Attraction effects Disney installed but doesn't use ( w/pics if possible )

[Buzz Litebeer]

But something is different, that's for sure.

The only thing that's changed about the drop at PotC are your perceptions.

The drop was not altered during the 2006 refurbishments.

 

[Poohbear123]

A long time ago in a land far far away, Fort Wilderness, there used to be a steam train that ran from the check in area to the other end of the campgrounds. The trains were discontinued due to maintenance costs, but some of the rail bed is now used as walkways.

Yep, my Mom and I took this train a LOT! I recently found a part of the rail bed, but I had to un-bury it myself, over by a Bus depot.I really miss the OLD DISNEY!

 

[wagster92]

I thought I remembered this too from the 70's - but I may be thinking of Busch Gardens (if they even had them).

Sorry I haven't read the last page yet so this may have already been stated

But back in June of 05 (I think) there was an alligator in the lake, river thingy that surrounds Tom Sawyer's Island. And as proof it was in fact a gator.....

It ate one of the ducks... as a crowd waiting on a parade watched. I think it's needless to say that the gator was not there the next we went, haha

 

[*NikkiBell*]

FYI: The mist effect at EE came back a few weeks ago. They're using a new process now that shouldn't have the problems of the old system.

When did this happen? I was there two weeks ago and no mist. ????

 

[Chad&Janet]

That's funny as on my October trip our group had the opposite experience! We were in the Magic Kingdom October 30. The Disney know-it-all in our group (and I use that term with lots of endearment!) swore that Davy Jones USED to appear on the mist, but would not, because it was broken. My sister and I tried to persuade her that we had seen it in May-- no avail. She kept talking about how cool it was and what a shame we would not be able to see it. So we just shut up and waited for the ride-- well, my sister and I won that coin toss. I've never seen it not working since they implemented it-- all twice that I've ridden! But I really do believe those of you who say it doesn't appear sometimes-- I think I do, anyway. What day of April is this, again?

I was all excited to see this effect, since I had read all about it on here. We went November 2008 and no effect whatsoever. It definitely felt like that room was missing something. Maybe we'll get to see it this year!

The only thing that's changed about the drop at PotC are your perceptions.

The drop was not altered during the 2006 refurbishments.

Exactly right. And the drop still gave me the dramatic case of butterflies you speak of.

 

[8disneyfans]

I haven't read through all the posts yet, this is a cool thread.
I remember a ride at DL where you would shrink. As a little girl I thought this was the coolest thing, going into a snowflake!
I don't have a picture of it, sorry!

 

[d1gitman]

The only thing that's changed about the drop at PotC are your perceptions.

The drop was not altered during the 2006 refurbishments.

While i most definitely believe you Buzz, we too thought something was different about the drop post refurb.

Could it be that it isn't as pitch black as it used to be? did they keep the drop the same but move it to a different point in the attraction? It just seems like the drop doesn't have the same effect to us as it used to.

There must be something about the drop post refurb that gives the perception of an alteration. no?

 

[Hmbldr]

I haven't read through all the posts yet, this is a cool thread.
I remember a ride at DL where you would shrink. As a little girl I thought this was the coolest thing, going into a snowflake!
I don't have a picture of it, sorry!

Adventure Thru Inner Space

It was the coolest and a great memory from my first Disney visit when I was 10.

 

[Mikailova]

Sorry I haven't read the last page yet so this may have already been stated

But back in June of 05 (I think) there was an alligator in the lake, river thingy that surrounds Tom Sawyer's Island. And as proof it was in fact a gator.....

It ate one of the ducks... as a crowd waiting on a parade watched. I think it's needless to say that the gator was not there the next we went, haha

Yes there have been alligators in the waters of America and many of the other waterways in MK at one time or another. They get in as babies and then can't get out as adults. One of the main reasons they are "removed" is that people feed them, no matter what the posted signs say. As far as a gator is concerned the hand that bring the food and the had itself are all food, so eventually they are a danger to the public and have to be "taken out".

The one you are referring to from '05 lived behind the Turkey Leg stand in the Waters of America in Frontierland, big Shock on his choice of accommodations. Many CMs that I knew at the time named him Tic Toc. Here is a link to video of him on You Tube when he crossed under the bridge and got a little too close to Splash Mtn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiPSIgUx2Ls

 

[Mikailova]

Does anyone remember the Swan Boats that took you around the Castle on the moat? The landings down the path through the Rose Garden used to be the launch/load/unload docks.

Also the TVs at the top of the cue on the left before the split in the Space Mtn. cue used to show a much longer video including guest spots from Mario Lopez and a few other "notables", with fake commercials for space products, etc. It also contained an instructional video for getting into the ride and pulling down your lap bar. It added to the theme that you were entering a space station to be transported to another planet. There also used to be more TVs throughout the cue with the video also running on it.

 

[Chad&Janet]

While i most definitely believe you Buzz, we too thought something was different about the drop post refurb.

Could it be that it isn't as pitch black as it used to be? did they keep the drop the same but move it to a different point in the attraction? It just seems like the drop doesn't have the same effect to us as it used to.

There must be something about the drop post refurb that gives the perception of an alteration. no?

Here's my understanding:
As to moving the drop: See, the drop is at the point where it is due to the physical necessity of it being there. This is the point, as Conan pointed out, that the boat goes underneath the WDW railroad tracks in order to move the guests into the "show building." There is only the one drop at WDW.

However, at DisneyLand, there are 2 drops. I wasn't sure if maybe some ppl were getting the 2 confused. The DisneyLand drops are likely deeper drops as well. My understanding as to this has to do with Florida's extremely high water table as compared to Anaheim.

Now contrasting that, I've also read from other sources(Jason Surrell's book), that the drop at WDW is NOT a design necessity as it is at DisneyLand; that is was included for pure enjoyment.

Some other little tidbits are that the DisneyLand version of the ride as a whole is about twice as long as the WDW one. DL spans 3 levels vs. 2. and I remember reading gallons of water somewhere on each attraction and it was WAY more at DL, like maybe 4-5 x more water in the attraction at DL.

As to the lighting, part of the refurb was to improve "lighting and audio." I rode it last Nov. when we went and still felt like the drop was quite dark; but I really don't know if anything was changed/updated in the 2006 refurb in regard to this.

Maybe someone with more knowledge should shed a little light here.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Does anyone remember the Swan Boats that took you around the Castle on the moat? The landings down the path through the Rose Garden used to be the launch/load/unload docks.
.

I rode the Swan Boats back in the 80s. It was very pleasant. And I always found the TVs in Space Mountain to be very entertaining, but, the photos in the line queue need to be updated. There are much better comets that Bradfield (whichever Bradfield that was) and the photo of the North American nebula is backwards.


As for Davy Jones, he showed up on cue when we visited in March. We'll be there in again in two weeks. I'll post an update. What is missing is the talking skull and crossbones that warned you of the the rough weather ahead. It built up suspense for the drop. "Dead Men tell NO tails"

As for gators, I seem to remember a news report last year that stated that a gator was found in the restrooms that are between Frontierland and Adventureland, by the Diamond Horseshoe. I assume it was before ropedrop.

 

[BamaFan121s]

What I really miss is the storyline and the effects from KJ. Darn it, I liked to help save Little Red. I didn't even know they'd removed the plane from the end. I remember the Jeep that took off through the trees, but it's been a looooong time since I saw it working. I also remember when a CM with a gun stood out by the truck with Little Red in it at the end.
Aside from that, it seems like hit and miss on KJ with the 'old bridge' that seems to give way under you.
I ride it thinking "Wait a minute, this bridge is suppose to fall down with us!"

In all the times I've ridden GMR, I've only seen the western bank robbing scene once and it was on one of my more recent trips. We passed right through the gangster scene and stopped there and I thought to myself, "What in the heck is this!?" A nice little surprise there.

I can't remember the last time Pooh's Hefalump actually shot the smoke rings.

And there always seems to be something not working in Splash Mt. Either the projected image of Brer Rabbit being chased over the hill, or the girl rabbit with the broom talking, the jumping Brer Rabbit.... And I remember the 'birdhouses' on the ride and in the line area used to have 'chipmunk' sounds coming out of them.

As far as the drop in Pirates...that's still the same...nothing changed with the refurb there.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

As for gators, I seem to remember a news report last year that stated that a gator was found in the restrooms that are between Frontierland and Adventureland, by the Diamond Horseshoe. I assume it was before ropedrop.

It was around 3:00am. Gave a 3rd shift custodian quite a scare, IIRC.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I may be mis-remembering but... I seem to remember a time on PotC when the pirates chased the women in circles, the auction was more lewd, there was a lot more rum drinking and flames. It seems that the refurb has "cleaned up" the story, and reversed the skirt-chasing scenario. Now the women chase the men with brooms, and there is almost no drinking and no fire.

At EPCOT, I really miss the Wonders of Life Pavilion. I have great memories of the exciting Body Wars ride with Elizabeth Shue, and the funny film/exhibit of a day as seen through the eyes of a 13 year old boy.

 

[Circusgirl]

What I really miss is the storyline and the effects from KJ. Darn it, I liked to help save Little Red. I didn't even know they'd removed the plane from the end. I remember the Jeep that took off through the trees, but it's been a looooong time since I saw it working. I also remember when a CM with a gun stood out by the truck with Little Red in it at the end.
Aside from that, it seems like hit and miss on KJ with the 'old bridge' that seems to give way under you.
I ride it thinking "Wait a minute, this bridge is suppose to fall down with us!"

In all the times I've ridden GMR, I've only seen the western bank robbing scene once and it was on one of my more recent trips. We passed right through the gangster scene and stopped there and I thought to myself, "What in the heck is this!?" A nice little surprise there.

I can't remember the last time Pooh's Hefalump actually shot the smoke rings.

And there always seems to be something not working in Splash Mt. Either the projected image of Brer Rabbit being chased over the hill, or the girl rabbit with the broom talking, the jumping Brer Rabbit.... And I remember the 'birdhouses' on the ride and in the line area used to have 'chipmunk' sounds coming out of them.

As far as the drop in Pirates...that's still the same...nothing changed with the refurb there.

I agree about the gutting of the story line during the Kilimanjaro Safari. They eliminated the female warden as well as enough of the story that what is left doesn't make sense in some places. The mechanical bits aren't always working (imagine how many things would break down if you ran your household appliances constantly 10 to 20 hours a day) but smaller effects being out don't justify shutting the ride.

I see the Heffalump smoke ring about 1/2 the rides on WtP. It may take long enough between puffs that some cars just miss it even if it is working.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

I may be mis-remembering but... I seem to remember a time on PotC when the pirates chased the women in circles, the auction was more lewd, there was a lot more rum drinking and flames. It seems that the refurb has "cleaned up" the story, and reversed the skirt-chasing scenario. Now the women chase the men with brooms, and there is almost no drinking and no fire.

You're referring to the Refurb of '97 (original PotC imagineer X Attencio called it the "Boy Scouts of the Caribbean" refurb). They did, in fact, change the "pillage" scene then so the pirates were chasing women carrying food. However, they didn't change the auction scene at all. IIRC, the only flames were in the Burning City scene.

 

[micknpluto]

I was at dinner tonight and thought about something else!!!!

Does anyone remember "Snow Whites Scary Adventures" as you are waiting in line, you could see the Queen... there use to be a window in the front of the attraction where the Evil Queen would peer out.. I think there was a curtain that would open and close and behind it in the window was The Evil Queen???

am I right?? Must have been a long time ago. I told my sister and she said she doesnt remember.

 

[Hmbldr]

I was at dinner tonight and thought about something else!!!!

Does anyone remember "Snow Whites Scary Adventures" as you are waiting in line, you could see the Queen... there use to be a window in the front of the attraction where the Evil Queen would peer out.. I think there was a curtain that would open and close and behind it in the window was The Evil Queen???

am I right?? Must have been a long time ago. I told my sister and she said she doesnt remember.

This appears in a second story window, as she peeks out through parted window drapes. I remember it clearly...but can't be sure if this is MK or DL. I think DL.

 

[micknpluto]

This appears in a second story window, as she peeks out through parted window drapes. I remember it clearly...but can't be sure if this is MK or DL. I think DL.

But Ive never been to DL only WDW's MK hmmmm.

why do I recall this, I could of swore it was at WDW-FL?