Originally Posted By SuperDry Barboy, you make perfect sense. The above-ground train (well, it looks and operates like a train but it really has inflated rubber tires and operates in a guideway) is only a few years old. It originally operated just between Terminals B and C. As Continental has expanded over the years, all of the Continental Express flights leave out of B, and they pushed all of the non-CO domestic airlines to A. Since there are lots of connections between Express and mainline, there had to be a faster way to get between B and C, other than the busses. The old peoplemover train in the basement is totally impractical for domestic connections because it's outside security. Once the new Terminal E opened (with the new int'l arrivals facility, which is night-and-day better than the old ones in D), they extended the above-ground train to E, so you can now connect airside between all Continental gates. <<< I am such a Disney geek, that when we were in Texas in 1985, there were only two places I was bothered about seeing - the Alamo and the Peoplemover at the airport! >>> For those that don't know, the basement "peoplemover" train in the Houston airport that we've been talking about was actually built by Disney (well, WED Enterprises) using the same technology that the TTA uses at MK. It is one of two examples that I'm aware of of Imagineering doing work outside of Disney, with the other coincidentally also being at an airport: the interior design of the Encounter restaurant at LAX (that's the restaurant in the distinctive "theme building").
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Has Encounter reopened yet. I heard it had to close down. Oh and Superdry, WDI aslo did work on the Gene Autrey Museum in LA as well.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris I love the spiel in that google earth map. "Tokyo Disneyland with the usual Magic Mountain". Rolls eyes
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 The thing about adding a peoplemover, wouldn't that also fall under the same laws as the other trains at the park if it's of a certain length, or has two stations? I know that's why Western River Railroad only has one depot, and does not circle the park. Does anybody know the specifics? I mean the Tokyo DisneySea Electric Railway is able to operate under attraction status, so what's the deal?
Originally Posted By Mr X I've heard this and that about all the rules too Gurgi, but the DisneySea train sees to go against everything I've heard... As for a peoplemover idea, it would only need 2 depots (intra-resort), or only one if it perhaps only boarded from Tomorrowland with Port Discovery just being some more of the stuff you get to see (that'd be cool too, I think...lots of guests still have never seen DisneySea, and keep going back to TDL again and again for one reason or another).
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I do think a "back door" entrance like you suggest with the peoplemover is a good idea. Especially for those that are able to park-hop. Of course, you would have to show your ticket, but it would just end up being like the Monorail at Disneyland where in order to board at Downtown Disney (or the old hotel station) you need to show a ticket to the park to get on. Still, it's a quicker access to TDS from TDL than walking or riding all the way around to the entrances.
Originally Posted By Mr X Yup, I think so. It sure might help sell some of those ultra-inflexible parkhopper tickets.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan I know it's not even built yet, but I would like to see DCA's Little Mermaid attraction come to Mermaid Lagoon. From what Al Lutz has reported, it's sure to be spectacular (aside for the fact its theme has no place in the park whatsoever). The issue of space always comes up regarding a new attraction in Mermaid Lagoon, but there seems to be enough space backstage for a compact E-ticket attraction. It would need major creative thinking, but it could work.
Originally Posted By Mr X That'd be awesome, except would you replace the show, or have both? If both, seems like the two experiences (while very different) kinda tell the same story though. A replacement would be ideal though (as much as I'd miss the mermaid show!).
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan The removal of the theatre would free up a lot of space for a new attraction. But perhaps the show and an attraction could co-exist if the storyline of the attraction was modified to tell a new and different tale? Instead of following the plot of the film, maybe create a new adventure altogether? The Mermaid Lagoon Theatre is far too spectacular to be removed in my opinion. I think it is possible to build a major attraction in that port if they tried hard enough to minimize the space needed.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan Comparing satellite photos, there seems to be roughly the same amount of space in the backstage areas of Mermaid Lagoon for a similarly scaled attraction as the DCA version taking the place of the Golden Dreams Theatre. The questions is, would they be willing to sacrifice the backstage sections of the park?
Originally Posted By Malin I agree the Mermaid E Ticket attraction that Lutz mention in his recent article would be a great addition to TDS. I have said many times over that TDS didn't have enough attractions that the whole family could enjoy together. Of course the space may be the real issue here. I'm no expert on the backstage layout of the park, but I can imagine that they isn't much more space out back to expand. Do you think the Little Mermaid theatre which I'd hate to loose would free up enough space here for this attraction?
Originally Posted By Mr X **I have said many times over that TDS didn't have enough attractions that the whole family could enjoy together.** Interesting. I would have to say that in terms of family attractions DisneySea is actually second only to, wait for it...EPCOT in terms of wonderful attractions the entire family can enjoy together. Let's see...you've got 20,000 Leagues, a wonderfully immersive E-ticket which can be enjoyed by all, the many boats and the train, Mermaid Lagoon (what's that, like 6 family attractions all in one place?), Sindbad...another awsome e-coupon that my 1 year old enjoyed when she was bored by almost everything else (at TDL as well!), the Carousel, Magic Lamp Theater, Mystic Rhythms, The New York Waterfront show, the New York Vehicles, Aquatopia... Nope. Nothing family friendly there. <---rolls eyes.
Originally Posted By Mr X Thinking about truly "restricted" attractions, the parks are pretty much all the same. TDL has three. DisneySea, four. Epcot, three, Animal Kingdom, two, etc...
Originally Posted By Malin Ok Mr X now lets take a look at TDL, which is only next door. Pirates of the Carribean Jungle Cruise Western River Railroad Swiss Family Robinson Tree House Tiki Room Minnie Oh Minnie Country Bear Theatre Mark Twain River Boat Tom Sawyer Island Super Duper Jumpin Time Starjets Micro Adventure Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters One Mans Dream Toon Town Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin Gadgets Go Coaster Peter Pan's Flight Snow Whites Adventure The Mickey Mouse Revue Pinochio Daring Journey Dumbo Carousell Haunted Mansion Its A Small World Alice's Tea Party Pooh's Honey Hunt
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<Do you think the Little Mermaid theatre which I'd hate to loose would free up enough space here for this attraction?>> From the photos I've seen, there seems to be enough space for a show building roughly the size of the one for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But freeing up the space occupied by the Theatre could allow for a more expansive attraction. Whether it would be worth it is another question.
Originally Posted By Malin I also didn't bother to include in that list the wonderful dinner shows, or some of the smaller attractions. While TDS does I feel have enough to keep a family busy for the day. The number of E Tickets aimed at teens and adults, easily out number the ones for family in this park.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan But since they are capable of pulling off an E-ticket attraction in the limited amount of space taken by the Golden Dreams Theatre and the surrounding areas, I think we can expect that the Imagineers will come up with some creative solutions for Mermaid Lagoon. An E-ticket attraction is definitely not out of the picture.
Originally Posted By Malin TDR_FAN after reading what Al Lutz has to say I would consider it worth it. Lets hope OLC will take this into serious consideration.
