UPDATE....
Ok before I link you to the latest update I thought you might all like a little back ground info on the theme and marketing of the new ride SW7.
Back during Scarefest ATs had a scare maze called the sanctuary, this was a place where you went to visit Dr Kelman to"get corrected"
Dr Kelman
Is life a burden? Are things getting you down? Lost your Smile? Then check yourself in for a refreshing check up at The Sanctuary.
The Ministry of Joy will launch its next revolutionary project in March 2013. After being closed for new patients for almost 50 years The Sanctuary, The Ministry of Joy’s earliest establishment, is now holding important trials searching for ‘Advocates’ for its 2013 project. So please, book your appointment, get yourself comfortable as the Doctor will see you now.
The Sanctuary is a brand new scare maze which is located near X-Sector inside the theme park! New developments during construction of SW7 have found an area where human experiments were carried out in the 1900′s by a controlling force only known to some as “The Ministry Of Joy” – Will you make it out alive?
Taken from AltonTowers.com
So the scare maze was a prequel giving some insight into what SW7 may have in store for us, further more AT have recently announced that the Sanctuary will open for the start of the 2013 season. This will compliment the new ride perfectly. So as you can see AT are really pulling out the stops with a fantastic amount of effort going into the back story, themeing and marketing. I find this really exciting as the effort put in shows AT want to be taken seriously as a world class theme park resort with themeing that could be up there with some of the best.
Click below for a detailed description of the Sanctuary
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/alton-towers-the-sanctuary-braving-the-doctors-254851&ei=Z3T5UP7NO6S50QXazIHQCA&usg=AFQjCNFVYF-VOgk_frYcnl1mOYh8OtGD8Q&bvm=bv.41248874,d.d2k
Courtesy of the Birmingham Mail.
The "Smiler" logo, as seen in my avatar was first seen all over the park , It has recently started to appear all over the country, from other Merlin attractions, to the London underground, Birmingham and Leeds, it was even found painted on sheep, as posted by another member.
The Legoland Discovery Center
Courtesy EllieFleet on Twitter
The name "The Smiler" has been registered by Merlin and manty believe it to be the name of SW7, it could also be the name of the secret element or even the name for the enterprise, an existing ride in the same area (X Sector) of the park, this ride is undergoing an extensive refurb. The truth is no one yet knows.
There has been a lot of snow in the UK so progress is minimal but here are the latest construction pics
Courtesy of TowersTimes.com and taken by MI7 (TTs pilot)
unfortunately the rest of the update is still members only, I will re link if and when this changes. Usually 12 hours.
You can join up and see the updates here if you wish.
http://forum.towerstimes.co.uk/sw7-91/latest-photo-updates-(latest-update-10th-december-2012)/
An over view of the park, oh how I miss Orlando right now
Image by MI7 and posted on TTF
So there you have it, March 16 opening date, more chance patting rocking horse poop, IMHO. Whenever it opens It has the making of a great ride and I will be one of the first in line.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Disclaimer.... I am no insider and all the info is readily available online. I have just gathered it all in one place for fellow fans to enjoy. I have tried to link every quote and picture, if I have missed any please let me know and I will give credit to the relevant place.
The aerials are all by MI7 and owned by Towerstimes.com, they have a linking policy so I cant just post all the photos, I will however contact the owner to see if we can have access to any more.
eace:
