News Tron coaster coming to the Magic Kingdom

[easyrowrdw]

This is a Tron thread, but I am curious as to why you have such disdain for Dinosaur. I love Dinosaur, but even I don't think it is in WDW's top 10. And to tie this to Tron, it most likely won't be in my top 10 either.

Disdain is too strong of a word. I just don't think it's a good ride. Up and down, up and down, turn one way and another while dino heads show up beside you. It didn't feel like I was on an adventure. The dino at the end is a good jolt, but that's about it for scares. I also think the story is silly.

It's the best part of Dinoland, but I don't think it's worth saving if that section of the park can be improved. And I definitely think that section needs to be improved.

As for Tron, I still lament their glacial construction pace. But hopefully I get to ride it in the not-too-distant future. Also, I think Tron should not have been built at Animal Kingdom so I applaud Disney for not putting it there.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

I know this is a Tron thread, but I just need to add...Dinosaur is lacking the full elements that make it's Indiana Jones counterpart so successful. The time leap just looks like you are driving through a toaster oven, no real sense of travel other then moving through a hallway and you can totally see the jungle plants in the next room from where you enter the toaster oven... It needs a better time leap effect. The other rooms are all too dark. What makes IJ special; is the full dimensional temple set that is visible all around you...the fire and flames and lava gorge... They could have designed a better set for the main room and made it more visible... When you see there you are going it sort of makes it more interesting. Then the missing movement to the pterodactyl, and again the time leap...those would go a long way into make it much more of a wow than a herky jerky ride in the dark. I like the ride... but it could be so much better.

Apologies for continuing this thread diversion, but... one clarification on Dinosaur:

I agree wholeheartedly with @Bocabear that IJA is worlds better than Dinosaur, largely for the reasons he described about the fullness of the sets, etc. Indeed, I believe IJA is one of the greatest theme park attractions of all time. However, that's precisely why I was emphasizing that Dinosaur is too often unfairly judged against IJA rather than on its own merits.

The "time leap" is broken. The original effect, including the proper use of the fog, made it so you did not see what was ahead of you while you were in the "toaster." So, you would go into the "toaster," experience the lighting and fog effects, then everything would go dark, and then BOOM - you were in a star-field followed by the jungle. The other way was even more impressive: you were just about to be hit by the meteor (in the original CTX version) or attacked by the dinosaur, then everything goes black for an instant, and then BOOm - the lights go on and you're back in the "toaster." This effect is indeed the main thing that needs fixing, because it was fantastic, IMHO.

Several of the animatronics of often not in full working order. This is a maintenance issue. When they're all in working order, they're some of Disney's most impressive animatronics - especially the "running" dinosaur.

The actual art design of the ride is just bad...

Remember, though: they had a fraction of IJA's budget, so they literally couldn't afford sets.

Original, pre-budget-cut concept art:

Anyway, Tron...

 

[marni1971]

Incredible practical effects all over the place..

When they work. Hopefully this years refurb will happen as planned to address a lot of issues.

Dinosaur is great, but should be amazing with a little TLC and thought. The original time vortex effects made much more sense - you entered the toaster with lights synced to the audio (and sparks flying) with nothing but black in front. Again, synced to audio the laser “window“ appeared in the black space, and simultaneously the jungle lighting and moon all turned on but only visible within the window. You lurched forwards, and the toaster turned off as you passed through the window frame.

The re entry was more strobe based - and again the portal appeared and was framed by laser beams. You dropped through the laser frame with strobes sequences flashing along the toaster towards you, then the loud explosive “crack” sound effect was accompanied by a brief blinding white flash. Immediately after this the strobes stopped and the toaster lit.

 

[marni1971]

Apologies for continuing this thread diversion, but... one clarification on Dinosaur:

I agree wholeheartedly with @Bocabear that IJA is worlds better than Dinosaur, largely for the reasons he described about the fullness of the sets, etc. Indeed, I believe IJA is one of the greatest theme park attractions of all time. However, that's precisely why I was emphasizing that Dinosaur is too often unfairly judged against IJA rather than on its own merits.

The "time leap" is broken. The original effect, including the proper use of the fog, made it so you did not see what was ahead of you while you were in the "toaster." So, you would go into the "toaster," experience the lighting and fog effects, then everything would go dark, and then BOOM - you were in a star-field followed by the jungle. The other way was even more impressive: you were just about to be hit by the meteor (in the original CTX version) or attacked by the dinosaur, then everything goes black for an instant, and then BOOm - the lights go on and you're back in the "toaster." This effect is indeed the main thing that needs fixing, because it was fantastic, IMHO.

Several of the animatronics of often not in full working order. This is a maintenance issue. When they're all in working order, they're some of Disney's most impressive animatronics - especially the "running" dinosaur.



Remember, though: they had a fraction of IJA's budget, so they literally couldn't afford sets.

Original, pre-budget-cut concept art:
View attachment 492251

Anyway, Tron...

Lol we were typing at the same time

 

[Disney Analyst]

When they work. Hopefully this years refurb will happen as planned to address a lot of issues.

Dinosaur is great, but should be amazing with a little TLC and thought. The original time vortex effects made much more sense - you entered the toaster with lights synced to the audio (and sparks flying) with nothing but black in front. Again, synced to audio the laser “window“ appeared in the black space, and simultaneously the jungle lighting and moon all turned on but only visible within the window. You lurched forwards, and the toaster turned off as you passed through the window frame.

The re entry was more strobe based - and again the portal appeared and was framed by laser beams. You dropped through the laser with strobes sequences flashing along the toaster towards you, then the loud explosive “crack” sound effect was accompanied by a brief blinding white flash. Immediately after this the strobes stopped and the toaster lit.

Also if they'd fix the dinosaur that has a star body... It's obvious. It's bad.

Unless it has already been fixed since last I rode.

 

[marni1971]

Also if they'd fix the dinosaur that has a star body... It's obvious. It's bad.

Unless it has already been fixed since last I rode.

Star body wasn’t original. Thankfully.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Star body wasn’t original. Thankfully.

To your knowledge, does the Dinosaur vehicle buck more wildly than the Indiana Jones version?
I remember riding Dinosaur back in 2012, and was left in so much pain that I never get when on Indy.

 

[marni1971]

To your knowledge, does the Dinosaur vehicle buck more wildly than the Indiana Jones version?
I remember riding Dinosaur back in 2012, and was left in so much pain that I never get when on Indy.

I was told the programming is virtually identical but can’t prove it. One Doesn’t seem worse than the other to me personally but there again I don’t find either uncomfortable. Unless I’m trying to record video!

 

[rle4lunch]

Apologies for continuing this thread diversion, but... one clarification on Dinosaur:

I agree wholeheartedly with @Bocabear that IJA is worlds better than Dinosaur, largely for the reasons he described about the fullness of the sets, etc. Indeed, I believe IJA is one of the greatest theme park attractions of all time. However, that's precisely why I was emphasizing that Dinosaur is too often unfairly judged against IJA rather than on its own merits.

The "time leap" is broken. The original effect, including the proper use of the fog, made it so you did not see what was ahead of you while you were in the "toaster." So, you would go into the "toaster," experience the lighting and fog effects, then everything would go dark, and then BOOM - you were in a star-field followed by the jungle. The other way was even more impressive: you were just about to be hit by the meteor (in the original CTX version) or attacked by the dinosaur, then everything goes black for an instant, and then BOOm - the lights go on and you're back in the "toaster." This effect is indeed the main thing that needs fixing, because it was fantastic, IMHO.

Several of the animatronics of often not in full working order. This is a maintenance issue. When they're all in working order, they're some of Disney's most impressive animatronics - especially the "running" dinosaur.



Remember, though: they had a fraction of IJA's budget, so they literally couldn't afford sets.

Original, pre-budget-cut concept art:
View attachment 492251

Anyway, Tron...

All more the reason to overhaul and/or demolish. It's dated, boring, jarring for no reason, kinda dumb (even lowest denominator fun scale dumb), and just plain unimpressive. The ride feels rushed, and while Indy feels rushed as well, Indy still feels complete by the end, Dinosaur, uh, well, feels like the whole story has been stitched together from a kindergartners impression of Jurassic Park. For such an impressive ride system, they really went cheap with the final product. I HATE wasting a FP on it, but my 5 year old loves it. And besides, there's not much in AK that warrants a FP besides FOP and Safaris. Single rider on EE takes care of that wait time and I won't waste them on Kali for that criminally underwhelming and waaaayyy too short ride time.

But yeah, Tron. Looking forward(?) to it. Hopefully.

 

[Mac Tonight]

I was told the programming is virtually identical but can’t prove it. One Doesn’t seem worse than the other to me personally but there again I don’t find either uncomfortable. Unless I’m trying to record video!

Appreciate it! I actually didn't know they were the same track layout the first time I rode Dinosaur. But that's what made me confused when I got off. Dinosaur just weirdly felt more violent.

 

[doctornick]

To your knowledge, does the Dinosaur vehicle buck more wildly than the Indiana Jones version?
I remember riding Dinosaur back in 2012, and was left in so much pain that I never get when on Indy.

IJA has a higher height restriction so I’d guess it is the more “wild” one if one is

 

[Mac Tonight]

IJA has a higher height restriction so I’d guess it is the more “wild” one if one is

Interesting. That's surprising they would do that, given they're the "same".

 

[_caleb]

Also if they'd fix the dinosaur that has a star body... It's obvious. It's bad.

Unless it has already been fixed since last I rode.

What’s the star body dinosaur?

 

[MisterPenguin]

What’s the star body dinosaur?

 

[Jones14]

IJA has a higher height restriction so I’d guess it is the more “wild” one if one is

Interesting. That's surprising they would do that, given they're the "same".

Dinosaur’s height requirement used to be 46” as well, but it was lowered to 40” when they changed the name so that it would be more accessible to families with kids.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Dinosaur’s height requirement used to be 46” as well, but it was lowered to 40” when they changed the name so that it would be more accessible to families with kids.

So, its the same ride, just with a more "family friendly" name, and therefore they can arbitrarily lower the height requirement? Love it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

So, its the same ride, just with a more "family friendly" name, and therefore they can arbitrarily lower the height requirement? Love it.

I heard they'll be installing infant car seats in the jeeps.

 

[Mac Tonight]

I heard they'll be installing infant car seats in the jeeps.

Makes sense. They can call it Rock-a-Bye Dino. A great attraction for the whole family!

 

[Disney Analyst]

What’s the star body dinosaur?

One of the dinos has no torso skin... it was removed and replace with this weird star-light mesh. So after the neck it just... turns into stars. It's very odd.

ETA:

2:11 in the video:

 

[_caleb]

One of the dinos has no torso skin... it was removed and replace with this weird star-light mesh. So after the neck it just... turns into stars. It's very odd.

ETA:

2:11 in the video:

Thanks! I literally watched this video after your post, and came back to find your edit with a link to it.

Strange indeed. Has this been fixed? I don’t remember seeing it in person, but maybe I just missed it.