New Omnitable patent - possible CoP replacement?

[Goofyernmost]

The words of dead people are very rarely listened to unless you actually can hear it! Write that down, it will be quoted continuously in the future.

 

[danv3]

Don't you realize what this is? They finally perfected the Journey into Imagination turntable concept.

Exactly what I was thinking. Not a totally new concept here.

 

[Captain Chaos]

The words of dead people are very rarely listened to unless you actually can hear it! Write that down, it will be quoted continuously in the future.

EVP session....

 

[bethymouse]

Looks like a possible new ride to me?

 

[Rob562]

It seems more like a proof of concept. Any show would be amazingly short.

Actually, what this is is the load/unload area of the Great American Chocolate Tour at Hersheypark. But unlike this patent, the Omnimover there (built by Disney) is a chain of vehicles that leaves the turntable and goes through the ride like a regular Omnimover. You walk up ramps through the queue, then down stairs to the stationary central part, and then walk out across the rotating edge to your vehcile, much the same as the load/unload platform at Kali.

Also, did anyone notice the part at the end of the text of the patent that said "through one or two rotations of the turntable"? How exactly do you have a complete show if the riders have to ride through the load/unload area halfway through? Though I did see where it included "change in radius and elevation" of the ride vehicles, so perhaps they have a way to make it a two-level attraction?

-Rob

 

[lego606]

I don't think they can get rid of it. It's there something from Walt that says this ride must exist pemenantly?

So much stuff has been incorrectly attributed to "what Walt wanted"...

I'm going to wait until the Parks Blog posts about how "Walt always dreamed of replacing the Carousel of Progress with Iron Man."

 

[Hedwig's Keeper]

How is this different then the turntable in the original Imagination ride?

Good point. Actually, it reminds me of a lot of Disney rides. Not sure what is so unique about it at first glance. I'll have to read more.

 

[juniorthomas]

COP doesn't exactly draw huge numbers right now. But, with the constant motion, it might turn similar numbers, depending on the show.

Refreshing CoP with something like this would not bring in enough riders to justify the expense.

 

[ChrisFL]

Actually, what this is is the load/unload area of the Great American Chocolate Tour at Hersheypark. But unlike this patent, the Omnimover there (built by Disney) is a chain of vehicles that leaves the turntable and goes through the ride like a regular Omnimover.

What you're describing is similar to the original Journey Into Imagination. Anyway, I've been on that Hershey attraction and I thought it was built by Mack rides.

 

[MaryJaneP]

A really great new attraction... IMO, anything new would be a bonus...

You mean like the really great new attractions that replaced Alien Encounter, Mr. Toad, Snow White, etc. etc. etc. You have way more confidence than I do that something "new" will be "really great". I vote for keep CoP, build new attraction in Epcot WoL or JIYI.

 

[GoofGoof]

I hate change. Despise it. I love the classic, the original.

That said, CoP has to go. It holds absolutely no relevance or appeal to today's audience. It's boring, antiquated, and sadly so far out of date that there's simply no way of fixing it. I guarantee you that if they took a poll, 97% of the guests in the audience are first-timers and almost the same amount wouldn't do it again.

It sits on land that is arguably the most prime location in Tomorrowland. A really great new attraction in that location could single-handedly redefine Tomorrowland. I would hope they'd use that area to build something amazing and new, but, knowing TDO, they'd more than likely take the cheap route and just retro-fit the building as the patent suggests.

IMO, anything new would be a bonus...

I must be in the other 3%. To me it's a can't miss and even though it's dated I still like it. Also a good chance to get out of the sun for a little while.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

This is absolutely NOT for Carousel of Progress, so I think we can stop the speculation right there.
Who knows what its for.
It could also be for some short ride-element in new Avatarland.
Frankly, I think its just patenting the tech, and it really isn't intended for ANY attraction right now. Remember, if Disney EVER wants to use this concept, they are reserving the patent for it. It might (and most likely) will never be used.

 

[dweezil78]

Also, did anyone notice the part at the end of the text of the patent that said "through one or two rotations of the turntable"? How exactly do you have a complete show if the riders have to ride through the load/unload area halfway through? Though I did see where it included "change in radius and elevation" of the ride vehicles, so perhaps they have a way to make it a two-level attraction?

Not sure why everyone assumes this is for Florida. CoP theater (which houses Innoventions) in Disneyland is two levels and is in far more need of a change than WDW's Carousel of Progress. It's widely assumed Innoventions is going to be on the chopping block very very soon.

 

[ChrisFL]

Not sure why everyone assumes this is for Florida. CoP theater (which houses Innoventions) in Disneyland is two levels and is in far more need of a change than WDW's Carousel of Progress. It's widely assumed Innoventions is going to be on the chopping block very very soon.

Its "WDW" magic...therefore most people hope that new patents are for WDW, when its probably the LAST on the list of new ride concepts

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Besides COP, are there any other rides this system can be used for?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Not sure why everyone assumes this is for Florida. CoP theater (which houses Innoventions) in Disneyland is two levels and is in far more need of a change than WDW's Carousel of Progress. It's widely assumed Innoventions is going to be on the chopping block very very soon.

The design of the building in Disneyland does indeed lend itself much more toward that design then the one in Florida. Besides, they already have an attraction in the Florida building filling the space whereas in DL, it is not really, in my mind, a legitimate attraction. It it wasn't for the moving floor it wouldn't be worth stepping inside.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Not sure why everyone assumes this is for Florida. CoP theater (which houses Innoventions) in Disneyland is two levels and is in far more need of a change than WDW's Carousel of Progress. It's widely assumed Innoventions is going to be on the chopping block very very soon.

The sooner Innoventions goes, the better. I will shout for joy.

 

[Lexxweb]

I'd hate to see Cop leave, but happier if it reappeared in Epcot. It fits better there anyways.

They can replace Wonders of Life with "Progress Center" and put it there.

 

[Goofyernmost]

They can replace Wonders of Life with "Progress Center" and put it there.

Sure they will just get a couple of guys, grab it by the handles and move it 5 miles down the road. It might be a good location for it if it had been put there originally, but to think that they would take an attraction that they have no love for to begin with and spend millions to move it again, is border line insane. (I don't think you are insane, it's a figure of speech.) When CoP goes it will be gone forever. They aren't going to move it to a different park they will move it to the landfill area of the property. That is why, so many of us are constantly fighting for it to be saved, loved and re-purposed, not replaced.

 

[lego606]

The design of the building in Disneyland does indeed lend itself much more toward that design then the one in Florida. Besides, they already have an attraction in the Florida building filling the space whereas in DL, it is not really, in my mind, a legitimate attraction. It it wasn't for the moving floor it wouldn't be worth stepping inside.

And Innoventions at Disneyland doesn't even spin anymore :/