January 24, 201312 yr comment_148947 So? Use the toilets in Fountain Square. It's not that much more of a hike. Kinda is really... 5 minute walk and if your desperate to go it's not gonna be a nice 5 minutes... Hopefully by opening the toilets won't be shut though...
January 25, 201312 yr comment_148981 Maybe if the worst came to the worst they could put up some temporary ones...
January 25, 201312 yr comment_148986 I think if I went to a theme park and were presented with portaloos I would never return again. Even if there are permanent ones 5 minutes away.
January 25, 201312 yr comment_148990 I think if I went to a theme park and were presented with portaloos I would never return again. Even if there are permanent ones 5 minutes away. Good job you (presumably) never went to Europa-Park in 2009, then. For the first season of the Iceland area (and Blue Fire) there were some slightly posh portaloos (with bunches of flowers in them) where the now Gazprom Hall is. It was simply due to the fact there were no other toilets within 150metres or so. There are now 3 sets of permanent toilets in Iceland.
January 26, 201312 yr comment_149001 It was simply due to the fact there were no other toilets within 150metres or so. There are now 3 sets of permanent toilets in Iceland. That quote taken out of context could cause some amusement.
January 26, 201312 yr comment_149002 I've been in plenty of portaloos which were of a higher standard than Altons permanent ones, none of which seem to have been updated since about 1994. When I saw the mess of supports designed to build SW7 around the old block I did think it bizarre, just knock them down and build something modern if they are in the way. Would seem more than worthwhile to spend thousands updating the park infrastructure around a ride you are spending millions on. I'm glad they've admitted quite early on that it is not opening for the start of the season, should stop it ending with a rush job and visitors know where they stand to make plans. I love the thought of soft openings happening, seems to me like a much more sensible way of introducing a new attraction rather than advertising a full opening off the back of testing only and then pissing many people off when inevitably things aren't quite right (or are very wrong (hello NST!)), and could also give some real excitement around the place. They need to be explicit in their advertising that this is what is happening though, the public are so used to new things opening with the parks season I can see a lot of people being pissed off unnecessarily if they just see the smiler everywhere and don't strongly attach a date to it. If this goes well I hope it is something they consider as standard across Merlin for all new major attractions. The name still sucks though! Edited January 26, 201312 yr by pluk I've moved the general toilet conversation to general discussion, as it had wandered off from SW7 specific stuff. Discuss all things poo there, lets continue with The Smiler here...
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149175 Here's the latest construction image of the Smiler posted by Alton Towers on Twitter.
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149177 Is there still that much snow oop North, of is that a pic from a week or so ago? Does not look from that like vertical construction has progressed to the other side of the site at all.
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149179 That photo would've been taken either Saturday, or a week before then. Think it was Sat, where there was incredibly heavy snowfall.
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149201 There hasn't been any further track construction in the past few days - although I believe the station building is developing!
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149216 I'm not sure if the coaster will be finished on time for March opening (assuming the ride opens in March)
January 29, 201312 yr comment_149217 Its not opening in March, Towers released the information on their mini site saying it wont open till May.
January 30, 201312 yr comment_149230 May timeish... Could open early and act as a big suprise to the media if they get it open before then Doubt it though...
January 30, 201312 yr comment_149236 I'm going in April, and would love an early opening...But highly doubt it Ah well, just gives me an excuse to visit again! Also, what elements have they locked together in that photo. Is that a Cobra Roll and a Batwing?
January 30, 201312 yr comment_149248 Think it is a Cobra roll and Batwing. Seems so much vertical construction to go though. Ah well, roll on may, hopefully
January 31, 201312 yr comment_149301 As we've been told it's a May opening I've decided to go late May or early June - later than I usually do. But then I'm unexpectedly probably going in July too for the first time ever, and probably again in September or October. The Smiler though, what a name - still struggling to accept it even though I understand the park's logic. Is it me or does anyone compare this to Colossus? It's got so many elements and is buried deep into that pit!
February 1, 201312 yr comment_149346 No snow yesterday up there but still loads of track in the staff car park...far from complete!
February 3, 201312 yr comment_149457 I have been up at Alton Towers for the Caribbean Beach Party Weekend at Splash Landings. I took a walk down to Sharkbait Reef today (as it was open) - the amount of track in the minibus car park is staggering. There is more than there was in November. And this isn't including what's already up, what's already been moved to the site, nor were any lift hills in sight. Amazing, really - how much track there is to this ride. I also took a wander down to the Chained Oak, and from the lodge cottage at the entrance to the farm, you can get a reasonable view of the Staffordshire Knot element of The Smiler quite well. It's awesome seeing it 'for real' through the trees!
February 3, 201312 yr comment_149466 Where can you see the element from? The chained oak tree or the cottage?
February 3, 201312 yr comment_149467 The tree is down in the valley, so no chance of seeing anything from there!It's from the little cottage by the road, there's a field above it, adjacent to the road. You can see parts of the Smiler from there.
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