California Screamin Update

[phoenixfire2k5]

Now, just so there is no confusion, this isn't an official update, but it's one based on my experience yesterday and from a source I obtained last night.

Yesterday morning, about an hour after opening, they were running the red train through test cycles on the ride. I was wandering through the nearby shops with my gf yesterday by Ariel's Grotto and went to the railing to check out what was going on. Red was fully loaded with 24 (12 rows, 2 seats to each row, 24 seats total) completely filled large water tanks taking up each seat. So large, that the shoulder restraints weren't down all the way. They appeared to be in the seat and resting in the floor where your feet normally go. I assume that this was to simulate 24 large adults on the ride and that they were testing the weight on this train. Red would run through the ride, and when it went through brake zone 7, (the one that failed, and which is above and to the left of King Triton's Carousel), it would come to a hard AND LOUD stop, then resume through the remaining part of the ride slowly. I watched them do this a few times, then my gf and I walked down towards the front of the ride. A CM was speiling to guests about the ride not being opened, and why it's closed. Once there, I first asked in a joking manner "So, how many times have you been asked if this ride is going to open today?" He said countless lol. But I asked if DOSH still had the ride or have they given it back to Disney yet. He said he didn't know, that he didn't know anything, but that he did need a pass to even go back there. So I assumed that this meant that DOSH still has the ride and are still investigating.

Later on, riding the Metro Bus home, I was talking to one of the DL security guards. I asked him the same question about DL, and he briefly stated, and answered, that DOSH still has the ride. If I were to go by that, then I guess it's safe to say, that they still have it. But I guess only time will tell.