Monsters Inc. Coaster Coming To Disney Studios

[JPL]

For some reason I can't get the picture of an off the shelf coaster painted blue and Called Sully's Laugh Coaster out of my mind.

[Ian]

For some reason I can't get the picture of an off the shelf coaster painted blue and Called Sully's Laugh Coaster out of my mind.

Well I'm quite sure the base ride will be an off-the-shelf design from somewhere. I could be wrong, but I think they've farmed out virtually all of their recent coaster designs. All they've done is the theming, I think.

But all the rumors I've read previously on this claim it will be similar to Crush's Coaster from DSP and that ride has gotten pretty rave reviews.

[Mufasa]

Well I'm quite sure the base ride will be an off-the-shelf design from somewhere. I could be wrong, but I think they've farmed out virtually all of their recent coaster designs. All they've done is the theming, I think.

In most cases Imagineering is very involved in the design of the coaster in order to fit our needs (the manufacturing of elements like ride track/vehicles is what is outsourced).

For example on Expedition: Everest, we went through a total of about 23 different track design iterations to achieve the end result.

We started with building a 3D model of a basic track layout on a computer and then transfer it to a scale model where the creative team then sculpted the show building (in this case the mountain) out of foam around our scale model track.

They'd look at the model and maybe say "hey, the track sticks out a little too far here can we adjust it" and the engineers would grumble and go back to the model and the computer and tweak the track layout while running calculations to make sure everything would work in order to support the story.

In any attraction the ride/track design and movements are all elements that can be used to support the story telling whether it's directing the rider's view or physically pressing the rider in a particular direction not unlike how a director/cinematographer will use certain camera shots and angle in film.

It's possible to start with an existing off the shelf track design and try and throw a show building around it and then theme the attraction but I see that as a difficult approach- it's kind of like painting by numbers and does limit your options to be able to tell a story because you're trying to fit the story elements to the track layout as opposed to using the track (and altering the design) to support solid storytelling.

[Ian]

Huh ... that's funny ... I just read a story right before I posted that that said that Everest was a Vekoma track ...

Guess that story was wrong, huh?!

[Mufasa]

Everest track pieces/ride vehicles were manufactured by Vekoma, but the design specifications were from WDI.

[Ian]

Ahh, see ... that's not what I consider "off-the-shelf."

This article was misleading, then, because the way it was worded it said, "Expedition Everest's coaster design uses a Vekoma track that was originally used for smaller roller coasters ... "

I guess maybe they were referring just to the actual track pieces themselves and not the way they were assembled.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I like the idea of a Monster's Inc roller coaster, as long as it is done in typical Disney splendor...

[Disney_Barbie]

Not to be an overly-optimistic little ray of sunshine, but I say "Have a little faith, people" Even during the Eisner days WDW has rarely ever let me down (excpet maybe w/ stitch's ecsape but hey, to each his own!)
Let's give this thing a chance before we all start hating it. The WDW I know & love doesn't just toss a big steal coaster in the middle of the park (in 6 flags style) they do it with a little pixie dust, and I for one am going to assume this project will go the same way.

[#1donaldfan]

I can't wait for a little change at MGM.....I love the park, but have always thought it needed something more.......

[lockedoutlogic]

I can't wait for a little change at MGM.....I love the park, but have always thought it needed something more.......

It does need more: two more "e-ticket" type attractions....at least one new all age type attraction like the new midway mania.....4 or 5 new family friendly rides and shows....a large scale expansion of the park's footprint to allow for more attractions, theming, concessions....and then redesigning of some of the shops, restaurants, etc....

That's all

[Surfer_Clock]

Funny thing is, I spoke with someone about this today. There was a facilitator for one of our on-site learning courses who spoke of an attraction being built directly next to Toy Story Mania on Soundstage 1. I inquired about the Monsters Inc. coaster, to which she replied that such a thing wouldn't be housed in Soundstage 1...instead, it'd occupy the area of the Backlot Tour. I'm taking that with a grain of salt considering that they're even bothering to change and then re-change the Backlot Tour costumes (as apparently, someone forgot to fax a memo to Creative Costuming...a lot of costumes had "The Disney's Hollywood Studios" as opposed to "Disney's Hollywood Studios" on the patches...big fiasco there). It is possible...but like John projected, it may not happen nor be announced for a while. If there is one in the works, it hasn't been announced to us at all yet.

[lockedoutlogic]

Funny thing is, I spoke with someone about this today. There was a facilitator for one of our on-site learning courses who spoke of an attraction being built directly next to Toy Story Mania on Soundstage 1. I inquired about the Monsters Inc. coaster, to which she replied that such a thing wouldn't be housed in Soundstage 1...instead, it'd occupy the area of the Backlot Tour. I'm taking that with a grain of salt considering that they're even bothering to change and then re-change the Backlot Tour costumes (as apparently, someone forgot to fax a memo to Creative Costuming...a lot of costumes had "The Disney's Hollywood Studios" as opposed to "Disney's Hollywood Studios" on the patches...big fiasco there). It is possible...but like John projected, it may not happen nor be announced for a while. If there is one in the works, it hasn't been announced to us at all yet.

I think that the demise of the backlot and reallocation of space has been a long in the works thing.....use of some of the former animation studio service areas and possibly the employee parking lots to the rear of IJ stunt spectacular would be a good use of space as well.

I truly hope that the next 5-10 years will be a time of significant improvement to the studios...not simply swapping of rides and shows and lame walk thoughs to promote movies.....
Pixar infusion into the parks appears to be across the board and fasttracked...so another pixar themed attraction following Midway only seems to make sense...

But an expansion of the actual park past Lights, Motors, Action into the area of the backlot....which has pretty much been a wasteland since park opening....is a longtime coming type move.

Disney has stated that they are going to reinvest into what they have instead of taking on the expense of building a new gate....now it's time to do it.

MGM and AK should be enhanced into world class theme parks...it can only make their business stronger for years to come.

[Not2Loud]

I think it will be fun! I think if they do it at Disney Hollywood series, it fits completely.


BTW...this is my 300th post!

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks for the info, John!! I sure hope it happens - it sounds like a great idea for a ride, and the theming could be great!! Let's all keep our !!

[drummerboy]

Seems like not terribly long ago, we had a good discussion on the possiblities for a Monsters Inc. theme ride. wonder how many of the ideas that were tossed around will become a reality? If the theming is right, it could be a fun ride.

[teamblackwell]

This is pure speculation, but I bet this ride will be setup similar to the E.T. (extraterrestial) ride at Universal Studios. A slow, suspension ride with alot of visual content. ????

[Lightning McQueen]

This is pure speculation, but I bet this ride will be setup similar to the E.T. (extraterrestial) ride at Universal Studios. A slow, suspension ride with alot of visual content. ????

I've never riddent E.T., but I like that idea. I think DHS could use a Fantasylandish slow dark ride.

[jszczur5]

Hey All:

Word coming from a west coast source of mine that a Monsters Inc. themed suspended roller coaster is coming to Florida's Disney Studios.

JOHN

When we first saw that movie at the theatre with our sons, my husband said that it would make a great Disney ride. It sounds like what may be coming is exactly what he envisioned.
We also predict that the next National Treasures movie is going to be called "Page 47".
Does anyone who has seen the movie concur?