DL's People Mover to return

[iceskatejen]

I was at DL last night and talked to a most informative CM who had been working fireworks crowd control at the castle (also works the Buzz Lightyear attraction in Tomorrowland) and got a whole lot of dish from him. One of the more interesting (and hopefully true) tidbits was that when DL's subs reopen, they'll announce the return of the People Mover. I had heard a couple of weeks ago that there had already been work started on it at night and after leaving Space Mountain after midnight (park closing) I did see two workers walking along the tracks towards what had been the station area. I'd been hearing this rumor, but it's really looking like there's some truth to this one.

 

[ChrisFL]

I hope so, I was just at DL on Friday and it looked so weird seeing the tracks and station but nothing on them. If this is true, I wonder what the "trains" will look like?

 

[exDS vet]

As much as we'd all love to see the PeopleMover return, I don't think it will happen. Mostly because then Disney would have to admit it made a mistake taking the ride away. Let's face it. The PeopleMover was not popular at all. Sure we are nostalgic for it now because Rocket Rods was a technical flop. At least the ride was popular. Next to Mission to Mars, PeopleMover was the easiest "walk on" ride in the entire park, and it was a nightmare for security. Didn't the only homicide at DL occur on the PeopleMover?

It's also possible that they took out the track section that went through the building that currently houses the Buzz Lightyear ride. But I don't know this for sure. I do know that the original cars were either sold off or given away, and that some of them are used in the TDA courtyard and at WDI for CM's to sit during breaks.

Hopefully some new attraction will one day occupy the PeopleMover tracks, but the odds of another PeopleMover are about the same as the odds of them swapping the Observatron with the Rocket Jets (I mean Astro Orbitor). We can only hope. Right?

 

[YoHo]

Normally I like to agree with exDS vet, but in this case, his cynacism has gotten the best of him.

This rumor has been floating around for a while now and to break it down to it's most basic, it's the following.

WDI Anaheim and DL leadership desperatly want to reopen the Peoplemover and move the rockets back where they belong atop the station. There is a strong desire to do this from within Disney.

Rocket Rods was never that popular. It had long lines, because it never worked.
The main problem seems to be the condition of the track and of course, DL's people mover wasn't as technologically advanced as Florida's so they may be upgrading.

In either case, admiting that they're wrong isn't the issue, they've finally done that about DCA to a certain extent.

Now the issue is getting the accountineers to cough up the dough.

 

[exDS vet]

Normally I like to agree with exDS vet, but in this case, his cynacism has gotten the best of him.

I'll admit to falling apart at the end, but I don't think Disney has ever brought back an attraction that they took away, besides the Electrical Parade. I think the new Tomorrowland was a flop. Nothing near WDW's remodel from the mid-90's. They probably should have just duplicated the Florida one without AE, I guess. Buzz is good enough, but I don't like Innoventions. If they were going to bring back something than CoP should go back to the carousel theater where it belongs.

I don't see the logic in bringing back PeopleMover because of it's lack of popularity and high labor costs. While the WDW one is more advanced, it also is not very popular. I don't see the R.O.I. and Disney is all about that.

I had no Idea that they also wanted to put the rockets back on top of the tower. While I think it's a great idea, I can't see this happening either. Partly for the same reasons as the PeopleMover, but also because Astro Orbitor still has longer lines, but shorter wait times. This is due to the fact that the Gantry Lifts are no longer used. If they moved it back, I'm sure the line would consist of a stairway to the top instead of the Lifts. This would at least make the line move a bit faster, and not require as many CM's as the old Rocket Jets did.

 

[iceskatejen]

The first time I'd heard this rumor (from an off-duty CM while riding the train), I was told they're planning on employing an Incredibles theme with the People Mover return.

If the people Mover returns and/or they move the Rocket Jets back there, they'll need an elevator for wheelchair/handicap accessability. The speed ramps they used to have for the People Mover were not wide enough for a wheelchair. I just wish they'd make sure that the exit one will give the same kind of foot massage the old one did. That's part of why I miss the People Mover so much--nice relaxing ride, long enough for your feet to recover while still doing something, then that great foot massage on the way down the ramp. Even as a teenager I loved it.

 

[exDS vet]

The first time I'd heard this rumor (from an off-duty CM while riding the train), I was told they're planning on employing an Incredibles theme with the People Mover return.

I wonder how many disabled persons ride the rockets in it's current location. Surely anyone who cannot leave a wheelchair cannot ride. Not sure if they would make build an elevator to the top of the tower unless it was only for disabled guests and it stopped at both levels.

Did they have an elevator for Rocket Rods? I remember the stairs that climbed up to the platform, but I never looked for an elevator.
Is the Radio Disney studio at the base of the tower still being used?

In my first reply, I asked if anyone knew if the portion of track for the PM that went through the Buzz building was still in place. I am also wondering if they replaced any of the tunnel that went through Space Mountain?

Here's an idea that could work. They could build a brand-new station in a different Tomorrowland location. I think there is still plenty of real estate in the Space Mountain complex to support something like this. Then, if the existing tracks are still in all the original places, new extensions could be added and a state-of-the-art station could be impressive. This way, Disney could offer a new version of the ride and add more excitement to Tomorrowland.

 

[ChrisFL]

While the WDW one is more advanced, it also is not very popular.

proof?

 

[YoHo]

I'm confused by why you think the People mover is unpopular and requires a lot of people to run?

It's got a high hourly throughput and is largly automatically dispatched. I think it typically uses 2, maybe 3 CMs. Because of it's high throughput, it's tough to judge how popular it is. Since at Disney, Long lines usually equal slow loader, not unpopular.

As for bringing back rides. Witness the return of the Submarines. Those are going to use a ton of CMs and cost more per hour to operate and they have an offensivly bad throuput number.

I think even with the track repairs that WEDway will be relativly cheap to bring back.

As for the Incredibles rumor. It's not a surprising rumor in and of itself. I mean, my first thought when I saw those pods in the movie was "WEDway."


We can of course debate the appropriatness of that theme. It may surprise some to here that I think it COULD work with the new tomorrowland though I'd prefer not to have character tie-ins in general outside fo Fantasyland (and yes I know that ship sailed a long time ago.)

 

[exDS vet]

I'm confused by why you think the People mover is unpopular and requires a lot of people to run?

I don't usually address people by screen name, but C'mon YoHo! In my opinion, you are one of the most knowledgeable people on this board. So it will be a pleasure to debate this with you.

Speaking specifically of the DL PeopleMover, the high labor was mostly due to the fact that they needed numerous CM's to be stationed throughout the attraction for security. This ride was a great place for people to do "not so Disney" things when riding it. Especially in the tunnels. They also needed a CM at the bottom of the ramp and three or more on the platform.

As to my comments on it's popularity, I agree with the throughput statement, but you never had to wait in line to board. At least not in it's last ten years. HM has a similar loading system and there are always lines. Granted sometimes they aren't very long, but it's hard to walk on that one like you could the PeopleMover.

I think retheming and revamping the submarines is an ok idea, although I tend to agree with you on the character tie-ins. Any you are completely right that throughput will be a disaster like it was with the old ride.

My sentimental side would love to see PeopleMover return in some form. But my practical side doesn't see it happening.

 

[Another Voice]

Most of the security for the PeopleMover was handled by cameras. If I remember way back, the attraction usually had a crew of three or four (load, unload, utility/breaker (shared with other rides), maybe another loader if things looked busy). PeopleMover also had the largest capacity of any ride in Disneyland meaning it could handle 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sized crowds easily.

The PeopleMover and RocketJets aren't important so much for their guest handling capabilities or even their popularity. Both attractions add a tremendous amount of movement and energy all throughout Tomorrowland. Movement means excitment, without that activity Tomorrowland seems like a bunch of deserted concrete boxes. That's why D/L wants them, to bring the entire area back to life.

As for the "not so Disney" - that's what 'Adventure Thru Inner Space' was for.

 

[YoHo]

PeopleMover also had the largest capacity of any ride in Disneyland meaning it could handle 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sized crowds easily.

This is what I thought. Pirates is what second to HM?

And prior to the 50th celebration, there were times when DL's Haunted Mansion had no queue at all. It still was one of the more popular rides. based on hourly ridership.

Of course, AV makes the best point. Both those rides give that side of the park energy which it is lacking. Heck, The only time there is any energy there now is at night when a band is playing at Club buzz.

 

[LVE_HBRDN]

Grew up in Southern California, went to Disney Land many times as a child, the people mover was usually one of the first rides we went on. Was sad when the people mover went away. Have many great memory's of going on that ride. Would love to see it come back.

 

[ministrychick77]

i'd love to see the peoplemover come back!! all i think they'd really need to do is update the video they played in certain areas.. when i was a kid it was the only ride my mom let me go on by myself

 

[DLcastmbr]

as a CM who does crowd control at the castle and works star tours i can tell you right now that we all want the astro orbitor gone/moved for a reason that only we could understand. Guest flow during the fireowrks and parades that thing is a nightmare for guest control when we do our cirrcular flow (that freeway like walkway you do 5 min before the fireworks that takes you around main street) Also with people move the track is still there and I have heard the incredibles rumors, the only problem i see is that the queue is were buzz is now. So how they will build a queue is beyond me, but we are talking disney so anythings possible. If you go today on though to tomorrowland youll find alot of walls up by clubb buzz there finally starting on working on thje queue for finding nemo if you have any questions feelf ree to ask ill try my best to help

 

[iceskatejen]

Actually, that area was only used as the queue for Rocket Rods. When People Mover was there, it was the Circle Vision Theater. There shouldn't be an issue for the People Mover. Just bring back the old speed ramps and if the Rocket Jets are moved, they could use the elevator maybe.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Over 3000 people per hour according to UOG. Bring back the people mover, then dump innoventions and bring back COP.

 

[DLcastmbr]

i heard a really cool rumor the other day probably just a rumor but hey a guy can dream. I heard a rumor that ppl were thinking about dumping innoventions and putting mission space in. Since I have never been to WDW I cant say if theres enough room or if it is feasable to work but a cool rumor none the less.

 

[Spectro is #1]

When I took the WIWFST (Walk in Walt's) I was told crowed control is something Disney is aware of and do indeed want the rockets back up top. A person in our group asked "what are those rails" The guide explained the history of PM to her and said RR was closed because the track system could not take the RR retro fit and was closed for structual reasons. He hinted that talks were started to do somthing with it but he did not say PM was going to return. If that is the case I would think they need to evaluate the damage to the track system before they start building.
It was sad to see the unused track all covered in vines. If they do anything with it they should start by clearing the track.

 

[ChrisFL]

i heard a really cool rumor the other day probably just a rumor but hey a guy can dream. I heard a rumor that ppl were thinking about dumping innoventions and putting mission space in. Since I have never been to WDW I cant say if theres enough room or if it is feasable to work but a cool rumor none the less.

I seriously doubt they'd put Mission:Space in after all of the bad reputation it has gotten, or IF they did (Which they probably wont) they'd call it something else.