Saturday, September 20
Battle Plans for Disneyland Commandos: RideMax has nothing to do with riding the MAX; it's PC software designed to minimize queue wait times at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. More here and here.
Friday, September 19
Walt Disney World Pirates of the Caribbean Tales:
"Two CM's (Cast Members) I worked with told me this story about Ol' Bill, the drunk pirate with the cats. One of them was left in charge while the lead went to lunch. The second CM at unload called her in the office and said a guest told her 'Ol' Bill's hat fell off' when they got off the ride. Well, no biggie. It wasn't a problem that would cause the ride to go '101' . A short time later the girl at unload called again and said 'Ol' Bill's HEAD is still off.' 'Head?' she screamed. 'I thought you said his HAT!' Of course they cycled out the guests in the ride and fixed the figure."
"One of the worst times at PotC was when they introduced 6-seater boats. The added row was to increase capacity. I'd like to know which idiot gave the green light to start doing this. One test boat was put onto the ride. We simply did not load it when it came by. But the 6-seater was a lot lighter than the 5-seaters so quite often if would not stop on the belts at load and unload. They put sandbags in it and it seemed to work fine. But then they replaced all boats with 6-seaters without any more research. The problem was that, when fully loaded with adults, a 6-seater was so heavy that it scraped the bottom of the flume and got caught on the switch gates and brakes. If the water level was raised the boats would jump the flume when they were sent empty. And there's no way you can not send empty boats into that ride. It was a horrible mess. We had to specially load the boats and avoid loading the front row if it was only 1 group riding. They would get so mad. I don't know if the problems have been rectified by now. Just goes to show you that quite often a great idea comes along but Disney would put it into use before thorough research. If the solution saves money or increases capacity (read: revenue) then some things can get ignored. Then the operators and the Guest Relations folks get the brunt of it."
"Two CM's (Cast Members) I worked with told me this story about Ol' Bill, the drunk pirate with the cats. One of them was left in charge while the lead went to lunch. The second CM at unload called her in the office and said a guest told her 'Ol' Bill's hat fell off' when they got off the ride. Well, no biggie. It wasn't a problem that would cause the ride to go '101' . A short time later the girl at unload called again and said 'Ol' Bill's HEAD is still off.' 'Head?' she screamed. 'I thought you said his HAT!' Of course they cycled out the guests in the ride and fixed the figure."
"One of the worst times at PotC was when they introduced 6-seater boats. The added row was to increase capacity. I'd like to know which idiot gave the green light to start doing this. One test boat was put onto the ride. We simply did not load it when it came by. But the 6-seater was a lot lighter than the 5-seaters so quite often if would not stop on the belts at load and unload. They put sandbags in it and it seemed to work fine. But then they replaced all boats with 6-seaters without any more research. The problem was that, when fully loaded with adults, a 6-seater was so heavy that it scraped the bottom of the flume and got caught on the switch gates and brakes. If the water level was raised the boats would jump the flume when they were sent empty. And there's no way you can not send empty boats into that ride. It was a horrible mess. We had to specially load the boats and avoid loading the front row if it was only 1 group riding. They would get so mad. I don't know if the problems have been rectified by now. Just goes to show you that quite often a great idea comes along but Disney would put it into use before thorough research. If the solution saves money or increases capacity (read: revenue) then some things can get ignored. Then the operators and the Guest Relations folks get the brunt of it."
Thursday, September 18
"Walking was prohibited on the conveyor belt to the netherworld." In a travelouge worthy of the Journal of Ride Theory, an uncredited author takes us on a tour of the tomb of The Great Leader and President in Eternity, Kim Il Sung.
Wednesday, September 17
Dreamland Egypt: "Thrills and Shrills!"
Seems pretty likely that an English speaker designed the website. When you click on the sign for the "Food Court" some of the letters disappear, leaving " o d o r ".
Seems pretty likely that an English speaker designed the website. When you click on the sign for the "Food Court" some of the letters disappear, leaving " o d o r ".
Tuesday, September 16
A little information on the real San Francisco cable cars which used to run as parking lot trams at Knott's Berry Farm.
I am just finishing a card model of a San Francisco cable car, designed by Alan Rose. (Shut up, building card models is my dorky hobby and I'll fly my nerd flag proudly!) The thing that most impressed me about this model was how forgiving it was -- I completely screwed up cutting out several parts, and it still looks pretty good. I particularly liked the details -- Rose included things riders might leave behind, like two newspapers, a bananna peel, a grocery bag, a paperback book and an umbrella. The damn thing is about two feet long. I may have to post a picture once it's done. Because I'm a dork.
Disappointed t-shirts.
From the same guy, a takeoff on Hidden Mickeys: Theme Pink.
Oh, just go to his webpage, there's plenty to see.
More details on the Mission Space lawsuit. Environmental Tectonics, the manufacturer of the ride is suing Disney over the $44.1 million they say they're owed (Disney paid $35.1 million, stating that they finished the project without ETC); exclusivity agreements; and ride safety issues.
It was bound to happen -- Here's a Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl fan website.
And while I be thinkin' of it, mateys, Friday be Talk Like a Pirate Day.
And while I be thinkin' of it, mateys, Friday be Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Sunday, September 14
When the Carousel of Progress closed at Disneyland in the mid-1970s, the show that replaced it was the simply awful America Sings, probably the worst large-scale attraction ever at Disneyland. The Lawrence Welk show with puppets. Feh.
Even as a kid, I couldn't figure out why Sam the Eagle had Burl Ives' voice, while the nameless sidekick Owl looked like Burl Ives. And the music hurt my ears -- something about that Disney cheapness of being unwilling to hire an orchestra, and faking it with reverb and such. Ow. Discomfortable. And that version of Stars & Stripes Forever as the exit music! OUCH!
It was a relief when it closed in the 1980s, and the 'bots moved to Splash Mountain and -- with their skin stripped off -- to Star Tours.
Even as a kid, I couldn't figure out why Sam the Eagle had Burl Ives' voice, while the nameless sidekick Owl looked like Burl Ives. And the music hurt my ears -- something about that Disney cheapness of being unwilling to hire an orchestra, and faking it with reverb and such. Ow. Discomfortable. And that version of Stars & Stripes Forever as the exit music! OUCH!
It was a relief when it closed in the 1980s, and the 'bots moved to Splash Mountain and -- with their skin stripped off -- to Star Tours.
# posted by Dan @ Sunday, September 14, 2003
