Can we get Screamin' up to capacity please?

[DisneyMickey]

I think Screamin' is my favorite roller coaster at DLR. I have a few questions though. Maybe there are some cast members out there who work Screamin' and understand its daily operation more than I do. I was at DCA a few weekends ago and went again this pervious Sunday. Both weekends were noticably busy. The wait times for Screamin' were soaring above the 45 minute wait all the way to something like 70 minutes. I was looking around noticing that the ride was only runnning three trains both times I went. Yes, that first Sunday I observed this the ride was understaffed, but not this last Sunday. From what I understand correctly is that the entire ride can handle up to six trains. Six trains with twelve rows-that's a lot to help keep those staggering wait times down. Why is it that Screamin' never seems to run up to five or six trains on the track during busy days anymore? The ride seemed to have enough staff, why don't they run the ride with maximum capacity the way it is designed to so they could keep those wait times down? I have been there on empty weekdays when they were running four to five trains(no line at all), and now, all the sudden, they only run three trains on busy weekends?? Can anyone out there answer my questions? It would be very appreciated .

[Ghostbuster626]

IMO they should tear down Screamin and replace it with a REAL Disney Calibur E-Ticket

[testtrack321]

Take it for what it's worth, observations, but from what I have read and heard, the launch track overheats way to fast under the sun, even the water added dosn't help. So before another train can go, the magnets need to cool down, thus, only 3 trains. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[DznyVan]

No matter how quiet it is there, they always want to see a line...

Makes them FEEL busy, I guess???

[figment1986]

I thougt 2 trains were broke... and budget is limiting on repairs..

(and can't they fix the cooling solution by now???)

[cfparkmanager]

I think Screamin' is my favorite roller coaster at DLR. I have a few questions though. Maybe there are some cast members out there who work Screamin' and understand its daily operation more than I do. I was at DCA a few weekends ago and went again this pervious Sunday. Both weekends were noticably busy. The wait times for Screamin' were soaring above the 45 minute wait all the way to something like 70 minutes. I was looking around noticing that the ride was only runnning three trains both times I went. Yes, that first Sunday I observed this the ride was understaffed, but not this last Sunday. From what I understand correctly is that the entire ride can handle up to six trains. Six trains with twelve rows-that's a lot to help keep those staggering wait times down. Why is it that Screamin' never seems to run up to five or six trains on the track during busy days anymore? The ride seemed to have enough staff, why don't they run the ride with maximum capacity the way it is designed to so they could keep those wait times down? I have been there on empty weekdays when they were running four to five trains(no line at all), and now, all the sudden, they only run three trains on busy weekends?? Can anyone out there answer my questions? It would be very appreciated .

To the best of my knowledge California Screamin' was designed for six train operation with eleven separate blocks not including those on the transfer track or car barn.

I've seen the coaster operate with five trains, but it has been a few years. Rumors stated that six train operation was never finalized due to computer problems, but I'd guess they could've been resolved. It likely they never bothered to get to six train operation due to the LIM's which I'll get into shortly.

Lately, three train operation sadly seems to be the norm which does not require the dual station loading or unloading. This is a 6,000 foot coaster. I think the only reason it gets staffed for the dual station is to give off the appearance that they're operating at maximum capacity.

It is very likely that the Linear Induction Motors are the real culprit behind all of the problems. Overheating is always an issue with these devices. The cold water will help, but only too a point. Screamin' does sit in the sun and that presents more problems for LIMs.

[figment1986]

Why havn't they worked with intimin on new technology for the LIMs???

It is how old.... granted this is disney's first in the sun... (others being indoors..) but their has to be something out there now to get the operation up to the 5/6 trains.... (and they are wasting money sytaffing duo loading stations for three trains....

[Guest]

Why not perhaps block some sun from the launch area? Maybe some sort of overhang or partial one at least. It really is a frustrating dissapointment when a ride is not being used to its full designed potential. A 70 min line in DCA is simply unacceptable. They need to have this taken care of by summer. What can we do? Anyone in a City Hall complainin' mood? ;-)

FF

[revol yensid]

I am sensing six-flags-esque operation here...

[HarajukuBoy]

I agree, the capacity has so much potential. Let's hope when DCA becomes a busier park, they can have it running full capacity. My guess is most likely budget prevents them from operating all trains. They may have staff to work the ride, but maintenance might not be up to par on all the trains. Let's just hope they don't start scrapping the trains for parts like Six Flags.

[DisneyMickey]

I thougt 2 trains were broke... and budget is limiting on repairs..

(and can't they fix the cooling solution by now???)

No, the Sunday I went they had the green, purple, and blue operating. The following Sunday I went, they had green, red, and orange operating. However, I haven't seen yellow in a while.

And to add to the comment on wasting money on staffing both sides, they should definatly keep staff for both sides because the line moves much more faster. When they have both sides open, it seems to take in more people faster. Example: They have the green train on the left side loading. Just as the green train is about to leave the station, the orange one pulls in on the right. The green train departs and the CM's can pull more people from the line to get ready to load the incoming red train(on the left side of the station). By this time, the orange train has unloaded and is beginning to load. Right as the orange train is about to leave on the right side, the red train pulls into the left side and begins to unload. At that time, the orange train pulls out of the station. By the time the orange and red have departed, the station is completely free on either side. My friend likes to say that can really pump people and trains in and out faster when they run both sides of the load/unload station. And if you watching the launch when they have both sides running, the trains do come out from the station much faster.

I was actually un-aware of the overheating issues. That interesting...sort of. Can this be dangerous though?

[cfparkmanager]

Let's hope when DCA becomes a busier park, they can have it running full capacity. My guess is most likely budget prevents them from operating all trains. They may have staff to work the ride, but maintenance might not be up to par on all the trains. Let's just hope they don't start scrapping the trains for parts like Six Flags.

Absolutely, untrue. Have you been reading this thread?

Screamin' has a maintenance budget that covers the maintenance of the ride's 7 trains. Disney has not with their roller coasters shown any history like Six Flags. Instead, they typically have one extra train to rehab to ensure that they can still run that ride at maximum capacity at any given time.

Six Flags is a very different company that doesn't operate like Disney.

The problem with Screamin' has nothing to do with the trains. That is one part of this roller coaster that has been a flat out success, except for the onboard sound systems. They're very well designed to keep up with Disney's demands for a high capacity attraction.

[cfparkmanager]

No, the Sunday I went they had the green, purple, and blue operating. The following Sunday I went, they had green, red, and orange operating. However, I haven't seen yellow in a while.

And to add to the comment on wasting money on staffing both sides, they should definatly keep staff for both sides because the line moves much more faster. When they have both sides open, it seems to take in more people faster. Example: They have the green train on the left side loading. Just as the green train is about to leave the station, the orange one pulls in on the right. The green train departs and the CM's can pull more people from the line to get ready to load the incoming red train(on the left side of the station). By this time, the orange train has unloaded and is beginning to load. Right as the orange train is about to leave on the right side, the red train pulls into the left side and begins to unload. At that time, the orange train pulls out of the station. By the time the orange and red have departed, the station is completely free on either side. My friend likes to say that can really pump people and trains in and out faster when they run both sides of the load/unload station. And if you watching the launch when they have both sides running, the trains do come out from the station much faster.

I was actually un-aware of the overheating issues. That interesting...sort of. Can this be dangerous though?

It doesn't move any more people through the line any faster. That makes no sense, since you can only move as many people through the line as you can dispatch trains.

There isn't a stacking issue on Screamin' with three train operation with only one side open, unless there is a major passenger issue which is uncommon since there are no seat belts on this attraction. I've seen 4-train operation on this ride with only one side and only then did they have some minor stacking of the trains, but rarely more than one deep on the brake run. A very slow handicap rider transfering from wheel chair to train or vice versa is about the only thing that slows down a train dispatch to cause the ride to stack with three train operation and only one side. If the trains are not stacking then the ride is operating at maximum capacity for the number of trains on the circuit.

Your impression of a faster moving line is merly a perception, but in reality is it isn't faster.

The number one problem with California Screamin and the long lines right now is: FastPass.

Under the current operating conditions FastPass for this attraction should just be turned off. EVERYONE would benefit with a reasonable line for California Screamin' with no FastPass. By my estimates the stand-by line would be 20 minutes or less the majority of the time on busy days and RARELY reach 30 minutes. At many times during the day the line would be non-existent or under 10 minutes. Presently, you either (if you can) get a FastPass valid in a couple of hours or longer or opt to stand in a 45-70 minute Stand-By line. A 20-minute line is a short wait for a long ride like Screamin. In the end EVERYONE would be better off if Disney would wisely SHUT OFF FastPass on Screamin' until they can get the ride operating at or near capacity.

I thought FastPass was seeing its way out on more attractions. It's a shame they're not more aggressive in taking it out since I think it's making the problem with Screamin' even worse. If you can't get rid of it how about reduce the hours for FastPass to Noon to 6 p.m. and have a free-for-all opening until Noon and after 6 p.m.

[dlrfanatic]

from what i heard from a friend who works nearby the reason they are only running 3 of the 7 trains as of late is because they are making some sort of modifications to the trains. why they are doing this while dca is getting slammed cause of spring break/the 2fer is beyond me. 5 trains is the norm for very high capacity (around 2000+) and i believe it is capable of running with 6 trains.

[dlrfanatic]

The number one problem with California Screamin and the long lines right now is: FastPass.

Under the current operating conditions FastPass for this attraction should just be turned off. EVERYONE would benefit with a reasonable line for California Screamin' with no FastPass. By my estimates the stand-by line would be 20 minutes or less the majority of the time on busy days and RARELY reach 30 minutes. At many times during the day the line would be non-existent or under 10 minutes. Presently, you either (if you can) get a FastPass valid in a couple of hours or longer or opt to stand in a 45-70 minute Stand-By line. A 20-minute line is a short wait for a long ride like Screamin. In the end EVERYONE would be better off if Disney would wisely SHUT OFF FastPass on Screamin' until they can get the ride operating at or near capacity.

I thought FastPass was seeing its way out on more attractions. It's a shame they're not more aggressive in taking it out since I think it's making the problem with Screamin' even worse. If you can't get rid of it how about reduce the hours for FastPass to Noon to 6 p.m. and have a free-for-all opening until Noon and after 6 p.m.

Without fastpass california screamin's line would move EXTREMELY quickly since it is a very high capacity attraction. Yes the line would be pretty much always under 30 minutes, however the problem is that the current queue could only handle like 15 minutes of a line without fastpass and the line would stretch out to catch a flave and still be 25 minutes.

[CoasterMatt]

I'll refrain from making my usual "You get what you pay for" remarks- especially with my dear friends at Intamin - oh wait, I guess I didn't.

The trains on Screamin' have done quite well, for now, but we'll see how long that lasts.

The launch system (not the upper slow crawl system) was built without proper cooling for the ambient temperatures that occur (whether or not the ride is in the sun).
Add to this, Disney's desire to launch rather frequently, and you've got a recipe for overheat - don't worry all you sissies and worrywarts, it's nothing dangerous- just annoying as it shuts the ride down. They have tried stopgap methods, but so far they've only been marginally effective.

[Importance]

Well, if Disney had built a more thematically appropriate real wooden coaster with a chain-driven lift hill for Paradise Pier, they wouldn't be having this problem. They would also be free to build a LIM coaster elsewhere in the park, perhaps an indoor one.

[testtrack321]

Why havn't they worked with intimin on new technology for the LIMs???

It is how old.... granted this is disney's first in the sun... (others being indoors..) but their has to be something out there now to get the operation up to the 5/6 trains.... (and they are wasting money sytaffing duo loading stations for three trains....

They *could* install hydrolic launch like on TTD, but there is not enough room for it and the amount of money it would take would be huge.

[dshimel]

The problem with Screamin' has nothing to do with the trains. That is one part of this roller coaster that has been a flat out success, except for the onboard sound systems. They're very well designed to keep up with Disney's demands for a high capacity attraction.

So, what is the problem?

Overheating LIMs? I've seen it run with 5 and 6 trains in the past without overheating (after the sprinklers were added).

A couple years ago I heard they were having problems with micro-cracks in the structure that had to be welded up... Are those coming back and they need to run low capacity to catch up?

Or, does Disney just not want guests finishing all DCA's rides that people actually want to ride, in 2 hours? Drop capacity, lines get longer, takes longer to ride, suddenly it is a 5 hour park instead of a 3 hour park... Walkways look busier...

[Disneyfreak]

Maintenance is the issue because the ride has not ever had a refurbishment. It needs one soon and that is the reason why all the trains are not running along with the LIM problem. If you notice, even the launch area is all rusted and the track needs painting. Also the ride is not as smooth as it used to be due to the cars needing repair along with the track.