Where were you when the lights went out....MK Christmas 2005

[MICKEEP]

I would like to hear stories from those at the MK on Christmas morning when the power went out to the rides and everyone had to be evacuated.

We were on Buzz when the power went out and there was no emergency lighting, it was totally dark. The only thing lighting up the room we were in, were the lights from peoples cell phones and digital cameras.

The weirdest part was being in the dark with the moving parts of the ride like the robot arms, etc. still moving. You could hear them but you couldn't see them.

You gotta hand it to Disney. Even though the power went out, shutting down all the rides, the gift shops still remained in operation with full power.

When the power went out it made a crowded situation in the park even worse, since no one was in the rides or waiting on line. Just walking around was almost impossible.

Anyone see or read any news reports on what actually happened?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

How long was it out?

I'd love to know if anyone was stuck on IASW!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We were on our way from the MK to the Contemporary for brunch at CM. In fact, we didn't realize the power was out until we checked-in and were given a slip of paper instead of one of those buzzer-thingys. Then we noticed that the escalators and elevators were not running. All other lights must have been powered by back-up generators, because nothing appeared to be off. The temporary power outage did not affect CM at all. Our meal progressed as normal, and food was constantly replenished on the buffet.

 

[MICKEEP]

How long was it out?

I'd love to know if anyone was stuck on IASW!

On Buzz the lights were out but some of the animatronics were still operating.

Can you possibly imagine the HORROR of being on IASW in the dark for a half hour with the music continuing nonstop.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I guess we missed all the excitement. We were at 1900 Park Fare on Christmas morning from about 9:30 until about 11:30a.m. What time did it happen? I know it started pouring down rain while we were waiting for our table.

 

[seashoreCM]

OT: All major users of electricity have a "three phase system". There are three "hot" wires coming into the park or building or factory or whatever. I'll omit the technical details (PM me with any questions) but if one of the hot wires goes dead, either one third or two thirds of all the individual 120 volt or so electrical circuits will go dead. All of the larger motors require all three phases so loss of even one phase will cause rides to stop.

If the main lights are on one phase and the emergency light sensor and animatronics are on another phase, you can have the place in darkness with animatronics still going. I would doubt the animatronics would still be running after a complete power failure with backup generators operating.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[markwake]

Can you possibly imagine the HORROR of being on IASW in the dark for a half hour with the music continuing nonstop.

Being stuck on IASW would cause you to beg WDW to fulfill the dream of every parent since the great IASW rumor first started: "The IASW ride will be decommissioned, and a lottery will be held after the ride's last day to determine who will be the lucky riders permitted a final journey in the boats, carrying loaded shotguns." Too bad it's just a rumor.

Here's a challenge: try riding IASW and counting the number of times you hear the phrase "IASW" in any language. I got to 90+ before my mind went numb.

 

[alex1963]

We were outside waiting for our table at CP and it was really eery how quiet it was without the music being piped in from all over. It was only out for a little less than a 1/2 hour. They (Disney Dining) made an error on our reservation and put us in at 10 pm instead of 10 am for breakfast (long story) so we had to wait until after 11 a.m. to get in to eat, and then we only had about 10 minutes to get our food as they were changing over to lunch foods! We were a little disapointed, but what could we do? The manager did give us a special fast pass for the whole party to help make up for it. From where we were it didn't look all that crowded at the park (we had been there since 8 a.m. and it was a lot less crowded than I expected and we had a few rain storms come and go), however we decided to leave the park knowing the crowds were on their way! Well, leaving was not easy, the parade was underway and on it's way down Main St., usually there are cast members that help keep the traffic flowing along the sidewalks in front of the stores, not letting anyone stop to view...NOT this day!!! You couldn't move hardly at all. We took a few steps and stopped, a few more steps and stopped. People were abandoning their strollers on the sidewalk! It took us over 45 minutes to get from the Main St. Bakery to in front of Tony's! I had heard rumors about the crowds on Christmas day, but I couldn't have ever imagined it would be like that, and we've been there when it has been at near capacity! Still since it was Christmas, I kept a smile on my face and vowed never to attempt this again. Don't get me wrong, there's nowhere else I'd rather be at Christmas time, we just decided to spend it at the hotel where we were still getting our Disney fix...just a bit on the quiet, less people side. I'm glad we weren't stuck on a ride, that would have sent my daughter right over the edge. All in all it made for a lot of good stories!

Happy New Year,
Alex :thewave:

 

[MICKEEP]

A follow up regarding the Christmas days crowds:

We did almost the same thing that alex1963 did but we were able to get out before the parade and spent the rest of the afternoon at our hotel. About 7:00 PM we went to MGM and it was surprisingly empty. Went on R&R Coaster with less than a 20 minute wait, Muppets and GMR were walk-ons. The streets at the Osbourne Lights were pretty empty. And best of all the 10:00PM Fantasmic had only about a third of the seats filled.

 

[attagirlx2]

I don't recall the year, but my aunt and cousins were on IASW when it broke down...the boats stopped moving, but the song kept playing. To hear them tell the story, they were stuck for 5 days, but could've been 40 minutes to an hour. Needless to say, they don't ride that anymore and cant stand the song.

Everytime we go to Disney World we call her while we are riding IASW and hold up our cell phones so she can enjoy the music

 

[Snowysmom]

Years ago, DH and I were on IASW when it stopped during a thunder storm. We were stuck for about 30 minutes. The music went on and on and on........ I still have flashbacks! Now whenever we go on it, I just pray it will keep moving.

 

[Talking Hands]

Years ago, DH and I were on IASW when it stopped during a thunder storm. We were stuck for about 30 minutes. The music went on and on and on........ I still have flashbacks! Now whenever we go on it, I just pray it will keep moving.

Few years ago at Night of Joy I got stuck on IASW for about an hour. Didn't ride it again for about 3 years. Kids were jumping from bpat to boat and tipping the boats and the one in from of me go stuck with one wheel on top of the track and one under.

 

[kimshmkr]

We had just gotten in the car on of all things, The Haunted Mansion, when the power went off! My kids were scared to death b/c it was pitch black. Someone behind us asked if it was part of the ride!! The CM responded, "only if the ghosts have taken over". The CM's kind of paniked and did not know what to do. They finally got us out with flashlights. But by then my son was shaking with fear and would not even think of going back when the power came back on. It was quite an experience!!!!!

 

[PookaJean]

We were in the country bear jamboree and everything went dark except the emergency light in back of theater. The CM's wouldn't let us leave because they were afraid of people getting hurt falling down stairs. So they started singing Chistmas carols...after a while and the lights were still out they asked anybody with any video cameras with a light to help evacuate the theater along with their flashlights. Just as we were doing that the lights came back on. So we had to go back a different day to see the show.