Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1
One draw back of understandably pushing back the opening date is that there is less to talk about because Merlin doesn't need to blast the public with updates yet. It's all subtle piggy-backing.
But yes, I had a thought. I am not preaching. I'm just stating a revelation I had.
Secret Weapon doesn't mean Thrill Ride.
It means something unique.
It's just a coincidence that Nemesis, Oblivion and The Smiler are high-thrill rides.
Thirteen and Air are not explicitly thrill rides. They are more family.
Rita is neither a high thrill ride nor a Secret Weapon.
So why is 13 and Air Secret Weapons? World's First Freefall drop track. World's first true flying coaster.
Which does definitely mean Secret Weapon 7 will have something of note worth marketing. I mean, yes, ok we have these tag lines of World Birsting, but if we didn't have then, it would still be a safe bet. If it didn't have something unique, it wouldn't have a SW tag. SW=/= Thrill, they're independent. The potential of self-duelling I don't think by itself is enough for the SW tag. It's certainly going to be a timeless aspect, like Nemesis' terrain hugging or unique intensity in B&M Inverters. But Nemesis was also the Second Steel Inverting Inverted Coaster in the world.
Summery.
I don't think it's just The Smiler's layout and Potential to Self-Duel that has given its SW tag. I strongly think there's something else which is special in addition.