7 Dwarfs Mine Train in Testing

[DizneyFreak2002]

Is this in testing yet?

With people? No... but they have been cycling the trains...

[Lizzie]

So probably no soft openings this week?

[WDWdriver]

So probably no soft openings this week?

Not likely. The usual test protocol is to run the trains empty for an extended amount of time. Then they run with water-filled test dummies that simulate the weight of human riders. They test in every mode imaginable - all the weight up front, all in the back, evenly distributed, overweight, etc, etc. Then they have to be sure that all of the possible abnormal situations are covered - automatic ride stops, manual ride stops, E-stops, power disconnects, etc. etc. All of this testing can take months. Then they have to write the operating procedures according to strict Disney standards. Then they can train the ride operators. All of this has to be done and certified before the first guest can ride.

[Lizzie]

Thanks!

[ransam]

can't wait.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Not likely. The usual test protocol is to run the trains empty for an extended amount of time. Then they run with water-filled test dummies that simulate the weight of human riders. They test in every mode imaginable - all the weight up front, all in the back, evenly distributed, overweight, etc, etc. Then they have to be sure that all of the possible abnormal situations are covered - automatic ride stops, manual ride stops, E-stops, power disconnects, etc. etc. All of this testing can take months. Then they have to write the operating procedures according to strict Disney standards. Then they can train the ride operators. All of this has to be done and certified before the first guest can ride.

I noticed they have been testing the vehicles with some sort of weights, not the water filled test dummies they usually use... Are these new "dummies" they are using?

There are pictures out there of these weighted "dummies" to see and they look nothing like the water filled ones...

[WDWdriver]

I noticed they have been testing the vehicles with some sort of weights, not the water filled test dummies they usually use... Are these new "dummies" they are using?

There are pictures out there of these weighted "dummies" to see and they look nothing like the water filled ones...

I'm not an engineer, so I probably shouldn't try to answer that. My previous post was based on watching the testing of EE and my experience of working at the attraction.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I'm not an engineer, so I probably shouldn't try to answer that. My previous post was based on watching the testing of EE and my experience of working at the attraction.

Just thought maybe you knew if they were using different weighted dummies since these cause to swing a but and tilt and rock...

[BrerGnat]

Maybe water filled dummies are "old school" by now. Maybe there have been new developments in this area? Just speculating, because I really don't know.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Maybe water filled dummies are "old school" by now. Maybe there have been new developments in this area? Just speculating, because I really don't know.

Could be the case... Like you, I really don't know... The weights being sued look very simplistic... Just a bar/stick/pipe/pole??? sticking up from the seat with weights (think of the weights you lift for working out) stacked on the bar/stick/pipe/pole...

I would also think they would use some sort of person-like dummy to test head clearance... Cause mistakes can happen during construction and heights miscalculated... After all, didn't they miscalculate the distance between the Dumbo car and the wall around the base of the spinner causing the Dumbo's to scratch and become damaged?????

[1DisneyNut]

Sounds like they are doing load and stress dynamic load testing. You just need weight that is within the ride/structure's weight ratings to simulate the weight of guests.

This looks for abnormal shifting, vibrations, etc. that were unanticipated. If they find something, they add structural reinforcement/bracing or vabration dampening etc.

Technology has came a long way in recent years. They probably have sensors all over the structure and ride vehicle with software that analyzes the results.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Sounds like some delays have occurred... Some are saying May for grand opening now... They were hoping (some were anyway) for March...

[r4kids]

So do we have any hope of maybe riding the last week in February??