Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3984" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Improvements for Indiana Jones?</b></a> <p>ScreamScape.com is reporting Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure may be getting improvements in 2009 and 2010. An excerpt...</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>From what I’m told first phase is to upgrade the first and last Indy animatronic figures seen on the ride with newer and more impressive models. They may also add some kind of impressive new effect early on in the ride as well, though I don’t know any more than that.</i></p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.screamscape.com/html/disneyland.htm">Click here</a> to read more on ScreamScape.com.</p> <p> </p>
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Interesting.....the AA upgrades would be a nice change. They kind look like a cross of Indiana Jones and Joan Rivers right now. Way too stiff. But there numerous other things I would change as well. For instance, the ride is so jerky and the lap belts are so tight that I find it quite painful at times. If I wanna feel like I'm getting kicked in the gut, I'll just eat a turkey leg on my next visit. The line is a lot shorter for that.
Originally Posted By Bellella Oh, yes! The ride is so jerky, if I wasn't wearing a lap belt (which is very inadequate) I'd be thrown out of the jeep. They've really got to do something about that.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Indy is the one ride - in my opinion - where the line is better than the ride itself. It's very Kierkegaardian that way...
Originally Posted By Bellella Ouch! And I'm not just talking about what happens to my neck and back on that ride!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I hope that they finally put something in the room near the end where you 'stall out' and then drive through the rats on the branch fog screen. That part has never really worked well for me, and it's kind of obvious that's where they ran out of money when they were building it. If they wanted to use this time to update it, I would be fine with that. As for the seatbelts, I think they're fine. Yes, the ride is bumpy, but it's supposed to be; it's off-roading. What sort of restraint system would you suggest instead? Over the shoulder restraints come to mind, but they are much stiffer and less forgiving than a seatbelt, and would most likely just end up giving guests bruised shoulders. Also, it would make it very difficult to see anything to either side of the cars, since the view is completely blocked for most visitors. While the seatbelts seem rough they are the most gentle restraints that they can have on a ride like this (since they continuously support you and bend to your contours). If they were looser, that would just make the impacts more jarring and painful.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf <<As for the seatbelts, I think they're fine. Yes, the ride is bumpy, but it's supposed to be; it's off-roading.>> Bumpy is fine, but Indy is beyond bumpy. I think it may be the only ride in the world I am afraid to ride - it is the only one that has physcially injured me. <<What sort of restraint system would you suggest instead?>> One that restrains the bumpiness of course. Jokes aside, I think there are more comfortable restraint systems out there. I don't know if you've ever been on a ride that has the lap bars that come down rather snugly that have the big pillowy cushions around them (like the Revolution at Great America if that's still around). That would be a heck of a lot more comfortable I think - and just as safe (but probably a lot more expensive to install and maintain). But, hey, I'm glad you guys like the ride as-is and I certainly wouldn't have them change it just for me. I'm just sharing my opinion of the ride.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I think it would be neat to add the smoke ring effect that is in TDS's version. I'd also like to see Disney add something to the black bare walls at the beginning and ending of the ride. I agree with you, Ferret, the seatbelts are more than adequate.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Enhancements would be nice, but I'd settle for restoration--just get everything spit-shiny and working again. Bumpiness isn't a problem. Some derrieres are just too sensitive. And this quote <<if I wasn't wearing a lap belt (which is very inadequate) I'd be thrown out of the jeep>> made me laugh. Inadequate in what way? You keep falling out, do you?
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf <<Bumpiness isn't a problem. Some derrieres are just too sensitive.>> It's not the derriere that's too sensitive mon frere. It's the guts getting sliced into by the lap belt. Perhaps the secret is having more padding around the midsection?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 What I'd like to see: 1). The return of the crumbling walls/ice machine effect. That sounded really cool, but by the time I first saw Indy in October '95 it was already gone. 2). Something extra for the "pre-rat" stall out section, as FerretAfros said. 3). Replace the 2D paintings of the "blow-dart skeletons" with 3D figures. They'd have to widen the corridor, so I don't know if that's possible. But imagine how cool/creepy it would be to have 3D skeleton idol-type figures with blowguns, with simple but effective movements like eyes that move to look at you as you approach that corridor, and cheeks that puff out as they prepare to "blow the darts."
Originally Posted By Dabob2 And how cool/creepy would it be if, after their eyes move to look at you as you approach the corridor and stop, one figure extends a bony hand to point and say in a creepy voice "There they are!" - at which point they all raise their blowguns, puff their cheeks out... and then you move down the corridor?
Originally Posted By ArchtMig >>>I think it would be neat to add the smoke ring effect that is in TDS's version.<<< I think California's stricter air pollution regulations prevents that, unfortunately. DLR attractions and shows get the shaft often because of Calif.'s specific laws that other places do not have. The WDW version of Pooh has that same smoke ring effect (they call it the "puffer" effect) and our Pooh didn't get it because they couldn't get it past air pollution regulations, from what I was told. >>>The return of the crumbling walls/ice machine effect. That sounded really cool, but by the time I first saw Indy in October '95 it was already gone.<<< From what I heard, the effect was very touchy, unreliable, and worked only sporadically. I doubt it will return. I agree that I'd like to see, at the least, them repair and get working all of the existing effects, including and especially the gimballed room at the beginning of the ride, right after leaving the load area, that always changes which door the jeep drives into, thusly leading into which hallway the jeep drives through. But new AA figures and a few new effects, such as in the completely black part of the ride, would be great, too.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Replace the 2D paintings of the "blow-dart skeletons" with 3D figures. They'd have to widen the corridor, so I don't know if that's possible." In the TDS version, they have 3D sculptures of heads that shoot the air out. They are probably only 6-9" wide, so they still fit in the corridor nicely, but add a lot of depth to it. They are spotlighted in little recesses, and the rest of the hallway is dark, so it's pretty cool looking. "I think California's stricter air pollution regulations prevents that, unfortunately. DLR attractions and shows get the shaft often because of Calif.'s specific laws that other places do not have." I have a tough time believing that, when they have the fog screens that run constantly in both Indy and Pirates, which I would assume create much more pollution. I'm not doubting that it's the official company line, but I really doubt the validity of the claim. Especially in an indoor attraction where they can filter the air like there's no tomorrow, I don't see why this is a concern. It's a pretty cool effect (especially when you feel it 'hit' you), but I guess it just isn't worth all the extra effort that it would require to get it to work.
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 Fixing it so it would stop breaking down every time I'm riding it or in line for it would be improvement enough for me. Ahem. I'm not bitter though. LOL.
Originally Posted By Bellella Great ideas, everybody. EighthDwarf- an easier, less expensive restraint method would be shoulder harness seat belts. monorailblue- the lap belts are inadequate because I keep getting tossed around on the ride. I've never fallen out of a ride (thank god) but if I wasn't strapped in properly, I probably would, since I have a very small build. On California Screamin', even though I'm strapped in very safely, the huge drop in the middle always lifts me out of my seat.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice The ice effect was VERY cool... My timing was good, thankfully. I got to see it a few times before it broke and disappeared. Re: the bumpiness and restraints... I have a bad lower back, a neck that's stiff most of the time and a right knee that's known to have issues, but I've never felt banged up or injured after Indy. I do take precautions to steel myself against the back of the seat, etc. And skinny little kids ride Indy (and have a blast on it) without being thrown out... Just sayin'. ;-)
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I also got to see the ice effect many times and it was great! I think that I video taped it, but my son has all our tapes right now. I heard it rusted out (I really have no idea), and when I heard that I thought "What? They didn't use stainless steel? Now that's a STUPID budget cut!" Yes, any smoke can be filtered before discharged from the building, so this is just an excuse. If you work around enough manufacturing or processing plants you'd be suprised what they put out and then clean up. I don't think it would take much to add dimension to the dart room and I wish they would, but the 'rat room' needs the most attention IMHO.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Yes, any smoke can be filtered before discharged from the building, so this is just an excuse. If you work around enough manufacturing or processing plants you'd be suprised what they put out and then clean up. >>> But there may also be regulations as to what the passengers on the ride are exposed to. <<< I think it would be neat to add the smoke ring effect that is in TDS's version >>> <<< I have a tough time believing that, when they have the fog screens that run constantly in both Indy and Pirates, which I would assume create much more pollution. >>> There are several different kinds (like 4 or 5) of theatrical smoke/fog, and each has its own characteristics. The new one in Pirates that has the projection on it appears to just be a water mister of some sort, so all it does is spray water into the air and thus has no pollution issue. The smoke ring effect uses something completely different. Based on the smell, I'd guess it's the kind of theatrical smoke that's produced by atomizing a certain kind of vegetable oil, but I don't know for sure. The "lingering fog over water" effect is produced with yet another kind of effect.
