News Tron coaster coming to the Magic Kingdom

[cjkeating]

Vekoma... it's interesting. With the exception of junior suspended coasters, North America has mostly given up on Vekoma coasters since Hard Rock Park... that is if you look at parks outside of Disney. Excluding Disney parks, the last major Vekoma coasters built new (not relocated) in the US were built in 2008. However, since 2008, WDW built (or is building) four coasters, three of which are Vekoma and when you look at all of the coasters at WDW built (or under construction) in the past twenty years, (counting Primeval Whirl as one coaster), 71% are Vekoma... but you really can't complain because all of the Vekoma's at Disney all run really well (i.e. smooth).

You raise a very interesting point I've thought about before.

I think with Vekoma you have a company where if you are willing to spend the money they will produce a high quality, reliable coaster that is above all highly customised to your requirements. B&M are know for being very inflexible and Intamin unreliable (and a slightly dubious safety record at times).

Vekoma have also been very willing to step in and help with other coasters Disney have bought from other manufactures, I believe they have replaced track and systems on both California Screamin' and the Indiana Jones coaster at Paris. It wouldn't surprise me if much of the remedial work done to Primeval Whirl was done by Vekoma either.

The problem is most parks go to Vekoma for cheap/cloned coasters.

 

[T.Will]

I wonder if Disney will work with Mack Rides again since they manufactured Slinky Dog Dash. Mack Rides has an esteemed record from what I hear.

 

[lazyboy97o]

In 1995 a vekoma was a treat...

But you had to bring Everest into it huh?
Everest...doesn’t really DO anything. It’s tame before it’s years. A 95 foot dip and some
Helix are not hard elements to master.

Oh...bout 1000 feet of switchback...guess that’s cool too

What you think of Expedition Everest doesn’t change that Vekoma now largely uses a different track design.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What you think of Expedition Everest doesn’t change that Vekoma now largely uses a different track design.

I got it...but Everest is at best a “medium” thrill effort...so it doesn’t exactly decree them as an industry leader either.

And it’s not what “I think”...technically speaking Everest is not an incredible ride system...nor was it designed to be. It was an element of a 3 part story and that’s exactly what the system supports.

 

[HauntedPirate]

A friend sent me a picture earlier today from the Peoplemover. Looks like the track is mostly complete?

 

[danlb_2000]

A friend sent me a picture earlier today from the Peoplemover. Looks like the track is mostly complete?

Including the outside portion?

 

[GlacierGlacier]

Including the outside portion?

I can't imagine so. Last I recalled the footings haven't been poured yet.

 

[larryz]

I can't imagine so. Last I recalled the footings haven't been poured yet.

Maybe this will be the shortest roller coaster in WDW....?

 

[ChrisFL]

Maybe this will be the shortest roller coaster in WDW....?

still longer than the Barnstormer

 

[Coaster Lover]

I think with Vekoma you have a company where if you are willing to spend the money they will produce a high quality, reliable coaster that is above all highly customised to your requirements. B&M are know for being very inflexible and Intamin unreliable (and a slightly dubious safety record at times).

You probably have to consider target audience as well. The lowest height requirement I've seen on a B&M is 52" (Wild Eagle at Dollywood) and I believe that this requirement is based manly on the restraint design. Highest height requirement on any ride at WDW is 48" with only one ride on property needing that requirement (everything else is 44" or under). Tron will likely be 48" (based on the height requirement at Shanghai). According to US averages, most people 7 years old and older can ride an attraction with a 48" height requirement, but to ride a 52" ride, generally riders would need to be 9 years old and older. Not sure if there are studies on the percentage of Disney visitors who are 7 and 8 who would be excluded by building a ride with 52" height requirement but not excluded by a ride with a 48" height requirement.


Back on topic... here is what Tron at Shanghai looked like in March 2014 (about 26 months before the ride soft opened)... very similar to the stage the attraction in Orlando is currently in. Seems to align with what others were saying about a mid-2021 opening (certainly prior to the October "official" 50th anniversary).

 

[lazyboy97o]

You probably have to consider target audience as well. The lowest height requirement I've seen on a B&M is 52" (Wild Eagle at Dollywood) and I believe that this requirement is based manly on the restraint design. Highest height requirement on any ride at WDW is 48" with only one ride on property needing that requirement (everything else is 44" or under). Tron will likely be 48" (based on the height requirement at Shanghai). According to US averages, most people 7 years old and older can ride an attraction with a 48" height requirement, but to ride a 52" ride, generally riders would need to be 9 years old and older. Not sure if there are studies on the percentage of Disney visitors who are 7 and 8 who would be excluded by building a ride with 52" height requirement but not excluded by a ride with a 48" height requirement.


Back on topic... here is what Tron at Shanghai looked like in March 2014 (about 26 months before the ride soft opened)... very similar to the stage the attraction in Orlando is currently in. Seems to align with what others were saying about a mid-2021 opening (certainly prior to the October "official" 50th anniversary).

View attachment 380856

B&M sells a Family [inverted] Coaster that they advertise as having a 115 cm (45.2”) minimum height.

I believe TRON was one of the few things ready earlier than the rest of the park.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Including the outside portion?

Ah, maybe not then.

Side note: Success! Thread back on track, at least for the moment.

 

[ZmBe13]

Ah, maybe not then.

Side note: Success! Thread back on track, at least for the moment.

 

[wedenterprises]

I wonder if Disney will work with Mack Rides again since they manufactured Slinky Dog Dash. Mack Rides has an esteemed record from what I hear.

I hope so. Helix in Sweden is the best coaster I've ever ridden.

 

[gmajew]

Okay.

After riding it today it needs a major track replacement stat it was horrible. What was once my favorite ride needs to be closed because it is just bad right now.

 

[Squishy]

After riding it today it needs a major track replacement stat it was horrible. What was once my favorite ride needs to be closed because it is just bad right now.

I never get why people keep saying space mountain needs a major track replacement, I feel like its more of the effects that need a replacement.

 

[deeevo]

I never get why people keep saying space mountain needs a major track replacement, I feel like its more of the effects that need a replacement.

I rode it a few weeks ago and a coaster should not beat you up like that. Gwazi was the last coaster that beat me down like that and well... we know what happened there.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

I never get why people keep saying space mountain needs a major track replacement, I feel like its more of the effects that need a replacement.

Space Mountain is the oldest operating coaster in Florida. Period. Very, very few things are designed to go nearly 50 years without some major upgrade or refurbishment. It deserves a lot of work.

 

[jt04]

Space Mountain is the oldest operating coaster in Florida. Period. Very, very few things are designed to go nearly 50 years without some major upgrade or refurbishment. It deserves a lot of work.

Or a reimagining of the interior.

 

[tparris]

Space Mountain is the oldest operating coaster in Florida. Period. Very, very few things are designed to go nearly 50 years without some major upgrade or refurbishment. It deserves a lot of work.

Well unfortunately with today’s management, we will have to wait for a horrible accident for them to refurb.