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Alton Towers | The Smiler | Gerstlauer Infinity

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

Martyn B said:
I wouldn't have said the plans were fake, more misleading.

If you look at the layout from the plans, you can easily see the 13 visable inversions now that we know about them.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Very little has changed from an overhead perspective.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I use the term "fake" very loosely. Of course the plans show 99% exactly what's been built, just intentionally leaving out a few inversions on the track, which I admire Alton for doing as no one saw that coming.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

^Well, I think some people saw it coming after they announced the 'world beating' thing on the minisite.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

One thing crossed my mind earlier.... marketing for this is pretty much in full swing, yet there' no mention of the inversion record? What exactly are they waiting for?
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I think it was touched on earlier, we can only assume that they are holding back on the marketing due to the park being open but the coaster isn't yet and they don't actually know when it is to open.

Remember back in 2001 when Thorpe was advertising Vortex, Detonator and Zodiac yet none of them were actually open which caused them to receive bad publicity on Watchdog.

I guess this is why Alton are holding fire on the marketing for now, as soon as they have a confirmed opening date I would assume that we will see an onslaught of fresh marketing.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

This. They can't market the ride when it isn't finished and they don't know the exact opening date. They could do a coming soon campaign I suppose, but what if there are delays during testing? This would also put off punters who'll wait till later in the year
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Thing is, they are marketing it! I seem to see Smiler promotional stuff every day, whether it's on the tv, or in the papers.

I just find it odd that they are advertising the ride, but they're not mention the world record!
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I think what he means is when they ramp up their marketing to announce officially the world first aspect and the inversion record, that will co-incide with the release date.

Last thing they'll want is to pique the interest of the general public to the extent they do a bit of research online and see that it's been delayed.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Well I think its more on the lines that hype only lasts so long... Marketing is a whole different entity as you're essentially generating a knowledge base. Hype is when all the guns are out and the public only response to hypes or fads for so long. They don't want old news too soon.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

The viral style stuff promoting theming is building interest, ready for when they properly announce the ride and all its bells.and whistles. They've been smart and made the best out of a crappy situation, because there's no hiding this thing now the park's open. It seems like an improvisation, and a good one at that.

Perhaps, even, the inversion record won't be what they boast? That was Colossus's fire and its still going strong... So maybe, they'll promote the length, intensity and extreme nature as a concept without blatantly advertising the inversion record?

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Can't see why they wouldn't announce an inversion record? They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they didn't.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

Some pictures from today:

The now completed second dive loop:
45320_547476881950161_1389421407_n.jpg

(Thanks to The Alton Towers Guide Facebook)

More middle joint sections for a Marmaliser leg - also notice the bracket for the tickler brushes in place:
544560_547482398616276_1614857623_n.jpg

(Thanks to The Alton Towers Guide Facebook)

The station walls nearing full completion:
480631_466724766731306_358494516_n.jpg

(Thanks to TowersStreet Facebook)


Current state of the Vertical Lift hill trench - Support structure & track should be going up within the next few days:
575806_466726230064493_1169712759_n.jpg

(Thanks to TowersStreet Facebook)
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

They're actually moving much faster than I thought they would - I never expected so much of the station to be completed by now. Actually got high hopes of them being ready now [/backtrack] :lol:
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I look forwards to when its complete. The building site with materials and machinery makes the layout look very cluttered. The construction photos are very busy (well duh, it's a construction site). What I mean is: knotted layout + lots of clutter makes the photographs look messy.

That's why I like shots like the first one which has the track, maybe a crane and the sky. Much cleaner and you can appreciate the beauty a lot more.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I have a theory about why the record for most inversions has not been announced, and I have a sneaking feeling that Alton may have a little bit more up their sleeves.

Announcing the inversion record would mean giving away the number of inversions the ride has, which SEEMS to stand at 14, but this could possibly be more in the track that hasn't been built.. or the 'hidden element'.

I'm not thoroughly convinced that TT were covering up the underground in-line twist, as the photos with the 'marmalised' section covered up don't seem to be trying hard to hide the fact that there was a barrel roll there. It looks like they were more focused on the section AFTER the inline. Maybe that wasn't what they were covering up at all.

Another thing to add to the equation is the Smiler app.. there are still 5 unlockable elements to the ride, and I can only point out three of them (the two dive loops, and the penultimate barrel roll coming out of the cobra). Which leaves two unlockable features.. and what could they be?

Now this could all just be wishful thinking.. but it makes sense in my head as to why they're keeping quiet.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

I have to admit, I'm far more interested in the insane construction of the Smiler than any of the stuff here in the US that I'll actually be able to ride soonish.
 
Re: Alton Towers | The Smiler | Unknown Gerstlauer World's 1

It shows the most imagination for any coaster built this year that I can think of.
 
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