Alton Towers | The Smiler | Gerstlauer Infinity

[FaceYourNemesis]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I hope the ride does end up having a 4-4-4-4 layout train as opposed to two Eurofighters glued together...
Is it possible to get the train format utterly wrong in promo art like with the restraints?

I don't think the OTSR in the picture means anything. It's surely just a minor detail added to enforce the notion of the ride inverting.

 

[Martyn B]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

^ I think the upside down train enforced that enough...

 

[FaceYourNemesis]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

^ I think the upside down train enforced that enough...

I know what I'm trying to say, but can't think how to put it into words easily. The GP will pick up on the restraints and immediately make the connection that this will be an intense upside down experience. Lap bars somehow don't convey that same feeling.

 

[iblamefish]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Just spotted a link to this on Twitter: http://www.altontowers.com/thesmiler2

Doesn't look like it's meant to be live yet so I took a screenshot. It'd make sense for it to go live later today though.

 

[nadroJ]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Only just seen the official name of this...are they having a laugh? Especially next to something called Oblivion...just no, sorry.

And I like the logo being slapped everywhere, it's very 12 Monkeys, which I felt The Sanctuary was trying to convey too. I like it

 

[Martyn B]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Ironically, with this being a Gerstlauer, we *could* be doing anything but smiling....

Whether the story connects or not, it's still a stupid name for a coaster.

 

[Gazza]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I don't think the OTSR in the picture means anything. It's surely just a minor detail added to enforce the notion of the ride inverting.

Clearly it's a B&M and not a Gerstlauer going by the harnesses in the promo image :lol: .
Anyone remember when people were insisting Raptor was going to have lapbars just because that was what was in the image?
Enthusiasts <3

 

[marc]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

For all we know though they could be a new design that they are now using.

We won't know until we see the trains.

 

[SaiyanHajime]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I love that image on the page with the passenger grinning like a maniac!

I think the name works fine.

I'm still going with the logic that it's a misguided correctional facility, perhaps to undo the damage done by Oblivion? But instead, it kinda messes people up in the oposite way, and sends them ecstatically insane. It's still very much a dark theme.

 

[nadroJ]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

^Agreed Joey, and I really like that theme. It just makes me think of The Joker from Batman maybe *slightly* too much, but other than that it's pretty original, especially for a coaster, and it fits with Merlin's love at the moment for the macabre.

I really want to see the 4 by 4 trains too <3

 

[nealbie]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

The name is fabulous!

I think it a fair notion that after all the bull **** they received for taking Th13teen far too seriously, that they're just poking fun at themselves for this one - a coaster that should actually be rather decent.

 

[WelcomeToOblivion]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I quite like the thought of that idea Joey, especially with the no way back story element of Oblivion, goes together quite well.

 

[nadroJ]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbBbFH9fAg[/youtube]

Anyone?

 

[Nic]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

The concept art for Manta at SeaWorld San Diego shows B&M track with Cheetah Hunt's train. It's my pet hate because its plastered ALL over EVERY sign in the whole of the park and nearby billboards, leaflets, maps, website etc... But there's an example of a coaster with lap bars that was marketed with an image of OTSRs.

I actually do still think that Smiler will turn out to have OTSRs, but not based on the concept art. I hope it is lap bars, but somehow doubt it. As the example above proves, you shouldn't read anything into the actual design of the coaster by looking at concept art.

PS. Good call Jordan! I knew the images reminded me of something, but couldn't place it!

 

[nadroJ]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

^Something tells me that health and safety conscious Brits would just freak out if they saw lap bars on an inverting coaster, I feel like people would be put off by it. May not be the case but it's just my thoughts.

 

[kimahri]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I was going to make a comment about the poor name and stuff but that face is going to give me nightmares :C

 

[Gazza]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Some people. I've always said it'll have OTSR. Look at it - it's a mess of winding, upside down track. Laps bars were never going to be an option.

But why though? There's 2 Eurofighters operating with inversions and beyond vertical drops. Why does it matter if its 3 inversions, or 10? The consequences of falling out are the same right?
Why would a lap bar on a 3 inversion ride work, but not on a 10 inversion ride.

What if I rode a 3 inversion ride three times in a row? Its the same as riding the smiler once isn't it?

 

[Nemesis Inferno]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

According to a Press Release (to do with the sheep reveal), expecting opening month will now be May...

 

[Louis!]

Re: Alton Towers | SW7 | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1st

If The Inoculator turns out to be the name of the secret element, than that's kinda cool, I can live with that.

I personally would have said that the giant spider-like theming in the centre is more likely to be The Inoculator. In the designs, i'm pretty sure the end of the legs were pointed - suggesting some sort of machine with needle like attachments.

I don't know, possibly just putting two and two together, just seemed more likely that they'd give the 'monster' in the centre of the ride a name rather than a secret element.

 

[SaiyanHajime]

Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

According to a Press Release (to do with the sheep reveal), expecting opening month will now be May...

PANIC STATIONS!

Oh wait, source first, then PANIC!