Alton Towers THE SMILER TAKEOVER Festival Of Thrills Vlog 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 เม.ย. 2023
- Join us as we head to Alton Towers for Festival of Thrills - THE SMILER TAKEOVER! In this vlog we check out everything that the event has to offer including two live stage shows in X-Sector celebrating 10 years of The Smiler. The event also features characters from The Ministry Of Joy, all part of the backstory to this popular roller coaster. Along with that we also take a look at how The Smiler has taken over other parts of the park as part of this new event!
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Thank you for watching and also sharing your thoughts! Join us for all of the latest Nemesis construction and Sub-Terra news here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/QGbnmK2bodo/w-d-xo.html
First
The face of Charlotte during that preformance said it all.. she didnt know to laugh or to cry by the looks of it. I can understand its sad to see the park that you love so much in this state.
Unfortunately so. We really hope the park can improve!
The pained look on Charlotte’s face after the performance was priceless. Her brain was breaking from trying to process the spectacle...lol!
Glad you're talking about the dismal state of Towers this year. It's completely disappointing from what's usually our best park in the UK and I'm a bit heart broken. I'm taking my sibling for the first time and now I'm just worried it will be a bit of a let down instead of being excited as I should be
@Hawk I've not been to Thorpe in years and years. Always prefer Towers because I think their theming is so much stronger and I'd choose a good theme over a strong ride any day of the week. But with even that slipping drastically (Curse at Alton Manor being the exception), you could well be right about Thorpe.
@@blank3078 I think stealth is as themed as it can be but I guess the queue could be a bit more but idk
Alton Towers isn’t in the best place at the moment and it’s very sad to see. Presentation and operations are the worst I’ve ever seen it. We really hope the park can make the changes they need to asap!
@Theme Park Worldwide I heard a rumour that Spinball isn't opening all season. Seems pretty unlikely given:
1. Been advertised as April
2. Been testing
3. It would really be insanity without Nemesis there
Have you heard anything to that affect?
@@ThemeParkWorldwide Same with thorpe park this year! One of the worst season openers i’ve seen in a long time.
Hearing how they met is actually really cute I love it
You smashed that beat the buzzer! My hands were shaking like a leaf before I'd even started! aha couldn't agree with you more regarding Towers, I think they need a very sharp jolt in the right direction
Let’s hope we see major changes to improve the overall presentation and operations!
I’m quite happy with you talking about things not quite right at Alton, as your channel is quite big I think you have the power to change things
Thank you. Things need sorting out!
@@ThemeParkWorldwide They’re bigger than universal they should!
13:17 That's me! Lovely meeting both you guys! thank you for making our day extra special! - Maddie
Great to meet you!
Did you feel a bit weirded out while participating?
@Mr Snow Not at all! I'm a massive Smiler nerd so to be chosen by the Ministry of Joy themselves was a dream come true! - Maddie
@@MA_Travels looked like good fun Linda from Hull, smile always 😆
How come you say your name is Linda there and your name Maddie here 😂
After visiting places like Plopsaland and Parc Asterix, it must be agonizing to then come back and see the absolute state of Alton Towers ☹️... Great video as always 👍🏻
Visiting other parks really does highlight the current issues at Alton Towers. We can only hope things improve soon!
When the smiler was being made I absolutely loved the concept of them using their unique scare maze the Sanctuary and then made a really weird but cool video series of Smile. Always and Welcome to the sanctuary. It'd be good if they could go back and reflect on those to see where they've been going wrong with their choices for this event.
Also I feel that Alton has lost a lot of what the point was in its theming. They do really well creating dark and alternate atmospheres for their thrill rides which are just getting bombarded with silly antics that remove from that doom feel that so often came with the rides.
On another note, do you guys think they will change the Forbidden Valley area to something else? Most of it is space themed now - Alien and Space roller coaster doesn't fit together for whatever reason. And for gods sake when are those carnival rides getting removed? If it wasn't for Nemesis needing a rebuild I imagine they'd have overhauled a lot of the flats. I hope they do so ASAP.
We can see Forbidden Valley undergoing a refresh for next year!
Felix is fascinating. I need his character backstory. Is he a red coat that got marmalised into be corny-er? Or was he was a surgeon they marmalised into a lounge singer? A thousand backstories that lead to be your gran's favourite.
Or maybe even this MOJ might have been inspired by a happier time and formated that into the marmilizing
That comment you made about having a moment whilst watching that show genuinely made me upset. I know how much you two love the park… and I really appreciate you giving your honest opinions. It’s so sad to many people seeing the current state towers is in… with a world class attraction opening the same year as this mess of an event, it makes you wonder what’s going on with the management. Project Horizon shouldn’t be a new ride, it should be a complete new roadmap for the park, the operations and just making the place presentable. Sad times but I hope a turn around point is coming. Thanks for the vlog you two, great as always.
It’s such a shame to see the resort in the state that it currently is. I really hope things improve soon!
Thanks for filming this! I ADORE the smiler and I'm kinda gutted I missed the takeover!
I've just gotten into Alton Towers and the stories they tell with their rides. As much as I've heard it isn't what it used to be, it makes me SO HAPPY that they're still doing things with the good ol' Marmalizer! I hope one day I can become a smiling advocate myself!
Alton has some great themes and stories!
Well balanced vlog on The Smiler takeover. When I saw some of yours and other posts on Facebook, I made the same opinion that it just does not "feel" like Alton Towers. My lad and I are back there next weekend to experience it for ourselves - no doubt he'll try and get me on one of the stages to take part lol
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Have a great time!
It was so great meeting you two on Monday, you were so kind!
Great to see you!
The props didn't even need to be in the different themed areas, they HAVE an existing "neutral ground"
It could have been all over the entrance street, plaza and field, looking nice and dense
Definitely
10 years feels like a really long time, but when you think that The Smiler opened over 10 years ago, you come to realise that it goes by so fast!
The past 10 years has gone so fast!
Was great to see you guys there! And it was a pleasure to have you in my Vlog !! 🎢🙌🏻
Great to see you!
29 mins! You both said exactly what we are all thinking 😂 really honest and realistic review. The fairground rides have just killed what it once was.
Unfortunately so, major changes are needed
Look forward to hear both of you’re in depth thoughts on the park . Us being local to the park we are very critical because it’s our park it’s a park in our hearts . It’s been declining for years but this last two years it’s done a cliff jump . I think for me scarefest this year will be my deciding factor and I’m sure thousands other on if annual pass is worth it anymore . We need sub species back . Actual scares , scare zones etc alton I think this is ur last chance to show us u have it and I hope you do.
I love this event it has a good stage show and love when they celebrate it
23:36 I love the stage with the smiley faces on them. That looks really neat.
Taking my pensioner parents tomorrow. It'll be their first visit since 1989! Can't wait to show them around...not holding my breath with this event, would love to hear your thoughts on management and the new CEO and plans for the future. 😢
Have a great time! Let’s hope the park makes the changes it needs to in the near future!
I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since The Smiler first Officially opened back in May 2013.
Time has gone so fast.
I have been on this ride at least 30 times since it opened & i absolutely love it.
The ride itself is a bit extreme but it is fantastic.
Join Us.
You Belong To The Smiler.
I know i do.
Time flies!
This is incredible guys
Kudos to you for saying how it is. The difference between this season and last is stark. The food, the operations, the general “feel” of the place - it’s lacking. As a longtime visitor and former employee (from the delivering the magic days” it’s tough to see. But it’s been a gradual slide and can’t be ignored any longer.
Unfortunately so. Things need to change asap!
The best part of watching this is that I will be there tomorrow. So it is a surprise I will be able to experience the event.
I remember the adverts on TV for the Smiler great coaster 😊😊😊😊❤
Great to see you both on Monday, thanks for stopping to take a picture with me!!
Great to see you!
Absolutely lovely to meet you both on Sunday 😁 thank you for the congrats on mine and my partner's engagement too ❤
Great to meet you!
Just went today, quite enjoyed the takeover! There were two really strong pieces of Smiler theming in the Galactica and Thirteen queue lines. Also noticed the flume ducks made an appearance on the rapids! 😊🐤
The flume ducks have been there since start of season 🙂🦆
I'm supposed to be booking a short solo break to Alton Towers today for next week... but honestly, now I'm in two minds (especially as I'll be driving from Cornwall).. might wait for Oktoberfest and hope things improve in the meantime. I've been Towers many times and the last Oktoberfest I went to was amazing so that may be a safer bet.
The park has always had it's ups and downs so I'm optimistic at least :).
Thanks for the video guys.
Let’s hope things improve soon!
Really hoping these problems are temporary 😢 I love Alton Towers and I LOVE Thorpe Park. If neither of these parks has a brighter future coming it will make me really sad
Thorpe is doing swimmingly, it's Alton Towers I'm worried about...
Let’s hope things improve soon!
@@MrStickman1997 as someone who's been visiting Thorpe Park for nearly 30 years I wish I could agree but I'm afraid I don't. Thorpe Park in its prime was so far ahead of where they currently are. I went last year and I think it's the first time I've ever visited and been genuinely disappointed.
Having said that I am VERY happy to see every Merlin park in the UK is currently getting investment 😊
@@andrewpepper3145 In all honesty, I enjoy the year round horror attractions they have done lately, plus they haven't been getting rid of too many rides and not replacing them like Alton Towers has been...
@@MrStickman1997 That's a good point actually. In fairness to Thorpe Park it has been quite a while since they've got rid of anything, although so many of their rides being so similar in age does worry me a bit 😬
Fantastic vlog! I really appreciate that you guys are honest about your thoughts. I personally really like the Ministry of Joy announcements interrupting the other ride soundtracks every once in a while, but that should have been the extent of the "takeover" aspect in my opinion. The props clashed terribly in the other coasters.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
i’m going with my best friends in june! so excited 😊😊😊
You two are the most positive people on the planet so when you guys say it’s not great you know it’s bad .
Thank you, we’ll always be honest and share constructive feedback where needed
Yeah, fake positive...
We have given up our season pass this year and got a Blackpool pleasure beach one instead. Much better operations, opening times and general feel about the place. So disappointing as we used to love Alton Towers
We love Pleasure Beach!
I’m going on Friday! Looking forward to checking everything out. Hopefully get lots of rides in too
Have a good time!
Honestly when the events are done it could fit really well in the smilers outdoor queue line.
I also really do think project horrizon should be delayed so they could clean up the park and sort it out. They should of really atleast cleaned up the smiler because thats a mess itself.
I think X-Sector should have those actors around bit like the phalanx over in forbidden valley
On 3rd of April,2023, I met a girl who started talking to me because I had my theme park worldwide hoodie on! We had a great chat, all about theme parks, and I love that the reason we talked was because of you guys! ❤
Amazing! Thanks for your support!
Smiler was how I found your channel! My first visit to alton towers was scarefest 2012 and started trying to find out more about what they were building and found the your vlogs.
Thanks for sharing!
Can't believe Smiler is 10 years old, mind you I can't believe it's been 20 plus years since I last visited the park so never ridden Smiler. Thank you both for another great video, and enjoy your day.
Thanks for watching!
Brilliant vlog as allways
Thanks!
Agree completely. The money spent on this even could have been spent on better things to permanently improve the park. After spending all that money on entry I can imagine not many people actually come for the event itself
Definitely
Great alton towrs vlog for 2023 👍👍
Thanks!
Alton Towers Is amazing they did great With the Dark theming!
Love me some more Smiler Lore!
20:25 "I'll be doing that later" 😂
I met you and was filming right next to you. You could see my mum in a few frames too! Love the video 😊
Hope you had a great day!
When i was younger i thought the smiler was like a monorail with from the emoji movie Smiler😂😂
Great vid guys keep it up
My fav TH-camr u are honestly inspiring I’m even going Alton towers soon ❤❤xx
Great Vlog as always Shawn and Charlotte, tbh I agree with your review of the event. The Smiler Takeover should really just stay in X Sector and Towers Street. Not all over the park as it ruins the immersive nature of the other themed areas
Charlotte Rip April 2023 doing magic at the Smiler here at Alton Towers. I've loved the vlog Shawn.
going there tomorrow super exited you are my inspiration keep up the good work 😊😊
Have a great trip!
very good video Shawn and Charlotte from Alton Towers for Festival of Thrills - THE SMILER TAKEOVER! In this vlog we check out everything that the event has to offer including two live stage shows in X-Sector celebrating 10 years of The Smiler. The event also features characters from The Ministry Of Joy, all part of the backstory to this popular roller coaster. Along with that we also take a look at how The Smiler has taken over other parts of the park as part of this new event! keep the good videos coming on the channel.
I went the same day as you guys!! Sad i didnt get to see you though, i was looking out for you both!! (I was in a very obvious Smiler themed cosplay). But it was still a rly fun day out despite how little the event had :((
Hope you had a great day!
@@ThemeParkWorldwide thank you,, i did!! :D
I hope I’m able to go because I absolutely love The Smiler most of my theme park merch is of The Smiler
Alton Towers is an incredible park, and I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t going during this event (I went the week before it began) but now that I’m seeing it…I’m honestly glad I didn’t, this looks horrible. Gutting theming over the entire park just for one mediocre event is just not the way to go. Plus, the performances don’t at all feel like Alton towers or the smiler, they feel cheap and like whoever made them just doesn’t care for the park, it looks like something you’d see at a fairground that’s open for a week or two during spring break. It honestly feels like nowadays the only worthwhile event to go to is the fireworks, I’d just want to have an event without obnoxious pop songs and dancers wherever you go. Festival of thrills last year, that was the kind of event I wanna see from the park. That was amazing, every performance really fit the ride it was marketed for, and I loved it. But this just isn’t what Alton towers should be doing. Yes I understand they’ve invested thousands into the refurbishment of nemesis and they probably expected less guests because of it but that’s only really those who go to Alton towers repeatedly, and even then, just for nemesis. The retro squad really has to go, and Alton towers really need to focus more on theming and immersion
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love the smiler 😊
The Smiler is a world-class coaster.
Going next week can't wait ... smiler is my favourite ride there even though its a but rough at times
Have a great time! The Smiler is great, especially on the front row! Not the smoothest however it’s a fun ride 🤩
Come back with your legs lol
I love your channel. It’s so comfortable)
Thank you
I love how at 36:20 all them teenaged were staring at you recording like omg we are on camera 😂😂😂😂😂😂
The actors around the park was nice. Found it difficult on my visit to experience much of the main event due to the 4pm close. But it wasn’t too bad.
Still a good time!
I agree with much of what you were saying. I really liked what they did last year and hoped they would build on that and maybe this year concentrated on the Smiler and Oblivion (25 years) in X Sector.
I get that AT wanted to promote that it is the Smiler takeover around the park and direct people towards the entertainment in x sector but I think it could have been more creatively incorporated into the theming such as on Thirteen having a subtle creepy recording of a girl saying ha ha ha in the background. It was an opportunity to improve theming in x sector and I hope those props outside Wicker Man are added to the Smiler permanently after the event.
I think I see what they were doing in X sector but it looks to have missed the mark. I’m glad they didn’t go too dark but it could have been a lot more Clockwork Orange / Ninteeneightyfour and stronger on that they were using fear and illusions to make citizens happy and compliant. I liked how they played about with popping the balloon but they could have used Smiler seat restraints instead of a straight jacket, the Happiness music could have been more obviously been used as a torture therapy (instead of being forced to watch videos in the Clockwork Orange. The flexible lady could have been more obviously demonstrating how compliant patients are once the Ministry of Joy is finished with them. I think the elements of the shows could have been good but they failed to successfully tie them into the Smiler narrative.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I don't think it's quite fair to say that they don't care about their theming anymore because they really are trying their hardest and with everything that they've been through it's hard to say that they don't care anymore. But I think at the moment what they're trying to do is find what fits for them again, seen as they've had to change a few things around the park and dealing with circumstances that they didn't really plan out.
I also don't see the problem with the small bits of theming around the park as well as it is 'The Smiler takeover' and I think they're just trying to add some more stuff around the park as they did with last years event, to make it seem like a full event with more interactives and helping to indulge in the idea behind The Smiler.
And coming from someone who likes to pay close attention to all the little things, I feel like they're just trying to find what feels right and finding that Alton Towers spark once more.
This doesn't come from a bad heart and I would usually side with you on most things but I think at this moment in time it may just need a bit of time to resettle.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Let’s hope they can improve on what the 2023 has offered so far. Some major changes need to be made to the overall park presentation and operations!
Nice to be able to finally film something at a merlin park with this event lol
We were there the same day. Definately wasn't as good as last year - the random stickers, you had to count and add to your stamp card. There was another theming part in Thirteens queue line. It wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be but we had a fun normal day at Towers. I think if they wanted to take over the whole part they needed to go BIG a lot bigger than this but it isnt worth the money for a few days.
I’m actually going on the 18th of April as a late birthday treat for me with my family and I’m actually looking forward to going on the smiler.
best youtubers ever love you videos they are so good have been watching for so so long now and the vlogs get better and better thank you!!!!
Thank you!
Keep up the good work
Thanks!
Completely agree to be honest as I think there should have been smiler decorations from towers street to X-sector but looks cool
thanks for the vlog . also about the Festival of Thrills, I think they should have done it like last year and had stages around the park and why aren't they using the main stage for entertainment they have it set up so they should be using it.
Thanks for watching! The event last year was brilliant!
Awesome Video Guys
Thanks James!
I've been waiting for this after seeing some of your twitter thoughts! I'm looking forward to it but I'll leave another comment when I've finished the video and seen the full vibes!
Thanks for watching!
It’s sad to see how Alton Towers is falling behind compared to competition abroad. On the flip side, I do think this is a consequence of the retracking of Nemesis - the budget has clearly taken a hit compared to previous seasons and they would have been better sacrificing a festival altogether. I do think AT is aware of the reactions to this and will be back stronger especially as of next year with the Nemesis reopening
Let’s hope so!
Wow nice new post theme park worldwide yay smile always
I can already see the memes coming😂
😂
I absolutely love towers. Haven’t been on the smiler yet. Going to save it for the last rollercoaster. As I am saving it for last, I will not be going on it this year as I haven’t been on nemesis and it is closed for revamp. I will go on rita and possibly oblivion for the first time though.
Once nemesis reopens you should definitely go on it!
We love Nemesis and look forward to seeing it return!
Great informative vlog as always. My nephew went here for his first visit on Sunday. At least five rides were closed and others opened late. This led to huge queues for the other rides. Add to that the fact that the park is spread out over a wide area - he didn't get many rides in that day. This makes it poor value for money compared to other theme parks.
Let’s hope they can improve things soon
SMILE ALWAYS 😁
Out of your reviews of UK parks so far Paultons and Drayton have stood out for me in terms of park up keep and theming. It's such a shame seeing Alton Towers in this current state. Thankyou for your honest reviews.
Definitely!
Agree with everything you said
I go to Alton towers the day after the smiler take over ends I cant believe I miss it
I liked having actors around the park, brings more of an atmosphere
Funny watching the men in suits with briefcases making girls scream 🤣
38:15 is me and my best mate 😂😂😂
every time I see smiler promotional stuff it makes me think of We Happy Few ... I really should replay that game
That's one game I haven't got round to either
I ended up skipping the singing 😂 i was making lunch and i thought to myself what on earth am i listening to lol
That singer reminds me so much of Ross Lee from The Chute! 🤩
Even when giving a negative review you are both still so sweet about it 💖💖
Thank you, we’ll always be honest and share constructive feedback
Gio is made up to be in your video! Great to see you both as always 🤩
Amazing! Great to see you!
So looking forward to going back to AT at start of May and get to experience this. I do wish they would invest and theme more around the park tho, A lot of it remains how I remember it in the mid/late 90's and whilst that's cool in some parts it does feel like AT is getting a bit neglected compared to other parks. I do think they could do more then just rely on big rollercoasters every x amount of years
Major investment is needed
@@ThemeParkWorldwide It's clear the park is not at it's best currently. Although I don't know what can be done to improve, clearly investment is there as a new indoor project is on the way and the Nemesis retrack/support wont come cheap, however when you compare AT to other parks there seems to be a lack of cohesion in what they are doing throughout the park
28:50 - thanks for saying what we were all thinking as viewers 😂!
By Alton Towers standards, this is probably the most forthright you’ve been in one of your vlogs Shawn and Charlotte with how disappointing the event was. Completely agree with everything you both shared though and Charlotte’s pained expression during YMCA really said it all!
It is a world class Theme Park - not a Haven, Butlins or Parkdean holiday camp! No blame towards the entertainers - they did great, but quite simply, it doesn’t fit it with how people see what Alton Towers is all about. Too early to say perhaps, but I fear no changes for Scarefest again this year and, quite rightly, you picked them up on how disappointing that event was too last October - so fingers crossed they listen to your honest feedback on all this 😊. You’re two of their valued customers, so let’s hope they listen to you on behalf of us all.
Thank you
The park has turned into the right direction since this
Great vlog Shaun and Charlotte. I’m afraid I agree on Festival of Thrills, last years was better. My favourite act was the violinist in dark forest. I watched her for a while she was a real talent.
I'm going to Alton towers soon
Did Alton Towers last week having been there on and off for the past 18 years. Agree 100% with your summary- its a world class park in the worst state of its life. Hopefully the response to the smiler event will give them a kick up the backside.
I really hope they make major changes
Can someone give me a time stamp to where he said all those stuff 😥