Never realized how much fun the tomorrowland speedway is

[Cosmic Commando]

That's a good point, but I don't think it would be the speakers that would be the problem. You could just source them from marine audio companies that make soundsystems for boats and probably be just fine. Besides, I'm not sure how many outdoor speakers Walt Disney World already has but I'm sure it's in the thousands. If anyone knows how to waterproof a subwoofer it's these people.

The track, on the other hand, is another story. I would assume that these things would need to be powered by a power source in the track, which could not be fully insulated or even particularly shielded (as in the monorail's track). I'm having trouble thinking of a powered track system at an amusement park ride that isn't covered or shielded in some significant way (like the WEDWay people mover, which is completely covered.)

Putting batteries in the ride vehicles themselves is probably not a solution. There's no way you could design these things to run all day from a nightly charge without making them prohibitively expensive and monstrously heavy. Efficiency would be out the window as well.

Could there be some sort of compromise solution perhaps? Have the vehicles run off of very small internal batteries during the ride itself then reconnect to an in-track charging rail during the 2 minutes or so they spend at the loading station?

Could they have kids running around the loading area with an electrified rail laying around?

For the people that want it gone: having a big plot of land open up doesn't mean you automatically get some new, massive E-ticket. See: 20K. There is plenty of space in MK before they even have to get creative and go outside the RR tracks.

I had overlooked this ride for so long (understandably), but my 3YO will absolutely love it in Sept!

 

[misterID]

The ride is a waste of space. Kids would love go-carts or bumper cars even more.

Yeah, I don't understand needing that much space for basically a kiddie ride. Malibu Grand Prix (Orlando residents know what I'm talking about )was great when I was a kid. Probably why I hated Speedway so much. It was real go carts Vs a very long, slow, smelly, carousel.

A go cart track would be great... Out of the park, though.

I know kids love the thing, but I can't see how anyone would be opposed to removing it if there was a real possibility to put a big E there with enough space for another ride.

 

[_Scar]

Yeah, I don't understand needing that much space for basically a kiddie ride.

My parents seem to love the Indy Speedway- perhaps it's appeal is that it makes you feel like a kid again.

 

[drossjr]

Then they can easily put speakers that put out the noise. The smog spewing cars have to go. Especially when the company likes to tout how "green" it's trying to be.

Agrees with Sir Goofy, the current cars are not "green" they smell and only can imagine the emissions they are giving off, they are loud and small. Update the attraction if it has to stay to electric cars, better surroundings and cars that dont look like they came out of 1970 but I guess the current appearance matches the noise of a 1970 vehicle

 

[misterID]

My parents seem to love the Indy Speedway- perhaps it's appeal is that it makes you feel like a kid again.

Understood.

But I still stand by this:

I know kids (and kids at heart :animwink love the thing, but I can't see how anyone would be opposed to removing it if there was a real possibility to put a big E there with enough space for another ride.

 

[xtina72]

It still never ceases to amaze me how cool even the most mundane things can be when you see them through your kids eyes. Kids may make the body grow old but they sure can keep the mind and heart young.

THAT is so true! My kids rode the speedway for the first time last year and they were just laughing and laughing through the whole thing.....normally I would have skipped it, so glad we didnt.

 

[joel_maxwell]

It still never ceases to amaze me how cool even the most mundane things can be when you see them through your kids eyes. Kids may make the body grow old but they sure can keep the mind and heart young.

I have never really cared for the Speedway, but Im sure Ill really enjoy it when my child rides it and looks like this

For you statement, absolutely. I have read the same book to Isabeau before bed for about 3 months straight now and it is one of my favorite parts of the day. It might be due to the fact that the book was mine when I was a kid and is named, The Mouseketeers Train Ride, circa 1977.

Always a good read and her favorite.

 

[Master Yoda]

I have never really cared for the Speedway, but Im sure Ill really enjoy it when my child rides it and looks like this

For you statement, absolutely. I have read the same book to Isabeau before bed for about 3 months straight now and it is one of my favorite parts of the day. It might be due to the fact that the book was mine when I was a kid and is named, The Mouseketeers Train Ride, circa 1977.

Always a good read and her favorite.

I can not wait to see Issy in WDW. I guarantee you that you will see WDW in a whole new way.

 

[devoy1701]

we hit the Speedway every couple trips (my gf and i are 21 so whatever)...we do it when they line is short.


Now Autopia...We must have rode this 5 times in the 6 days we were out there! I loved that ride and the theming! Not to mention the Monorail going overhead!

haha..i'm sorry but lately i've been in a "everything MK has DL has one better" mood.

 

[greebomusic]

One of the rare times where my son let me "drive".... though I always get stuck working the accelerator.
:ROFLOL:

 

[Master Yoda]

One of the rare times where my son let me "drive".... though I always get stuck working the accelerator.
:ROFLOL:

Same here. My daughter loves to steer but she can't quite reach the pedals yet.

 

[JillC LI]

It's fun, when you don't get stuck behind some little kid who can't make the car go forwards!

Sorry for asking a stupid question, but here goes:
We rode this ride for the first time with our kids last October. We went there first thing when the park opened at my son's request, and we were the only two cars on the track. My son and I were in front, and he was 9. I let him drive, of course, but the car was barely moving. I suggested that I work the accelerator while he steer, and he said OK. I pressed the pedal all the way to the floor, but we crawled all the way around the track, with my husband and younger daughter following us at a snail's pace. Since we had never ridden before, I assumed the cars were supposed to go so slowly. None of us were thrilled with the experience, and my foot hurt from pressing the pedal so hard the whole ride just to move. Did we have a defective car? Should we give this ride another chance?
:shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

Sorry for asking a stupid question, but here goes:
We rode this ride for the first time with our kids last October. We went there first thing when the park opened at my son's request, and we were the only two cars on the track. My son and I were in front, and he was 9. I let him drive, of course, but the car was barely moving. I suggested that I work the accelerator while he steer, and he said OK. I pressed the pedal all the way to the floor, but we crawled all the way around the track, with my husband and younger daughter following us at a snail's pace. Since we had never ridden before, I assumed the cars were supposed to go so slowly. None of us were thrilled with the experience, and my foot hurt from pressing the pedal so hard the whole ride just to move. Did we have a defective car? Should we give this ride another chance?
:shrug:

Doubtful. The cars go incredibly slow and the pedals are quite heavy by design. This is not only for the safety of the guests but for the cast members working the attraction as well. You can just imagine the havoc that a 9 year old going 20 mph could cause if he slammed into the load station at full speed.

 

[drossjr]

Sorry for asking a stupid question, but here goes:
We rode this ride for the first time with our kids last October. We went there first thing when the park opened at my son's request, and we were the only two cars on the track. My son and I were in front, and he was 9. I let him drive, of course, but the car was barely moving. I suggested that I work the accelerator while he steer, and he said OK. I pressed the pedal all the way to the floor, but we crawled all the way around the track, with my husband and younger daughter following us at a snail's pace. Since we had never ridden before, I assumed the cars were supposed to go so slowly. None of us were thrilled with the experience, and my foot hurt from pressing the pedal so hard the whole ride just to move. Did we have a defective car? Should we give this ride another chance?
:shrug:

Another reason this attraction is lame and why the wait is so long! :lol:

 

[Bairstow]

Another reason this attraction is lame and why the wait is so long! :lol:

Meanwhile... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie-Er0CtaoI

 

[jonnyc]

The speedway is mine and my sister's guilty pleasure, did it for the first time since in a long time on our last trip and really enjoyed the novelty value of it all, although that acclerator isn't half difficult to use, i'd imagine the little kids struggle!

 

[C&D]

I sure see a lot of smiles on the Speedway, plus it's one of Walts' originals; upgrade okay, rip it out, no way.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Was the gas pedal on the speedway cars ever on the outside and was depressed by your hand? I could swear I rode a speedway type attraction when I was young and remember having to lean forward the whole time and hold down an accelerator with my hand.

Maybe that was the cars at SFoG or something. That was around 25 years ago. NOT relying on memory.

 

[Master Yoda]

Was the gas pedal on the speedway cars ever on the outside and was depressed by your hand? I could swear I rode a speedway type attraction when I was young and remember having to lean forward the whole time and hold down an accelerator with my hand.

Maybe that was the cars at SFoG or something. That was around 25 years ago. NOT relying on memory.

I believe that there is or at least was an outside gas pedal used by the CMs but there has always been a pedal inside the car.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

My kids all loved it untill they could drive, now its only Turd who still goes on it every trip. Thing is its one of the few things that puts a smile on the E-mo face.

I dont like that it stinks, and despite not being a tree hugger still think it could be a bit more new technology and green.