The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[yensidtlaw1969]

The theme for California Screamin' was good, as was the coaster itself, but the theming has always been low-rent.

And yet, everything good about the Incredicoaster was inherited from California Screamin'. It's a good coaster despite the overlay.

 

[Californian Elitist]

It's not a bad drop, but that particular ride is basically identical to any number of wild mouse coasters made by Mack (albeit tamed somewhat for Disney's sensibilities). So while good, it's not one I associate with Disney particularly.

My favorite DLR coaster drops are the big drop in the middle of Space Mountain or, even better, the dip on the Matterhorn Tomorrowland side that goes under the Fantasyland side. They're not necessarily intended to be as thrilling, but I also enjoy the dips into the water at the end of Matterhorn just because there's the unknown of potentially getting soaked (which hasn't happened to me ever but has happened to at least a few POV recorders over the years).


I suppose it's true that it was never meant to be like the mountains, but Superstar Limo was never meant to be like Pirates or Mansion and yet was judged against them anyway. To me it's a similar sort of case. It may not be a fair or equal comparison, but it most certainly happened when that ride was around

Incredicoaster is definitely "extreme" or bordering on it for the bulk of Disney's demographic, but of the roller coasters that currently exist at DLR, if you were to put all of them out in the middle of an empty field at a more conventional amusement park, Incredicoaster would easily fit better than any of the others. It's made by Intamin (a coaster manufacturer typically associated with more extreme rides) with their signature, undisguised track style, so that's immediately going to make subconscious associations in my brain, which is admittedly perhaps more of a personal problem rather than any actual fault of the ride itself. If the ride is themed, which is kind of dubious to me, its theming is/was primarily in its structure, in which case all one would need to do to adapt it for a conventional park would be to change the structure and it would instantly look right at home at a Six Flags park, where it would likely be lauded as a perfect "in between" sort of ride.

Not all of Magic Mountain's rides are extreme (ex. Goldrusher, Ninja) and arguably one of their newest rides, West Coast Racers, isn't really too far removed from something like Incredicoaster. So I think it would actually fit in just fine at a park like Magic Mountain (and it would actually fit in quite well in many more coaster parks than not, giving them an in between sort of ride they would benefit from). Here's West Coast Racers for comparison (with apologies for the awkward middle section where the train's just waiting for the next train be dispatched before the ride continues). Other than going upside down a few more times it's not doing anything dissimilar to what Incredicoaster does: multiple launches, banked turns, helices, etc.:


EDIT: I can't believe my enthusiast brain also forgot Revolution in the same park! Another ride not all that dissimilar from Incredicoaster, down to only having a single loop. Other than using specialized terrain, it's not doing anything terribly different from the DCA ride:


Oh my. Not even Knott's?

So what you're saying is that next time I'm in California we need to take an emergency trip to Six Flags?

Agree to disagree?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Now that I have a teensy more time to respond, I’d also argue that even the non extreme coasters at MM and Knott’s still aren’t comparable to Incredicoaster.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Now that I have a teensy more time to respond, I’d also argue that even the non extreme coasters at MM and Knott’s still aren’t comparable to Incredicoaster.

I guess I still don't quite understand your meaning here. Do you mean in terms of intensity, theming, or something else?

 

[Too Many Hats]

I’m not going to lie. I think I feel that drop on Sky School more than any drop on Incredicoaster. I don’t think it’s far fetched to say it’s the best drop of any coaster at DLR.

Agree 100%. Was going to mention this earlier but feared my anti-Incredicoaster comments were already approaching edgelord territory.

 

[Too Many Hats]

My favorite DLR coaster drops are the big drop in the middle of Space Mountain or, even better, the dip on the Matterhorn Tomorrowland side that goes under the Fantasyland side. They're not necessarily intended to be as thrilling, but I also enjoy the dips into the water at the end of Matterhorn just because there's the unknown of potentially getting soaked (which hasn't happened to me ever but has happened to at least a few POV recorders over the years).

Really speaks to the dearth of roller coaster "drops" at the Disneyland Resort that these are among the highlights, haha. They feel less like actual drops and more like necessary shifts in elevation to get the track from point A to point B.

I'll throw another one into the competition -- the little drop on Big Thunder after the long helix, just before the third lift hill. If you're in the back half of the train, you get a solid pop of airtime on that one.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Really speaks to the dearth of roller coaster "drops" at the Disneyland Resort that these are among the highlights, haha. They feel less like actual drops and more like necessary shifts in elevation to get the track from point A to point B.

That, or my growing indifference towards most anything DCA .

Best drop on a Disney coaster has got to be that drop on Everest just after you transition to going forwards again. I'm not sure there's anything close to that anywhere else.

 

[Rich T]

…Amazing how people who get "canceled" just keep showing up and getting paid millions of dollars!

I’m not here to discuss Lasseter’s personal history, (nor, for that matter, Walt Disney’s political views) because I wasn’t there, but many, many wonderful professional artists who have worked closely with him at Pixar believe in him enough to continue working with him at Skydance. And I’m glad Skydance’s first feature was directed by a woman—even though I didn’t love the movie. I hope she gets another project, because I’m pretty sure a lot of Luck’s issues could have been addressed with a bit more production time.

Lasseter is a hugely important part of animation history, and a founding father of CGI—And that will never change. Under his supervision, amazing, beloved, groundbreaking films were created. Skydance is now creating employment for a lot of artists, and I would love to see future great works come from this new studio.

 

[Too Many Hats]

That, or my growing indifference towards most anything DCA .

I don't love DCA but I can see the value in certain attractions and areas. With stuff like Incredicoaster, though, it feels like Disney isn't even trying.

Best drop on a Disney coaster has got to be that drop on Everest just after you transition to going forwards again. I'm not sure there's anything close to that anywhere else.

Agreed.

The only other drops that come to mind are the two or three drops at the end of Space Mountain at MK (1:38-1:52 in the lights-on POV below), which are oddly satisfying given how short they actually are (they certainly seem longer when it's dark and they're unexpected). After all the turns, they provide a release of sorts. IMO such drops are sorely needed on Space and Matterhorn at DL.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I guess I still don't quite understand your meaning here. Do you mean in terms of intensity, theming, or something else?

Overall. I just don’t see how they can be compared, just like I don’t think the Mountain rides can be compared to Incredicoaster.

Gold Rusher is a prime example. I happen to really enjoy that ride, but overall, it’s incomparable to Incredicoaster.

Like…no:

 

[Californian Elitist]

I don't love DCA but I can see the value in certain attractions and areas. With stuff like Incredicoaster, though, it feels like Disney isn't even trying.



Agreed.

The only other drops that come to mind are the two or three drops at the end of Space Mountain at MK (1:38-1:52 in the lights-on POV below), which are oddly satisfying given how short they actually are (they certainly seem longer when it's dark and they're unexpected). After all the turns, they provide a release of sorts. IMO such drops are sorely needed on Space and Matterhorn at DL.

I have to disagree, particularly regarding Matterhorn. The drops in that ride are already painful. Any steeper and it’s a wrap.

 

[waltography]

But really, the OTSRs are crazy intrusive on this coaster and make the ride like 3x less exciting than it could be.

I wouldn't mind them if they didn't hurt my ears from bumping into them after a quick turn. Not fun at all, especially at the end.

 

[tcool123]

Today was my first ever time in Disneyland! And I know a lot like to drag Disney through the mud with the park directions lately but honestly? What I experienced today was pure Disney magic with all the details I come to expect from Disney.

Cast members were attentive to litter even picking up little bottle caps that seemed to be outta the way, and many were very helpful and warm to talk to!

We accomplished what I believe to be every attraction on the left side of Disneyland minus the canoes, sailing ship colombia, star wars land (no plan on going there been plenty in Florida) and Fantasmic which we plan on seeing Sunday. By the end we became very familiar with the Pirates restroom given we stayed in that area the majority of the day it happened to be the nearest restroom six different times in our trip today

Blue Bayou was fantastic they gained a new fan of the Monte Cristo and Mint Julep! Bengal BBQ was quite tasty, and I firmly can say I hate chamoy and tajin with dole whip.

Lighting Lane was amazing! Had eight Lightning Lane uses today, but only made three. Not sure if it’s a glitch or a compensation but I snagged an Indiana Jones lightning lane for 8:10 AM, and the ride didnt open with the park. It gave us an anytime LL, and I naturally didn’t touch and made a separate booking for Indy at 9:10. We used that anytime LL at Haunted Mansion, and we expected it to go away. But it didnt? We had that Lighting Lane the whole day? Don’t worry we didnt cheat the system, I booked Thunder and it went down so I booked it again and used Thunder’s compensation pass on Splash and it went away. But that original Indy stuck LL stuck with us the whole day so I used it to ride Indy twice more, Space mountain once, and both sides of Matterhorn (jesus christ that’s a rough ride). Overall I feel pretty lucky cause not sure how the system works but definitely milked it!

Tomorrow is DCA and back to Disneyland on Sunday.

If you’re curious here’s a list of everything I did today with my family and eventually by myself.

Spoiler: Tcool’s List

Miles walked: 11 Miles

• Train Station PhotoPass
• Leftside of Main Street exploration
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Indiana Jones LL at 9:10
• Haunted Mansion LL at 10:15
• Meet Pooh and Tigger
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Meet Eeyore and Tigger
• Hungry Bear: Fried Green Tomatoe Sandwich, Homey Peach Freeze
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Lunch at Blue Bayou at 1:20 PM
• Pianist at Golden Horseshoe
• Frontierland Shooting Gallery
• Partners Statue PhotoPass
• Castle PhotPass
• Meet Miguel at 3:30
• Splash Mountain LL
• Thunder Mountain LL
• Tale of the Lion King at 5:00
• Disneyland Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
• Tropical Hideaway: Chile-Mango Whip and Mango Whip
• Dinner at Bengal BBQ
• Indiana Jones Lighting Lane
• Main Street Electrical Parade
• Disneyland Forever
• Indiana Jones LL
• Encanto Projection at 1030
• Matterhorn Fantasyland Side LL
• Matterhorn Tomorrowland Side LL
• Space Mountain LL
• Great Moments with Mr Lincoln at Midnight

 

[Rich T]

Overall. I just don’t see how they can be compared, just like I don’t think the Mountain rides can be compared to Incredicoaster.

Gold Rusher is a prime example. I happen to really enjoy that ride, but overall, it’s incomparable to Incredicoaster.

Like…no:

I LOVE Goldrusher! What a strange, quirky layout; it’s like when you play Roller Coaster Tycoon and have to squeeze a coaster into an impossible location and you’re just happy the final piece of track connects. But, to this day, that helix finale is one of my very favorite moments on any coaster. I’d pick that over Incredicoaster’s helix any day. Here’s a photo I took (while riding the Metro) of Goldrusher in 1975 (I’ve posted this shot previously on another site):

 

[Rich T]

Today was my first ever time in Disneyland! And I know a lot like to drag Disney through the mud with the park directions lately but honestly? What I experienced today was pure Disney magic with all the details I come to expect from Disney.

Cast members were attentive to litter even picking up little bottle caps that seemed to be outta the way, and many were very helpful and warm to talk to!

We accomplished what I believe to be every attraction on the left side of Disneyland minus the canoes, sailing ship colombia, star wars land (no plan on going there been plenty in Florida) and Fantasmic which we plan on seeing Sunday. By the end we became very familiar with the Pirates restroom given we stayed in that area the majority of the day it happened to be the nearest restroom six different times in our trip today

Blue Bayou was fantastic they gained a new fan of the Monte Cristo and Mint Julep! Bengal BBQ was quite tasty, and I firmly can say I hate chamoy and tajin with dole whip.

Lighting Lane was amazing! Had eight Lightning Lane uses today, but only made three. Not sure if it’s a glitch or a compensation but I snagged an Indiana Jones lightning lane for 8:10 AM, and the ride didnt open with the park. It gave us an anytime LL, and I naturally didn’t touch and made a separate booking for Indy at 9:10. We used that anytime LL at Haunted Mansion, and we expected it to go away. But it didnt? We had that Lighting Lane the whole day? Don’t worry we didnt cheat the system, I booked Thunder and it went down so I booked it again and used Thunder’s compensation pass on Splash and it went away. But that original Indy stuck LL stuck with us the whole day so I used it to ride Indy twice more, Space mountain once, and both sides of Matterhorn (jesus christ that’s a rough ride). Overall I feel pretty lucky cause not sure how the system works but definitely milked it!

Tomorrow is DCA and back to Disneyland on Sunday.

If you’re curious here’s a list of everything I did today with my family and eventually by myself.

Spoiler: Tcool’s List

Miles walked: 11 Miles

• Train Station PhotoPass
• Leftside of Main Street exploration
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Indiana Jones LL at 9:10
• Haunted Mansion LL at 10:15
• Meet Pooh and Tigger
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Meet Eeyore and Tigger
• Hungry Bear: Fried Green Tomatoe Sandwich, Homey Peach Freeze
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Lunch at Blue Bayou at 1:20 PM
• Pianist at Golden Horseshoe
• Frontierland Shooting Gallery
• Partners Statue PhotoPass
• Castle PhotPass
• Meet Miguel at 3:30
• Splash Mountain LL
• Thunder Mountain LL
• Tale of the Lion King at 5:00
• Disneyland Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
• Tropical Hideaway: Chile-Mango Whip and Mango Whip
• Dinner at Bengal BBQ
• Indiana Jones Lighting Lane
• Main Street Electrical Parade
• Disneyland Forever
• Indiana Jones LL
• Encanto Projection at 1030
• Matterhorn Fantasyland Side LL
• Matterhorn Tomorrowland Side LL
• Space Mountain LL
• Great Moments with Mr Lincoln at Midnight

Great list! Sunday, be sure to ride Alice in Wonderland and Mr. Toad. And both Storybookland rides if you can.

 

[tcool123]

Great list! Sunday, be sure to ride Alice in Wonderland and Mr. Toad. And both Storybookland rides if you can.

Thank you! Planning on starting the morning at Fantasyland, I know they may be simple but the Storybookland Canal River Boats and Alice are some of the rides towards the top of my to do list for this trip

 

[CaptinEO]

I’m not here to discuss Lasseter’s personal history, (nor, for that matter, Walt Disney’s political views) because I wasn’t there, but many, many wonderful professional artists who have worked closely with him at Pixar believe in him enough to continue working with him at Skydance. And I’m glad Skydance’s first feature was directed by a woman—even though I didn’t love the movie. I hope she gets another project, because I’m pretty sure a lot of Luck’s issues could have been addressed with a bit more production time.

Lasseter is a hugely important part of animation history, and a founding father of CGI—And that will never change. Under his supervision, amazing, beloved, groundbreaking films were created. Skydance is now creating employment for a lot of artists, and I would love to see future great works come from this new studio.

How many good ideas, stories, edditing decisions, that were attributed to Lassiter were actually his? Clearly he stole an entire movie plot, art, and characters and had no shame in touring himself as the creator of Cars. Is he really all that great?

Many women at Skydance Animation left when Lassetter was hired. I'm sure like any high up person he had plenty of butt kissers but it does not at all excuse his behavior or even Skydance's hiring of him.

It's not just the physical harassment, you can read many accounts of women who literally couldn't move up at all in the company while others took credit for their work.

I've seen this happen to many women at different companies, even my own wife. Lasseter is a terrible person.

His whole "Cars" franchise that he presented as his own idea and baby for over a decade was entirely stolen (story and characters/artwork) from a pitch from a Pixar employee who got pennies only after suing them.

The original art for the Cars pitch by Jorgen Klubien.

“He Who Must Not Be Named”: Can John Lasseter Ever Return to Disney?

As the most powerful man in animation nears the end of a six-month "sabbatical" for personal "missteps," CEO Bob Iger must soon determine his fate. But a close look at the career and workplace behavior of the Pixar mogul reveals a man much darker, angrier and, at times, more abusive than "the...

www.hollywoodreporter.com

How much of a "genius" is he? From all accounts he's a common thief and a sexist. Skydance animation should be ashamed of hiring him.

The only people that "believe" in Lasseter are those select few that happened to be lucky enough to become friends with him.

The only reason he got hired by Skydance is pure desperation and for them to get a discount on an animation executive who tarnished his entire career and reputation. They should be ashamed of hiring an employee with so many documented issues.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Today was my first ever time in Disneyland! And I know a lot like to drag Disney through the mud with the park directions lately but honestly? What I experienced today was pure Disney magic with all the details I come to expect from Disney.

Cast members were attentive to litter even picking up little bottle caps that seemed to be outta the way, and many were very helpful and warm to talk to!

We accomplished what I believe to be every attraction on the left side of Disneyland minus the canoes, sailing ship colombia, star wars land (no plan on going there been plenty in Florida) and Fantasmic which we plan on seeing Sunday. By the end we became very familiar with the Pirates restroom given we stayed in that area the majority of the day it happened to be the nearest restroom six different times in our trip today

Blue Bayou was fantastic they gained a new fan of the Monte Cristo and Mint Julep! Bengal BBQ was quite tasty, and I firmly can say I hate chamoy and tajin with dole whip.

Lighting Lane was amazing! Had eight Lightning Lane uses today, but only made three. Not sure if it’s a glitch or a compensation but I snagged an Indiana Jones lightning lane for 8:10 AM, and the ride didnt open with the park. It gave us an anytime LL, and I naturally didn’t touch and made a separate booking for Indy at 9:10. We used that anytime LL at Haunted Mansion, and we expected it to go away. But it didnt? We had that Lighting Lane the whole day? Don’t worry we didnt cheat the system, I booked Thunder and it went down so I booked it again and used Thunder’s compensation pass on Splash and it went away. But that original Indy stuck LL stuck with us the whole day so I used it to ride Indy twice more, Space mountain once, and both sides of Matterhorn (jesus christ that’s a rough ride). Overall I feel pretty lucky cause not sure how the system works but definitely milked it!

Tomorrow is DCA and back to Disneyland on Sunday.

If you’re curious here’s a list of everything I did today with my family and eventually by myself.

Spoiler: Tcool’s List

Miles walked: 11 Miles

• Train Station PhotoPass
• Leftside of Main Street exploration
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Indiana Jones LL at 9:10
• Haunted Mansion LL at 10:15
• Meet Pooh and Tigger
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Meet Eeyore and Tigger
• Hungry Bear: Fried Green Tomatoe Sandwich, Homey Peach Freeze
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Lunch at Blue Bayou at 1:20 PM
• Pianist at Golden Horseshoe
• Frontierland Shooting Gallery
• Partners Statue PhotoPass
• Castle PhotPass
• Meet Miguel at 3:30
• Splash Mountain LL
• Thunder Mountain LL
• Tale of the Lion King at 5:00
• Disneyland Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
• Tropical Hideaway: Chile-Mango Whip and Mango Whip
• Dinner at Bengal BBQ
• Indiana Jones Lighting Lane
• Main Street Electrical Parade
• Disneyland Forever
• Indiana Jones LL
• Encanto Projection at 1030
• Matterhorn Fantasyland Side LL
• Matterhorn Tomorrowland Side LL
• Space Mountain LL
• Great Moments with Mr Lincoln at Midnight

I’m not sure why I thought your trip passed already, but I’m obviously wrong lol.

Very happy to hear that you’re enjoying yourselves! I’m impressed with how much you were able to get done, but that’s what happens when you get there early (those days for me are nearly finished ). I’m a bit biased because I’m a previous Fantasyland CM, but I hope you can get those rides in before you leave. I also hope you get to try the chicken at Plaza Inn, a corn dog at Red Wagon Inn on Main Street, and a churro. All three are DL staples.

Have fun at DCA today. Beware of the swinging gondolas at Pixar-Pal-A-Round.

I LOVE Goldrusher! What a strange, quirky layout; it’s like when you play Roller Coaster Tycoon and have to squeeze a coaster into an impossible location and you’re just happy the final piece of track connects. But, to this day, that helix finale is one of my very favorite moments on any coaster. I’d pick that over Incredicoaster’s helix any day. Here’s a photo I took (while riding the Metro) of Goldrusher in 1975 (I’ve posted this shot previously on another site):
View attachment 658366

I love all of your vintage photos! I don’t think the ride has changed at all since the time this photo was taken. Please post more if you have any!

 

[tcool123]

I’m not sure why I thought your trip passed already, but I’m obviously wrong lol.

Lol don’t blame you feel like I’ve been asking questions on here for months and months now

Very happy to hear that you’re enjoying yourselves! I’m impressed with how much you were able to get done, but that’s what happens when you get there early (those days for me are nearly finished ).

Haha yea I’m the opposite for Disney World, get there when I get there and vibe until I leave. Usually go after my classes for it lol

I’m a bit biased because I’m a previous Fantasyland CM, but I hope you can get those rides in before you leave. I also hope you get to try the chicken at Plaza Inn, a corn dog at Red Wagon Inn on Main Street, and a churro. All three are DL staples.

For Disneyland all thats missing is Fantasyland and Nemo, Autopia and Buzz. My parents refuse to ride Space cause they’re scorned by Magic Kingdom’s they dont care if it’s essentially a whole different ride; similar to Cosmic Rewind in aesthetics tbh. I can’t in good faith let them on Matterhorn one has motion sickness the other hates coasters neither would enjoy it Will give them the option though

I also hope you get to try the chicken at Plaza Inn, a corn dog at Red Wagon Inn on Main Street, and a churro. All three are DL staples.

Are the Corn Dog Castle ones different enough were it would be a loss to have it here over in DL?

Have fun at DCA today. Beware of the swinging gondolas at Pixar-Pal-A-Round.

Part of me wants to ride it, part of me wants to keep my mom alive.

 

[tcool123]

Some observations based on Disneyland vs Disney World:

1. I’m SHOCKED Disneyland is still using the old school bag check with tables individually checking every bag and having to remove everything from your pockets. Disney World uses a system where the scanners can tell if you have unusual shapes in your bags or pockets to pull you aside, glasses cases love to set it off when in my Loungefly

2. Does nobody speak a second language here? I say this sarcastically as I know people can and likely do speak other languages, but at Disney World under each name tag there’s a second language button; we haven’t seen any in Disneyland yet which is odd to me