Earthquake closes rides(?)

[dramaqueen]

I stand by my previous posts that many attractions DO have underground sections I have been there, but maybe my definition of underground is different (you have to take LOTS AND LOTS of stairs to get down to the westside diner, but maybe it is an illusion and its not really underground) Also, those stairs you take down to the theme park operations offices back by harbor point must be a figment of my imagination as well. Gotta hand it to those imagineers

[Darkbeer]

Disneyland, when built and graded in the Mid-50's, had a berm, or a hill built around the grounds, it is about 20 feet tall, and in sections, about 100 yards wide....

We are getting into semantics, but the sections of POTC and the Haunted Mansion go under the berm, where the train tracks are on top. For both the rides, the berm was not changed, nor were the train tracks altered during the construction of the rides.

[Tui]

Originally Posted by PanTheMan

a 4.9...no biggie.....would barely stir my drink.

and that's all that matters...cheers!

[Steve DeGaetano]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

Disneyland, when built and graded in the Mid-50's, had a berm, or a hill built around the grounds, it is about 20 feet tall, and in sections, about 100 yards wide....

We are getting into semantics, but the sections of POTC and the Haunted Mansion go under the berm, where the train tracks are on top. For both the rides, the berm was not changed, nor were the train tracks altered during the construction of the rides.

I wouldn't consider a tunnel dug under the berm to be "underground." It's just like saying you're "driving underground" when you drive through the slot in downtown LA.

And just because some ride elements are in a building's basement (i.e., parts of NOS are above), does not mean you are underground either. You may as well think you're underground while you watch TV in the basement of your home (should you have one--a basement, that is).

[DDote77]

Either way, from what I understand, most of the attractions (because of CA State earthquake codes) are equipped with sensors that shut them down at the first sign of abnormal activity. Very similar to those automatic shut-off valves that you can attach to your gas meter.

It was these sensors that caused multiple problems for Star Tours and Space Mountain during the Rocket Rod's operation period. Even the slightest shaking caused by the Rocket Rods going by was enough to trigger the sensors on any given day.

Just a couple of wierd factoids.

[Disneylandrocks55]

Well, you sure go really far down while going down the elevator in the haunted mansion. You are still in a building, but arn't you still actually 'below' ground level? (aka "Under Ground") ? Or is the entire area of new orleans square really built that hight up? That elevator (stretching room) goes Really far down! (same with the pirates drops) Let's pretend the parking lot was still there, and lets call that ground level. Are you guys saying that new orleans square is built up so high that when you go down the drops on Pirates, you don't go below that point?

[saweetmelody7]

Originally Posted by Druggas

I'm glad they worry about our safety.

I am not too sure about that one...apparently you can get brain dammage from riding Indiana Jones...however the Supreme Court sees otherwise (sarcastically speaking of course! no one take me literally!) :o

[Morrigoon]

Pirates goes down at least one traditionally-defined "story" from the ground level, and I'm standing by that assertion. Indy, OTOH, is above-ground with the exception of the under-berm part, which does dip a little below parking-lot level.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Well, my definition of "underground" differes greatly from others.

To me, being underground is different than being below ground level. I don't feel I'm "underground" when I'm in my building's parking garage, 6 levels down. I do feel I'm underground when I ride the subway, however, and the tunnel is 1000 feet below the hills of Universal City.

[Wendygirl]

I am taking this away from the underground issue for a moment.

My daughter and I were there yesterday. (Had a wonderful time by the way and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the fireworks.) We hit all of the big rides before the earthquake. We did not even feel it (we think we were on a ride at the time). Her friend works in Toon Town and Gagets Coaster was down. I asked him why and he told us they had to check the tracks because of the earthquake. Of course, we were puzzeled as we hadn't felt it.

It did not affect our trip at all. We went on Star Tours after this "earthquake" but only one elevator was working on TOT. Don't know if this had anything to do with the quake or not. TOT was a 70 minute wait (we did not wait).

I noticed the crowd thinned out but I was assuming it was because there were A LOT of school kids and camp kids at the park. Late in the afternoon they all left.

The park closed at 9 due to Grad Night. The night parade was at 7 and the fireworks were at 8:45. We had good places for both though the area in front of the castle was CROWDED (a fight all most broke out at one point ... Happiest Place on Earth!).

So, the earthquake did not spoil our day at all.

[Arilvdc]

You know what I can never get over?? The undercrossing to DCA. I could never figure out where it was until i realized that all of the anaheim transit and cast member shuttles go right over it. Very well disguised, or i'm just really slow. Maybe both.