WHY is Timekeeper closed??

[wdwfreak]

I've heard many theories advanced, including expense to run vs. guest counts, the twin towers being in the New York scene, etc. I was in the MK on 12/12 and asked a CM the reason and was told that it was "very popular as a character greeting area" ... ... you could put characters in the drainage lines underneath Main Street and people would step over their mother to get to them ... anyway, I wondered if anyone had an "official" reason why Timekeeper is seasonal ... and by seasonal I mean it's open like 8 days a year.

I really loved this attraction and haven't seen it sice Feb 2001, as we generally avoid the busier times of the year when it has been open. Very dissapointing that this remains closed while Stitch gets a major promotional push.

Anyone?

 

[Judge Smails]

I've been to WDW 8 times and have yet to see this attraction.

It's always been closed.

 

[DVC Chris]

During last week's MVMCP, they were using Timekeeper as the area for the free photos. You entered through the attraction exit and they set up a queue with the railings and you waited in there to have your free picture taken. The timekeeper audi-animitronics, etc were still there.

 

[Chuck S]

I love Timekeeper, but I think, unfortunately, that theme parks seem to be "dumbing down" attractions, as more and more guests prefer thrill rides. You have to wonder how many of the historic people, like Ryan White, Louis Armstrong, Mary Martin. etc people recognize in the American Adventure finale. It may be that Timekeeper's Jules Verne theme just doesn't appeal to folks who may have no idea who he was. Plus, you always heard complaints on these boards about "having to stand to watch a movie."

Timekeeper was open in Dec 2004, and they used the Stitch queue area for the MVMCP photos, as the Stitch was in rehab. The Timekeeper was used for photos in 2003 and 2005.

 

[wdwfreak]

Plus, you always heard complaints on these boards about "having to stand to watch a movie."

And yet O Canada! continues unabated ...

 

[Luv2Roam]

I really think it was not that popular, and that area can be side tracked for other use.
I think the main reason is was not that popular is because guests have to stand during the preshow and show.
But it is also an attraction very few would want to experience repeatedly during one trip, like Buzz.
Had there been seating, and more of an entertainment factor, more guests would have gone in. TK is not exactly what most would consider Amazing Disney Magic.

 

[Planogirl]

We really like Timekeeper and were lucky enough to see it last year. It's a shame that such a nice attraction is closed while the hideous Stitch show goes on.

Buzz will be down for rehab (or already is?) so maybe they'll open Timekeeper during that time.

 

[Aintdisablast]

We really like Timekeeper and were lucky enough to see it last year. It's a shame that such a nice attraction is closed while the hideous Stitch show goes on.

Buzz will be down for rehab (or already is?) so maybe they'll open Timekeeper during that time.

TimeKeeper being closed has always been a mystery to me. I admitdly know nothing about how the ride is operated, but it doesn't seem like it needs a lot of expense to keep it running. Very few CM's are required. Show area is esy to maintain - just vacuumth floor. Movie is paid for.

Maybe it osts a lot to keep TK and 9Eyes operating, but it has to be cheaper then CoP which was operating last week.

 

[mark&sue]

Timekeeper? Is this the 360 degree show they had in Disneyland Paris? A movie that surrounds you about Jules Verne but you have to stand. I have seen in Paris but can't remember seeing it in WDW. I could be wrong?


Susan

 

[YoHo]

Disney has a complex formula for determining whether it's worth it to have a less popular ride open. I remember a couple years ago when timekeeper first went seasonal it was discussed. It has to do with number of CMs and hourly throughput and such. I don't think the cost of the animatronics is really factored in since Disney seems to run them into the ground before they refurb instead of doing maintainence. And yes, I think it cost more to run this ride versus COP in particular since COP is I think more popular.

 

[All Aboard]

mark&sue,

Yes, the Timekeeper is based on the Paris "Le Visionarium" attraction. At WDW's Magic Kingdom it is located on the Avenue of the Planets in Tomorrowland, right across from Stitch's Great Escape.

 

[mark&sue]

ah yes we had to wear headphones to hear the English speaking version.

I don't think we would go again as it was a bit boring. The scenes were nice though for a first time visitor. The problem is when you are doing so much walking around the theme parks most people don't want to stand when in a show.


Susan

 

[dvc_john]

Timekeeper? Is this the 360 degree show they had in Disneyland Paris? A movie that surrounds you about Jules Verne but you have to stand. I have seen in Paris but can't remember seeing it in WDW. I could be wrong?


Susan

Yes, it was in Paris first. It was filmed for EuroDisneyland (now Disneyland Paris), hence so much Paris footage in the film. They changed a few seconds of the film here and there (one scene of Paris changed to New York, one scene of European countryside changed tgo the Pacific Coast Hwy in Calif.) They also re-dubbed the sound using Robin Williams and Rhea Perlman.

 

[Macca1111]

Although I only saw Timekeeper at Florida, and only a few times, I have fond memories of the anamatronic Robin Williams. I understand that people don't like standing up when they've been standing up all day in line, but it is a shame that such an expensive and wonderful piece of technology is just sitting and rusting away. As long as they have no plans to develop the area into another attraction, why not allow those of us who'd like to see it again (I've been trying for years now) to see it? Or redevelop the space into something better than a character area? If I had known that it was the same as the Paris one, I would have gone when I was there this summer.

 

[daannzzz]

You know it takes so many people and so much electricity to run the Timekeeper. It must cost a fortune to operate.

 

[StephaBabe50]

I have been to WDW 13 times and I have never been on Time Keeper. Can someone maybe explain what it is or was?
Thanks!