Smiler

Smiler(s) may refer to:

Fictional characters

Music

Other uses

See also

The Smiler (roller coaster)

The Smiler is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Manufactured by Gerstlauer, it features 14 inversions and holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster. The Smiler has suffered a series of setbacks and ride incidents, however, including one that occurred during a press preview event which delayed the official opening date to 31 May 2013. Following an accident on 2 June 2015 that seriously injured five riders, an investigation by the HSE was initiated and the ride was closed indefinitely; subsequent announcements indicated it would reopen sometime in 2016.

History

Plans to build The Smiler were submitted to the local authority in December 2011. Permission was granted on 15 March 2012 following a Staffordshire Moorlands Council meeting, despite some local opposition to its construction.Gerstlauer, a German manufacturing company, was hired to build the roller coaster. Less than a month after obtaining permission, Alton Towers launched a website announcing a new ride – codenamed Secret Weapon 7 (SW7) – for the 2013 season. Its codename followed a similar format used for other roller coasters during their teaser campaigns, such as SW4 for Oblivion and SW6 for Thirteen.