I was filming down at Space Mountian yesterday with the crew when it happened.
Because of our privillages with park access Hi-AWP we managed to grab a few cast members - apparantly 3 smoke detectors went off, as part of a planned late night 'with guests' drill.
They do this to test thier logistics when it comes to evacuating an entire ride. Obviously they can check fire alarms as often as they want, but to make sure they get evacution procedures correct it is ony possible to do it when guests are in the park.
Obviously this i dissapointing from a guests point of view, as they have to leave the attraction. But still, i suppose it is better to leave the ride and allow the cast members to brush up on procedures, than be in there when a real evacuation is needed and get trapped, or not know where to go etc etc.
Still, Disney cast members always cover this up by pretending it was genuine, otherwise they will have hundreds of angry guests asking them for a re-detro for thier misunderplacing.
This is apparantly why they do them late at night, it is the time when less of a 'stir' is caused, and they can just keep the ride shut until closing time. rather than make excuses over why the ride was 'mysteriously' re-opened.
Apprantly this thing happens a lot, so if it's late in the evening and they need to evacuate a ride...tell the cast members that you know it is fake, to loose some god damn weight, and let you on the darn ride! damn disney staff...damn you damn you nazis!! Lol
Still...made for an interesting interview for us guys, not sure if there is any capacity for us to air it though.
Anyway, hope this answers your question
J.
