I really do think that this season will be much busier than people are expecting, obviously the mid week closures are going to increase visitor numbers on other days and I think the GP are split between the people who will go again and avoid The Smiler, and those who won't let what happened last year affect them too much.

I think management should invite the tv news media to the park a few days before the start of season to explain everything that's been put into place to make the Smiler and other rides even safer.

Themeparksandy1981 wrote:

I think management should invite the tv news media to the park a few days before the start of season to explain everything that's been put into place to make the Smiler and other rides even safer.

Could work but imagine if they run it and it breaks down or stops on the lift hill. It could end up having the exact opposite effect.

Yeah I would say open without any hoohah and let the gradually increasing crowds do the marketing over the season perhaps do a press release but don't mark it as an event

Alton are now telling people that The Smiler will be open on the 19th of March!

Where have you seen that? I've not found anything on Facebook.

I'm littarly so excited! I just can't wait now!

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Morgan wrote:

Where have you seen that? I've not found anything on Facebook.

In direct response to TowersStreet on Twitter asking if it'll be open on opening day.

Aye just read on twitter, great to have it confirmed

Right decision imo. Will be there on 20th!

Great news, I think it's far better to open it straight away than allow it to drag on even longer. Looking forward to getting back on.

I was very pleased to hear this news and can't wait to get back on at some point

Can't wait for the 20th and 24th, although 24th will mostly be taken up by Galactica!

I'll be watching the queue times closely on the 19th to see if I'll be able to get an ERT ride on Oblivion before hopping in line on the 20th.

I can imagine a wave of enthusiasts just running and screaming and crying to The Smiler with so many cameras and hoodies and t-shirts and goggles and clocks and gnomes. I'm excited to get back on it and the atmosphere of X Sector will return *tries to run but ankle gives up and cries*

I'll be interested to see her many reporters we see hanging around The Smiler on opening day. The Mirror will jump on every single fault like its the end of the world no doubt...

And I wouldn't be surprised if some enthusiasts bring hammers to smash the Press cameras

NemesisRider wrote:

And I wouldn't be surprised if some enthusiasts bring hammers to smash the Press cameras

Another solution, give them early entry and the stampede of enthusiasts comes along

But seriously, this is the best time for them to open it, if it runs with no-minimal problems then we have the press backing off hopefully.

oPrecisely, just running it smoothly and calmly, let the inevitable stoppages just get resolved and they wont need to do anything else, it will advertise itself. I'm sure there may be someone on the first train that gets stuck wanting to tell their story for a sniff of exposure, like that madness with sonic spinball, but I don't think the GP at large will care.

Got a countdown set for its reopening, I expect the charge towards it will be crazy, if I'm there I'll try and get a few rides on it, I'd just about got used to a non atmospheric X sector, hopefully the music will still be on loud when it opens. Time to get back on one of the best coasters around!