IoA's new ride

[SimonV]

We've been told that the High-In-The-Sky Seuss-Trolley-Train-Ride is a definite 'go' for IoA this summer (hopefully in July), and that the long-awaited Seuss Landing monorail will finally get some riders (just seven years late!). is this enough, do you think, to get people excited about IoA again?

 

[WDWfan uk]

... well it's good news - quite surprised, but pleased, that they will be using the monorail for it's original purpose. I saw no evidence of anything happening towards these rides in November!

I know that one should always expect rides to be down for refurbishment, but at IOA, it really impacts on how long it takes to tour the park - both Ripsaw Falls (one of my faves) and the Poseidon Adventure were closed. Since we had front of line access, we found our days here shortened considerably - there is a limit, even for me!! - on how many times I'd ride Spidey.

So ......... the point I'm trying to make is that they do really need more new attractions, that have the same flair and imagination as the originals.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

... well it's good news - quite surprised, but pleased, that they will be using the monorail for it's original purpose. I saw no evidence of anything happening towards these rides in November!

I know that one should always expect rides to be down for refurbishment, but at IOA, it really impacts on how long it takes to tour the park - both Ripsaw Falls (one of my faves) and the Poseidon Adventure were closed. Since we had front of line access, we found our days here shortened considerably - there is a limit, even for me!! - on how many times I'd ride Spidey.

So ......... the point I'm trying to make is that they do really need more new attractions, that have the same flair and imagination as the originals.

Here's a picture I took a few days ago in Seuss Landing. You can see the track all over the land. It's going to be great.

It's not really a monorail though... and it's nothing like Tomorrowland Transit Authority (which my friend compared it to before I punched him).

Ripsaw Falls is re-opening next week and the new ride will be open by Summer so Islands will be back to be being a little more well-rounded. In order to make it a full day park, I think it'd benefit by adding a show and 1 more ride (E or D-ticket).

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Anthony - isn't that the original track that has been there since opening? I understood that there were some safety issues that prevented them from developing this, so I meant that I did not see any change - it looked the same as it has done on previous visits............. or am I mistaking this for a different track?

 

[ChrisFL]

I happen to really like Tomorrowland Transit Authority, so if it's like that then it's fine with me

 

[ChrisFL]

Hi Anthony - isn't that the original track that has been there since opening? I understood that there were some safety issues that prevented them from developing this, so I meant that I did not see any change - it looked the same as it has done on previous visits............. or am I mistaking this for a different track?

It's a totally different track.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I happen to really like Tomorrowland Transit Authority, so if it's like that then it's fine with me

where else can you see the original model of EPCOT?

 

[ChrisFL]

darn right, although honestly whizzing by it so fast without even hardly mentioning what it is, is kinda sad...though I shouldn't complain, it's still on display for those who actually KNOW what it is.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

darn right, although honestly whizzing by it so fast without even hardly mentioning what it is, is kinda sad...though I shouldn't complain, it's still on display for those who actually KNOW what it is.

but if we go into the Disney forums, we don't have any sense of what WDW should, could, or would be.

 

[ChrisFL]

lol, oh yeah

 

[La2kw]

where else can you see the original model of EPCOT?

That model was originally called "Progress City" and it was moved from Disneyland. It was on the second floor above Carousel of Progress for many years before COP was moved to WDW. You used to exit COP up to the second floor, then walk through that exhibit of Progress City. I'm pretty sure the model was much bigger than what you see on the TTA. I'm not sure what ever happened to the rest of it. I've never heard it referred to as Epcot, but I guess that would make sense since the original concept of Epcot was not a theme park, but rather a community.

 

[UKDEB]

I've never heard it referred to as Epcot, but I guess that would make sense since the original concept of Epcot was not a theme park, but rather a community.

My understanding is that EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) was the project name from fairly early on in its conception and that the name was retained for the resultant theme park.

 

[F-L-A]

The Driving Machines are nothing to get excited about. They still need to go ahead with their plans for an E-ticket in JP.

 

[ChrisFL]

That model was originally called "Progress City" and it was moved from Disneyland. It was on the second floor above Carousel of Progress for many years before COP was moved to WDW. You used to exit COP up to the second floor, then walk through that exhibit of Progress City. I'm pretty sure the model was much bigger than what you see on the TTA. I'm not sure what ever happened to the rest of it. I've never heard it referred to as Epcot, but I guess that would make sense since the original concept of Epcot was not a theme park, but rather a community.

Progress City was an earlier name for the EPCOT city project, there were some differences but overall they're almost the same from everything I've read.

 

[SimonV]

Progress City is a fascinating story connected with Walt, the World's Fair in New York of 1964 and, ultimately, the creation of WDW and Epcot. Progressland was the pavilion Walt (and his Imagineers) created for GE as one of four WDI enterprises at the Fair. Progress City was the final part of the 'show' (which is still the Carousel of Progress in MK), a 160ft model that covered almost 7,000 sq ft. However, it is not completely clear even from some of Walt's own musings (read the book Designing Disney's Theme Parks - The Architecture of Reassurance) if he really imagined Progress City being created for real in Orlando. Many people think Progress City was only Walt's vision for a city of the future, as outlined by his original idea for an Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (EPCOT), and NOT the blueprint for what we now know as Epcot itself. In fact, much of Walt's imaginings ideas for EPCOT (as opposed to Epcot) sadly died with him, and it is hard to imagine anyone creating a city of the scope of Progress City on an area of just 47 square miles. When CoP was brought to the MK in 1975, the building would not accommodate the Progress City final act, and it was hived off to be part of the 'scenery' of the TTA (then called the WEDWay People Mover). Either way, it is an amazing model and really deserves a much bigger showcase than the glimpse people get on the TTA. I'm pretty sure not all the original model is on show there, as it should be more than 50 yards long. You can also look up more detail on www.waltopia.com and allears.net (under their Carousel of Progress listing).

 

[ChrisFL]

Well yes its quite obvious that what we see as Epcot the theme park has nothing to do with the original E.P.C.O.T. that Walt imagined.

I have a book called "Walt Disney and the Quest for Community" which goes into detail about Walt's plans for the city and what issues had not been addressed.

Some of it was the fact that if it was Disney employees living there, and yet tourists would also be able to go through parts of the city, that the employees would never have any down-time where they aren't in front of tourists.

The book goes on to describe the civil unrest after Walt's death and without his guidance, the Disney company didn't know how to make it all work. So then begs the question about why they continued to call the theme park project EPCOT anyway.

 

[ChrisFL]

BTW, I'd like to take this moment to apologize about TOTALLY derailing this thread! It will not happen again.........today

 

[La2kw]

Progress City is a fascinating story connected with Walt, the World's Fair in New York of 1964 and, ultimately, the creation of WDW and Epcot. Progressland was the pavilion Walt (and his Imagineers) created for GE as one of four WDI enterprises at the Fair. Progress City was the final part of the 'show' (which is still the Carousel of Progress in MK), a 160ft model that covered almost 7,000 sq ft. However, it is not completely clear even from some of Walt's own musings (read the book Designing Disney's Theme Parks - The Architecture of Reassurance) if he really imagined Progress City being created for real in Orlando. Many people think Progress City was only Walt's vision for a city of the future, as outlined by his original idea for an Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (EPCOT), and NOT the blueprint for what we now know as Epcot itself. In fact, much of Walt's imaginings ideas for EPCOT (as opposed to Epcot) sadly died with him, and it is hard to imagine anyone creating a city of the scope of Progress City on an area of just 47 square miles. When CoP was brought to the MK in 1975, the building would not accommodate the Progress City final act, and it was hived off to be part of the 'scenery' of the TTA (then called the WEDWay People Mover). Either way, it is an amazing model and really deserves a much bigger showcase than the glimpse people get on the TTA. I'm pretty sure not all the original model is on show there, as it should be more than 50 yards long. You can also look up more detail on www.waltopia.com and allears.net (under their Carousel of Progress listing).

Interesting information. I do remember the model being much bigger than what we see on the TTA, but since I was just a kid back then, I don't know how much bigger. I agree, it would be so cool to see the entire model again, but something tells me it's probably not around anymore. I remember the first time I rode the TTA as an adult (very first trip to WDW) and I was so excited to see that model again because it brought back childhood memories of Disneyland. I felt the same way seeing COP again. Now I hear WDW is thinking of closing COP and I would love to see it sent back to Disneyland as a replacement of Innoventions (which took over the old COP building).

 

[La2kw]

The Driving Machines are nothing to get excited about. They still need to go ahead with their plans for an E-ticket in JP.

While I agree that IOA needs a new E-ticket, I am also excited about the Driving Machines. I think it's great that they will finally open after all these years of seeing those empty monorail beams. I remember when they had the character in the car riding around and around and imagining how much fun my kids would have riding the thing and enjoying the views. As I understand it, the new ride will be more of a powered coaster type thing than a monorail.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

The Driving Machines are nothing to get excited about.

that depends on your screen name.