Cars Land Doesn't Work In The Rain?!?

[TP2000]

A bizarre October rain storm moved in off the Pacific today, likely some remnant of some distant tropical cyclone or something. But Orange County got an almanac-busting three tenths of an inch of rain, in a month normally known for hot and dry weather, with even some lightning and thunder thrown in. (It was really just a few passing showers for those beyond SoCal, but it was actually rainy and dark for a few hours.)

When the rain moved in around 2:00pm, I noticed on the Disneyland App that both Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters and Radiator Springs Racers immediately closed. I know that Miceage said that Luigi's can't work in the rain due to the WiFi signals, but I thought Racers was okay to run in the rain? Both rides remained closed for hours and hours as rain showers came off and on all afternoon into evening. Now at 9:30pm the rain has stopped and Racers has just reopened with a 90 minute wait. But Luigi's is still closed, seven hours later.

So, four years after it opened, it appears that Cars Land can't operate in even a few light rain showers. No wonder they never cloned this otherwise fabulous land for Orlando or Tokyo.

But why does WDI design and build things that can't run in even a few light rain showers? It's been a few years since SoCal had a truly rainy and wet winter. El Nino last year was a complete bust for anywhere south of Fresno. If it's a normal rainy winter this year, Cars Land will be closed for days and days. Is WDI proud of that?

 

[mickEblu]

A bizarre October rain storm moved in off the Pacific today, likely some remnant of some distant tropical cyclone or something. But Orange County got an almanac-busting three tenths of an inch of rain, in a month normally known for hot and dry weather, with even some lightning and thunder thrown in. (It was really just a few passing showers for those beyond SoCal, but it was actually rainy and dark for a few hours.)

When the rain moved in around 2:00pm, I noticed on the Disneyland App that both Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters and Radiator Springs Racers immediately closed. I know that Miceage said that Luigi's can't work in the rain due to the WiFi signals, but I thought Racers was okay to run in the rain? Both rides remained closed for hours and hours as rain showers came off and on all afternoon into evening. Now at 9:30pm the rain has stopped and Racers has just reopened with a 90 minute wait. But Luigi's is still closed, seven hours later.

So, four years after it opened, it appears that Cars Land can't operate in even a few light rain showers. No wonder they never cloned this otherwise fabulous land for Orlando or Tokyo.

But why does WDI design and build things that can't run in even a few light rain showers? It's been a few years since SoCal had a truly rainy and wet winter. El Nino last year was a complete bust for anywhere south of Fresno. If it's a normal rainy winter this year, Cars Land will be closed for days and days. Is WDI proud of that?

Well good thing it only rains like 4 days a year in So Cal

 

[Darkbeer1]

Alas, the rain causes a lot of issues at the Disneyland Resort, partially becuse they don't think it rains here, or more to the truth, not worth rain-proofing the attractions.

Alice in Wonderland is well known, as are the Tea Cups. A strange one is Big Thunder Mountain RR, and it's due to the safety system. A rainy or windy day can trigger the sensors on the track, and a "phantom" train shows up in the computer system just beacuse a rain drop hit the sensor just perfectly. This brings the entire ride to an Emergency Stop, and then takes a long time to restart. Even Winnie the Pooh can close down due to rain.

The parades are not designed for the rain (tires and other issues).

But it all has to do with money and costs versus benefits, and has been since Disneyland opened on July 18th, 1955.

http://www.yesterland.com/dl1955.html

Just can't wait to ride a Mule in the rain if I had a wayback machine

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Wait, so Test Track and Aquatopia work in rainy weather but RSR and Luigi's can't? Sounds fishy.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Let's be honest, there are a lot of Southern California fans who will cancel a trip to the parks due to rain anyway. I'm definitely one of those people; my sister and I made plans to visit the parks today, but immediately called off those plans when we looked at the weather apps on our phones.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Actually, living close to the parks, my wife and I sometimes decide to GO to the parks due to light to medium rain.

We went to the LA Galaxy game this afternoon, and were happy the rain started after the game ended.

As someone who has traveled a lot, a little rain won't hurt you... well, once at Cedar Point and Millennium Force, rain drops can feel like pebbles hitting you at 60 miles an hour, and not something I recommend.

 

[Pam Hates Penguins]

I rode on RSR in some light showers.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I rode on RSR in some light showers.

Every ride is different, but the RSR issue could be the sensor issue similar to BTMRR, though there are other outdoor areas where I can see safety issues. Remember, California law is strict in regards to "Permanent " Amusement Rides and DOSH regulations, so evacuation is more an issue in Anaheim then say, Orlando.

 

[DisneyFan4Lifer]

Let's be honest, there are a lot of Southern California fans who will cancel a trip to the parks due to rain anyway. I'm definitely one of those people; my sister and I made plans to visit the parks today, but immediately called off those plans when we looked at the weather apps on our phones.

But today's rain was a warm pleasant rain (it was around 80 degrees out when it war raining) and not the bone chilling cold rain that falls in winter. Warm rain is a lot easier to deal with and it's pretty rare here. You dry off pretty quickly in your shorts and sandals and getting wet is not a big deal. Most of the time when it rains here, it's usually in the 50s and pretty dreary all day so Southern Californians naturally pair rain with "stay inside and drink hot cocoa" weather. But when you think about it, people actually go swimming at 80 degree weather all the time so it's no big deal if you get wet when its warm but it is a big deal if its cold out and you're trying to stay warm.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Interesting to note, Knott's/Cedar Fair spent a lot of money over the last 5 years or so addressing rain closures. And not attractions, they had some serious puddling and sidewalk issues. They have basically replaced every walkway with concrete that is sloped, and new drainage to allow the park to remain open in the rain, even if the rides won't operate. And Knott's still does opt to close on a day that it is expected to rain heavily (for California) all day, since the rides won't run. But now, a short rain storm doesn't force it to close.

 

[Californian Elitist]

But today's rain was a warm pleasant rain (it was around 80 degrees out when it war raining) and not the bone chilling cold rain that falls in winter. Warm rain is a lot easier to deal with and it's pretty rare here. You dry off pretty quickly in your shorts and sandals and getting wet is not a big deal. Most of the time when it rains here, it's usually in the 50s and pretty dreary all day so Southern Californians naturally pair rain with "stay inside and drink hot cocoa" weather. But when you think about it, people actually go swimming at 80 degree weather all the time so it's no big deal if you get wet when its warm but it is a big deal if its cold out and you're trying to stay warm.

My post was supposed to be a slight joke.

My sister and I really did cancel our plans, however. We don't like doing certain things in the rain, and going to Disneyland is one of them. Temperature doesn't matter.

Rain aside, the gray clouds yesterday killed my mood to go anywhere (besides church).

 

[lazyboy97o]

Having been on Test Track during a light rain, it is not a pleasant experience.

 

[drizgirl]

Having been on Test Track during a light rain, it is not a pleasant experience.

I've been on both Expedition Everest and BTMRR at WDW in the rain and I definitely concur. Not a pleasant experience. Each drop stings at high rates of speed.

 

[mikenatcity1]

I've been on both Expedition Everest and BTMRR at WDW in the rain and I definitely concur. Not a pleasant experience. Each drop stings at high rates of speed.

I agree! Having done both of those (and adding in Millennium Force in Cedar Point, which can go 70-90 MPH), it's not fun at all.

 

[mikenatcity1]

A few years ago I went to Disneyland in November when it rained for 1.5 days non-stop. I think the news was saying it was among one of the single wettest times in Anaheim. I will say- not a fun day at all. While we hopped from building to building, not much was open. I remember being huddled in a nook during a downpour in Tomorrowland (facing the old Carousel of Progress, next to a little vendor that was closed)...

 

[rle4lunch]

A bizarre October rain storm moved in off the Pacific today, likely some remnant of some distant tropical cyclone or something. But Orange County got an almanac-busting three tenths of an inch of rain, in a month normally known for hot and dry weather, with even some lightning and thunder thrown in. (It was really just a few passing showers for those beyond SoCal, but it was actually rainy and dark for a few hours.)

When the rain moved in around 2:00pm, I noticed on the Disneyland App that both Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters and Radiator Springs Racers immediately closed. I know that Miceage said that Luigi's can't work in the rain due to the WiFi signals, but I thought Racers was okay to run in the rain? Both rides remained closed for hours and hours as rain showers came off and on all afternoon into evening. Now at 9:30pm the rain has stopped and Racers has just reopened with a 90 minute wait. But Luigi's is still closed, seven hours later.

So, four years after it opened, it appears that Cars Land can't operate in even a few light rain showers. No wonder they never cloned this otherwise fabulous land for Orlando or Tokyo.

But why does WDI design and build things that can't run in even a few light rain showers? It's been a few years since SoCal had a truly rainy and wet winter. El Nino last year was a complete bust for anywhere south of Fresno. If it's a normal rainy winter this year, Cars Land will be closed for days and days. Is WDI proud of that?

Watch out for that El Nino!

 

[truecoat]

I was on California Screamin' in a light rain and it was unpleasant. I had my hoodie pulled all around my face and used my hands to block the rest.

 

[jocarol]

I was on Expedition Everest during heavy rain once, and it was awesome. My son and I kept running around to the single rider entrance and getting straight back on, because no one else wanted to ride it. We must have ridden it over a dozen times. Of course, we are from Oregon so we like rain.

 

[21stamps]

I agree! Having done both of those (and adding in Millennium Force in Cedar Point, which can go 70-90 MPH), it's not fun at all.

It's really not! They usually close once the rain gets heavy though...or if lightening is anywhere near the area.

 

[Darkbeer1]

It's really not! They usually close once the rain gets heavy though...or if lightening is anywhere near the area.

The problem of Millennium Force and rain is the size and location of the track. The ride has different zones, and weather can be fine near the station, but then you get out to the out and back, it could be pouring.

They closed it down shortly after my rainy ride. Being on the lakeshore doesn't help with the weather either.

But I remember that ride still today, even though I have ridden many roller coasters in the rain, and yes, some were more painful than others... But still that MM ride was at the top of the pain scale....