August 15, 201313 yr Hello there! I apparently registered on here a few years ago but never posted. I was watching Taft's 1972 Kings Island construction video and noticed that they specified "two high-speed elevators" for the Tower. I'm assuming that this was never actually carried out? Also, when did the lower observation deck close, and was it a direct result of the legendary fatality involving the elevator?
August 15, 201313 yr There are definitely two elevators...and at that time they probably were "high speed". Still are in some cases.
August 15, 201313 yr There are indeed two elevators in the Eiffel Tower. The second one (left door as viewed from the queue), which goes to the 265' platform, is not used except on busy days such as Saturdays when the right elevator and 275' platform are not able to handle the crowds. I have also seen it in use once during a steady rain, as the 265' platform has a ceiling (the floor of the 275' platform immediately above) and thereby has protection from the rain.
August 15, 201313 yr The 50 foot platform has not been reopened, to my knowledge, since the tragedy. The reason it is not open to guests has very little to do with the fatality. More to do with ADA, staffing, etc. Also, it currently houses electrical equiptment for things such as lighting etc.
August 15, 201313 yr The current elevators are not the originals. I can assure you that in 1972, they were high speed elevators. They went much, much faster than they typically do today. I have always been told the lowest observation deck closed due to guest misbehavior.
August 15, 201313 yr Author There are definitely two elevators...and at that time they probably were "high speed". Still are in some cases. Good to know, thank you. I'm not sure if I've ever seen both in use at the same time.
August 15, 201313 yr I heard the elevators were last updated around 2005? Originally they were Montgomery elevators and I'm pretty sure they still are.
August 15, 201313 yr Hmm...now that I got my girlfriend registered on here maybe she will have more answers than I do on this matter
August 15, 201313 yr Hmm...now that I got my girlfriend registered on here maybe she will have more answers than I do on this matter What's her username?
August 15, 201313 yr The 50 foot platform has not been reopened, to my knowledge, since the tragedy. The reason it is not open to guests has very little to do with the fatality. More to do with ADA, staffing, etc. Also, it currently houses electrical equiptment for things such as lighting etc. I know it was not the tragedy that happens, cause I used to walk up to the 50 foot platform when I was a younger, from the late 80s to the early 90's. I'm sure ADA had a lot to do with it!
August 16, 201313 yr 50 feet is five stories. Nowadays, many Americans couldn't safely climb five stories of stairs. It's not 1972 anymore. See also Demon aka Screamin' Demon or the old giant slide.
August 16, 201313 yr Yet people still climb 6 stories of stairs to ride Mondo Monsoon. (ProSlide Tornado)
August 16, 201313 yr The people who couldn't without being winded often self-select themselves out of waterparks.
August 16, 201313 yr Author I have a lot of respect for whatever unlucky employee has to climb the spiral staircase up to that one section of track on Diamondback...
August 16, 201313 yr I have a lot of respect for whatever unlucky employee has to climb the spiral staircase up to that one section of track on Diamondback... It's not fun, as we generally had to run up the staircase. Talk about being dizzy!
August 16, 201313 yr Lol, yup, block checks Same on raptor, it suuucks, mantis wasn't too bad as it's actually pretty low Another + of Arrow, the computer's block check can all be controlled by the control panel, the only enables outside of that are the dispatch enable, lift enable/reset, and transfer panel. None of this running around block check nonsense Intamin block checks however though, eeeaasssyyy, computer practically does everything.
August 17, 201313 yr Wasn't for block checks, but to let guests know that we'd get them moving shortly or evacuating. Thankfully our block checks were all computer programmed!
August 17, 201313 yr I remember when I was a litter getter starting back in 1972, the employee that had the area beneath the tower had to climb up to the 50 ft level to clean it. I loved going up to the top level to enjoy the view, but you had a workout climbing the stairs.
August 17, 201313 yr Personally, I think the 50 foot level could be enclosed and turned into a sit down restaurant with elevator access from either or both elevators. The views of the park would be incredible.
August 17, 201313 yr Currently neither elevator can access the 50ft, many modifications would be necessary Also lucky bugger...block checks were all manual for many rides at cp
August 18, 201313 yr Currently neither elevator can access the 50ft, many modifications would be necessary Also lucky bugger...block checks were all manual for many rides at cp Agreed....but placing a restaurant there could be done with the modifications as you stated....There wouldn't be room for a kitchen, so that would have to be at ground level with cart delivery to the platform (via the modified elevator system), and because there would be a view with limited seating, it could be by reservation only. The cuisine could be fine dining with a wine list, French cuisine perhaps. With a little imagination the park could have a real money generator.
August 18, 201313 yr Currently neither elevator can access the 50ft, many modifications would be necessary Also lucky bugger...block checks were all manual for many rides at cp Agreed....but placing a restaurant there could be done with the modifications as you stated....There wouldn't be room for a kitchen, so that would have to be at ground level with cart delivery to the platform (via the modified elevator system), and because there would be a view with limited seating, it could be by reservation only. The cuisine could be fine dining with a wine list, French cuisine perhaps. With a little imagination the park could have a real money generator. If memory serves me, when The international restaurant was in full operation, wasn't it a Fancy shmancy sit down, reservation type atmosphere? That would tell me that it's been done before and it didn't work..
August 18, 201313 yr Do they really invite random people to come up to the International restaurant to watch the fireworks and eat pizza? My wife to this day wonders how we have yet to be asked? I could care some but I am curious?
August 18, 201313 yr Yeah I have never heard that but I'm at the park on average twice a week and have never been ask.
August 18, 201313 yr Yeah for the park to invest that much into the tower and get everything setup and ready for operations meanwhile cutting operations of the tower down by having another stop on the way. It's a cool idea but I don't ever see it happening again. Now that maint has practically taken over that deck I doubt it will ever be used again.. Also potential off season tour location boddah? That would he cool to go up there too :-)
August 18, 201313 yr Do they really invite random people to come up to the International restaurant to watch the fireworks and eat pizza? My wife to this day wonders how we have yet to be asked? I could care some but I am curious? The June KIC event included that, sans pizza. And KIC has some pretty random people. And some random pretty people, for that matter.
August 18, 201313 yr Aww thanks terp hahaha It was fun and nice being up there for lunch and fireworks. Def crossed it off of my list of to do items in the park. Now just many, many more
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