Home > Pavilion > Ride/Show Technology > Turntables For first-time visitors (and many repeat visitors as well), it's hard not to be awe-struck when the entire Traveling Theater grouping rotates effortlessly around, a full 180 degrees, to view the first film. While the turntables add an extra "gee whiz factor" to an already amazing ride experience, they also serve a very practical purpose. The building may seem immense, but every bit of space is carefully used. There isn't any extra room for maneuvering the massive Travelling Theater, which has to make significant changes in direction at several points. Disney Imagineers met the challenge with two massive turntables--one in each of the Theaters--each capable of rotating the entire theater grouping (known as a "6-Pack", for the clustered arrangement of six Traveling Theater vehicles). With the turntables, it would be a simple matter to change the ride's direction in a very small space. Developing the turntables though, presented yet another daunting challenge--as the turntables would have to rotate 160,000 lbs. (80 tons)--and do it quickly and silently! Air Hockey "It's like air hockey", explained one Maintenance Cast Member, on how the turntables move so effortlessly. Though the approach is different, both the puck in "air hockey" and the Universe of Energy's turntables, glide on a cushion of air. The turntables accomplish this using an array of air bags mounted on the underside of the turntables. The Theater I turntable, measuring nearly 92 feet in diameter, features 60 separate air bags; the smaller Theater II turntable--at 80 feet in diameter--has 53 air bags. (Since Theater II's turntable doesn't have to include ramps for loading and unloading guests, the 6-pack of vehicles can be more compact, spaced closer together, and the turntable can be smaller). These disc-shaped air bags (which measure approximately 4 feet in diameter) are deflated most of the time. When it comes time to rotate the turntable, high-pressure air hoses inflate each of the bags--literally raising the entire turntable about an inch from its "resting" position. The rise is imperceptible to the guests, but it is visible to those off of the turntable. The real key is that, once inflated, the high-pressure air is continually pumped into the air bags. The excess air escapes out of a hole in the bottom of the air bag, creating a cushion of air between the air bags and the surface below. This cushion of air virtually eliminates friction, allowing the turntables to turn easily. A motor at the edge of each turntable (just below the floor) then rotates the turntables. Once in the desired position, the air supply is slowly cut off, allowing the air bags to deflate. The turntable settles back down into its "resting" position. Whoopie Cushion When a vehicle is out of service (and the spare is also out of service), it may be necessary for the show to run on a "5-Pack"--a cluster of five vehicles, instead of the usual six. Though the turntable can accommodate the different weight distribution caused by the missing vehicle, it's optimized for a more balanced distribution. An unbalanced load (or other technical issues) can cause some of the air bags to drag, causing the normally very quiet turntable to make a most unfortunate noise. It sounds--quite literally--like the world's largest "whoopie cushion". If you ever encounter this, just smile knowingly, and avoid glaring at your fellow passengers. Around 'n Around Theater I's turntable has four positions: Load: This is the position the turntable is in when you first enter the Theater. The front of the Traveling Theater faces the theater's apex; the ramps face the Theater's entrance to accommodate loading of guests. This is also the position used for the Finale/Exit. Show: 180 degrees (clockwise) from the Load position, the Traveling Theater faces the main screen, to view the first film. Exit: Approximately 90 degrees (counter-clockwise) from Show, the Traveling Theater is pointed toward its next destination, the Diorama. "Door A" lowers to allow the vehicles to pass through. Acceptance: Approximately 15 degrees (clockwise) from Exit, the turntable aligns with the Wire from Theater II, so the vehicles from Theater II may enter Theater I for their finale. This is the only rotation to occur with no guests, and no vehicles on the turntable. Theater II's turntable has only two positions: Acceptance: The turntable aligns with the Wire from the Diorama, to accept the Traveling Theater from the Diorama. Door "D" lowers to allow the vehicles through, then closes again as the turntable rotates to "Show" position. In the original show, this position also served the purpose of directing the guests toward the maps and displays flanking the console, before continuing the presentation on the main screens. As with the Theater I turntable's Acceptance position, this rotation occurs without vehicles or guests. Show: The turntable rotates to face the main (curved) screens, to view the Theater II film. This position also acts as the "Exit" position, allowing the Traveling Theater to returns Theater I for the Finale. Take another look at the Popular Science rendering above, noting the high-pressure air hose. If the turntable were to make one (or more) complete revolutions, the air hose would be wrapped around the center spindle, and at some point, stretch or break. Fortunately, neither of the turntables turns more than 180 degrees. Turntable Surfing It's often necessary for Energy Cast Members to step on or off the turntables while they're in motion. Perhaps they were assisting guests in loading, right up until time for the turntable to rotate. Or perhaps they had to step on to attend to some other guest or technical need. It seems simple enough--but doing it safely is almost an art, as some new Cast Members have discovered the hard way. If you don't step just right, and gear your body for the difference in momentum, you're likely to fall flat on your face! Like the massive show doors, the turntables have earned a healthy respect among the Cast. Special Thanks We'd like to offer a special "thank you" to those who helped with information and/or photos for this page (in alphabetical order): Bruce Metcalf for information on how air bearings work. Dean for information on air bearings and the Popular Science image. For additional credits and information, visit our Credits page.