Disney Trivia

Post by **js3901** » Nov Thu 06, 2008 1:54 am

here's the references I used for my research/knowledge of the systems:

Wuppertal Schwebebahn via Wikipedia
Wuppertal Monorail via The Monorail Society
Disneyland Monorail System Via Wikipedia
Disneyland monorail via The Monorail Society

and, for added info on the trains themselves:
Disney/ALWEG trains via The Monorail Society
ALWEG via Wikipedia
ALWEG History via The ALWEG Archives

while Wuppertal may have been the first monorail system, the suspension system was needed due to the limitations of technology in the early 1900s. when ALWEG came along in the 1950s, Technology had greatly improved and the straddle-beam became more practical.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Nov Thu 06, 2008 8:56 am

I think Disney should have used a gyroscopically balanced monorail. I mean look at how cool this would have been.

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Nov Thu 06, 2008 9:38 am

Doesn't that look like it could tip so easily? Put all the weight on one side and over it goes.

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Nov Thu 06, 2008 12:32 pm

I think Disney should have used a gyroscopically balanced monorail. I mean look at how cool this would have been.

Haha - that's awesome! I wonder why that idea never caught on...

99Soulz · Post by **99Soulz** » Nov Thu 06, 2008 1:28 pm

spodie wrote:
js3901 wrote:actually, Spodie, that is incorrect. the Wuppertal monorail is a suspended train (rail on the top), not a straddle-beam like the Disneyland/WDW system. The actual answer is in Germany, but closer to Cologne, in a town called FÃ¼hlingen. the original was built by Alweg-Forschung, GmbH (Alweg Research Corporation). the original Disneyland trains were created to look like the old Buck Rogers shows, then updated when they came to WDW.
Hmm. Interesting. It seems like we may be saying the same things, but differently. Walt saw an updated version of the Wuppertahl train while on vacation in Germany in the '50s, so the Wuppertahl was the original inspiration. I don't know. It's too late to start researching it, but I'll see if I can dig anything up tomorrow.

It was the Wuppertal that was the inspiration, but the swaying from being suspended wasn't a desired affect and that's when they discovered the Alweg.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=ww081105ws

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Nov Sat 08, 2008 1:09 am

How many Audio-Animatronics are found on the Jungle Cruise?

Post by **Len90** » Nov Sat 08, 2008 11:51 pm

yodiwan1 wrote:How many Audio-Animatronics are found on the Jungle Cruise?

Why do I feel this is a trick question. I know there are animated figures on it, but something tells me they are not. The way they move seems to not resemble any animatronic figure in Disney.
I'll go with none.

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Nov Sun 09, 2008 6:32 pm

GWARSH!!! Len, you are right. I really thought I would stump some of you for a while. All of animals are ran on air! They were afraid how the water and wind may affect audio-animatronics outdoors.

Post by **Len90** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 12:41 am

yodiwan1 wrote:GWARSH!!! Len, you are right. I really thought I would stump some of you for a while. All of animals are ran on air! They were afraid how the water and wind may affect audio-animatronics outdoors.

I knew those sounded differently than what I was used to seeing on Disney attractions... Now for something good.

What is so unique about the cars on the Disney Indy Speedway? What do they lack that all cars possess?

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 12:58 am

headlights

Post by **Len90** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 1:10 am

yodiwan1 wrote:headlights

That is true, but not what I was looking for. I'll rephrase the question..

What device used for driving do the cars on the speedway lack that all other cars have.

hint: A car with an automatic transmission has two of these and the cars on the speedway only have one.

annafab · Post by **annafab** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 2:16 am

Brakes?

(if by some chance I'm right someone else can go...)

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 10:33 am

Foot pedals?

Post by **Len90** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 12:59 pm

annafab wrote:Brakes?

(if by some chance I'm right someone else can go...)

That is correct. The cars on the Speedway have no brake pedal. However, they do come to a complete stop when you take your foot off of the gas pedal. Didn't realize it would be so confusing when I asked it.

Some more info on these cars:
They each cost approximate $6,000.
They can go about 7 MPH
They have a 9 HP engine

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Nov Mon 10, 2008 2:13 pm

Wow, 9 HP with a 7MPH top speed. Sounds like a product of the Soviet Union Auto Company.