A Long Awaited Rumor?

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Thu 12, 2008 8:29 pm

Here's a question: When they 'upgraded' away from the original, did they change the track layout of the ride? I know the original was about twice as long as the current (and previous) versions, but I can't remember if that's because they cut down the track, or because you're no longer moving slowly and continuously through, rather than scooting forward and stopping all the time.

I think they must have had to change at least the beginning to cut the turntable sequence out, although the rest I've been wondering about, sometimes I think it feels as if it's the old track and other times I'm almost sure it's new.

Even without the turntable, the ride felt longer than it is now.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jun Thu 12, 2008 9:22 pm

Good point; the whole turntable is gone, isn't it? What got me to wondering about that was if they move the ImageWorks back upstairs, or when it was upstairs to start with, were they using more of the first floor for the actual ride? I can't remember the layout well enough to judge.

I mean, wiki gives the original ride around 10 minutes versus the 5 minutes now (and in the previous refit). Seems like there must have been more track to cover a 5 minute difference doesn't it? Especially since the ride actually -stops- now, in several places.

I guess what I'm wondering is if moving the ImageWorks back upstairs gives them room to knock down some walls and expand the ride (again?). But if they never changed the track in the first place, then moving the IW wouldn't matter in that regard, if you see what I mean (since they would have managed to move it downstairs without hacking off any of the ride track to start with).

I wonder if there are blueprints of the ride out there somewhere...

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Thu 12, 2008 9:56 pm

I'm sure that the ImageWorks took up some of the ride area, but I think for the most part, along with the new queue, it was all part of that spacious entrance room. I'm thinking there's more ride area in the back portion of the building that was left unused in the new version. could be wrong though. I'm just using the elevator as a way to try and visualize it.

completely random... Has anyone else had a strong urge to just rip away and see what's behind that black curtain on the way to Figment's open house? I can't help bu to think one of the original show scenes is hidden behind it. I wish there was a JII CM on these forums

.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jun Thu 12, 2008 11:09 pm

Google-fu provides us with this... to be honest I don't remember the original load or unload -at all- so I have no idea how close these are. I love blueprints, though.

The original layout.

A comparison.

And the source for both: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Journey_Into_Imagination

So, assuming those are correct, there's a considerable chunk of track that was cut off. Interestingly (again, if correct) that page says that the original track still exists under the current track. Thinking about that it makes some sense, considering for the current load area you're going up a ramp. Moving the IW back upstairs (and maybe the shop too?) would allow them to use that unused pink track again ... assuming it really is under there.

Figment's house is that back section, before you go around the little u-turn, right? It wouldn't surprise me at all if there was original set (or at least parts of it) behind that curtain.

sgrfunk · Post by **sgrfunk** » Jun Fri 13, 2008 8:22 am

hmmm...interesting. I miss the old JII ride, the original was so much better than the new version they have. Bring back the dreamfinder!

SimonTemplar · Post by **SimonTemplar** » Jun Fri 13, 2008 10:48 am

I second bringing back Dreamfinder!! If only I could snap my fingers, we would still have Horizons, the original JII and World of Motion (while still having Test Track as a part).

metsofny · Post by **metsofny** » Jun Fri 13, 2008 10:56 am

Wow the first blueprint is very interesting. It looks like a concept sketch. Thanks for cool post.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Fri 13, 2008 11:47 am

Wow... I guess I was completely wrong

. Thanks for those blueprints it really puts it into perspective now. Like the curved finale room of the new ride (the old science room). It's been so long, I thought the atrium was much bigger than that.

It's really interesting to think the original track still exists.

It just dawned on me that really, this is the only future world pavilion of "the big three" that can actually be converted to its original state. We'll never be able to experience Horizons or World of Motion again... but JII still might have a chance.

It just goes to show how cheap Disney was in the '90s/early '00s - getting rid of half of a ride.

Although now you've got me imagining the brick wall and stage posters hidden behind that black curtain.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jun Fri 13, 2008 1:37 pm

Cheshire Cat wrote:It just goes to show how cheap Disney was in the '90s/early '00s - getting rid of half of a ride.

It's kind of mind boggling to me why they bothered to refurb it at all to make it shorter. It seems like longer = better soaking up of crowds. Though I guess it goes in the same vein as knocking out Horizons; it had a lot of moving parts and was probably a resource drain to maintain. It still seems like backward thinking to me.

I wonder if the old track, assuming it is there, is visible in the unload area. Seems to me you could see down there when you're getting out of the cars, though I've never looked.

Although now you've got me imagining the brick wall and stage posters hidden behind that black curtain.

Maybe the ride'll stop and you can get out and look. How much trouble could you really get in?

*

*Disclaimer: Don't do that. I'm sure it's a lot.

ExDisneyTech · Post by **ExDisneyTech** » Jun Sun 15, 2008 3:53 pm

How about drinking around the world followed by some fun in Image Works with the pin tables? Good times.