Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech Forgive me if I missed this topic on the boards somewhere. I've been away from them awhile. Anyway apparently Disney will be introducing a new section of Innoventions at Epcot that will allow guests to design a thrill ride and then strap themselves into a Kuka robotic arm and ride the attraction they've designed. What I want to know is, does this piss anyone else off? I've been hearing for years how the big theme park companies have been fighting for exclusive rights to use these patented arms, how expensive they are and how they are supposedly going to revolutionize thrill rides, and this is the way best way Disney can present this amazing technology? Sure someday Disney will use a Kuka arm in a truly immersive experience but probably not till after the tech has been put to better use by someone else. Instead most guests first introduction to this system will be to see it as the machine it is, instead of being lulled into suspending disbelief in a magical experience. Is that the Disney we have now?
Originally Posted By Bob Paris Isn't this tech being used for an attraction at TWWoHP at IOA? As far as I heard, it would be a ride where you hop into Ron Weasley's car and it shakes you all around.
Originally Posted By dshyates It is going to be used in THE major attraction at TWWoHP. They are mounting the robotic arms on a bus bar track and it will move through a fully realized 3-d environment similar to the ET ride. It is being billed as like the haunted mansion on steroids. There will be several LARGE scale AAs like a tree that will attack you, a giant spider and when you enter the Chamber of Secrets there will be a massive (like 60' snake). They won't be using the car bodies as everyone thought, but a row of 4 seats. The design a ride version of the Robocoaster is already in place in many parks like Legoland and at the Mall in Dubia.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 Too bad they can't include it with the PS3 consule. I guess it's much too large to fit inside a box. haha. It sure would add a whole nother level to designing rides for RCT, though. - Anatole
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech True, so perhaps Disney's Innoventions version won't be a lot of guests' first encounter with this tech, but I wonder if in fact it will be a move to undermine the "wow" factor when guests later encounter the tech at IOA. SOmething akin to "Hmmm pretty neat, I guess this is one of those arms that I rode in Innoventions". Still don't like the idea.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris ^ Sadly, from what I have read at a lot of Disney sites, apparently a lot of the blinkered Disney Dweebs don't care for IOA, which, I might add, is THEIR loss! IMO, IOA is THE BEST theme park outside of Disney in the US and in fact is better than both DCA and the extremely lacklustre MGM(sue me). It is TDS quality, in many parts.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I've been hearing for years how the big theme park companies have been fighting for exclusive rights to use these patented arms, how expensive they are and how they are supposedly going to revolutionize thrill rides, and this is the way best way Disney can present this amazing technology?>> You have to remember that KUKA has been in the robotic arm business for years but it is only recently that they have found entertainment uses for the technology. Disney already use the arms in both Innoventions and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot and as far as I am aware there is no exclusivity on the arms uses so they will pop up everywhere that someone can afford to buy the kit.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ LOL. The Angler fish is attached to a KUKA arm (hence the unreliability!). I'm still of the opinion that the best use of the technology is as an unseen facilitator. I saw the 3D simulation for The Incredibles robocoaster that was planned and it did little for me.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 Just a thought, but if the OLC ever considers replacing their Sinbad ride due to lower ridership numbers, they could use this technology for an Alladin dark ride in the same show building that exists for Sinbad, and even the same ride track. Make the vehicle resemble a magic carpet that takes you through a wild ride of the world of Alladin and the Genie. - Anatole
Originally Posted By Bob Paris While I enjoyed Sinbad quite a bit, it should have been Aladdin from the start.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris I would much prefer a "magic carpet ride" attraction than the 3D movie - not understanding Japanese and all. Also, it doesn't seem to bother the stateside parks having Woody turn up in about eighteen attractions/shows in each of their parks. I think a magic carpet ride would not only have been spectacular but from the very first time I saw that sequence about fifteen years ago, it screamed out "FUTURE ATTRACTION" to me.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 It wouldn't be a problem to replace the Alladin 3-d movie with something else. - Anatole
