The Smiler, Steel roller coaster at Alton Towers Resort, United Kingdom.
The Smiler is a steel roller coaster at Alton Towers Resort in the United Kingdom, completing fourteen inversions across its 1,170-meter (3,840-foot) track, including dive loops, sidewinders, and corkscrews. The layout consists of two interlocking circuits that wind around a central metal structure and execute multiple directional changes.
The coaster opened in 2013, manufactured by German company Gerstlauer, and has held the world record for the most inversions since its debut. An accident in 2015 led to a temporary closure and subsequent technical modifications.
The Marmaliser was designed as part of the theming and displays a spider-like metal construction with moving parts and sound effects. The design combines mechanical elements with a fictional story that visitors experience through visual and acoustic stimuli.
Riders must be at least 1.4 meters (4 feet 7 inches) tall to board and should be prepared for rapid directional changes and repeated rotations. Wait times can extend during weekends and school holidays, so weekday visits are recommended.
The cars reach speeds of 85 kilometers per hour (53 miles per hour) and subject riders to forces of up to 4.5 G. During the ride, the trains pass through the central structure multiple times and also travel through sections close to the ground.
Part of: Alton Towers
Website: https://altontowers.com/theme-park/the-smiler
GPS coordinates: 52.98720,-1.89528
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:00
This collection brings together roller coasters designed to push the limits of speed and engineering. The attractions feature diverse technologies, from hybrid wooden and steel structures to fully metallic constructions. The courses include multiple inversions, nearly vertical drops at angles close to 90 degrees, and speeds exceeding 87 miles per hour (140 km/h). Some models utilize the natural terrain to create prolonged acceleration sensations. Participating parks are located across several continents. In North America, Cedar Point in Ohio houses Steel Vengeance with its four inversions at 75 miles per hour (120 km/h), while Kings Dominion in Virginia offers Intimidator 305 with its steep descent at 53 degrees. In Europe, PortAventura in Spain hosts Shambhala, which peaks at 250 meters (820 feet), and Alton Towers in the UK features The Smiler with its fourteen inversions. Asia also has notable rides like T-Express at Everland in South Korea, spanning nearly 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) across hilly terrain.
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