Originally Posted By Gonzo Am I the only one that is a little disappointed about Toy Story Mania's foot print? It seem that they took up a lot of space in the guest areas of Paradise Pier. Very little of the show building is under Screamin'. I thought that majority of the attraction was going to be under and behind Screamin' Thus using the multilevel approach. Much like Fantasyland. Right now It looks like the guest area is smaller and that when the Wonderful World of Color comes out that there will be even less area for the crowds to go.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The main show building is being built behind Screamin', in a former backstage area. The queue and loading station will be in front of the coaster. Here is a good overhead look of the approximate area... <a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1185231" target="_blank">http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ ?r=1185231</a>
Originally Posted By gadzuux Gonzo makes a good point. Even in DB's link to the approximation of the attraction footprint, it appears that the load/unload takes up more square footage than the actual attraction itself.
Originally Posted By bean There is actually more room in the front of the building than it appears to be. The front building is still within the original bottom level which used to be seating area for the two eateries that were there. The walls and concrete as well as the wooden planks were removed basically to allow construction crews to have plenty of room to work in. Once the area is cleared out and the walls are down the original walkway will still be there plus a section of what used to be a lower level that had tables. Also the midway games that have been gutted will also be used for queue for the attraction, this will minimize the amount of people waiting outside the building. As for WWOC there are plans to re-configure parts of the northern and western edge of the bay to help accomodate the crowds for the show.
Originally Posted By Kayoss <<As for WWOC there are plans to re-configure parts of the northern and western edge of the bay to help accomodate the crowds for the show.>> At an absolutely astonishing cost to Disney (something that should've been done in the initial construction of the park... along with even minimal infrastructure for a lagoon show in the actual lagoon). The incredibly expensive awnings for the escalators in the parking structure is the best example. They actually thought it would be perfectly fine to leave those huge escalators exposed to the elements. And of course, then came the rain. *rolls eyes* Save a penny, spend 1 billion, unfortunately became the lesson for Disney.
Originally Posted By bean very true. by the way since i mentioned WWOC, the show is not shceduled to be delayed like Al mentioned. It is still on the list to open 2009 with major construction starting right after the Holidays
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<The incredibly expensive awnings for the escalators in the parking structure is the best example. They actually thought it would be perfectly fine to leave those huge escalators exposed to the elements. And of course, then came the rain. *rolls eyes*>> Did they cover them for mechanical reasons, or for the guests? I ask because here in Washington DC there are escalators for the Metro that are exposed to the elements, and have been that way for decades, and the weather here is much more severe than SoCal.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The Escalators were covered due to Building Codes. The original plan failed to realize that Escalators longer than a certain length need to be covered by law. They had to rush in and add the coverings, in fact, they couldn't park on a few levels when it first opened, since the escalators to those floors were not covered.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "The original plan failed to realize that Escalators longer than a certain length need to be covered by law." So then, it wasn't some oversight by Disney. The plans were approved for the escalators to be built without the awnings by local and/or State authorities.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Based on what I know and the timing. DOSH (the elevator division) came to do its inspection after the actual escalators were installed, and noticed the fact that the coverings were not present and refused to issue the permit to operate until they were installed as required by law. As to who failed to know the rule, I would blame BOTH, the Disney planners should have known the law, as should have the government employees that approved the plans. But this did cause an expensive additional cost in trying to figure out how to install the coverings and get them done quickly. Also, they had to later upgrade and change the supports that attach the coverings to the Parking Structure. Then again, Disney didn't think, or use its experience in parking cars when they designed and marked the parking spaces. Instead of parking from front to back, to allow pedestrians to walk without cars getting in the way, they went back to front, which caused a lot of problems, and after a few months, they had to re-stripe the entire structure. That is clearly 100% Disney's mistake, especially when the did the Front to Back in the old parking lot for years, and worked perfectly.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I guess it all depends on who was supposed to know what. In my mind the plans should have never been signed off by the public authority that oversees such matters if the escalators were not up to code. Apparently the things passed and got built without anyone knowing there was a problem. How this relates to Toy Story Mania is a mystery to me.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Because the escalators in Toy Story Mania will be covered from the start.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 There are going to be escalators in Toy Story mania? I thought it was just a single story building?
Originally Posted By Skellington88 There are going to be escalators in Toy Story mania? I thought it was just a single story building?
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster bean wrote: "by the way since i mentioned WWOC, the show is not shceduled to be delayed like Al mentioned. It is still on the list to open 2009 with major construction starting right after the Holidays" Wha wha WHAT!? Al was wrong about something? Next you'll tell me the Easter Bunny doesn't work sundays.
Originally Posted By jonvn It's an interesting thing. If this story is even true, and who knows if it is. But in having built stuff, you can have plans drawn up and approved and then build things, and then inspectors come out and WILL find something. It is their job to find things. So they do. I didn't know that Disney had a lot of experience in building six story parking garages. How many of these have they built over the years?
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I don't even think they (Disney) designed it. I believe Disney contracted an outside company to put the project together.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Rumors at the time were that eisner took an uncommon interest in the garage, and meddled with design and construction, micromanaging it past all reason.
