Disney's New Swing-Pendulum Ride Patent

Share:

Let the rumours begin for what this could be for!

We're quite far off time-wise from many of Disney's announced rides, so could this mechanism be for one of those planned rides? Or for something different altogether?
Proposed Design
One goal in designing the ride system was to deliver an experience similar to what it would feel like to be with Tarzan or a similar character swinging between trees of a jungle on a vine or with Spider-Man or a similar character swinging on webs between buildings as you move down streets of a city. [The ride is] intended to have swinging sensation provided while also having forward travel along a ride path in a direction of travel and for the swinging sensation to feel thrilling and fun.
There's been speculation from Theme Park Insider that this patent could be for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride, or for a new attraction based around the Marvel characters. We do not expect it to be for the Guardians ride at EPCOT, as this vehicle is just too massive for what we've heard about that plan. The patent does mention Spider-Man, and California is allowed to use these characters for rides in the Disney park, while Orlando's right to Marvel characters within theme parks are with Universal Studios. But mentioning the name Spider-Man in the patent may count it out.
An extreme version of the Arrow suspended coaster, but adapted for dark ride elements. It seems that a track without large elevation changes will utilize these vehicles best. Will it be considered a "coaster?" 
The Gaurdians of the Galaxy ride also mentions tunnels to get to a main show area that is 10 stories tall. The tunnels would have to be that much more enormous to have these large vehicles travel through, and I do not believe a 100-foot elevation change is something that is needed to create thrill with this ride vehicle. Ratatouille is another ride in EPCOT that is in the planning stages, and France does have a lot of space behind the showcase for something large. Maybe we'll be a mouse jumping around an area on these vehicles.
A system like this can utilize a low-ceiling building very effectively!
Star Wars is also opening, this ride is able to fly near "mountains" and create near-misses for the riders if Disney wanted to. 
Example of a Layout.
The patent states the movement of the swings also could be controlled where the arm could be slower at the top of a roll to simulate a pause before swinging downward quickly, speeding up as it reaches the bottom-most part of the swing to simulate natural movements. -bizjournals
This statement from the Patent also makes the ride seem like it would be perfect for a star-wars based flying ride, but for now, we'll just have to wait and see! Your thoughts?

No comments

No spam or outside links unless they pertain to the article or add to the discussion.