Third TR's the Charm! (aka "Data goes backstage") (11-22-08)

[Bruce Bergman]

Everyone: If you choose to partially turn in your seat to enjoy "The Goat Trick" to full effect, a few notes. First, sit in the back rows, you want to have a little speed up as you go past, and that's in the rear.

Second, don't turn at all untill right before you reach the Goat - the Tower CM is watching you on cameras and will get on the PA to tell you to sit straight. The CM can and will stop the lift - unless the front of the train has passed the tipping point and gravity has taken over. And for people seated in the front of the train, the Tower CM has plenty of time to do it. Of course, that can also E-Stop the ride and may get you in trouble.

Thirdly, work your way up to a full turn - that train is bumpy at spots. Turning your shoulders and neck part-way gives you most of the effect without the safety risks. (The eyes say "not moving" while the semicircular canals in your ears' balance center are screaming "MOVING!") And keep your hands on the grab bar too, same reason.

Fourthly, turn forward when the goat is out of sight - if the ride E-Stops and they hit the brakes, you want to be facing forward because it can be a rather abrupt stop.

Datameister: Quit kidding yourself and Go Get The Cheap (So Cal) Annual Pass, Already! Buy yourself an early Christmas present.

I need a good excuse to go down there more, I go right past UCLA if I take the 405, and I can save you the trouble of waiting to confirm what the red pipes are. And we can go through the complete "Care and feeding of a Steamboat" including what switch not to touch...

( "I thought that was the overhead light switch, it wasn't marked or anything... I knew what it really was about an OhNoSecond after I hit it, I guess we turn it back on and wait for the purge cycle..." Hint: They need one of these special plates on that switch. )

--<< Bruce >>--

[Datameister]

Originally Posted by Bruce Bergman

Everyone: If you choose to partially turn in your seat to enjoy "The Goat Trick" to full effect, a few notes. First, sit in the back rows, you want to have a little speed up as you go past, and that's in the rear.

Definitely! I forgot to mention that. As many of you are aware, the goat trick loses all of its amazingness if you're not sitting in or near the back.

Second, don't turn at all untill right before you reach the Goat - the Tower CM is watching you on cameras and will get on the PA to tell you to sit straight. The CM can and will stop the lift - unless the front of the train has passed the tipping point and gravity has taken over. And for people seated in the front of the train, the Tower CM has plenty of time to do it. Of course, that can also E-Stop the ride and may get you in trouble.

Yeah, just wait till you're at the goat. Shouldn't be an issue, especially if you're in the back.

Thirdly, work your way up to a full turn - that train is bumpy at spots. Turning your shoulders and neck part-way gives you most of the effect without the safety risks. (The eyes say "not moving" while the semicircular canals in your ears' balance center are screaming "MOVING!") And keep your hands on the grab bar too, same reason.

I've never had a problem with it - I usually turn pretty completely and it hasn't been an issue.

Fourthly, turn forward when the goat is out of sight - if the ride E-Stops and they hit the brakes, you want to be facing forward because it can be a rather abrupt stop.

Ah, thanks for the heads-up!

Quit kidding yourself and Go Get The Cheap (So Cal) Annual Pass, Already! Buy yourself an early Christmas present.

I wish. =/ The thing is, all the weekends are blocked out, and that's generally the only time I can go, and transportation is both costly and time-consuming anyway. Besides...I don't have a need to constantly go to the park. Even though it'd been six months since my last visit, my more frequent visits for the year before that still left me feeling ever so slightly...burnt out. Not as excited. I don't want Disneyland to lose its magic. Some people can go every week without that happening, but I don't think I'm one of them. I don't want it to get too familiar, though that sounds a little silly, since I know the park like the back of my hand.

[IzzyInWonderland]

Originally Posted by Datameister

I wish. =/ The thing is, all the weekends are blocked out, and that's generally the only time I can go, and transportation is both costly and time-consuming anyway. Besides...I don't have a need to constantly go to the park. Even though it'd been six months since my last visit, my more frequent visits for the year before that still left me feeling ever so slightly...burnt out. Not as excited. I don't want Disneyland to lose its magic. Some people can go every week without that happening, but I don't think I'm one of them. I don't want it to get too familiar, though that sounds a little silly, since I know the park like the back of my hand.

The So Cal pass actually allows most Fridays and Sundays which is why I loved it because I loathe the parks on crowded Saturdays so I could have cared less that I was blocked on all Saturdays! I now feel the same way you do about the annual pass (though I'm wishing for one for Christmas). I used to go maybe 2 or 3 times a month with my AP. But once the AP was up, I missed the park more which made it more special when I did get to go. And I really enjoy seeing the parks all dolled up for the holidays which is why I'm hoping I can take a Christmas trip!

[Datameister]

Ah, I see. I'd been looking mainly at the cheaper So Cal Select AP. It's just tricky...I usually end up paying about $38 for transportation for the whole day, and it takes around two hours to get from my place to the turnstyles...so logistically, I don't know how often I'd be able to work it out. Plus I'd rather not miss church too many times - obviously, there are occasions when I won't go for whatever reason, but I'd rather not have that happen too often, particularly for something like Disneyland.

What to do...what to do...

[Mojave]

The Goat Trick?! I've been doing this forever, I had no clue it had a name! haha But how is it a trick?

I do this all the time on many rides - mostly I stare at one place just to get a different perspective on where things are in relation to each other, but also for the thrills.

[PirateTinkerbell]

Great TR! I think I saw that red pipe this summer when I got evacuated from Splash Mountain..... Either that or some big pipe. Thining of secret doors in splash mountain, did you know in the alcove to the right of the big lift there is a place for a CM to sit and supervise the boats going up? There is a door there too that leads to under the lift hill. Hey, you never know what you'll learn when you get evacuated at 10:30 at night

I was there in March of 2005 with my choir and we got taken backstage behind the left of main street. They made us promise to put away our camera so I don't have any pictures It was kinda neat to see main street backstage cause main street is on one side and adventureland on the other. I'd love to hear more about your backstage trip if you want to message me about it I always love to learn anything I can about the backstage workings of Disneyland. I'm jealous too, I've always wanted to see Tony Baxter in the parks but I never have. Maybe someday....

Hope to hear from you soon!!

[vfire]

Great TR, now next time we have to get you to go on Alice for the first time.

[IzzyInWonderland]

Originally Posted by Datameister

Ah, I see. I'd been looking mainly at the cheaper So Cal Select AP. It's just tricky...I usually end up paying about $38 for transportation for the whole day, and it takes around two hours to get from my place to the turnstyles...so logistically, I don't know how often I'd be able to work it out. Plus I'd rather not miss church too many times - obviously, there are occasions when I won't go for whatever reason, but I'd rather not have that happen too often, particularly for something like Disneyland.

What to do...what to do...

The So Cal Select pass is not even worth it because it blocks out so many days. But I hear ya about Sundays, I'm always at church too. Considering your transportation issues, it looks like you should be saving up for a motorcycle rather than an AP. haha

[Datameister]

Originally Posted by Mojave

The Goat Trick?! I've been doing this forever, I had no clue it had a name! haha But how is it a trick?

Haha, yeah, that's a common experience. "The goat trick" has become the common name for it among fans. I definitely didn't realize so many other people did it until I started reading MiceChat.

Originally Posted by PirateTinkerbell

Great TR! I think I saw that red pipe this summer when I got evacuated from Splash Mountain..... Either that or some big pipe.

Mmm, that'd be another pipe you're thinking of. I think I know the one, and it looks quite similar, but it's a lot smaller. It's on the backside of the front building for Splash Mountain (which is similar in color and texture to the IASW show building).

Thining of secret doors in splash mountain, did you know in the alcove to the right of the big lift there is a place for a CM to sit and supervise the boats going up? There is a door there too that leads to under the lift hill.

Haha, yeah, I always get a kick out of looking over there to see the bored CM. Sometimes they're not even looking back.

I was there in March of 2005 with my choir and we got taken backstage behind the left of main street. They made us promise to put away our camera so I don't have any pictures It was kinda neat to see main street backstage cause main street is on one side and adventureland on the other.

Nice! I know a fair amount about that area, but I haven't seen it in person, so I'm envious!

Originally Posted by vfire

Great TR, now next time we have to get you to go on Alice for the first time.

Haha, thanks. I've actually been on Alice, but it was a loooooong time ago and my memories of it are dim. I'll have to give it a try again in a future visit, hopefully before too long.

[Robert Cook]

Originally Posted by Datameister

I wish. =/ The thing is, all the weekends are blocked out, and that's generally the only time I can go, and transportation is both costly and time-consuming anyway.

Well, there's the regular, non-Select SoCal pass that is not blocked out on most Sundays (this is the one that I currently have). It costs less than two separate one-day Park Hopper tickets, and significantly less than three one-day, single-park tickets (not counting parking in all cases), so it's usually a great value even if one does not visit the park every week (there's also a 10% discount on food at most locations).

Originally Posted by Datameister

Besides...I don't have a need to constantly go to the park. Even though it'd been six months since my last visit, my more frequent visits for the year before that still left me feeling ever so slightly...burnt out. Not as excited. I don't want Disneyland to lose its magic. Some people can go every week without that happening, but I don't think I'm one of them. I don't want it to get too familiar, though that sounds a little silly, since I know the park like the back of my hand.

I totally understand. I'm used to going to Disneyland a lot as a young child (during the era of separate admission and ride coupons) and as an adult (annual pass), so it's sort of like home for me--my REAL home. But I have to admit that it was more exciting when I didn't visit as often, as a teenager and young adult, maybe once a year on average for a while as I didn't have much money and was being extremely frugal. If going once or twice a year is good for you, then never mind about the annual pass. On the other hand, it wouldn't take much more to justify even the more expensive SoCal pass--just two visits with park hopping--which Disney is obviously counting on in order to keep attendance up throughout each week and at DCA.

By the way, I try not to go too often these days, either, just whenever I feel like it, and usually with others so that we can carpool. I do like going more often than several times a year, though, because I'd kind of get homesick otherwise. Eventually, I'll probably become a Cast Member if I can retire from my regular career early enough. This would certainly be a different kind of occupation than I'm used to, but it would help complete my lifelong Disneyland experience (hopefully on a mostly positive note!).

Originally Posted by Datameister

Ah, I see. I'd been looking mainly at the cheaper So Cal Select AP. It's just tricky...I usually end up paying about $38 for transportation for the whole day, and it takes around two hours to get from my place to the turnstyles...so logistically, I don't know how often I'd be able to work it out.

Yeah, things like this should get easier once you're out of school and on your way, assuming that you'll still be residing in Southern California (hopefully working somewhere in Glendale ). In the meantime, wasn't Bruce looking for an excuse to get to the park more often, passing right by UCLA along the way (hint, hint)? If you don't want to impose, then you could split the cost of gasoline and parking fees. Problem solved, I think. Next!

Originally Posted by Datameister

Plus I'd rather not miss church too many times - obviously, there are occasions when I won't go for whatever reason, but I'd rather not have that happen too often, particularly for something like Disneyland.

What to do...what to do...

Oh, I hadn't considered that...well, going to Disneyland once a year or so didn't kill me while I was in college, so I guess it won't kill you.

Then again...even Jesus himself did not "religiously" follow the traditions of the Sabbath, which was originally on Saturday anyway. I'm not religious, but I have read the Bible cover-to-cover, so I know these things (just like Satan can quote scripture ). I'm not trying to make this into a religious discussion or turn you into a blasphemer, I'm just trying to help you get to Disneyland. Don't most churches have Saturday mass, in accordance with the Old Testament? I believe that they do, and why would they if they didn't expect people to attend? You can have a clean conscience about this if you choose to--Jesus did. Problem solved, I think. Next!

[Datameister]

Originally Posted by Robert Cook

Then again...even Jesus himself did not "religiously" follow the traditions of the Sabbath, which was originally on Saturday anyway. I'm not religious, but I have read the Bible cover-to-cover, so I know these things (just like Satan can quote scripture ). I'm not trying to make this into a religious discussion or turn you into a blasphemer, I'm just trying to help you get to Disneyland. Don't most churches have Saturday mass, in accordance with the Old Testament? I believe that they do, and why would they if they didn't expect people to attend? You can have a clean conscience about this if you choose to--Jesus did. Problem solved, I think. Next!

Believe me, this ain't about legalism or anything - I just prefer to make it to church more often than not. God has done enough amazing things in my life for it to be about me wanting to spend time worshiping and learning about Him, not about some misguided and selfish attempt at getting into Heaven on my own steam. The church I'm currently attending is really theologically spot-on, and the topics brought up are almost always eerily relevant to things that have happened in the last week or two. But like you and I have both said, neither the Old nor the New Testament says that church attendance is mandatory on every single Sunday of every single week, which is why I'm willing to forgo it from time to time if I have a legitimate reason. I think Disneyland could be legitimate once in a while, but if I'm buying a So Cal AP, all of my visits for a year will be on Sundays, which would be less than ideal.

EDIT: And just so y'all know, I got to go five times between summer 2007 and summer 2008, so it's not like I've been deprived or anything. Anything more frequent than once every couple of years feels kinda frequent compared to how I've spent a lot of my life.

[Robert Cook]

Originally Posted by Datameister

Believe me, this ain't about legalism or anything - I just prefer to make it to church more often than not. God has done enough amazing things in my life for it to be about me wanting to spend time worshiping and learning about Him, not about some misguided and selfish attempt at getting into Heaven on my own steam. The church I'm currently attending is really theologically spot-on, and the topics brought up are almost always eerily relevant to things that have happened in the last week or two. But like you and I have both said, neither the Old nor the New Testament says that church attendance is mandatory on every single Sunday of every single week, which is why I'm willing to forgo it from time to time if I have a legitimate reason. I think Disneyland could be legitimate once in a while, but if I'm buying a So Cal AP, all of my visits for a year will be on Sundays, which would be less than ideal.

That's alright, I just thought that Saturday might be cool. Obviously, you should do what your own conscience tells you, always. And by the way, my tongue was planted in my cheek as it usually is. I think it's a birth defect and it's really gross--wanna see?

Originally Posted by Datameister

EDIT: And just so y'all know, I got to go five times between summer 2007 and summer 2008, so it's not like I've been deprived or anything. Anything more frequent than once every couple of years feels kinda frequent compared to how I've spent a lot of my life.

You just seemed to be teetering on the edge for a moment there--so close!

[Datameister]

I'm waiting to see that chronically dislocated tongue, Robert.

By the way, you know that blue paint job I mentioned at the beginning of the TR? Turns out I had seen it before, but it was dark, and I thought it was just the lighting.

[PirateTinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Datameister

Mmm, that'd be another pipe you're thinking of. I think I know the one, and it looks quite similar, but it's a lot smaller. It's on the backside of the front building for Splash Mountain (which is similar in color and texture to the IASW show building).

And I just rememberd that splash is far from the small world building.... haha we see how well my brain is working today. But I DID see a pipe

[Datameister]

Haha, that you would have. It's quite close to a door that's commonly used for evacs, and you're facing it when you go down those steps below the flume to get back into Critter Country.