It's A Small World rehab to accomidate heavier riders?

[UtahMama]

OHHHH MYYYYY! I just heard on the radio that IASM is down for at least a year because it was originally designed for 1960's adults who were in comparison much thinner than today's "heavier" adults who bog it down...HA! I just thought that was a hoot (being plus sized myself). They have to redo the boats to accomodate todays heavier boatloads...

No details are given on the DL news sight. Anyone know if this reason for the refurb is true?

 

[KimD]

Hey there UtahMama! I am reading your latest WDW trip report and L O V E it! Your family is a hoot and remind me so much of my own I've read your others...but I'm just a shy reader I guess...haven't got the guts to post to it yet!

Anywho....I read something (I'm not sure where exactly) but that the real reason was there is some sort of build up in the canals that happens over time and that is what is actually causing the boats to 'bottom out' (no pun intended ). Not sure what is true but I did read that it won't be going down until sometime in January after the holidays. Which...phew for us! We're heading down in two weeks with my DD's friend who has...hold on....NEVER BEEN TO DISNEY!!! It just wouldn't be the same if we couldn't ride IASW!!!

 

[audrabolster]

I think the resin buildup from repairs plus hefty guests have caused it.

10 months is an awfully long time to be down!

I'm a "pooh sized" guest, and haven't ridden it after hearing reports of the bottoming out!

 

[mommaU4]

I'm a large person and so is my DH. We've been on that ride many times with our four kids, and never gotten stuck anywhere or in anyway, so this was all quite a surprise to read there is an issue with it.

Now I'm a little scared to go on the ride!! Never thought I'd be scared to go on It's A Small World.

 

[DangerMouse]

Be afraid, be very afraid!

My dh and I aren't Pooh-sized, but were in a "heavily loaded" boat a couple years ago and got stuck inside with a huge pile-up of boats behind us. No one came to help us! My dh and I had to lean outside the boat and grab onto the sides to push our whole boat through the ride. We were the only ones doing this! The CM's didn't even acknowledge there was a problem when we finally worked our way back to the dock. Our arms were sore the next day and our kids don't want to go on IASW anymore.

I, for one, am ELATED that they are doing this very much needed refurb.

 

[CoolPool]

Last August I did notice that the ride CMs were sending boats out without being anywhere near full. I am willing to believe we Americans displace more water than we ever have.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I'm going to DL in Feb and will be really sad if IASM is closed down. I love that ride.

 

[mommaU4]

Be afraid, be very afraid!

My dh and I aren't Pooh-sized, but were in a "heavily loaded" boat a couple years ago and got stuck inside with a huge pile-up of boats behind us. No one came to help us! My dh and I had to lean outside the boat and grab onto the sides to push our whole boat through the ride. We were the only ones doing this! The CM's didn't even acknowledge there was a problem when we finally worked our way back to the dock. Our arms were sore the next day and our kids don't want to go on IASW anymore.

I, for one, am ELATED that they are doing this very much needed refurb.

Now that's just so wrong! I hope you said something. There is no reason a guest should have to do that. You could have been injured, pulled a muscle, etc.

I'm sorry the kids won't go on the ride anymore. While it's not my favorite ride anyways, I'd be sad if my little ones didn't want to ride it due to something like that.

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm going to DL in Feb and will be really sad if IASM is closed down. I love that ride.

Sorry, it will definitely be closed then. It closes Jan 25 and doesn't open back up until late Oct 2008.

 

[fairycat]

This has been heavily discussed and I have to say to a point I really doubt it. I think the build up is a major part of the problem as is sending wheelchair holding boats. Fourty years of resin and fiberglass is a lot of build up! Also take into consideration they haven't looked at making POTC deeper for our "American Water Displaceing Butts". I think it might have a small effect on the upgrade but I think the story is more about a catchy phrase.

I also doubt some of the reports because as I mentioned on another thread, they say they give you a "food ticket" if you are removed from a bottomed out boat. I personally have NEVER seen Disney give a food coupon for ride issues of any sort. I have only ever seen special ride passes given out, but that doesn't sound as good for a article like this.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Sorry, it will definitely be closed then. It closes Jan 25 and doesn't open back up until late Oct 2008.

 

[DangerMouse]

This has been heavily discussed and I have to say to a point I really doubt it. I think the build up is a major part of the problem as is sending wheelchair holding boats. Fourty years of resin and fiberglass is a lot of build up! Also take into consideration they haven't looked at making POTC deeper for our "American Water Displaceing Butts". I think it might have a small effect on the upgrade but I think the story is more about a catchy phrase.

I also doubt some of the reports because as I mentioned on another thread, they say they give you a "food ticket" if you are removed from a bottomed out boat. I personally have NEVER seen Disney give a food coupon for ride issues of any sort. I have only ever seen special ride passes given out, but that doesn't sound as good for a article like this.

The food ticket comment is Al Lutz' attempt at humor. . .

My experience posted above is all the proof I need that the canals are not deep enough.

And about PoTC . . . they have to watch the weight of their loads as well. Have you ever been in an overloaded boat on that ride? It moves painfully slow.

 

[UtahMama]

Yikes! One time I was on the extreme left of the boat in the middle and I swear I thought it was gonna tip to the side way too much. I remember I was nervous. It was a full-on heavy loaded boat, and I was much heavier then.


What does bottom out mean? Like, takes on water? Sounds like the refurb is needed, whatever the reason. The radio dj just said he "heard" that it was designed for 1960's adults and is bogging down with age too.

I'm looking forward to the improved ride.

 

[Albort]

Most likely to add lots and lots of cameras in the ride for security purpose and most likely the state of the art alarm system for your protection...

then rockin Small world!!!

 

[ScooterL]

Most likely to add lots and lots of cameras in the ride for security purpose and most likely the state of the art alarm system for your protection...

then rockin Small world!!!

Followed by Shooting Gallery small world?

 

[KimD]

What does bottom out mean? Like, takes on water? Sounds like the refurb is needed, whatever the reason. The radio dj just said he "heard" that it was designed for 1960's adults and is bogging down with age too.

I'm looking forward to the improved ride.

I believe they mean when the bottom of the boat touches the bottom of the canal and gets stuck. Kind of like when we went camping a couple of years ago and when I got into the dang little dinky fishing boat we couldn't move....I was promptly informed that I bottomed out the boat so get my bottom out so they could move out deeper. To my credit is was a TINY little aluminum boat and they had way too much crud.

Anyway....I agree...I'm looking forward to the improved ride too!

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

Hey I was wondering if anyone knows if Tower of Terror in DCA is pooh size friendly? Like for instance, if the seat belt will be able to buckle someone who is of size? DH cousin is going with us and he's affraid of going on rides and having to get off in front of everyone because he won't fit. I told him notto worry but I just wanted to ask first for sure. I have never been on the ride before and I'm a little on the chunky side too and wanted to make sure before anyone ends up being embarrassed.

 

[Sarubo]

I just find it ironic that the ride they are having this problem with is, "It's a SMALL World." Apparently it's not such a small world.

And I'm really more apt to believe it's mainly due to age than to our increasing bottoms (mine included). Back in the 80's they would load those boats up, and my father was 6'6", 350lbs. And I don't ever remember them hitting bottom.


Edited to add:

Ooops, just realized we were talking Disneyland. But I would imagine the reasons are the same regardless.

 

[luminous]

Yes, it is true, although it won't go down for rehab until after the holidays. We rode it last week and they had it all decked out for Christmas. The cast members are aware of the situation and do their best not to overload the boats. From what I understand they can take a lot of heat from guests who don't understand why the cast memebers aren't filling up the boats when the park is busy and the lines for the ride are so long. A few months ago, my family rode on one of those boats that weren't loaded that carefully. I knew something was wrong when we nearly capsized as we left the loading dock. We made it into the tunnel and we noticed we were kinda dragging and moving much more slowly than normal. Then at the second bend we botttomed out and we were stuck. My husband and I, who already found the dragging to be extremely funny, lost it. I had tears streamming down my face and I kept looking around the boat to share our laughter with the others, but apparently no one else found it funny. I figured the boat behind us would eventually catch us, bump into us and dislodge us, but no such luck. Then another boat hit them, but we weren't going anywhere. As I watched all the boats in front of us disappear, the situation grew even funnier for me. Then another boat behind hit behind us. Nope still not moving. SEVEN boats later we were finally on our way for the longest, slowest ride of our lives. Our daughters, who LOVE IASM, were in heaven. I am just so glad that our boat started moving again and we didn't have to be escorted out by a CM. What do they do? Empty the entire boat so there are no hurt feelings or do the pick out the "biggest" offenders and escort them out?

FYI- they had rehab the Alice ride a few years back because the motors on those little cars were no longer strong enough to haul guest through Wonderland.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hey I was wondering if anyone knows if Tower of Terror in DCA is pooh size friendly? Like for instance, if the seat belt will be able to buckle someone who is of size? DH cousin is going with us and he's affraid of going on rides and having to get off in front of everyone because he won't fit. I told him notto worry but I just wanted to ask first for sure. I have never been on the ride before and I'm a little on the chunky side too and wanted to make sure before anyone ends up being embarrassed.

DH is 5'10" and when last we went he was around 310 (carries weight in belly, lets, and chest like a retired sumo wrestler might), and he was fine on TOT. Only thing he had troubles at DCA or DL with was the Maliboomer, and he thinks that is because his chest and back are broad and heavy, and they couldn't get the shoulder things down enough.