regarded as "early prep for SW8", like Submission and Enterprises initial early decomission to "prepare for SW7". Enterprise was never meant to go it seems, just to help cut back on the huge investment for The Smiler by having a season out.
Although I remember of many years browsing and posting on the other forum and here, that CATCF was always assumed to be a 10 year lease only, would be odd if it were any more judging by the longevity of IP/Sponsored Rides in the theme park industry in general not lasting any longer. I can't name any IP or sponsorship that has lasted for more than 10 years on a ride before a removal/retheme (hopefully the latter in Charlie's case), I'm sure you lot can maybe as I'm out of the theme park loop but its only a minority if so you get my gist. Never liked CATCF, even as an 8 year old way back in 2006, elevator was the best bit - and not just because it was near the exit! Its had its long queues at times, (I remember such a disappointing wait very vividly), and with the potential idea of bringing the CCL areas identity back with "CBBC Land" in a few years (which I still see unlikely with rumours of a BBC Theme park and Ice Age being renewed with a new film), I would certainly not object to a new dark ride to replace CATCF ASAP. So I'll go with that.
Whole area overhauls are the least of Merlin's worries right now, I wouldn't expect much of a major investment next year, which is why I can cross Duel, Flume etc of the list, though if The Smiler is being rethemed I wouldn't be surprised if the aged Enterprise was finally (albeit sadly) given the whip too soon.