CoasterFEV

I would assume the longer track length may allow the attraction to have one or two additional boats online during normal operation, however, the hourly capacity of the ride is, more than likely, identical to Maelstrom. The challenge are the two track switches on the upper level of the ride that switch between forward/reverse motion - which are, for the most part, the same track switches from Maelstrom. The hourly throughput of the attraction can't be increased any more than the speed of those two track switches - since both have a mechanical limit to the number of boats they can "process" each hour. Unless the engineers at Disney were able to make the track switches move faster, the THRC of Frozen would be exactly the same at Maelstrom.

I'm pretty sure "squinching" is only for correcting 3D images while moving. And unless they paid royalties to Universal, they wouldn't be able to utilize it because Universal has a patent on that method that is valid for another 4-5 years. I have no idea about any ownership of the tech, but Disney does currently achieve the effect in the Racers ride at California Adventure. Its when you enter Ramone's Paint shop. So, they either are paying for it, or thy have found a way around it in the past. Also, I am not sure what universal actually owns. But I can't see a "camera movement" in projected images, mimicking realistic movement, being something that a company could "own". Either way, they do it. So that's that. Radiator Springs Racers and Shanghai's Pirates of the Caribbean do not utilize 3D projection - just standard 2D that is carefully in sync with the motion of the ride vehicle. In comparison, both Universal's Spider-Man and Gringott's does the same thing, but in 3D. There is a BIG difference in technology requirements between 2D and 3D projection - particularly when using 3D projection with a moving focal point of the viewers (squinching).

Me too! I'm curious which effects you are speaking of too! (snicker)

Don't think those are "Japanese-style wheel brakes" on the final turns. They look a lot more like some big soft pads, or, more specific: "get your hands and arms inside now pads - before your hands get sliced off in the real brakes that might just slightly be within the reach envelope" I've seen a number of Zierer coasters with these recently (for example, both the Zierer coasters at Legoland Malaysia) - where the train design has the brake fins attached to the lower side of the train.

Nope - sorry! All coaster track at Motiongate is already installed - or in the process of being installed. All track is already on-site - so no more track deliveries from Germany (this year!)

Run. Fast

You're welcome! Looking at photos from Lotte World (actually - I'm looking at the photo from your 2014/2015 Trip Report posted here on TPR!) - that is DEFINITELY an ETF Multi Mover ride vehicle at Dragons Wild Shooting.

The Multi Mover provides the ability for the riders (and the vehicle seating) to rotate 360-degrees - separate from the vehicle's base. The Mystic Mover's seating is integrated as one unit with the vehicle's base. So, with the Mystic Mover, the riders are always facing the vehicle's direction of travel - but the Multi Mover allows the seating to face any direction at all, regardless of direction of travel. You can see the riders "spinning" on the POVs that Martin and Dave took this week at Ferrari World. A Mystic Mover would not be able to deliver this type of motion for the riders. In this way, the Multi Mover provides more flexibility in terms of show design and guest experience. Both types of vehicles are trackless (wire guided) and definitely have the capacity to perform some pretty crazy maneuvers!

^ I'm almost certain the ride system is an ETF Multi Mover. Shooting system is Alterface.

Wait...what? Chang was installed and operating at Kentucky Kingdom before the property was sold to Premier Parks (and shortly thereafter became a Six Flags branded property)

None of the other coasters that are outside have any theming either... ...and there is a very good reason for that. You'll actually find that the larger coasters in the Middle East (including the bigger coasters at the upcoming IMG and DPR theme parks) don't have trees planted close to the structure.

Still going with this Craig's guess on this one. Especially with the number of riders per vehicle (60) which is the exact same number as the two most recent immersion tunnel installations in Europe.

Rogue One comes out this year Technically - I'm pretty sure they do have Star Wars to bail them out! Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Disney's fiscal year run October thru September? (Disney's Fiscal 2015 ended on 3rd October, 2015) So, while Rogue One will hit their 2017 fiscal year, all the revenues from The Force Awakens are hitting the same financial year (2016) as Shanghai Disney's opening.

The perspective in the photo may make it a bit difficult to tell - but the smaller (MUCH smaller) second "archway" was the former entrance of the single-story site office which, in the bottom of the your linked page, was being demolished at the time the photos were taken. For perspective, that's a standard doorway at the base of that smaller arch which was demolished shortly after those photos were taken.

Great reports! Keep it up! Interesting note is that the Universal Studios Dubailand (USD) arches that are visible just off route E66 are actually about a kilometer and a half from where the main entrance of the park was designed. In fact, it's not even near where the parking was (that old parking lot you stopped in was, actually, for the old USD site offices which were removed just over a year ago) I believe the existing USD arches were erected more for marketing purposes during construction more than anything else. The actual location of the Universal Studios Dubailand theme park is still very much visible on Google Maps. Click the link below and you can still spot the show lagoon and berms that were to surround the park. https://www.google.com/maps/place/25%C2%B003'35.8%22N+55%C2%B023'12.2%22E/@25.0599358,55.384516,781m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

"Treasure Hunters was the next ride. Jeeps take passengers through ancient Egypt." TREASURE HUNTERS! Greatest Ride Ever!

^^ Interesting pics! So...it may just be the angle...but does it appear that the new track layout is missing a section of brakes?

I don't disagree at all. Not to mention that, the more "turns" that a steel cable makes, there is also a lot more wear and tear put on the cable itself. To answer your question, though, I believe that there is a service road (access to the receiving area and parking underneath the park) and fire access that still needs to run underneath the lift. In fact, on Google Earth, the original access road is still marked running under the new lift hill.

Haven't gotten a good laugh like this from a post in a long time!

Assume you are asking because you saw it for sale online and wanted to find out where it is currently installed? http://www.rides4u.com/view/2834

Who said the new trains had to have OTSR?

Also False From the beginning, both USD and USS were always designed to have Revenge of the Mummy - both with track layouts virtually identical to USF

Swung through Yas Island again today and took a quick shots of the great progress at Ferrari World. I gotta say, this coaster is really looking impressive - and a whole lot of fun! The base of the lift appears to be in place Airtime!

Be great to see you out in the UAE for a visit, Kyle! Got some great stuff in the works....you would have a blast here!

Of course I'm a little biased, but I am DEFINITELY excited about the developing "theme park war" here in the UAE. Personally....I can think of no less than a dozen new coasters opening in 2016 in the Dubai/Abu Dhabi region. It's going to be one heck of an exciting year here in the UAE!