DCA's ToT---How will it be different?

I recall reading here or on some other site that this version is not going to have the vehicles move in the forward/backwards direction like the Orlando version (ie the cars are in the shaft for the entire ride). I ran a search and could not find this anywhere. Anybody else know or heard about this? Basically, I'm wondering how many changes are going to be made in this version. Are they cutting corners? Are they adding to the experience? Or is this an exact replica? This is one of my alltime favorites---and I'm hoping the DCA version delivers as this is a lot closer to Vegas!

Yes, they are cutting corners. They're eliminating the entire 5th dimension sequence, which is the floor where you move foward and backward and stars appear around you, and all of those effects. I'm not sure about which other things they are keeping or adding. It is nowhere near being a replica.

There are new effects, from what I've been told, that aren't found in Walt Disney World's attraction.

The 9th floor fifth dimension scenes have been removed -- which should allow for the simplification of the ride system. *** Edited 12/22/2003 12:32:26 AM UTC by Chernabog***

^Sort of... The elevator still contains horizontal movement. It moves in and out of the shaft for loading and unloading.

And no, I don't think they are cutting corners. Its not like they have got rid of the 5th Dimension and plan to put nothing there in its place.

There is a new finale for the ride, called the "Looking Glass." I'm not sure the specifics, but it involves seeing a reflection of your elevator (with people) and after a flash of lightning, seeing everyone dissapear, the mirror shatters and you drop. There is probably more to it than that, but thats all I know.

This is 2003 Disney, so I wouldn't expect to be overwelmed by new features, if any.

I recall hearing some place (I believe Jim Hill Media) that the "Looking Glass" section (or something similar to what was described above) was planned for the original TOT in Florida. It was dropped during the final developmental stages of the attraction because the Imagineers decided that it did not impact the ride all that much, and would have been more than was really needed.

It is just going to be half a ride, kind of like DCA is half a park.

I need to shut up :-x

I wouldn't consider it "cutting corners" since DCA's version is costing them ALOT more to build vs. Florida's version. Disney didn't seem too happy with how the 5th d turned out, all of the imagineers kinda looked at it as a bad gimick, so I'm sure they're not too happy to see it gone in DCA's and Paris' version.

Its a personal opinion and nothing more, but I think that the Florida building is MUCH more impressive than the DCA building. It has nothing to do with one verison looking more expensive than the other or anything like that- its just personal taste. There is something evil and ominous about the way the FL building appears, while the new version seems to look like a regular hotel in comparison.

Disney says that the new building is more condusive to the California theme of the park, which I believe- I just don't believe that it looks better.

I agree Rob -- but I think that DCA's show building looks a lot more "two-dimensional" than the Studios', which is probably a result of cost-cutting measures.

I think the difference is in the paint color -- Florida's building is painted a much darker color and so it adds to the forboding feeling one gets. The DCA building is much too light to really inspire those same feelings.

I am happy to see that they fixed the location of the Hollywood Tower Hotel sign on the DCA building, though, even if it looks a bit disproportionately small now.

Yah, whatever happened to the whole dimished perspective thing?

Does anyone have pictures of the building??

http://www.americacoasters.com/DCAConstruction/nov21/pg3.php

Can we reserve judgement of the ride until it opens, please? Yeah, big deal Perhaps this version will be BETTER?

mOOSH

Speaking of which, any rumors regarding soft openings?

Well, the ride opens offically in May. And they have been testing it a lot lately. But to my knowledge no formal castmember training has taken place yet which means a soft opening is a ways off.

So, I am guessing sometime in March we may see some soft openings. And I am sure they will want it up and running before spring break as well.