Re: Crane at ToT

Thanks for the great explanation! It is comforting to know that there is a
back up plan.

--
Laurie


"admiralBoom" <admiralBoom@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1178995508.728858.155460@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On May 11, 7:12 pm, Patty Winter (pat...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) wrote:
Hey, Boom, since we're talking electricity, a friend was just
asking me the other day what WDW has for emergency power at
the hotels and the theme parks? If the power goes while a
coaster is partway through its run, is there emergency power
to get it back, or would passengers have to be evacuated by
CMs? Do the hotels have anything more than emergency lighting,
e.g. to keep some services going in case of a hurricane-induced
power outage? Although I don't recall anyone reporting power
outages when they've stayed there during storms.

Patty

Patty,

Of course the answer is: yes and no

As you know, we have a power generation plant of our own on property
and when needed, it is wired and capable of delivering substantial
backup power to all of the resorts and parks. This can be done on
several levels, depending on the emergency. Of course, the plant does
not put out enough power to light up all of WDW for normal usage but
in the case of major evacuations, we could fully power several resorts
at once, once the parks had been shut down.

Normally, the plant is running at approximately 60% output, pumping
power back into the Florida grid. This earns WDW a few dollars but
most importantly, it earns WDW a substantial discount on bulk power
(because it classifies WDW as a 'supplier'). In addition to that,
there is a small amount of backup power being used on property - to
charge back-up batteries and smooth out little glitches in the regular
system.

During a traditional blackout, the power generated is switched to on-
property usage and is available for whatever systems need it. But the
answer to your question lies in which resort facilities and
attractions would actually use this back-up power.

For the resorts, more than 50% of the lighting would remain lit. Air-
conditioning would shut down but air circulation would remain on. Each
room has at least one emergency light and the remaining room lights
and outlets would be shut down (the exception to this would be those
rooms designated to have emergency outlets for medical equipment).
Other facilities like food preparation equipment, elevators, etc.. are
generally not part of the backup system but many of them are able to
be powered by smaller on-site generators (and in extreme cases we can
throw manual switches to bring them onto the backup grid)..

The parks are similar in that much of the lighting and air-circulation
equipment would continue to operate during a blackout, while most of
the attractions would shut down. At this point, the explanation gets
more complex because every attraction acts differently - and has a
different set of emergency procedures. On the more progressive side,
ExE would continue to operate just long enough to get each unit into a
locked position (a set of brakes that are placed throughout the
tracks). Once this has happened, the senior operator COULD continue to
operate the entire ride (chain-lift and all) in order to cycle guests
back to the station (of course the Yeti and some of the other effects
shut down right away). Pirates and Splash Mountain are similarly
equipped and over time, all of the ride systems will follow suit. Of
course we don't have a lot of 'senior' ride operators hanging around
all day so the next level of evacuation generally has the guests
walking down the back stairs. Most of the attractions are on level
ground and are much easier evacuated by CM's than by electrical means
anyway.

Bigger items like the monorail COULD also be operated during a
blackout but with these items, actual switching of circuits would have
to occur - and this takes more coordination and time and is generally
saved for major storm/blackout emergencies (I think we've done this
once, outside of testing the system, in the mid-90s). In addition,
operating these bigger systems would require a full staff at the power
plant and at switching stations in order to coordinate loading and
such - so, to answer your question about major storms, the answer is
yes, the back-up power systems can keep almost anything running long
enough to clear the area or long enough for emergency personnel to do
what they have to do. And for extended periods, we are well equipped
to shelter our guests for as long as needed...

I hope that answers your question, at least in general terms. If you
have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Boom (working on a Saturday ? Yes ! Well, playing actually...)





.

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