A Spirited Valentine ...

[Princess Leia]

Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere, but people are scalping FastPasses at Shanghai Disneyland.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201702/5456/

 

[DDLand]

The park is filled with poor finish choices that have barely held up. While the materials can be replaced to something more resilient, it really should not have been the case.

This is true. I buy @WDW1974's explanation that it was rushing towards the end of development. Judging by the aggressive refurb schedule I think they're trying to move through and fix the issues. Crystal Grotto was down and should be in better shape now. I saw them working with what appeared to be Paint in the Roaring Rapids queue during its refurb.

Mine Train and the Pooh area seemed like the most terrible offenders when I was there. Those areas need extensive work (or at least did).

Some of the stuff I saw was not up to show standards of a Disney Park, but due to the unique situation and simple growing pains I gave it a pass.

If that's their normal I'd raise red flags, but if it takes a year to iron things out that's not a serious problem. I was talking just more generally on infrastructure and build quality which impressed me. Also I'd be remiss if not to add the little flourishes that give the park character were in abundance too.

It's in every way deserving of the Disney name.

 

[NearTheEars]

Have you considered making this your signature?

With all due respect, @xdan0920 is right. You're leveling allegations of maintenance neglect that will result in a loss of life. If you truly believe this is the case, even if you only have anecdotal evidence to support it, then you have an obligation to report it. If this is just the next level of your performance art about how "Disney is terrible", it's a fairly morbid turn, even for you.

Same thing happened with POTC a few years ago. Someone came out and said there was a major safety issue that could prove serious or fatal but said they would not report it. (This was after the finger incident) doesn't make any sense to me. Typically they are being dramatic.

 

[Nmoody1]

Now I'm curious for what there future electrical parade would be?

I think the Shanghai Metro needs to run later before anymore nighttime offerings are added

 

[rushtest4echo]

Same thing happened with POTC a few years ago. Someone came out and said there was a major safety issue that could prove serious or fatal but said they would not report it. (This was after the finger incident) doesn't make any sense to me. Typically they are being dramatic.

They were hyperventilating over water in the boats and them "sinking" which is something that's happened on Small World since day one without anyone acting like people were doing to die. The drop issue isn't even worth discussing because people don't understand the longtime safety concern that was FIXED on the drop- which is the opposite of what 'experts' here were up in arms over.

Upkeep of the lighting, audio, and animatronics was conflated into the ride system itself being neglected- which wan't the case.

Last few times I've been out to DLR their boats have been totally waterlogged. Annoying, but no safety hazard other than my wet behind.

 

[Figments Friend]

Though I don't care for Disneyland's Thunder Mountain for the exact opposite reason. The track replacement literally made that "runaway minetrain" smooth as glass. Nobody seems to agree with me....

I do, so you are not alone.

I love Disneyland's version of BTMR, but I miss the original 'rough n' tumble' track feeling.
One of the things I immediately noticed when I rode after the track replacement refurb was the lack of it.
It seemed too smooth as glass as you said.

To me, it no longer fit the 'character' of the setting for the Attraction which is supposed to be a abandoned, run away mine train.


I'm partial to the original 'cave in' finale too.
Despite the fancy new projections and 'dynamite explosions' present in the finale today, I liked the original 'tumbling rocks' effect.

-

 

[asianway]

CalOSHA is clueless as to how to properly maintain or institute procedures for ANYTHING at a theme park. Their ridiculous "fall protection" mandates literally gutted Disney's ability to address maintenance and upkeep in a safe, logical manner. What they've done has resulted in far worse operating and maintenance procedures. There a loads of things at Disney that I notice could/should be done with safer/redundant procedures, but the majority of those things is something OSHA would never notice any/or correct.

I can assume you're addressing the Thunder Mountain and Mark Twain incidents, both of which I have extensive (not public) knowledge of. Without incriminating and/or revealing my position, I'll just state that both of these accidents occurred as a result of poor PROCEDURE, not maintenance. Both were failures that could and should have been avoided had proper TRAINING and PROCEDURE been followed. Thunder Mtn's part failure had nothing to do with improper maintenance, tongues and axles have failed on plenty of rides in spectacular fashion all around the industry on countless rides. Often, it's not even reported despite the real risks/dangers of such a failure. However, the entire situation could and would have been avoided had the train been pulled and inspected which would have happened if the cast members followed proper procedures. Mark Twain's accident was a freak occurance that arose from a lack of training (and the arrogance of a manager who was not certified to be there). Has nothing to do with maintenance. The procedures in both of these cases have been strengthened, though they weren't dangerous to start except for the fact that the proper procedures were ignored when the accidents happened.

Florida, California, or any other state does not have the individuals qualified to properly inspect or certify safe operation of theme parks. The regulatory structure and professionals needed in order to create a real form of oversight for the amusement industry is non-existent. You have fools like Ed Markey who propose state and federal legislation that has zero effect on the safe operation of the amusement industry. IAAPA, TUV and AECOM do an admirable job establishing operating procedures that (for the most part) ensure the safe operation of parks. All of the major theme park chains on earth have a relationship with them in some form or fashion. But none of those are government related (thank God).

I make it my business to understand this exact thing because it quite literally is my business.



I've done so on many occasions over the past several decades. 90% of the time they reply that it's to reduce fatigue on the chassis and track. The other 10% of the time it's to deal with other variables like vehicle speed or sensor timing. Mind you this is for installations of trim brakes on older rides. For new rides, trims are used for the above mentioned, but also for a myriad of other reasons.

Nobody as ever installed trim brakes to literally keep a ride from falling apart though. And if they have, they really would deserve to be prosecuted when and if that ride has a failure relating to such a practice. But I can assure you that Disney would never come close to considering doing something like that. To infer such a thing is ridiculous. There's a MASSIVE difference between using a trim to limit wear and tear on a ride vs. using a trim to prevent structural failure.

It was the Columbia and I'm pretty sure it's well documented that was due to poor upkeep

 

[VJ]

Now I'm curious for what there future electrical parade would be?

Oh, please, don't start up this discussion again...

 

[Haymarket2008]

@WDW1974 There was some chatter on another thread of Epcot being renamed. Is this piece of info mistaken for the rumored Future World rename? Or will the actual park? I can't see them changing it for a variety of important reasons. Any insight?

 

[Mike S]

@WDW1974 There was some chatter on another thread of Epcot being renamed. Is this piece of info mistaken for the rumored Future World rename? Or will the actual park? I can't see them changing it for a variety of important reasons. Any insight?

It's true. All of it.

The new name is IPcot.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

@WDW1974 There was some chatter on another thread of Epcot being renamed. Is this piece of info mistaken for the rumored Future World rename? Or will the actual park? I can't see them changing it for a variety of important reasons. Any insight?

Epcot and DHS are both being renamed. I can exclusively confirm that the new names have been settled on for all WDW parks:

Disney Magic Kingdom Park
Disney Futuristic International Kingdom Park
Disney Acquisition Kingdom Park
Disney Animal Kingdom Park

 

[lazyboy97o]

This is true. I buy @WDW1974's explanation that it was rushing towards the end of development. Judging by the aggressive refurb schedule I think they're trying to move through and fix the issues. Crystal Grotto was down and should be in better shape now. I saw them working with what appeared to be Paint in the Roaring Rapids queue during its refurb.

Mine Train and the Pooh area seemed like the most terrible offenders when I was there. Those areas need extensive work (or at least did).

Some of the stuff I saw was not up to show standards of a Disney Park, but due to the unique situation and simple growing pains I gave it a pass.

If that's their normal I'd raise red flags, but if it takes a year to iron things out that's not a serious problem. I was talking just more generally on infrastructure and build quality which impressed me. Also I'd be remiss if not to add the little flourishes that give the park character were in abundance too.

It's in every way deserving of the Disney name.

Rushing to get construction done should not impact actual material choices.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

It's true. All of it.

The new name is IPcot.

Another rumor is MK 2.0 connected with the monorail (putting in FastPass+ scanners soon - 60 day window coming up)

 

[UpAllNight]

Wooooww 2023 for an Avengers ride/coaster? in Hong Kong

6 year wait for a desperate park...what is it with these people who are running this company. No single ride can honestly take 4 years to develop and 2 to construct....pure madness.

 

[DDLand]

Rushing to get construction done should not impact actual material choices.

This is what I remembered reading:

The latest word from my folks on the ground there is that it's still a total mess. The word now is that on opening day less than 50% of exterior paint will be completed. You read that right. Many facades and structures will simply have a basic and detail-free paint job slapped on until the real WDI finishes can be applied through the end of calendar 2016. It really is THAT bad.

...


And even with all this added capital (anyone still asking where that $800 million went ... beyond out and out graft?) and labor, WDI and Bob are in a panic because major attractions simply are so far behind being ready for June that some people on-site have gone to saying "June of what year?" They recently ordered a batch of senior Imagineers, headlined by Tom Morris, over to SDL to add oversight and do ''whatever they can" to get the park ready to go. A few balked and were given the Eddie Sotto treatment, as in "You can go or you can resign, but you can't stay."

Some day a book is going to be written on this project ... and I don't mean a Disney coffee table one either.

Which seems reasonable. Sort of a temporary rush job lines up with what we're seeing on the ground even months after opening. He also said this in early 2016, which was quite impressive he was calling this issue from then.

It also makes Tom Morris's treatment all the more unimpressive.

 

[thehowiet]

Now we're recommending forum members be banned for raising concerns of negligence against a company who in the past put the cost savings of deferred maintenance ahead of guest safety? Sounds like someone's got a case of the Mondays...

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Wooooww 2023 for an Avengers ride/coaster? in Hong Kong

6 year wait for a desperate park...what is it with these people who are running this company. No single ride can honestly take 4 years to develop and 2 to construct....pure madness.

There's no reason some of these projects on HKDL's expansion plan couldn't be moved up, but at this point, they have to be approved - and as far as I know, none have been as of yet.

 

[xdan0920]

Now we're recommending forum members be banned for raising concerns of negligence against a company who in the past put the cost savings of deferred maintenance ahead of guest safety? Sounds like someone's got a case of the Mondays...

Not we. Me. And that's not what I said. I get you are desperate to bash the mouse. I get it. It's weird, but I get it. However, if you look back at what I said, you'll see that your comment is far off base.

I said, if it's true, then Exploder needs to move this beyond these forums. He seems to have information that the general public does not. People are going to die. This is serious.

But....

If he made it up from whole cloth, then he's moved past simply using exaggeration to make a point, and into just plain lying. About serious stuff that will impact people. I think that's trolling and grounds for being banned.

FWIW, that's not a defense or an indictment of Disney. It's about this poster and information he's claiming to be privy to.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Here's the thing. Let's assume you know what you're talking about and carry this to it's logical conclusion.

Someone. maybe multiple someones, are going to die. Because, TDO is actively putting guests lives in mortal danger. That's a very very very big deal. That information should not be relegated to page 33 of 74's blog. You have a responsibility to get this information out there. Beyond this blog.

People complained about the way Disneyland treated their rides back in the 90s and for a while nothing changed. You know when it started to change? When upkeep was so poor on Thunder Mountain that the train literally derailed and crushed a young man in the front seat. The sad part is telling most basic Disney people, even those in Guest Relations, isn't going to do anything. They will first deny anything like that and then tell the guest not to worry about such things.

I do agree that the particular poster in question can be dramatic most of the time so no attack there but he is right about the ride condition. I don't know if the ride is going to simply collapse tomorrow however, not sure it's that bad.

 

[xdan0920]

People complained about the way Disneyland treated their rides back in the 90s and for a while nothing changed. You know when it started to change? When upkeep was so poor on Thunder Mountain that the train literally derailed and crushed a young man in the front seat. The sad part is telling most basic Disney people, even those in Guest Relations, isn't going to do anything. They will first deny anything like that and then tell the guest not to worry about such things.

You realize this simply reinforces my point, don't you? Disney knows the consequences of its actions. Exploder is claiming they are behaving in the exact same way now. If that's true, we have a MAJOR problem in the swamps. Don't you think?