Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Pirates has an overflow queue as well, but it's rarely used on all but the most crowded days." On my last several visits (Friday night or Saturdays in January, hardly peak season), the overflow queue has been set up, and stretched all over the area. It went as far as the French Market restuarant on one visit, but on another the ride was a total walk on. Neither were what I would consider deserted or jam-packed; more like moderate at best. What's that say about the popularity of it?
Originally Posted By Spokker The Rocket Rods weren't popular. The Rocket Rods were also poorly designed to handle crowds. Are we not in agreement here? Also keep in mind that the Rocket Rods were new. I mean, if you're at Disneyland you're going to try the Rocket Rods at least once am I right?
Originally Posted By Spokker Friday nights and Saturdays are busy no matter what season it is. Annual passholders hit the park right after work and sometimes Friday nights feel busier than Saturdays to be honest, what with all the SoCal APs descending upon the park. There's another overflow queue that I'm thinking of though. It's in the corner closer to the Treehouse.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros They use that, but it's after the split of the queue, so it's less used because the right and left sides don't get the same amount of switchbacks. I'm not sure if they will use that as much anymore, now that the Dream Suite elevator is in that area, but I was routed back there once since the construction began. They definately shortened the time back there so it is closer to the wait on the other side of the queue.
Originally Posted By jonvn I liked the Rocket Rods. They were fun. You zipped around, and it was ok, if kind of meaningless. What I don't understand is the love of the PeopleMover. People are just being nostalgic, I think. The PeopleMover had been dead for years before it finally closed. It wasn't always like that. I have photos from the 70s of the ride, every car had people in it, and I mean each individual capsule. If you look at the ride form videos before it closed, it was EMPTY. Of course they should have replaced it. Rocket Rods was not the worst they've ever done hands down. In my book, that goes to HISTA, and its placement in TL. That's the single worst thing they've done. It is so anathema to the idea of Tomorrowland and so bad in general for children to be told that scientists and inventors are stupid and nerds that it actually is something that I think can do damage to people. Whereas Tomorrowland used to inspire people to work in the sciences, that attraction tells people they are jerks to do so. That is the worst. The very very worst.
Originally Posted By jonvn PeopleMover was NOT meant to be a walk on. It had a high capacity, but at times there were lines.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>The parking lot was a lot more magical than all of DCA.<<< Cannot agree. We love DCA!!! Better than 60% of WDW in our humble opinions.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I miss the Peoplemover for a few reasons: a) it added kenetics (though DL has the most kenetic TL in the Disney empire anyway and RR's were also kinetic) b) it had great views and was wonderful to travel through the other show buildings. c) it was a great place to rest and still feel like you were doing something. d) it has great family memories. So yes, I miss the Peoplemover.
Originally Posted By Mr X It seems like fans like the peoplemover but regular parkgoers find it boring...thus I think Jon's comment about nostalgia might have some merit. I always liked it, but then again as a Disney "fan" I enjoy gliding along slowly and taking in details...most folks might just find that lame. And yes, seeing the thing empty really does ruin it, kinetic or not...that's why I couldn't understand spokker or whatever his name was insisting that it was so great and that it was "meant" to be empty. How dumb is that?
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I had the opportunity to ride just once... it was after they'd disabled the "wheelie" takeoff. We waited in a VERY long line... I thought the indoor portion of the queue was kinda fun because they used some old ride vehicles (I'm a sucker for Yesterland. ;-) The ride itself was just okay. It was very noticeable that the track couldn't handle any kind of consistent speed and the slowdowns were odd at best. For me, the rather obnoxious WHIRRING sound only promised something that the Rocket Rods couldn't deliver. It was "cool"...until I rode. I don't miss them... I definitely miss having SOMETHING in motion up there.
Originally Posted By barboy Well, I missed you and the family again, davewasbaloo---- that's twice now, once in each continent--- But how does April look? Wife wants to check out Italy/Germany and London is only a train ride away. Since DLP is a must when in Europe then I could cross the channel this time. I got back from Asia very late Feb.. I think I missed the Norcal meet by a few days or so and I could not break away to Southern Cal. right after I got home as some things popped up while I was overseas. I guess I'm "a dollar short and a day late" because I leave for northern Mexico tomorrow morning for a week and I will stop in at DLR(naturally) and hang out at the "Gas Lamp" district of San Diego as well. Congrats on an awsome trip way out west and a safe return-- I'll be reading your trip report.
Originally Posted By barboy As expected there are a few who feel lukewarm about RR but no real hard-core enthusiasm or love for them like this nutcase here. If only we could get a new and improved version of the Rocket Rods, a version which can go faster without all the break downs then I would be on cloud nine.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well enjoy Carsland at Dca BArboy - it sounds very cool. As for London, we could probably hook up if you let me know when!
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Rocket Rods was okay, but could have been great, if they just hadn't tried to save money by saving the original track. By doing that, they had the ultimate "square peg in a round hole" problem. They had to slow down at every corner due to no banking, and that made the system much more complex than it needed to be, contributing to all those breakdowns - not to mention making it a less fun ride. If they'd just built a new track designed FOR the rocket rods (which were a cool design in themselves), with banked curves, they wouldn't have had the square peg in a round hole problems, and they'd probably still be running today. Faster, more fun, zipping around and giving the area kinetic energy. They could even have REALLY gone to town in the section over the lagoon/autopia, with major changes in altitude, etc. But no - they tried to save money by using the old PM track. This, to me, is the worst example of recent penny-wise/pound-foolish thinking from WDC in regard to the parks. By trying to save money they ended up with a hugely expensive flop, rather than a more fun ride that could have been a major draw and that would still be running.
Originally Posted By barboy You bet! When in Europe getting over(actually isn't it under?)the English Channel will be mandatory on the next trip. As for April I would estimate a 60% or better chance of landing in Rome or Frankfurt or who knows where---- whichever is the most feasible for checking out Italy/Germany.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Barboy - either set up a new thread for your trip or drop me a line and we can advise where required.
Originally Posted By jonvn They could not bank the tracks without having a massive amount of support pylons for it. It would have looked awful.
Originally Posted By barboy "I'm glad you have passion for something you love but it was the worst ride Disney ever built, hands down." Now I already have admitted that I am a loner and coming "out of left field" about RR but..... Come on! The worst ride? No way. What about Stitch's escape, Orange Stinger/Mulhol Mad/Jumping Jellies/Maliboomer etc. , HISTA(ok not a ride.. but still), Journey Into Imag. 2.0 or is it 3.0 now? I know that I missed several others but I don't feel like systematically running through all rides at all parks right now.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss RR at night in the front seat was awesome fun. The queue was silly/stupid.... what a waste of space. I hope Disney has some plans for the track.
