May 1, 201312 yr comment_158073 Just a shame that some enthusiasts worry, panic and/or slate every time something goes wrong. Do they really though? It is just worth noting things like this. On a ride already months behind scheduled opening this one 'little' thing could easily result in further delays depending what fix they use. Walter and Claude wouldn't stand for this!
May 1, 201312 yr comment_158074 Maybe wrong was the wrong word to use there, though not really sure what the best word is! I'm more speaking in a general sense though. Like with videos of parts of The Marmaliser testing, saying how it doesn't look good (example - The Tickler not spinning fast enough) when it's only just started testing. A chance needs to be given, as well as time, for such things to develop. But instead, people are quick to be negative, be that through worrying or slating. With the case of the support, it's probably the most worrying thing we've seen so far to date. Worrying in the sense that it will like cause (even more) delay. But no doubt, behind closed doors, things like this have happened before, on other coasters by other manufacturers. But I see some people (not necessarily here, just general across forums and the likes of Facebook), slating the park / Gerstlauer, which just seems...unneccessary. As Benin said, not everything goes perfectly during construction, and when that happens, people seem to be very quick to slate. Just an observation really. But if the original delay hadn't have happened, I bet a lot of the concerns people are having now wouldn't have even crossed people's minds.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158082 I can't see this thing opening on the rumoured 18th. That support issue and the fact a car hasn't even gone round yet. It's two weeks away. If the park did manage to get it going in two weeks time I'll take my hat off to them.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158094 I do hope that the ride is ready to open soon, it seems to have a bit plagued with problems. One thing is for certain and that will be EPIC when it opens. Check out this awesome video of The Smiler's theming being tested!
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158095 Yeah, it's looking pretty good, despite the fact that its using saw in the video! How are these support/not supporting issues usually fixed?
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158096 The Miles Cedars video has been posted on AT's Youtube account, and linked onto FB and Twitter. The Youtube description: This morning we were made aware of this footage by fans on the Official Alton Towers Resort Twitter and Facebook pages. People have suggested the video has some connection with the new ride for 2013 at Alton Towers Resort - The Smiler. We are very inteested to know more. Do you know Trisha, Dan or Miles? Have you got any clue as to what is going on? Share with us through Twitter (@altontowers) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/altontowers). If you know any more, please get in touch! Absolutely brilliantly set up - it should allow for the story to develop and make it seem like the park aren't related to the videos, thus not spoiling the mood the videos are creating and allowing the masses to see it. Love it love it love it.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158097 Today is, putting on the ride car day... Towersstreet piccy 25 days of testing yeah? May half term is gonna be a hell of a push...
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158099 I do still really find it quite laughable that this ride is taking so dam long to finish still, were getting towards halfway through the season and the ride is still not open. People are adamant that the worlds first is the number of inversions but I'm still holding out for a special element in the indoors section that is the worlds first because frankly it's the only excuse I would accept that the new technology has delayed the ride opening otherwise I find it laughable.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158100 I do still really find it quite laughable that this ride is taking so dam long to finish still, were getting towards halfway through the season and the ride is still not open. People are adamant that the worlds first is the number of inversions but I'm still holding out for a special element in the indoors section that is the worlds first because frankly it's the only excuse I would accept that the new technology has delayed the ride opening otherwise I find it laughable. Edited May 2, 201312 yr by pluk erm, text has vanished and I can't seem to edit it. Basically, whatever is in that building is not the reason for any delay whether it exists or not. The failure of the groundworks compounded by poor weather is.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158101 I do still really find it quite laughable that this ride is taking so dam long to finish still, were getting towards halfway through the season and the ride is still not open. People are adamant that the worlds first is the number of inversions but I'm still holding out for a special element in the indoors section that is the worlds first because frankly it's the only excuse I would accept that the new technology has delayed the ride opening otherwise I find it laughable. So the ground playing up and the site being sat under a fair few inches of snow aren't valid problems? It's weird how spoilt we are in the UK really, there are loads of parks in Europe and America which open their rides later in the season (Plopsaland are opening an entire new area in July, and that's a Splash Battle and Disko Coaster)... Construction projects get delayed sometimes, some more than others, unfortunately Smiler has been hit the hardest of most UK projects ever...
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158109 It doesn't bother me that, it's opening later, nearly every big coaster in America, opens later and everybody in America waits patiently for them, so for me there is no point in moaning, because most over places do that it's just in the uk we have been lucky everything has opened in march, well apart from the Slimer, obviously
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158114 A bit more 'open' than I was expecting (I was more expecting a 4-row Eurofighter car with just a little more space between rows), but I like it. Nice and simple design, but will stand out from a distance - exactly what was needed. Me like.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158115 I feel like they should be closer (and might well be, may be so far apart because they were put on by individual rows)... Meanwhile, ATG posted this...
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158130 Looking through the twitter account of trisha, it seems a bit if an odd marketing style, considering it started ages ago before anyone was even aware of it. Plus she does swear at one point, which I know doesn't seem like much, but it is a bit unusual for towers
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158150 Regardless of whether it opens by the May deadline or after, I think I may postpone my visit till next year. At least then I know everything should be complete and settled in. Wouldn't want to go and see a rushed, half completed job
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158159 I dont know if anyones looked, but the video of the girl in the medical gown in the room with the chair (where she goes a bit smiler crazy and has that creepy grin at the end) seems to have disapeared. It might just be me being blind, but I canr find it anywhere at all.
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158160 That went just after it appeared, don't think it was ever supposed to be up. The girl in the recent interview vid looks a lot like her, I'm expecting her to 'go missing' via twitter / further vids sometime soon and for that to be released after that - like she's been taken by them. Just guessing, we'll see!
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158161 So the ground playing up and the site being sat under a fair few inches of snow aren't valid problems? It's weird how spoilt we are in the UK really, there are loads of parks in Europe and America which open their rides later in the season (Plopsaland are opening an entire new area in July, and that's a Splash Battle and Disko Coaster)... Construction projects get delayed sometimes, some more than others, unfortunately Smiler has been hit the hardest of most UK projects ever... I'm not being spoilt, what I'm saying is surely they should plan it as they usually do so that the new ride is open for the majority of the season like the UK parks usually do when they have a big roller coaster, they should really have been prepared incase of delays and got on with the work, they've had the closed season and far into the open season now, usually this is all completed relatively close to the start of open season, perhaps there trying a new tactic and trying to open rides like in america :S
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158163 perhaps there trying a new tactic and trying to open rides like in america :S I do hope not! Hopefully this is just a one off!
May 2, 201312 yr comment_158164 I tell a lie, ive found that video maybe thats what alton towers want to be contacted about? Just a thought.
May 3, 201312 yr comment_158172 I tell a lie, ive found that video maybe thats what alton towers want to be contacted about? Just a thought. Was just about to post the link. Apparently this video is made by some 'Marketing Company' situated near Towers, but the company have reported that they made it for fun, after going on the Sanctuary at Scarefest, and that it actually isn't an official piece of filming made for AT. I still think it's far too professional for them not to use!
May 3, 201312 yr comment_158174 The girl does look very similar though. As a theory, Alton could have seen it and liked it, so they asked them to come up with a pre-story to it?
May 3, 201312 yr comment_158176 I'm not being spoilt, what I'm saying is surely they should plan it as they usually do so that the new ride is open for the majority of the season like the UK parks usually do when they have a big roller coaster, they should really have been prepared incase of delays and got on with the work, they've had the closed season and far into the open season now, usually this is all completed relatively close to the start of open season, perhaps there trying a new tactic and trying to open rides like in america :S You cannot be prepared for every single potential delay... The main issue for Smiler was the groundwork, where they thought they had a certain soil type, turned out they didn't, hence the numerous concrete retaining walls we've been given... Since the groundwork is the longest part of ride construction, and the type of issue involved has resulted in this... Unfortunately this has been a result as well of Merlin's shorter construction time frames for rides, whereas before we would've had a couple of years preparation, this has been done in the space of about a year and a half... I doubt they will go for a later opening thing on all rides, as Towers has been dead due to Smiler's delay... Would not be viable business wise to keep doing that...
May 3, 201312 yr comment_158199 http://www.the-smiler.com/videos/ New section of the minisite, along with the second video. Love the second video with the 'Don't Look Down' and 'Submission' references! Fantastic stuff. Great to see Kelman returning too Can't wait to see how this develops. By the 'clues' section, looks like there'll be 4 videos about Cedars, each with their own clue. Alton Towers - you are doing an absolutely brilliant job!
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