no more beach balls?

[BeccaG]

So life's been busy and I'm at the park now so can't easily search but how long has Luigi's been without beach balls? Always sad to see the stupidity of the few ruin it for the rest.

 

[madigraham]

I asked the other day they said it was just for the opening

 

[BeccaG]

Well we were here several weeks after opening and had them but haven't been in six maybe eight weeks?? We were told folks were misusing them but I'm wondering if it's a load time issue

 

[BeccaG]

Well we were here several weeks after opening and had them but haven't been in six maybe eight weeks?? We were told folks were misusing them but I'm wondering if it's a load time issue

 

[BeccaG]

In fact, was just told the ride loads 40% faster and people were throwing them in faces....

 

[bumbershoot]

I rode with them and I rode without, and honestly they seemed like a terrible idea from the start. The ride is about floating across the ground, not about beach balls. They made the area look more colorful, but that's about it, in my opinion. I was glad to ride without them.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...how long has Luigi's been without beach balls?...

About two and a half months now. They went away in mid August.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-368750-balls-cars.html

As for why, per the above article:
"But the wait times lagged, often lasting an hour or more, usually because people slowed down to pick up balls as they were getting aboard. Also, there were some "minor incidents" when visitors were hit by beach balls, [Mary] Niven said."

- Dreams

 

[disneyobsessed808]

i miss the beach balls, as i have no desire to go on the ride anymore, but i understand the safety aspect. if you throw the ball, it was easy to miss and hit someone else. i even saw a cast member get hit straight in the face and had to take a break.

 

[disneychrista]

They were gone when we went in August 6 - 11.

 

[cmwade77]

I asked the other day they said it was just for the opening

LOL, that's a nice spin; however, they were removed because guests were picking them up and throwing them at other guests and causing injuries. They can really pack a punch. I should know, I had a sore neck for the rest of the day and another member of our group that goes often had a splitting headache afterwards.

Interestingly, guests were never suposed to be allowed to pick them up when boarding and they were designed so that they couldn't be grabbed while the ride was running. We can see how well that worked.

Now, the area needs some color, but I am sure that will get sorted out in time.

 

[madigraham]

LOL, that's a nice spin; however, they were removed because guests were picking them up and throwing them at other guests and causing injuries. They can really pack a punch. I should know, I had a sore neck for the rest of the day and another member of our group that goes often had a splitting headache afterwards.

Interestingly, guests were never suposed to be allowed to pick them up when boarding and they were designed so that they couldn't be grabbed while the ride was running. We can see how well that worked.

Now, the area needs some color, but I am sure that will get sorted out in time.

I figured it was a safety issue but I guess that's what they are telling people because I'm sure lots of people ask.

 

[kayleigh83]

I found them fun when we rode it in July, but I can see how the potential for problems is there so I'm not too upset they were removed. At least I got my chance with them!

 

[DaveNinja]

They were gone when we went in August 6 - 11.

they were there in late July (like the 25th). I liked them. It was funny to watch all the effort people would go through trying to grab one while the ride was going on

 

[Kilala]

That's kinda a bummer I have not be to DCA since last Febuary. I will hopefully be going January 2013 for my birthday.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

It really isn't that big of a deal, folks. I rode it twice (and that was two times too many, sadly) with those beach balls--and it wasn't fun. Without them I am sure it is almost as bad, but without the fear of being hit in the head. Good times

 

[RaceCar]

Could be fun if they had just one lighter ball that everyone could throw around if they wanted instead of lots of heavier balls.