Jordanovichy
Credit Whore 2016
Who saw the cameo appearance of the Smiler on the One Show. It featured two 73 year olds who rode it.
The Smiler - your thoughts?
- Thread starter SaiyanHajime
- Start date
Jordanovichy
Credit Whore 2016
Yeah I know, that annoyed me, would have been nice to see what some Golden Oldies thought 
caffeine_demon
Strata Poster
marc said:
Maybe they didn't make it?? :shock:
FaceYourNemesis
Hyper Poster
Or maybe the ride broke down yet againcaffeine_demon said:
That's the last thing Alton needs - yet more bad publicity.
I rode it twice today. Once in the front, once in the back.
The front seat ride was ok. It didn't overly impress me nor did it majorly disappoint me. I loved the way the inversions came thick and fast, although I didn't find them very forceful. This is a good point. I was worried that I'd feel nauseous during the ride but I didn't. It had a good flow. I gave it 8/10.
Later on I rode the back seat. It was awful. Bash, bang, wallop. The final corkscrews made me crack my shoulders into the restraint...and the down part of the cobra roll was yuck. My pre-throughts about roughness proved correct. It is jerky in the front but nowhere as bad as the rear seats. 5/10.
What I really loved was the cheesiness of the ride. The whole maramliser thing is great to look at, although I didn't really notice it whilst on the ride. The music, station, ride op costumes and theme was appropriate. Not exceptional, but good enough. The caged queue under the ride was also excellent.
As always, I approached the ride with an open mind. After two rides, I settled on a 6.5/10 as a rating.
It's not the best ride in the UK, not even the park (Oblivion and Nemesis are better imo) but it is a game changer for Alton Towers. It's popular, well received by the public and good fun. I would happily ride it again (unlike Saw) if the queue was less than 60mins.
At the end of the day, it's two multi-inverting, fancy-dress-wearing Gertslauer coasters bolted together. It's not brilliant, it's not crap. It's ok.
The front seat ride was ok. It didn't overly impress me nor did it majorly disappoint me. I loved the way the inversions came thick and fast, although I didn't find them very forceful. This is a good point. I was worried that I'd feel nauseous during the ride but I didn't. It had a good flow. I gave it 8/10.
Later on I rode the back seat. It was awful. Bash, bang, wallop. The final corkscrews made me crack my shoulders into the restraint...and the down part of the cobra roll was yuck. My pre-throughts about roughness proved correct. It is jerky in the front but nowhere as bad as the rear seats. 5/10.
What I really loved was the cheesiness of the ride. The whole maramliser thing is great to look at, although I didn't really notice it whilst on the ride. The music, station, ride op costumes and theme was appropriate. Not exceptional, but good enough. The caged queue under the ride was also excellent.
As always, I approached the ride with an open mind. After two rides, I settled on a 6.5/10 as a rating.
It's not the best ride in the UK, not even the park (Oblivion and Nemesis are better imo) but it is a game changer for Alton Towers. It's popular, well received by the public and good fun. I would happily ride it again (unlike Saw) if the queue was less than 60mins.
At the end of the day, it's two multi-inverting, fancy-dress-wearing Gertslauer coasters bolted together. It's not brilliant, it's not crap. It's ok.
I'm so confused now what I should think.
Initially, I rode The Smiler before many others had. So I gave it a 7/10 before everyone went on about how fantastic it was. So I was concerned that I had pre-empted disappointment of the ride, as it's only possible to go against the "it's great" grain if you suffer disappointment after listening to hype.
However, there's since been an overwhelming "it's okay/bad" anti-hype for the ride. After riding with Ian and Jerry and both were also not keen, I feel that I should now be anti-disappointed and rate the ride highly as it's actually exceeded my expectations. This is the problem with formulating an opinion of a ride based entirely on what others say
I disagree with Ian and Jerry to a degree. I actually enjoy the ride (three times now). I found the last run at the back rough and the train juddered (may be the vibrating train Sue had), but I didn't find it unpleasant. I knew where to brace, and the padded restraints seem to fit me perfectly for minimum neck/head bashing.
I find the ride fast, disorientating and with some odd mild forces here and there. I enjoy it in the same way I enjoy the Maurer spinners like Sonic Spinball and Dragon's Fury. I just think they're a bit random and a bit fun. It's certainly better than Saw, which I also enjoyed in a similar way.
It's just lacking though. It never really does anything particularly, it's kind of like a spin and spew ride. There's no high g anywhere, and only the tiniest bits of hang/floater air. The second airtime hill is the best of the two, but even then it's not as good as Colossus'. It's just "alright" - fun enough. I think that was my initial impression too and it hasn't changed :lol:
It's certainly worth riding nearer the front, and my left hand side ride the first time on Saturday was better than my first ever ride on the right (similar to me preferring the left on The Swarm to the right though I think with the "tuck under" into elements). It's smoother at the front and a little more dizzying.
There are two very "square" sections though. You can see the last Cobra roll inversion (twist to half loop down) smashes the riders. Every time you watch that element, you see the riders being hammered and you certainly feel it on the ride. Then right after that, the final two Corkscrews are violent as well. It seems like the train is travelling just a little too fast for those final three elements.
Initially, I rode The Smiler before many others had. So I gave it a 7/10 before everyone went on about how fantastic it was. So I was concerned that I had pre-empted disappointment of the ride, as it's only possible to go against the "it's great" grain if you suffer disappointment after listening to hype.
However, there's since been an overwhelming "it's okay/bad" anti-hype for the ride. After riding with Ian and Jerry and both were also not keen, I feel that I should now be anti-disappointed and rate the ride highly as it's actually exceeded my expectations. This is the problem with formulating an opinion of a ride based entirely on what others say
I disagree with Ian and Jerry to a degree. I actually enjoy the ride (three times now). I found the last run at the back rough and the train juddered (may be the vibrating train Sue had), but I didn't find it unpleasant. I knew where to brace, and the padded restraints seem to fit me perfectly for minimum neck/head bashing.
I find the ride fast, disorientating and with some odd mild forces here and there. I enjoy it in the same way I enjoy the Maurer spinners like Sonic Spinball and Dragon's Fury. I just think they're a bit random and a bit fun. It's certainly better than Saw, which I also enjoyed in a similar way.
It's just lacking though. It never really does anything particularly, it's kind of like a spin and spew ride. There's no high g anywhere, and only the tiniest bits of hang/floater air. The second airtime hill is the best of the two, but even then it's not as good as Colossus'. It's just "alright" - fun enough. I think that was my initial impression too and it hasn't changed :lol:
It's certainly worth riding nearer the front, and my left hand side ride the first time on Saturday was better than my first ever ride on the right (similar to me preferring the left on The Swarm to the right though I think with the "tuck under" into elements). It's smoother at the front and a little more dizzying.
There are two very "square" sections though. You can see the last Cobra roll inversion (twist to half loop down) smashes the riders. Every time you watch that element, you see the riders being hammered and you certainly feel it on the ride. Then right after that, the final two Corkscrews are violent as well. It seems like the train is travelling just a little too fast for those final three elements.
SaiyanHajime
CF Legend
This goes back to the whole discussion about rating coasters because of their pure enjoyment factor or because they actually demonstrate some kind of quality. Like comparing fast food to gourmet dining. Is there a fundamental problem with even making the distinction? If McDonald's is enjoyable, who cares? Etc. This is why I do not rate coasters, because I cannot get over the fact that Beast is more enjoyable than Phoenix, it doesn't matter that Phoenix is traditionally a better ride, and I also wonder if presented with both what the public would say? I bet Beast.
I'm actually starting to think that, like you allude to here, there are two distinct kinds of coasters. Proper coasters... and, er, coaster-like rides?
A proper roller coaster has some kind of deep ingrained, sequencial quality. Even if it's terrible, it's decent. The other group of coasters, whilst not mutually exclusive, typically include ride types, styles and manufacturers which do not cut that grade even if they are exceptional in their field.
Is the best Vekoma SLC as good as the worst B&M Invert? In the fun way, maybe, but never in terms of actual quality experience that involves comfort, sequencing, build quality and even thematically (because the visual appearance of a B&M already puts it ahead of the game, as does the park it likely sits in.)
Are the Gerstlauer Eurofighters proper coasters? Until Smiler, I'd have probably said no. In fact, during construction, many of us praised Smiler because it appeared to be a proper coaster that does coastery things without any bs.
I guess the big question should be; if Smiler were smooth, would it be an 8-10? (A great-exceptional coaster.) And why?
You're right Joey and I agree.
I think the difference is, that while eating a Big Mac and Fries with mates for half an hour is enjoyable and in some basic way "satisfying", it's a world apart from an evening spent at a decent restaurant with good friends and fantastically delicious food you don't often eat.
The latter is obviously the "higher quality option", but it doesn't mean there isn't a place for a dirty burger and a laugh with mates. It's possible to have the two and to keep the two relatively distinct.
As we know, most coaster riders and park visitors only visit infrequently and often only to their most local (or country largest) parks. For some people, they may live local to a park with a gourmet meal of a coaster line up, others with a Wendy's rather than a McDonalds. Other poor souls have a chuck up wagon on the A34 with reclaimed meat and rusk on the menu.
When you've had the gourmet meal, you can still enjoy the dirty burger, but you know there's a distinction out there. Ignorance is bliss and all that (I don't mean any of this in a superior way by the way, just trying to explain :lol: ).
I still enjoy a ridiculous, mindless, CGI summer blockbuster. I don't think that they're great films, but I still find they're superb entertainment and will tend to watch more of them than "real films". It really doesn't matter, as long as they provide entertainment.
As self-proclaimed "experts" in this field though, it's our "job" to acknowledge the difference between the quality rides and the "fun dross". I'm never going to say anyone is wrong for loving The Smiler because it's great fun. It IS, it's just not a great ride because it doesn't do anything well in "quality coaster terms".
If fun is important to you, then The Smiler is no doubt a 10/10 superior ride. It's just, we need to work a little harder here as enthusiasts to see where things actually stand.
For me, a quality coaster will leave me breathless, excited and possibly even scared. I may not smile afterwards except with relief the experience is finished (for the moment), but the coaster has given me a defining moment that stands out. I may not have had any fun at in the traditional sense at all on the ride, but how much did anyone laugh during Schindler's List?
The Smiler leaves me happy. It gives me the same joy as a good Tom and Jerry cartoon. Five minutes of laughter I can forget about and move on from right away.
Not for me. I didn't find the roughness off-putting at all. In fact, it helps a little because it livens the ride up a touch. That knocking and bashing makes you feel like you're on a 14 inversion coaster. Without it, a lot of the elements just pass you by in a blandness.
I think the difference is, that while eating a Big Mac and Fries with mates for half an hour is enjoyable and in some basic way "satisfying", it's a world apart from an evening spent at a decent restaurant with good friends and fantastically delicious food you don't often eat.
The latter is obviously the "higher quality option", but it doesn't mean there isn't a place for a dirty burger and a laugh with mates. It's possible to have the two and to keep the two relatively distinct.
As we know, most coaster riders and park visitors only visit infrequently and often only to their most local (or country largest) parks. For some people, they may live local to a park with a gourmet meal of a coaster line up, others with a Wendy's rather than a McDonalds. Other poor souls have a chuck up wagon on the A34 with reclaimed meat and rusk on the menu.
When you've had the gourmet meal, you can still enjoy the dirty burger, but you know there's a distinction out there. Ignorance is bliss and all that (I don't mean any of this in a superior way by the way, just trying to explain :lol: ).
I still enjoy a ridiculous, mindless, CGI summer blockbuster. I don't think that they're great films, but I still find they're superb entertainment and will tend to watch more of them than "real films". It really doesn't matter, as long as they provide entertainment.
As self-proclaimed "experts" in this field though, it's our "job" to acknowledge the difference between the quality rides and the "fun dross". I'm never going to say anyone is wrong for loving The Smiler because it's great fun. It IS, it's just not a great ride because it doesn't do anything well in "quality coaster terms".
If fun is important to you, then The Smiler is no doubt a 10/10 superior ride. It's just, we need to work a little harder here as enthusiasts to see where things actually stand.
For me, a quality coaster will leave me breathless, excited and possibly even scared. I may not smile afterwards except with relief the experience is finished (for the moment), but the coaster has given me a defining moment that stands out. I may not have had any fun at in the traditional sense at all on the ride, but how much did anyone laugh during Schindler's List?
The Smiler leaves me happy. It gives me the same joy as a good Tom and Jerry cartoon. Five minutes of laughter I can forget about and move on from right away.
Joey said:
Not for me. I didn't find the roughness off-putting at all. In fact, it helps a little because it livens the ride up a touch. That knocking and bashing makes you feel like you're on a 14 inversion coaster. Without it, a lot of the elements just pass you by in a blandness.
Kebab
Giga Poster
I like what Alton Towers have done with The Smiler to be honest, although it's not as revolutionary as Nemesis and Oblivion, it's certainly their best addition since those two. I look at it more as a blatant throwback to the whacky 1990's Schwarzkopf/Premier Spaghettibowl looping coasters, with a modern Gerstlauer twist to it. Everything screams old-school to me, from the tacky concept/theming to the claustrophoebic mess of inversions, it certainly has some character to it. It's a nice jump from the lifeless and dull; Rita and Th13teen in fact. Great addition!
Dan1989
Mega Poster
I rode The Smiler for the second time on Wednesday. into the park at 9 and made a mad dash for it. The ride was open buy around 10;30, and we got on around 11. To be honest I enjoyed it more this time than the last.
No breakdowns during the whole day, but yet again the queue was more than 2 hours. I have been to Alton Towers 3 Times in the past 2 months and got on the thing twice. Just looks like a really intimidating coaster, The music gets too much at times. I have read about people complaining it's rough, it's not a BNM so it's not going to be smooth, but the rougher the better in my opinion. nothing like been shaken around like a rag doll.
Theme is really well done, but has no noticeable points at all whilst your in flight. I enjoyed the whole experience but I think I will now leave it till September before Alton Towers again got on 6 rides all day, it's a good job we all has Annual passes. I would not of been happy to pay nearly £50 for 6 rides all day.
All in all, The Smiler is a very well thought out experience and I think achieves the goals it set out to do. Not the most intense coaster in the world, but it's smoother than Colossus, and had me screaming **** a fair few times. Wort part for me is the vertical lift hill, anything vertical just make me **** myself.
Verdict 7.5 / 10
I have some really good pictures, but I need a crash course in how to post them on here, any takers?
No breakdowns during the whole day, but yet again the queue was more than 2 hours. I have been to Alton Towers 3 Times in the past 2 months and got on the thing twice. Just looks like a really intimidating coaster, The music gets too much at times. I have read about people complaining it's rough, it's not a BNM so it's not going to be smooth, but the rougher the better in my opinion. nothing like been shaken around like a rag doll.
Theme is really well done, but has no noticeable points at all whilst your in flight. I enjoyed the whole experience but I think I will now leave it till September before Alton Towers again got on 6 rides all day, it's a good job we all has Annual passes. I would not of been happy to pay nearly £50 for 6 rides all day.
All in all, The Smiler is a very well thought out experience and I think achieves the goals it set out to do. Not the most intense coaster in the world, but it's smoother than Colossus, and had me screaming **** a fair few times. Wort part for me is the vertical lift hill, anything vertical just make me **** myself.
Verdict 7.5 / 10
I have some really good pictures, but I need a crash course in how to post them on here, any takers?
Dan1989
Mega Poster
After 10 minuets of research I managed to find out how to upload pictures. Enjoy,
I like this one
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1017325_10152981353090611_597032253_n.jpg[/immg]
Look at the queue !
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1043845_10152981353970611_1658964459_n.jpg
BABY GEESE!
I know this is Air, but look at the sky!
A shot of Nemesis i cool) 'm proud of
I like this one
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1017325_10152981353090611_597032253_n.jpg[/immg]
Look at the queue !
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1043845_10152981353970611_1658964459_n.jpg
BABY GEESE!
I know this is Air, but look at the sky!
A shot of Nemesis i cool) 'm proud of
