Theme Park Apprentice: Challenge 4

Your job this week is to design an immersive roller coaster. This roller coaster should have its standards set as high as The mummy, Rock n Roller Coaster, Everest, and Space Mountain. There is no restriction to weather you want it inside, outdoors, or a combo. It may also be a log flume, like splash mountain. I'd like for you to include the park it will be put in, the coaster name, and the description of the coaster.

In the description, please include: any inversions or loops used, any other roller coaster elements, special effects, aas if any, a description of the facade, type of coaster (wood, steel, dangling feet, etc), speeds, any major drops, and vehicle descriptions. Feel free to include anything else you think of.

Backstory is the key to telling the story of a good roller coaster. I'd like for you all to create a brief story to your coaster, similar to how everest has its story.

Enjoy and Have fun, as always the challenge ideas are going to be due by saturday or sunday.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

This flume ride will be part dark ride, part thrill ride telling the story of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice from the classic movie, Fantasia. The ride will feature special effects, animatronics, and, of course, the classic music.

Situated in the new music section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice will take place in the castle of Yen Sid who has a Waterfall Coming out of his castle... The boats will be in the “round” (Like Kali River Rapids or Popeye’s), but will be fashioned like buckets.

LIGHTNING CAUSES POWER OUTAGE AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
-------------------------
By Nick Markham

I will try to be giving you updated
reports on what is going on, but
apparently, a massive power outage
has struck at Islands of Adventure.
The strange thing is, it struck
only MARVEL Island as well as the
Toon Lagoon theater causing a minor
accident, but major enough to shut
down the BMX show as well as the
theater for inspection. Please stay
tuned for more, but if you have any
sightings of anything strange at
the MARVEL Superhero Island, please
contact me immediately, as this part
of the park seems to be most active...

By Nick Markham

Construction walls are now up
around the Toon Lagoon theater,
but the construction walls are
MARVEL themed. No word yet why
this is, but we will try to get
pictures within the walls by
tonight at the latest.

“Castaway Mountain”
Flume Ride Outline

The mountain is a heavily forested, tropical rainforest with misty waterfalls cutting through the drifting fog. At the base of the mountain there are lush gardens and peaceful koi ponds with bridges beckoning us to take a leisurely stroll toward the Yacht Club Restaurant, built into the side of the hill, where cares of the busy life are quickly forgotten. The air is filled with the smell of plumeria blossoms as well as the island sounds of slack key guitar and dew dripping from unbridled foliage. Beside the outdoor patio we see an entrance to “Robinson’s Cruises” inviting us to sail to adventure. The plants around the doorway are more overgrown, as if abandoned for a while.

Inside, we find ourselves in the queue. We start by making our way up a gang plank in a room with the look and feel of the open sea, where mild breezes blow, gulls soar, gentle waves lap, and a cerulean ocean blends to an azure sky. This is the start of our journey, from a leisurely afternoon cruise that became a bigger than life adventure for our captain.

The next room is more like a sail boat, with guy lines and teak railings all around. The skies are darker, with the sound of distant thunder and rain you can smell. The lighting cycles through changing intensities. The music is now more powerful, signifying eminent doom. Through projections, and a slight swaying of the platform, there is a sense of movement to the room, like a rolling sea.

In the final room, there is a rope and plank bridge, surrounded by thick jungle. We can see the mountain from here. The exterior façade has become the cyc ceiling for the interior. There is a base camp that has been decorated with household items made from bamboo, shells, and coconuts. A canopy made from an old sail hangs overhead, torn from falling palm branches and years of wear. Piles of coconuts in a corner indicate that the island won’t hold up to intrusion or support anyone much longer. Audio-animatronic Captain Rob assures his pet pelican, Freddie, that he won’t be eaten. He then reminds everyone to save their resources for when they need those most – especially the gas for the motor, when it will be needed for getting through the rough surf at the end of the journey.

“Frida” lends a hand as we climb into rickety, weather-beaten old lifeboats, to escape the dangers of the island, with a warning that much more lies ahead of us.

Each room in the queue has had a subtle rise in elevation, bringing everyone to the load platform, about halfway up the mountain. Each room on the ride will have a drop, but even more of a rise, masked with forced perspective, slanted set pieces, and motion control bases that keep the boats level while ascending the ramps with water rushing down to look like rapids instead of going uphill. The flume circles the “inside” mountain as it goes up, with side trips through the middle, while the ceiling is used for lighting and projection for sky, jungle canopy, and other effects.

Just as we start around the first turn, Butch, who appears to have been stranded a long while on the island, warns against trying to steal HIS treasure. He uses a gaffing pole to push the boat away from the calm water, sending it down a turbulent, rapid-filled alternate fork in the river. The pole hooks onto the motor’s handle, starting it and sending it careening toward danger.

Our adventure begins with threats from the animal world. Striking snakes narrowly miss the boat, as gorillas fight big cats on the banks. Mischievous monkeys help Butch start a landslide of rocks and trees, coming right toward us. Sounds of wild animals in the jungle continue throughout the ride. We are protected from them as we turn into a small cave.

The second room reveals the presence of warring natives. Spears fly by and an overhead rope bridge is cut, swinging just ahead, but missing the river. Captain Rob appears, grabbing a bamboo pole, guiding us into deeper brush, and yelling at us to turn off the motor, as we escape peril once again.

The next room brings us higher and closer to the center of the island… and the volcano that made it. The heat intensifies as lava flows and rocks spew into the river all around us, steaming as they hit. The smell of trees burning fills the air and the rumbling explosions drown out the sounds of the jungle. Just before the whole mountain blows its top, there is a bend in the river, leading to a lazy, peaceful section.

Around the turn, we come out of the thick underbrush, and find that we are outside, high atop the (outside) mountain, overlooking a lagoon with a resort, far below. The nearly catastrophic cruise had only led to the other side of the island, not uncharted or uninhabited at all. However, our boat is headed toward a giant waterfall. Huge boulders in the river funnel the water faster, the sound of the falls grows louder, and the motor runs out of gas, just before the edge. Around the last boulder, the boat detours into a dark, steep cave of hidden, twisting tunnels. Every turn of this heart-pounding final thrill ride is filled with hard-beating jungle rhythms at every turn.

At the bottom of the cave, the boat splashes down, disrupting a tranquil lagoon, soaking Butch and others who dare to cross the bridge into the wild side of this island. Guests at the Yacht Club enjoy their relaxing dining experience on the other side of the lagoon, safely away from the splash zone.

Disembarking safely, Captain Rob thanks everyone for coming and invites us to enjoy an Island Shave Ice in the Shave Cave, just on the other side of Tropical Treasure Trove and Trinkets. Available for sale are souvenirs made of coconuts, bamboo, shells, as well as “survival” t-shirts and a video copy of your journey on DVD or to send home as an e-mail. There are also trails around the mountain, to linger in the tropical atmosphere a little longer (but away from the boats).

Oh and I thought id repost the challenges for the upcoming weeks.

Challenge 5: 3D Show
Challenge 6: Hotel
Challenge 7: Themed Land
Challenge 8: Theme Park

As you will see the show challenge is going to be a 3D/4D show. I thought long and hard about this challenge, and ultimately chose to go with the 3D show because I thought it was the better of the two challenges. Stay tuned for more info on the next challenge!!

http://img714.imageshack.us/i/3560096974f0c65285b3.jpg/

In the early days of planning Disney’s California Adventure, there was an attempted collaborative effort between Muppet Labs and Walt Disney Imagineering. Near the opening date of the park, plans were scrapped and replaced with the now infamous Soarin’ Over California. The original plan was to be an extreme thrill ride type of roller coaster, much like today’s Tatsu or Manta, with riders suspended in a prone, flying position. Mostly a forgotten experiment, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker quietly worked on the project over the years, at nights and weekends in their spare time. They have worked out (most of) the bugs (they think), and are ready for the test and adjust step of the design process, happily welcoming anyone willing to be a part of the experiment.
Kermit is a bit worried, given past experiences from the lab. He continues to remind everyone who lines up to be a part of it. Final boarding instructions are given by Captain Gonzo, with the usual pre-flight safety tips, as well as the obligatory (and necessary) disclaimers about this being in the experimental stages, and not holding anyone responsible (Muppet Labs, WDI, the person next to you, the lady walking down the street near the bus stop, their attorneys…) for anything that may or may not go wrong during testing. But hey!, everything should be just fine,… as far as you know… Pre-boarding instructions end with Sam the Eagle, trying to bring some class to thrill rides, giving his two cents, and dedicating the new attraction as a tribute to all theme parks everywhere, but especially the Disney ones…

After boarding, passengers (also referred to as lab rats) are put into a prone position on their hang glider style train, suspended coaster. Beneath them as they leave the station to enter the lab, floor projection shows slow moving clouds, with fans blowing a gentle wind. The penguin orchestra plays the majestic music that is familiar now in the other Soarin’ ride. A couple of very small camel backs give the sense of trying to actually take off, but riders remain level. Kermit’s voice reminds them that all it takes if faith and trust… and is interrupted by the sound and sight of Miss Piggy flying through the clouds in a pink tutu and fairy wings, adding “and something I forgot – Piggy Dust”. Kermit questions Rizzo about his supplier. It turns out that he got a great deal on some leftover stock that had been in the basement of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Kermit reminds him that there isn’t a basement there, as he sees the expiration date – March 2001, before DCA opened. It is too late, as Miss Piggy sprinkles the dust, sending them suddenly flying high, and dispersing the clouds, to reveal scaffolding and music that now becomes Night on Bald Mountain. A final warning from Kermit is too late. The gliders have gone too high – out of the building.
The descent into the stage next door swoops through the sound lab, full of classic rock music. The flight becomes a wild ride, crashing through different rooms in the lab, mixed with incomplete set pieces that were to depict rides and attractions from other parks. A very slow moving, poorly animated AA of Kong swats at the gliders passing by, sending them spiraling and twisting through the air. They nearly evade flying carpets and brooms by ducking under and skimming over them in an airborne obstacle course. The wings graze the water in one room with aquariums full of electric eels (an alternate source of power for the labs), sending sparks flying across the room. From the sound of it, Animal has landed on top of the wing, yelling “Faster, Faster!” Another side trip out of the building rises and swings around the water tower, then back into the stage. Backlot tour type sets guide the flyers through Brownstone and Western streets. Around a corner is the disaster canyon with all of its surprises. Rushing water becomes a whirlpool, sending the riders into a final heart-pumping helix.
Returning to the station, Captain Gonzo thanks the lab rats (uh, participants) for their part in seeing if the ride was safe, yet (uh, show ready, to the high quality standards…) Oh, just thanks for stopping by Muppet Labs. Kermit reassures that it should all be in working order when they return, and to be sure to stop by the gift shop on the way out – all proceeds go to the continuing process of experimentation that is necessary to bringing safe, fun, thrilling rides to people much like themselves… Oh, just, thanks for stopping by… (Piggy’s voice in the background pleads, “GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!”

The entry building is small. It has a big sign saying ," WESTERN RIVER EXPEDITION in the Red Rock National Park". a Park ranger dressed in late 1800's ranger clothing helps you into the right line . The line would go out of the building and would pass a couple of animal exhibits. The whole area would be adorned with the rocky formations like on Big Thunder Mountain.
Finally the line would lead to the large Ranger building. There you would enter a room where a ranger would brief you on your adventure. He/she would tell about how you would be getting wet, you would see lots of cool animals in the park, and a ranger would always be with you. The line would then continue as the Fastpass and regular riders would meet. Then you would walk onto a revolving platform and get on an expedition boat, a rectangular raft seating 16 people. This would take off on an adventure into the river. You would come across many AA animals on one side of the river with a AA ranger on the other side telling you about them. After about 10 animal exhibits your ranger says goodbye and you go down a small 25foot waterfall.
At the bottom your ranger shows up again and says he thought he heard Indian war cries. Then, as the raft floats around the curve the gigantic wooden elevator system to carry you and you boat back up part of the mountain is in flames and is broken. Indian war cries are heard everywhere and the beerier to prevent boats from floating onward is broken and also in flames. You drift past overturned rafts, everything in flames, broken mills to power the elevator, and an Indian grinning at you until you mysteriously float into a pitch black cave...

To be continued.

I have always thought this should be made into a ride. It was always one of my favorite scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. Don't get me wrong about the stunt show. I always enjoyed it, but I would much rather be a part of the action than just watching it.

And Tim, another update that I will unfortunately have to push my ride release back to Sunday again as a friend as ticket to the Lakers Jazz game, and as I am a huge Jazz fan (they are going all the way you know :D) I couldn't resist. But I am only pushing this forward to maintain the quality of my entry I have planned!

Background- Replacing the old Wonders of Life Pavilion and Body wars motion simulation ride will be an all new roller coaster. The ride will take up the entire Wonder of Life Pavilion dome with an entirely new interior.

Back story- Like the original Body Wars, a breakthrough in medical technology will allow scientists to shrink down to a microscopic size to preform missions within the human body. In this adventure, a patient has recently been infected with an new mutated bacteria which, if spread, could kill millions of people. However, antibiotics would simply allow the bacteria to mutate again into a potentially worse pathogen. So, scientist has enlisted the guests to shrink down to microscopic size in order to retrieve a sample of the bacteria.

Ride- After being told the back story in the queue ,guests enter the ride vehicles which in this case is a B&M Inverted roller coaster car (dangle feet). After entering the ride vehicles, the guests are launched into the ride at 70 mph (being injected into the body). The ride, which features barrel rolls and corkscrews as the ride vehicle passes through the cardiovascular system. Finally, the ride slows as the ride vehicle enters the kidney, the location of the infection. After "taking" samples of the bacteria, the ride vehicle re-accelerates to 60 mph as it "exits" the body and the then is slowed again as the guests are enlarged to normal size.

Anybody figure out what next weeks challenge has to do with??

Type: Log Flume

Building: A giant Glacier that has "rivers" of water going around, up & down and all around and through the building.

Premis: The glacier that Manny, Sid, Diego and the rest of the gang is melting and they need to find another glacier to live on.

This ride takes elements from Ice Age 2, 3, and just annouced for production Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. For example the whole meltdown situation comes from 2 and the dinosaurs from 3 and the drift and vehicles from 4.

Vehicles: Are going to be designed like any other log flume vehicles but are themed to be big pieces of ice.

Ride:

Que: As you enter the attraction the building is cold but there is evident on the ice walls are melting. There is mist and fog forming in areas near the que also there are drips and splashing around the que.

Preshow: The show will have Manny and the gang saying how the glacier they are living on is melting and they need your help to find a new glacier for there herd and others to live on. They will be right behind you following but beware there are dinosaurs that could be following also!

Ride: The ride is a basic log flume scene at most parks. For example there will be many drops culminating with a large 5-6 story drop at the end.

But the theming in mine will make it popout campared to the rest.

The ride will include shadowing on the walls in certain areas showing that Manny and the gang in the ice log behing or next to you and actually talking to you to either to go faster or watch out for something.

Animatronics will be used a lot also. There will be points where when your moving a boat will appear next to you having the gang talking and giving instructions or arguing with each other. They're boat will also get ahead of you and will stop and you will see them on the side of the ride walking and talking. Also the boat in which there in will get ahead of them by secondary tudes going over you usually down there own hills and you can hear them scream and will be very funny.

You will see dinosaurs at first 1 or 2 and will be smaller ones. Then as the ride progresses the dinosaurs will be getting larger, more numerous and dangerous! There will be a very hungry T-Rex trying to get you!

And then to get away from you you go up a large hill and as the saying goes "What goes up must come down!".

Being a fox film I havent decided where or what park to put it in because they have no ties to Universal and Disney. But I think it could fit in Six Flags or in the Canadian Pavillion at EPCOT. I think if you make the top visible and make it look the Canadian Rockies then it could fit

Wok: I like yours the best. Funny, thrilling, and the Muppets.

Amanda: I like the ride, but the stunt show should not be replaced because it's taking away from the actual movie park theme. They need to have some stunt show.

Kevin: While I like the idea of bringing back bodywars, just to have the single ride without cranium command and the other attractions would bring it down for me a little. Cool idea with the launches though.

Dan: I like your idea and it seems fun and enjoyable.

[][][][]IRON MAN[][][][]
[][][][]The Ride[][][][]

------------Transmitting Message-------------

---Message Received---

----------------------New Ride at Islands of Adventure Theme Park in Orlando, Florida.----

[][]LOCATION: Universal Orlando Resort[][]

[][]TYPE: S&S Power 4D Roller Coaster[][]

[][]Description: As you entire the queue line, you are inside of a STARK industries lab. The next part of the building showcases the four different Iron Man suits behind cases. Then you entire into a preshow room, where you find the news Tony Stark has been taken hostage by terrorists.

When you exit the preshow, you enter into a dark tunnel just barely lit with lamps. As you wind your way through a short series of tunnels, you enter Tony Stark's large cave cell where all sorts of his equipment is lying abandoned. The ride station is just within. Ahandful of video cameras are hanging above, showing a message from Tony Stark stating that you must board the vehicles to help him escape.

Once riders board the unique 4D coaster cars, they are swept into a dark tunnel. Rounding the corner, riders can see the scene from the first movie when Tony Stark is inside of his first prototype Iron Man suit and kills the terrorists inside of the tunnel before going outside. Animatronic, light, fire, smoke, and other effects bring this scene to life. Once riders depart this scene, still inside, the ride comes to an abrupt halt when the terrorist leader blocks the exit and launches a missile, barely missing of course, at the riders, simulated through fire and smoke effects.

After being stopped, the ride begins to go backwards as all other 4D coasters start out and begins to climb a 190 foot lift hill, crossing over the road behind IOA and into the land Universal has het to use. After climbing the lift hill, music and sound effects pumping all the way up through speakers in the riders' seats, the ride layout continues in the same layout of X2 at SFMM, including the same fire effect towards the end.

Traveling slowly along the ride end brakers, riders are thanked for their help by an amazing animatronic Iron Man before exiting the ride and running into the shop outside to get their pictures!

It is a unique, realistic, and unforgetable ride experience that would fit perfectly into Marvel Superhero Island at IOA.[][][]

[][][][][] FACTS [][][][][]

----HEIGHT: 190 ft
----FIRST DROP: 200 ft
----SPEED: 72 mph
----INVERSIONS: 4
----LENGTH: 4980 ft
----RIDE TIME: 3:30

[][][][]ENDING TRANSMISSION[][][][]

---Transmission ended---

Interesting that you planned something for Marvel Superhero Island, Nick...

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing your ride in a theme park!

Anthony: I think this is exactly what DHS needs. The theme works great and love the bucket ride vehicles.

Wok: I thoroughly enjoyed your Castaway mountain as well as Soarin over muppet mountain. I actually preferred Castaway mountain due to its originality, i believe it would fit great in any adventureland! The muppet coaster sounded very comedic and would attract many children and families, which is needed.

Amanda: Another one of my favorites. I liked that you changed up the concept of an Indiana Jones coaster. I really think this is needed as well for DHS!

Kevin: I enjoyed the concept, however I've heard it before. Not sure if you know, but its a never built ride for the pavillion. But, its one of my favorite never built rides, and could bring the Wonders of life back to wonder. The story is new though and I liked it very much. And I as well would enjoy bringing cranium command back!

Dan: Really, another great log flume ride! I've got no complaints except for that im not very fond of the movie.

Nick: Another great concept! Very immersive ride and i'd love to ride it!! Robert Downy Jr. is a genius and looking forward to going to see Iron Man 2. Great concept, great story, and great effects! My favorite of the week!!!

I'd like to remind everyone to stay tuned into the competition because it will be you voting on the winner along with yours truly. The winner will not be determined by a poll and my own personal prefference, but my own vote and your votes=7 votes. Thanks everyone for participating so far.

The elimation will be tomorrow along with the new challenge for a 3D show to be in the imagination theater.

Challenge 5: 3D Show
Challenge 6: Hotel
Challenge 7: Themed Land
Challenge 8: Theme Park

The rest of the details for challenge 5 will be posted today. There are a few things im asking of you guys.

I've submitted challenge 5, so you can view the challenge this afternoon when i will be making the announcement for who will be fired.

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