Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Almost Had Personal Item Lockers 25 Years Ago!
With the announcement today that the TRON Lightcycle Run will have personal storage lockers where guests will have to store their personal items while riding the attraction, reactions have come pouring in.
While some are thrilled that the new system will be a safe place for their belongs, others are concerned about the logistics of where the lockers will be. Still others are wondering if the system will increase wait times.
Photo: Disney
Although other theme parks attractions, including Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Run, have already implemented similar systems, the closest Disney World has come to personal lockers is on Flight of Passage and the optional Kali River Rapids lockers.
What’s Old Is New
Interestingly enough however, according to former Imagineer Jim Shull, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster almost got a locker system nearly 25 years ago!
Rock n Roller Coaster nearly had a locker system like the system proposed for TRON. It was rejected because WDW didn’t want to except responsibility for locker maintenance or guests using the lockers as all day storage. #WDW #TRON
— Jim Shull (@JimShull) January 9, 2023
Shull goes on to explain that the storage cart option was eventually rejected because Walt Disney World didn’t want responsibility or lost, damaged, or stolen guest property.
Lessons From Shanghai
At Shanghai Disneyland, guests put their belongs in a storage cart that is located inside the attraction queue. The cart is then moved to the attraction’s unload area where guests collect their belongs.
TRON Lightcycle Run actually opened with stationary lockers that guests put their belongings into, before entering the queue. This system proved unpopular with guests, and was eventually replaced.
Photo: Disney.
Interestingly, Shull notes that the current cart system was proposed for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster when the attraction opened. Unfortunately, Imagineers were told that Walt Disney World would “never accept this system”.
Photo: Disney
It looks like after 25 years, park management has finally changed their mind. It will be fascinating to see how the new system is implanted! If things go well, I wonder if we will start to see something similar at other attractions.
Are in favor of this new locker system? Or do you have your own reservations about the process? Let me know below.
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