The roller coaster is called The Smiler, but after enduring two minutes and 45 seconds of mind-blowing effects and an adrenaline rush, the odds of coming off it with a smile are slim to none.
Located in England, Alton Towers Theme Park’s newest roller coaster cost £18 million (roughly $23 million) and has a record-breaking 14 loops. The Smiler has joined the Guinness Book of World Records, beating the 10-loop Colossus in Thorpe Park, England, and the 10 Inversion in Chime Long Paradise Park, China.
Besides being the roller coaster with the most inversions, it is about 3,839 ft long, gains speeds of up to 53 mph, and has drops of up to 98 ft. It was designed with the assistance of psychologists and scientists for an exhilarating experience.
A spokesperson for the theme park said, “We want people to get off the ride and not know what is real.”
The ride dashes towards giant needles and what appears to be a drive-through car wash, however the only threat they pose is in your mind.
Katherine Duckworth, one of many who helped create the concept of the ride, said The Smile will ‘put not just your body but also your mind through its paces’.
“There are five different mind effects, which are all designed to mess with your head,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. “You shoot towards giant syringes, spinning hypnotic wheels, and flashing lights, among other things.”
Researchers from New Scientist magazine were also included in the roller coaster’s creation. They realized that anticipation is a main factor in guaranteeing a thrill from riders, which can be accomplished when displaying rides as stories or narratives.
“All the experiences we use to generate thrill involve an element of fear,” said New Scientist editor Jeremy Webb.
John Wardley, a ride specialist at Alton Towers, said “’The Smiler is set to be one of the most thrilling rides in the world.”
The Smiler is expected to open later on this month.
Check out the video below to see what all the hype is about:
