OrlandoGuy

^again, youre making incomparable comparisons. The Mater flat ride works...its highly themed, blends into its surroundings, and makes sense in the context of its place. However, a Frisbee themed to Thors hammer, for example, would stand out as a garish steel structure that wouldnt blend in; furthermore, while you can theme the Mater ride to tow trucks, what exactly could you disguise a Frisbee as? The bigger flat rides are pretty much stuck as they are, due to their complex mechanics. As far as putting it in a box, that becomes redundant and still doesnt lend itself well to good storylines...is Spider-Man better told as a simulator or a top spin? At this point, youre arguing for flat rides just for the sake of flat rides. While that may work at second-rate seasonal amusement parks to increase capacity, it doesnt work in the Orlando parks. They dont order rides and then come up with the theming...its the other way around. Universal COULD have made Harry Potter an indoor top spin if they wanted to, but they chose to go the innovative route, and I personally prefer that than to having rides just for the sake of having them.

So a bunch of flat rides that are still there are why DCA "failed"? That's a hopelessly simplistic viewpoint, in my opinion. No one is demanding to choose between Hogwarts and a Top Spin. But clearly, based on the empirical data that exists, there is a place for flat rides in large theme parks. Its tough to think of the theme parks that don't have them, actually. The ones that don't aren't run by Disney, that's for damn sure. There are perfectly reasonable questions about whether or not a particular ride can meet the target audience the park is looking to draw, but the idea that they "can't fit" is nonsense. You'd have to be freebasing pixie dust to believe it. Yep...there are several factors why DCA failed, and many analysts cited its prevalent use of "off-the-shelf" carnival rides as one of them. Obviously they arent going to take them out as they're already a sizeable part of the park. Thats the simplistic thinking. If you were to actually think about it, DCA's growing success has been proportionate to its addition of non-flat rides (Tower of Terror, Little Mermaid, Radiator Springs Racers). Is it really that hard for you to understand? And yes, there is definitely a place for flat rides in theme parks...theme parks that host significantly less people than Disney and Universal. Im not a pixie dust 'free-baser', I recognize that non-Disney parks with a focus on story will shy away from flats as well. Instead of saying its ridiculous to think one of these parks could not reasonably fit in a large scale flat ride while maintaining the parks themes and aesthetics, why dont you come up with a way for them to fit? Propose YOUR idea. I guarantee it wont be easy.

Perfect example. If it was only die-hard obsessed fanboys that cared about flat rides being misplaced in theme parks, then DCA wouldnt have been such a failure. Unless, of course, you seriously want to argue that the entire population of Disney parkgoers are these types of people... Besides, are the parks really incomplete because they dont have large flat rides, when they have the likes of Haunted Mansion, Soarin, Tower of Terror, Forbidden Journey, and Transformers? Or are technologically advanced dark rides not a good enough middleground between roller coasters and water rides? Would we really rather have a Top Spin as a supporting ride, or Hogwarts Express? I dont see how a park with a whole new category of rides like these is "incomplete".

^small, unobtrusive, and well-implemented into thr surrounding. Plus its a kid's ride. You cant tell me thats the same as a Giamt Frisbee or Top Scan.

I think the sheer number of Avengers characters being rolled out in the MCU lend themselves really well to flats, whether they're small or large. I guarantee you're not going to see guests complaining about how they would love the new Captain America ride if it didn't ruin their sightlines so much. You clearly havent ever visited a Disney or Universal fan site.

^but it would ruin sightlines, not make any thematic sense, and be completely out of place. I agree theyre good compliments and I am a fan, but not in carefully-constructed theme parks.

^the obnoxious behavior, I do see a problem with...that does affect guests and would be annoying! Didnt know our little roller coaster marathon man wasnt so innocent lol

Agreed. I struggle to see where a flat ride would fit in. Just because they have a flat ride does not mean that it is a good idea. When my family goes to IOA, the one current ride that seems blah and out of place is Dr Doom. It also has a relatively short line and people aren't exactly lining up to ride it. They go for the unique ride experiences, not for duplicates of rides from "regular" amusement parks. Thats another good point...the Orlando theme park market really isnt begging for flat rides, even at IOA...the rides with the highest ridership aren't One Fish Two Fish and Caroseuessel, its Forbidden Journey and Spiderman, and Im guessing soon to be Hogwarts Express. Sure, O-Town may be lacking flat rides outside of Fun Spot, but do you guys honestly prefer Six Flags flat rides to innovative ride tech systems like Kuka robotic arms and roving simulators..?

Maybe aside from Fun Spot the major resorts need some more flats - generally missing at least one inverting flat per park. How about a HUSS Inverted TopSpin, a Zamperla AirRace or Mondial TopScan? Thats not what the rides in Orlando parks are about. A flat ride in IOA or Magic Kingdom would look tacky and ruin the theming. I'd prefer the bare-bones flats stay at Fun Spot and the immersive, integrated environment-type rides at the major theme parks. Like Dumbo, Astro Orbiters, Kang and Kodos, Storm force Acceleration, Alladin's Magic Carpet, etc. etc.? Youre comparing spinners and tea cups...children's rides...to top spins and frisbees. We both know that isn't the same. I will be one shocked Orlando native the day Universal or Disney puts in a Giant Frisbee or Sky Swat.

No, I understand he isnt following the rules. What I dont understand is why it's caused such a fuss. We really cant let the guy have any leeway considering his condition? Yes, you have to follow the rules but the bottom line is this doesnt affect anyone in the line. So I guess I just dont get the problem.

^^officially the funniest post on this thread

Ever seen Talocan at Phantasialand? That ride looks beautiful...but if it doesnt have some kind of "excuse" to be in its environment (just like how the S&S towers at IOA are made out to be weapons and fit in the storyline of the island) than it wouldnt work. Im sure that some of the brilliant minds at Universal could come up with some way to make it fit, but as far as I can tell, a Top Spin would kind of clash no matter how many rocks you surround it with.

Themed as a weapon of mass destruction, yes.

^ok, first off, no I dont want to make this a bigger deal than it needs to be and Im sorry if it came off that way. But ok, lets pretend all the insulting comments never took place and we look at the supposed root of this thread...the line skipping. Personally, I dont see the problem. I never said I worked on Rip Ride Rockit, I worked elsewhere at the park and saw the man come around and talk about his conquest, so I cant speak to how operations on that ride would work in his case. BUT, I will say that if there is an empty seat, I dont personally see the problem in him filling it. Does he wait less in line? Yes. Does he also have a pretty sad life? I would assume yes. As long as he isnt making anyone else wait longer, I fail to see what the problem is. Thats my personal opinion, however, and I understand if you dont agree. The real thing that bugged me was some of the more condescending posts, because the guy honestly breaks my heart.

Maybe aside from Fun Spot the major resorts need some more flats - generally missing at least one inverting flat per park. How about a HUSS Inverted TopSpin, a Zamperla AirRace or Mondial TopScan? Thats not what the rides in Orlando parks are about. A flat ride in IOA or Magic Kingdom would look tacky and ruin the theming. I'd prefer the bare-bones flats stay at Fun Spot and the immersive, integrated environment-type rides at the major theme parks.

I mean, how would you feel if you knew there was a full thread on some website dedicated to belittling your passion? Bullying doesnt have to be in person. I personally wouldnt feel great if there were 20 pages on the internet dedicated to pointing out how weird or mentally challenged or unappealing I am...but thats just me I guess.

LOL! when I worked at Universal I ran into that guy several times...very creepy guy, handsy with the female employees and such... As far as Mantis Man...whats the big deal? He's clearly not right in the head, and probably lives a pretty sad and lonely life...why cant you all just let him have his roller coasters? He's not delaying anyones ride or making the queue longer, he's filling seats that would be sent out empty anyway. Does he grope the people riding next to him or do drugs at the park? I dont see how he's disrupting anything. If you dont want to sit next to him, dont go to the park by yourself--you always run the risk of meeting strangers when being a single rider and the fact is even if he waited in line, theres a good chance you'd still get seated next to him anyway. Thats my take on it...just kinda sad that some of you feel the need to bully the guy for almost 20 pages when he has issues and has done nothing to any of you. Hes just doing what we all love doing, and Im willing to let him do it more considering he seems unable to have the benefit of the normal lives we all have.

Magnum is my favorite roller coaster anywhere, in any seat. Maybe its just me, but comfort isnt my number one priority on a ride, and while Magnum can be painful, its in a fun sort of way. I mean, its not like its a bone-rattling ride on its own--its just got tons of airtime...how can that be a bad thing?? I dont know, I guess to me a little discomfort is worth it when youre literally getting thrown out of your seat along the beach of Lake Erie. Im about 6' and thin, too. It just doesnt bother some I guess, just like the new era of La-Z Boy B&M's dont matter to certain people either. To me, I'd rather have a balls-out crazy ride than a comfortable one, but I guess that depends on your priorities when riding rides.

During Halloween Horror Nights at USF in 2012 (when Transformers was under construction but hadn't been announced yet), I pointed to the construction site and told my friends that I had heard Transformers was going in that spot. One of my buddies proceeded to tell me that that would be impossible because its only a two-story building, whereas Transformers is a longer ride than Spider-Man and Spider-Man is in a five story building.

I want a world-class themed land based on some of the most successful books/movies of all time, with unprecedented theming, and what is to be considered as two of the best theme park ride experiences of all time, both of which use innovative and never-before-seen tech. Ahhh, that'd be the dream. Oh wait a second...

^great little TR, thanks for sharing! Sounds like a fun day

Magic Kingdom: 3rd drop on Space Mountain Epcot: drop on Maelstrom Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror Animal Kingdom: backwards drop on Everest Disneyland: the drop under the boulder on Indiana Jones DCA: Tower of Terror Universal Studios: first drop on HRRR IoA: first drop on Dragon Challenge (Red, back seat, specifically) BGT: Sheikra's first drop BGW: used to be Big Bad Wolf's final drop, now the last drop on Apollos Chariot SeaWorld: Mantas pretzel loop dive drop SFOG: Acrophobia SFMM: Superman KD: Intimidator 305's first drop KI: Drop Zone CP: the final drop on Magnum XL-200 (in the tunnel), followed by a tie between MF's first drop and Maverick's first drop in the back seat

...the daily stunt show involves two gangs fighting each other with real weapons and real death-defying stunts!

You cant really look at it that way :/...it has 7 inversions.