DINOSAUR Problems

[PhilosophyMagic]

DINOSAUR has been having significant problems lately- enough to seriously take away from the experience. I know a lot of people dislike Dinosaur in some ways because it seems like a lesser version of Indy, but as a major attraction, it is one of the centerpieces of the Animal Kingdom experience.

FIRST OF ALL, why the heck isn't there any fog in the time tunnels? I swear that they filled with fog when the ride first opened. The lack of fog looks terrible- it looks like we're just moving through a stationary tunnel instead of traveling through time, AND riders can see the foliage in the dinosaur area while in the time tunnel. Do the tunnels usually fill with fog, making it just a technical difficulty this time? Or do the time tunnels no longer fill with fog at all?

Also, as has previously been discussed, the "incoming!" flying dinosaur (I forget how to spell the real name) still doesn't move toward us, and there's no "hot breath" on our necks as the Carnotaur chances us. It also seems that the Carnotaur doesn't follow the vehicle as much as it used to. (Can someone confirm this?)

MOST IMPORTANTLY, the story is super-important to this particular ride, but I noticed that they start playing the preshow BEFORE everyone gets into the preshow room!! This really takes away from the carefully-designed story, which every other aspect of the ride follows. Thankfully, this is never done on attractions like ToT and M:S. Can anyone confirm that this happens often in Dinosaur, or was this a rare incident?

IMPORTANT EDIT:

I've decided to send a complaint to Guest Relations, explaining that my family and I were looking forward to this ride as part of our vacation, and that we were very dissapointed that we never had the oppertunity to enjoy it as we had expected, because we were unable to see the entire "entry film."

I have seen that many of you are also upset by this situation, so, for those of you concerned enough, I would highly recommend that you write a letter too! (Or stop by Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom.) Disney takes guest complaints very seriously, but is surely more interested in the opinions of the avrage visitor rather than "fanatics" like ourselves. Therefore, if you do choose to write a letter, I would recommend that you do not let them know that you are such a big fan, and don't give it away by using terms like "preshow" etc. The address to Guest Communications (of which Guest Relations is a subdivision) is below:

P.O. Box 11040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

:wave:

 

[Shanandty]

I don't know about any problems it has had.... we were there on Tuesday, and all I know it scared the crap out of me!!! ( my son freaked out and wanted to get off)

 

[peter11435]

I can address some of the issue.

-As for the Fog I do not remember there ever being fog in the time tunnel however that may just be my memory.

-As for seeing foliage while in the tunnel that should not happen, but is not the fault of missing fog. There is a pair of doors that should hide this, however every now and then those doors are stuck in the open position.

-The incoming Dino has not worked for years and most likely never will, I have heard that the problems with the effect have to do with timing issues, but I don't know for sure.

-If you look behind you the carno does still follow you like he used to you just start moving away before he starts. You can see this best from the back row.

-And lastly yes they have been just continuously running the pre-show without waiting for everyone to get in. Personally I hate this and wish they would stop doing it, but they have been running it like this for a few years now.

 

[25and7]

I AGREE!

There have seemed to be quite a few problems at Dinosaur lately.

First of all, it's kind of strange because the people in the Fastpass line usually get to see the entire preshow because they are allowed into the pre show room before the stand by line. And by the time the stand by line gets into the pre show its already too lately for them to comprehend what is going on in the story.

Also, something I noticed while i was there was that it was broken down A LOT! In fact, one time (during EMH's) we were just about to get into the car and the lights went on and they began to evacuate everyone from the building. I'm really not sure what was going on but it was serious enough to evacuate everyone.

 

[KumbaRider]

The past couple of times it has been down. And I have noticed it's been louder for about a year now, but that's becasue WDI turned up the volume last spring.

 

[Just A Big Kid]

I still thought Countdown seemed more thrilling. Can't really tell you the differences but it seems as if alot more of the ride is just not lit now plus it doesn't seem as rough as it used to.

 

[marni1971]

The fog hasn`t worked for at least 4 years... I dodn`t know it had any originally! Incoming was disable during CTX and hasn`t worked since, although considering it`s on a simple rail I`d have thought the great WDC could make it work properly... shame the voiceover is still in the loop.

 

[SoFlaDisneyFan]

I LOVE Dinosaur, but I agree, there are issues with the present version of the ride. First off, why does the "long neck" (forgot his real name) no longer sneeze on guests? That was a major effect, now you sorta slow down and just look at him. The flying dinosaur you guys are speaking of, is that the pterodactyl that you drive under before coming to the "long neck"? I also remember the standing Carnatour (the place they take the picture) as being completely dark until you came upon him. Now you see him long before you get to him. It's still terrifying, but wasn't this scene once completely dark until you were stopped below him? Maybe that was my imagination effecting my memory.

Also, I agree that there should be fog in the time machine tunnel. When I was in AK in June, the tunnel had a few broken red lights which was very bad show for first time riders. I hope they don't continue to degrade this (imho) high quality dark ride. It is very, very scary, to both adults and children alike. Continuing to degrade its scare factor will only make it seem childish and less memorable. Aside from the classics at MK and Epcot, Dinosaur is one of my all time faves!:sohappy:

 

[BrerPete]

Do people who visit in both the offseason and the summer notice any difference in their ride experiences? When there are less people pushing and shoving on line in the 90plus degree heat, is the ride better? And by that I mean seeing the pre-shows and having all the effects work properly.

 

[unkadug]

Some people claim an allergy to theatrical fog. So I imagine that a few complaints from guests got the fog machine unplugged!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[drew81]

Some people claim an allergy to theatrical fog. So I imagine that a few complaints from guests got the fog machine unplugged!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Exactly

 

[dxwwf3]

I notice all of the original points brought up. Also the doors to the first tunnel do not work anymore. It's been like that for a couple of years.

And yes the preshow start time REALLY gets on my nerves too. I would be extremely upset if I walked into the the preshow and it was already on Dr. Seeker, especially if it was my first time. I think the preshow here is very important and they need to start it when the room is filled. It would only take about 30 more seconds and it would greatly improve the overall experience for every guest.

 

[marni1971]

Some people claim an allergy to theatrical fog. So I imagine that a few complaints from guests got the fog machine unplugged!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Surely a different type of fog can be used (no cracked oil please!) - there are many differant types and effects available - and I`m sure WDI could make one if they needed, eg RnRC at DLP had it`s smoke machines turned off since the residue made the escape stairs slippery. Soloution: new smoke.

 

[BRER STITCH]

... First off, why does the "long neck" (forgot his real name) no longer sneeze on guests? That was a major effect, now you sorta slow down and just look at him.

Just for my own sanity...

I believe this effect is in the "Ellen's Energy Adventure" show and don't recall it ever being in "Dinosaur". It occurs in the Brontosaurus pit in the opening scene.

Is that the one you were thinking of?

:veryconfu

 

[JMagicFink]

fog on dinosaur

I believe the fog that was in the time tunnel a long time ago was just nitrogen fog. It was really thick and cool to the touch, and fell from the ceiling if I remember right. Nitrogen fog is what is usually used for low lying theatrical fog effects, along with those expensive dry ice machines and fog chillers. I don't know why they would stop using it, as it is completely harmless and would help the a/c out.

As far as other types of fog to use, It's Tough to Be A Bug uses either nitrogen or CO2 fog for the bug spray effect. CO2 fog can fill the entire room, and as long as it keeps getting pumped then the fog sticks around. The second it stops getting pumped, the fog disappears almost instantly. It's a great type of fog for quick applications like It's Tough to Be A Bug, and also is used in the 3D Terminator attraction at Universal.

Some fog applications even use water or oil based smoke machines, and then they chill it with blasts of CO2. This is cheap, and can cause the allergy problems that were mentioned previously in the post. It still looks nice as low lying fog, but isn't as great as the purely Nitrogen or CO2 fog effects. Like I said, I am pretty sure the fog in Dinosaur was Nitrogen fog. Seeing as this is used in so many attractions, I don't think Disney should have a hard time getting it, or even producing it themselves! I think this effect should be put back in immediately. Can't diss the fog!
Let's start a wave to bring back the magical nitrogen fog to Dinosaur!
:wave:
-Jim

 

[unkadug]

Thanks for the clarification on fogs.

I agree - Bring back the fog!! :wave:

 

[marni1971]

Bring back the fog in Dinosaur, SSE AND Energy! :wave:

 

[dolbyman]

uhh .. me likes fog :drevil:
erm ... :wave:

 

[JMagicFink]

fog in SSE?

There was fog in SSE????? That's awesome! Where was it? Now that is something that I totally don't remember, but I wish I did.

 

[Yen_Sid1]

DINOSAUR has been having significant problems lately- enough to seriously take away from the experience. I know a lot of people dislike Dinosaur in some ways becasue it seems like a lesser version of Indy, but as a major attraction, it is one of the centerpieces of the Animal Kingdom experience.

FIRST OF ALL, why the heck isn't there any fog in the time tunnels? I swear that they filled with fog when the ride first opened. The lack of fog looks terrible- it looks like we're just moving through a stationary tunnel instead of traveling through time, AND riders can see the foliage in the dinosaur area while in the time tunnel. Do the tunnels usually fill with fog, making it just a technical difficulty this time? Or do the time tunnels no longer fill with fog at all?

Also, as has previously been discussed, the "incoming!" flying dinosaur (I forget how to spell the real name) still doesn't move toward us, and there's no "hot breath" on our necks as the Carnotaur chances us. It also seems that the Carnotaur doesn't follow the vehicle as much as it used to. (Can someone confirm this?)

MOST IMPORTANTLY, the story is super-important to this particular ride, but I noticed that they start playing the preshow BEFORE everyone gets into the preshow room!! This really takes away from the carefully-designed story, which every other aspect of the ride follows. Thankfully, this is never done on attractions like ToT and M:S. Can anyone confirm that this happens often in Dinosaur, or was this a rare incident?

:wave:

First of all, Disney is concerned with ride capacity and throughput and not show quality anymore. I know it is very sad, unless people complain to Guest Relations they don't think there is a problem.

Both Time Tunnels had smoke machines and they are testing new types of smoke. The original complaint came from Dinosaur cast members saying the smoke was coming into the load/unload station and bothering them.

The Mother Ceradactylus hasn't been working since opening due to safety concerns.