Next Gen Queue Confirmed for Peter Pan?

[MerlinTheGoat]

I'd love to see the ride refurbed too but the queue will be nice also. Are they planning to keep the tent look on the outside or will it get something more themed like Pooh got in the overhaul?

I wonder this as well. I have no love of the tent exterior having seen what the ride looks like in certain other parks. The facades of PPF in California and Paris are gorgeous and elegant, i don't like the look of WDW's (or Japan's for that matter). I was a huge fan of what they did to Pooh's facade and would love PPF's to be redone as well.

WDW-
http://www.all-themeparks.com/upload_attraction/peter_pens_flight.JPG

Japan-
http://www.tdrfan.com/tdl/fantasyland/peter_pans_flight/peter_pan_exterior.jpg

CA-
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6533434415_7b01a6f679_z.jpg
http://lostworld.pair.com/disneyland/fantasyland/peterpan.html

Paris-
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kw62v6A4Eh1qa4w2fo1_r1_500.png
http://images.wikia.com/disney/images/c/cc/Entreepeterpan.jpg

Would be awesome if they could update it like they did with Pooh. I have hopes they will, but i'm not sure whether 3 months would be enough time. I don't remember how long Pooh's took, but i think it was longer than just three months. I'd be glad to get rid of all the circus tent facades in Fantasyland (Small World would be far more trouble though sadly).

Of course i'd love for the ride to get a major overhaul as well, i just don't see that happening. I really got spoiled by the version from Disneyland Paris as a child. It was a magical thing.

 

[jmuboy]

Its probably too early to say - but is the queue expanding out into the restrooms next door? Like everyone has said, 2 months probably means no.

I'm glad the queue is being refreshed, disappointed we are not getting a ride refurb. Oh well, at least BTMRR is getting some TLC.

 

[RSoxNo1]

You could always do it (with Donald) in stop motion. I like the idea of changing shows for sure!

I think it could even be self referential where Donald perhaps looks at himself and wonders why he's in this format.

 

[AEfx]

I think 6 months would be optimistic. :lookaroun

It sounds like there are some serious issues with building code in Peter Pan, specifically how ADA and other safety standards work in the event of evacuation. These can be big, big issues, as demonstrated by the haphazard refurb of Disneyland's Alice in Wonderland (which looks awful). A Peter Pan refurb would likely have to install stairways at many points throughout the ride, which itself might require reshuffling some scenes around or installing new walkways. Disney would also be wise to consider using the refurb to switch to DLP's 4-person vehicles, doubling ride capacity and thereby addressing the attraction's ridiculous wait times. Factor in the AA tuneups and any special effects that they may wish to add (hopefully, some of the star effects like Disneyland's or the fiber-optic Pixie Dust effect from DLP), and I wouldn't be surprised if a Peter Pan refurb took almost a year.

Agreed. When it goes down (like others I presume once Mermaid and Mine Train are there to absorb capacity) if it's down for less than a year I'll be shocked. Look how long IASW was down - when they do it, it will be at least as close to a gutting as that was - remember those pics of the whole queue room being rebuilt?

My hope is that, since it remains one of the most popular rides in the park, that they really rebuild pretty much everything with the new tech available in some of the other versions of Pan. In this case, bringing the attraction into compliance means basically a rebuild of the entire ride system - which would likely include the larger cars, as you mentioned, which would effectively double capacity without adding any true length to the ride. And if they are going to do all that - it only makes sense to do the fiberoptics, more modern AA's, etc. at the same time.

It would be a win-win on all accounts; my guess is it would have been done years ago, but Fantasyland in it's current state (and the state it's been in for quite some time) just cannot hold up when that remarkably simple ride is down. Once Mermaid and Mine Train are in, though, I think you'll see that sucker go down for a year, minimum.

 

[NoChesterHester]

Once Mermaid and Mine Train are in, though, I think you'll see that sucker go down for a year, minimum.

Too... much... faith....

 

[NewfieFan]

Great songs! I'd really love to see "I See the Light" from Tangled in Philarmagic. I can totally see Donald flying on the magic carpet around the floating lanterns! Beautiful scene.

That's the song I was picturing too!

So, how can they make an interactive queue if they're not expanding into the old restrooms yet!?! Is there even enough room within the current queue setup to do such a thing!?!
:veryconfu

 

[raven]

I think what Peter Pan needs most is a new ride vehicle design going adding a second row of seats in each vehicle. Wait times would drop and capacity would double.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I think what Peter Pan needs most is a new ride vehicle design going adding a second row of seats in each vehicle. Wait times would drop and capacity would double.

Seating would have to be REALLY higher in the back than the front, or else the sight lines would be messed up for those in the back... And I'm not sure if it'd be possible with changing a lot of stuff in the show scenes.

Or should I say... It would cost a lot of money, so I'm not sure it would happen.

Take your pick.

 

[Ignohippo]

Seating would have to be REALLY higher in the back than the front, or else the sight lines would be messed up for those in the back... And I'm not sure if it'd be possible with changing a lot of stuff in the show scenes.

Or should I say... It would cost a lot of money, so I'm not sure it would happen.

Take your pick.

Doubling the ride capacity has to be done. Unfortunately, due to doubling the weight load of each vehicle, they'd have to redo the entire ride system. Financially, I can't see TDO doing that.

They'd have to open up the new bathrooms before closing the ones next to Pan. Perhaps this queue refurb is only a stopgap measure, and not the expansion we are expecting.

Maybe after the FLE is completed, we'll get a huge update to Pan.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Doubling the ride capacity has to be done. Unfortunately, due to doubling the weight load of each vehicle, they'd have to redo the entire ride system. Financially, I can't see TDO doing that.

They'd have to open up the new bathrooms before closing the ones next to Pan. Perhaps this queue refurb is only a stopgap measure, and not the expansion we are expecting.

Maybe after the FLE is completed, we'll get a huge update to Pan.

The Capacity issues at Pan aren't nearly as problematic as they are at Toy Story. A poster on here informed us that Pan actually has a capacity of around 1200 per hour which is pretty good for a dark ride. I don't think capacity needs to double, but getting it to 1600-1800 range would be a huge boost.

Making wider benches that can fit 3 or even 4 comfortable would probably be a much easier approach. Additionally, a total rebuild could help them pull vehicles off for disabled guests as well.

 

[NoChesterHester]

I think what Peter Pan needs most is a new ride vehicle design going adding a second row of seats in each vehicle. Wait times would drop and capacity would double.

Can you speak to the rumored lack of accessibility accommodation on the ride? Many have assumed here that any sort of ride refurb would trigger requirements for significant upgrades to bring it up to accessibility code.

 

[MarkTwain]

Can you speak to the rumored lack of accessibility accommodation on the ride? Many have assumed here that any sort of ride refurb would trigger requirements for significant upgrades to bring it up to accessibility code.

Here's a previous thread with some interesting information about the ride's accessibility. No way some of the stuff talked about in there would be allowed, considering that ADA requires anything to be up to code after a significant renovation.

 

[raven]

Seating would have to be REALLY higher in the back than the front, or else the sight lines would be messed up for those in the back...

The only thing you see out of the front of the vehicle is the back of the sail. Most of the viewing is done from the sides of the vehicle.

Weight limitations and structural issues can be addressed accordingly.

 

[mgf]

Doubling the ride capacity has to be done. Unfortunately, due to doubling the weight load of each vehicle, they'd have to redo the entire ride system. Financially, I can't see TDO doing that.

They'd have to open up the new bathrooms before closing the ones next to Pan. Perhaps this queue refurb is only a stopgap measure, and not the expansion we are expecting.

Maybe after the FLE is completed, we'll get a huge update to Pan.

But a stopgap for what? The wait has always been awful and fast pass doesn't help (those waiting in standby). A half-refurb, excluding some major structural issue, does not really makes sense financially or operationally. Why not do the whole thing in one solid shot? Maybe this is a clue that SWSA will be closing in March?

 

[AEfx]

Can you speak to the rumored lack of accessibility accommodation on the ride? Many have assumed here that any sort of ride refurb would trigger requirements for significant upgrades to bring it up to accessibility code.

Oh, it's not rumored.

The ride is not accessible. It's one of two rides at WDW that aren't - the other is the TTA.

What that means is, the ride vehicle is unable to stop so someone can load from a wheelchair or other support device. While they have a gate marked with a handicap sign, the ride can be slightly slowed for a few moments but if they stop it - the attraction has to go down and be evacuated, which for Pan means they call in Reedy Creek Fire Dept because of the heights.

That's SOP, at least - as I have heard a few times about them able to restart the ride, but it's the exception - they aren't supposed to. And they will only stop it if someone is falling or is in physical danger - they won't do it so you can load, only if you try and fail, basically. This is all due to the antiquated ride system itself, and also why in spite of the overwhelming popularity they haven't just bought a bunch of new boats with more seats before.

The only option if you are in a wheelchair to ride is if you can take several steps on your own, or if someone picks you up and carries you on. It's always kind of bothered me - that this cute little ride, where everyone can fly - but only if you can walk, first.

All this means it is not "ADA compliant". They cannot make any major changes to the ride without it triggering ADA; it is currently grandfathered (like TTA) because of it's age. Should they make a major change to the building or the insides, they would no longer be grandfathered and would be breaking the law. This is why the subs at Disneyland were not replaced (besides the cost factor, of course) - they are using the same old cramped, uncomfortable subs because if they didn't, they would have had to bring the whole ride into compliance, and it would have cost 3x as much.

This is likely the reason the ride has fallen into such a state. They do the bare minimum to keep it together, they haven't put anything into it in decades (they could easily do a visual refurb and bring it up to snuff with the more modern versions of the ride if that was all they had to do). I believe they have been waiting for the opportunity to really tear down and replace the ride system which increases capacity, bring it into ADA compliance, and then they can bring the ride into the 21st century. Once we have two new attractions in Fantasyland to take off some of the pressure off of one of the most consistently busy rides in the park (even on slow days Pan hits 40min at some point when everything else is walk-on), I think you'll finally see it happen - and it would be good for EVERYONE, 'cause we all would benefit.

 

[aka_emilicious]

I don't remember the ride being able to slow at all. It was either on or off. And you DEFINITELY did not want to turn it off.

 

[NoChesterHester]

Oh, it's not rumored.

The ride is not accessible. It's one of two rides at WDW that aren't - the other is the TTA.

This is likely the reason the ride has fallen into such a state. They do the bare minimum to keep it together, they haven't put anything into it in decades (they could easily do a visual refurb and bring it up to snuff with the more modern versions of the ride if that was all they had to do). I believe they have been waiting for the opportunity to really tear down and replace the ride system which increases capacity, bring it into ADA compliance, and then they can bring the ride into the 21st century. Once we have two new attractions in Fantasyland to take off some of the pressure off of one of the most consistently busy rides in the park (even on slow days Pan hits 40min at some point when everything else is walk-on), I think you'll finally see it happen - and it would be good for EVERYONE, 'cause we all would benefit.

In building rehabilitation we deal with the 50% rule... If your modifications approach in cost 50% of the value of the building then the existing conditions mist be brought up to compliance. It is a general rule and there are lots of specifics and exceptions...

Regardless, the ride needs it just based on popularity alone. Address the ride system and capacity in one move. I'm sure there has at least been a report done by someone at WDI outlining what changes would need to be made.

We can hope...

 

[Clamman73]

Still not fond of a fastpass on Peter Pan...:fork:

 

[jmick71]

"the ride can be slightly slowed for a few moments but if they stop it - the attraction has to go down and be evacuated, which for Pan means they call in Reedy Creek Fire Dept because of the heights."

That is not true, I was on it in may and it stopped completely for a good minute or two(just as I was telling my friend that they cant stop the ride without evacuating it, and calling the fire dept.LOL:ROFLOL And after a minute it continued running, and i was completely surprised,

 

[wilkeliza]

The compliance with ADA goes even further then just being able to stop the ride or not. Technically if you can not walk on your own or have trouble climbing up and down ladders you aren't suppose to be able to ride Peter Pan. I have heard it is due to the evacuation procedures as well as ride vehicle. In the event of an emergency stop the fire department must come and guests who are currently on the ride must be evacuated by ladder by the fire department. If this were to happen with someone who is unable to walk or climb they would be stuck or would have to be evacuated in such a way that would take much more time than others possibly putting others at risk. If Disney tries to update the ride they would have to redo the entire ride much beyond just making the ride be able to start and stop and bigger boats. They would have to provide the ability to escape the ride other than ladder and would have to redesign things like flying over London. I have heard that it would have to be similar to the evacuation system in place on the Forbidden Journey and because sometimes you can see the platforms it can easily take you out of the moment.

*edit saw that a few people have said the same thing about the fire department.