September 2, 201311 yr comment_167510 First time emotions.. Just wait til you've ridden it 10 times... then you'll realise..
September 2, 201311 yr comment_167514 The Smiler is the ONLY ride in the world I DO NOT wanna get bored of!
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167665 Having just returned from my 2 day trip up there, all I can say is, for his last creation, John Wardley did one hell of a job. I don't think I have experienced anything quite like this before and would quite happily queue god knows how long to ride it. The indoor queue with the 3d effects is pretty cool, although the first day I was there, they had a bit of an overuse with the strobe lights!
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167672 Fantastic you enjoyed it, but you know John Wardley had quite a small role in The Smiler right? And he wasn't really satisfied with the finished ride either (from a layout perspective)!
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167677 Fantastic you enjoyed it, but you know John Wardley had quite a small role in The Smiler right? And he wasn't really satisfied with the finished ride either (from a layout perspective)! Ah...I thought he had a relatively big role in it, but just wasn't happy in the end...Shows how much I know! Well...disregard "for his last creation, John Wardley did one hell of a job" and insert "Wow" instead
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167679 But yes I totally agree that whoever was leading the project (likely a big team of people including Wardley as a consultant) did a great job at creating the ride. It really is totally out there and very entertaining at the same time, although the layout is one of its least interesting elements! I feel like riding it again now!
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167683 I feel like riding it again now! I'd give anything for another dose of marmalisation!
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167684 The way Smiler was done I must admit was very cool with the queue line beneath the ride giving an interesting perspective of the ride with the trains running sometimes centimetres from the guests below. I also find the indoor queue interesting although could do with more air conditioning. The ride itself for me works as its close to the queue and also how so much track is located in what's actually a rather compact area as well as the twisty inversions which most transition brilliantly. In terms of my next marmalisation, I may well need to wait many months before my next trip.
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167686 The "best" quote I heard from some guy was - "This ride is too compact. Needs to be spread out a bit more"...
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167688 It's strange. I'd been looking forward to this project loads, from the day the plans surfaced online, to watching construction, and from seeing the eventual opening. Yet, I'm not overly enticed to go ride the thing. I've managed to keep the indoor section a surprise for me still (surprising in itself actually...), so it's not because I know everything about the ride. The reviews I've read of the ride have been largely positive, and as a lover of Saw, I didn't have any real fears about the ride. My marmalisation won't take place until next year it seems. It's a shame really, especially as I love Alton, but if I'd been really enticed to go ride Smiler, then I'd have gone all out to get there. I genuinely don't get why I'm not fussed about riding it, but yeah, I'm just not being drawn out there...
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167692 I only go to Alton once a year at the mo. I know ive been on The Smiler 3 times already, but I haven't had full marmalisation. I NEED FURTHER TREATMENT! I'm not fully compliant! I need to care for ALL the receptors in my mid-brain! Only then can I become...a SMILING ADVOCATE? (yes, those WERE pretty much the words of Dr Kelman in 'Smile. Always - Part 3' )
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167699 This was my first time riding smillar today, and to be honest it looks very impressive, and has been cleverly done. the theming is to Merlin Standard, and will probably full apart in a year like most merlin theming jobs, but the ride was not great.
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167700 This was my first time riding smillar today, and to be honest it looks very impressive, and has been cleverly done. the theming is to Merlin Standard, and will probably full apart in a year like most merlin theming jobs, but the ride was not great. Sure you rode the smiler?
September 4, 201311 yr comment_167702 To be fair, I have noticed that some of the decals on the walls and supports have been picked off by idiotic vandals.
September 5, 201311 yr comment_167730 After riding The Smiler 4 times Yesterday I can say it is a very fun and enjoyable experience. well worth re rides:)
September 6, 201311 yr comment_167822 Smiler is closed again - apparently never opened this morning...
September 6, 201311 yr comment_167840 Smiler is closed again - apparently never opened this morning... How original
September 8, 201311 yr comment_167955 well There is a blatant lie 14 loops I don't see one Loop at all
September 8, 201311 yr comment_167969 I really like these new boards. Explains the ride a bit more to the general public
September 8, 201311 yr comment_167974 The boards are irrelevant and don't improve the experience for anybody - the same way that reading up the plot synopsis on Wikipedia does not improve your enjoyment of a film. Sillllly ideaaaa
September 8, 201311 yr comment_167975 The boards are irrelevant and don't improve the experience for anybody - the same way that reading up the plot synopsis on Wikipedia does not improve your enjoyment of a film. They aren't irrelevant - they clearly explain (in a fun way) what the marmaliser is actually supposed to do, which could otherwise be lost on people. Also, you can't argue with a few interesting facts about the ride on display. They are proud of their new ride, and want to make it look better. No harm in that.
September 8, 201311 yr comment_167976 Surely by explaining what the marmaliser is 'supposed' to do, they simply highlight the fact that it's actually just a bunch of water pistols and lights? People want to have fun on the ride, not be told a lot of facts and made-up text... I thought?
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.