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The Smiler

Coordinates: 52°59′14″N 1°53′43″W / 52.98722°N 1.89528°W / 52.98722; -1.89528
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The Smiler
Previously known as SW7
The Smiler operating on opening day.
Alton Towers
LocationAlton Towers
Park sectionX-Sector
Coordinates52°59′14″N 1°53′43″W / 52.98722°N 1.89528°W / 52.98722; -1.89528
StatusOperating
Opening date31 May 2013
Cost£18,000,000
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerGerstlauer
DesignerJohn Wardley (track layout)
Werner Stengel (track profiling)
Ben Dowson (creative lead)
Track layoutCustom
Lift/launch system2
Height72 ft (22 m)
Drop30 m (98 ft)
Length1,170 m (3,840 ft)
Speed85 km/h (53 mph)
Inversions14
Duration2:45
G-force4.5 [citation needed]
Height restriction140 cm (4 ft 7 in)
Trains5 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train.
Fastrack available
Single rider line available
The Smiler at RCDB

The Smiler is a steel roller coaster, manufactured by Gerstlauer and located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. It has taken the record for the most inversions on any roller coaster in the world, with 14.[1] The Smiler opened on 31 May 2013, after a number of delays, and has since suffered a number of technical issues and breakdowns.

History

Plans for the construction of The Smiler were first submitted to relevant authorities in late December 2011. Further documentation revealed the roller coaster would be manufactured by Gerstlauer, a German manufacturing company.[2] Planning permission was granted on 15 March 2012 following a Staffordshire Moorlands Council meeting, despite opposition to its construction from both Alton and Farley Parish Councils.[3] The ride is being built on the site previously occupied by the Black Hole, which had been in a state of disuse since the attraction's closure in 2005.[4][5]

Less than one month after permission was obtained, Alton Towers launched a website for their 2013 addition, codenamed Secret Weapon 7 (SW7). This followed other similar project names at the park including SW3 for Nemesis, SW4 for Oblivion, SW5 for Air, and SW6 for Thirteen.[6][7][8][9] At the same time, work started on dismantling the tent that previously housed the Black Hole.[10][11] As of 6 May 2012, the Black Hole tent was fully deconstructed, which signalled the beginning of groundwork on the site for the new roller coaster.

A June 2012 trademark filing by Merlin Entertainments suggested The Smiler as a potential name for the completed ride.[12][13] On 17 October 2012, a number of facts about the coaster were revealed to the public via an Alton Towers press release; including its maximum speed, track length, ride time, passengers per train and ride cost. Despite the release, Alton Towers did not announce a name for the ride.[14]

In late October 2012, the first pieces of track began to arrive at the park.[15] On 6 December, track had begun to be moved to the construction site in immediate anticipation of the commencement of vertical construction.[16]

On 7 December reports indicated that vertical construction of the coaster had begun.[17]

In January 2013, Alton Towers officially announced that the ride would indeed be named The Smiler.[18] In February 2013, the park confirmed that some elements of the ride will differ from the originally submitted plans. This is permitted under the terms of the General Development Order that covers the X-Sector area.[19]

On 28 March 2013, Alton Towers took delivery of the ride trains for The Smiler, posting images on both their Twitter feed and the official Smiler minisite.[20][21][22] Vertical construction was completed approximately one month later, with the top piece of the first lift hill being the final track installed.[23][24][25]

Delayed Opening

Initially, the expected opening was anticipated to be in March, to coincide with the opening of the park for the 2013 season, but this was revealed to not be achievable as construction delays became prevalent in late January.[26] After this, the ride was scheduled to open on 23 May, however, following problems, including the ride breaking down during a preview event with a full load of passengers, this date has had to be put back once more.[27][28][29]

On 17 May 2013 the ride broke down whilst on a preview test run for journalists and celebrities.[27][30] The 16 journalists on the ride were stranded halfway up the first lift hill, following the first inversion.[27] The passengers were trapped for 30 minutes before staff were able to open the harnesses and help them down to the ground.[27]

Following this incident; on 22 May 2013 Alton Towers announced via their website that The Smiler would not open on the originally scheduled date of 23 May due to "unforseen teething problems." There was no indication in the statement as to when the ride would open.[31][32]

The ride's delayed opening has caused controversy as many had booked advance tickets and stays at the Alton Towers Hotel in order to be among the first to ride the coaster.[29] Alton Towers later announced it would allow those who had made advanced bookings to change their tickets and hotel reservations, free of charge.[29][33] The coaster eventually opened on 31 May 2013.[34]

Ride

The Smiler features two lift hills, the first being a conventional sloped lift hill and the second a vertical lift hill. The original plans showed a minimum of eight inversions in the outdoor section, including a unique intertwined cobra roll and batwing, a sea serpent roll and two diving loops.[35] However, as of the release of the trailer for The Smiler game on 21 February 2013, photographs and images of the game have shown six further inversions, including two inverted drops (after both the first and second lift hills), a heartline roll found in the dark ride section, a corkscrew after the batwing element and two corkscrews following the cobra roll prior to the end of the ride. This would take the total number of ride inversions to 14, three more than any other coaster in the world.[36] There are also 3 large pieces of theming around the ride and immediate area.[37] The roller coaster also extends the pedestrianised space within X-Sector by including a new plaza below the ride.[38]

A key feature of the ride is the large spider-like structure with a height of around 15 meters. Called ‘The Marmaliser,’ it has 5 legs, each with a distinct function to manipulate riders into smiling. The roller coaster itself is intertwined within the structure, which in turn interacts with the riders to enhance the experience.[39]

Ride experience

There are various queue options for 'The Smiler' are

  • Standard Queue
  • FastTrack Queue - Available on the day (Subject to Availability)
  • Single Rider Queue
  • Disabled Queue

After the train has been checked, it is dispatched from the station, Immediately after that a dark voice over a PA says "Join Us". This has happened but in other circumstances it may not have played. straight into a sweeping drop 180-degrees to the left. Part way through this drop the train encounters the first inversion, a heartline roll. The train then comes to a stop on block brakes, before ascending the first lift hill. On reaching the top of the lift hill, the train drops into another 180-degree right turn before banking into the second inversion, a downward corkscrew. The train drops straight down from this into the next two of its inversions, two consecutive dive loops, before travelling over an airtime hill into a batwing element. On exiting the batwing, the train traverses another corkscrew before reaching the second set of block brakes.[40][failed verification]

The train then pauses before ascending the second lift hill, this time a vertical lift hill. On reaching the top, the train travels into another drop, 180-degrees to the left, again banking into a downward corkscrew. The train then travels up into a sea serpent roll, before travelling over the second airtime hill. Riders here experience a large amount of ejector airtime before the train reaches a cobra roll element. On exiting the cobra roll, the train travels into two consecutive corkscrews before a 180-degree left turn into the brake run.[41]

Occasionally, two trains may be dispatched on either half of the layout in such a way that they appear to duel throughout the course. This can only happen if both trains reach the peak of the two lift hills at the same time.[citation needed]

Ride Troubles

The ride has suffered a series of problems, issues and breakdowns.

Date Reopened Details Citations
18 May 2013 Official Opening Delayed The ride suffered a malfunction during a preview for journalists and celebrities. The train became stuck on the first lift hill and passengers were trapped in their seats for an hour before being evacuated from the ride. The coaster's opening was delayed due to this incident. [42][43]
4 June 2013 5 June 2013 One of the trains valleyed (stalled) on the batwing element of the ride during testing before the ride opened. The Smiler and the surrounding area of X Sector was evacuated and closed to allow the train to be removed from the track. The ride reopened again the following day on 5 June. [44]
10 June 2013 11 June 2013 The ride was once again closed due to a train valleying in the same place as before. The cause of the incident was revealed to be a computer error, triggering the trim brakes which caused the stall. Part of X-Sector was closed but not all on this occasion. The ride reopened the following day on 11 June 2013. [45]
4 July 2013 The ride was closed again after the ride's cars would not travel up the vertical lift hill. 4 car-loads of passengers were stuck for a minimum of 30 minutes while engineers tried to restart the ride. The ride did not reopen although the X-Sector did not close on this occasion. Several other rides, including Air and Oblivion, were also closed for unrelated reasons [46][47][48][49]
21 July 2013 25 July 2013 48 people were evacuated from the ride after a piece of debris fell from a section of track. Eyewitnesses described the debris as a 1ft long metal bar which caused a gap in the track from where it fell. Witnesses heard loud clanging as it fell and the debris fell close to visitors queuing for the ride. Other reports, however, described the debris as a bolt which dropped off from a section of track, partially disengaging two sections of track, forcing the ride to close for inspection. The Smiler reopened four days later on 25 July. [50][51][52][53]
30 July 2013 4 August 2013 The ride was closed again from the 30 July, after cracks were found around the base one of the ride's supports. The ride reopened 5 days later, on 4 August, but was closed intermittently throughout the day due to further technical issues. [54][55][43]
7 August 2013 The ride became stuck on the vertical chain lift, with a full load of passengers. Reports suggest the ride reopened two-three hours later. [56][57][58][59]
21 August 2013 23 August 2013 The ride was closed again after the ride broke down on the "double batwing" element. The ride faced technical problems and was closed again the following day. It is planned to reopen on 23 August 2013 [60]

Recurring Problems and Stalling

Vertical Lift

  • The Smiler has had many issues with its vertical lift since it first opened. This is due to the lift's 'prototype' nature to account for the ride car's extra weight and thus being different to other standard Eurofighter vertical lifts.[citation needed]

Stalling Issues

  • The Smiler has an occurrence of stalling after the "Staffordshire Knot" element. This is due to the low speed at some elements are taken.[citation needed]

Marketing

Marketing for The Smiler started around the same time as construction when, on 11 April 2012, when a minisite was launched allowing visitors to register for updates on the ride's progress.[61] A competition to be the first to ride the rollercoaster, at this time codnamed "SW7", started in July. To enter guests were invited to scan a QR Code with their smartphone, which subsequently redirected to Alton Towers Official The Smiler Minisite where guests entered their details.[62]

In September 2012, the park began the second stage of advertisement through the overnight spray painting of a stencil logo (which resemble a smiling face) all over the park.[63] This was followed in October with new boards around the park, new 'subliminal' advertising on different sections of the main Alton Towers website, and a countdown timer on the Alton Towers mini-site.[64][61] The countdown timer initially gave a scheduled opening date of 16 March 2013, but was removed however on 4 January 2013, as the ride hit delays.[65]

More overt advertising started in January 2013, when the "Smile" logo was used in various forms across the country. Including billboards in London[66]; ticket barriers at Leeds railway station[67]; projected onto various buildings including Big Ben[68]; and sprayed onto flocks of sheep in areas including Leicestershire, Devon and Perthshire.[69][70]

The name of the roller coaster, The Smiler, was revealed on 21 January 2013, the Metro newspaper, and the opening date was set as May (previously it was 16 March).[71][72][73]

In February 2013 a free game app was released containing a full 3D recreation of the actual ride, and a preview of the rides merchandise was published online.[74][75][76][77]

Track designer, John Wardley, confirmed in a radio interview, on 19 April 2013, that The Smiler would feature more inversions than any other rollercoaster in the world. Despite construction proving this fact long beforehand, this was the first official confirmation that The Smiler will hold the inversion record when it opens.[citation needed] In an earlier interview Wardley had said that The Smiler would have "...5 mind manipulating elements that play around with you on the ride, so it’s more than just a physical rollercoaster."[78][79]

From early April and throughout May, Alton Towers published videos online giving snippets of the ride's fictional backstory.[80][81][82][83] This was followed by footage of Daybreak's Laura Tobin riding The Smiler and an advertising campaign on boxes of Krave cereal.[84][85]

The first national television advertisement premiered on 20 May 2013.

References

  1. ^ "Smiler smashes Guinness World Record". Uttoxeter Advertiser. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Noise Report" (PDF). Staffordshire Moorlands Council. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  3. ^ Sim, Nick (16 March 2012). "Alton Towers receives planning permission for SW7 roller coaster". Theme Park Tourist. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  4. ^ Marden, Duane. "Black Hole  (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Planning Permission Granted for Secret Weapon 7". Towers Times. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  6. ^ "All Time Greats - Nemesis". Alton Towers. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  7. ^ "All Time Greats - Oblivion". Alton Towers. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  8. ^ "All Time Greats - Air". Alton Towers. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Planning Permission". BBC News. BBC. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  10. ^ "New SW7 Promotional Material released". Towers Times. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  11. ^ "Farewell to the Black Hole Tent". Towers Times. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  12. ^ "SW7 Name Speculation Begins". Towers Street. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Case details for Community Trade Mark E10993517". Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  14. ^ "Alton Towers Resort to launch world's first rollercoaster in 2013" (Press release). Alton Towers. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Track and components arrive". Towers Times. 3 November 2012. Retrieved December 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ "SW7 Construction Updates". Towers Street. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  17. ^ "SW7 Vertical Construction Begins". Towers Street. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  18. ^ Gilani, Nadia (21 January 2012). "Ewe've been framed! Creepy sheep Twitter mystery solved". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  19. ^ "February 20th 2013 : The Smiler: Confirmed Track Changes". Towers Times. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 19 (help)
  20. ^ "The Smiler Trains Delivered". Towers Times. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  21. ^ Alton Towers (28 March 2013). "Alton Towers Twitter - The Smiler Trains". Twitter. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  22. ^ "The Smiler Ride Cars Arrive". Alton Towers. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  23. ^ "The Smiler Track Construction Completed". Towers Times. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  24. ^ "The Smiler Track Construction Reaches Completion". Towers Street. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  25. ^ Goodenough, Tom (23 April 2013). "Alton Towers workers recreate famous pose on top of rollercoaster". The Sun. News International. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  26. ^ "The Smiler leaves many frowning..." The Sentinel. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  27. ^ a b c d Fletcher, Damien (18 May 2013). "Alton Towers' The Smiler breaks down on preview night leaving thrill-seekers dangling". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  28. ^ Moodey (27 May 2013). "Still no date for Smiler opening". Burton Mail. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  29. ^ a b c Moody, Jenny (24 May 2013). "No date set for The Smiler opening at Alton Towers". Burton Mail. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  30. ^ Hogg, Chris (22 May 2013). "Alton Towers delays opening of The Smiler after technical issues". The Sentinel. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  31. ^ "Due to unforeseen teething problems, The Smiler will not be open on 23rd May". Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  32. ^ "Due to unforeseen teething problems, The Smiler will not be open on 23rd May (Twitter)". Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  33. ^ "New 'Smiler' ride at Alton Towers has teething problems". ITV News. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  34. ^ "It's time to Join Us - The Smiler is NOW OPEN #TheSmiler". Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  35. ^ "SW7 Planning Application". Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  36. ^ "March 4th 2013 : The Smiler: Inversion World Record". Retrieved 4 March 2013. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 15 (help)
  37. ^ "SW7 Theming Documents" (PDF). Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  38. ^ "Proposed site plan" (PDF). Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  39. ^ "Alton Towers Resort reveals new rollercoaster, The Smiler is said to combine mental and physical fear factors to 'marmalise' riders!". Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  40. ^ "Smiler - Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, UK)". Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  41. ^ "THE SMILER - Alton Towers - Front Row On Ride full POV - HD - GoPro - opening day". Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  42. ^ "Opening of The Smiler at Alton Towers delayed". This is Staffordshire. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  43. ^ a b "Alton Towers' Smiler ride closed again as new cracks found". Express and Star. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  44. ^ "The Smiler Stalls". Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  45. ^ "The Smiler Stalls for the third time". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  46. ^ Twitter / OsbornOn1: Alton towers is class! £46
  47. ^ Twitter / ianlewins: Hi @altontowers - Air shut
  48. ^ Twitter / littlestone04: @altontowers Really isn't good
  49. ^ Twitter / callum_pooler: Alton towers were giving out
  50. ^ "Alton Towers Closes Smiler". Sky New. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  51. ^ "Smiler forced to close again as flying part just misses Alton Towers ride queue". Express and Star. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  52. ^ "TowersTimes".http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1374415179&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1,10,11&
  53. ^ Moody, Jenny (35 July 2013). "The Smiler is reopened after debris on track". Burton Mail. Retrieved 31 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  54. ^ MOODY, JENNY (31 July 2013). "The Smiler Closed Again". Burton Mail. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  55. ^ Twitter / altontowers: @morgeennminajThe Smiler
  56. ^ Twitter / LFC_Lambert: These people aren't smiling
  57. ^ Twitter / sophcarmichael: Had a fun day at Alton towers
  58. ^ Twitter / Georgia_Groome: Dear @altontowers I am so glad
  59. ^ Twitter / LFC_Lambert: My day at @altontowers was
  60. ^ http://www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk/News/The-Smiler-suffers-further-technical-problems-20130822163630.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
  61. ^ a b "SW7 - Coming Soon to Alton Towers Resort". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  62. ^ "Want to ride SW7 first?". Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  63. ^ "SW7 Construction Update - 19th September 2012". Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  64. ^ "SW7: World Beating Rollercoaster for 2013". Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  65. ^ "SW7 Opening Delayed?". Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  66. ^ "Is Turnham Green in West London being #getcorrected". Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  67. ^ "More advertising at Leeds Station". Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  68. ^ "Alton Towers promotional video - YouTube". Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  69. ^ "Just grin and baaaa it! Mysterious 'smiley face' symbol sparks internet debate after appearing on hundreds of sheep across the country". Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  70. ^ "Farmers baaa-ffled after hundreds of sheep are branded with smiley face". Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  71. ^ "Alton Towers Alton Towers Resort baffles the nation in a baaarmy hoax". Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  72. ^ "Smile! Details revealed for Alton Towers' latest coaster". Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  73. ^ "'The Smiler' - 2013 roller coaster officially named!". Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  74. ^ "Twitter / altontowers: @Jacob_Ross14 it's completely". Twitter.com. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  75. ^ "The Smiler - Game". Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  76. ^ "The Smiler Game Released!". Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  77. ^ "Exclusive look at The Smiler merchandise". Retrieved February 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  78. ^ "The Smiler: John Wardley on Bolton FM". Retrieved February 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  79. ^ "John Wardley talks The Smiler on Bolton FM". Retrieved February 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  80. ^ "Miles Cedars Interview". Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  81. ^ "Miles Cedars Tape #1". Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  82. ^ "The Smiler is the world's first fourteen looping coaster". Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  83. ^ "Smile. Always - Part 4 of 4". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  84. ^ "The Smiler - On Ride Footage". Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  85. ^ "The Smiler: The world's first fourteen looping coaster". Retrieved 4 May 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Smiler.

Template:Z148

Preceded by First Roller Coaster With 14 Inversions
May 2013–Present 		Succeeded by
None
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