Newest Disney Patent Hints at New Astro Orbiter

[Hedwig's Keeper]

This is the newest Disney patent application and hints at a new technology for the Astro Orbiter. The link for the patent is http://www.google.com/patents/EP243...a=X&ei=DPBpUY7pM8TOrQGT3oHgAg&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Interesting... This could even be themed Rocketeer-style. To wit:

I prefer it without the orbiter (just the "strap on wings") and especially if it goes the full 90º sideways! I'm in.

 

[bethymouse]

Well- hopefully this will be something new and exciting!

 

[Wikkler]

Something tells me this will be in Shanghai.

 

[jt04]

Nice. I got dibs on one of the old orbs.

 

[DaGoof00]

Would be nice to see, especially with the talk on the other thread about a potential refurb taking place at Rocket Tower Plaza in 2014!

 

[Bparso87]

Looks awesome but how long will the wait be for this. I also doubt it will be for WDW r Disneyland.

 

[GrumpyFan]

It's a neat design alright, but I wouldn't expect to see it any of the parks with an existing Astro Orbiter or Rocket style ride, unless there is some need for replacing the system altogether. Perhaps at a new park, but don't hold your breath.
One advantage this one does offer though, is it doesn't require hydraulics to lift the vehicles. They lift or slide out on their own with the centrifugal force.
Another aspect of this design that looked pretty neat was a wing type configuration, where riders would be strapped to, but with a vehicle underneath.

 

[Wikkler]

Perhaps at a new park, but don't hold your
breath.

Again, Shanghai Disneyland.

 

[danlb_2000]

I like to post this in ever patent thread....

Every time a new patent is found, people instantly assume it's for a ride that's on the drawing boards. And every timr I remind people that when you see a patent hit the web (i.e. it's been filed with the US Patent office), there are 5-10 years of work hidden behind that document.

Disney has a pile of mad scientists who spend their lives "inventing stuff.". They just keep spewing out patents. Some get used. Some don't. Some just are sold to other companies - even competitors.

Nothing that we see as a patent today was intended for any specific ride or attraction. Sure, if WDI knows the mad scientists have been working on something they could use, they might speed up the process, but otherwise the patents and blue sky attractions are unrelated.

 

[Cliff Racer]

It's a neat design alright, but I wouldn't expect to see it any of the parks with an existing Astro Orbiter or Rocket style ride, unless there is some need for replacing the system altogether. Perhaps at a new park, but don't hold your breath.
One advantage this one does offer though, is it doesn't require hydraulics to lift the vehicles. They lift or slide out on their own with the centrifugal force.
Another aspect of this design that looked pretty neat was a wing type configuration, where riders would be strapped to, but with a vehicle underneath.

Imagine that up in the air over Tommorrowland, would be pretty thrilling, not sure if I'd be up for it. Still a very innovative idea and one that packs a lot of punch for how little space it looks to take up.

 

[Wikkler]

Imagine that up in the air over Tommorrowland, would be pretty thrilling, not sure if I'd be up for it. Still a very innovative idea and one that packs a lot of punch for how little space it looks to take up.

Yeah I'd prefer going sideways but not upside down.
Like most people who go to WDW anyways....

 

[MarkTwain]

I don't know, it could very well be for Disneyland. There's recent talk that they're getting a new attraction on the PeopleMover track, which would mean they'll probably be finally reusing their currently-abandoned Tomorrowland Hub platform. If that's the case, they'll likely attempt to rebuild a spinner ride up there as well, and it'd probably have to be built from scratch. I don't see why it couldn't be in a spinner like this.

 

[msteel]

One advantage this one does offer though, is it doesn't require hydraulics to lift the vehicles. They lift or slide out on their own with the centrifugal force.

Can you imagine what it would take to get the ride vehicle past 90 degrees with only centrifugal force? Unless the hub tilts, then we're talking some serious angular acceleration.

I'm thinking I would enjoy this ride for a short time. Then the dizziness would set in and I'd be miserable.

 

[pixargal]

I don't know, it could very well be for Disneyland. There's recent talk that they're getting a new attraction on the PeopleMover track, which would mean they'll probably be finally reusing their currently-abandoned Tomorrowland Hub platform. If that's the case, they'll likely attempt to rebuild a spinner ride up there as well, and it'd probably have to be built from scratch. I don't see why it couldn't be in a spinner like this.

I hope this is a real possibility. The only way I experience Space Mountain is from the Peoplemover, and the only way I would experience this new ride as well.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

If this thing had a decent rate of spin, you could hurl in some truly amazing ways.

 

[Kobe!!]

Avatarland.... just sayin'...

 

[danlb_2000]

Avatarland.... just sayin'...

Although it would be appropriate for Avatarland it couldn't have been designed for it. The patent was first filed in October 2010 before Disney had even approached Cameron about Avatarland.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Well being that WDW's Magic Kingdom has 4 spinner rides I think it would be good for the Mouse to retink one of them and creat a more thrilling non kiddie version for the dare devils out there.

 

[Captain Neo]

Pretty sure this is for Disneyland. They are cooking up a New Tomorrowland over there!