The History of Disney's Trackless Ride Vehicles

Today we explore the history of Disney's trackless dark technology. Iterations of this technology have been around for decades and even today it's still a rare opportunity to ride a trackless attraction.

Innoventions is in consideration as a new series where ReviewTyme focuses on ride technology old and new to provide further insight into the theme park industry. If you enjoy this concept, please let us know!

[ReviewTyme]

We're glad that this video has sparked a lot of discussions! We'd just like to clarify that we don't dislike Luigi's and Ratatouille, but we believe that they don't utilise the trackless ride technology to it's fullest potential like Mystic Manor or Pooh's Hunny Hunt. - Dom

[TheyThemItalian]

2 years later, Florida has two trackless systems like this, in Hollywood Studios. Rise of the Resistance and Mickey&Minnie's were two of the most impressive rides I've experienced at Disney

[ebk]

We honestly need to get Mystic Manor in both of Disney’s US parks. It’s so awesome!

[CarlosAmigos]

I love the ride system itself, and I agree with you that Mystic Manor and Pooh's Hunny Hunt are the best examples of how you must implement a TRS. I've never been on those unfortunetly, but I've been on Ratatouille, and oh boy, what a shame that they didn't go all out with the system. Don't get me wrong, it's a great ride, but most of the time It's riding from screen to screen, and the effects are a bit... anti-climax.
Love your video's!

[orangeziggy]

Dominic, I'm enjoying your reviews and your voice. As a child at DisneyWorld Florida between 1984-1989, I loved the fun of the "boats" that travelled through the waterways and wished that all rides used the waterway theme. I have not yet gone back but I am looking forward to it.

[Greenkai]

How to do Disney attractions right...let OLC foot the bill

[daviyen]

Luigi's is brilliant. They had a lot of space constraints after the tire debacle.

[nikdavies]

I loved Aquatopia, we rode it so many times as we wanted to be able to pass through this section with a waterfall. It's one of the most perfect uses of this technology imo and it's great to have outdoor uses of it.

[aidenmontgomery]

Watching your videos always brings a smile to my face and makes my day. Do you think once Star Wars Land comes out you’ll do a review video including the building process and opinions of the finished product? Keep up the great work man!

[disney]

I feel like you criticized Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters unfairly. It was a desperate replacement of it's previous opening-day ride, Luigi's Dancing Tires because that one was so poorly-received for the guest that experienced it, complaining it was too slow and the tires themselves that they rode on didn't move in the direction that they wanted properly. So they had to replacement it with something better. I mean, Roadsters is about Luigi having his whole family from his home city of Carsoli in Italy to Radiator Springs for a reunion and throwing a dancing celebration. So all his family members that the guests ride on just dance to one of the Cars-style revisions of famous Italian songs in sync. They rock and spin 360 degrees to each one of the songs. It's also a much tamer ride for kids compared to Carsland's Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and especially it's signature high-speed E-ticket ride, Radiator Springs Racers. So what were you expecting from it?

[kentokyo]

Great video!!!
I love trackless ride but over time, they leave marks on the floor and you can sort of see where it goes.

I think they need to repaint the floor every few years.

[robinkomin]

I really love your video’s, but it almost sounds like you haven’t had a chance to ride Ratatouille. I truly believe this is one of the few rides that benefits from screens and a trackless ride system. Usually I’m not a fan of screens (feels bland) and trackless rides (most feel empty if done poorly). But in Paris it allows the guest shrink down to the size of a rat thanks to the giagantic screens and every vehicle is well positioned due to the TRS, everyone has a front row seat!

[garthellefson]

Great video! First time I've seen your channel - very well done! I just subscribed and am preparing to binge...

[kingposeidon]

I've never had the chance to experience the contemporary trackless dark ride, except for Empire of the Penguin at Seaworld. That ride is quite underwhelming, but what it does do well, is utilize the trackless dark ride to make the ride longer. In a limited space, it backtracks and shows you new scenes, as well as dances along with other cars like in Pooh.

I'm excited to see how Disney utilizes this in Rise of the Resistance. I've also heard rumors that Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will utilize this technology as well. Starting off connected like a train, I've heard that the cars will split up down the line and engage in their own courses. Hopefully this is the case.

[quintenvaneijk]

I don't really agree with the criticism on Ratatouille. While the ride does primarily focus on the use of screens it is absolutely not a bad ride. The advanced motion vehicles allow for some really spontaneous movement. I don't agree with you saying that there is a "lack of any real utilisation of the trackless darkride technology" -- the trackless darkride technology on Ratatouille is actually used to it's fullest potential allowing the seating to tilt allowing for more dynamic movements, which fully immerse you into the screens. You can actually really feel the movements on the screen in your trackless vehicle. I think Ratatouille should be perceived as a trackless simulator darkride as POVs really don't do justice to the ride's advanced movement system. To conclude, I don't look at Ratatouille as "an excuse by Disney to use the trackless darkride system" I look at it as an experiment of Disney providing simulator-like elements to a trackless darkride. (And in my opinion this experiment has paid off quite well.
This comment is not meant to demotivate you. I really love your vids, I just didn't quite get the criticism on Ratatouille. It was after all a fun and entertaining video like always :)

[RanHam]

A little correction to your video. In the beginning you said that wire guided vehicles used magnets, that is incorrect. The wire in the floor produces a magnetic field radiating from the wire and a specialized antenna on the ride vehicle is able to locate the origin of the magnetic field. A little bit of a shameless plug, if you search on youtube "Inductive Guided Robot" I posted a video of a small scale example of Inductive Guidance and explain in depth how it works.

[OfficialRuben]

I loved this video!
It's great to see how ride systems have advanced in the years. I went on ratatouille and I think it could be much better, but unfortunately there are too many screens..
I can't wait to Hong Kong disneyland to experience Mystic manor. i hope it will blow my mind :D
Also maybe a suggestion for a new HistoryTyme video. What about animatronics? they just announced the new A1000 animatronic wich will be used in galaxy's edge. i would love too see a video about that with some more additional information :D

[ingonyama]

I'm reminded of a European attraction called Symbolica, which I believe uses similar technology. It's pretty mind-blowing in its potential applications.

[joeyhouben]

The trackless ride is made by ETF, and is founded in the very south of Netherlands in a very small town called Nederweert (a few kilometres from my home)… 😅

[ththrilldmn]

How could you forget the first trackless in America at SeaWorld Orlando? That was the big breakthrough of trackless technology that brought it into the mainstream market for use.