Disney Develops New "Reclining Seat Rollercoaster Car"

[Hedwig's Keeper]

Disney has developed a new roller coaster car to improve our ride experiences. I'm not sure if they have a specific ride/park/theme in mind for this, but please post if you have any inclination. The gist is, they put reclining chairs in the cars so that you are in a reclined position during the ride. They present the new ride technology as,

"The present invention addresses the above problems by providing a roller coaster (or coaster-type ride system) in which passenger seats in the coaster's vehicles are adapted to be articulated so as to move between a load/unload position to a ride position, which still faces forward into the direction of travel (DOT) of the vehicle but with a much different point of view (POV). More specifically, the passenger seats may have an articulable seat back that is moved by a seat positioning mechanism (or seat actuator) between a first position that may be near vertical or upright for use in loading/unloading of passengers and a second position that may be more horizontal or reclined for use in placing the passengers in a ride orientation."

http://www.google.com/patents/US201...a=X&ei=7DQoUfOrK-SY2wX48oCQAg&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Too bad they didn't incorporate this into the 7DMT. Would've fit well being that the carts are going to sway and all. IF Avatar happens and they would've went with that Bike Coaster Cameron wanted, this invention would've worked their as well I think. Those kinda look like the ride vehicles used for SM or Matterhorn. I'd hate to be in the back row in that drawing there.

 

[PhotoDave219]

That looks both AWESOME and amazingly nauseating at the same time.

 

[afar28]

I'm really curious what this could be used for. Wonder if it will even be used in WDW

 

[lazyboy97o]

So they just move your back instead of the whole seat like on some existing coasters? That sounds unpleasant.

 

[doctornick]

For some reason, the thing that comes to mind for me would be if they had a "luge" themed roller coaster (similar in concept to the bobsleds of the Matterhorn). Wouldn't really fit anywhere though, unless they build a Swiss pavilion at Epcot someday.

 

[Skyway]

Looks like they're building a Southwest Airlines flight simulator.

A tall or big guy in the back seat will get crushed.

However, I can imagine overhead projections or moving objects that would make the coaster seem even faster.

 

[Timekeeper]

Looks like they're building a Southwest Airlines flight simulator.

A tall or big guy in the back seat will get crushed.

However, I can imagine overhead projections or moving objects that would make the coaster seem even faster.

LOL

Well, after seeing how Tron Track turned out, we all know how much Disney loves their video projections...

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I have a hard time to see this being used for WDW. I see something like this being used overseas.

WDW really hasn't been about cutting edge for a long time and TDO and Disney in general has problems with speeding money without cutting a budget for original attractions for WDW. The only way this could do change is TDO management gets clean out. The problem is that cleaning isn't going to happen in years except for Phil Holmes and when someone moves up to take George's place when he decides to retire before the end of the decade.

The other issue is the Walt Disney company has a CEO currently doesn't seem that interested in WDW like the other parks around the world WDW has.

 

[NoChesterHester]

So does the entire apparatus rotate so the riders are facing forward while reclined? That is what it appears to do.

 

[GrumpyFan]

I haven't read the patent in its entirety, so I'm not sure exactly what they're trying to address with this "feature". My first thought was that this seemed pretty useless and I couldn't figure out how or where they might use it. But then it kind of occurred to me that maybe they intend to use on Space Mountain or another fast coaster to simulate the effects of force induced by acceleration or a simulated launch effect.

 

[Eeyore13]

Ohhhh I hardly fit in the front seat of SM ride vehicles, leaning backwards would magnify the problem. Not like I'm fat or gaint sized tall either.

I feel your pain, just no leg room at all...

 

[Sped2424]

I really wonder how they could use reclining chairs to enhance the ride experience but I'm sure there is a reason

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Well I hope its for Space Mt. because no matter how many times I am told it can't happen I still always fear I could be decapitated!

 

[TubaGeek]

I like it. Tentatively. They'll have to provide ample room for us tall folks, and lord knows the people in back couldn't be too fat. But it's something new!

 

[PirateFrank]

You know....I gotta say.

How is this patent complaint with TDO's new fear of show above the heads of guests? It seems like they are removing or shutting down anything that happens above the heads of guests...


and now they're designing a coaster that is *forcing* pov above the guests heads? This is confusing....

 

[danlb_2000]

I think Tom's post should be an obligatory addition to all patent threads...

Every time a new patent is found, people instantly assume it's for a ride that's on the drawing boards. And every time I remind people that when you see a patent hit the web (i.e. it's been filed with the US Patent office), there are 5-10 years of work hidden behind that document.

Disney has a pile of mad scientists who spend their lives "inventing stuff.". They just keep spewing out patents. Some get used. Some don't. Some just are sold to other companies - even competitors.

Nothing that we see as a patent today was intended for any specific ride or attraction. Sure, if WDI knows the mad scientists have been working on something they could use, they might speed up the process, but otherwise the patents and blue sky attractions are unrelated.

 

[danlb_2000]

I haven't read the patent in its entirety, so I'm not sure exactly what they're trying to address with this "feature". My first thought was that this seemed pretty useless and I couldn't figure out how or where they might use it. But then it kind of occurred to me that maybe they intend to use on Space Mountain or another fast coaster to simulate the effects of force induced by acceleration or a simulated launch effect.

I think this section of the patent sheds some light on the intentions:

"Park operators continuously seek new designs for rides that attract and continue to entertain park visitors. Further, it is often important to build upon or modify existing rides to provide park visitors with new and exciting experiences without the cost or inconvenience of replacing an existing ride with a completely new ride. For example, it is much more desirable for a park operator to reuse an existing track and support structure than to remove these and build a completely new ride as this places a ride out of use for a longer period of time and, during construction, is more disruptive to nearby attractions."

Wonder is this was being considered for use in the Matterhorn at some point.

 

[Paul jr]

Imagine the hill lift on those things Now imagine get stop on that same hill lift

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Is this for if the ride breaks down? The ride stops, the seat backs recline and a nice voice comes over the PA: "Now you nice folks just relax, we're gonna come get you in about 15 minutes, mmm-kay?"