The Smiler

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.