Your disgust is misdirected for the most part.
I just figured I'd add: Bingo! :sohappy:
Oh well, since it's back.
EPCOT's Project Genesis.
Years ago my friend (WDW management) told me that D-MGM was getting a wooden coaster. Later the rumours surfaced about the Boardwalk getting one, and in the end (!) we got the Keister Coaster.
Actually, D*ck Tracy and Great Muppet Ride weren't rumours since they were actually announced as part of the Disney Decade. My favourites in that group were Baby Herman's Buggy coaster and Russia.
I believe you are referring to Project Gemini. Gemini, while mostly shelved is still not wholly dead to this date. Actually, certain things are currently happening (or have happened in the last month or so) that fit the Gemini bill.
Disney wouldn't likely consider purchasing a wooden coaster, considering the maintenance costs, larger footprint, noise and the effect of weather on such a ride. Another factor that plays against such a concept is the actual feeling of the coaster itself--while some wooden coasters are smooth as silk (El Toro comes to mind), most if not all have a more wild feeling to them that intimidates many. I've spoken to plenty of non-coaster enthusiast friends and many of them are afraid of wooden coasters just because of how they are constructed or how they feel (in terms of safety) when compared to steel coasters. I believe Disney recognizes the above factors (along with those not mentioned) and in doing so, easily rules out the possibility of a wooden coaster.
And just so I throw it out there for the topic's sake, I would have been
very happy with a clone of Disneyland's Matterhorn at Epcot.
