29yrswithaGApass Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Click here to see the whole Spotlight! Comments and discussions welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsoxfan0810 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Is there still stairs somewhere in the fort that give access to the upper floors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 There are stairways to the top, but they're all off limits areas. I don't think I'd have the guts to walk on those catwalks anyway....they look a little weathered at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsoxfan0810 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Maybe sometime the park will fix up the Fort, being the great park original it is. They also can't run the risk of it deteriorating with the rides it houses, any faults with the Fort closes them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted November 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 TO: WesternCablesRule Can you provide us with any info on the Fort that you may have picked up during your years working there? What's it like under the Skyride station? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternCablesRule Posted November 16, 2007 Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 (edited) TO: WesternCablesRule Can you provide us with any info on the Fort that you may have picked up during your years working there? What's it like under the Skyride station? On Western cables 'B' side catching area, there was a door that had a small, pie shaped wooden platform where you could fit only a couple of people on, the rest was a big pit beneath with a ladder going up to the tower. It was dark, lots of trash at the bottom of the pit. Under the station, the counter weights, when I used to smoke, my lead and our sup would have smoke breaks down there. I remember there were a couple of union meetings down there as well. I believe that grounds had one of their meeting areas there at one point as well. Dirty, lots of cigarette butts. You could see people at night through the logs from the entrance queue line as well. When I pulled double shifts, I was down there at least once a day to perform the limit checks on the counter weights. In the tower, I remember stories about monkeys hiding up there that the safari staff had to retrieve once in a while. One time, we had to shut down B side due to a raccoon sitting way above the loading area, safari came to get him. He was just hanging out in the rafters. Edited November 16, 2007 by WesternCablesRule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted November 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 Very interesting, thanks! It sounds like it was good idea for them to install a sprinker system in that building! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Adventurer Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 That was very interesting! I never noticed those stairs, but I'll be sure to look out for them the next time I go on the Runaway Mine Train. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) I have notice that the Skyride station section of the fort is mostly concrete with a wooden fort facade, I don't know how Runaway's station is built. Also anybody else notice the little windows with glass over the fake cannons? It would be cool to be able to walk around the top, I always wondered about that since the Fort looked like it was designed to allow that. But I can see why the park choose to not have people go up there because there would be jerks who would spit and other nasty stuff. Edited January 11, 2008 by The Master Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted January 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 We have some "special plans" for our Fort Spotlight so check back soon! In the mean time, did you know there is a page of Fort related art and souvenirs within the Fort Spotlight? Click the image below to see all the cool Fort items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Davidson Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 What is the reason to those upper decks never opening to the public you say? Safety concerns, or just now storage for lighting and such? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Up_Up_and_Away Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 What is the reason to those upper decks never opening to the public you say? Safety concerns, or just now storage for lighting and such? Common sense is my guess. If they were open, it would be another place to loiter, smoke pot, throw stuff down at passers by... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Originally the platform in front of the Fort was also planned to be an observation area with access from the right hand tower (Tower B ). Today it simply serves as an emergency exit for the Skyride load/unload area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Common sense is my guess. If they were open, it would be another place to loiter, smoke pot, throw stuff down at passers by... Don't forget about spiting on people below! You even have to be careful about it walking under the brake run for Runaway Mine Train. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Don't forget about spiting on people below! You even have to be careful about it walking under the brake run for Runaway Mine Train. Absolutely. Considering the Runaway Mine Train is seen by many as a thrill ride for the younger park patrons, it really is sad that you have to be careful about stuff like that. Although I am sure safety is always going to be the main reason, there is no denying that not having those areas open saves so much more trouble for park security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted September 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Here's something interesting... this picture is from the summer of 1974. The Fort wasn't even close to being completed even weeks after the grand opening. Not suprising since they only started actual construction of the Theme Park in February 1974. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J4Sing Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 February 1974?? Wow I didn't know that. You mean before then, they hadn't started any of the iconic buildings or structures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railer Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 When my Parent's took me on Opening Weekend in "74" (I was 4) They said they were given a Free Ticket to return because all the Attraction's were not open yet. But even though everything wasn't open yet, it was still very crowded. And that Warner himself was there greeting Guest's and just mingling with the Crowd's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warnerleroy Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 I hope next year for the parks 40th, the fort gets some sort of overhaul and gets completed. Maybe repainted, new teepee and open the catwalkas.That'd be cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted September 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 February 1974?? Wow I didn't know that. You mean before then, they hadn't started any of the iconic buildings or structures? Yeah, actual ground clearing and on-site construction didn't start on the Enchaned Forest until February 1974. That is not to say that off-site prep of buidling components such as the candy columns of the Yum Yum Palace and the BOTW logs didn't start before that. Work on the Safari started several months earlier in August 1973. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Even after 35 years, the Fort still looks just like its original plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill-Pics Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Okay firstoff id like to apologize for i believe this post is in the wrong place.... but on the other hand, i am doing a pretty comprehensive report on the design aspects of 'The Fort', the structure that houses the skyride and RMT. I'm interested in the stuff you as the guest dont see, being stairwells and underlaying aspects of the building. I have been examining the building from as many views as possible and after a loooooongg time of thinking the whole thing out, i have made a simple diagram of the fort from how i believe everything is on the inside. Also, another thing that makes this more enjoyable to research is the fact that they originally intended to have guests access the catwalks above the towers, so from the looks of it the insides were designed to meet those requirements. I'm showing off what i believe may make up the interior. Please note that I am making assumptions and have no knowledge outside the guests view. On the same hand, do not encourage anyone to take it upon themselves to access any backstage areas within the structure. Here are the two diagrams i quickly mocked up: P.S. thanks greatadventurehistory.com ^ The 'half level walkway' i believe was intended to serve as guest access to tower 1, where there would be stairs running up the inside to the top catwalks. The guests would then also have access to tower 2 catwalks via the bridge. There is a door on the bottom of tower 2 that would give guests the ability to access the half walkway through a small set of stairs at the base of tower 2. Since I do not believe there are stairs inside tower 2 leading to the catwalks, the guests would most likely use the half walkway, as well as the stairs inside tower 1, as access to and from the catwalks. Today, i think the stairs exist inside the base of tower 1 to the half level walkway. The walkway itself however only services the skyride. There is a doorway on the skyride station platform, leading into tower 1, and i believe that this door goes to the stairs that run from the lower levels to the catwalks above. Inside the lower levels, we probably all know that the massive counterweights sit down there on their pulley systems. There is most likely maintenance, electrical, and storage rooms down here as well as well as possible offices. Also in that doorway at the base of tower 2, i believe there may be some sort of access to the lower levels--mainly because since the doorway was never actually used for guests they probably would use it for team member/maintenance access. I do not think there are stairs inside tower 2, mainly because they cannot exit through those doors at the base of the tower. There is most likely some kind of access to a large room inside the tower (again maybe maintenance/electrical/storage). And obviously there are the catwalks above tower 2. ^ For towers 3 & 4, inside tower 3 we have the skyride exit stairwell, leading from the ride platform to the pathway. However, i have noticed there is a small access door in the ceiling of the exit stairs (look closely there is also a ladder built into the wall to access to door [which is like an attic door]). What's above the exit stairs i have no clue. Then there are catwalks above the tower. In tower 3, i believe stairs run from the pathway (which there is a door at the base of the tower) to the catwalks above. Then the catwalks connect via the bridge so again the guests use the same tower for entry/exit. Please, please, please comment and give your opinions/facts on the building! I would eventually like to develop a blueprint for the building for this report. It really is a beautiful and complex structure. ~Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railer Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 I have a pic. of the inside of the "Tower" that is to the left of the pathway that takes you into the "Fort". I just have to find it, on my PC. I could E-Mail it to you, but it can't be posted here. As long as I can find it, it might be in my old PC, not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill-Pics Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 thanks!!! pm me for my email Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railer Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Let me try to find it first. I might have given a copy to 29yrs. if I can't find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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