jt04's Armchair Imagineering: Less is More

[jt04]

Some of my suggestions involve cutting jobs (but as you mentioned, the money saved could be used for physical expansion in the parks (new rides/lands) where new jobs could be created).

First, I would cut live guides at Great Movie Ride, Jungle Cruise, Kilimanjaro Safari.

This might sound like blasphemy but hear me out. A great live guide in an attraction can often enhance the experience, BUT a great live CM guide is a very rare thing (maybe 1 out of 40 are actually great. Most are "decent" to "middling" to "weak" and detract from the attraction, at least in my experience).

GMR: Use the voice that says "You are aboard the Spaceship Nostromo" to narrate the entire ride and rework the scenes that involved the switcheroo (giving the attraction a much-needed freshening up).

Jungle Cruise: The guide's bad humor has become the ride's staple, yet it becomes tired after a while and breaks "the third wall" by mocking the theme park experience (Universal-style). I would convert Jungle Cruise to a humorous, River Queen-like adventure with a pre-recorded, non-self-aware, spiel along the lines of Pirates & HM, freshening up a decades old ride.

Kili Safaris: I find that the best part of the ride is when you are traveling through elephant country just listening to the African music on the radio and not the guide talk about Big Red & Little Red. A voice-over airborne ranger (perhaps more understandable than Wilson) could make comments about the various animal along the way, but most of the time, the guest experiences the savanna without listening to a moment-by-moment tour guide. The vehicle would still require a driver, so perhaps he/she could ID a few animals along the way (but much, much less narration). So I suppose it wouldn't eliminate the cost, after all.

***

A smart, automated monorail expansion (see Dubai Metro) would involve huge upfront costs, but could be a long-term money-saver in terms of fuel prices, man-power required, vehicles (buses), traffic and guest experience.

I agree with you to some extent except for the Jungle Cruise. It is just too much a part of the tradition.

So to finish up my idea because it has grown far beyong the scope of this thread, basically it is to add parking garages to replace the tram system or at least minimize the need for trams. I think they would initially need to build smaller garages that were only for premium AP holders and on-site guests (plus other uses I will detail in another thread). This could be done in such a way that the garages could be expanded as the traditional parking lots become less necessary over time due to the new garages. As I Armchair Imagineered this it turned from a simple idea to phase out or minimize the trams into a resort wide transportation system utilizing monorails, trams, busses, the new HSR and PRT technology. It is awesome (I say modestly) and I'm convinced it is practical. But that is its own thread in the near future. I'll continue to add to this thread and also add my two cents to what others contribute. Great ideas so far. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[jt04]

Something small to start... What about making a open-air stairwell (using short ramps back and forth instead of stairs) for Astro Orbiter. They can still keep the elevator and use it for the handicapped but at least it wouldn't be running constantly all day, all week, etc. etc.

Probably not the best idea, but I'm trying to get my cost-saving juices flowing.

After recently viewing some TTA Peoplemover pics I have a thought about this. The elevator has always bothered me. It is neither retro nor futuristic. It really does need to go and not just for cost savings although that would be a great benefit.

The problem with ramps is that they can't be too steep so as to be ADA compliant but I think I have a solution...

...instead of the ramps as you suggest, I think ramps that wrap around the base of the structure could look very futuristic. Think of the spiral shape built into the Mission:Space building. Having a couple similarly shaped and intertwined ramps that encircle the entire structure could easily be made ADA compliant. And the entire structure is not so high as to make it impossible. One ramp could lead above the current TTA ramp and also lead to the top platform. This would lead to the removal of the elevator AND the moving TTA ramp/escalator and save substantially on maintenance costs. At night it would look amazing lit up with LEDs.

 

[DisneyNut2007]

Not sure. I think most people miss AE but to me the blue dude just does not deserve an attraction. WALL-E would be great. Stitch is just a little too "Hannah Barbarra" for me. You know kind of Yogi-esque or even on par with Boo Boo.

Sorry, JT, but I must disagree with you on this.

Stitch has just as much of a right to be in an attraction as any other Disney character. And I don't see him as being "Hanna-Barbarra-ish" at all. Stitch is "Disney" all-over and that's that!

Leave the poor little blue dude alone.

 

[jt04]

They use 1/2 automated ordering and 1/2 cashiers at Pecos Bill, in Frontierland. I think it works well because the automated machines only take credit card, making it very quick and easy. While people who want to pay in cash or exact change, or are afraid/unsure how to use the computers, have to go to a person.


My idea would be to put motion sensors in very low trafficed areas, so when there is someone there the light would turn on and when theres not, the lights would be off. I think this could work best in the hotel hallways.

Also they could use light sensors, like on most streetlights, for areas with windows that already let in a lot of light in during the day, like behind the Fountain View Cafe and the character M&G. There really is no need for those lights to be on all day.

I really think LED's and other cutting edge lighting tech will be a huge part of modernizing WDW. Of course I think it will spread throughout our lives over the next 5 years.

Certainly it will be cheaper than current technology because they last so much longer reducing replacement costs, use substantially less electricity saving energy costs, but also the generate lass heat reducing AC costs which is especially important in Florida.

But also the skies the limit for how this tech can be used. Not only can it be used with motion sensors but the effects can change colors etc as you move through an area. I think it will first show up as decorative lighting as they perfect the technology. The days of burnt out bulbs will be in the past. Especially if they have a proper scheduled replacement plan. So, one of the benefits is Kevin Yee will have one less Declining By Degrees situation to write about.

Yes, LED's reduce costs and can be made to enhance the guest experience. Ding Ding -- Another winning idea.


I'll have to start a seperate thread for my parking and transportation thread. That will be in the future. Meanwhile I will add to this thread as I think of more specific ideas for locations at the "World".

 

[IWant2GoNow]

After recently viewing some TTA Peoplemover pics I have a thought about this. The elevator has always bothered me. It is neither retro nor futuristic. It really does need to go and not just for cost savings although that would be a great benefit.

The problem with ramps is that they can't be too steep so as to be ADA compliant but I think I have a solution...

...instead of the ramps as you suggest, I think ramps that wrap around the base of the structure could look very futuristic. Think of the spiral shape built into the Mission:Space building. Having a couple similarly shaped and intertwined ramps that encircle the entire structure could easily be made ADA compliant. And the entire structure is not so high as to make it impossible. One ramp could lead above the current TTA ramp and also lead to the top platform. This would lead to the removal of the elevator AND the moving TTA ramp/escalator and save substantially on maintenance costs. At night it would look amazing lit up with LEDs.

:sohappy: Even better! That elevator loading has always bothered me also. That line is so ridiculously unshaded also. At least with the ramp you're suggesting you'd be in the shade of the TTAM tracks. Even MORE of a plus!

 

[jt04]

:sohappy: Even better! That elevator loading has always bothered me also. That line is so ridiculously unshaded also. At least with the ramp you're suggesting you'd be in the shade of the TTAM tracks. Even MORE of a plus!

Thanks. It could look almost like a sculpture. I was thinking they could even use cutting edge materials to make it even more futuristic. It would tie the kinetics of the entire structure together. Seems like something they may actually do someday.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

http://www.waterless.com/

Read up, jt! Especially check out the FAQ page. I think if these were installed in every male bathroom in the World they would eventually see a dramatic shift in water cost-savings.

I was actually at a gas station in Missouri that used these. They are kind of odd but do not smell and the funnel-style have a somewhat "futuristic" look to them.

They also come in a variety of colors for easy theming implementations.

:wave:

Whatd'ya think?

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Well still, he's my favorite MODERN Disney character, plus look at Tokyo Disneyland at the moment, there's a Stitch show at night for their summer event and he's had a parade entriely deitcated to him from 06 to 07. They love him there.

Well the Japanese always had a kind of weird taste when it comes to entertainment,

 

[jt04]

http://www.waterless.com/

Read up, jt! Especially check out the FAQ page. I think if these were installed in every male bathroom in the World they would eventually see a dramatic shift in water cost-savings.

I was actually at a gas station in Missouri that used these. They are kind of odd but do not smell and the funnel-style have a somewhat "futuristic" look to them.

They also come in a variety of colors for easy theming implementations.

:wave:

Whatd'ya think?

I love green technology that makes economic sense. I have heard of this technology and if it actually saves the money and resources it claims to, it is perfect for the "less is more" thread. I wish I had thought of it but plumbing is not my forte'.

Brilliant and your project should be greelighted immediately IMO.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

I love green technology that makes economic sense. I have heard of this technology and if it actually saves the money and resources it claims to, it is perfect for the "less is more" thread. I wish I had thought of it but plumbing is not my forte'.

Brilliant and your project should be greelighted immediately IMO.

The only reason I thought of it was traveling out to KC and STL for a couple baseball games earlier in the month. And that one restroom we stopped at had them.

I agree though, these should be implemented ASAP.

 

[jt04]

The only reason I thought of it was traveling out to KC and STL for a couple baseball games earlier in the month. And that one restroom we stopped at had them.

I agree though, these should be implemented ASAP.

Certainly at the very least when they do complete refurbs or new construction.

 

[Magenta Panther]

WHY DOES EVERYONE NOT LIKE STITCH! I mean, sure the attraction isn't that good but still, the alien experiment is cute and fluffy. That counts for somthing right?

I just watched the film again on the Disney Channel, and it's pretty great. I think Stitch could qualify for a show, but a better one than SGE, and it has to include Lilo, plus Jumba and Pleakley, and the rest of the Galactic Federation. Lilo is especially important, because she makes Stitch more likable. Stitch in his evil form - at least in SGE - it just annoying and not in the least amusing.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Also found these if we're looking at green stuff.

http://www.solarlightingusa.com/street-a-area-lighting-solutions.html

This may be a ways off from working seeing as the panels are bulky and would probably be a thematical nightmare. But I could see them coming up with a unique way of disguising them.

Or it may just be too new of a concept and once they dwindle it down to smaller panels it may be easier to deal with.

I was surprised to learn how long they would stay on after sunset. Pretty impressive tech.

 

[jt04]

OK, I was inspired to add this due to a post in another forum.

Simply replace, wherever possible, legacy film projectors in all attractions with digital projectors and media. Over the long term this will save huge money in maintenance costs, allow for cheaper refurbs/updates and give guests a much better experience due to the consistent quality of digitized visuals.

Fortunately this seems to be something Disney "gets" and the process is underway. :sohappy:

 

[IWant2GoNow]

OK, I was inspired to add this due to a post in another forum.

Simply replace, wherever possible, legacy film projectors in all attractions with digital projectors and media. Over the long term this will save huge money in maintenance costs, allow for cheaper refurbs/updates and give guests a much better experience due to the consistent quality of digitized visuals.

Fortunately this seems to be something Disney "gets" and the process is underway. :sohappy:

This would slightly improve UoE until they (if they ever) revamp the whole experience.

Actually, for this idea out of all the parks I think Epcot should be the first that is completely switched over to these digital formats you speak of. For a park that is half focussed on the future, it's looking pretty outdated in these respects.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Thought of something else but I'm not sure how it would be implemented. Water features such as the waterfalls on TLM once it is built should be built to somehow harness energy through the falling water. There's got to be a way that the falling water from the waterfall could produce enough energy to pump the fallen water back up to the top, right? Or am I just dreaming here?

Water energy would be a tremendous cost savings especially if they could rig it up on the Kali Rapids.

Please let me know if there are flaws in this idea because I'm sure there is.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There's got to be a way that the falling water from the waterfall could produce enough energy to pump the fallen water back up to the top, right? Or am I just dreaming here?

What you describe is perpetual motion, and if you figure that out you will instantly become one of the most revered, and wealthiest, persons of all time.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

What you describe is perpetual motion, and if you figure that out you will instantly become one of the most revered, and wealthiest, persons of all time.

Sooo... Just dreaming then, huh? :lol:

Well I guess if you can dream it, you can do it? :shrug:

So would putting a paddle-wheel type contraption at the lip of the waterfall generate enough power from water just continually turning it as it falls?

I think gravity is a very under-used tool in trying to find alternative ways of powering things. Gravity, and magnetism.

 

[mewhunter67]

I too have the same belief, if you can dream it, you can do it, and I would love to break physical laws...

however, lazy boy is correct. you can think up idea and idea over and over again, but study some physics, and you'll find a flaw in each one.

for your paddle wheel, you have to worry about friction. Now we can have frictionless bearings, but you still have to account for air friction, etc. we cannot create a perfect vacuum yet, so it isn't quite possible. There are probably other things I'm missing, like the behavior of the water on the paddle, but you get my point.

I agree, gravity and magnetism could be used very extensively, they are wonderful natural forces. however, i don't know if you realize how much they get used all the time. Magentism runs our very civilization, hand in hand with electricity. but there definitely fun uses for it in the parks. one of the coolest uses; the people mover uses a maglev system; the RnRC uses a launching system. i've hear rumors of other uses that may be incorporated, for just entertainment purposes, but we'll see.

But until we change physics in the real world, won't be happening 9however, i've read in a scientific journal that some laws may change elsewhere in our universe, so maybe...)

 

[IWant2GoNow]

I too have the same belief, if you can dream it, you can do it, and I would love to break physical laws...

however, lazy boy is correct. you can think up idea and idea over and over again, but study some physics, and you'll find a flaw in each one.

for your paddle wheel, you have to worry about friction. Now we can have frictionless bearings, but you still have to account for air friction, etc. we cannot create a perfect vacuum yet, so it isn't quite possible. There are probably other things I'm missing, like the behavior of the water on the paddle, but you get my point.

I agree, gravity and magnetism could be used very extensively, they are wonderful natural forces. however, i don't know if you realize how much they get used all the time. Magentism runs our very civilization, hand in hand with electricity. but there definitely fun uses for it in the parks. one of the coolest uses; the people mover uses a maglev system; the RnRC uses a launching system. i've hear rumors of other uses that may be incorporated, for just entertainment purposes, but we'll see.

But until we change physics in the real world, won't be happening 9however, i've read in a scientific journal that some laws may change elsewhere in our universe, so maybe...)

Thanks for the reply! That was VERY inciteful.

I guess if it was as simple as I had said it would have already been done. I'm not the brightest piece of coal in the mine. :lol: