So where exactly is the RAE still active?

[anastaciacominatcha]

I was wondering on this tonight. My big question was does anyone know how the Middle East (Dubai, Lebanon) places are doing? I watched a clip entitled 'Rae in Saudi Arabia' and thought the music was pretty cool...just wondered if any of those were still up and running.

To add to that (based on the known few locations) I think we need a comphrensive 'Active Resteraunts featuring the RAE' list. Are any of the US resteraunts still going? To my (fuzzy) memory the only one not defunct would be that crappy one in the gang CA town LOL!!!

And what of other countries? Not just the Middle East but didnt Mexico have Showbiz at one time as well? I also remember (again fuzzily) someone saying that the RAE equivlants (Wolf Pack 5 and such) were featured in various traveling shows and I swear one was in Japan and I know one was in the US. Are any of those still going?

LOL I guess its a hard question to ask but I know everyone likes to gather info...it'd be neat to know (especially if I ever got to traveling!) It seems unfair living in Orlando (HOME OF THE RAE) and yet not having seen any real life RAE robots since 1992...:| LOL!

[the robo rob]

as far as I know, Chicago has them. Which is still a 13 hour drive from Atlanta.

If that freaking stoopid Billy Bob's Pizza Circus still had them. I'd suggest a party.

Think I'm just gonna have to buy a few of those dancing flowers and tape pictures of the RAE on them.

[anastaciacominatcha]

LOL good idea! I thought the Chicago one closed. Mind you this is all from a fuzzy lurker point of memory but to my memory in the past year:
The Chimpy's (Chicago) one finally died and it wasnt in that great of shape to begin with
Looneybird's remained extinct
BillyBob's Wonderland closed one then apparently according to a post not too long ago the other one took out the RAE so though it has Billy Bob on the walls and crap no actual RAE.

So to my memory the last one standing in the US would be the one in CA but Im not sure if its still running or I forgot it closed. I know they were saying it was just as @#%$ as every other US RAE because no one took care of it.


And then I have no clue on the international ones as said...its pretty much what I guessed at above :p .

[looneybird78]

Billy Bobs SUPER Wonderland in West Virginia has a show (even has Looney installed on the WRONG side of Billy Bob)

Rock-afire Pizza in Indio California

Both Odssey Fun World Locations in Chicago have the "NEW" Rock-afire setups.

There is rumor of one at a Fun Center in Washington State but I have yet to have confirmation on that.

None of these business shows will be in good shape. Business show = crappy show. Thats the only way it is.

There are NUMEROUS home shows thou. And Creative still has a wonderful show setup! Home shows are going to be your only good source to see a nice show. There are home shows in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and soon to be Colorado ;) *note those are off the top of my head and I may have missed a state*

~LB78

[bzier]

Being in the Orlando area too, I also am extremely frusterated with not being able to see the RAE. I have NEVER seen the RAE live...and I've even travelled to places that 'supposedly' had them, and just like Veganova, to my disgust, I'd get to the place and the show woud be gone. It just seems wrong living so near to Orlando, and not being able to ever see the RAE.

Aaron...you need to re-open Looney Bird's down here! Or some other type of cool place showcasing many of your animatronic creations!

[anastaciacominatcha]

LOL bzier I say we start a petition :p ! I know Creative was open last year for a tour for like $150 but a...love the RAE but too poor for that. You know I honestly think a good resteraunt with good food and a good MAINTAINED show with good music would do well...especially somewhere like IDrive (reel in the tourists.) But...it'd take a lot of $ to start up so yeah :( .

[MSOFW]

We operate the only two exhisting N-RAE shows. However even though they are a miniture-ized version, they still feature all of the characters minus rolfe/earl.

Looney Bird has a lab setup which is unique, Beach Bear is on the beach, and Dook has a junk yard setup. They sing MANY of the same exact songs you would find in any classic RAE as well as several songs that were not produced for the classic and are only the mini and NRAE shows.

Also note that the shows are rediculosly hard to maintain in this day and age with the technology they are based off of being almost extinct (ex: apple 2e). We try our best to keep the slows alive and working, but at times it can take several months to get something made/fixed.

Just last week a power supply blew - whole show went down. Of course when we called the manufactorer of the power supply, that power supply (which gives out 7 channels of different voltages) is no longer being made and would take 8-12 weeks to be fixed.

I really enjoy having it working as I grew up with the classic RAE and am busting my butt to keep it alive and kicking. The show's run off 2 VCR decks but the problem there lies in the tapes as they are becoming brittle and break after the 10+ years in use. So we are begining to loose the ability to change the songs pretty fast.

Please understand that the shows that still are in resturaunt operations, people are putting in the extra mile to keep them there for your enjoyment while they really do not attract teh clientel they used to.

I really feel offended by the member on this board who stated "business shows = crappy shows". Obviously they don't understand what it takes to maintain a show that is in use 12 hours a day - not 3 hours here and there in a garage.

For those of you that plan to visit either location, please feel free to drop me an email ahead of time to check the status of the show's operation.

~Mike

[looneybird78]

Sorry to have offended you but here is my background just to clarify!

I fully understand the issues. I have spent the last 4 years dedicated to refurbishing a Complete Classic Rock-afire. Not only that but I speak from experience. I frequented the Looney Birds in Mandeville during there 2 year run and they constantly let the show go to pot. They as a business were not worried about the show, rather how much they could rake in from birthdays etc.

And I have seen your show. Made a special trip all the way from Mississippi to view it. I was sad when I saw its condition.

Awful masks, terrible costumes, non-operational Danceatronics.... the List goes on. Plus we had to wait over half an hour just to get the "tech" to turn it on. So there is no way it is running 12 hours a day! We arrived late in the afternoon and apparently it hadn't even been turned on for the day!

Once again I do understand the logistical nightmare of the shows, that is why I have also dedicated a large amount of time to get my show to run digitally... no more tapes, no more reels.... all random access on a PC. But even still you say your tapes are brittle... Last I checked Creative still had showtapes available. Why not just buy some more? Worried about the price tag I'm sure.

Also cosmetics and masks should never be allowed to get so bad. Beach Bears was so bad when he opend his mouth you could see that the mask was in two pieces that seperated at the jaw.

Things like that are not technical those are things that could also be purchased from Creative Engineering TODAY! So once again businesses are more worried about the buck. They dont want to spend the money to keep them pretty. They spend just enough to keep the mechanical aspect limping along and forget about the rest.

You act as if Creative isn't around any more and doesn't supply customers with there needs. I think the problem is customers just dont want to pay the prices. Because Creative is still in business and producing things for those who need them.

~LB78

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

I think MSOFW brings a valid point to the fore: Maybe if the RAE system was updated to today's current technology, places would be able to not only have a RAE Show, but upkeep it as well?

Now i'm not knocking "old technology". Anyone who knows me will realize that i'm very pro-old school. I'm thinking however that maybe this is one of the several reasons why many potential businesses' pass on installing a RAE Show? The price of course comes into play, but perhaps they are also looking at the old technology factor and assume it is something that will be frought with problems? Maybe they feel that after investing in a Show, it will be problematic due to the "outdated" system that runs it?

Again, i'm not knocking the current RAE system....i'm looking at this as a up and coming business might if they look at the RAE and think about getting one. Maybe the "old tech" is a factor? MSOFW's post has made me consider this idea.


On a totally different note:

Not to depress anyone, but word has reached my ear that Rock-aFire Pizza out in Indio, CA has CLOSED. I am awaiting confirmation of this, but Veganova received a message from a local CA fan who wanted to visit, and when he phoned them for directions no one answered.

Sounds just like Looney Birds demise.....

Anyway, i just wanted to give everyone a heads up. If anyone here can confirm this, please do! I had plans to bring CheeseVention 4 there for the finale dinner this May, and would like to know if they have slammed the place.

[looneybird78]

Two words TIVO SYSTEM

Why fool with the reels and tape decks? This system is available. The technology changed with the times. But once again I still say it is a cost factor... .businesses are not willing to spend the $$$ to get the new expensive control system. Plain and simple.

~LB78

[Billy Bob Brockali]

Damon,

I'm not going start one of "those" threads, but a lot of the people who need stuff are very aware that "Creative" being in business is something that can be argued. Creative has been one person for a number of years, and if you happen to not be able to have sucessful arragements with that person, your SOL. With creative you have to pay what they feel is the proper value. There is no "market value" to judge by, and I can understand not wanting to blindly pay what a monopoly thinks is the right price. This is something a lot of fans have to do as well, in terms of finding replacements for the 100s of parts that make up a show. It is no longer possible/practical to get everything from Creative.

Not to mention that there is a difference between not wanting to spend money and not having it to spend.

I applaud MSOFW for being someone that cares enough to have found this board, and is doing their best to keep a piece of show history running for those who may still care.

I personally love the old reels, and realize their time has ended, but under no circumstance would I ever put a TiVo with mono audio output on my characters. Plain and Simple.

I can understandabout Looney Bird's, because I heard the same things about them in the end in terms of not caring, and lack of effort, but I don't feel the same attitude coming from MSOFW.

/end rant

[MSOFW]

I'm just trying to give you an idea of how difficult it is to keep it running. I thank those of you who recognize how difficult it is to keep this show alive at times.

I joined this board for support in solving many of the technical battles we run into. Just look at the tech board - I posted a question on the servo's several months ago and only had one response. Believe me I'd love to have their eyes back in moving operation.

My response to some of your statements in regards to updating:

1- A tivo system to keep the show running on new technology is an investment starting at $20g and UP. That is equivlent to purchasing a small ride attraction like the tea cup ride or an entire new show from another distributor.

2- Masks - Creative did not start producing them until the end of last year. And if you look on cosmic bazar.com, even though my show's masks are smaller our versions is being charge $100 more then the classic shows. Less material = more money - I don't understand that. It will cost me several thousand to replace all the masks.

3- Show tapes would have to be specially reproduced for an NRAE and ARE NOT just sitting on a shelf. Maybe the classic shows are but the NRAE, they have to be re-produced and re-chereographed. I would love to have have RAE singing the latest Lindsay Lohan song or whatever current songs kids easily identify.

4- Dancetronics/character turntables - Only used for the first six months (if even that) of operation of both shows. There is several hardware and software issues that were never corrected by CEI. Hands are tied here - it would be awesome to have the characters spinning and chasing each other some day.

Again - I understand some of your preceptions of the shows. Now I'm trying to give you an idea of what the other side of the coin is like in this day and age in keeping them operational. If I had the power to, I'd have the show running like new everyday. It's a goal I will keep working towards.

With respect,

~Mike

[looneybird78]

Nothing I have said was intended for negativity. My Point is and remains that businesses do not keep there shows in the same condition as home owners do.... Yes that does involve "play" issues. But also we dont have other "business" aspects to worry about therefore all of the time we spend is on the show and not games, etc.

And yes Creative has a monopoly... I'll even agree with you on that... But for someone just to flat out say nothing is available is wrong. The New Rae masks are more in my assumption because they are NOT being made in the same quantities. There are actually several Classics being sold so those can be made in a slightly larger quantity. And as you state you are the ONLY ones running a New Rae.

But once again I will restate... I'm glad that there are still a FEW people out there that keep shows in a business... It is amazing that anyone still cares to even do that. My statements were not meant as negativity, yet as strictly observed facts. I'm glad I got to see the New Rae at Odssey, but in the same token I wish it hadn't been in so bad a condition.

~LB78

[RockafireGuy]

MSOFW,

I can tell you why you aren't exactly agreeing with the other people here and why you can't understand our complaints.

First of all; the new RAE shows aren't nearly as well built as the Classic Rock-afire Explosion and aren't built to last nearly as long.

The NEW RAE (A DANCEATRONICS SHOW) which is what you have; uses parts that are VERY hard to find if not rediculously hard to find and really is kind of a defunct concept. Aaron's NEW RAE down in Orlando is broken and hasn't been repaired yet becasue he can't get a hold of the parts. DANCEATRONICS; which is what you have are made completely different from the Classic Rock-afire Explosion Characters. I understand your complaints MSOFW , but as far as the Classic Rock-afire is concerned; you really have no idea what you're talking about. ELECTRONIMATION is COMPLETELY different from Danceatronics. You have a Danceatronics show which is terribly costly to operate because the parts are rare and hard to find.. plastic gears and cogs, etc.....

The Classic Rock-afire Explosion is an all pnuematic system and the character frames are all steel and aluminum with fibreglass body molds to hold the charcater's shapes. None of that plastic and wood like Danceatronics bots.

Plus; the NEW RAE is completely out of sight and out of mind at creative for now; so you probably won't get a whole lot of support. Aaron would like to improve on and do more with Danceatronics and he even has a nick name for that technology as he calls them "Midgeons" or something like that. Hardly anyone owns a new RAE and therefore; it doesn't get the attention that the Classic show gets.

The Classic show's control systems have been drastically updated when it comes to show content and programing as all of the showtapes have been converted to digital format at one time or another. A Classic Rock-afire Explosion can now run off of an ipod. No such innovation has been made for the New RAE becasue there has been no demand for it. Perhaps if your would contact Aaron Fechter down at Creative Engineering; he just might rig up a way to run your New RAE show off of an ipod, a tivo, or something like that.

With the Classic Rock-afire; maintainence is pretty much set in stone and actually easier than Danceatronics.

Here is small version of the check list.


Watch all character movements closely for anything that has quit working.


Dump the water out of the dump tray in the compressor room before starting up the compressor. Also; check the air dryer after starting to make sure everything is working.

Air up the show. For the Classic Rock-afire.... adjust the pressure regulator leading into the show to about 75 to 80 pounds per square inch.

Tune one to two characters every morning. In other words; calibrate the MAC valves to the point that the character moves in sync with the test tape. While it is a little difficult to master calibrating the mac valve as barely moving your hand can throw a setting out of sync.... the concept is a no brainer. You don't even need a screwdriver to calibrate the type of MAC valves used with the Classic show; you can use your fingers to open up or tighten the flow controls. Simple stuff.. like grandpa taught ya.. righty tighty and lefty loosie.

If you have movements freezing up; check for water anywhere in the system immediately and also check the oiler to that character. If the problem persists; after you've shut down one night; remove the Mac Valve from the floor; clean it, grease it, hook it back up, and test it. All cylinders in all of the Mac valves need to be greased once a month to start with and all flow controls need to be cleaned. Also; rings and washers need to be checked and replaced if need be. Simple stuff here... it's a lot easier than working on your car. If you can change the oil in your car, or even if you can build a PC, you can easily learn to maintain one of these shows. Regardless of what anyone tells you; it's not rocket science.

My point is; the Danceatronics use parts that are a lot harder to find and from what I've heard; they're harder to work on.

My point is; you shouldn't comment on maintaining a Classic Show if the only thing you know about is the NEW RAE danceatronics show; because they're two completely different animals. I've only studied the Classic Show and how pneumatic systems work; I haven't studied anything about the Danceatronics (which are also pnuematic.. but VERY different from the classic show)

Like I said; you can run the classic show off of a Tivo, a Windows XP PC, or an ipod now.... so surely the same innovation could be made for the New RAE in your store if you would like it to be done.

[RockafireGuy]

One more thing I would like to add...
If I got anything on basic mainainence wrong, anyone on here is more than welcome to correct me. I would love to learn more.. I just shared what little I do know.

Another thing is.....

Most of the guys you have been argueing about mainainence with own Classic shows themselves.. in their own home...
so therefore.... they should know quite a bit about maintainence without getting lectured on it.

I'm not trying to argue here myself.... I'm just stating some basic facts

[MSOFW]

RockafireGuy-

This post is for "So where exactly is the RAE still active?" To me that would mean where is there a show that still has functioning Mitzi, Billy Bob, etc... There was not mention of if it is a classic, mini, or new version of the RAE. They just simply asked for where an RAE is playing.

Also I never questioned anything on electromation. It was never mentioned in my post. Yes our show has dancetronics which is different in the means of turntables.

Our chacraters in the NRAE DO run off pneumatics and don't have wood in them. I'm not sure where you got that from. They have wood in their bases but not in the actual chacarter. I know - I fix them on a regular basis. I'll be happy to strip down a character and take a few shots to post on here. Also there are not any plastic gears - everything is metal.

Where did I ever claim to know to all about the classic shows? All I did was talk about the problems we have with our shows to explain why things don't work/appear the best possible. That was in response to the post of another member. Read all the posts and you will understand.

All I did was respond to a question of whatt resturaunts the RAE is still alive. And then I responded to a member saying don't maintain our shows and explained the difficulties which you echoed on the parts.

[RockafireGuy]

Whoa Whoa.. I wasn't trying to get that started.
So I was wrong about the Danceatronics.; so what?

I already said I didn't know much about the Danceatronics and I also clearly stated in the last part of my post that the Danceatronics use pnuematics as well. I wan't trying to start this. Lets keep things civil. We're a friendly board around here and I wasn't trying to get under your skin. Lets end this one guys or at least try and keep it on a level where nobody gets their feelings involved.

I'll admit I was wrong on behalf of the Danceatronics to some degree..... My main point is.. if these people who have the RAE shows in their houses who work off of a tight budget can maintain them as well as they do.. then so can the people in the businesses. But; please, I don't want to see an argument start up here. I apologize if I offended you. Lets just end this.

[RockafireGuy]

I recomend we either move the thread in a new direction.. or.. eh.. just close it.... whatever you guys think Gabe....
I don't think it could go any further anyway...
:p

[anastaciacominatcha]

Umm Im not one to interrupt thread trashing (because sometimes convos are interesting) but no need to close this lets just get back on track. So CA might be gone and international RAEs are still a mystery. As for what type of RAEs Im not picky...I meant anything from the Wolf Pack 5 to the New RAE. Its all good :)

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

AGREED....


:)


So anyone care to make this easy, and simply start a list of where one can go today and see ANY Rock-aFire show in action, regardless of condition?

I'd like to know....

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

I'll start with this:

Rock-aFire Pizza----Indio, CA.

Yep, you read right! I have JUST heard confirmation that this place IS still open.

Yay!!

Thanks to TinaFan for this news!