Originally Posted By leemac <<Perhaps that's true, but the simulators are still enormous. There's no way to get them to the port without completely taking them apart, since they're about the width of a 2-lane road.>> They could easily be shipped intact - they aren't any bigger than some of the modular homes or offices that are regularly transported on roads. I'd be very surprised if they were dismantled prior to shipment.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <<It's quintessential "Universal". >> "No, it's not. Because Universal would have given it a ride system from this decade, not the 80s. And it would immediately be one of the best rides on the planet instead of just a simulator." I think what he meant is that a Hollywood blockbuster superhero film is typically the sort of subject matter that Universal would mine for a new headlining attraction for one if its studio/movie theme parks, not Disney. Especially not in a Magic Kingdom. This is somewhat of a major departure from Disney's standard program for this type of park. "HKDL's TL had a broad unified theme - everything from the two restaurants to the attractions." And what exactly is the theme or back story to HKDL's Tomorrowland?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Stars Wars can't go to HKDL at the moment for reasons I can't reveal.<< Oh? Are they finally starting work on that second gate across the way? : ) Or is it part of another weird Asia-exclusive deal for Shanghai?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>They could easily be shipped intact - they aren't any bigger than some of the modular homes or offices that are regularly transported on roads. I'd be very surprised if they were dismantled prior to shipment.<< I find that very surprising to hear. Most modular homes and offices are split into sections (modules, if you will) that are combined to create the full structure. It's pretty rare that one of those is more than about 10'-12' wide. I don't know the dimensions of the simulators, but going off the number of seats in each row (~8?), I would guess the whole structure is close to 16' or more, not to mention possible height restrictions That said, I am curious to see how this turns out, since it sounds like using the Body Wars simulators is the actual plan. Did BW have 4 simulators or 6?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Those simulators aren't that big really. Maybe the size of a small bus? I don't see what would be so difficult or expensive about shipping them.
Originally Posted By leemac <<And what exactly is the theme or back story to HKDL's Tomorrowland?>> It is actually pretty loose - it is an intergalactic space port - basically where spaceships go to refuel. It is otherworldly so having IME set in HK in TL doesn't fit at all. It deliberately has no Earth references. IME will firmly ground that section of the land. It will also impact the entrance to Buzz and Autopia.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Oh? Are they finally starting work on that second gate across the way? : ) Or is it part of another weird Asia-exclusive deal for Shanghai?>> I'd rather not be seeking immediate employment elsewhere so no comment!
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>>> <<It's quintessential "Universal". >> No, it's not. Because Universal would have given it a ride system from this decade, not the 80s. And it would immediately be one of the best rides on the planet instead of just a simulator. <<<<< It's not the ride system I'm complaining about - It's the design of the ride: Look again.... And based on 2 images of what the story entails ... does this look like something that would go into a "Disney: Magic Kingdom" park? Or a "Universal" park: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/comicsalliance.com/files/2013/10/Marvel-Iron-Man-Experience-Disney-Hong-Kong.png">http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.ne...Kong.png</a> Bad guys come to wreck present-day Hong Kong ... and this fits into Tomorrowland how? The whole premise reminds me of Terminator II 3D, and other similar attractions using the same premise - Good guys vs. Bad guys set to your local Big City (Usually the over-used NY) USA - present day! Or in this case .. it will be the city of Hong Kong - present day. As Leemac said - asinine! Disney just sunk to a new low level. I expect better for the "Magic Kingdom" parks.
Originally Posted By oc_dean So .. I got a question for Disney insiders: For a few years (before the acquisition of Lucas Film) ... An Iron Man attraction had been rumored for Innoventions' location. Is this it? If so .... I'm glad it was axed. A second flight simulator .. let me guess .. instead of battling "baddies" in the streets of Hong Kong ... the streets of L.A.?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "It is actually pretty loose - it is an intergalactic space port - basically where spaceships go to refuel. It is otherworldly so having IME set in HK in TL doesn't fit at all." How does the Autopia fit into this scheme, exactly? "If so .... I'm glad it was axed. A second flight simulator .. let me guess .. instead of battling "baddies" in the streets of Hong Kong ... the streets of L.A.?" From what's been posted here it sounds like they are repurposing the old simulators from Body Wars, which were originally intended to be for a HKDL Star Tours attractions. So, no, it doesn't appear that any Iron Man attraction in Anaheim would use the same platform unless Disney decides to remove Star Tours I guess.
Originally Posted By leemac <<How does the Autopia fit into this scheme, exactly?>> Autopia is a diversion on the space port - again it isn't an Earthly experience.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>They could easily be shipped intact - they aren't any bigger than some of the modular homes or offices that are regularly transported on roads. I'd be very surprised if they were dismantled prior to shipment.<<< So does that mean HKDL will use the Body Wars Simulators for Iron Man? By the way are Star Tours und Star Tours II using the same imulators like Iron Man will?
Originally Posted By dagobert >>> >>Stars Wars can't go to HKDL at the moment for reasons I can't reveal.<< Oh? Are they finally starting work on that second gate across the way? : ) Or is it part of another weird Asia-exclusive deal for Shanghai? <<< I guess the reason is Shanghai Disneyland.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I'd rather not be seeking immediate employment elsewhere so no comment!<< Such a tease! : ) >>How does the Autopia fit into this scheme, exactly?<< Unlike the other versions, HKDL's Autopia is actually quasi-futuristic. The electric cars light up and make fun sounds as you drive, and the landscaping is really pretty incredible. It's all trees and stuff that are very unusual shapes, and it feels absolutely nothing like driving through the woods in the northeast quadrant of DL. Plus, if you get the right track, there's that neat flyover around the UFO Zone that's quite reminiscent of the PeopleMover. Although at its heart it's still a drive-you-own-car experience, HKDL's Autopia really does feel quite different than the other ones, and fits the land very well
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>By the way are Star Tours und Star Tours II using the same imulators like Iron Man will?<< Yes, all the simulators are the same. When Body Wars was built, they had some slight modifications to the Star Tours simulators (no AA captain, different painting on the outside), but everything else was practically identical. They even reused elements from the queue for Body Wars. Due to some sort of agreement with the then-sponsor of Wonders of Life (MetLife), the WDW opening of Star Tours was delayed a few months after the park opened, so that the Epcot attraction could be the big headliner for a while longer. DL's Star Tours, Body Wars, and WDW's Star Tours all opened within about 24 months of each other And other than swapping out Captain Rex for C3PO and a new painting on the side of the simulator, there's no noticable difference between the simulators after the upgrades for Star Tours 2
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I thought repurposing of the Body Wars simulators was a joke...but that's what they're actually doing? All to save cost? I mean, those things are a couple decades old already, and hopefully at least repaired to "like new" as possible...
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <<How does the Autopia fit into this scheme, exactly?>> "Autopia is a diversion on the space port - again it isn't an Earthly experience." Well that's almost as much of a stretch as Iron Man is. WDI may believe that it is being clever with the different spins it puts on the TL idea, but in the broadest sense the work they've produced with this particular theme is pretty mediocre all around.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I mean, those things are a couple decades old already, and hopefully at least repaired to "like new" as possible..." Wouldn't they be in better condition than ones that have been used constantly?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Well that's almost as much of a stretch as Iron Man is.>> Disagree. An attraction set in modern day Hong Kong is a significantly bigger stretch.
Originally Posted By leemac <<When Body Wars was built, they had some slight modifications to the Star Tours simulators (no AA captain, different painting on the outside), but everything else was practically identical. >> The sims are actually identical. There is even the hardware present for an AA captain in the Body Wars simulators. It was cheaper to manufacture three identical instances than to reconfig based on the missing AA.
