So, with this as the third major accadent at this version, what should happen to it? A gutting, then re-track? Open it again? Replace it all together?
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3rd Accadent, What Should Happen to Disneyland Big Thunder?
- Thread starter Testtrack321
- Start date
xfkirsten
New Member
Honestly, so far as I know, there are no inherent problems with the ride, so I think they should just close it down and give it a complete overhaul. It's still a popular ride, and these accidents haven't been an isssue until now. I think they just need to seriously tightnn down on maintenance - hiring back those 300-some-odd maintenance crew they fired several years back would be a good start! Second, give BTMR a complete refurb. Take several months of uninterrupted work, at least. Replace anything and everything that may need it. Bring the whole attraction back to the quality it was in when it first opened, and add any technological updates since then that could help. In short, do to BTMR kind of what they are doing to Space now.
As far as the human error issues - well, no matter what ride goes in, that will still be there. Obviously, the re-training they all got after the first accident hasn't helped, so I think they need to take a broader look at their training and hiring practices in that area and adjust them.
-Kirsten
As far as the human error issues - well, no matter what ride goes in, that will still be there. Obviously, the re-training they all got after the first accident hasn't helped, so I think they need to take a broader look at their training and hiring practices in that area and adjust them.
-Kirsten
NemoRocks78
Seized
I feel that it needs a complete refurbishment. New track, new trains, the works. If they start now, they could always get it ready to run sometime during the 50th celebration.
It would be horrible to lose this Disneyland classic for good....but if they want to bring on Geyser Mountain or another new attraction, I'm all for it.
It would be horrible to lose this Disneyland classic for good....but if they want to bring on Geyser Mountain or another new attraction, I'm all for it.
The_CEO
Well-Known Member
I would be sad to see this legend leave disneyland. Thats why I agree with the full overhaul. Redo EVERYTHING. Redesign the track and system to be flawless..NemoRocks78 said:
So even a CM wanting to crash trains won't be able to get them within the same block. Thats what I just don't understand. Why they aren't staying in their same block.
The_CEO
Well-Known Member
I just thought of something else:
Thursday's minor collision occurred as a train returned to the loading station. Disneyland officials characterized it as a "bump" when two trains "made contact" with each other. A 10-year-old and his parents, complaining of minor neck and back injuries, were treated and released from Western Medical Center-Anaheim.
Disneyland has two stations. So I'm guessing the transfer track did not switch? Thats the only way it would of crashed I do believe.
Thursday's minor collision occurred as a train returned to the loading station. Disneyland officials characterized it as a "bump" when two trains "made contact" with each other. A 10-year-old and his parents, complaining of minor neck and back injuries, were treated and released from Western Medical Center-Anaheim.
Disneyland has two stations. So I'm guessing the transfer track did not switch? Thats the only way it would of crashed I do believe.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
I think for the issues we have seen here, they need a new computer system, extra brakes all over the track, and they need a much more sensitive system for determining error. They need sensors in the stations that determine weight, for example, with extra emergency brakes all along those pieces of track that could stop the trains on a dime if the weight on it is too great. Another problem that seems to have happened w/ these recent attractions involves the computer "forgetting" where the trains are. Well, if the smart little computer doesn't have a reading of where each train is for more than 5 seconds, that should trigger a braking system that would stop every train, and a maintenance team should then walk the entire track to make sure everything is fine, then start everything up again. These are all little safety measures that I thought Disney installed during the last 6 month closure but apparently didn't. Having this ride closed for any part of the 50th Anniversary is out of the question, though. I would think any changes will be made over the next two to three months before the Matterhorn closed...if they had 3 mountains closed at the same time...that would be bad. There is no reason why they can't make the necessary changes in that time. Make sure the trains are safe and install more brakes and a better computer system--that could easily be done in a couple months.
I voted to "tear it down"!! BTRR is what going on 25 yrs.? Here are my following reasons why.
**Better use of the entire Frontieer area (Im talking about the Festival Arena thats serving "private parties" and the land thats to the west next to the river) Lets face it the ONLY new possibilities of land use for future attractions is 20K, (if it will ever happen), Innovations and Autopia. A small patch between Indy and Pirates but thats used for rehab storage. "Trash Hill/Circle D" behind where the Indian on the horse is off the RR. Any thing else would require full demos of rides.
**I remeber other threads of people complaing of "copies of attractions" why not "cut out this deadly virus" here and now. Gee..The reason to go to WDW for TOT and Indy stunt show was the uniqueness of rides...Give people a reason to make the trip. If a family was located in the middle of US which one would you choose to go to? The one that was different. Yeah it helps families save $$ by not making the cross US trip to FL or to CA. but thats the whole idea get them to go "local" then every 2 years a "big trip" spending $$.
Dont forget D/L Space Mnt will be a "copy" of HKDL to save $$. Understandable but should it happen, no? Look at the marketing problems when Univ. brought Spidy to CA and everyone got confused that it was not the ride from Orlando but a stage show.
**Any new attactions! TOT (somewhat of a copy) after Buzz (a copy) and Space Mtn(another copy), whats new on the horizon?? Besides it will show to share holders that the company is truly investing in the future. What was new at the 50th Announcment? Even if Disney /Lucas were to "kiss-up" for a new Star Tours movie (please soon, that ride used to be a 60 min. wait, now its what 15min with a FP) it would also go to WDW.
I give props to Baxter and WDI to place this attraction 1st at D/L in its location, it restarted the theming wars of attractions. However due to cutbacks you dont want to hear the stories I could tell you about BTRR, lets just say given its current track record Im suprised these "incidents" didnt happen sooner.
Its all directly tied to prior MGNT. who dont know how or who can run an theme park. They brought us "Disney-Beanie Babbies" (remeber that trend) howbout "the 40th trading cards and POG's" wow that lasted a year after it was found out that at media events the complete stack was given away as freebies, lets not forget the $10 elect. light that was sworn to guests that the parade wouldnt come back. Nah lets send it to FL, then bring it back 500' away because we cant do a parade with the CA. theme for a new park.
(sorry for getting on the soap box) but I want my $50 worth of attractions not knock offs of "Suny TV's(sony), JH jeans (tommy hillfiger). Thats why Univ. in FL built IoA so it wasnt a complete knock off and blow Disney out of the water. Now that NBC owns it I dont think Univ. will ever be what it was and Disney can continue to rest on its laurels with copies of rides. Theyre already going to copy movies like Monsters Inc. and Bugs Life like they did with "Cinderella 28 Jaqs surprise"
Why fix the monorails at D/L when one could have the saying again of the "western hemisphears first daily operating MAGLEV train"! Yeah it will cost $$ but, so did the Monorail when it was first built. Why because it will be an original. People dont go to see a "copy" of Mt. Rushmore do they?
**Better use of the entire Frontieer area (Im talking about the Festival Arena thats serving "private parties" and the land thats to the west next to the river) Lets face it the ONLY new possibilities of land use for future attractions is 20K, (if it will ever happen), Innovations and Autopia. A small patch between Indy and Pirates but thats used for rehab storage. "Trash Hill/Circle D" behind where the Indian on the horse is off the RR. Any thing else would require full demos of rides.
**I remeber other threads of people complaing of "copies of attractions" why not "cut out this deadly virus" here and now. Gee..The reason to go to WDW for TOT and Indy stunt show was the uniqueness of rides...Give people a reason to make the trip. If a family was located in the middle of US which one would you choose to go to? The one that was different. Yeah it helps families save $$ by not making the cross US trip to FL or to CA. but thats the whole idea get them to go "local" then every 2 years a "big trip" spending $$.
Dont forget D/L Space Mnt will be a "copy" of HKDL to save $$. Understandable but should it happen, no? Look at the marketing problems when Univ. brought Spidy to CA and everyone got confused that it was not the ride from Orlando but a stage show.
**Any new attactions! TOT (somewhat of a copy) after Buzz (a copy) and Space Mtn(another copy), whats new on the horizon?? Besides it will show to share holders that the company is truly investing in the future. What was new at the 50th Announcment? Even if Disney /Lucas were to "kiss-up" for a new Star Tours movie (please soon, that ride used to be a 60 min. wait, now its what 15min with a FP) it would also go to WDW.
I give props to Baxter and WDI to place this attraction 1st at D/L in its location, it restarted the theming wars of attractions. However due to cutbacks you dont want to hear the stories I could tell you about BTRR, lets just say given its current track record Im suprised these "incidents" didnt happen sooner.
Its all directly tied to prior MGNT. who dont know how or who can run an theme park. They brought us "Disney-Beanie Babbies" (remeber that trend) howbout "the 40th trading cards and POG's" wow that lasted a year after it was found out that at media events the complete stack was given away as freebies, lets not forget the $10 elect. light that was sworn to guests that the parade wouldnt come back. Nah lets send it to FL, then bring it back 500' away because we cant do a parade with the CA. theme for a new park.
(sorry for getting on the soap box) but I want my $50 worth of attractions not knock offs of "Suny TV's(sony), JH jeans (tommy hillfiger). Thats why Univ. in FL built IoA so it wasnt a complete knock off and blow Disney out of the water. Now that NBC owns it I dont think Univ. will ever be what it was and Disney can continue to rest on its laurels with copies of rides. Theyre already going to copy movies like Monsters Inc. and Bugs Life like they did with "Cinderella 28 Jaqs surprise"
Why fix the monorails at D/L when one could have the saying again of the "western hemisphears first daily operating MAGLEV train"! Yeah it will cost $$ but, so did the Monorail when it was first built. Why because it will be an original. People dont go to see a "copy" of Mt. Rushmore do they?
xfkirsten
New Member
I see what you're saying about the clones, and part of me agrees with you - I would love to see a huge, brand new original e-ticket in the parks, and there really isn't any room to build it elsewhere. On the other hand, BTMR is a long-established, popular ride in the park, which I feel sets it apart from the clones we're getting now. BTMR has been there for years without really being called a clone, and I don't see why anyone should start now just because fans are talking of demolition.
I'm curious, though... if they were to leave BTMR there, and just build over the useless Festival Arena and ranch areas, it seems to me that they'd have space to get something pretty decent in there. It might not be a physically ginormous ride, but it doesn't necessarily have to be, either. Maybe my mind is remembering that area being bigger than it really is, but there's a wide area between the river and the edge of Fantasyland there.
-Kirsten
I'm curious, though... if they were to leave BTMR there, and just build over the useless Festival Arena and ranch areas, it seems to me that they'd have space to get something pretty decent in there. It might not be a physically ginormous ride, but it doesn't necessarily have to be, either. Maybe my mind is remembering that area being bigger than it really is, but there's a wide area between the river and the edge of Fantasyland there.
-Kirsten
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Knowing Disneyland and their amazing ability to fit large attractions in a small area, I'm sure they could build an E-Ride behind the mountain if they want. Disney knows better than to remove Big Thunder--there would be an outrage. And I don't consider Big Thunder a clone--it's the original and all of the Big Thunders are different. Removing Big Thunder would be as bad as removing Space Mountain, neither of which will happen. People have argued Disneyland didn't have space for additions for years, and they still build new stuff, so they have room.xfkirsten said:
Disneyland1970
New Member
I think the problem is with the training (or lack of) and the quality of help. I feel that if people's lives are in the hands of a CM, I hope they are making more than the order taker at In and Out! I also agree that the Maintenance Department needs to be brought back. This would bring safety and quality back to the rides! Imagine going on rides and not having to look for all the broken AA! It all works like it should! I voted for a check of the ride and fix!
The problem with tearing it down is the gamble of getting a worse ride than better. It ran many years with out a problem, find the cause and fix it!
25 years old, its just broken in.
The problem with tearing it down is the gamble of getting a worse ride than better. It ran many years with out a problem, find the cause and fix it!
25 years old, its just broken in.
Lee
Adventurer
Open it up.
I would ride it tomorrow if it were open...no worries at all.
The cause of the recent incident has been identified and solved.
No human error was present, in fact the CMs did everything by the book
The PLC system let them down.
The glitch has been fixed.
Time to move on.
I would ride it tomorrow if it were open...no worries at all.
The cause of the recent incident has been identified and solved.
No human error was present, in fact the CMs did everything by the book
The PLC system let them down.
The glitch has been fixed.
Time to move on.
Disneyland1970
New Member
Very good news to hear it was not human error! I am still upset at the recent string of bad luck, but hopefully this is the last of it! This is such a great ride! Any word on a re-opening?
M:SpilotISTC12
Well-Known Member
I think they should tear it down and totally rebuild it. Make it the same ride but make it more up to date. That is what I would do.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
That's simply out of the question with the 50th coming up though. It's not really necessary given what Lee tells us about the ride.M:SpilotISTC12 said:
NemoRocks78
Seized
Lee said:
Even if another accident that injured guests occured? I'm sure the DOSH wouldn't be happy if this happened again.