More DL observations from a 1st timer

[DznyGrlSD]

Tomorrowland...oh Tomorrowland...you SO need an upgrade.

The Peoplemover track is an eyesore - re-open the darn thing! The whatever used to be on top of the Peoplemover station is a rusty, old, crappy looking eyesore.

The buildings need a good paint job. While I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Iron Man 3 exhibit but I missed having a Carousel of Progress there. How long has that space been Innoventions?

Oy...the peoplemover track...oy!

 

[Californian Elitist]

The PeopleMover is gone forever for Disneyland. Another attraction called Rocket Rods were there in the late nineties, but they only lasted two or three years. Sad. The Carousel of Progress has been gone for years.

I agree, Tomorrowland needs serious help.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

5 days in the parks and Tomorrowland was my only MAJOR disappointment. It just looks sad.

I researched what happened to the Peoplemover in CA - we have one in FL, why can't they just use the existing track and re-do/update it? What's the hold-up.

Yes, the rocket rods - good God someone please remove the rusty, tacky-looking mess!!

 

[Travel Junkie]

Tomorrowland needs some help. They have a couple of great rides that I go to, then immediately leave. There are rumors that a redo is in the works, but we'll see.

My understanding is Rocket Rods really messed up the track and it can no longer support a ride on top of it. California also tends to have much stricter safety laws than other states. To give you an idea Soarin in California was shut down recently for a couple days due to workplace safety issues involving fall protection for cast members, while in Florida the exact same ride continues on without any corrections. In the People Mover's case it would have been grandfathered in to newer safety laws if had been continuously running, but now it would have to meet the new requirements. They would have to make a lot of modifications to the track to meet the new standards. Because of these issues, they would have to tear out the track and completely rebuild it.

Cal-OSHA/DOSH has been a big topic at Disneyland recently. Several rides have been temporarily shut down recently due to workplace safety issues. Railings and fencing has been put up everywhere. Some are well themed or hidden, while others no so much.

 

[Californian Elitist]

5 days in the parks and Tomorrowland was my only MAJOR disappointment. It just looks sad.

I researched what happened to the Peoplemover in CA - we have one in FL, why can't they just use the existing track and re-do/update it? What's the hold-up.

Yes, the rocket rods - good God someone please remove the rusty, tacky-looking mess!!

The PeopleMover can't come back, due to a whole bunch of serious safety hazards. OSHA reps would be at Disneyland everyday. I agree, SO tacky and sad, when you think about what used to be there.

Disneyland has a few remnants from past attractions in the park, but some of them are sort of like decorations. Others, like the PeopleMover and the Fantasyland Skyway Station are the exact opposite.

Here's the Skyway in Fantasyland, during the sixties:

Here's what's left of it... The station, where the buckets came in in Fantasyland. It's covered in trees (if you look hard you can see it) and there are animals that live there, but it's sometimes used for CM get-togethers:

Someone took it upon themselves to go and check it out (LOL you can hear the goat, the possums, the coyote and people screaming on Thunder Mountain towards the end of the video)



Speaking of Thunder Mountain, Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland was the attraction that sat where Thunder Mountain is now. It was a train ride that took you to see different animals and wildlife in the west. It was kind of like the Jungle Cruise concept, only without a skipper.

This is the town of Rainbow Ridge, which is still in Thunder Mountain, although with new buildings being built right now.

Cascade Peak:

Some bears... Catching fish and scratching hahahaha:

Rainbow Caverns:

All that is left now is Rainbow Ridge (currently under construction), a tunnel from he attraction, a fish from the bear pond and a little bit of the train.

Rainbow Ridge (Thunder Mountain):

A piece of the tunnel:

Here's a video of the fish, again with Thunder Mountain in the background. It's a little eerie watching the video and hearing a train in the background. It's the Mine Train's ghost!



You can barely see but in Pinocchio, right as you meet Stromboli, an original Pinocchio puppet can be seen. Let me tell you, it's CREEPY. I almost had a heart attack when I first saw it.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

We were wondering what the heck the random tunnel was for when we were walking to/from Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - Thanks @raven24 as always

 

[Animaniac93-98]

They were stupid to get rid of Cascade Peak, it was such a nice feature. The Skyway station sitting idle is also a waste, especially with Disneyland's capacity concerns. They could at least keep the nice building and make it a shop or restaurant.

 

[RandomPrincess]

There are rumors Tomorrowland is getting a make over soon for the 60th anniversary of DL in 2015. They would have to start soon though. Hopefully we will here something at D23 in a few months.

 

[Californian Elitist]

There are rumors Tomorrowland is getting a make over soon for the 60th anniversary of DL in 2015. They would have to start soon though. Hopefully we will here something at D23 in a few months.

Given there are just two years left until 2015, I don't see a major Tomorrowland overhaul happening by that time.

 

[Californian Elitist]

They were stupid to get rid of Cascade Peak, it was such a nice feature. The Skyway station sitting idle is also a waste, especially with Disneyland's capacity concerns. They could at least keep the nice building and make it a shop or restaurant.

Hhmm, maybe a snack bar or a small kiosk? That'd be nice.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Given there are just two years left until 2015, I don't see a major Tomorrowland overhaul happening by that time.

I was wonder about that too. They would have to start now! If it was just redoing the outsides of the buildings they could do it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I was wonder about that too. They would have to start now! If it was just redoing the outsides of the buildings they could do it.

Exactly. They'd have to start like today lol. The building facades could probably get done in two years, sure.

 

[Travel Junkie]

From what at least Miceage is reporting, any Tomorrowland redo would not start until after the 60th, which makes sense. You do not want a bunch of construction walls during their 60th.

 

[RandomPrincess]

From what at least Miceage is reporting, any Tomorrowland redo would not start until after the 60th, which makes sense. You do not want a bunch of construction walls during their 60th.

Thanks I must have misread the article.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thanks I must have misread the article.

They're talking about an article that came from MiceAge a long time ago.

 

[croboy82]

Oh wow, when we were there last year we were wondering what the tunnel was too!

Thanks alot for the explanation

 

[englanddg]

They were stupid to get rid of Cascade Peak, it was such a nice feature. The Skyway station sitting idle is also a waste, especially with Disneyland's capacity concerns. They could at least keep the nice building and make it a shop or restaurant.

They could always turn it into a bathroom. Worked for MK.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

If anyone's interested, found this video of Rocket Rods

 

[lego606]

The problem with putting back the PM isn't so much the track (though now after years of disuse I would be surprised if there isn't rebar damage) but since Rocket Rods counted as a "new attraction" they would either have to bring RR back as it was (never gonna happen) or bring the track up to modern OSHA standards which would almost be like a roof over Tomorrowland.

 

[MichWolv]

The problem with putting back the PM isn't so much the track (though now after years of disuse I would be surprised if there isn't rebar damage) but since Rocket Rods counted as a "new attraction" they would either have to bring RR back as it was (never gonna happen) or bring the track up to modern OSHA standards which would almost be like a roof over Tomorrowland.

Probably true. Time to take the track down so there's no more eyesore all over Tomorrowland, put the astro-orbiter back where it belongs, and use the old PM loading platform as the queue area for the Orbiter, more seating for Tomorrowland Terrace (get it, an actual terrace?), or even stroller parking.