Jump to content

The Smiler


th13teen

Recommended Posts

That's not really a significant world's first is it, nor a 'secret element'

It is a massive worlds first and word record, being a true genuine first and record (none of this 'steepest drop', 'first horror coaster' or 'ultimate / first psyco coaster' nonsense). It is secret too really - the record and inversion count have not been confirmed yet, it is only geek world sitting here comparing supports to plans who have worked it out, which we wouldn't have been able to do if it had been built over closed season as planned making it a secret until opening.

And more importantly it is something which is clearly, concisely and easily marketable which people will understand and buy into needing to be a part of. The same can't be said of coaster that duels with itself or whatever, which wouldn't even be a worlds first anyway as it is just a sort of mobius loop without one of the stations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is a massive worlds first and word record, being a true genuine first and record (none of this 'steepest drop', 'first horror coaster' or 'ultimate / first psyco coaster' nonsense). It is secret too really - the record and inversion count have not been confirmed yet, it is only geek world sitting here comparing supports to plans who have worked it out, which we wouldn't have been able to do if it had been built over closed season as planned making it a secret until opening.

And more importantly it is something which is clearly, concisely and easily marketable which people will understand and buy into needing to be a part of. The same can't be said of coaster that duels with itself or whatever, which wouldn't even be a worlds first anyway as it is just a sort of mobius loop without one of the stations.

I don't really see it as a massive first and world record, it's a record that it constantly growing and constantly being beaten year after year, decade after decade, .it's not something that has a lasting legacy because it can so easilly be beaten and will be beaten in the future, it's like anything else, technology constantly adds more, anything can always be increased, so I'm hoping there is an "element" that gives its worlds first title and not just, look at us we've got more inversions than you....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I find surprising is not once have they even mentioned the record for most inversions. If you think back to Colossus, its marketing was based solely on the number of inversions, that was made clear right from the start. In fact the only purpose of Colossus was to go upside-down loads of times, resorting to endless heartline rolls achieve that fame. The Smiler, however, is so far being marketed by its theme, and already it has already generated significant interest without revealing its inversion record.

Of they will announce the inversion record sooner or later, but I don't think it will be marketed as the ride's unique selling point. Also the way the 'world's first' element is being described as something you 'have to visit the park to find out' makes me believe it is something different than an inversion record...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't really see it as a massive first and world record, it's a record that it constantly growing and constantly being beaten year after year, decade after decade, .it's not something that has a lasting legacy because it can so easilly be beaten and will be beaten in the future, it's like anything else, technology constantly adds more, anything can always be increased, so I'm hoping there is an "element" that gives its worlds first title and not just, look at us we've got more inversions than you....

http://rcdb.com/rhr.htm?m=4

11 years Colossus held the highest inversion record (and as the first one, Chimelong's can be ignored as it didn't beat or grow on Colossus)... Indeed, Colossus was built at the peak of the record breaking era in the industry, where everyone was trying to better each other with heigh, speed or inversions... Nowadays, it's just not deemed as big a deal to break a record like that (we went onto steepest drop and other assorted crap)...

The numerous inversions will probably make some form of appearance in marketing, as it's simple to market to the masses... It'll be used in support to the rest of the ride though, and probably won't be the major calling to it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't quite get my head around people not thinking the world inversion record is a very big thing. It simply is, and it pushes the ride and part back onto the world stage in a huge way with something which will get noticed everywhere.

That's not to say there's not surprises to come from it and I'm glad they are promoting it based on theme primarily, but going along the lines of 'worlds first self dueling coaster' is the sort of tortuous nonsense they come out with when the ride doesn't have anything real going for it. In this case it does.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://rcdb.com/rhr.htm?m=4

11 years Colossus held the highest inversion record (and as the first one, Chimelong's can be ignored as it didn't beat or grow on Colossus)... Indeed, Colossus was built at the peak of the record breaking era in the industry, where everyone was trying to better each other with heigh, speed or inversions... Nowadays, it's just not deemed as big a deal to break a record like that (we went onto steepest drop and other assorted crap)...

The numerous inversions will probably make some form of appearance in marketing, as it's simple to market to the masses... It'll be used in support to the rest of the ride though, and probably won't be the major calling to it...

We could go back to Dragon Khan as well which held the 8 inversion record for 7 years, or Goudurix which kept the 7 inversion record for 6 years.As you said the record market is pretty dead now, a lot of these world first things are play on words or trivial things.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It simply is, and it pushes the ride and part back onto the world stage in a huge way with something which will get noticed everywhere.

Yes, but the inversion record, as you wrote in another post up the page, hasn't been officially confirmed yet.

Let's be honest, the marketing has been fantastic, and it's been made clear about how this ride will play mind games and mess with your head.

That's all very well and good one thing, but inversions are another. I think people are forgetting Colossus was the world's first 10 looping rollercoaster, so even if The Smiler has, let's say 14 inversions, it's not to say you will go upside down 14 times.

I can see it being the case that people will go, "Wow, this ride has the most inversions of any other ride!" and Alton Towers' response to that will be a sarcastic "Whatever, nothing special."

so I'm hoping there is an "element" that gives its worlds first title and not just, look at us we've got more inversions than you....

Sadly, I don't think there will be - I'd like to be wrong, but at this stage, and with all the speculation flying about, I can't see another one on it's way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Isn't the definition of an inversion an element which turns riders upside down? How can you invert 14 times but not go upside down 14 times? :blink:

(Or are we on about elements which some people count and some don't?)

Also, nice photos EC! I particularly like the first one due to the angle and the blue sky :D Don't forget to credit which site you got them from though (unless of course they're yours!) :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Washing Machine of course...

Ah right, a bit like the dispute of whether or not S&S 4D coasters should have their rotating seat inversions counted with the actual track inversions.

Now I understand... Although we all sort of know the washing machine is not happening now. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah right, a bit like the dispute of whether or not S&S 4D coasters should have their rotating seat inversions counted with the actual track inversions.

Now I understand... Although we all sort of know the washing machine is not happening now. ;)

I know, as just being sarcastic about the whole thing...

Probably not releasing any info on such a record until they feel like they want to push marketing to the next level... Let's be honest there's been bugger all since the ride was initially delayed, so they are blatently waiting till a confirmed date before pushing such stuff...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't quite get my head around people not thinking the world inversion record is a very big thing. It simply is, and it pushes the ride and part back onto the world stage in a huge way with something which will get noticed everywhere.

That's not to say there's not surprises to come from it and I'm glad they are promoting it based on theme primarily, but going along the lines of 'worlds first self dueling coaster' is the sort of tortuous nonsense they come out with when the ride doesn't have anything real going for it. In this case it does.

It really isn't a very big thing in my opinion I don't see why such a fuss is made about it because it's something that's so easilly beatable and it's nothing special/unique in my eyes like say Th13teens vertical drop or being different type/make of roller coaster or a new inversion (correct me if I'm wrong), but it's something that's so easily beatable, it may be a title held for a few more years but there were will soon be other coasters come and go in the future with 15,16,17 inversions I'm sure because it's a title that isn't challenging to snatch...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It really isn't a very big thing in my opinion I don't see why such a fuss is made about it because it's something that's so easilly beatable and it's nothing special/unique in my eyes like say Th13teens vertical drop or being different type/make of roller coaster or a new inversion (correct me if I'm wrong), but it's something that's so easily beatable, it may be a title held for a few more years but there were will soon be other coasters come and go in the future with 15,16,17 inversions I'm sure because it's a title that isn't challenging to snatch...

And with thirteen having been copied a couple of times already (including by another manufacturer) what is so special about that now?

I'm usually all against enthusiasts being being seen as different to the GP, but in this case I'd say there is a difference. The GP would not give the slightest toss about a new type of inversion - upside down is upside down. Even a whole new ride type in The Swarm didn't exactly grab them, did it? They might enjoy something new like that once they're on it, but marketing something like that to them just wouldn't work. And that will be the measure of success from the parks point of view - how many bums does it get on seats. We'd all turn up obviously, but would anyone else?

Whether or not you think it is a good thing to be chasing, a world record will always be very marketable for the time it is held (likely to be multiple years like previously), gain a lot interest and appear on lists all around the world. That's what I mean by a big deal. It also seems that with this there is a lot more to it than that record alone - a good solid ride and theme underneath. So something for everyone then!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And with thirteen having been copied a couple of times already (including by another manufacturer) what is so special about that now?

Which rides are they then, and where?

The GP would not give the slightest toss about a new type of inversion - upside down is upside down.

Yes, you're right to an extent, but there are rides which have got the public talking. Stealth, with it's height and speed. Th13teen, with it's in-the-dark drop. Saw, with it's theme and drop. I've seen it all before, kids and adults acting like 16 year-olds discovering Facebook. :glare: Think of it this way, if they don't get them talking, then why does this topic go through umpteen pages of speculation a month? We're all at it, guilty, and in the minority.

Today I recieved a reminder in the post, reminding me to renew my pass. It mentions about The Smiler opening in summer 2013. Now May is still spring, as summer starts on 21st June. This may give reason as to why they have yet so far to go until completion!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...