Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

Tragedy struck the Disney family this morning. A monorail collision at Walt Disney World killed one monorail pilot.

http://cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/7/5/monorail_crash_at_epcot_kills_driver.html

I just got back last July 1st from there, and we rode in the front car one time as we normally try to do at least once on every trip. With all the safety mechanisms they have, it is puzzling how such an accident could have happened.

While this accident happened on the Epcot line, Disney has shut down the whole monorail system for a system wide review. There are also speculation that Disney will no longer allow guests to sit in the front car with the monorail pilot once they get the monorail running again. It would be sad if this become a permanent policy.

I have pointed to this video before, but due to the current tragic circumstance, I'm going to mention this video again as a tribute not only to the monorail pilot, but also to all of the monorail pilots that have enhanced our trip to WDW each time we were able to sit in the front car.



Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

I saw that in the news this morning too. When is the last time (if ever) that they've done a complete overhaul of the monorail system? With the number of passengers every day, and the number of trips every day, and the number of years it's been in service, even with regular inspections, parts are bound to fail. It may be time for them to have an extended service downtime to overhaul all the safety systems. I also think they're overdue for a makeover too...when it first came out, the monorail was very futuristic, but now it's rather dated looking, and seems the same as what you find in many airports. They need to think up some way to make it at least appear modern, if not futuristic again.

 

[ZapperZ]

I saw that in the news this morning too. When is the last time (if ever) that they've done a complete overhaul of the monorail system? With the number of passengers every day, and the number of trips every day, and the number of years it's been in service, even with regular inspections, parts are bound to fail. It may be time for them to have an extended service downtime to overhaul all the safety systems. I also think they're overdue for a makeover too...when it first came out, the monorail was very futuristic, but now it's rather dated looking, and seems the same as what you find in many airports. They need to think up some way to make it at least appear modern, if not futuristic again.

Actually, the monorail vehicles themselves are quite new. They have continually upgraded the monorail with new vehicles. The current one is called Mach 5. In fact, there are also newer vehicles that are slowing replacing the current version.

There are tons of speculation going on regarding this accident. The most likely scenario is that the monorail pilot overrode the safety mechanism that would have caused the automatic breaks to kick in. He likely did not see the pink monorail that stopped way short of the station due to a mechanical problem as he made the turn into the station at Futureworld. If this is what happened, the question then is why he turned on the override.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

In the "Fly Me Away" photo contest (polling started this weekend), I entered a picture that I took while I was high up in the air during a parasailing activity. This was taken at Bay Lake at Walt Disney World.

I also had pictures taken of me while I was up in the air, which of course I could not use for our weekly contest since I didn't take 'em. But I can certainly show them here. So here they are! It was quite a rough weather, because they closed the ride as soon as they reeled me in due to the impending storm. I certainly was tossed around while I was up there, which made the activity a bit more "interesting".

So here are pictures of me dangling several hundred feet above Bay Lake.

It looks pretty high, doesn't it?

The wind was also picking up, and I was jostled around quite a bit up there. You can sense it a little bit by looking at this picture and how tilted I was at this point.

They're reeling me back down after they got word that the ride is shut down.

It was a wonderful experience, and I would certainly do it again. But next time, I would hope that it will be in calmer weather.

Zz.

 

[Doc Al]

How cool is that! Sounds like a blast.

 

[Moonbear]

That does sound fun. Though, how did you get pictures while up there? I'd be afraid to take along a camera in case of a splash landing! Though, I'm not sure I'd want to do it while a storm was blowing up.

 

[ZapperZ]

That does sound fun. Though, how did you get pictures while up there? I'd be afraid to take along a camera in case of a splash landing! Though, I'm not sure I'd want to do it while a storm was blowing up.

I took my camera, which if you remember, is one of those compact, point-and-shoot camera. I had the strap around my wrist the whole time I was up there, for obvious reason.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I took my camera, which if you remember, is one of those compact, point-and-shoot camera. I had the strap around my wrist the whole time I was up there, for obvious reason.

Zz.

Since I've mentioned this already, here are the pictures I took while I was doing the parasailing at Bay Lake. The wind was really picking up due to the impending storm, causing me to get whipped around quite a bit while I was up there. So some of the pictures may not be as sharp as it could be since I was jostled around.

The boat crew.

Leaving the marina at the Contemporary.

I'm up!

A view at the Contemporary Resort and a bit of Magic Kingdom in the background. Space Mountain certainly was prominent.

My feet dangling several hundred feet above Bay Lake.

Zz.

 

[crazzycat]

Sailing is always so amazing, when the wind is blowing on you and the water is so close...i sailed some years ago...you photos help me to remember this wonderful moments, thanks

 

[Tsu]

Cute knees and toes, ZZ. Can I go with you next time? I would SO love to do that. Maybe when I go see my cousin in Hawaii (soon, I hope) I'll get to do it.

 

[ZapperZ]

Cute knees and toes, ZZ.

Thank you. Too bad I didn't shave my legs beforehand! :)

Can I go with you next time? I would SO love to do that. Maybe when I go see my cousin in Hawaii (soon, I hope) I'll get to do it.

Sure you can! You can go tandem with Ivan!

Zz.

 

[Tsu]

Woohooooooo!

 

[ZapperZ]

In case you haven't seen it, this is a very cool video of A Day at the Magic Kingdom.



It looks as if it is miniature model, but it really is real. It is just that it is more of a stop-motion video. That's what made it so amazing to look at.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hey, we have a lot of members from the United Kingdom on PF. Here's your chance to vote for your favorite town to be the twin city of Walt Disney World in Florida!



Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

First we found out that https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1084492&postcount=2492"!

Although Dirac was benign and receptive during these conversations, he was so reserved that Hofer often found himself trying to elicit a response from him – a nod or a shake of the head, a few words, anything to make the conversation less onesided. Just occasionally, Dirac would be moved to contribute a few words about one of his private enthusiasms – Chopin’s waltzes, Mickey Mouse and any television special featuring Cher, the brassy chanteuse.

:)

Zz.

 

[rewebster]

With the creation of the 'Fun, Photos & Games' category, wouldn't this tread be more appropriate in that category?

 

[ZapperZ]

This is Easter Donald Duck, produced by Hallmark. I bought this a couple of days ago, and I haven't stop laughing at it. It's hysterical! Even funnier, there's a tag attached to one of his bunny ears to NOT pick him up by the ears. But you should do it anyway! :)

So I took a quick video of it so that you can look at it. I think Disney missed a chance to sell this thing for themselves. It would have been a hit! :)

Xum2-QOyAfA[/youtube] Zz.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

December was a cold month in South Jersey, so we saddled up and headed south. The plan was to keep going until it got warm. However, by the time we got to Ft. Lauderdale it was still in the 50s and it was in the 50s all the way to Key West, so we gave up. We stayed in Miami and slowly moved north. On Dec 30, we went to Epcot in Orlando.

I had heard that it was built as a model city of the future and a showcase of trends in cutting edge technology. With the parking fee, the entrance fee, and taxes, it came close to $300 for three people.

The first attraction we saw was the iconic golf ball building. The line to get in was long and the sign said there was a 45 minute waiting time. I thought that if we waited 45 minutes for every attraction we wouldn't see much. We by-passed that and went to an attraction called Innovention. There was practally no line there at all so I felt better about that. The most innovative thing I saw there was Velcro, not exactly a cutting edge technology any more. There was a cute game show based on Velcro. Also there was a game you could play that teaches you something about saving for the future. It was geared for children and didn't teach me anything I didn't already know and didn't exhibit any cutting edge technology. There was a computer survey you could fill out to indicated what problems face mankind, what causes the problems and how they should be solved. However it was multiple choice and my ideas were never any of the choices.

Next we went to an attraction about imagination. It seemed rather extravagant to dedicate an entire building to the message that in addition to the 5 senses, you should also use your imagination. It was geared for children.

Next we saw a short movie with the characters from The Lion King and concerning a plan to build a theme park called "Hakuna Matata Land". The message of the movie is that if you build a theme park, then you will be a polluter. This is a bizarre message considering where we were at the time.

By this time I was sure that I had just lit a match to $300. However things got better. Most of Epcot is a kind of World's Fair. There are about a dozen exhibits dedicated to various countries, Mexico, Norway, China, etc. Each of these has souvenir shops, restaurants, and a small museum-like display concerning that country. In addition, some of the countries have an attraction like a ride or a movie. There were lines, but the longest one lasted a half hour and some were less than 10 minutes. We spent most of our time here and found it quite pleasant. The food is Americanized and of course, overpriced.

By early evening we had seen all of the country exhibits and were about to leave. However, as we passed the golf ball building, the line was quite short and the sign said a 10 minute wait. So we went in. I expected to finally see the new technology part of the attraction but again was disappointed. Inside is a ride through some diaramas that represent how the ideas of people in the past have changed the world. The message is that our ideas too will change the world. However, at the end you just choose from a menu of other peoples' ideas. Then there were some computer games you could play. Of these there was one that used a 3-d display. It was a game to build a person up out of body parts. I suppose 3-d can still be considered cutting edge.

My impression: It is a pleasant way to spend a day, but it is way overhyped and way overpriced. The technology angle is scanty and geared for children.

 

[ZapperZ]

December was a cold month in South Jersey, so we saddled up and headed south. The plan was to keep going until it got warm. However, by the time we got to Ft. Lauderdale it was still in the 50s and it was in the 50s all the way to Key West, so we gave up. We stayed in Miami and slowly moved north. On Dec 30, we went to Epcot in Orlando.

I had heard that it was built as a model city of the future and a showcase of trends in cutting edge technology. With the parking fee, the entrance fee, and taxes, it came close to $300 for three people.

Walt's original vision was exactly that. That vision was partly carried out with Futureworld, i.e. the front part of the theme park. However, at that time, no one was willing to support the entire vision, and Walt did not leave the detailed plan of his vision. Since there was a separate plan of another theme park that resembles a World's Fair, the company decided to marry the two concepts together, and that resulted in the present-day Epcot.

The first attraction we saw was the iconic golf ball building. The line to get in was long and the sign said there was a 45 minute waiting time. I thought that if we waited 45 minutes for every attraction we wouldn't see much.

In my own version of WDW travel guide, I strongly tell people to avoid most of the attraction that is you see first when you walk in. This includes Spaceship Earth. There is always a line there in the morning because most people see this as the first attraction. Don't do it. Wait till mid/late afternoon. The lines will be significantly shorter.

We by-passed that and went to an attraction called Innovention. There was practally no line there at all so I felt better about that. The most innovative thing I saw there was Velcro, not exactly a cutting edge technology any more. There was a cute game show based on Velcro. Also there was a game you could play that teaches you something about saving for the future. It was geared for children and didn't teach me anything I didn't already know and didn't exhibit any cutting edge technology. There was a computer survey you could fill out to indicated what problems face mankind, what causes the problems and how they should be solved. However it was multiple choice and my ideas were never any of the choices.

There are two Innoventions - Innoventions East, and Innoventions West. I strongly recommend visiting Innoventions East and do "Sum of all Thrills". You design your own ride and use physics principles of mechanics/energy conservation.

By this time I was sure that I had just lit a match to $300. However things got better. Most of Epcot is a kind of World's Fair. There are about a dozen exhibits dedicated to various countries, Mexico, Norway, China, etc. Each of these has souvenir shops, restaurants, and a small museum-like display concerning that country. In addition, some of the countries have an attraction like a ride or a movie. There were lines, but the longest one lasted a half hour and some were less than 10 minutes. We spent most of our time here and found it quite pleasant. The food is Americanized and of course, overpriced.

This is generally true. However, there are a few exceptions. One of them is the sit-down restaurant at Morocco called Marakesh. It's an amazing restaurant. Also, if you go to the bakery at Norway, there are several authentic (based on reviews given my a Norwegian friend) items there.

By early evening we had seen all of the country exhibits and were about to leave. However, as we passed the golf ball building, the line was quite short and the sign said a 10 minute wait. So we went in. I expected to finally see the new technology part of the attraction but again was disappointed. Inside is a ride through some diaramas that represent how the ideas of people in the past have changed the world. The message is that our ideas too will change the world. However, at the end you just choose from a menu of other peoples' ideas. Then there were some computer games you could play. Of these there was one that used a 3-d display. It was a game to build a person up out of body parts. I suppose 3-d can still be considered cutting edge.

My guess is that you missed the BEST part of the evening show at Epcot, which is Illuminations. That's too bad.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6710208895411670287&hl=en#

Zz.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

My guess is that you missed the BEST part of the evening show at Epcot, which is Illuminations. That's too bad.

We left at about 6:30. Having arrived at 10:30 in the morning, we were pretty well jaded by that time. We discussed staying for the Illuminations, but decided against it. I'm usually asleep by 9:00 and the show doesn't start till 9:30.

 

[Tsu]

Jimmy -
Now you know better. NEVER visit a Disney attraction without talking to Zz first...

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Jimmy -
Now you know better. NEVER visit a Disney attraction without talking to Zz first...

I'm pretty much resolved to take this advice.

 

[ZapperZ]

In the meantime, for people who missed this the first time around, this is my own version of things one should/must not miss at WDW, including a few tips and hints.

http://docs.google.com/View?id=df5w5j9q_2ch3cbn

It is such a huge place with so many things to do. I seriously do not recommend going there (especially for first-timers and people who don't know it that well) without any kind of knowledge or some planning.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I mentioned earlier about the "Sum of All Thrills" at Innoventions East at Epcot. This is something that I highly recommend people to do. It at least tries to incorporate basic mechanics into the design of your ride, so one would hope that while having fun, people will actually learn something, even something minuscule.

This is what you see when you approach the attraction.

You go into a briefing room where they tell you something about how to design your ride. You can choose from 3 different types of rides - a bobsled (tamest), a roller coaster, and a jet fighter (most challenging). Even within each ride, you design how the ride goes (i.e adding loops, spirals, drops, etc... The bobsled option does not give you any ride segment that makes you go upside down). So you get to design how tame or how exciting your ride will be, but with the use of basic mechanics such as conservation of energy.

Each ride can take 2 people, and both of you share one ride card, which they give as you enter the briefing room.

After the briefing, you walk into the ride design area where you go to a large screen that you've been assigned to, stick your card in, and off you go. It gives you a screen of your initial condition, i.e. how high are you going to start from your first drop and how much potential energy you are starting with. That will dictate how fast you can go around corners and how high you can design other ride components that you wish to add along the way. All of the information is stored on the card.

After you have finished with the ride design, you take the card out and then walk over to the ride loading area. This is what your ride vehicle looks like. It consists of 2 seats at the end of a long, robotic arm.

The hood over the seats drops over you after you are seated and completely covers your upper torso. Note that if you suffer from claustrophobia, this may be a problem for you because initially, it does feel a bit confined. Still, what you see in front of you is a screen of what you will be facing in your ride, and at a lower corner of the screen, you get to see a live video of your partner sitting next to you (and he/she can see you as well). So in this case, it might not be as bad.

After the loading platform moves back, you are off on your designed ride.

[PLAIN]http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/3844/img8304t.jpg

[URL]http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6766/img8303x.jpg[/URL]

[URL]http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9938/img7617i.jpg[/URL]

[URL]http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2478/img7599tp.jpg[/URL]

[URL]http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4827/img7598y.jpg[/URL]

The ride simulation feels pretty accurate. The upside-down loops truly feels as if you are going upside down. There is also not much in terms of motion-sickness, so the coordination between what you see on the screen and what the arm is doing is quite accurate.

This is one of those attraction that consciously tries to inject basic mechanics with some fun. So in that sense, it is worth doing. You also get to keep the card and log into the Raytheon webpage (they're the sponsor) to play their online game, etc., and learn more about mechanics. So the education/fun aspect continues even after you get home.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Once in a while, science and Disney intersect, such as in this case. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, made a presentation at Epcot's Innoventions.

0LWBKrZ-Kn4[/youtube] Zz.

 

[smoothie12]

Thanks for this thread. I am planning a trip to Walt Disney World, this is what I need to start. Disney World is a great place, but it can also be overwhelming trying to decide where to stay, what to see, or even what I can afford.

 

[ZapperZ]

More intersection between Disney and science/technology. CNET has a closer look at the http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-2...revs-up-pixars-cars-2/?tag=TOCcarouselMain.0". They are paying as much attention to the science as they did in "Up".

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Happy Halloween!

If you don't know where "This is Halloween" came from for our photo contest last week, here is a video of an over-the-top Halloween display that used this tune from the soundtrack to Disney's "Nightmare Before Christmas".



Zz.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

The amazing Jackie Evancho crosses paths with Disney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y84J06lY4s


Disney Christmas Parade 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJkuQfS8JNg

 

[ZapperZ]

The amazing Jackie Evancho crosses paths with Disney

Jackie who? :)

I must plead ignorance on her. Even after doing a Google search, it still doesn't ring a bell. But then again, I hardly ever watch Network TV.

Zz.