Episode III: Return of the Imageworks?

[Tubes]

That's a pretty sad statement there. Not just the hampered ride layout, but the limited theming.

So, they closed the old ride because the turntable was sinking? Or do I have my facts wrong.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

That's a pretty sad statement there. Not just the hampered ride layout, but the limited theming.

So, they closed the old ride because the turntable was sinking? Or do I have my facts wrong.

Kodak contract said ride was to be changed by 2000. They wanted something cheaper to run.

Am I right?

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

I forgot to mention this a couple of weeks ago: I don't know if this means anything, but that COLORS sign/meter thing from the original version of the ride that's been in the current queue in that caged area has gone missing.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

That's a pretty sad statement there. Not just the hampered ride layout, but the limited theming.

So, they closed the old ride because the turntable was sinking? Or do I have my facts wrong.

Kodak contract said ride was to be changed by 2000. They wanted something cheaper to run.

Am I right?

They facilitated each other. The contract was up, and the turntable was always breaking.

I forgot to mention this a couple of weeks ago: I don't know if this means anything, but that COLORS sign/meter thing from the original version of the ride that's been in the current queue in that caged area has gone missing.

Pics? I have no idea what you are talking about. :lol:

 

[marni1971]

The contract was up, and the turntable was always breaking

Close; Kodak were indeed ready to renew the contract, and both parties could save money and avoid other issues by closing upstairs. The turntable mechanism interacting with the ride vehicles had never worked 100%, and the RCS never ran the cars as well as intended, so that was also a prime candidate for a quick fix. The simple solution is what opened in 1999.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

Pics? I have no idea what you are talking about. :lol:

Yeah, I found a pic, this area has bits and pieces from the original ride:

http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/FutureWorld/2004c/FW1104-084.htm

That COLORS sign/meter thing is gone now.

 

[EpcotServo]

Close; Kodak were indeed ready to renew the contract, and both parties could save money and avoid other issues by closing upstairs. The turntable mechanism interacting with the ride vehicles had never worked 100%, and the RCS never ran the cars as well as intended, so that was also a prime candidate for a quick fix. The simple solution is what opened in 1999.

Well to be fair, the WDI motto for 1999 WAS "You can solve all your problems by not trying!"
:shrug:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Yeah, I found a pic, this area has bits and pieces from the original ride:

http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/FutureWorld/2004c/FW1104-084.htm

That COLORS sign/meter thing is gone now.

Ah, gotcha. I never knew that was a prop from the original. Where was it there?

 

[WDW1974]

Close; Kodak were indeed ready to renew the contract, and both parties could save money and avoid other issues by closing upstairs. The turntable mechanism interacting with the ride vehicles had never worked 100%, and the RCS never ran the cars as well as intended, so that was also a prime candidate for a quick fix. The simple solution is what opened in 1999.

Yeah ... and what a winning solution that was.

 

[SirNim]

Yeah ... and what a winning solution that was.

Indeed... it proved that (literally) taking shortcuts results in a quality, beloved product that can hold its own for 10, 15, 20 years without modification and pays many dividends.

[/sarcasm]

 

[Thrill Seeker]

Yeah ... and what a winning solution that was.

Oh yes. A ride that pretty much tossed all of the imagination put into it out the window in favor of a ride where you pretty much spend the entire time in the dark not looking at anything... JIYI was an utter failure on every front, which is why we got the slightly better JIIwF, which still isn't half as good as the original.

 

[MichWolv]

.........or a "Blue Sky Cellar".


WDW really needs one of those

Agreed. I want my Blue Sky Cellar as part of the Disney Parks Museum, which should be built in Downtown Disney. <sigh> It'll never happen, though.

HISTA's really showing it's age as far as the 3D technology. Nearly every other 3D film in other parks including Disney ones look miles better than it.

I say make a new film, but close HISTA early and have a small return engagement for Captain EO during the spring/summer. Then, new film.

I'm on board here. I think that what Disney should do so squeeze another couple years out of the theater without big expense is show Magic Journeys for a year and Captain EO for a year (or better yet, show one in the morning and the other in the evening for a couple years). By then, Imageworks can be fixed up and ready to go, then close and redo the ride.

Of course, it never did occur to me that they might increase the ride length to the point of knocking out the theater alltogether.

 

[tirian]

Agreed. I want my Blue Sky Cellar as part of the Disney Parks Museum, which should be built in Downtown Disney. <sigh> It'll never happen, though.



I'm on board here. I think that what Disney should do so squeeze another couple years out of the theater without big expense is show Magic Journeys for a year and Captain EO for a year (or better yet, show one in the morning and the other in the evening for a couple years). By then, Imageworks can be fixed up and ready to go, then close and redo the ride.

Of course, it never did occur to me that they might increase the ride length to the point of knocking out the theater alltogether.

Michael Jackson has made enough mistakes to prevent Disney from bringing back Captain EO.

 

[MichWolv]

Michael Jackson has made enough mistakes to prevent Disney from bringing back Captain EO.

Likely true.

 

[HMF]

If it's not some poor soul will lose his or her job.

It was probably the same person who wrote Giant Golf Ball

 

[HMF]

According to Disney's website the Rocket Rods are still open at Disneyland....

Forget about that' In the Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland Rocket Rods is listed as a "fondly remembered attraction".:shrug:

 

[Thrill Seeker]

Forget about that' In the Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland Rocket Rods is listed as a "fondly remembered attraction".:shrug:

If you look up some of the videos for it on YouTube, it actually does have a decent sized fanbase. I do admit I kinda wish I could have gone on it...

 

[Jasonflz]

It looked like a cool ride. If the Imagineers actually did some decent theming for it and worked on the mechanisms a bit we would still have it today. Unfortunately it kept breaking down. Now there is nothing on those tracks anymore.

 

[HMF]

.........or a "Blue Sky Cellar".

That can go in the former Epcot 25th gallery.:animwink:

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It looked like a cool ride. If the Imagineers actually did some decent theming for it and worked on the mechanisms a bit we would still have it today. Unfortunately it kept breaking down. Now there is nothing on those tracks anymore.

Banking the curves would have resulted in a more consistent and thrilling ride less likely to brake down and a shorter ride time that would have increased capacity.

If only they had done that...