Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I remember when they had run tests of new concept vehicles on existing tracks. I believe they had tested some sort of flying ride on the Peter Pan track at one time.<< There were rumors that a prototype of the spinning vehicles for Roger Rabbit were tested on Pinocchio, made out of some contraption based on a teacup. I'm not sure if I believe the story, since the teacups are much wider than most of the Pinocchio track, and would be very hard to safely mount on a moving vehicle, but the story is persistent and specific enough to always mention Pinocchio And of course, prior to the opening of Winnie the Pooh in DL, they tested the honeycomb vehicles in the then-dormant Superstar Limo building (now Monsters Inc) in DCA, which led to LP's greatest running joke
Originally Posted By Captain Neo >>Why would they tear out an existing track system just to replace it with a similar one?<< Because the current tracks are old and are not designed for the high speed attraction that is coming. Only a few segments of the track will be similar to the old Peoplemover track sort of as a homage.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Because the current tracks are old and are not designed for the high speed attraction that is coming." There's a new "high speed" attraction coming to Tomorrowland? On rebuilt Peoplemover tracks? <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2013/7/30/21/anigif_enhanced-buzz-22590-1375233497-1.gif">http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/stati...97-1.gif</a>
Originally Posted By oc_dean Okay folks ... this is what's really going on: I don't know about the noises regarding Star Tours area .. but here's what's really going on behind Winners Circle - What was once the Rocket Rods maintenance bay (and prior to that Skyway) is now a CM training facility with a secondary staircase that leads CMs to get in and out -via the "guest side" of Tomorrowland. This staircase, which was redone in 1998 for Rocket Rods is apparently not safe enough for Cal/OSHA - And needs another 8-9 inch heightened section to be deemed 'safe' by today's newer standard! <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9434355320_21e8d1266b_b.jpg">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/...6b_b.jpg</a> You know ... same sh*t that you saw in Golden Horseshoe Revue back in Sept 2011, Have a look, in case you forgot: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://micechat.com/blogs/dateline-disneyland/3108-cathay-circle-cupola-paradise-pier-gets-loopy-golden-horseshoe-handrails-more.html">http://micechat.com/blogs/date...ore.html</a> But that AINT the end of it ... as the park continues to change to make over-regulated nitwits in Cal/OSHA happy! The now mis-proportioned Casey Jr. Circus Train bridge that runs across the Story Book Land. To the walk bridges that go over the castle moat creek that runs as far to Adventureland's entrance, to Matterhorn's enlarged railings surrounding the ride, etc! Oh sure, some of these changes are not so noticeable. Though some are! AND WHAT'S NEXT? It's your tax dollars protecting you, and CMs in this case .. .from the perilous dangers from a staiRcase railing that needed to be brought up another 9 inches! UN f*ing real!
Originally Posted By oc_dean Makes me think of Walt's wish to have made TL:67 two-story ... all across the land, with connecting skyramps .. and the second attempt they tried for TL:2055 in the early 90s. I seem how feel they won't try a third time. If TL was 2-story with connecting skyramps .... Cal/OSHA by now .. would have systematically shut the second floor of Tomorrowland down! Doesn't matter how tall a railing can be - And how long the "grandfathering" clause can stay into effect, carrying older attractions into future years. I'm counting on over-the-shoulder restraints for It's A Small World, and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train in the not too distant future! OHHHH ... and I almost forgot about how DLRR CMs are not allowed to fill up the water tanks for the DLRR's steam engines from the water towers. Those wonderful Cal/OSHA mandates! Some make sense .... Others? ???
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I'm counting on over-the-shoulder restraints for It's A Small World, and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train in the not too distant future!<< It won't happen for iasw. In the (extremely unlikely) event of capsizing or sinking, guests need to be able to get out of the vehicle on their own. This is why most of DL's water rides don't have any restraints, and even GRR has a simple seatbelt. Granted, the water in iasw isn't really deep enough to do anything beyond getting your feet wet, but it's still a concern Heimlich's, on the other hand, would be fair game...
Originally Posted By tashajilek Why does Splash Mountain in WDW have the lap bars and not DL? When I was at WDW they didn't even bother pulling down the lap bar anyway.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Isn't the seating different in Florida? I'm sure that has something to do with it.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Yep, WDW's seating is 4 rows of 2, rather than DL's in-line seating where you straddle the person in front of you (even if there is a seatback between the two of you). There's really no way to install a restraint onto DL's vehicles, and, as proven by the WDW ones, it would be pretty useless anyway.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 >>OC Dean we already know that the Peoplemover tracks will be removed. They will replaced with an all new attraction using the Speeder Bikes from the Star Wars universe that will utilize a similar track layout.<< The PeopleMover tracks and motors were removed years ago, weren't they, leaving the PeopleMover trackway and supports. What is on the trackway now is the Rocket Rod tracks. If the Speederbike attraction happens, it will have it's own track and propulsion system, based on the current rumors. It may, or may not use some of the PeopleMover trackway, from what I've read.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Yes, all of the PM track and motors were removed during the conversion to Rocket Rods. What's there now is essentially a single roller coaster-type track to guide the vehicles in the center, with areas on the sides for tires to do their thing. Presumably a new ride system would require a new type of track, which would require extensive renovations. Even if the same route is used, at this point I would guess they would demolish and rebuild the vast majority of the track supports in order to meet the new system's requirements and modern codes
Originally Posted By mawnck I can see them ripping the old track (oh OK then, trackWAY) down and threading a standard roller coaster track through the area.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 That's certainly what they OUGHT to do. Keeping the old track and trying to force something different on to it would a). give us a dull ride - the PM track is not really a coaster-type design, since it was not intended to be, and b). probably be more expensive to try to retrofit than just ripping it down and putting in a track designed FOR the new vehicles.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I kind of hope Disney gives up on any elevated attraction that follows the path of the Peoplemover and permanently removes all of the track. I particularly dislike the bridge down the center of the entrance mall between Buzz and Star Tours. Imagine how the area would open up and relieve the feeling of congestion in there if the track were removed.
