Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[spacemt354]

It could be argued that designing a park map so that it needs to be turned around and read upside-down in order to use it is kind of dumb. Nobody cares what direction they must head to get to ToT. They just want to know where to turn.

But making the map so very small isn't even dumb. It's just cheap.

Disney used to have wonderful park maps.

...and mankind got lost a lot while sailing the seas without good navigational tools.

In retrospect, I wish they just kept the maps the same. Even though after a while I understood where everything was, I still enjoyed looking at them and collecting them as memorabilia of the trip. However, I understand why they changed them to resemble the gps navigation on the apps.

I wouldn't say it's "cheap" I'd say maybe "overly descriptive?" The places on the maps are smaller because they tried to fit every nook and cranny in the park on the page. And they also tried to make the maps look more realistic, distance wise and size wise.

We don't use the maps in the parks anymore. But I feel like if guests want to use gps and such to navigate the parks, these maps will better suit them, regardless of whether you have to flip the map or not. I don't really see that as a big deal. And if worst comes to worst, and you get lost sailing the seas of the park, cast members are always there to help.

But it's also amazing the stubbornness of some people (we were guilty of this too) They will sit there, stare at a map, and be confused, rather than ask a cast member for help and get the answer they're looking for. In that case, it doesn't matter what style of map you use, because people will be stubborn and get confused looking for an attraction on their own because asking for help is too mainstream.

 

[raymusiccity]

That comparison might be valid if it weren't for the fact that Transformers is a very simple ride (like a kiddie coaster) which without theming could be thrown together in a few months using off-the-shelf track pieces, versus Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which is a highly complex one-of-a-kind ride system which understandably takes years to design and build.

Oh, wait.........never mind...

Agree wholeheartedly. One will result in a beautifully designed experience while the other is admitidly, a glorified warehouse. How many people will pose in front of 'Tranformers' vs. unlimited photo ops near the SDMT ?!

 

[GoofGoof]

Agree wholeheartedly. One will result in a beautifully designed experience while the other is admitidly, a glorified warehouse. How many people will pose in front of 'Tranformers' vs. unlimited photo ops near the SDMT ?!

Don't forget that transformers is a clone too. Like Little Mermaid it should be discounted for not being original.

 

[ChrisFL]

Agree wholeheartedly. One will result in a beautifully designed experience while the other is admitidly, a glorified warehouse. How many people will pose in front of 'Tranformers' vs. unlimited photo ops near the SDMT ?!

I think you missed the sarcasm

 

[GoofGoof]

I think you missed the sarcasm

Or maybe his response was sarcasm too...we need a sarcasm symbol

 

[spacemt354]

That comparison might be valid if it weren't for the fact that Transformers is a very simple ride (like a kiddie coaster) which without theming could be thrown together in a few months using off-the-shelf track pieces, versus Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which is a highly complex one-of-a-kind ride system which understandably takes years to design and build.

Oh, wait.........never mind...

To be honest I missed the sarcasm on first read. Probably because...

While I think we all would like the construction process at Disney with the Mine Train to move quickly, we have to be fair. 7DMT also includes a first of its kind ride system. And Transformers was a clone, so the designing process for this highly complex ride system was already complete and therefore, took less time to complete. Plus the warehouse type theme surely took much less time to construct then building a mine with rockwork and such.

I'm all for criticism when it's warranted, but its a tad exaggerated in this instance.

Nevertheless, if you want to compare the construction speed of HP 2.0 to FLE and 7DMT and the fact that they are both being complete in 2014? Now that's something to criticize.

 

[misterID]

To be honest I missed the sarcasm on first read. Probably because...

While I think we all would like the construction process at Disney with the Mine Train to move quickly, we have to be fair. 7DMT also includes a first of its kind ride system. And Transformers was a clone, so the designing process for this highly complex ride system was already complete and therefore, took less time to complete. Plus the warehouse type theme surely took much less time to construct then building a mine with rockwork and such.

I'm all for criticism when it's warranted, but its a tad exaggerated in this instance.

Nevertheless, if you want to compare the construction speed of HP 2.0 to FLE and 7DMT and the fact that they are both being complete in 2014? Now that's something to criticize.

The cars rock... That's it. Not exactly revolutionary. That was taken care of in a warehouse a while ago. Also, the 7DMT is a clone, too. Thank you Shanghai.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm all for criticism when it's warranted, but its a tad exaggerated in this instance.

I agree with this. I think a more fair comparison is Transformers to Little Mermaid. Both are clones so no new technology. Transformers still came together much faster. Mermaid has a much more elaborate exterior but it still took considerably longer than a year to build. Until I can ride Transformers I can't say which is a better ride experience, but based on seeing the video of the CA version it looks pretty Sick. I doubt it will disappoint.

 

[lazyboy97o]

To be honest I missed the sarcasm on first read. Probably because...

While I think we all would like the construction process at Disney with the Mine Train to move quickly, we have to be fair. 7DMT also includes a first of its kind ride system.

This is a complete over exaggeration. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train uses standard steel coaster track, nothing special and definitely nothing new. Yes, the cars sway, but that in of itself is not new either. Only the location of the pivot point is wholly new. Several manufacturers offer cars that swing from the bottom and Arrow Dynamics built suspended swinging coasters in the 1980s. The cars are a new take on something that's been done, it's not a wholly new ride system.

 

[ChrisFL]

This is a complete over exaggeration. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train uses standard steel coaster track, nothing special and definitely nothing new. Yes, the cars sway, but that in of itself is not new either. Only the location of the pivot point is wholly new. Several manufacturers offer cars that swing from the bottom and Arrow Dynamics built suspended swinging coasters in the 1980s. The cars are a new take on something that's been done, it's not a wholly new ride system.

Exactly, as shown in the pics I posted, the attraction was already being assembled, which means they had the designs compled already...the rest is just building it.

We all know why they're so slow at construction, because they put the budget over several years, and they can keep saying to people "look what we're building", meanwhile Uni says "look what we just opened AND are building next"...year after year after year.

 

[spacemt354]

This is a complete over exaggeration. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train uses standard steel coaster track, nothing special and definitely nothing new. Yes, the cars sway, but that in of itself is not new either. Only the location of the pivot point is wholly new. Several manufacturers offer cars that swing from the bottom and Arrow Dynamics built suspended swinging coasters in the 1980s. The cars are a new take on something that's been done, it's not a wholly new ride system.

I don't see how that's an exaggeration. A new pivot point in which cars swing is and of itself, a new ride system.
What I do see as an exaggeration is the negative perception of of the 7DMT attraction. It's construction process the amount of time it's taking, etc. While it's clear that Uni is building attractions left and right, it's clear to me from the pictures presented and the details distributed, that the construction process for Transformers was expedited and fast tracked by design, which due to the relatively simple exterior appearance and ride system already in place out in Hollywood, was able to be accomplished successfully. It also seems to be apparent that Disney spread out the construction and cost of 7DMT by design. Nevertheless, the construction process will be roughly 2-2.5 years from start to finish, which to me is reasonable, even though the fan in me would like it to be completed earlier.

Yet like I said earlier, if you want to criticize Disney's apparent cost saving construction method, turn to the fact that major expansions such as HP 2.0 and 1.0 will have been open while the FLE opened/is still being completed in WDW. Comparing it to Transformers doesn't really say much to me.

Like @GoofGoof had said, a much better comparison would have been The Little Mermaid construction process to Transformers. I haven't been on the latter so I can't give an accurate ride comparison, however those two would have been a more reasonable construction comparison pair.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't see how that's an exaggeration. A new pivot point in which cars swing is and of itself, a new ride system.

Cars are not the ride system. It wouldn't be enjoyable, but different cars could easily be placed on the track. Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America didn't magically get a new ride system because it now has first of its kind backwards inverted trains. The cars also have absolutely nothing to do with the pace of construction because they cannot be tested and tuned until after the track is built.

 

[spacemt354]

Cars are not the ride system. It wouldn't be enjoyable, but different cars could easily be placed on the track. Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America didn't magically get a new ride system because it now has first of its kind backwards inverted trains. The cars also have absolutely nothing to do with the pace of construction because they cannot be tested and tuned until after the track is built.

The term 'ride system' to me includes the vehicles in which you ride the attraction on. Perhaps we have a different view on the definition. Obviously the cars cannot be tested if there isn't a track built yet. However if the ride design has not been tested yet, whether virtually or realistically, then there is no point to initiate the construction process. Transformers was able to be fast tracked because the ride itself is a clone from Hollywood, so there was no design process to delay construction. Disney chose to spread the construction of 7DMT out, for reasons I don't agree with, but that's just the reality. So with that said, I just don't see the point in stirring the pot and comparing the two. That's the only reason I retorted.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Dude, I wan't your phone number in case I want some lighthearted humorous entertainment for my children's birthday party - you sound like just the type to cheer up any party!

 

[stevehousse]

Cars are not the ride system. It wouldn't be enjoyable, but different cars could easily be placed on the track. Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America didn't magically get a new ride system because it now has first of its kind backwards inverted trains. The cars also have absolutely nothing to do with the pace of construction because they cannot be tested and tuned until after the track is built.

I live near SF Great America and can't wait to try batman backwards! It'll be a great disorienting experience! Just an FYI, the trains that have always been on batman were refurbed and turned around backwards! There use to be 8 rows of seats, but since they turned them around, they eliminated the last row!

 

[lazyboy97o]

I live near SF Great America and can't wait to try batman backwards! It'll be a great disorienting experience! Just an FYI, the trains that have always been on batman were refurbed and turned around backwards! There use to be 8 rows of seats, but since they turned them around, they eliminated the last row!

Turning the trains around required more than just taking them off and turning around. The trains are using a modified chassis designed by B&M with components from the existing trains then added onto them.

 

[GoofGoof]

Dude, I wan't your phone number in case I want some lighthearted humorous entertainment for my children's birthday party - you sound like just the type to cheer up any party!

I can juggle too, but I don't do face painting...wait, you were talking to the other guy, nevermind. Can I at least be invited to the party

 

[cheezbat]

I live near SF Great America and can't wait to try batman backwards! It'll be a great disorienting experience! Just an FYI, the trains that have always been on batman were refurbed and turned around backwards! There use to be 8 rows of seats, but since they turned them around, they eliminated the last row!

Honestly I'm not happy they did this. I'm visiting Great America for the first time in about five years and was really looking forward to a ride on 'ol Batsy...I've heard that the backwards ride is way more intense. That doesn't appeal to me...I nearly passed out on Deja vu when it would go backwards. They wanna run a coaster backwards? Make it American Eagle. That one I enjoyed.

 

[stevehousse]

Honestly I'm not happy they did this. I'm visiting Great America for the first time in about five years and was really looking forward to a ride on 'ol Batsy...I've heard that the backwards ride is way more intense. That doesn't appeal to me...I nearly passed out on Deja vu when it would go backwards. They wanna run a coaster backwards? Make it American Eagle. That one I enjoyed.

They usually wait for fright fest to turn te blue side of American eagle backwards!

 

[cheezbat]

They usually wait for fright fest to turn te blue side of American eagle backwards!

Yeah...but I think it's cooler if they raced it that way against the red side all the time.