new letter about TR:TR, from Jeffrey Siebert
-----------------
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!
A few things -
I wasn't suggesting that Disney copied Flight of Fear, if that's how you interpreted my post. My gripe, in fact, was that Disney opted to source out work on what is really nothing more than a roller coaster. The ride is fun, and the layout is certainly different, but there's just not enough that separates Rock 'N' Roller Coaster from Flight of Fear to warrant it's installation in a Disney theme park.
I was always under the impression that Space Mountain at DLP was a catapult launch system, but it's entirely possible that it's LIM catapult system. Some further research this afternoon will reveal the solution, I'm sure. But, hey, those Peoplemovers can get pretty crazy, too :-)
Finally, the competition between Paramount, Disney, and Universal might not be as tangible as that in Central Florida. In other words, while people certainly won't choose a trip to PKI over WDW as they might choose to go to IOA over WDW, there's still going to be comparisons drawn between the theming work. Often, I hear of Flight of Fear's queue being on par with Disney, and it's that sort of thing that's likely to happen again. I disagree, but I digress :-)
Back on topic - It's my inclination that TR:TR won't be anything too spectacular. I see a Splashover or something similar with both fire and water effects, and a nifty light show. Disney parks have to maintain the illusion of the 'show,' but TR:TR will become the odd one out in PKI, and probably won't get the upkeep it deserves.
~ Michael ~
As for the theming, I have never heard anyone compare the themeing to Disney. That is not to say it doesn't happen, but I think Disney and Universal are in their own realms of theming. Since we don't have anyhting like that up in Ohio, any theming we get to see that is unusually flashy, is a big deal to some folks.
While I am not the largest fan of theming in general (to me, it is the actual ride that usually does it for me), I know that TR:TR will be something I can enjoy to the fullest, even if the show or theming may not be working at times.............that is.......after I first ride it of course. =:^)
As for the Disneyland Paris Space Mountain. If I am not mistaken, the launch on that coaster, as well as Rock-N-Roller Coaster is LSM propelled.
Anyone know for certain?
-Sean (who may not be the largest fan of theming, but will acknowledge when theming does add to the ride experiance) F.
TR:TR will probably be a great addition to PKI, but I was just warning that it probably will not be anything earth-shattering like some people seem to expect. Rather, I see it as being a unique flat ride with some effects. Personally, I don't have any expectations for the ride at all, because it'll be a long time before I drive all the way to Ohio again.
DLP's Space Mountain may use LSM's. The Rock 'N' Roller Coaster uses a dolly that engages the train for the launch, and I believe DLP's SM may use a similar system - whether that dolly is magnetically launched or not I'm unsure of.
But, after all is said and done, the answer to the question first posed is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
~ Michael ~
Got any other brain busters, Mannis?
Derek
-----------------
Koaster King said:
Danny, who thinks PKI should have known better to make Top Gun a B&M invert
I agree. That looks to be the only time PC has gotten something better out of the deal than PKI did. Come to think of it, PC has 2 B&M's.. are they the only PP with a B&M?
-----------------
I rode "X" and never went upside down.
The Eiffel Tower at PKI Does indeed stand around 314 feet. With the antenna that used to reside on top, the tower stood around 331. I am personally unsure of the exact year it was shortened, however there is no real story behind it. It was simply just removed.
PKD's still retains their antenna and holds claim to the title of the tallest of the two replicas. PKI, however still calls their tower a "1/3 scale replica of the one in Paris, France." This, I believe, is not exactly accurate according to the PKI tower's present stat. As the original in Europe stands just under 1,000 feet (as far as I recall, I'd have to look it up.)
Never-the-less, we are talking generalities here and it really does not make a difference.
IMO, the PKI tower seems "void" of something at the top. There is the elaborate "arch" design then...nothing. I do wish the antenna would be replaced just for asthetic purposes.
Shaggy
*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 11/5/2001. ***
"Star Trek: The Experience", an interactive attraction from Paramount Parks, is a favorite of Las Vegas and of the Hilton. Among the features are a motion simulator, a TurboLift to the shuttlecraft launch bay and film images during the craft's "voyage." There's also a museum with costumes and memorabilia, and the SpaceQuest Casino with futuristic slot machines.
This is NOT just a simulator ride, but as they say "an experience".
-------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dea
*** This post was edited by CPLady on 11/5/2001. ***
The building for TR:TR was 3/4 closed as of yesterday. Work was continuing on where you enter the 'cave' at the start of the attraction. I have some more pics but I am not sure when I will be able to post them on my site. Perhaps in a few weeks or so?
-------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
P>ONT face=Verdana size=2>I don't feel that PKI will be able to keep up with the theming of TR:TR...b/c look at their other "so called" themed rides...Top Gun, Adventure Express....they might have been cool the year they were built, but after that, the theming has deteriorated on those rides. /P>
P>ONT face=Verdana size=2>Good point. Although Express was built years before Paramout took over, Paramount changed it to an Indiana Jones theme in 93 or 94. It was real cool back then, but for some reason they didn't keep up with it. I still love it, but it was better back when the full theming was in place instead of the half theming it is now./P>
P>ONT face=Verdana size=2>Something tells me that because theming appears to be the majority of the experience at TR:TR that they won't let it slip so easily like they did at Top Gun and Adventure Express./P>
The ride still has all original elements from it's debut in 1991, but 90% of them are now non-operational.
Why? Well they served little to no purpose.
One of the biggest dissapointments came when the ride was test ridden. Thousands upon thousands of dollars had been sunk into themeing and animatronic elements. But the coaster trains passed by too quickly for riders to notice.
Did you know there is a 50 foot hissing python in the 1st tunnel?
Did you know there are jutting spears and crumbling walls in the second tunnel?
Of course most of us might know that, but when the ride was first operational, normal guests did not even see them. The effects no longer work because once they wore themselves out, the park saw no need to invest time and effort, let alone money, to repair them.
The good news is, the theming elements that riders could catch have been retained. The in-station speels "The Trans-Intercontinental junction blah blah blah..." "Track 2 is now closed..." and such are still heard. The creaking sound effects of the "rotting" wood supports on the mid-ride lift are still used. Also the (in)famous Mayan drum beaters still operate and have esablished their own "cult" following. (Which of us that has ridden AE can forget "Drum, Drum, Drum, Drum, Now you will pay! Drum, Drum Drum."
Two significant features of the themeing were removed due to simple ride preservation. Those included the water/mist effects. The "fog" or mist at the very onset of the ride was removed about 3 years ago as it rusted the track and trim breaks in the that area just before the first tunnel. Also the "dripping" water that fell from the Mayan statue at the very end was nixed since it also produced less than desirable results.
Finally, don't fret for the theming company that PKI hired to toil over their fruitless labor on AE. KI was impressed enough that they were also contracted to work on the next themed attraction. They produced all the theming elements and characters in Phantom Theatre for the 1992 season. And a mighty fine job they did, indeed!
Hmmmm, and here's a trivia question for you. Can you name all 6 of the main characters in PKI's Phantom Theatre? First and last name please! :-)
Shaggy
*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 11/7/2001. ***
Don't tell me you know all the main characters names. That's quite a chore. I am sure you know them, but even after riding PT last Sunday, I don't think I could name them all. I am thinking Jeffrey would have trouble with it also, but then again, he does knows that park very well.
-Sean (who is sorry he didn't get to hang out with 'Shaggy' very much on Sunday)
P> "FONT face=Verdana size=2>Paramount has not altered Adventure Express from it's original theming. The attraction has always been based on Mayan Ruins and never re-themed to Indiana Jones."/P>
P>FONT face=Verdana size=2>I thought that too, until I got bored one day this year and actually read the PKI pamphlet. It says right on it that Adventure Express is and 'Indiana Jones Themed Ride.' It's hard to tell that by looking at the ride, but that's what the park advertises./P>
P>FONT face=Verdana size=2>By the way, haggy, how long did you work at PKI? You know a LOT about it./P>
I worked there for two seasons, 1998 & 1999, weekends only. I also used to be a rep to PKI for for my full time job. (In other words, the one that paid my bills) I have moved on from that position. However through those 5 year dealings with the park, I became very good aquaintances with the staff there.
They are all wonderful people that I very much respect and still remain in close contact with. When I worked there I was a part of the OL:FOF crew (98) and Beast crew (99, 20th anniversary) but I was also trained as a floater and knew how to help operate about 15 different rides.
Which PKI phamplet are you speaking of? I'll have to check it out.
To Sean F....
Yes indeed I do know the characters. Sad isn't it? No sweat on the Sunday thing, we were all trying to soak up as much PKI as we could get. Going to No-Coaster?
Oh and by the way...
The Maestro, Willard Warbler, The Mighty Bosco, Lyonel Burymore, The Great Houdilini, and Hilda something-or-other are the characters. Only the female that hits the high note escapes me. I'll think of it in the middle of the night probably ;-)
Shaggy
*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 11/7/2001. ***
Here's a trivia question for you guys: which ride recieved a partial coat of paint this year?
You must be logged in to post
