Theme Park Insanity sits down for a chat with Smiler Super Fan herself, Roller Coaster Rachel!
When Alton Towers Resort added the Smiler to their roster of major coasters in 2013 it was clear that the ride itself was not only a game changer, it was the start of a cult movement!
For one fan however The Smiler transcends far more than just being her favourite ride, it’s become a way of life!
Roller Coaster Rachel, better known as Rachel Pender has established herself through her ever growing social media following as a not only a self professed Smiler super fan, however also an Alton Towers super fan as well.
Her following current exceeds 24,000 followers on TikTok account, 4,600 followers on her Instagram account and 582 on her Facebook account alone!
With this much of a following it’s safe to say this is one superfan we won’t be seeing leaving the enthusiast community any time soon!
We were therefore thrilled and honoured when we were given a very exclusive opportunity to sit down (over email of course) and get to know more about why her passion for the ride really helped her on her journey to being an enthusiast and why to this day he just can’t get enough of being back amongst the Towers riding her favourite rides!
Who is Roller Coaster Rachel?
I’m a Mum to two wonderful girls, and a wife to such an incredibly supportive Husband.
What first sparked your love for the theme park industry?
My earliest theme park memories are from Blackpool Pleasure Beach, somewhere that is really sentimental to me. My uncle used to work there and during my childhood we would visit every single Summer with family! It’s the place where I rode my first ever roller coaster – The Grand National. That was the moment my love for theme park industry truly began. It took me a long time to ride my first upside down coaster, however after one visit to Alton Towers and a ride on the corkscrew I became completely obsessed! I’ve grown up with a fascination for fairgrounds and theme parks, a truly magical world that brings so much joy into my life.
Which memory from over the years stands out as the one you will cherish most?
There are quite few!
Riding The Smiler for the first time, introducing my girls to the wonderful world of theme parks and sharing their thoughts and experiences, encouraging people to ride coasters who were once fearful of them and meeting so many wonderful people who I’m now proud to call my friends.
The most recent memory I will cherish was becoming a member of the Towers Times/ South Parks team. That was a very proud moment for me, I can’t wait for the events next season where I know I’ll most definitely make more magical memories to cherish always.
Why the Smiler?
I was so, so desperate to ride The Smiler once it was officially announced, however unfortunately due to personal reasons that visit sadly didn’t finally happen until 2017!
It was literally THE most incredible looking coaster experience I’d ever seen! I can remember my first ride like it was yesterday!
Nemesis was my number 1 coaster at the time, and on my first ever Smiler ride when we hadn’t even completed the full track, I literally shouted “that has just blown Nemesis out of the water”…we ended up having quite a few rides that day!
It’s hard to say exactly why I enjoy it as much as I do? It’s just a completely and utterly phenomenal ride! Each ride have seems to get better than the last?!
It honestly it blows my mind just how good it is. what an experience!
Is the Smiler more a way of life than just a favourite ride?
As a lot of people who follow me know, I do like to have some kind of ride theme when visiting a theme park. My two favourites being Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, although I didn’t share this fully over social for quite some time.
I’ve been inspired by theme park outfits for many years now, especially The Smiler.
The initial inspiration being the yellow, black and white colours from the concept art.
I’d have to say the answer to this question is yes, Alton Towers and The Smiler have become a huge part of my life. Sharing my passion for theme parks and especially the Smiler has definitely opened up a world of friendship and wonderful opportunities!
How would you say your tastes in rides have changed or adapted over time if at all?
At first for me I was just happy to be on any flat ride or coaster, however now it’s developed into so much more.
Things that stand out to me the most now are Incredible theming, soundtracks and the whole story of a ride!
These really do make for an overall amazing ride experience.
Flat ride of roller coaster?
OH most definitely roller coasters, although I do absolutely love flat rides, and for me, the more intense the better 🙂
what are your top 5 coasters to date?
What other things do you enjoy doing the most aside from visiting the parks?
What do you see the future holding for The Smiler? Do you think it will ever be replaced?
Not anytime soon that’s for sure! It’s such a hugely popular coaster. Im certain The Smiler will be here for years and years to come
Which other ride at Alton Towers would you say presents strong competition for overtaking the smiler if at all as your favourite ride on park?
There is no competition….the Smiler will never be beaten ha ha ha 🙂
Which park outside of those here within the UK would you say you are most excited to visit in the coming years?
My bucket list park is Cedar Point, with my number one bucket list coaster being Steel Vengeance!
There’s so many incredible looking coasters there and to visit would be an absolute dream.
Finally, what does the future hold for Roller Coaster Rachel?
Id just like to take this opportunity to Thank Joe for inviting me to do this interview. Joe works tirelessly to create the most wonderful content for TPI…and Im incredibly proud to say that I’ve seen the page grow from the beginning…I may even have to create my own TPI inspired outfit someday 🙂
We would like to say a huge thank you to you Rachel for not only agreeing to let us share in this fantastic insight, however for the continued love and support you have continued to show us here at TPI ever since our humble beginnings back in 2019!
We have to say that with all of your fantastic outfits you have created, to see a TPI inspired one would not only be an honour, but an absolute dream come true as well!
If you haven’t already you can find Rachel on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook!
Just click on the following links;
Once again we would like to offer huge thanks to Rachel for allowing us here at TPI this fantastic opportunity!
We really can’t wait to see what the future holds for Rachel as she continues her marmelised journey into the euphoric world of adrenaline fuelled insanity, however one thing’s absolutely certain! We will be right there alongside you to see what happens!