Indy Speedway-got Gas?

[WaltsApprentice]

why not go completely cutting edge and run them on water? Or do a combination of a few technologies? That would definitely make people want to reride to try a different car.

Good idea...(but to point out then people are going to want to ride only one and then you have to wait for that car to drive on up, some people already do this with their favorite color lol)

now on a scarastic note: They could rate their vehicle at the end, a touch screen pops out of the dash board and you can vote...lol...(that was for all the touch screen haters out there lol):lookaroun

 

[DisneyCane]

I think this is cool. I just wish our society would start doing the same thing. Gas pollutes and it's expensive.

Ethanol pollutes also and it is more expensive than gas (except when governments subsidize it by reducing taxes on E85 vs. regular gas). It takes fossil fuels to grow and harvest the crops which create ethanol and it takes more fossil fuel to turn the crops into ethanol. At the end of the day slightly less fossil fuel is used overall but Ethanol is not some magic savior.

If ethanol was cheaper to produce than gas, people would be using it like crazy.

If they were going to showcase a future technology they should work with GM on doing a fuel cell vehicle (go cart) and see if they can use solar energy and reclaimed water to make enough hydrogen to run the attraction.

Converting the busses over to hybrid busses would make a bigger impact both environmentally and economically than using ethanol in the indy speedway go carts.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

Update on Gas!

Just wanted to Update on the gas situation...

From the same site that posted it

…The alternative-fuel cars at the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway that we reported on last week are apparently not out for regular guest usage yet, and are in cast-only testing.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd080121mg

Just in case any of you try going on it and sniff the cars to see if they are different lol

 

[Dragonrider1227]

I hope they come up with something. With our current gas issue, it seems rather irresponsible to have a ride that uses it so much. Don't Nascar race cars use a different type of gas? Maybe they should give those a try.

 

[LordHelmut]

Basic Energy Lesson

1. Gas, no matter what the hippies think, is *still* the most economical and highest energy content/per unit cost that is commercially available.

2. See prior message on ethanol. Higher cost is only the tip of the iceberg. ALL of the vehicles would require modifications to the fuel systems in order to handle a high ethanol fuel. Don't believe me ? Try putting even the regular gas into the rubber fuel system components of 99% of the small gas engines out in the world. Then call me when you spend a lot of time cleaning a black goo out of the fuel system that has clogged everything. Had a lawnmower that worked for the last 10 years only to suddenly start acting weird in the past couple of years.... take a guess what most of the problems are being caused by.... Not to mention high content ethanol fuel has a really nasty tendency to absorb water, which is maintenance nightmare... not that Florida, or the Indy cars are ever exposed to humid/wet conditions.

3. Again, there are no special fuels the government is holding back, nor are there any special ones used by NASCAR.... its still good-ole dino-fuel.

4. Electric/Fuel Cell/Magnetic Mileage Increasers/Hybrids - Right........ The best battery technology still cannot store nearly enough energy to drive anything like the indy cars for a typical operating day, even at a slow speed. As an added bonus, the added weight is even more of a penalty to the range of the vehicle. Having to charge for a loooooong time is the final nail. Fuel Cells - It is a ride folks, not a science experiment ! (and no solar power does not have even 1/100th of the potential necessary to create the hydrogen) These are nice concepts, but they belong in innoventions rather than in general use.

Bottom line - It's a ride, not a eco statement, not a experimental test bed, but a source of entertainment. Until such systems are reliable, economical and out-perform the current power plant... it would be hard to justify.

 

[utrythinkinof1]

Bottom line - It's a ride, not a eco statement, not a experimental test bed, but a source of entertainment. Until such systems are reliable, economical and out-perform the current power plant... it would be hard to justify.

It's just the Indy Speedway.It doesn't need the speed of a normal car.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Bottom line - It's a ride, not a eco statement, not a experimental test bed, but a source of entertainment. Until such systems are reliable, economical and out-perform the current power plant... it would be hard to justify.

So, like you said - its a ride. Not a necessary transportation system or anything... just a slow, boring children's ride. Can you really justify using so much gas on this?

Besides, the Hong Kong Disneyland version is already using electric cars, so its not that unfeasible.

 

[LordHelmut]

How much gas do you know/believe/think a car consumes a day ?

Consider, we have seen profit motivations in other areas of the parks delete/modify show elements that seemed (to us faux-imagineers) a minimal cost. Do you really believe that if there was a cost associated with this ride that could be optimized with a decent payback it would already be in the works ?

Q: Since I have not been there, and I am feeling too lazy to google earth it, how does the size of HC compare to DL and WDW ? (size and grade). Also consider operating hours.... MK is sometimes open from 7am to 2am. It takes minutes to refuel a vehicle (if necessary), and could be done on a rotational basis. The ride (during normal/peak periods) has all cars on track. Batteries (traction use) require charging at a fairly specific rate for *hours*.

Think anyone would like to see a sign (Wait time 120 minutes, or until the battery charge is complete....)

Last, but not least, batteries do not like hot, or cold. Place them in either extreme and their service life is shortened, as well as their capacity.

Wow, just realized I am monologing in a rumor section, sorry. Feel free to create a discussion on the discussion thread to debate/discuss further...

 

[dkrfla]

I have a better idea...why not just tear down the entire speedway and put a new "Cars" attraction like they are making for DCA.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

How much gas do you know/believe/think a car consumes a day ?

Consider, we have seen profit motivations in other areas of the parks delete/modify show elements that seemed (to us faux-imagineers) a minimal cost. Do you really believe that if there was a cost associated with this ride that could be optimized with a decent payback it would already be in the works ?

Q: Since I have not been there, and I am feeling too lazy to google earth it, how does the size of HC compare to DL and WDW ? (size and grade). Also consider operating hours.... MK is sometimes open from 7am to 2am. It takes minutes to refuel a vehicle (if necessary), and could be done on a rotational basis. The ride (during normal/peak periods) has all cars on track. Batteries (traction use) require charging at a fairly specific rate for *hours*.

Think anyone would like to see a sign (Wait time 120 minutes, or until the battery charge is complete....)

Last, but not least, batteries do not like hot, or cold. Place them in either extreme and their service life is shortened, as well as their capacity.

Wow, just realized I am monologing in a rumor section, sorry. Feel free to create a discussion on the discussion thread to debate/discuss further...

I think you may be a little off target.

HK's autopia is of comperable size to DL & MK. And their park hours around this time of year are something like 9-7, I believe (I'll tell you for sure when I go there in a month :sohappy: )... But I'm QUITE certain that their park hours aren't in any way tied to the technology pushing their autopia, or vice versa. As matter-of-fact as you were about fuel options (most of which I actually completely agree with) you should know that they wouldn't engineer a method of propulsion for HK's autopia that wouldn't be able to withstand a normal day of performance. And if there were routine problems with the solution, I'm quite sure we'd have all heard about it by now.

Also, I think you might be missing the point of why many people want the Indy Speedway to change. I don't think it's as much the fact that gas is $3 per gallon as it is the location and setting the Speedway is in. The feeling I get from many on here is that it's in Tomorrowland. And because of that fact, they should attempt to use a "futuristic" source of propulsion as opposed to the same thing I just loaded my car with at the Hess station down the street. And while it surely wouldn't be cheaper, it would send a better message, and probably be more healthy for those standing there loading cars all day, and better fit with the theme and its surroundings.

I, for one, would either love to see a change, or take a bulldozer to the place. The place is useless as it sits to me and my family. But that's just me.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Between the rising costs of gas, the limited appeal of the ride (yes I know kids like it, but a different ride could be built the appeals to ALL ages...like Discovery Cove, there's something that could tie Fantasyland with Tomorrowland) , the large amount of space it takes up I'm surprised this old dinosaur of a ride hasn't been closed already. Something, anything, would be better than what's there right now. If it MUST continue existing than please change the fuel or do something about the smell. Walking from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland and seeing this your right and the Mad Tea Party straight ahead is the only place in MK where you truly feel you are at an amusement park instead of a themed enviorment.

I'm all for changing this to be like the HK version. And that one (and DL's) at least have scenery and stuff to look at while your driving. Also don't the cars re-charge while they are going through the load area like Pooh's Hunny Hunt?

 

[WaltsApprentice]

.

I'm all for changing this to be like the HK version. And that one (and DL's) at least have scenery and stuff to look at while your driving. Also don't the cars re-charge while they are going through the load area like Pooh's Hunny Hunt?

Whats Pooh's Hunny Hunt?? Is this at DHK?? Are you also talking about the cars here re-charging or the ones there?? Because the ones here don't recharge...sorry just a bit confused,

But I would have to agree with making it like the HK Version not even just it eco-friendly...but it actually has special scenery, i have been able to see pictures. Does the Disneyland one have this?? i didn't get to go on it.

I have a better idea...why not just tear down the entire speedway and put a new "Cars" attraction like they are making for DCA.

I believe that ride out there is the same as our Test Track but with multiple tracks were your racing. I don't think there would be room for it?But good thought!
But they can simply re theme ours to add Car's scenery like Route 66 (it would fit with Toon town) and you can easly pop off the current plastic covers and add on cartoon ones...the only thing with this...it would make Toon town/ Fanstayland look like its invading Tomorrowland....but I'm not going to open that can of worms:lookaroun

 

[WaltsApprentice]

I found out

i googled Pooh's Hunny Hunt....for ones like me that have never heard of it...very interesting ride! But check out the bold letter at the bottom...An interesting rumor I have never heard of!! (The link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooh's_Hunny_Hunt )

Although track-based traditional dark rides based on Pooh do exist at Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Magic Kingdom parks, Pooh's Hunny Hunt is a different attraction entirely and is exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland.

[edit] Vehicle

The ride vehicles are fashioned to resemble honey pots; though these pots have wheels, they are completely hidden, giving the pots the appearance of "gliding" across the show scene's floors. Traditionally, dark ride vehicles are guided along an easily-visible track, and move at a (more or less) constant speed. The Pooh's Hunny Hunt vehicles have no visible means of guidance and appear to move through the attraction independently. Wildly stopping, starting, reversing direction, and even spinning, giving the ride its trademark whimsical and dreamlike visuals.

[edit] Track

This 'trackless' ride system is achieved not by GPS, as widely rumored, but by a custom LPS (local positioning) system. The patented system works by directional data being relayed from a master control computer directly to each individual honey pot car through a complicated matrix embedded within the actual floor tiles. Every few seconds, the master computer generates a random path and ‘steers’ the honey pot in real-time, so as the cars roll through the ride the vehicles are, in fact, being told where to go. Because this system is in real-time, they can maneuver accordingly in just fractions of a second. This also allows for spontaneous yet synchronized ‘honey pot choreography’ with groups of honey pots (as many as 8 in a single show scene) appearing to ‘dance’ with the others, often timed with ‘beats’ in the music. Due to limitless variations possible, each journey through the attraction is unique.

[edit] Other LPS Uses

Aquatopia (at Tokyo DisneySea just next door) is the only other ride in the world to use this groundbreaking ride technology. It is unknown if this ride system will ever be built outside of Tokyo, although a ride based on Disney's Beauty and the Beast using the LPS system (teacups instead of honey pots) was designed by WDI before Hunny Hunt, yet still remains unbuilt. Pooh's Hunny Hunt has been rumored at having a budget of around $130 million, although this cost included the development and testing of the never-before-built LPS ride system.

Has anyone else heard of this rumor?? Thinking about posting it in as a main thread....:animwink:

 

[Tom Morrow]

How much gas do you know/believe/think a car consumes a day ?

Each Speedway car holds 10 gallons of gas, and prior to opening, each car to be put on the track is topped off. At full capacity, Speedway has four tracks and about 20 cars per track. So on a crowded day, a minimum of 80 cars are put onto the track, but since they overheat and break down so often its probably closer to around 100 cars cycled.

Its hard to say how much gas one car uses on a given day. On a shorter operating day, I'd guess about 5 gallons, and on a longer operating day, I'd guess about 7-8 gallons.

 

[kimmychad]

I think this is cool. I just wish our society would start doing the same thing. Gas pollutes and it's expensive.

i dont believe society would have a problem moving away from combustible engines, but the oil companies have to much influence on our government

 

[Kalikala]

re: the amount of gas it uses- the cars are only gassed up once a day, and they can really run for about 2 days on a full tank. So we're not talking the same amount of gas it would take to drive your regular car 12+hrs/day.

 

[WDWRLD]

why not go completely cutting edge and run them on water? Or do a combination of a few technologies? That would definitely make people want to reride to try a different car.

To dangerous.....Ever seen all the warning lights on Hydrogen cars in case of a fire. Hydrogen burns nearly clear with no visiable flame. Really the only thing you see is the vapors from combustion. Deffinately not a technology to be used around large amounts of people....at least at its current technological state.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

To dangerous.....Ever seen all the warning lights on Hydrogen cars in case of a fire. Hydrogen burns nearly clear with no visiable flame. Really the only thing you see is the vapors from combustion. Deffinately not a technology to be used around large amounts of people....at least at its current technological state.

Interesting info! thanks! Also like the avatar!

 

[Mr Bill]

I read an article a while back about how McDonald's was going to convert all of their trucks in the UK over to bio-diesel and run them off the used oil. I think it'd be pretty neat if Disney were to do something like this, starting at the Indy Speedway and then maybe moving on to the bus fleet once they get it down. They have enough restaurants on site that it seems feasible to me.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

I read an article a while back about how McDonald's was going to convert all of their trucks in the UK over to bio-diesel and run them off the used oil. I think it'd be pretty neat if Disney were to do something like this, starting at the Indy Speedway and then maybe moving on to the bus fleet once they get it down. They have enough restaurants on site that it seems feasible to me.

lol INTERESTING info, do you happen to remember link to this article ...I wonder if the smoke off the car is safe enough to smell...because it might give you a nice craving for fries! Great thats all I need on my diet :zipit: lol