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

[mmcguire]

On the backlot tour, there used to be a place where people would be filmed riding on the back of a giant bee against a green screen, and it would be combined with a scene from Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

On the wall outside POTC there used to be a parrot that would squawk, "Dead Men Tell No Tales!" I also remember the talking skull inside, but my recollection was that it said, "Ahoy mateys, keep your hands and arms inside the boat." A disembodied voice warned of rough seas ahead once the ride was underway.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but if you look at all the metal lanterns hanging around the park, there is a large dragon with all the other animals. I guess it was too costly to have scores of custom-made metal lanterns re-done once they scrapped the Mythical Beasts section.

 

[rdearth]

I also remember the talking skull inside, but my recollection was that it said, "Ahoy mateys, keep your hands and arms inside the boat." A disembodied voice warned of rough seas ahead once the ride was underway.

Yes, I think that's right.

 

[Kelliroo3]

Regarding the skiing characters-do you remember when the characters swam at your resort pool? It must have been late 90's or early 2000's. We were staying at WL and Goofy and Pluto swam in our resort pool! They even went down the slide.

And does anyone remember swimming in the lake? In the mid to late 90's my sister and I swam at the lake at WL. I believe they closed it because of sanitary issues with the water.

 

[Disneenut]

Cool Thread!

 

[Scott M]

I don't know if this had been mentioned yet, as I'm too lazy to read this great thread in it's entirety, but with regard to experiencing The Great Movie Ride's Gangster or Western Scene mentioned in the first few pages, I've found this to be true:

When the ride is crowded to the point that 2 lines are formed through the queue and the pre-show theater, the right line experiences the Western Scene while the left line experiences the Gangster Scene.

This is because the right line is used to fill the first 2-car "train" at the "station" and the left line is used to fill the second (or last) 2-car train. As the two 2-car trains progress through the ride, the first train passes through the Gangster Scene and stops at the Western Scene. The doors close behind it as the second train stops at the Gangster Scene.

Both scenes play out and the first train leaves the Western Scene prior to the doors between the two scenes opening. The second train then leaves the Gangster Scene, passing through the Western Scene which now appears static, as if nothing had just happened.

When ridership does not demand 2 lines (or trains), one 2-car train is sent at a time, each only experiencing the Gangster Scene, as it is less costly to operate (no pyro effects).

Scott

 

[Deemarch]

Regarding the skiing characters-do you remember when the characters swam at your resort pool? It must have been late 90's or early 2000's. We were staying at WL and Goofy and Pluto swam in our resort pool! They even went down the slide.

And does anyone remember swimming in the lake? In the mid to late 90's my sister and I swam at the lake at WL. I believe they closed it because of sanitary issues with the water.

I swam in Seven Seas Lagoon many, many times when staying at Disney's Polynesian Village and my kids did also. But alas, their kids can't. I was told that there is too much bacteria in the water. The last time we swam in the lagoon and River Country was in the summer of 1981. My then 2 1/2 year old son got deathly ill and had a convulsion from the fever the day before we left WDW after spending 8 nights there. I suspect it was from the water...So I'm glad that they made that decision...But sad to see it all end.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I think you're kind of remembering something, but it's a little off.

There used to be a skull and crossbones at the top of the drop that would talk to you. I don't remember what it said, but it may have said "dead men tell no tales." and maybe other similar pirate sayings and warnings.

Oh yeah it definately says "dead men tell no tales", then fades out and then says it again about 30 seconds later. We once got stuck there for 20-30 minutes about 2 years ago and I cringe everytime I hear that now!

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

A few things...

First, I too lament the lack of use of the prop gun on JC. I can remember in the mid '90s having a CM fire off a few shots randomly near the waterfall where two of the boats will usually come pretty close to each other. He then hung himself off the side, looking like he had been killed by someone on the boat. The skipper of the passing boat looked at us and said "That is the best thing that will ever happen to you." Our CM was hilarious. He deviated a lot from the script and the ride was better because of it.

One frequently unused element on Splash Mountain comes in what I call the "Hell in a Handbasket" section of the Laughing Place, right after when Brer Rabbit gets whacked by the honeycomb. Off to the right there are two turtles being pushed into the air on hydraulic poles. The effect is supposed to involve water rushing up the poles to make it look like the turtles are being kept elevated by jets of water. For much of the 2000s the water was never working so it was just turtles on poles. When I was just there this past September, the water was working, creating the proper effect. It's minor, but cool.

 

[skippyman111]

Subbing !

 

[HardShell]

VERY interesting thread!

 

[Mouse511]

Love this thread.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

I know the Yeti is in B mode or something. it is not working properly so it is somewhat stationary.

 

[mkaanta]

In December 2007 there was a mist curtain just before the drop on POTC ride that had Davy Jones' image on it. Haven't seen it since.

 

[Disneenut]

In December 2007 there was a mist curtain just before the drop on POTC ride that had Davy Jones' image on it. Haven't seen it since.

i think i remember that... but now its just after you get on.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

When we were there earlier this month all the effects on Splash were working! I couldn't believe it! I don't know if I had seen them all on at one time before, and I've been quite a few times

 

[Kelliroo3]

Just got back on Friday and the skipper on the Jungle Cruise were using their prop guns. But this is the 1st time I ever remember seeing them and I've gone to disney since 1995.

 

[E-Rock]

On Tower of Terror (back when it was just one or two drops) they used to turn the lights on for maybe a second or two just before they dropped you. It was perfect timing especially for a first time rider... you basically had just enough time to think "Wait a sec... that's a wall" then you plummeted. Now that they have the new randomised system they tend to drop you in the dark. It's really too bad I enjoyed the effect of realising just before it happened.

 

[mickeymom629]

Kelliroo3 - Just got back on Friday and the skipper on the Jungle Cruise were using their prop guns. But this is the 1st time I ever remember seeing them and I've gone to disney since 1995.

If I'm not mistaken, the guns used to be loud and startling? Maybe not. But I know the guns they are now using are like a little click, not even a cap.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Seriously, though, there used to be doves at the end of Beauty and the Beast that were released. Sigh.

Yes and if I am not mistaken there were more dancing foods etc in the Be Our Guest scene...this show was cut down.

The little Mermaid was also cut down I do not think the mist hits you in the face at the beginning and I KNOW a lot of the effects were cut out as the show was made shorter.

 

[cap'njack.]

What a great thread. Shame I haven't been since 1999 so a lot of the effects that have been discussed I remember from then...guess when I next go in 2013 there will be even more that are no longer working