Why does TOT not..

[Ryguy7]

Hey everyone,
I read that TOT has basically the same ride concept as California - and by that I mean not transfer from one shaft to another (some people call it moving into the third dimension or something).

That's always been my favorite part of Florida's ride and I thought Tokyo would do that too but reading the reviews it sounds like they don't.

Anyone know why they omitted that part? It can't be a money issue with OLC..umm, can it?
RY

[Speedway]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I personally could not imagine a Tower without the 5th dimension, as I've only experienced Florida's. Therefore, riding California's, Tokyo's, and soon Paris', I would certainly feel the ride was slightly empty.

To answer your question, I think it was more a case of ride logisitics and re-programming the stubborn new California system that was created from scratch instead of just re-modifying Florida's.

[DisneyMickey]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Maybe the fifth dimension room and the mechanincs that moved the elevator forward was too problematic? Or maybe it is a case of hourly capacity. The newer program might allow more shafts and elevators to be operating at once rather than just two. But that's just my guess.

[aimster]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Well, they call the 5th dimension the "Twilight Zone" and since the Japanese are not familiar with that TV show, they ommitted the whole Twilight Zone theme from their version... what with the entirely new storyline and all.

[Walt Jr.]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I believe the reason is that the japanese don't have the twiligh zone series in their country.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I personally do not care to take a guess on why the Imagineers designed this (and DCA's and WDSP's) tower without a 5th dimension room, but I honestly believe that having the load and preshow queue areas in front of the elevator shafts, and a dual floor boarding platform, as opposed to MGM's TOT having the queue *behind* the elevator shafts may have had something to do with that. That is probably why the elevator ride at DCA/TDS/WDSP begins with the elevator moving backwards, with no forward motion as is with MGM's case.

[lazyboy97O]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Well, they call the 5th dimension the "Twilight Zone" and since the Japanese are not familiar with that TV show, they ommitted the whole Twilight Zone theme from their version... what with the entirely new storyline and all.

I believe the reason is that the japanese don't have the twiligh zone series in their country.

He wasn't asking about the lack of the Twilight Zone, but the lack of the elevator moving forwards. Many credited DCA's as lacking this feature because of budget cuts to the project.


From what I understand the 5th Dimension's omission was due to it simply being a pain in the butt to operate. It is supposedly the number one cause of downtown for the Florida tower. However, not being a frequent visitor to WDW I don't know exactly how much downtown that could be.

[Aladdin]

Re: Why does TOT not..

At WDW, after the final drop, the elevator also turns 90º
to let you out a different direction, than you came in!!!
This isn't talked about too much, BUT it really adds to the
effect, that you end up somewhere else after being in the
elevator. I didn't know this when I was on ToT, and it
really surprised me.

I really dislike ToT at DCA, because it does neither, AND
because the service elevator door at DCA, isn't the
elevator door at all, you walk thru a hallway to get
to the elevator. When you get out of the elevator,
you exit the elevator, and just follow the hallway out.
Really a lame way to exit. WDW ToT is MUCH better
designed.

[AlexLoup]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I really dislike ToT at DCA...WDW ToT is MUCH better
designed.

Can we not do this?

Each version has their pros and cons, I have just gotten out of a lovely fight on this on another site.

We can all agree to disagree.

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Can we not do this?

Each version has their pros and cons, I have just gotten out of a lovely fight on this on another site.

We can all agree to disagree.

Agreed. Personally, I have no preference over which is better. There are elements which DCA does better, and there are elements which I like better in MGM's version. Same goes for Tokyo, though it surpasses many elements in both American version.

[flynnibus]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Hey everyone,
I read that TOT has basically the same ride concept as California - and by that I mean not transfer from one shaft to another (some people call it moving into the third dimension or something).

That's always been my favorite part of Florida's ride and I thought Tokyo would do that too but reading the reviews it sounds like they don't.

Anyone know why they omitted that part? It can't be a money issue with OLC..umm, can it?
RY

I guess call it 'rev 2' since none of the newer towers do it. For efficency, reliability, etc? Who knows.. only the designers could validate. But obviously its considered a 'better' overall design because its the standard now.

And its the MGM one that goes up to an 'intermidiate' horizontal path between the loading areas and the thrill portion of the ride. There is a link on this site somewhere to an excellent page that describes the ride in detail, including drawings and illustrations of how the ride operates. I can't seem to find it right now, hopefully someone will chime in with a link

[TDLFAN]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Can we not do this?

Each version has their pros and cons, I have just gotten out of a lovely fight on this on another site.

We can all agree to disagree.

Here! Here! I too feel that way as well as I have no preference of one TOT over the next. However... can I still say TDR soars above WDW's lacking quality?? Please??

[Redsix]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I posted this question in DLR thread about the 5th dimension room and its absence from the one at DCA and all I got is bunch of responces that it is so much better with out it. I think the one at WDW is a one-of-akind attraction just like HM and POTC at the DLR. You can copy the original but you can not duplicate the original to a exact copy. Sure DCA has a few effects that are different but as I remember there were huge budget cuts and the people at WDI felt the 5th dimension room never really worked right or fit in. WDW has the attraction that LEAD them all to where they are today. It is a Awesome Attraction!

[Tom319]

Re: Why does TOT not..

It seems like the WDW version also takes up a little bit more land which also might have something to do with it.

[Disney Analyst]

Re: Why does TOT not..

As I've said, the 5th demension room doesnt add or detract from the ride.. your just rolling through a minimally themed room, knowing exactly where the drop is.

[flynnibus]

Re: Why does TOT not..

Isn't it when you first go into the 5th dimension that you get the effect of the breaking window and then you move forward?

I think that and all the lightning effects in there certainly add to the ride. Does the physical transfer between the shafts add to it? No.. but what you see as you start it and through it do.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Why does TOT not..

The only purpose of the 5th dimension room was to position the elevator into the shaft and also to see your own photo prejected in the huge eye you see in that scene. Sadly, the personalized photo in the eye effect was terminated long long ago and a generic photo now graces that eye... Personally, this is what I think of the 5th dimension room: OVERRATED. Adds nothing but more time to the ride.

[DizneeFanatico]

Re: Why does TOT not..

^Keeping with that theme, I read an Imagineering article (somewhere, can't exactly remember for the life of me) that details the Imagineers strong dislike toward the 5th dimension room. They always thought it was a very cumbersome transition from one shaft to the next and feel that the more recent, one-shaft ride system is far superior to the original. So Imagineers actually prefer the ride experience in the new towers. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and/or can locate that article, that would be much appreciated.

[HeyBaloo]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I read somewhere on Miceage that the reason for not including the other dimension room was that it takes quite a bit more electricity ie:money, to move the elevator cabs horizontally. But having said that the DCA version is much smoother and the drops seem faster, plus I don't like the way you see sunlight through the door in the FL version just before the drop. Not that I don't like the FL version, the boiler room is way better and the hotel lobby is darker, dustier and more authentic.

[barfownz]

Re: Why does TOT not..

I guess its only exclusive to Florida.