Eiffel Tower question

[HarvestmanMan]

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?

[milesharrison]

There are definitely two elevators...and at that time they probably were "high speed". Still are in some cases.

[jcgoble3]

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.

[Shaggy]

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.

[The Interpreter]

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.

[HarvestmanMan]

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.

[Hoeter]

I heard the elevators were last updated around 2005? Originally they were Montgomery elevators and I'm pretty sure they still are.

[thedevariouseffect]

Hmm...now that I got my girlfriend registered on here maybe she will have more answers than I do on this matter

[jcgoble3]

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?

[thedevariouseffect]

In due time :-)

[The Interpreter]

I will look for InDueTime!

[PKIVortex]

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!

[The Interpreter]

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.

[BeastForever]

Lazy bums...

[malem]

Yet people still climb 6 stories of stairs to ride Mondo Monsoon. (ProSlide Tornado)

[The Interpreter]

The people who couldn't without being winded often self-select themselves out of waterparks.

[HarvestmanMan]

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...

[Creed Bratton]

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!

[thedevariouseffect]

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.

[Creed Bratton]

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!

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

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.

[upstop]

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.

[thedevariouseffect]

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

[upstop]

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.

[benred23]

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..

[Jr for Birdy]

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?

[Jayblazer]

Yeah I have never heard that but I'm at the park on average twice a week and have never been ask.

[thedevariouseffect]

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 :-)

[The Interpreter]

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.

[thedevariouseffect]

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