Disneyland purists decry tame teacups in Fantasyland
The Associated Press
Last Updated 8:46 p.m. PST Sunday, February 29, 2004
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -
The teacup ride has turned tame and longtime fans of the Fantasyland attraction are not happy.
The Mad Tea Party ride with 18 giant spinning teacups was recently modified in the name of safety to make it harder for people to spin.
The move has prompted fans of the ride to march to City Hall on Disneyland's Main Street in protest and post hundreds of messages on Internet discussion boards under headings such as "Save the Teacups." There's even talk of holding a spin-in, if they can get the cups twirling.
Purists acknowledge that Disneyland also faces criticism for not paying enough attention to safety, but they see the ride's modification as part of a pattern. They believe the fear of lawsuits is taking some of the fun out of the Magic Kingdom.
"It's like all the good times are over," said annual pass-holder Isaac Martin, 24. "It feels so depressing."
The ride, which was built in 1995 when the park opened, depicts a scene from Alice in Wonderland's "unbirthday party." The teacups have a wheel in the middle that allows riders to spin the cup on its axis, controlling both speed and direction.
The teacups still rotate, but fans said Disneyland has tightened the mechanism so it's impossible to reach dizzying speeds.
"It was like your car steering wheel before you put your key in the ignition - you can't turn it," Martin said. "My arms were a little sore just from tugging and tugging. I finally gave up and said, 'Oh, forget it.'"
Park officials said they made the change after a disabled rider lost his balance last month and slipped from a teacup. The rider did not require medical treatment.
In a written statement, Disneyland officials insist "the ride remains entertaining and exciting for guests of all ages," and say few have complained.
After high-profile accidents and the passage of legislation that empowered state ride inspectors, Disneyland went "safety prevention crazy," said author Dave Koenig, who has written three Disney-related books.
"This is laughable," Koenig said. "They've taken the madness out of the Mad Tea Party. The Disney fan who plays by the rules - who keeps his hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times - has seen his experienced degraded, his thrills cut back little by little each year as Disney tries to foresee potential problems."
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/8363183p-9292913c.html
The Associated Press
Last Updated 8:46 p.m. PST Sunday, February 29, 2004
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -
The teacup ride has turned tame and longtime fans of the Fantasyland attraction are not happy.
The Mad Tea Party ride with 18 giant spinning teacups was recently modified in the name of safety to make it harder for people to spin.
The move has prompted fans of the ride to march to City Hall on Disneyland's Main Street in protest and post hundreds of messages on Internet discussion boards under headings such as "Save the Teacups." There's even talk of holding a spin-in, if they can get the cups twirling.
Purists acknowledge that Disneyland also faces criticism for not paying enough attention to safety, but they see the ride's modification as part of a pattern. They believe the fear of lawsuits is taking some of the fun out of the Magic Kingdom.
"It's like all the good times are over," said annual pass-holder Isaac Martin, 24. "It feels so depressing."
The ride, which was built in 1995 when the park opened, depicts a scene from Alice in Wonderland's "unbirthday party." The teacups have a wheel in the middle that allows riders to spin the cup on its axis, controlling both speed and direction.
The teacups still rotate, but fans said Disneyland has tightened the mechanism so it's impossible to reach dizzying speeds.
"It was like your car steering wheel before you put your key in the ignition - you can't turn it," Martin said. "My arms were a little sore just from tugging and tugging. I finally gave up and said, 'Oh, forget it.'"
Park officials said they made the change after a disabled rider lost his balance last month and slipped from a teacup. The rider did not require medical treatment.
In a written statement, Disneyland officials insist "the ride remains entertaining and exciting for guests of all ages," and say few have complained.
After high-profile accidents and the passage of legislation that empowered state ride inspectors, Disneyland went "safety prevention crazy," said author Dave Koenig, who has written three Disney-related books.
"This is laughable," Koenig said. "They've taken the madness out of the Mad Tea Party. The Disney fan who plays by the rules - who keeps his hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times - has seen his experienced degraded, his thrills cut back little by little each year as Disney tries to foresee potential problems."
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/8363183p-9292913c.html
