Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech <a href="http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al041806a.htm" target="_blank">http://www.miceage.com/allutz/ al041806a.htm</a> Sounds like good news to me I hated the idea of two versions of the attraction. The Rockit theme didn't sound too strong, yet the good effects (asteroids) were being saved for it? Made no sense to me. Here's hoping they'll decide to introduce the appropriate effects into Space MOuntain proper so people can get a whole show every ride instead of wondering, "Hey what's that rotating black thing at the top of the lift? Here's the pic I managed to snap of the Asteroids: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4153099&a=32155343&p=74074595" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4153099&a=32155343&p=74074595</a>
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Sorry, decided to enhance the photo a bit since it was so dark. Here's the new link: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4153099&a=32155343&p=74074698" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4153099&a=32155343&p=74074698</a>
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Recent discussions have focused on the need by Disneyland's maintenance department to cycle out the attraction and power it down before the effects can be turned on and the soundtrack changed in all of the vehicles. That process would require approximately a 30 minute downtime each afternoon to accomplish the changeover, and it would be a nightmare to manage with the long lines of people already waiting to ride.>> I find it inconceivable that the RockIt Mountain effects would be engineered in such a way that they would have to shut down the entire attraction for 30 minutes to change it over.
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Unless...........this whole thing was approved by Cynthia as something "down the line". Years in the future when all the bugs could surely be worked out. Sounds totally in line with old managements way of thinking: "We'll get pats on the back for inititating this "hip edgy" redress of an old attraction and when there are bugs to work out, well we won't be around for that.".
Originally Posted By oc_dean I understand one of the effects was a projection of Cynthia's paintings .. You know - The ones she presented to fellow CMs a few years back. :O
Originally Posted By oc_dean Well .. after reading Al's update ... I'd rather they never bother with any of the effects - If they are as cheesy as imagineers said they turned out to be. Sounds like the 'Ghost of Tomorrowland 98 Past' is at work ... As Rocket Mtn. effects are as good as the Observatron turned out.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>What does the Laguna beach seaside have to do with Outer Space?<< We'll leave that to someone else's imagination!! :O) :O~ ~
Originally Posted By englishboy My guess: if it requires 30 minutes of downtime, it may become a "special event" ride for new year's eve, high school grad nights, mickey's not-so-scary, etc.
Originally Posted By lesmisfan well if we dont get rock it mountain, which i will be kind of sad about, i hope they do turn on the effects that are ready such as the astroids and those ring things you pass by on the ride so it can make the regular space mt. more interesting.
Originally Posted By avromark Drat and I was hoping rock it mountain would actually sway back and forth
Originally Posted By JerrodDRagon I wanted to come but from what he has said I dont care it really does not sound like its that cool anyway why should we close the ride for this. But I agree for speical days it would be good.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster The currently-installed effects for Rock-It are more intense versions of the already-way-too-DISCO-ball effects presently in use. A little time and money and rethinking would be very very welcome.
Originally Posted By kennect I just sat here trying to read Al's current drivel on his website...I have no clue if he is right or wrong about anything...But I do know his style of reporting isn't the least bit appealing to me....I think this current article of his is enough to turn me off to him forever....In fact, I can probably enjoy Disney better by staying away from his site....I don't know how to say this but here I go...He got a few good years in complaining about the DL park and how the current management was running it into the ground...OK, that period seems to be over somewhat....So now he is comparing which park has the best version of Pirate's, etc(somehow in regards to this current update)....I can't even go there with this guy....What is worse to me is the idea that someone is feeding him some info so he can write these pieces whether they are fiction or fact...Thankfully I don't make a living reporting bad news and juicy gossip....And I am not saying he does...I am simply saying I don't....
Originally Posted By gadzuux Al's update was chock full of juicy tidbits that to my knowledge are brand spankin' new. As to whether it's true or not, who's to say? That's why gossip is fun. I certainly don't have any difficulty believing his story about 'rockit mountain' and how the actual reality of it is unimpressive. If these reports are true, any competent manager would evaluate whether it makes more sense to either upgrade the project or just quietly drop it all together. Al's right - they don't need it, at least not right now. SM is pulling in huge numbers without the added gimmick. I'm surprised at just how much mileage disney has gotten from closing a ride for years, and then re-opening it virtually unchanged, and seeing it rise to enormous popularity. Next up: subs. I think they should go ahead and add additional visual effects to space mountain, but I'm not sure about the 'day and night' versions idea. Maybe it would be better to randomize the effects throughout the entire day, so no two rides are alike. Why wait til nightime? And keep van halen outta there - when was the last time they had a song anyway?
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Man, Al doesn't tick me off nearly as much as Jim Hill does, as far as writing style goes. And what's more frustrating is I really can't pinpoint what it is about Jim's articles that really annoy me. I don't mind the gossip, or the fact that they are nobody's like me who just want to leach off Disney. There's something specific to the way Jim Hill phrases things taht just almost has me apoplectic each time I read an article....and then checking in the next day for more.
Originally Posted By 9oldmen >>What does the Laguna beach seaside have to do with Outer Space?<< Cynthia lived in both.
Originally Posted By Nobody An example of Al's writing from the current piece: "It'll be ugly folks, and out-of-towners would do well to avoid the place lest their big trip to Disneyland be ruined by this event focused solely on the Hollywood media types and their desperate hangers-on." That almost seems like something written by a past, present, or future "desperate hanger-on". Jim Hill's trademark weird thing comes with his recounting of conversations: (Not a real example) "Well Jim, it went like this. So you see, Jim, we had to make changes. So that's what happened, Jim."
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I, for one, hope that if Rockit Mountain is no more; they turn all of the effects on for the normal version. I know that asteroid and the light arches would be pretty cool.
Originally Posted By monorailblue As a loyal Al-ist for, my goodness!, 8 years now, I still stand by him. And I find his writing delightful. I must tell you that in 1998, when I first found him, no one (that's NO ONE) wrote with the insider understanding and insight he had. He spoke about DLR issues and plans like he was making them, which I loved as I was a CM at the time but, for various reasons, mostly out of the loop. Bravo, Al. As to Space, I don't think it needs any effects which would be gimmicky (like colored arches or pulsating asteroids or whatever is suppoesd to be in there). But flying oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies would suit me just fine!
