Safari - Does the bridge ever work?

[cavepig]

We just got back from WDW and did the Safari at AK 3 times and the bridge that is supposed to shake and creak never worked.

We've been riding the Safari since it opened in 1998 (even during cast previews) and the Bridge would creak and shake and the driver would say it was dangerous and old and then speed away. Last year we had a driver that made the bridge do exactly what it was supposed to do, but this year one driver just drove right over it and didn't say anything, another commented it was old but all it did was creak a little, and the last driver was about the same.

Just wondering what is with this Bridge effect? Do the drivers have to go a certain speed over it to activate to the shakes? I miss it when it doesn't work or if the cast member doesn't even bother with it.

Thanks

 

[Tina]

I believe it has something to do with the pace of the vehicles. If you are traveling too closely to the ride vehicle in front of you, the driver will usually not "do the bridge scene." In the 20 or so times I've ridden, I've only experience the "bridge scene" a handful of times. Perhaps Pandy Paws can help us out on this one.

 

[safetymom]

Bridge effects have worked for us every time.

 

[pjlla]

Worked so good for us that DS (6) was convinced it was real! He refused to ride the safari again because he was afraid the bridge would collapse!! ...........................P

 

[DisneyPoly]

We were there 6/13-19 and the bridge did not work for us either. We have ridden many times before and it always worked. Funny, I did notice that it did not move this time. Wonder if they are experiencing problems or discontinued this effect?

 

[BethC1952]

It was working just fine in May, and it happened 50% of the times we rode in December (we went on it four different times on four different days).

Beth

 

[goofy4tink]

And here I thought it was just me not being able to feel the bridge moving!!! I don't think we have ever felt it shake. I couldn't figure out what everyone was talking about. Only one time did the driver even mention that the bridge was old, and hoped it held up. But it didn't move around at all. Glad to know it's not just me.

 

[shatzjsl]

It worked couple of weeks ago when we were there but our driver didn't make any comments about it. My daughter did ask if it was supposed to sound like that.

 

[Alison Wonderland]

It didn't work the last time I was there about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was disappointed. I wonder if it has something to do with the driver and whether they want to do it. We had the worst driver (as far as commentary) that I've ever had.

 

[arizonacolbys]

We've been on it numerous times & it has worked every time. I wonder if they're having trouble with it or in the process of repairing some part of it. Hope it's working in Sept!

 

[Horizons16]

you know now that i think of it, it has only worked a few times that i have been there. Hmm

 

[brivers222]

It worked for us, in fact, I have it all on Video

 

[Jazzman]

We were on an early truck on June 25th, and it didn't work (the first time in maybe 6 trips we have seen it fail). The driver called in to central dispatch (during one of the 'airborne monologues') and informed them it wasn't working.

-Pete

 

[cavepig]

Thanks for posting. Is there a safari driver out there that can help with why the bridge doesn't always work.

We have the bridge working correctly on video also, we also have it not working.

When it works it is much different than what we got this year on our rides. We always get noise even if the driver just drives right over it and sometimes even felt it shake a little. But, when it works you hear a few creaks and feel some shakes and the driver slows down to almost a stop. Then the bridge tilts back and forth and makes a loud creak and the driver speeds away. It really feels like it might just fall apart, unlike the version we got this year.

Thanks again for posting.

 

[kilee]

We've always had it working too. Our last trip was this spring-- so maybe something is recently up w/ it. That's interesting as I didn't know it didn't shake.

 

[jcemom]

We rode three times with three different drivers on two different days in February, and no bridge effects for us.

 

[Tinkbell]

I've never felt the bridge shake. I've been on it like 6 times total.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When we were on it in late May, the bridge shook. I remember because our driver really made it memorable. As a matter of fact, that was the most it has shook in the many times I've been on it!

 

[smhogar]

Rode it on 6/20 and it worked.


Sharon

 

[PandyPaws]

Well, finally, after alll these years, they have FINALLY fixed that rickety old bridge!!!

Actually, it's being worked on, and some parts are being replaced. Although the audio 'creaking' is working, it currently does not tilt.

(smhogar, the bridge hasn't tilted in several weeks now, it was not working on 6/20, only the sound)