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Disneyland Paris => Disneyland Paris News & Rumours => Topic started by: Anthony on August 20, 2010, 04:34:01 PM

Title: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Anthony on August 20, 2010, 04:34:01 PM
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/walt_disney_studios/toon_studio/toy_soldiers_parachute_drop/DSC06166.JPG)

Official topic for Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, the new attraction in Toy Story Playland.

Quick links:

Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on August 20, 2010, 04:58:35 PM
Here are some wait times I recorded this week, either on twitter or just from looking through photos (I don't walk around with a notebook, yet): :lol:

17th August - 10.39am: 45mins
17th August - 11.11am: 75mins
17th August - 11.21am: 90mins
17th August - 17.20am: 60mins
17th August - 18.20am: Temporary Pause; Eventually closed for the day

18th August - 13.15am: 70mins

19th August - 11.40am: 90mins

Yesterday, one of the parachutes was completely closed off:

(//http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5789/dlrp082010tspd1.jpg)

And at around 11.45am, with Slinky closed and its queue emptied, the wait time hit a record 120mins:

(//http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7563/dlrp082010tspd2.jpg)

Hopefully this is a one-off, the park was exceptionally busy.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: -breeno- on August 20, 2010, 05:25:37 PM
Wow that's some impressive queue times (is Crush's Coaster jealous yet?).

Any idea why one of the parachutes was closed off yesterday?  Doesn't seem like the best of starts going on temporary pause then have to close a part down of it in the space of 2 days, but then those queue times disagree with me :P
Quote from: "Anthony"(//http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5789/dlrp082010tspd1.jpg)
Just curious is that as far back as the restraints go or is that before they're locked into place?  Them seem very far out but maybe it's just the angle we're viewing it from.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on August 20, 2010, 05:45:05 PM
There are individual seatbelts which are the main restraints. Each parachute seat has LED lights on the side which seem to indicate whether the seatbelts are correctly fastened or not (like Star Tours). Something which seemed to be causing problems is that you have to press this very small white button to release the seatbelt at the end, which a lot of people (including myself) didn't/don't see and so the CMs had to keep saying "push the white button!" over the tannoy at the end of each ride.

On the very first official ride, one set of 3 seats had to be emptied because the seatbelts weren't fastened (or registering as fastened) properly. The people did NOT look happy!

But despite these problems, it's a real smash hit. People walk in and point "wow, look at that!". It's quite mesmerising to watch, which has the unfortunate side effect of the area in front of the ride (and the whole area between Slinky Dog) being really congested as everyone stops to look. I loved the ride, like the clever sound effects, even quite impressed how well it blends into the kind of postwar 1950s Hollywood Blvd... not sure if that was intentional or not. I rushed onto the second ride after ribbon cutting because I had a feeling it'd have the longest queue, and only rode it that once. The props in the queue are nice, but the whole thing, the horrible cattlepen, the small area in front of the ride for those watching, is far too cramped. It feels like they made doubly, triply sure to give RC Racer a big queue and a large surrounding area and didn't even consider that this ride, especially having a very low height restriction, might actually be the one to suffer the real Crush.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: claire2281 on August 20, 2010, 06:11:23 PM
Those are quite some queue times. Although, of course, this is a peak season and there is a massive novelty factor at the mo. We'll get a better idea of how busy it truly is as time goes on.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on August 20, 2010, 06:37:13 PM
Them queue times aren't that bad really, considering its the summer holidays.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: carrydee38 on August 20, 2010, 07:44:56 PM
wow two hours is a long time to wait....but then it is early days yet...wonder will they put in a fast pass for that.  Dying to try it was looking at the you tube videos of the ride and it does look great
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: claire2281 on August 20, 2010, 11:19:51 PM
That's a good point. I wonder if they're giving it time to settle and see how popular these rides are before thinking about testing a fastpass on any of them.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: davewasbaloo on August 20, 2010, 11:22:34 PM
Fastpass is very unlikely due to the low capacity of these attractions. They did run pilots on Crush and it showed FP was unusual. Other than a 100% FP only system, I would be very surprised to see it come to these attractions.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: disneylandparisgirl on August 20, 2010, 11:47:36 PM
However on Wednesday when I went on the queue time said 120mins when we entered but we only queued for an hour!  :D

Does anyone know why each one only loads 6? Everytime I saw it go up there was empty seats! Wouldn't it of been better to have 4 people each side?

The only thing that annoyed us about this ride was the queue area! It looked very nice until some parents decided the jeep was a climbing frame for their kids and the soldiers in the main bay were a photo spot which meant we were unable to take photos of it and I can see it being in very bad condition before long!  :(

We tried to tell a cast member but they didn't do much about it!  :x
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on August 21, 2010, 12:18:27 AM
Quote from: "disneylandparisgirl"Does anyone know why each one only loads 6? Everytime I saw it go up there was empty seats! Wouldn't it of been better to have 4 people each side?
I think I even saw empty seats on RC Racer! Why didn't they think about single rider lines? And you're right actually, was 6 people per parachute really as far as it could be pushed? There would have been enough space for 8, probably, although perhaps weight was an issue. An extra 12 people per cycle would really get things moving.

Quote from: "disneylandparisgirl"The only thing that annoyed us about this ride was the queue area! It looked very nice until some parents decided the jeep was a climbing frame for their kids and the soldiers in the main bay were a photo spot which meant we were unable to take photos of it and I can see it being in very bad condition before long!  :(
Argh I also saw this while walking past... How long before one of them decides to scale the lookout tower? :twisted:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: disneylandparisgirl on August 21, 2010, 12:25:27 AM
Quote from: "Anthony"I think I even saw empty seats on RC Racer! Why didn't they think about single rider lines?

On RC Racer they were shouting for single riders but not on parachute!  :x

Quote from: "Anthony"disneylandparisgirl wrote:
The only thing that annoyed us about this ride was the queue area! It looked very nice until some parents decided the jeep was a climbing frame for their kids and the soldiers in the main bay were a photo spot which meant we were unable to take photos of it and I can see it being in very bad condition before long!  
Argh I also saw this while walking past... How long before one of them decides to scale the lookout tower?

Wouldn't surprise me but the parents were encouraging their kids to climb all over the queue area!  :roll:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Pete's Dragon on August 21, 2010, 10:59:56 AM
In defence of parents everywhere, there's only so many times you can tell your young ones not to climb on the props/barriers/swing on the chains etc. during the course of a holiday before you get fed up repeating yourself. I usually last until 3.30pm on the 2nd day.
Whilst kids like DLP, expecting them to have the patience to queue like adults for over an hour is unreasonable.

P.S. Is it called Camp Emery after R. Lee Ermey ( or Lee Emery depending on the film), everyone's favourite drill sergent ???

(//http://codinghorror.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a85dcdae970b0120a86d9289970b-pi)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: davewasbaloo on August 21, 2010, 11:02:41 AM
Not quite, but it is a cool little link. Emeryville is where the hq of Pixar is located.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Pete's Dragon on August 21, 2010, 11:07:49 AM
Strange little coincidence then.
It just goes to show it's a small world afterall. Everybody ' it's a small world afterall, it's a.....'
 :thumbs:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Malin on August 21, 2010, 01:47:59 PM
Extended shutdowns and long lines. I have to say I'm enjoying seeing these flawed rides already after a few days use start to cause headaches for the park. Another issue to address is that rides like Toy Soldiers Parachute Jump are just not built or designed to handle this amount of people, all year long. Since I have very little desire to ride any of these carnival rides, I think 120 minutes of wait time is deserved for anyone who thinks these additions are good for the park. At least you have those richly themed queue's to enjoy for 2 hours.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Pete's Dragon on August 21, 2010, 05:38:43 PM
If they're queuing for 2 hours here, means less queues at ToT and RnRC (hopefully)  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: RockNRoller on August 21, 2010, 08:48:18 PM
Quote from: "Malin"I think 120 minutes of wait time is deserved for anyone who thinks these additions are good for the park.
Now thats not nice, not really in the spirit of Disney. These rides have only just opened of course there are going to be teething problems as they start running full pelt for the first time but in fairness Ive been turned away from the que of some of the bigger classic rides because theyve gone down (even got evacuated from POTC, pretty cool) so the rides in TSPL aren't actually doing anything that hasn't happened before. Tell you what if they are still breaking down with a 2 hour que in a months time I'll metaphorically prostrate myself at your feet whilst you dance round singing "Told you so" Deal?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: RiverRogue on August 21, 2010, 09:28:42 PM
Yes, breakdowns -- whether they're short or prolonged -- happen on any ride, and they're particularly numerous right after a ride's opening or even re-opening after a refurbishment. I still remember the end of BTM's major rehab a few years ago when the ride broke down and had to be evacuated four times on its busy opening saturday. When BTM's evacuated it generally means that it's down for an hour or two at least. The big difference is that for TSPL we have a bunch of people just waiting to point out its flaws... (which it has, obviously, but it's far from alone in that respect).
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Malin on August 22, 2010, 01:10:49 PM
QuoteIf they're queuing for 2 hours here, means less queues at ToT and RnRC (hopefully)

Well thats my hope. Since I would love to have multiple rides on both attractions without having to wait.  :thumbs:

QuoteNow thats not nice, not really in the spirit of Disney.

You could make the same argument against Slinky, Parachutes and RC Racer too. That these rides are not nice and do not reflect the true spirit of Disney.  

QuoteThese rides have only just opened of course there are going to be teething problems as they start running full pelt for the first time but in fairness Ive been turned away from the que of some of the bigger classic rides because theyve gone down (even got evacuated from POTC, pretty cool) so the rides in TSPL aren't actually doing anything that hasn't happened before.

POTC is an technology advanced ride. Its to be expected that shutdowns are going to happen and that it will take time to restart the system. Toy Soldiers is a much smaller and far less advanced ride system. Any shutdowns shouldn't take an entire day to fix. And if it does take an entire morning to fix than I think we have spotted another flaw in this ride system. Any teething problems should of been sorted out before the land opened. But thanks to poor planning by Park Management these three rides were rushed to get them open for the end of Summer. Instead of giving Imagineering the chance to fix all the bugs. I want to predict that within the next couple of months one of these rides will be forced to close due to some major mechanical problem. Watch this space...

QuoteTell you what if they are still breaking down with a 2 hour que in a months time I'll metaphorically prostrate myself at your feet whilst you dance round singing "Told you so" Deal?

QuoteThe big difference is that for TSPL we have a bunch of people just waiting to point out its flaws... (which it has, obviously, but it's far from alone in that respect).

This is not about bragging rights. Do you think I want to see people stuck waiting in line for 120 minutes only for the ride to have to stop. I'll admit like many others, these rides are not my cup of tea. But it doesn't mean I don't want other people to enjoy them. A satisfied Guests means a more likely chance of higher purchases on merchandise and a more likely chance these folk will make a return trip soon. Which will have a positive impact on revenue and more of a chance we can have longer park hours and more entertainment.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: JelleP on August 22, 2010, 01:17:44 PM
RT @rdvid: Finally a single riders line at Parachute Drop in #Disneyland! #WDS Ive been in 5 minutes , 2 Times on THE parachute! :D it Goes very fast!"
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Disneydavid on August 22, 2010, 01:57:37 PM
Thanks for retweeting that here :D

Its really true , you can have 2 complete times on the Parachute Drop in just 5 minutes! if you are going alone :o!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Disneydavid on August 22, 2010, 02:05:02 PM
(//http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/6369/pic0266.jpg)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Columbiad on August 22, 2010, 05:57:34 PM
Not sure whether anyone ha noticed this - but the plane lying in the grass next to the Parachute Drop sign is called "Blue Sky". A possible referance to Imagineering? :)

I'll try and find a picture.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on August 23, 2010, 09:06:30 PM
I hope they make a more permanent sign......!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: johnd331 on August 24, 2010, 11:46:56 AM
Soo... the people that have already mastered this thing, what can they tell us about the view from up there?

We know the designers of the original park did many tricks to avoid people peeking over the berm and into backstage areas, since, as Walt would have called it: that's a bad show and shoud be avoided! We've talked about it before here as far as I can remember and at least some of us were a little bit affraid this ride would take you a bit too far behind the magic.

So, how good or bad is the real thing? Do you get the full view of all the things the original creators did their best to hide, or did they somehow manage to get your view focussed on "the magic"?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: davewasbaloo on August 24, 2010, 12:10:14 PM
Quote from: "johnd331"We know the designers of the original park did many tricks to avoid people peeking over the berm and into backstage areas, since, as Walt would have called it: that's a bad show and shoud be avoided! We've talked about it before here as far as I can remember and at least some of us were a little bit affraid this ride would take you a bit too far behind the magic.

Well to be fair, at Disneyland and Walt Disney world you can see back stage on the monorails, and also more so on the now yesterland attraction of the Skyway that ran (in DL's case) for nearly 40 years.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: johnd331 on August 24, 2010, 01:38:57 PM
QuoteWell to be fair, at Disneyland and Walt Disney world you can see back stage on the monorails, and also more so on the now yesterland attraction of the Skyway that ran (in DL's case) for nearly 40 years.

Yes, that's true. Also the Matterhorn was completely unthemed from the inside for quite some time. But the Matterhorn got themed from the inside, the next park they built got a complex underground tunnel system, just to improve the illusion. If you look at recent parks like Disneyland Paris and yet moreso in DisneySea, the illusion is taken to the next level. I would like them to keep or even improve on that level. Why? Because that's THE difference between Disney and Six Flags. Disney sells experiences, Six Flags sells thrills.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: davewasbaloo on August 24, 2010, 05:25:37 PM
Quote from: "johnd331"If you look at recent parks like Disneyland Paris and yet moreso in DisneySea, the illusion is taken to the next level. I would like them to keep or even improve on that level. Why? Because that's THE difference between Disney and Six Flags. Disney sells experiences, Six Flags sells thrills.

And there lies my main concern to the resort's latest additions  :D  :evil:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: dagobert on August 24, 2010, 06:52:41 PM
Quote from: "johnd331"
QuoteWell to be fair, at Disneyland and Walt Disney world you can see back stage on the monorails, and also more so on the now yesterland attraction of the Skyway that ran (in DL's case) for nearly 40 years.

Yes, that's true. Also the Matterhorn was completely unthemed from the inside for quite some time. But the Matterhorn got themed from the inside, the next park they built got a complex underground tunnel system, just to improve the illusion. If you look at recent parks like Disneyland Paris and yet moreso in DisneySea, the illusion is taken to the next level. I would like them to keep or even improve on that level. Why? Because that's THE difference between Disney and Six Flags. Disney sells experiences, Six Flags sells thrills.

That's so true.

I really like thrill rides and so we had to go to Cedar Point in Ohio. It's the best place for thrill rides, but they aren't themed at all. That's the Disney difference. You are transported to another world. And nobody did it better than Disney until a few years ago. Now the others like Universal do better whle Disney is falling behind.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Festival Disney on November 16, 2010, 06:08:30 PM
The paper copy has been replaced with a permanent sign:
(//http://www.dlp.info/News/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Looking-for-Single-Sky-Diver-02.jpg)

And, the Single riders queue has moved to now being alongside the normal queue line:
(//http://www.dlp.info/News/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Looking-for-Single-Sky-Diver-01.jpg)
Source: http://www.dlp.info/News/2010/11/never- ... ind-alone/ (http://www.dlp.info/News/2010/11/never-leave-one-behind-alone/%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on November 16, 2010, 06:35:52 PM
Ohh, I hate it when DLP reverse-Imagineers its attractions like this almost as soon as they open, with temporary queue barriers and signs which have obviously never been anywhere near WDI Burbank. The same happened at Crush's Coaster but it seems to have hit Toy Story Playland particularly badly - the empty RC photo location, the unthemed and patronising "SORTIE >>>" barriers throughout the land, signs and notices printed out from Microsoft Publisher...

The colour Single Rider sign is an improvement, obviously, but it probably now means this design is permanent. Compare it to the real attraction signage: http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/w ... C06512.JPG (http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/walt_disney_studios/toon_studio/toy_soldiers_parachute_drop/DSC06512.JPG%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)

Like pairing a cheap tie with your €70m suit.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: dagobert on November 16, 2010, 06:50:58 PM
The single rider line looks temporary, so hopefully it will not stay that way. The queue looks really terrible.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on November 16, 2010, 11:07:58 PM
Can you join this single rider queue without having to join the normal queue? Like you do at Alton Towers etc?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: CafeFantasia on December 07, 2010, 01:41:15 PM
Now that I've actually been on Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop I can offer my honest opinion of it.

- At 10:58 in the morning it had about a 20 minute queue
- The queueing area was kind of fun, although perhaps a little bit bare and lacking in entertainment/video
- The ride itself was really fun. Great physical sensation that left you smiling
- The views from the top of the tower were good. Shame the WDS park has so much scaffolding and tarmac though

So despite the tower itself being probably the most ugly structure at any Disney theme park in the World, the ride is actually a fun addition to the park. I'd definitely like to ride it again. I wouldn't queue for any more than, say, 30 minutes for it though.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on December 07, 2010, 09:22:20 PM
I'd like to queue probably at least once, but I'd imagine after that, it will be single rider each time.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: dlrp_bopazot on December 27, 2010, 05:46:33 AM
The Parachutes recently got a brand new NON Slippery floor . This is completely different from the original Green Floor but at least they re open daily even in a very very cold weather .
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on December 27, 2010, 09:09:59 PM
^ Is the new floor still green?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Festival Disney on December 27, 2010, 10:34:40 PM
No, it's black... they look like temporary mats anyway, so should be gone in summer :lol:
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Austin Danger Kelly on December 27, 2010, 10:39:31 PM
Quote from: "RiverRogue"I still remember the end of BTM's major rehab a few years a
go when the ride broke down and had to be evacuated four times on its busy opening saturday. When BTM's evacuated it generally means that it's down for an hour or two at least. .

Oh, does BTM not break down just as often now as it did then? We were there this time last hear and I seem to remember seeing it evacuated a good few times. Mabey it was just the sub zero temperatures though.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: svenneke1 on January 07, 2011, 04:02:33 PM
Some photos from the new 'temporary' floor:

(//http://www.pixiedust.be/DLP%20oudejaarsavond%2031-12-2010%20001.jpg)

(//http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h395/rachel15d/63249_174823719217858_100000706934587_427086_1907173_n.jpg)

source: Cafemickey
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Scissorsboi on January 07, 2011, 06:45:48 PM
I quite like this new floor, I think the dark colour actually helps to make the ride look a bit more 'toy' like! If they keep it at all, then I don't think it'd be a bad thing!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on January 07, 2011, 08:47:23 PM
I dont see why they couldn't have just redone the surface with that non-slip stuff, then paint over it.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: 15MagicalYears on January 07, 2011, 10:07:04 PM
Sorry if it has already been posted but does anyone know what the new surface is for?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Festival Disney on January 07, 2011, 10:13:31 PM
The original floor is just painted concrete so it's really slippy, especially in winter so I think they've added this just to give more grip and probably H&S.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on January 12, 2011, 02:50:48 PM
It looks horrible! The original floor was great, with the flashing lights etc. This is straight from your local travelling fairground. Hopefully it will be as temporary as possible.

WDI doesn't seem to have learn from the past with slippery floors. Remember when the park opened and the tiles in Front Lot (when they weren't sinking or erupting) were just a sea of those annoying yellow warning cones? And they're always all over Adventure Isle. Those cones seem to plague other resorts too, I've seen them in a lot of California updates recently. You'd think they could find a better solution.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: CafeFantasia on January 12, 2011, 05:37:11 PM
A few questions:

• Is this new floor really temporary? It doesn't look it.
• How do the lighting fixtures integrated into the original floor shine through this new floor?
• Couldn't this new floor at least be painted with the same "stars in rings" design as on the original floor?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Martyn on January 12, 2011, 05:42:23 PM
I think it quite clearly looks temporary, there's even some gaps bewteen the tiles where you can see the original floor.

QuoteRemember when the park opened and the tiles in Front Lot (when they weren't sinking or erupting) were just a sea of those annoying yellow warning cones? And they're always all over Adventure Isle.
QuoteThey still are everywhere? We always go in Winter, so we see them in abundance.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: SwipatronSparks on January 28, 2011, 09:18:03 PM
hopeing to be plesently supprised by this ride when i go to disney on sunday (first day in the parks is actually monday) becasue form the videos i have seen of it, this ride looks like it is actually mind mublingly boring.... =/
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Martyn on January 29, 2011, 12:05:38 PM
^ Its not that bad really, though its noth worth queueing more than 20 mins for.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: svenneke1 on January 30, 2011, 09:56:28 PM
Quote from: "Anthony"It looks horrible! The original floor was great, with the flashing lights etc. This is straight from your local travelling fairground. Hopefully it will be as temporary as possible.

WDI doesn't seem to have learn from the past with slippery floors. Remember when the park opened and the tiles in Front Lot (when they weren't sinking or erupting) were just a sea of those annoying yellow warning cones? And they're always all over Adventure Isle. Those cones seem to plague other resorts too, I've seen them in a lot of California updates recently. You'd think they could find a better solution.

You can still see the flashing lights! Saw that on a video with the new floor.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Toy Story Playland)
Post by: Anthony on February 03, 2011, 07:44:29 PM
Quote from: "svenneke1"You can still see the flashing lights! Saw that on a video with the new floor.
Oh, good!

They really should do what Alan suggests and paint this rubber mat or whatever it is with the original pattern then, or at least replace it with a dyed/coloured version.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: fly_with_me_dumbo on March 02, 2011, 10:17:53 PM
this looks quite boring :/
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: SwipatronSparks on March 11, 2011, 08:55:44 PM
well after experienceing it, i can say its a 'tame' or 'kiddies' tower of terror i went on it a coupple of times but yeh.... i wouldnt wait any more than 10 mins for it....
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: mdw on March 13, 2011, 08:21:13 PM
hi,

just wondered how scary the 'parachute ride is'? be ok for a 4 and 2 year old?

thanx

mich
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: SwipatronSparks on March 13, 2011, 10:47:34 PM
Quote from: "mdw"hi,

just wondered how scary the 'parachute ride is'? be ok for a 4 and 2 year old?

thanx

mich

definately =] my 4 year old cousin went on and he loved it he didnt want to get off!! but every child is different, maybe you could watch it go before deciding to take your child on it, but i would think they will be fine =]
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: mdw on March 13, 2011, 10:51:24 PM
excellent, thank u :-)   3 months til we go :-)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Anthony on March 27, 2011, 05:38:33 PM
I didn't realise this ride idea dated back so far, but here's a great video of the Parachute Jump ride at the 1939 Worlds Fair:

[youtube:km0j9rx7]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U82t49aTgHw[/youtube:km0j9rx7]
I just stumbled on this via the "Disneyland goes to the Worlds Fair" TV special on the "Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic" Walt Disney Treasures DVD. Walt Disney talks about the fun rides of the previous New York Worlds Fair and says "an outstanding innovation was the parachute jump ride..."

Let's be glad Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop isn't 25 stories high then, or has that thumping end to the drop! haha!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: ed-uk on March 27, 2011, 07:43:56 PM
After all the controversy about it, it's interesting to note that Walt Disney, the great man himself liked parachute drops. Not a new innovation anymore I know, but maybe there is a place for a parachute drop in a Disney theme park after all. At least he liked them. And the WDS version looks much nicer than the one shown at the Worlds Fair.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Anthony on April 07, 2011, 02:49:57 AM
The jeep from the waiting line has been moved into the grass to the right of the ride:

(//http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg619/scaled.php?tn=0&server=619&filename=93xxp.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640)
Photo from Nicolai's trip report (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10905)

It had been sitting behind tall wire mesh barriers for the past few months to stop parents letting their kids climb on it.

Also it looks like the permanent Single Rider lines we were promised at the Refurbishments Fan Meeting (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10822) are starting to appear with new railings up:

(//http://www.images-squish.net/users/VDR/49109.jpg) (//http://www.images-squish.net/users/VDR/49108.jpg)
Source (//http://www.disneygazette.fr/la-gazette-le-festival-des-moments-magiques-magical-moments-festival-chateau-fantasyland-toy-story-playland-discoveryland-earl-of-sandwich-world-of-disney-news-498.html)

(On the right is actually the special reason return entry/exit, which like at Slinky had been obstructing the path.)

Hopefully they'll Imagineer some half-decent (and uncomplicated) signage to go with the official Single Rider line, something that's clear in all languages. The old signs were not great.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Disneydavid on April 07, 2011, 07:35:31 PM
Quote from: "Anthony"The jeep from the waiting line has been moved into the grass to the right of the ride:

(//http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg619/scaled.php?tn=0&server=619&filename=93xxp.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640)
Photo from Nicolai's trip report (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10905)

It had been sitting behind tall wire mesh barriers for the past few months to stop parents letting their kids climb on it.

Also it looks like the permanent Single Rider lines we were promised at the Refurbishments Fan Meeting (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10822) are starting to appear with new railings up:

(//http://www.images-squish.net/users/VDR/49109.jpg) (//http://www.images-squish.net/users/VDR/49108.jpg)
Source (//http://www.disneygazette.fr/la-gazette-le-festival-des-moments-magiques-magical-moments-festival-chateau-fantasyland-toy-story-playland-discoveryland-earl-of-sandwich-world-of-disney-news-498.html)

(On the right is actually the special reason return entry/exit, which like at Slinky had been obstructing the path.)

Hopefully they'll Imagineer some half-decent (and uncomplicated) signage to go with the official Single Rider line, something that's clear in all languages. The old signs were not great.
Awesome!

 This goes well!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: fly_with_me_dumbo on June 09, 2011, 11:55:19 AM
would you say this was a fun ride for adults or is it really just for kids?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: davewasbaloo on June 09, 2011, 12:26:29 PM
it's ok, with a fun bounce at the top and good views. Crazy queues though. I would not wait more than 15 minutes tops.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: littlemermaid83 on June 09, 2011, 01:43:19 PM
Quote from: "fly_with_me_dumbo"would you say this was a fun ride for adults or is it really just for kids?

Thought it was a great ride, my 5 year old loved it and we would waited 40mins to ride and I think we would wait that long again.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Kristof on July 25, 2011, 09:30:44 PM
This hasn't been posted here yet... The flooring (which was deemed unsafe because it got really slippery when it got wet) has been replaced by a brand new one.  Actually looks better than before!

Also note that the fabric parachutes have been replaced by plastic ones.

(//http://imgdash.com/25b51459.jpg)

(//http://imgdash.com/2f499855.jpg)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: CafeFantasia on July 25, 2011, 10:09:55 PM
Great improvements. I still wish they'd do something to cap off the top of the tower, and make it look less top heavy.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Josh on July 25, 2011, 11:00:49 PM
I don't get what the ride is meant to be. You wouldn't get a toy like that.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Martyn on July 26, 2011, 09:29:48 PM
The floor looks good, and more importantly, it will look good over winter too!

I wonder what the reason was for changing the parachutes?
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: 15MagicalYears on July 26, 2011, 09:57:43 PM
The other parachutes looked pretty washed-out and faded already, but I'm not sure if that's the official reason.
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: Thaliel on May 29, 2012, 03:09:00 AM
My mum loves the parachutes, her back an hip hurt a lot, so she is not doing tower of terror due to its deep drop and fast speed. But the parachutes are just perfect and she enjoys them a lot
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: CinderellaSparkle on June 13, 2012, 01:52:10 AM
Do they just go up or do they spin or anything? I wanna go on it but i hate spinning lol
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: captain rocket on June 13, 2012, 10:15:37 AM
No,they don't spin. Straight up and down with a fabulous view from the top! I always go on at least once and always use the single rider line, never waited more than ten minutes and if you are lucky you may be able to get a photo of your friends actually on the ride sitting in another seat!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: jenniedisney on November 25, 2012, 12:49:43 PM
wow, went on this for the first time during my visit 2 weeks ago.
I was quite surprised to be honest!

they go up quite fast! (faster than expected) The drop is nothing too strenuous (although I'm used to ToT)

A nice little "warm up thriller" ride :)
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: aircanman on June 24, 2013, 11:47:33 AM
Went on this last week when we visited, queue was about 40 mins though, one of the main issues is the speed of loading and unloading, which takes AGES!!
Title: Re: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Post by: littlebitofpixiedust on June 25, 2013, 12:01:44 AM
Yes it takes ages to load/unload but I don't think we've ever had to que for more than 30 mins but then again when it's an hour plus we wouldn't bother lolbut it's news to me about the single rider que line!