The Smiler Review - Alton Towers

In this video I share my review of The Smiler, an Infinity Coaster manufactured by Gerstlauer located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Along with giving an in-depth review of the ride I also share facts about The Smiler along with sharing a variety of on and off ride footage.
Thank you for watching! I apologise about a slight audio issue between 15:00-16:00, it seems that this part of the video didn’t render as planned!
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[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you for watching! I apologise about a slight audio issue between 15:00-16:00, it seems that this part of the video didn’t render as planned!

[@astu5114]

I thought it was an "Optical procedure" haha

[@HDViiSIONZ]

We've been marmalised

[@dinoroblox7951]

Ooff

[@carrickhayre6037]

Welcome to the sanctuary

[@user-yn1bd4yf3h]

a stu "you are now w embarking on an optical procedure. Part of the correctional process."

[@gemmadisney5]

We love the smiler. We had a smiler themed wedding cake in early 2015 and the cake topper was the train and the track descended down each tier of the cake

[@JoshNunnyt]

Sounds amazing

[@deejasart7766]

Woooow

[@yasminbond8625]

That must’ve been a wedding cake and a half!

[@matthewmccloskey9525]

What flavour was it? How did it taste? Also congratulations!

[@justarandompeep412]

Never get corrected on your wedding day, or that happens.

[@tom-ch5ii]

I actually think The Smiler station is a highlight, it's sleek, love the dispatch sounds and the staff uniform.

[@youknowthatwasntveryfunny2971]

Millsy for me the stairs when you exist are sort of out of place

[@visionist7]

JOIN US

[@emmas7938]

@@youknowthatwasntveryfunny2971 I don't get why they are painted rainbow either. Seems really out of place compared to the yellow/black theme

[@twistedcheese1]

That station is hideous. I feel like I'm in a multi story carpark!

[@tom-ch5ii]

@@twistedcheese1 you must visit some neat car parks then lol

[@Dotsaves]

The smiler has always been my favourite ride, and it’s really nice to hear that it opened 7 years ago today!! 🥳

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you for watching!

[@HalfNorthern]

i think the concrete floor and cattle pen style of the outdoor queue line sort of matches the theming like you're being funnelled through into this facility in a inhuman kind of way; if that makes sense

[@ejm_06__]

I agree

[@EG-pw9by]

Yeah

[@stegosaurus993]

I don't mind the fact that the Smiler has gone a bit bland and empty on the theming, the simple colour and detail scheme emphasizes the idea of a clean, medical facility style operation, with the concrete cattle pen queue line making you feel like a simple test subject lining up to be corrected. I also like the themed screens in the queue line that show the "marmalisation" process, as well as the audio announcements in the building like "You will now begin your correctional procedure" that really help emphasize the psychological feel. That decent amount of theming combined with a brilliant ride experience makes the Smiler my firm favourite at Alton.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@pooey]

I agree completely

[@sillyface6950]

is it bland building or is there the small details that most people will not pay attention to but may still pick up on that make it into seeming like some kind of strange lab or some weird facility that fills you with a nervous feeling?

[@kirstywragg6308]

I agree. I love to hate it and hate to love it.

[@Hol0]

The Smiler is the roller coaster that cured my fear of coasters. So glad I queued up last October. What a ride

[@DavesAdventures]

Hol0 it's really a fantastic ride 👍

[@txmsy8617]

front row in the dark at scarefest is amazing i loved it

[@williamgeorge1120]

I have to say unlike other Gerstlauer ride, the Smiler is one of my absolute favourites. It's certainly a bit rough, but the theming and soundtrack really make it for me. I can entirely understand why it's not for some though!

[@jacobN1993]

I was surprised how "unrough" it was compared to other Gerstlaur coasters

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@WATCLysh]

I love The Smilers soundtrack but when you're in a 3 hour queue and it's on repeat its excruciating!

[@rc_smarti7647]

The Smiler will always be in my memories because of a presentation I did back in school in English class about roller coasters where I also talked about its inversion record =D Everyone laughed at me back then because we could choose the topic of the presentation ourselves and I immediately went for roller coasters xD Can't believe I still haven't been on it :/

[@visionist7]

I bet they chose boring topics like football lol

[@rc_smarti7647]

@@visionist7 There were a lot of teenage romance novels actually....

[@tomwhite4596]

Same lol, but for me still, I've done something like 3 different projects on rollercoasters, and my ongoing A level project is about deciding what Thorpe Park's next ride should be

[@rc_smarti7647]

Is it just me or is there some audio issues? Around 15:00

[@DavesAdventures]

I noticed that as well

[@JRRdimaondjpeopke]

I know what was that?

[@calmingrainfall5485]

I thought there was aswell

[@nickjohnson6237]

Sounded like he said the same thing like 3 times

[@LaraMillard98xx]

Sounds like he's over dubbed it

[@HDViiSIONZ]

There's audio issues @15:03 The video and audio are out of sync! oops Great review though. 2nd favourite coaster at AT

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I apologise about a slight audio issue between 15:00-16:00, it seems that this part of the video didn’t render as planned!

[@EG-pw9by]

The smiler is my second favourite too what’s your favourite AT ride?

[@gcollz_]

I remember swearing never to ride it after the accident but now I’m obsessed with it 😂 The only flaw in my opinion is the corkscrew at the end is so rough but still love it either way

[@jayosborne1147]

I hope the world record will stay it just makes the ride more crazy and awesome

[@Kyall182]

I like the smiler station and queue because it feels like you're in cages waiting to be put under.

[@Frxxzy08]

I want to Drayton Manor and saw some queue jumpers the park staff told them to get some Drayton Manners

[@polibix]

crispy bacon lettuce 08 lol

[@Frxxzy08]

@@polibix lol

[@wypmangames]

oh my

[@Frxxzy08]

@@wypmangames lol

[@millie5375]

whoever said that: genius

[@helloitsarthur]

i live waving to the people on the path at the top of the lift hills

[@crocky2228]

I love that ride, i first went on it when I as 13, and I went on it 3 times in a row!

[@sophiecooke2839]

I rode the Smiler the day after it opened with my mum. We waited something like 2 hours in the queue line and I remember saying "G-Force" the entire way round. I'm not much of a screamer and if anything, I'll talk throughout the ride or just be quiet. Nowadays, I still love the ride, although I think that the projection mapping in the indoor queue line has gotten worse. Sometimes it doesn't work. I remember when there used to be optical illusions on the back of the seats which used to give me a headache but of course they removed them. There is this one staff member who I think is one of the main ride operators for the Smiler who helped my sister overcome her fears of the ride and I always like to wave to her whenever I go on the ride (if she is there of course). After many times going on the Smiler, I have calculated that the photo is taken after the 10th loop and it's nearest to the wall next to the main path. The vertical lift hill is also a nice element and it's even better when your train drops down the same time as the other one on the other lift hill. When it's sunny, I even like to pretend that I'm sunbathing.

[@owen.roberts]

The smiler is my favourite ride at the park

[@EG-pw9by]

The smiler is my second favourite I still think nemesis is the best

[@justarandompeep412]

@@EG-pw9by good opinion, I think smiler is the best but fair enough!

[@Demon-POT]

Alton Towers : 14 looping coaster The smiler : I don't even have one loop Enthusiasts : 🤦‍♀️

[@expeditioned2821]

Fools the GP though

[@bustedkeaton]

They meant inversions then?

[@Demon-POT]

@@bustedkeaton yh

[@jacobN1993]

Remember my first Ride on the smiler last year. It was amazing. It did the job too, as me and my brother couldn't stop laughing. Absolutely brilliant. That trip was the first time in six years that we went, we tried to ride the smiler back when it 2013. But was closed the day we went. The opening of the smiler was a nightmare

[@adamkehoe7405]

Got to go on it, front row in June (before the accident happened), loved it on the summer's day, and sadly haven't been back to Alton Towers since.

[@danielstanley3313]

Smiler is my favourite rollercoaster in UK however every time I've been on it, I've been on row 1 or 2 so I've been very lucky! Is this your favourite infinity coaster Shawn or have you got a different favourite?

[@DavesAdventures]

Daniel the smiler is my number 1 coaster at Alton Towers, but last year on the 1st day of ultimate fireworks i ridden the smiler 27 times, it's epic

[@itzkylegyt5008]

It doesn't feel like its been 6 years since I first went on it

[@MrCollerRoaster]

Shawn where does this rank amongst other Alton Towers coasters for you?

[@DavesAdventures]

It's my number 1 favourite coaster at Alton Towers Mr Coller Roaster

[@solskjaer1195]

Nemmy is the best still for me. Smiler close second.

[@visionist7]

Nemesis, Wickerman, Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Galactica, Th13teen, Mine Train, Spinball Whizzer.

[@expeditioned2821]

Nemmy then Smiler then Wickerman

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I’ll be shading a video on this in the near future!

[@charliebristow3305]

Ever since it opened the Smiler has been my favourite ride just a bit of a shame they toned everything down after the accident although I do understand why they did

[@magdalenat3424]

I mean, people have lost legs, would be tone deaf if they wouldn't

[@charliebristow3305]

@@magdalenat3424 yeah but that was due to human error not the great theming on the ride. Don't get me wrong it was a tragic accident caused by human error but its still a shame they dialed everything back.

[@magdalenat3424]

@@charliebristow3305 you're right i see your point. Nonetheless imagine being a victim or victim's close one after the accident hearing about the ride, seeing advertisements etc. I think what's really sickening is the fact they were on it injured for 5 hours listening to that bloody music with laughs and all of that. I just think it would be simply disrespectful to cause futher harm

[@finnsutcliffe2929]

When i rid the smiler i had a good ride on the back row and the cobra roll was quite smooth cant wait to go back in 2022

[@Shadowbiology]

im just happy that the smiler re opened on my birthday - march 19th. ive always feel like iv been the biggest smiler fan cus I was also ine of the first riders on opining day! also I don't think anybosy completely designed their room to the smiler whilst they were building it.

[@BillBuchananFtw]

Love these reviews. Great summary of the smiler but what happens at 15 mins? haha! bit of a mix up on the audio voice over i think my dude!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I apologise about a slight audio issue between 15:00-16:00, it seems that this part of the video didn’t render as planned!

[@BillBuchananFtw]

@@ThemeParkWorldwide luckily it kind of fits with the disorienting Smiler theming haha!

[@vaultmaako6470]

The Smiler Shop TV man Is Having A Party Smile... Always

[@Inversion_Immersion]

This ride means a lot to me. It’s not my number 1 coaster and I don’t think it’s even the best in the park but I remember riding this for the first time and this was the ride which made me an enthusiast. I was so scared to go on but somehow my cousin convinced me to go on but when I came off I loved it. I came off thinking ‘I don’t know what just happened but I need more of it’. I love this ride. 😁

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your memories!

[@jamesedwards6103]

Hi Shaun brilliant review as always. I have hit and miss relationship with the smiler, being over 6 foot I can stick my head out of the restraints for the rough parts so not so bad but feel bad for shorter riders, last summer 2019 my sister was heavily bruised around her ears after getting a back right ride twice (single rider), would prefer lap bars everytime!! Can we have a review of the original haunted house? Surely it is time to get it back running to its original spec, so much better then duel!! Can we start a campaign to bring it back? Keep up the good work mate.

[@blake.etches4107]

Looking back on all the fond memories of this attraction has made Shawn a smiler. *canned laughter*

[@mysynthsandstuff6519]

I’ve been to a fair few theme parks over the years, Europe, USA, UK… and I have to say, having taken my 11 year old daughter to Alton Towers for her first time today… and my first visit since the early 1990’s… The Smiler is, to us, entirely different level. We loved the Wicker Man, beautiful.. ferocious, screamathon fun on the back seats but… The Smiler, entirely intimidating, awe inspiring, star struck, funny, oh we laughed with amazement… can’t not mention the history, sad… very very sad… but so mightily impressed with it today. We are back tomorrow and that will be our main focus for the day with a few other rides for good measure but it’s all about The Smiler. And great channel btw wave watched a lot this last few months.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

We’re glad that you had a good time!

[@mmegidolaonn]

was my 3rd ever ride, went on when i was 11 in opening season, still absolutely love it

[@matthewmccloskey9525]

This was the first tpww video i had ever watched, and ever since i have been hooked

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for watching. Fingers crossed we’ll be back in the parks soon!

[@tomwin7379]

I agree I would love too see a bit more done with the smiler. It's so popular and it's got such a cult following they could do a lot with in the station and the queue line. They did so much with the Backstory aswell.

[@elena3941]

my biggest bucket list ride ever. i’m from germany near phantasialand and hope to ride this epic ride one day!!!! i love the theming and lore, and the inversions look awesome!

[@LiZarDiFreeK]

2013 was seven years ago!? I feel old

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

It was indeed!

[@hokyman]

Thank you so much for doing this review! The Smiler is one of the big reasons why Alton Towers is so high on my bucket list of parks to visit. I thought it was interesting that you brought up the roughness towards the end. I immediately thought that it's likely going to be the trains that are the problem. While track does constantly get warped a bit over time, the structure that's holding it up looks incredibly well engineered. You can see the structure sway a little bit to absorb the impact of trains running with quite a bit of weight at high speed. Whereas the trains wear a lot more easily over time. It sounds like train work that was done has really done the trick. I hope it stays as comfortable until I'm finally able to ride in hopefully a year's time!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@suzannecowan8543]

Loved the video. I don’t think they would get away with taking out some of the cattle pen cos the smiler gets HUGE Queues

[@roloqween]

Love how much a ride can change where you sit. I like the front... feels less intense than the back

[@princenemesis]

This ride is brilliant, and the music is epic (the non laughing/voice parts)

[@bntagrl978]

I absolutely love the smiler. It’s my favourite roller coaster in the uk. When I first went on it with my mum and dad a few years ago my mum hated it and dad was a bit 50-50 but I loved it. I have lots of smiler merch lol

[@cmshore349]

Love the Smiler. Can't wait to get back on it. Loved the review!

[@theme.park.lewis0586]

Love this ride It’s one of my fav rides at Alton

[@flyingscotsman7914]

Formerly, Merrie England at 18:38. That will keep us smiling at 24:04 like 5 years ago as thank goodness we weren’t on the accident and talking of being safe, make sure you and Shawn keep staying safe and well. 😊

[@leannerobson3998]

I remember riding it non stop first time I went when it opened I loved the themes the staff wearing them. Amazing coaster. The accident should never of happened. Xxx

[@devdevthrills]

Wanted to mention the audio quality of your videos! I commented not too long ago in your old studio area that there was quite a bit of echo and raspy sounds and some panels and things may improve it. Looks like you nailed it in this new recording spot! Love the quality and content of the channel lately!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!

[@reputation8383]

I love everything about the Smiler except the indoor portion of the queue line. The music and lights give me a thumping headache before I've even got on the ride. Luckily the single rider queu me bypasses most of the indoor section, which helps. Other than that, it's a spectacular coaster. I enjoy every inversion, and the two airtime hills are glorious.. the second one gives me the best airtime I've ever experienced! And how on earth they managed to fit such a dense track into such a small space, I will always be in awe.

[@TheEasterling]

I must ride it one day. Shame a part of your video didn’t render well. Good video! :)

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Sadly do! Thanks for watching

[@jeydoubleyew]

I've only been to Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach so far in my life, but The Smiler is my favourite ride I've been on so far.

[@Watchmojo_24]

I love the empty feel I think it would be to crowded if they added much more

[@lakemuller]

i’m going on the smiler for the first time in a couple days and i can’t wait!

[@smilerpunk922]

Doing it on its birthday I see! Very smart of you! Also love the amount of passion you put into every video you do! Especially the bookworm restoration!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!

[@robinbuckleyloml]

The smiler is a great ride!

[@ToxicCalamari]

I'm a Rollercoaster lover. Been to cedar point, Busch gardens Williamsburg, lake compounce. I'm saving up because I really do wanna visit Alton someday as an American. Here's hoping covid will let me visit in the next year or so, the smiler really is up there as my must ride list for the inversions.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Let’s hope you get to visit!

[@dieard1]

Thanks for your videos they are great. Stayed at the hotel in March for a weekend and did smiler about 15 times (wasn’t busy). Funny enough I thought the same as you, front of the cars where smooth, the back was rough! Still enjoyed it though.

[@alicelangston867]

I actually love how basic and "generic" the station is, because it leaves you to think of the story for yourself, and it allows your attention to focus on the lights that are so bright before the dispatch. To be honest, I love everything about the smiler, from the colours to the theme to the track layout, even the uniforms, and it is definitely my top coaster 💛🖤

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@SamHampson1992]

Has Shawn ever made a video about the Smiler accident? I tried searching the channel, but couldn't find one

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I’ve not made one about the accident

[@TheMaverick987]

The end of The Smiler is one where you need to know how to ride it. The profiling of the second Cobra Roll inversion is pretty condensed which caused a jolt. If you dont brace yourself right for it then your head will knock back and forth until the end of the last inversion. One thing I'm surprised never gets mentioned is the jolt as you go down the first drop into the dive loops. That's been there since the first time I went on.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

That’s also a jolt that’s got worse over time sadly

[@oscarhickman1870]

Really nice video Shawn! Love the ride reviews as we get a real in depth look to what you think. Keep it up 👍👏

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!

[@Chinawanka]

Even though thats where you met Charlotte i swear you never give the smiler the credit it deserves

[@scopesic]

I haven’t been on this but if I ever go to Alton towers I am definitely riding this

[@lemonamon]

i really think the smiler needs lap bars, it would honestly be so much better. only been on it twice since i dont live in the uk but from my experience i really think it would feel a lot less rough with the lap bars which i believe were planned initially by gertslauer. still an absolutely fantastic ride though, will definitely go on it again if given the chance

[@Stevenspielburger]

I love The Smiler - such a long ride, it offers a lot. I kniw it's not perfect but there's no place i'd rather be at the moment!

[@JamieBriody]

Rode it on opening week, blew me away. However over the years I have now almost am identical view of it as you Shawn - some rides on it have been great, some rough. Station and queue need some TLC, some love. Still an amazing ride that the public love and still an experience you can't find anywhere else in the world.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@TripleTSingt]

One thing I really like about the Smiler Layout: It seems just like a mess of track and supports, but there is actually quite a logic behind it, once you analyze it more: Both halves have the same start: The small drop turning around to the Corkscrew Drop. 1 Inversion. Then, the first half goes into back to back Dive Loops and the second half goes into the Sea Serpent Roll. 2 Inversions and the track is now facing the same way as before, but offset to one side. Airtime Hill through the Marmaliser. On the other side of the Marmaliser, both halves go into a "Turnaround Double Inversion" (The Batwing in the first and the Cobra Roll in the second half). Then the first half goes into a Corkscrew into the midcourse brake run and into the second lift hill and the second half does a double Corkscrew into the final brakes. Its basically a "Double Out-And-Back" Layout, just very compact and with another lift hill in the middle. There are only 8 times in the whole ride where the track turns 180° (The 2 drops, the Dive loops, the Sea-Serpent Roll and the 2 turnaround elements) and 4 of those instantly cancel each other out.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@mischiefmanaged5757]

I do enjoy The Smiler, but agree it has become rough. I have to endure it rather than enjoy it these days, but I can’t visit AT and not ride it. Lack of theming in the station doesn’t bother me, as you’re not actually in there for that long. Really enjoy these reviews. Thanks, as always. 😄

[@sdaniel9129]

The batwing on Abyssus is going to be fantastic on the backrow, but it will be crazy on the front... Alton Towers should put RMC trains on The Smiler!!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

It will be epic!

[@coastersam835]

You said something about the music but personally, I think it's quite nerve racking and it really does build up the ride, making the experience much scarier.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I did mention the music and how it’s certainly different!

[@clareriley]

I can't find your reviews playlist 😢

[@Naco88]

Awesome review as always! I'd love to see a video comparing concept art to final coasters 😀

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!

[@joemorrisonmusic]

I really love the smiler station. Gives me a creepy clinic vibe... I think it works well for the overall theme!

[@Timr2]

They should change the projections in the building into a pre show projected on the walls. They should add some medical theming (hospital) with some more projections. #BringBackDrKellman

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Timr2]

Great video!

[@samthedetectiveeevee]

I wasn't interested in rollercoasters, but I really liked the smiler, I was interested in it and seen it was the world's first infinity coaster.

[@keiraneven9034]

This ride seems insane and intense and fun. I really wanna ride it someday hope fully I can get out there soon

[@AudreyMealiff]

I'd love to give this coaster a go. I was in Alton Towers in 2010, and not been back since, sadly. A trip is definitely planned. Dying to ride all the big coasters again, and looking forward to 13, The Smiler and Wicker Man which will all be new to me.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Let’s hope you get to experience it at some point!

[@AudreyMealiff]

@@ThemeParkWorldwide I'm hoping to fly over from Dublin next summer, hire a car and away I go. :) 2 days in Alton hopefully. Just once things get back to normal.

[@ellisjames8517]

I went on it yesterday for first time ever. Wasn’t expecting it to be like that at all was good but I was nervous 😂😂😂

[@lauramcwhinnie4978]

I absolutely love your reviews the smiler has always been one of my favourite coasters I do remember when it was a bit rough at times I was in alton tower at Octoberfest and no complaints it felt a lot smoother going round the track absolutely love it 😀

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!

[@YM-my9xw]

I knew about the rollers on the roof near the baggage hold but I have no idea why they are there

[@Grimalkins]

It’s that first corkscrew after the cobra roll that hurts for me. A lot smoother than it used to be though. When forced into the back row I used to prefer to leave without riding. But now the back row is ok.

[@dingleplayer1219]

Happy birthday Smiler!

[@stewartdyoung]

Loved your analysis of the smiler. Spot on. Also around 15mins in the edit goes a bit jancky

[@DavesAdventures]

I noticed that Stewart

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I apologise about a slight audio issue between 15:00-16:00, it seems that this part of the video didn’t render as planned!

[@stewartdyoung]

@@ThemeParkWorldwide no worries. Didn't spoil it for me, but just wanted to let you know as no one else in the comments had mentioned it (that I saw)

[@samg6152]

technically the batwing is actually a reverse sidewinder into a sidewinder as i think that batwings are meant to stay parrallel with eachother

[@VerlorenFormaat]

Hi Shawn, you've once suggested a video about the historical site of alton towers. I'm still very interested. Any hope we'll see one in the near future?

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I am indeed! Waiting for the park to reopen as I want to film some shots on site!

[@k1zm3t]

happy 7th birthday Smiler!! 💛🖤💛🖤

[@bethmarron3559]

Another fabulous video shawn! You have really helped me through the pandemic!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks Beth

[@dogsquad283]

I just purchased a black hoodie two days ago

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for your support

[@scottsvox1371]

i'm going alton towers on the 7th and honestly i cant wait to go and ride this ride again, after not being out my house because of this lockdown it's gonna be a good trip :)

[@Will-jd6vb]

Perhaps the reason they had the corkscrew rather than a simple bank turn is so that another park couldn't copy the coaster but just add one more corkscrew, and take the world record 😂 love the smiler. Certainly come off it giggling like a schoolkid lol

[@vrextar]

I've thus far not been to Alton Towers, nor to the UK in general, but it's definitely on my list do one day. A friend of mine has NoLimits 2 and I got to experience The Smiler in VR which was interesting. I've ridden dozens of coasters of various kinds at various parks at this point and this VR experience made me feel a bit nauseous. Makes me wonder how I'd fare on the actual ride?

[@danthompson9801]

Yeah, you sum it up perfectly, the last few inversions aren’t the best anymore... Not enough to make me avoid the ride but enough to make me only ride it once per visit 🤣 I don’t have an issue with minimal theming, I’m more bothered about the ride itself, I think Icons a perfect example of minimal, but neat theming to accompany a great ride experience

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@YM-my9xw]

Can you do a collab with digital dan

[@gavla-82]

Have you seen Virtual Towers Online? They are making a virtual Alton Towers, currently they have X Sector with Smiler, Oblivion and Enterprise. 👌🏻

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I have indeed. It’s very good!

[@Tom-ov4lb]

Do you think the smiler will receive lap bar trains like newer infinity coasters? Possibly not because the ride wasn’t designed with lap bars in mind.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

I can’t see it happening sadly

[@Paul86LFC]

Rode the Smiler twice when I visited AT last year. I moved to Japan just before it first opened, so I built the ride up in my head for many years. I have to say with a heavy heart, I was really disappointed. My wife and I were sat on row 3 for the first run and row 4 for the second. I 100% agree with your review. The last part of the ride is horrendous! Gave me a headache. Prefer Takabisha at Fuji-Q. I have heard that it's not too bad on the front row, though.

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@JuliusAwen]

Congratulations on the anniversary for you and the near misses!

[@ThemeParkWorldwide]

Thank you!