Re: Alton Towers | SW7 | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1st
I just wanna add my 2p to this topic, as I've been following for a while but not actually contributed.
I think some people are reading too deeply into this "worlds first/beating" business. I think this ride is new in a sense it's not a coaster that has been done by the manufacturer before, as it's not a euro fighter and it has a new seating configuration (4 by 4 trains). Similar to how Air wasn't really a worlds first, it was simply a new ride type for B&M. This may just be Grustler's new duelling coaster design. Nothing ground breaking or unusual, but a new ride type non the less.
But that's not to say what we've already seen in the plans isn't exciting, I feel some people are overlooking the outdoor layout here! I mean it's a LONG ride for the UK, with 2 lifts and 8 inversions, with a potential duelling element where you're racing the train in front/behind you and and interesting theme/back story. Why add anything more! The swirling logo/early double helix promotional images I feel is just referring to the amount of inversions and how twisted the outside section will look. By changing the wording to world beating they may just be referring to the fact they feel this ride will be the "best... something" which they can get away with because it's purely opinion based! Similarly when they describe Nemesis as "the worlds most intense" or Th13teen as "the worlds scariest".
As for the indoor section, we may see some dark-ride elements as the train makes it's way to the lift. Similar to Saw or Nemesis Inferno. But IMO I don't think it needs any crazy Th13teen style trick track washing machine element, when the outdoor section is so stella! why spend more money than you need, there's nothing on the plans that suggests any room for it, even Th13teen's plans showed the underground tunnel. After the past 3/4 coaster instalments Alton Towers have made have been so focused on gimmicks, installing a coaster that just purely focuses on crazy twisted "upside downy bits" will more than please the average guest.
I may be wrong but it's what I think anyway.
On a side note though, I have heard somewhere that this ride will include a new lift system that will allow trains to be reversed off the lift in the event of an evacuation to make it easier for people to get out. As evacuating on vertical lifts is bait a nightmare.