Flying Saucers and Flying Tires

[@2ndchannel-r7c]

I loved Luigi’s Flying Tires, since I was a local at the time I was able to ride it enough to learn how it worked. The learning curve was way too high given the queue wait for anyone visiting though so it’s understandable. I made it onto the very last public ride ever too, it was surreal seeing people try to go through the queue slowly.

[@jimhshull]

I designed the desk in the queue which I measured to be believable that an automobile would work at that height. The mock up was funny to look at but it accomplished its purpose. Happy New Year.

[@misterrohde5985]

I love hearing you talk about your work in Cars Land! A video fully dedicated to discussing it could be a great topic as well!

[@jimhshull]

CARSland is a future topic however when it occurs it likely will be several episodes due to the large amount of material to cover in order to tell the complete story. Happy New Year.

[@rienailo]

Carsland is our absolute favorite part of DCA. My 3 year old's favorite ride at DCA is Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. He loves the little tractor outside the ride almost as much as the ride itself. I love all the details of the land and how much thought was put into the holiday overlays. I really wish they would do holiday overlays like that for other lands too. I personally think Carsland is more immersive than Galaxy's Edge or Avengers Campus.

[@jimhshull]

Mater proved more successful than anyone thought it would be. Except for me because I rode the Whip ride in Dorney Park that inspired Mater. The Mater ride system is today in four different Disney Parks and I have a design patent for the invention. Thanks for watching.

[@MELFREES55]

Going Down Memory Lane Again ! .. GREAT Post..As Usual ! 🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸

[@jimhshull]

There is more to come in 2025. Thanks for watching.

[@timbarnes-trb]

While I missed out on experiencing the Flying Tires, I well remember the Saucers! BEST RIDE EVER (when they worked)!!! I got to personally thank Bob Gurr for them!

[@jimhshull]

Bob continues to deserve our thanks.

[@kirksimpson517]

Thanks Jim. Another great video! I was one the lucky kids to experience the Flying Saucers. Later in life I got to go on all the others to follow! Eat, sleep, Disney, repeat!

[@jimhshull]

Very cool! Happy New Year.

[@jgatzby7798]

Luigi’s Flying Tires was fun, but your right, it really needed the beach balls to add the fun additional guest interaction. I thought at one point an indoor version of the flying saucers was considered as a Carousel of Progress replacement at the Magic Kingdom. Was that ever considered?

[@jimhshull]

Yes it was.

[@eighthave]

How deep a hole did you have to dig to build Luigi’s? Would have loved to at least try it. I still think it would be a great way to bring back the peoplemover if they could figure out how to make it work. If it’s unwieldy for above ground, do something with it in Autopia. It could be a sort-of river raft ride in that the car bounces off the side of the track and spins sometimes, but ultimately follows the track. They could somehow tie the IP to Wall•E when they return to earth. The people aren’t physically ready for full-time natural gravity yet, but need to get around to re-build, this would show the different areas that need attention to ensure survival.

[@jimhshull]

The pit was several feet below ground level and it was packed with equipment. Thanks for watching.

[@SailorDisco]

The Flying Saucers! My mom talks about that ride all the time and makes me wish I got to ride it.

[@jimhshull]

It was fun to watch as it was to ride. I was glad to have been the Creative Director on the version that was built in CARSland at DCA. Happy New Year.

[@Magicalstops_with_gusbus]

Why can imagineering figure this ride, I want it back.

[@jimhshull]

The single problem is that the ride needs to be a one passenger vehicle. More than one and the ride doesn’t work as intended. The original in Tomorrowland was wild and out of control and nothing has equaled that ride since, and I can write that since I was the Creative Director on the DCA CARSland version. Thanks for watching.

[@jacob_e_lynch]

I rode Luigi’s Flying Tires many times. I liked it, although Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters is definitely way better.

[@craigsvonkin6710]

Thanks for the video, Jim. Did you and the other Imagineers consider using the dual loading system used on the flying saucers ride (with the moving boom)? I assume that would have required some more "real estate," but it would have dramatically increased capacity, and so I'm wondering why it wasn't used (it seems like such a good idea). While I really liked the Flying Tires, my other small complaint is that the large size of the tires made it tricky getting in and out, and also harder to move them. Why did the size get so large for the tires? Was a smaller ride vehicle considered? I might be an outlier, but I preferred the Flying Tires to the current Luigi's, which is fun to watch, but for me, at least, a bit less fun to ride. I still think the Flying Saucers should be attempted again. While I like Luigi's, and love Pooh, there is something terrific about a truly interactive ride like the Flying Saucers or Flying Tires. George C. Tilyou, the entrepreneur behind Steeplechase Park in Coney Island, and Frederic Thompson and Elmer "Skip" Dundy, the men behind Coney Island's Luna Park, and Walt Disney, the genius behind Disneyland, all knew that truly interactive rides and attractions that could be enjoyed by being viewed as well as ridden were so important. And it seems to me that the Flying Saucers could be that for Disney parks again. First off, Americans are more and more interested in UFOs and convinced that aliens are visiting us. And second, Americans love bumper cars, love rides where they can interact with strangers, and rides where they can watch and photograph their children, grandchildren, friends, or other loved ones having fun. So, I hope Disney hasn't learned the wrong message and given up on the Flying Saucers concept. Plus, even if everything has to have an IP connection, there are those Toy Story aliens, there's Stitch, and it looks like Elio, if it is a success, would work as an IP, too. So, Disney, please rethink and bring back the Flying Saucer ride somewhere! Please!

[@jimhshull]

The tires would have worked if they were limited to one person per vehicle. Then each tire would have had a smaller diameter thus would move faster and be more fun. That would have resulted in a moving boom arm but when the Tires were designed the culture had changed from the 1960s. Then people wanted to ride alone and when tires were designed the two passenger vehicle was due to guest demand to be paired with another family member.

[@kboostmobile6580]

Sounds great but unfortunately it's too bad Disney can't even put LED lights working correctly at Epcot center.... That communicore gardens is a disgrace.

[@jimhshull]

I admit that I wasn’t impressed by the new center in Epcot. Reminds me of a corporate business park and I have several of those nearby. Happy New Year and thanks for watching.