Teacups

[mikedoyleblogger]

I haven't been on them since before 2004, I hear they made it harder to spin them really fast...

Is it 'harder' to spin very fast, or is it impossible to spin very fast?

Is it true that some teacups spin faster than others?

What are the wheels made of? Are they just metal, plastic, or do they have some rubber for easy gripping?

Are any of you or your loved ones teacups pros who have tips on how to get the modern teacups going their fastest?

Would wearing gloves that help prevent your hands slipping on the wheel help to get it going?

My mission for my upcoming trip is to get the teacup spinning like a top!

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, brakes were added to the teacups in the early 2000s to make them harder to spin up and to slow them down more quickly than before. Prior to the brakes, the teacups were very easy to spin and sustained their speed for a long time. Now, it takes a lot of effort to get up to speed, and the teacups begin slowing down as soon as you stop applying effort. The difference is actually remarkable if you rode the ride around 2000 versus riding them today. Now, you can feel the cup consistently pulling back at you trying to brake.

The brakes were applied around the time of the last Disney legal-instigated safety push throughout the parks that saw handrails and warning tape go up in areas that never had them before. If you remember the controversy over the ridiculous warning tape being applied to the castle courtyard drinking fountain steps, that was around the time the teacups were slowed down. (I'm thinking it was 2003, specifically.)

I'm a teacup vet and could spin them to the point of applause from onlookers in 2002. When I returned to DLR in late 2005, it was the complete opposite and remained so during my park visits last year. Previously, I've gotten off the ride with bleeding hands, a wrenched back, and completely terrified friends who unfortunately chose to ride with me. Now, I feel like there's not a lot of point riding. You still can spin up the cups. But it's not anywhere near as much fun.

For what it's worth, my technique for many years is this: Sit immediately to the left of the door (as you enter). Brace your right foot on the door frame. As the ride starts, place both hands on the top of the wheel and pull *hard* with both hands together down the right side of the wheel to the bottom while pushing the door frame with your right foot. Ignore the left side of the wheel and immediately place your hands back at the top of the wheel and pull down again. Do this repeatedly, hard, and fast--gloves help a lot, and so does remembering to breathe(!) If you're in the teacup with anyone else, do this *alone*. Have everyone else lean back, or else they'll slow down your spin. On a completely non-braked teacups ride (as DL's used to be), use caution--the centrifugal force can really knock the wind out of you once you're up to speed. And there you go

 

[goin' again!]

It's supposed to be the white cup with the purple flowers....but maybe it's actually the SOLID purple?? Who know?! LOL hehehe

We actually rode the solid purple one first...couldn't tell the difference...and then we tried the white with purple flowers

Maybe in a few weeks someone will say it's the yellow/orange/blue/green one! LOL!

 

[pink elephants]

For what it's worth, my technique for many years is this: Sit immediately to the left of the door (as you enter). Brace your right foot on the door frame. As the ride starts, place both hands on the top of the wheel and pull *hard* with both hands together down the right side of the wheel to the bottom while pushing the door frame with your right foot. Ignore the left side of the wheel and immediately place your hands back at the top of the wheel and pull down again. Do this repeatedly, hard, and fast--gloves help a lot, and so does remembering to breathe(!) If you're in the teacup with anyone else, do this *alone*. Have everyone else lean back, or else they'll slow down your spin. On a completely non-braked teacups ride (as DL's used to be), use caution--the centrifugal force can really knock the wind out of you once you're up to speed. And there you go

This is similar to our technique although we ignore the right side because we're all left handed. The key is to make your strongest arm the lead arm - therefore right side for right handers and left side for left handers. Then hand over hand all together like boatswains, until you're so dizzy or tired that you let the ride take over.

I'm curious if you've ever spun the 'cups at WDW. We can get those going at a very good clip - as I said in a previous post. I'm wondering if they're the same as DL current or DL past. I guess we'll find out in just a few days, but if you happen to see this post, I'd love to hear your answer.

 

[Susiesark]

We go on the teacups a few times a month. My daughter and I observe which teacup is the fastest and run for it. Each time, we notice that the teacup spinning fastest is the one with the 2 strong young men vigorously turning the wheel.

 

[Crazykrug]

Did the pink one with my 4 year old last week and I had it going pretty quick to where I couldn't see where I was. I would agree with the hand over hand way.

 

[mom2rtk]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Teacups. My daughter and I spin as hard as we can, then when we can't stand it any more we slow it down and spin a bit in the opposite direction and it makes us un-dizzy!