Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway - Disneyland

[Nland316]

What did the revamp entail? Any details shared?

Not too sure on specifics but I know it was to include fresh paint, new backdrop hills, and general TLC. Jolly Trolly unfortunately wasn’t going to return, but the tracks were to remain intact as is due to budget.

 

[Disney Irish]

I know that budget cuts are plentiful so this may be wishful thinking, but I was hoping they would close all of ToonTown for a half year to the lead-up of the opening of MMRR, and that they would give the Alice treatment to Roger Rabbit. Given the lively animated nature of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, I think a projection based upgrade would do wonders and really lend itself well to that attraction. It'd be nice to have a refresh to the ride along with a refresh of the land.

Just my personal opinion, but I don't think Disney is too invested in promoting the Roger IP at this point. So I wouldn't hold my breath on any refresh of the attraction beyond some basic maintenance.

 

[jmuboy]

I believe it'll be two stories and the second floor will house some of the office space/Costuming dept it took away. Maybe even an up-to-date break room.

I think this dual purpose 2nd floor ( guest space below/ support space up top) would be a smart and interesting use of space! Much needed at DL.

Also interested in the height and overall new look of the TT hills to hide this building. It will give the entire area a fresh and new backdrop. Hopefully one that won’t be prone to fade and peeling with modern construction materials.

 

[mickEblu]

I think this dual purpose 2nd floor ( guest space below/ support space up top) would be a smart and interesting use of space! Much needed at DL.

Also interested in the height and overall new look of the TT hills to hide this building. It will give the entire area a fresh and new backdrop. Hopefully one that won’t be prone to fade and peeling with modern construction materials.

They might go with the more 3D Platicky ones behind Mickeys house as opposed to the flat plywood looking hills. The hills behind Mickeys house always seem to be in better shape.

 

[chadwpalm]

I believe it'll be two stories and the second floor will house some of the office space/Costuming dept it took away. Maybe even an up-to-date break room.

Do we know this for certain or is it just speculation? The footprint of the WDW version shouldn't take up more than 2/3 of the area that was razed behind ToonTown, so I always expected the new support space would just go to the side of the new show building. That way they can keep the height of the new show building no higher than the original building that was there.

They might go with the more 3D Platicky ones behind Mickeys house as opposed to the flat plywood looking hills. The hills behind Mickeys house always seem to be in better shape.

The concept art seems to look more like the original 2D flat hills, just redesigned a bit. Who knows though, they may surprise us.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Speculation. But I believe in the permits thread it was talked about the size of the building and they speculate two stories. I wouldn't be surprised if true. Rise has office spaces and a breakroom in their building as well. It makes sense for the space they lost. And will probably lose some more once they connect toon town to the actual building.

It would be the smartest use of space. Take land back to expand Disneyland, but build in at least some of the backstage infrastructure you tore down.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Speculation. But I believe in the permits thread it was talked about the size of the building and they speculate two stories. I wouldn't be surprised if true. Rise has office spaces and a breakroom in their building as well. It makes sense for the space they lost. And will probably lose some more once they connect toon town to the actual building.

It makes more sense to build office space to the side instead of above, requiring a more expensive structure.

 

[180º]

It makes more sense to build office space to the side instead of above, requiring a more expensive structure.

This was always my take, since the footprint of the site appears so much wider than that of GMR. That said, I’m surprised the steel is so tall and I’m curious about the added height. Maybe it’s just the foreground steel that’s so tall, for a stairwell and elevator with roof access on just that corner?

 

[lazyboy97o]

This was always my take, since the footprint of the site appears so much wider than that of GMR. That said, I’m surprised the steel is so tall and I’m curious about the added height. Maybe it’s just the foreground steel that’s so tall, for a stairwell and elevator with roof access on just that corner?

It doesn’t look that tall. The steel looks to be around 50‘ tall, about the same height as the roof line for Ratatouille. That makes sense if you think two “floors” for the ride show area, one “floor” for lighting, projectors as other show infrastructure, and one “floor” for deep long span trusses.

 

[mickEblu]

Them moving forward with construction is great but it also makes me believe there is some truth to the rumor that DL might open with Splash Mountain under construction to get some of the cost of the retheme in this quarters budget. So between this and removing ZADDD from the Esplanade music loop it’s not looking good.

 

[180º]

It doesn’t look that tall. The steel looks to be around 50‘ tall, about the same height as the roof line for Ratatouille. That makes sense if you think two “floors” for the ride show area, one “floor” for lighting, projectors as other show infrastructure, and one “floor” for deep long span trusses.

It’s easily as tall as ROTR or taller. Definitely taller than Smuggler’s Run, Roger Rabbit, and Small World. You’re right though, not uncommon for a ride like this.

 

[mickEblu]

Are trackless rides overrated? Slow romps through Big warehouses with less intimate show scenes just so we can have multiple ride paths? Why are they so popular? Or are they just popular with the people making them?

 

[brb1006]

I want to see something that looks more like Cuphead. Sure that is Max Fletcher rather than Walt Disney but I think it could be adapted.

Funny you mentioned Max Fleischer, since Fleischers Studios and Disney were rivals/competitors during the early years of American Animation.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Are trackless rides overrated? Slow romps through Big warehouses with less intimate show scenes just so we can have multiple ride paths? Why are they so popular? Or are they just popular with the people making them?

I'd say that would accurately describe all the trackless rides at Motiongate Dubai, but there are trackless rides that are done well (Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Mystic Manor, and perhaps Runaway Railway) that have a good amount of stuff going on around you.

I'd say Rise of the Resistance definitely has that problem where there's not much going on besides what you're being directed to look out. And while the warehouse has been nicely disguised as a Star Destroyer, a Star Destroyer is not an inherently interesting nor visually appealing location. Still a good ride and thrilling, but not my cup of tea. Besides the fridge scene, Ratatouille is probably the worst of the Disney trackless dark rides.

And there's also the outdoor trackless dark rides like Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters or Aquatopia, which are fun to ride and look at.

I think trackless rides are just like any other ride system. There are strengths and weaknesses you have to work around, but some parks get lazy and go for the lowest common denominator of what they can achieve with that system.

 

[brb1006]

Are trackless rides overrated? Slow romps through Big warehouses with less intimate show scenes just so we can have multiple ride paths? Why are they so popular? Or are they just popular with the people making them?

Here's a brief history of LPS/Trackless ride systems. But if you want a short answer "It depends either on the execution, budget, and effort".

Pooh's Hunny Hunt (Tokyo) was the first Disney Attraction at the parks that used the trackless ride (LPS) system (Universe Of Energy and The Great Movie ride used a similar system, but it had different technology) and the first of it's kind. The ride was able to make the Hundred Acre Woods and the Pooh universe to look more convincing and lifelike. The AAs for Pooh and friends were given fur instead of being made of plastic, and the rooms didn't feel like a warehouse. The attraction is still one of the most popular attractions at Tokyo.


Disney's second LPS ride was Mystic Manor which had guests tour around Henry Mystic's Manor. The preshow gives guests some backstory for the characters Henry Mystic and Albert the Monkey as seen in this video.


Meanwhile, Sea World Orlando created "Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin" which was the first attraction in the U.S. to have the Trackless ride system. However, the attraction itself is boring (CGI Penguins inside small screens) and not that much to look at. However it's a good place for guests to go on during very hot and humid days (especially in Summer).



Outside of America, Motion Gate Dubai tossed their hat in the LPS ring and created a collection of trackless rides based on Dreamworks and Sony IPs. The execution is terrible, the ride vehicles moves as slow as a snail, and the AAs look like something you would see at the old Disney Store windows. (The worst is Hotel Transylvania, The Smurfs, and Ghostbusters).






Meanwhile in The Netherlands, Efteling was working on an indoor dark ride "Symbolica" featuring their mascot. The park has had a decent track record when it comes to designing rides and shows. The park even created a behind the scenes series talking about the ride's development. While the AAs aren't to the level as Disney, for a non-Disney Park it's actually impressive. The park constantly updates certain sections of the ride and has interactive elements. The ride itself was actually very expensive in Europe and The Netherlands.


Here's a Youtube Playlist (9 episodes) talking about the development process leading up to the ride's opening and reception with pakr guests.

Back to the Disney Parks, Tokyo Disneyland is currently working on the park's second trackless/LPS ride located in Fantasyland for Beauty And The Beast. Despite the attraction's development getting delayed/pushed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Disney released a video showing some of the Audio Animatronics (such as Belle and her horse). They also showed concept art of the "Be Our Guest" section. While we can't comment to much on the ride since it hadn't opened yet. A lot of Japanese guests are excited for the ride.

Sorry if I didn't bring up Rise Of The Resistence, but I want to avoid rambling on.

 

[brb1006]

Follow up to my comment, Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Mystic Manor are highly praised by Disney Parks fans due to the execution and effort put into both rides. While people (mainly WDW fans) enjoy Runaway Railway, it's still a touchy subject when hardcore fans know that this attraction replaced The Great Movie Ride. Some even preferred the ride to be more fitting at Animation Courtyard.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd say that would accurately describe all the trackless rides at Motiongate Dubai, but there are trackless rides that are done well (Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Mystic Manor, and perhaps Runaway Railway) that have a good amount of stuff going on around you.

I'd say Rise of the Resistance definitely has that problem where there's not much going on besides what you're being directed to look out. And while the warehouse has been nicely disguised as a Star Destroyer, a Star Destroyer is not an inherently interesting nor visually appealing location. Still a good ride and thrilling, but not my cup of tea. Besides the fridge scene, Ratatouille is probably the worst of the Disney trackless dark rides.

And there's also the outdoor trackless dark rides like Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters or Aquatopia, which are fun to ride and look at.

I think trackless rides are just like any other ride system. There are strengths and weaknesses you have to work around, but some parks get lazy and go for the lowest common denominator of what they can achieve with that system.

Hunny Hunt looks pretty great but I’m not completely sold on Mystic Manor from the ride through alone. Looks kind of boring and I feel bad for any park that has that instead of Haunted Mansion. With that said, enough people have it high on their list so I’m open to the fact that something isn’t completely coming across on video. Although I have a feeling it gets a lot of bonus points for being one of the only (maybe only) original Disney park Dark ride this millennium.

I agree it’s really all in the execution. However, I would say that inherently a trackless attraction has a lot going against it and makes the good execution harder to pull off.

 

[BayouShack]

Only Pooh is truly themed (and with stuff going on) every way you look. Even the ceiling has its lighting concealed in the treetops so the ceiling can be painted sky blue. The other Disney indoor LPS, but especially Mickey’s Railway, direct your attention directly in front of you.

Another thing that gives Hunny Hunt an advantage is that each room can be smaller since the vehicle groupings are smaller. The cars fit *maybe* five max, and are dispatched in sets of three. Mystic Manor, the next most intimacy LPS, dispatches four cars at most, necessitating each scene where all cars are present need to be a third larger. Then compare this to Mickey’s Railway... massive cars of eight are dispatched in sets of four. OOF.

The cars of Rise are large enough to fit eight as well, but they’re dispatched in sets of two which helps. The scenes from the Walkers to the final Kylo appearance generally sequester cars to their own scenes, or have them lined up, one in front of the other. I believe the overwhelming scale comes from stylistic choices (you’re in a Star Destroyer), and are not operational necessities. I feel certain that Rise’s lack of intimacy is not a result of the ride system.

Having been on both, my preference is Hunny Hunt. It’s far more re-rideable. It’s a “cocktail party,” if you will.

That being said... I am mildly concerned about TDL’s Beauty and the Beast ride. The cars for that ride are beasts. I believe they seat 10 guests? I imagine the ride will feel very different than Pooh. I’m very interested in how well it’s executed. It is an OLC ride after all, so expectations are high.

 

[brb1006]

Hunny Hunt looks pretty great but I’m not completely sold on Mystic Manor from the ride through alone. Looks kind of boring and I feel bad for any park that has that instead of Haunted Mansion. With that said, enough people have it high on their list so I’m open to the fact that something isn’t completely coming across on video. Although I have a feeling it gets a lot of bonus point for being one of the only (maybe only) original Disney park Dark ride this millennium.

I agree it’s really all in the execution. However, I would say that inherently a trackless attraction has a lot going against it and makes the good execution harder to pull off.

Mystic Manor is one of those rides that looks better in person. BTW, Mystic Manor is Hong Kong Disneyland's version of Haunted Mansion (since Ghosts and anything from The Haunted Mansion is taboo in Hong Kong and China).

 

[brb1006]

Only Pooh is truly themed (and with stuff going on) every way you look. Even the ceiling has its lighting concealed in the treetops so the ceiling can be painted sky blue. The other Disney indoor LPS, but especially Mickey’s Railway, direct your attention directly in front of you.

Another thing that gives Hunny Hunt an advantage is that each room can be smaller since the vehicle groupings are smaller. The cars fit *maybe* five max, and are dispatched in sets of three. Mystic Manor, the next most intimacy LPS, dispatches four cars at most, necessitating each scene where all cars are present need to be a third larger. Then compare this to Mickey’s Railway... massive cars of eight are dispatched in sets of four. OOF.

The cars of Rise are large enough to fit eight as well, but they’re dispatched in sets of two which helps. The scenes from the Walkers to the final Kylo appearance generally sequester cars to their own scenes, or have them lined up, one in front of the other. I believe the overwhelming scale comes from stylistic choices (you’re in a Star Destroyer), and are not operational necessities. I feel certain that Rise’s lack of intimacy is not a result of the ride system.

Having been on both, my preference is Hunny Hunt. It’s far more re-rideable. It’s a “cocktail party,” if you will.

That being said... I am mildly concerned about TDL’s Beauty and the Beast ride. The cars for that ride are beasts. I believe they seat 10 guests? I imagine the ride will feel very different than Pooh. I’m very interested in how well it’s executed. It is an OLC ride after all, so expectations are high.

A few complaints I heard about Runaway Railway is that the ceiling (notably the Carnival, Sea/Volcano sections) is unthemed which can clash with the cartoon aesthetic.

Hunny Hunt was able to make the ceiling in the Hundred Acre Woods section more convincing. It's more notable around Owl's House.

As mentioned above, I love how that section is filled with trees and leaves. Which can surprise guests when they suddenly see Pooh flying above their vehicle and throughout the area.