DHS Soundstage 1 Renovation - Toy Storia Mania expansion

[Coaster Lover]

Well, the building was already in place and I'd wager to guess that the ride vehicles are contracted out to an outside company. With that in mind, it would seem adding the third track should be a relatively quick process. The "scenes" are mostly large video screens and I'd assume that the design work on the "framing" around the screens is saved in a template that they've used for every installation of this ride, so there's really no reason why something like this should take all that long. The longest part would be creating a new station area, but still, seems like something that could be accomplished in a few months... so, it certainly not impossible and definitely would be a welcome surprise!

 

[roj2323]

Well, the building was already in place and I'd wager to guess that the ride vehicles are contracted out to an outside company. With that in mind, it would seem adding the third track should be a relatively quick process. The "scenes" are mostly large video screens and I'd assume that the design work on the "framing" around the screens is saved in a template that they've used for every installation of this ride, so there's really no reason why something like this should take all that long. The longest part would be creating a new station area, but still, seems like something that could be accomplished in a few months... so, it certainly not impossible and definitely would be a welcome surprise!

The ride vehicles were being built in house well over a year ago behind MK which is one of the reasons the rumor of a third track got started.

 

[Horizons '83]

The ride vehicles were being built in house well over a year ago behind MK which is one of the reasons the rumor of a third track got started.

Interesting, didn't know that.

 

[Next Big Thing]

This. What I think could happen is more fast passes available for it but they would have to move it to tier 2 to make it worthwhile for most. Otherwise I have to give up my coaster fast pass which isn't going to happen. I think they should move tot to tier 1 and tsmm to tier 2.

The thing about RNRC (and the reason we never use FP+ for it) is it has a single rider line. But yeah, down the line, some switching is going to be necessary. I'm honestly very confused why they switched GMR to Tier 1 though... it's a bit annoying tbh.'

Also, I wonder if TSMM will get it's Single Rider line back with the addition of the third track (Once TS Land opens)?

 

[roj2323]

btw. They don't have to close TSMM to reconfigure the cue. There is enough space between the outer wall and the cue itself to put up a temporary construction wall and install the new entry point without closing down the ride. Once the new doorway from soundstage two to soundstage one is installed it's a simple matter of modifying the handrails which can be done in a night or perhaps a one day closure.

 

[Next Big Thing]

btw. They don't have to close TSMM to reconfigure the cue. There is enough space between the outer wall and the cue itself to put up a temporary construction wall and install the new entry point without closing down the ride. Once the new doorway from soundstage two to soundstage one is installed it's a simple matter of modifying the handrails which can be done in a night or perhaps a one day closure.

I kind of figured that was possible, but wasn't sure.

 

[whereisrodjah]

The ride vehicles were being built in house well over a year ago behind MK which is one of the reasons the rumor of a third track got started.

Disney doesn't build those sorts of things in-house. ETF Ride Systems built the vehicles and ride system for TSM as well as the trackless dark rides (Pooh, Mystic and Ratatouille). Perhaps a few vehicles were delivered there or existing ones were being refurbished and/or replaced- but Disney didn't have anything to do with building them aside from placing an order.

It goes to show how insanely over-priced WDI's projects are when they're mainly working with a $5 million ride system in Toy Story Mania that's almost turnkey from another manufacturer, yet the "light theming" and the station/queue and the static screens somehow made the ride cost $80 million. I know there was some heavy programming involved but yeesh...

Maus Au Chocolat is a far superior version of Toy Story Mania which has a massive fully themed queue and much better theming throughout the attraction (and higher throughput on a single track) which was done for under $20 million.

 

[Horizons '83]

Why do we care about what Disney spends their money on? I'm not an investor outside of my visiting once a year. If they spend 100 million on a track versus 20 million, who really cares? I care about the end product and they knocked it out of the park with Toy Story Mania in my mind.

 

[whereisrodjah]

I'm glad you're happy with it. I think it's a neat little ride but ultimately I get a similar experience playing my Wii at home, aside from the movement of the ride vehicles. A major reason for the perceived lack of investment at WDW (which is comical, they've spent billions at WDW over the last decade and have several billion more in spending lined up over the next 5 years) is the outrageous costs associated with getting a new ride built. Toy Story Mania was just an easy way to vent over the over-spending that occurs because it's a ride that has been constructed at 1/4 the cost at another park which happened to create a superior ride with that little money.

 

[Horizons '83]

I understand that it may seem like a lot for certain attractions that in your mind, really don’t do anything for you, but you have to look at the broader picture. It’s not Apples to Apples to compare attractions expense to those in Tokyo or Shanghai where labor rates are MUCH lower than here in the states. They also manufacture things much cheaper as well, so it’s hard for me to say that Disney just throws money around for the sake of throwing money into an attraction.

And really? Your wii at home is the same as Toy Story Mania? Come on…..

 

[Next Big Thing]

What needs to happen, and what I'm sure they're aiming for, is to have enough rides and attractions where they don't need to tier any FP+, like MK.

When they add two TS rides + two SW rides + whatever comes out of phase 2 Pixar- that will be enough to eliminate the tiers. I long for that day.

I actually think that TS Land might be what ends tiers. I mean, DAK doesn't even have tiers and it only has 6 rides, almost all in which have height requirements and one being a water ride. Granted the park is filled with walking paths, shows and side attractions, unlike DHS.

After Pandora, DAK will have 8 RIDES (rides, not attractions). Once SW Land and TS Land are done (never mind Phase 3), DHS should have AT LEAST 9 Rides. Epcot should be the only park standing with tiers after this with Imagination, Energy, and hopefully WoL seeing work done to bring those either back up to par so that guests want to visit the attraction or bring it back on as a permanent guest area (WoL). Until they do that, I don't see tiers going away at Epcot.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Here's a question: Does Disney drop the Tier groupings for Fastpass+ when the third track opens, or do they wait until Slinky Dog opens? I could also see them wait until Soarin' Around the World opens and eliminate tiers everywhere.

Edit: Didn't see @Next Big Thing 's post

 

[phi2134]

Why do we care about what Disney spends their money on? I'm not an investor outside of my visiting once a year. If they spend 100 million on a track versus 20 million, who really cares? I care about the end product and they knocked it out of the park with Toy Story Mania in my mind.

If they didnt spend as much money, they could easily build more quality attractions, which is needed badly.

 

[Next Big Thing]

If they didnt spend as much money, they could easily build more quality attractions, which is needed badly.

RCID is payind for the bridges and the walkways, which is money Disney wouldn't be able to use for Attractions as RCID is a "government". I know WDW and RCID are pretty much the same thing, but the money used by RCID for Disney Springs could never be used for attractions.

 

[sshindel]

If they didnt spend as much money, they could easily build more quality attractions, which is needed badly.

They could also do a ton of other things with the extra money. More stock buybacks, invest in new cruise ships, raise their minimum salaries, pocket it, etc.
The cost of the rides is not really what is keeping them from building new ones IMO. It's their strategic decision when to add / refurb. Money saved on construction doesn't necessarily translate into new rides, better maintenance, or anything that us, John Q. Parkvisitor will ever see.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

I've heard part of the reason that SRLs are not very common at WDW (and less common than DL) is that people complain (really) about being seated with a stranger.

I’ve been a SRL jockey for a bit over 14 years and I think I’ve heard that complaint 2 or 3 times. I wish every ride had a SRL but they are mostly unneeded at the other 93.2% of WDW rides.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

It goes to show how insanely over-priced WDI's projects are when they're mainly working with a $5 million ride system in Toy Story Mania that's almost turnkey from another manufacturer, yet the "light theming" and the station/queue and the static screens somehow made the ride cost $80 million. I know there was some heavy programming involved but yeesh...

Maus Au Chocolat is a far superior version of Toy Story Mania which has a massive fully themed queue and much better theming throughout the attraction (and higher throughput on a single track) which was done for under $20 million.

This is sadly pretty normal in massive companies. The "cost" of a new ride may be reported as $80 million but the reality is the Disney corporation is probably spending $20 million actual dollars and then adding $20 million imaginary dollars to the Imagineering budget to cover their "R&D costs", $20 million to the facilities budget to cover the building cost (even if it was existing), and $20 million into the operations budget for training,staffing, and uniforms. On paper the costs are astronomical but very little money actually exchanges hands.

I work in a casino in Las Vegas and a good example is our table games department and slot department are "charged" by our beverage department for every comp drink served. It adds up to millions every year but no money actually exchanges hands, accounts are credited and debited but no real money is involved in the process because we all work for the same company.

Disney would be paying the same amount of money to the Imagineering department whether or not the ride was built, they just incorporate the costs into the ride for accounting purposes.

 

[Cesar R M]

Toy Story Mania third track to open much earlier than expected?

would this explain the famous comment by staggs about starting to build in early 2016 for Star Wars land?
aka, rush Toy Story mania while they do the giant closures for Star Wars Land?

 

[Cesar R M]

Disney would be paying the same amount of money to the Imagineering department whether or not the ride was built, they just incorporate the costs into the ride for accounting purposes.

and taxes purposes perhaps?

 

[JohnWD]

I'm glad you're happy with it. I think it's a neat little ride but ultimately I get a similar experience playing my Wii at home, aside from the movement of the ride vehicles.

I think your credibility just took a nose dive.....