Effects To Drop, Effects To Keep (DT)

Ok, I've been riding DT since it opened and just lately I've been doing more research on the missing effects and whatnot. I've complied a sort of Unofficial To-Do list for DT that would make the ride more appealing. Be it either taking out certain effects and replacing them with better ones, fixing up old effects, or just taking out effects entirely.

Structure: First they REALLY need to do some work on the building itself so that when the effects are fixed up they don't get a repeat of the last time when another bad storm hits.

A friend of mine was telling me that when the ride opened there was originally a sign on the big 12-E that looked just like the DT logo (explosion included). Though I don't know if this is true, I think this would help people understand that it IS a ride, since there are still people that don't know what the heck it is (I heard one mother telling her child when asked what it was that it was a big electrical plant...uh...yeah...).

Queue: Ok, these first few have been talked about for a while. Bring back the posters, it makes it look like an air/space port (Detroit Metro Airport has posters of exoctic locations! Why can't the DT Queue?). Also, add a new layer of paint to the walls so they can put the blacklights back in. Now here's my idea for the queue.

Let in groups of 10 at a time while stacking other people outside the building. At any given time there will be 10 people in the first room while the rest wait in the other queue lines throughout the building. In the first room they should either have a live or animatronic hostess (like before) explain that he/she cannot unlock the terminal doors (by the by also make the terminal doors out of some other material besides wood as well as fog jets to make it look like an airlock trying to open). Then the host/hostess explains that they must take a detour through Cargo, Control, and Matinence to reach the loading gate.

Now the first difference will be in the cargo room (with the mural). Instead of a mural which will obviously be frozen in time, have some sort of large television or something behind the doors that played footage of cargo being moved and whatnot in a continous loop.

The Control Room will be updated to it's past glory with the screens and Dave. Dave will explain to the people in the room that they can't transport them to their actual destination directly, but instead, must take a transfer flight to Alaska while carrying precious cargo, from there, they can reach said destination (could be random, could be the same every time: i.e. Italy, Japan). Then Dave will inform everyone to watch the screen for instructions on safety: run a safety spiel video that shows what to do once you get to the loading dock (the spiel will be repeated by the Ride Ops again anyway), then give the Dispatch Master Transport slogan.

In the Repair Bay, give Frank a new head with his same audio track, make the baskets above move faster, make the arms move and sparks fly again. Then they will finally get to the loading platform.

The Actual Ride: Now, I REALLY liked that idea of a laser cone enveloping people in a field of stars for the lift part, it'd be a lot more believeable that you were in space, lord knows where the heck you're supposed to be on the current lift. Be sure they play the audio track loud enough to be heard clearly over the clicking of the lift. Also, throughout the ride I think the walls and ceiling should be lined with fiber optic
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

"stars".

For the area with the aliens attacking right after the drop, they need to put in a much larger animatronic alien ship instead of the two seemingly cardboard cutouts that are there right now.

On the asteroid section, the original effect, a large foam rubber asteroid (LAME) and according to a friend 1 of 2 projection screens, this one which showed an exploding asteroid. My opinion is add in a bunch of small props that make it look like you're passing through an asteroid field as well as a looping animation of the exploding asteroid.

In the satellite room, bring back the footage of the careening ship on the big screen, except on a much more MODERN projector, as well as making the "debris" that is actually there move back and forth as if it is floating in space. The satellite needs to be replaced with a larger version of it, though obviously a satellite to the constant rider, most people don't even notice it. Get rid of the strobes surrounding the satellite, instead bring in a new laser machine that can make visible lasers without the help of fog.

In the bare room before the Alaska room, they need to have a new projection showing the Earth spinning really fast as you seemingly are crashing towards it, in the tube right before the Alaska room, add in bright orange lights that look as if you're entering the atmosphere with flame surrounding your ship.

Then in the Alaska room add Animatronic Eskimos (heehee) that stare as you careen into the port, someone also suggested making the air VERY cold in the Alaska room, I liked this idea, go with it.

Right before the exit platform they need to put in fake windows that look out over the Alaskan landscape instead of the current strobe lights.

Well...thats about all I could think of, comments anyone? Things you'd like to be seen added or taken out, and please noone saying that the ride should just be demolished.
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

*** This post was edited by DargonZetaQuell on 8/4/2001. ***

*** This post was edited by DargonZetaQuell on 8/4/2001. ***

Oh I almost forgot, it was mentioned somewhere that pyrotechnic effects would be great on DT. Pyrotechnics have drawbacks though. When rides have things like bursts of flame or minor explosions, those were integrated into to the ride from the start and made so that they would not harm the riders or damage the building the ride was housed in. DT would require too much reworking to have pyrotechnic effects added and even then, because of space constraints, safety couldn't be completely assured. It's perfectly legal for Ohio amusement parks to get you wet, but setting you or ride buildings on fire is somewhat frowned upon...
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

That sounds awesome! That would be nice if they re themed the ride. I still remember riding it with my dad when it was themed. Back them waiting in line had alot of good points. Now the only good point is the air conditioning.

It would be nice if they were to re-theme it. But sadly I doubt it ever will.
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DT80: 30 and proud of it!
Proud member of the O.C.
Elite Eight (ring man)

The fact that they have the egyptian haunted thing in there would probably stop it from happening.They would have to change things and then change them back for next season. Or why not just totally retheme it and put it as a mummy's tomb and you have to escape before a bunch of bad things would happen to you, I don't know just a thought.
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Welcome back Raptor riders, how was your flight?!

*** This post was edited by MILLENIUMFORCERULES on 8/4/2001. ***

Well, yeah, but if they ever retheme the ride and want to keep it maintained, I'm sure they'd find another spot for the Haunted House...I thought they weren't gonna use it for one this year...
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

Dargon, I'm impressed! I honestly can't think of much to do, other than add some extra "welcome" stuff on the unload platform, maybe stuffed (fake) penguin, snowman in the corner, and of course, pump up the A/C in that room to simulate the climate. Over the exit stairs there could be an "Ohio" sign as well. On the load platform, it would be neat to have some extra crates and cartons as if they are about to be loaded. But great ideas! :)

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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/

I think the hardest part would be the on-ride effects since you've only got a small window to make things visible, of course the effects COULD be more detailed but then you get guests that really aren't paying attention. It's really a toss up. Less involved animations for the effects? Or more involved animations with guests that have short attention spans? By the way, thanks Crystal! I'm a big fan of themed rides and I always make mental notes on what would make a themed ride better...maybe that could be my career choice...*goes into deep thought*
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

Yeah I agree with the 12-E sign. On my first trip to CP with a friend, who was a veteran of CP, I saw this big gray building with 12-E on the side, and almost water-slide looking things coming out the side. I asked her what it was, and she said it was a power generator place too!! DEFINITELY add a DT sign on the sign to tell people that its NOT a generator station!
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http://tiny3k.cjb.net
"This is better than orgasm." ~Effie, Road Rules 2 on MTV

Wow! That's a lot of stuff!

I agree that this stuff would be great to have happen. I also agree that it should be done. But well, you know how it is! Such is life!

I've never heard of it being a "power generator place" personally... oh well!

Thanks for the creativity, wishful thinking, and just plain dreaming! I guess you could also call it imagineering! Great job!

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thats the mystery of it don't ruen the 12-e sign

Low ridership comes from the fact that a lot of people don't know it's a ride, a ride sign would help increase rider numbers and therefore, CP would think it in their best interest to maintain the theme.
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

I think the low ridership has far more to do with being located in the Oceana Ghosttown than the 12-e sign.
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DT was the longest line we had last time I went and was 45 min. most of the day on a Tuesday in June...it gets plenty of riders.
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DT80: 30 and proud of it!
Proud member of the O.C.
Elite Eight (ring man)

Yep, it's gets plenty of riders when it's very humid or when it rains. I hate the ride, but even I'll go on it for a little air conditioning or to stay dry.

My feeling is get rid of all the props and effects (except for the lift hill) and just have it in total darkness. Don't spend another dime on the ride, unless it's for a demolition crew.

Every DT topic I've read Net, you've put in your 2 cents on your distaste for the ride and constantly say it should be removed. I asked for positive comments on my ideas and I also asked that no one respond saying that the ride should be demolished, which you blatantly ignored. Remember the phrase "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."? Please do not respond anymore unless you've got something positive to say about DT or give criticism or add to my ideas.

*** This post was edited by DargonZetaQuell on 8/6/2001. ***

"I don't like puppies... they should be removed..." does anybody remember that comparison?
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I also believe it's been said many times that the ride cannot work in complete darkness because the cameras wouldn't be able to see anything.
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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

*** This post was edited by DargonZetaQuell on 8/6/2001. ***

Wow, you actually keep track of my anti-DT comments. That's a little scary. I've only had one in the last 4 or 5 months..today!

Don't take it so seriously, it's just my opinion. If you like it great, but I hate it and will voice my opinion whenever people bring up the topic of how we should improve DT. Well, if it is such a great ride, why do you need to improve it??? It's an old topic already and rather pointless. You even seem like you want to invest millions into it.

By the way, since when does anyone stick to the topic on this site? (ha)

*** This post was edited by net on 8/6/2001. ***