Alton Towers Discussion Thread

[CoNNoR]

if you look at the pictures it looks a little like a smile made with the track

[Anything]

^ Yes, that's precisely the look they were going for.

[Wes]

Love a good viral marketing campaign. Can't fault Merlin for trying.

[A.J.]

I'm glad that they're being super-secretive about it. It sure beats the stuffing out of Thirteen's "psycoaster" campaign...

[JRHcoasterki]

Wow, I haven't really been following the construction of this coaster (Guilty!), so I had no idea they had already built so much! Looks like it will be relentless and super intense!

[Randomman295]

I'm glad to see that SW7 is so close to Oblivion. I think the two would make a pretty good pair.

 

Also, do you think that Alton/Gerstlauer will call that inversion simply a Batwing, or do you think they have changed it enough to call it its own element?

[snoflake15]

^ a smile?

[jammy2by4]

^ a smile?

 

Looking at the recent photos from TowerTimes' website, that element and the cobra roll combined kind of do resemble the Smiley face. It's quite cool.

[AstroDan]

It has been colloquially called a 'Stafford Knot' element by some enthusiasts.

 

The logo for Staffordshire County Council is:

 

 

And, with Alton Towers being in Staffordshire, it kind of works!

[jammy2by4]

Hopefully, it will be a one-off, unique only to SW7. Just like the Banana Roll is to Takabisha.

[Dobba]

Snow covered Alton goodness!

[Anything]

Amazing, didn't realise it was even Alton Towers at first.

[JayTricky]

Images from towerstimes.co.uk -

 

 

 

 

Some pretty spectacular images. Looks pretttty.

[Swimace]

Wow, great pics! IMO, Alton is still one of the most interesting parks in the world in terms of landscaping, layout, etc.

 

Loving the aerial pics!

[Richard]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264281/Just-grin-baaaa-Mysterious-smiley-face-symbol-sparks-internet-debate-appearing-hundreds-sheep-country.html

 

And the marketing begins! Strange how merlin or Alton Towers isn't mentioned at all.

[JayTricky]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264281/Just-grin-baaaa-Mysterious-smiley-face-symbol-sparks-internet-debate-appearing-hundreds-sheep-country.html

 

And the marketing begins! Strange how merlin or Alton Towers isn't mentioned at all.

 

Hahaha! ... that is genius!

[RollerCoasterSmi]

Holy CR@P that is just pure genius! I'm loving the marketing, I have high hopes for SW7. I'm hoping it will be a lap bars only ride which will be awesome.

Edited January 21, 2013 by RollerCoasterSmi

[snoflake15]

I have been critical of the marketing in the past but this time they seem to be getting it spot on.

[thedazza]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264281/Just-grin-baaaa-Mysterious-smiley-face-symbol-sparks-internet-debate-appearing-hundreds-sheep-country.html

 

And the marketing begins! Strange how merlin or Alton Towers isn't mentioned at all.

 

I think that Merlin didn't want the park or ride to be mentioned because this way it generates interest from everyone, not just theme park and rollercoaster fans. Everyone will be talking about it and speculating what it could be about.

 

I think we will see another article in the coming week or so with Alton Towers coming clean and saying it was them promoting their new rollercoaster, and i think the name of the coaster and maybe even the new opening date being revealed in the article.

 

My money is on the rollercoaster being named "The Smiler", i know it seems like a daft name but i think the themeing and story of the coaster will make it make sense. Also the interlocking cobra roll and batwing do kind of look like the smiley face logo. I think the ride will open on good friday, that's what is being rumoured at the moment.

[RCT3Bross]

I really like this marketing. Much better then some dummy's with missing arms and legs. I can't wait for this ride to open. I'm curious about the secret element, although I see them go for the washing machine.

[SoCalCoasters]

Tattooing Sheep? Where can they possibly go from here?

[snoflake15]

Is this because its on the site of the baalack hole?

 

I'll get my (fleecy) coat....

[Anything]

Interesting marketing approach, it's like the old days of the Oblivion campaign - not associating it with Alton Towers at first.

[Wes]

Wasn't Oblivion not even announced until it was open? I remember there being a level of secrecy around it up until the very end.

[JayTricky]

Pretty imaginative a and epic so far!!

 

Train Stations:

 

Leeds train station :

 

Birmingham University Station:

 

 

 

Posters:

 

Elephant & Castle Tube Station:

 

 

Old Street, London:

 

 

 

Projections:

 

Waterloo & Covent Garden [credit to Jay]

 

 

 

Other Merlin Attractions:

 

Legoland Discovery Centre, The Trafford Centre Barton Square [credit to Ellie on TST]:

 

 

Sealife Centre, Birmingham:

 

 

 

Sealife Brighton:

 

 

Social Media [Facebook, Twitter etc]:

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing Stunts:

 

#Creepysheep:

 

Daily Mail Article

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...

 

As you can see from one of the social media pics above, tweeted by Alton Towers. It clearly says 'the Inoculator'. Possibly the name?