People mover possibly coming back for 60 year anniversary

[phillip sugarman]

There is currently work being done at Disneyland on the people movers. From what I saw it looks like they are putting safety rails on the people movers, but why would they put safety rails on a attraction that will probably never open up again unless they tear it out and rebuild the track. Disneyland wouldn't need to put safety rails up on an attraction if they are going to paint it or just let it sit there.Most likely they are finally going to spend the money to fix up the people mover for the 60 year anniversary. The work that is being done doesn't look like it is just to make the attraction look pretty.

Attached is a link to photos of the construction: http://micechat.com/forums/disneyland-resort/198242-people-mover-coming-back.html#post1057162566.

 

[RandomPrincess]

That would be great. They have rails up that do not look like construction railings.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Haven't those railings been there for a long time? I'm not sure anything's being done to it. From what I understand, sections have already been significantly dismantled/sealed off.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The railings aren't new. It's been confirmed and said multiple times the PM isn't coming back.

 

[Tom]

OSHA is making them put up safety railings on every roof and elevated surface. Been happening for a while now.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The railings aren't new. It's been confirmed and said multiple times the PM isn't coming back.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the original tracks have some structural issues that make it so it will never be able to return unless they completely replace the tracks?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the original tracks have some structural issues that make it so it will never be able to return unless they completely replace the tracks?

Yep, pretty much. The tracks are old, outdated, rotted and just messed up. Rocket Rods did a lot of damage, as well as the multiple and continuous years of letting the tracks just sit there. If the PM were ever to come back, the current tracks would need to be ripped out.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yep, pretty much. The tracks are old, outdated, rotted and just messed up. Rocket Rods did a lot of damage, as well as the multiple and continuous years of letting the tracks just sit there. If the PM were ever to come back, the current tracks would need to be ripped out.

That's what I thought. I rememer when I was there just looking at the tracks and thinking "Those don't look stable or safe at all." Not having railings at all really baffled me too. Maybe it's just me, but this:

looks a lot safer than this:

It would be nice if they would revamp Tomorrowland, get rid of the old Peoplemover tracks, and possibly move Astro Orbiter back on top (though I believe I heard that building has structural issues as well). Wouldn't count on it, but it would be nice. That was the one low point of DL. I like all of the attractions in Tomorrowland (minus Astro Orbiter) but it just needs work. So does WDW's, but at least there aren't random, unused PeopleMover tracks.

 

[TP2000]

None of those railings shown in the Micechat thread are new. The ones at the front of the land have been there since 1998, and the ones at the back of the land over and around the Submarine lagoon have been there since the 1970's or earlier.

 

[TP2000]

looks a lot safer than this:

It used to be worse. When the PeopleMover opened in 1967, that section of track didn't have the narrow walkway and railing alongside. Most of the track in the 1960's was just a slender beamway with electric motors driving Goodyear tires with just a few inches of extra track on each side. It was a long drop, and there was no defined way to evacuate the trains in the event of a problem or loss of power.

Here's that same section of track seen from the opposite angle, from the viewpoint of an actual train in 1967. No walkway, no railing, just open air to the ground below.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

It used to be worse. When the PeopleMover opened in 1967, that section of track didn't have the narrow walkway and railing alongside. Most of the track in the 1960's was just a slender beamway with electric motors driving Goodyear tires with just a few inches of extra track on each side. It was a long drop, and there was no defined way to evacuate the trains in the event of a problem or loss of power.

Here's that same section of track seen from the opposite angle, from the viewpoint of an actual train in 1967. No walkway, no railing, just open air to the ground below.

Oh my, that doesn't look safe at all! The PeopleMover in WDW stops a lot and I often wonder if I'm going to get evac'ed off it, but I don't have to worry about falling off during an evac.

I just watched a video of the Peoplemover in DL from 1990. The whole vehicle shook and squeaked and made weird noises. Just not safe. I don't blame them at all for not running it anymore.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Not safe? Eh, whatever. The Peoplemover never had any accidents unless people decided to jump out of the cars.

 

[TP2000]

Not safe? Eh, whatever. The Peoplemover never had any accidents unless people decided to jump out of the cars.

Valid point. I don't think the PeopleMover was inherently "not safe". It was just from 1967.

I think we're dealing more with a generation gap on what people now expect from a machine, especially transportation. In the 2010's cars are now over-engineered into silent, padded capsules that effortlessly glide around for 250,000 miles or more. I have a hunch if most of todays 30somethings or younger got in a brand new 1967 Chevrolet they would be scared to death as the heavy door slammed shut and the trim rattled and the dash squeaked and they heard constant wind noise from every angle as the engine rumbled and relays clicked and brakes squealed.

It wasn't unsafe to ride around in a '67 Chevy, but it wasn't quiet and it could feel like you were inside a fire breathing machine instead of a Pandora-connected meditation pod.

 

[Figments Friend]

I wish DL still had it*s PeopleMover.
I missed my chance to ride it before it closed and was converted over.
From what video footage i have seen, and the general track layout in relation to the sights to be seen all around you as you traveled, it must have been marvelous.
I imagine it was similar to the experience to be had on WDWs WEDWay, but with more scenery to see both inside and outside.

I am a big fan of WDWs version, but after experiencing DL some years ago i wished their version was still operating.
As much as people slam the Rocket Rods, i have a feeling if they were also still around i would have enjoyed them.
If for nothing else, i would have probably gotten a buzz out of just cruising the track and seeing the views from up there.

 

[dweezil78]

As others have said, there's nothing to see here. Those rails have been on the tracks forever. There is no "construction" going on.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I never got to ride the Disneyland Peoplemover either. Magic Kingdom's is one of my favorite Disney attractions for whatever reason. I have watched video of Disneyland's and I honestly think it looks loads better than Magic's. I don't know, to go through Star Tours, TRON, over the Autopia and right alongside the Monorail? Just awesome. Maybe it's a "grass is always greener on the other side" kinda thing, but it makes it even more depressing to walk through Disneyland's dystopian Tomorrowland these days and see the sad remains of WED's futuristic transportation system. Disneyland is only getting more and more crowded. A high-capacity attraction like the Peoplemover would be wonderful to escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds down on the ground.

 

[TP2000]

From what video footage i have seen, and the general track layout in relation to the sights to be seen all around you as you traveled, it must have been marvelous.

Marvelous is a perfect word to describe Disneyland's PeopleMover.

It truly was marvelous in all sense of the word. And the sights and sounds you got while on that 15 minute long ride were unprecedented. The PeopleMover was one of the main reasons I fell in love with Disneyland as a young man. It is the ride I miss the absolute most, and to this day I only buy Goodyear tires and belts for my cars because of the PeopleMover. (Lame and a little creepy, but it's true.)

The WDW version is a decent replacement, but it's not the same. The vibe and feel isn't a kitschy or optimistic, and it looks and feels more like a 1970's airport than a 1960's Utopia. But it will have to do.

 

[Figments Friend]

Disneyland is only getting more and more crowded. A high-capacity attraction like the Peoplemover would be wonderful to escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds down on the ground.

So agree with you here.
It would not only remove some of crowd congestion at ground level ( especially around the Astro Orbitor *pinch points* ) it would add back that great kinetic energy that used to be there.

This is half of the appeal of WDWs version, that added visual kinetic energy within it*s Tomorrowland.
Like the best Attractions ever designed, it can be enjoyed even when one is not even riding.
Think Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, or even Autopia.
They all add a certain energy to their respective environments.

DLs Tomorrowland needs something like that again.

 

[Figments Friend]

Marvelous is a perfect word to describe Disneyland's PeopleMover.

It truly was marvelous in all sense of the word. And the sights and sounds you got while on that 15 minute long ride were unprecedented. The PeopleMover was one of the main reasons I fell in love with Disneyland as a young man. It is the ride I miss the absolute most, and to this day I only buy Goodyear tires and belts for my cars because of the PeopleMover. (Lame and a little creepy, but it's true.)

The WDW version is a decent replacement, but it's not the same. The vibe and feel isn't a kitschy or optimistic, and it looks and feels more like a 1970's airport than a 1960's Utopia. But it will have to do.

Speaking of airports, can i confess that last week i took a flight from CA to the East Coast and had purposely chosen a stopover at Houston Intercontinental JUST so i could ride their WED-designed Peoplemover.
Yes, i am a Disney Geek.



*Marvelous* is the best word i can think of to match the impression i received when i watched a blurred video recording of the early 80s version of DLs Peoplemover some months ago.
I was curious about it, and staring at those tracks after my last few visits really sparked the curiosity.
I could imagine riding it up on those tracks, but the video helped in showing me a decent representation of what could once be seen as you traveled through the various show buildings. It impressed, and must have been terrific in person.

Being already very familiar with the WDW version and it*s ride path it was clear even in that blurry videotaped recording that there was a LOT more to see and experience.
Man...really wish i could have rode it for real.

It would be awesome if an investment was made to bring something like this back in a form for today, but i doubt anyone in Corporate would see a real need to do so.
Such a shame the Rocket Rods concept did not become the success they were hoping, or those tracks might at least still have something moving around on them.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I have watched video of Disneyland's and I honestly think it looks loads better than Magic's.

Don't you say that about everything in DL verses MK?