Grizzly Airfield

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Does anyone know exactly what the plan is for Soarin' after this transition is complete? I understand that Soarin' is finally going digital, but will it be the same film or a new one?

 

Originally Posted By Bellella

They can't improve upon perfection. Meaning, they can't possibly have a better film than the one they have now.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

They could sure use a new film in Florida though. Having a California based film in Florida doesn't make any sense. They couldn't have a Soaring over Florida film because swampland and forests of Slash Pine just aren't all that attractive. But a Soaring over America film would be great.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

I read somewhere that an international film was being produced for a similar attraction at SDL. If so, it would probably be perfect for EPCOT.

"They can't improve upon perfection. Meaning, they can't possibly have a better film than the one they have now."

The film is over 10 years old. At the very least they could update it with a new scenic film about the state with new scenes. It would be interesting to do something that took guests on a flight over California during the 1930s/40s to fit with DCAs theme. With modern technology it wouldn't be hard to accomplish.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

The story that I've seen in a couple places is that they are creating a new "around the world" film that will debut at Shanghai when that park opens (whenever that may finally be). The current work at DCA's Soarin' is to convert to digital and make other technical upgrades in preparation for the new film, but it will reopen with the same film it's had since opening day

I haven't read anything to suggest this, but I wouldn't be surprised if they then used DCA's theaters to program the SDL attraction at night, since apparently everything at SDL is way behind schedule. This would allow them to do a plug-and-play with the pre-programmed ride, like how Star Tours 2 was programed at Body Wars before the DL and WDW attractions were closed for refurbishment

And to further complicate matters, Epcot has recently begun construction on a 3rd Soarin' theater, next to the other two to help increase capacity of the ridiculously popular attraction. During the 10K this weekend, we ran right past the site, which has the construction trailer and ground clearing has begun. Presumably the new theater will be built with digital projections, which would then allow them to upgrade the 2 existing theaters one at a time without sacrificing any capacity. They could then easily switch to the new film when it becomes available

I've also read that they've been filming aerial footage over various parks recently, which would imply that (although the main film would be the same everywhere) you'd always be able to end in the park that you're actually in, rather than ending at Disneyland

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<They can't improve upon perfection. Meaning, they can't possibly have a better film than the one they have now.>>

I know nothing can stay the same forever but I'll be genuinely heartbroken when they swap it out - not because of the visuals (which are stunning) but for Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful score. Jerry has been dead for over a decade now so can't rework his own score. It is probably my favorite attraction score and I hope that it is preserved.

I will miss Condor Flats. The backstory was monumentally complicated and poorly executed in reality but it had a great feel for a small space. It just needed more plussing to reinforce the backstory.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<It would be interesting to do something that took guests on a flight over California during the 1930s/40s to fit with DCAs theme. With modern technology it wouldn't be hard to accomplish.>>

Yuk. A wholly CGI movie? What is the point of that. The sheer wonder of Soarin' is that beyond Pressler's golf ball it is all unfiltered natural beauty and gives vistas that most people will never see in CA even if they lived there a lifetime.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<Having a California based film in Florida doesn't make any sense.>>

Sense or not it is the highest rated attraction on property - and not by small margins. It is universally adored by guests and ultimately that feedback will keep WDW Co. using the current filmstock until time immemorial.

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

<<< They can't improve upon perfection >>>

I think with digital projection, they could. While impressive at the time it came out, the technology looks dated today, now that we all have full HD (and soon to be 4k) technology at home. If they kept the current film and remastered it in 4k and put in digital projectors, then it would once again be perfection.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I read on MiceAge that they aren't going to get a new film with this refurb, but said something about when a brand new Soarin opens next year in some other park, (China?) the film they are creating for that park will likely also come to DCA.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<I think with digital projection, they could. While impressive at the time it came out, the technology looks dated today, now that we all have full HD (and soon to be 4k) technology at home. If they kept the current film and remastered it in 4k and put in digital projectors, then it would once again be perfection.>>

I've not seen anything remastered in 4K yet - and I'm intrigued as to how it will look - particularly on those IMAX screens. Only standard IMAX analog cameras were used in 2000 to shoot the scenes. Sometimes conversions from analog to digital looks a bit funky and unreal.

I'll say that I find 4K home TVs to be very difficult to watch.

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

any behind the scenes folks see any concept art for the revamped area? will it be similar to what was shown in the Imagineering book a few years back?

Also, I noticed that the Pier shops have a long rehab...finally getting to the interiors or more exterior work too?

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

"A wholly CGI movie? What is the point of that."

Who said the whole thing had to be CGI? And so what if was? It seems to work for Harry Potter at Universal. For someone who works for such a creative organization you sure do have a limited imagination.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<Who said the whole thing had to be CGI? And so what if was? It seems to work for Harry Potter at Universal. For someone who works for such a creative organization you sure do have a limited imagination.>>

How else would you re-create the '30/'40s California for a large screen movie format? I didn't realise that there was a HP movie at Uni either.

I see little point in imagination if it can't be executed in the real world. Blue sky thinking is a great way to start the creative process but you quickly have to get to the realities that confine execution. Stating "I'd like to see '30s California" is all well and good but it isn't practical unless you go CGI. The majesty of Soarin is that it is unfiltered reality IMHO. I think a lot of CGI would kill the impact. Just my two cents.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

There also aren't a lot of city scenes in Soarin'. And Half Dome in the 30's is pretty much the same as Half Dome today.

Most of Soarin' is natural beauty, and the beauty of natural beauty is that it doesn't get old. That's a big reason I never get tired of Soarin'. That, and the truly GREAT Goldsmith score, as was mentioned.

<<<Having a California based film in Florida doesn't make any sense.>>

<Sense or not it is the highest rated attraction on property - and not by small margins.>

And I bet a pretty large percentage of EPCOT visitors don't even realize that all the scenes are California. Unlike at DCA, they don't emphasize that. And in fact when I mentioned to someone who had only seen it at EPCOT that it was all shot in California, he flat out didn't believe me (!)

When they get the international film done, it obviously makes sense for EPCOT. But I wonder if at DCA they'll run the original in one theatre and the new one in the other... or do that thing like they used to in TL, running American Journeys in Circlevision in the mornings and Wonders of China in the afternoon/evenings. Then you'd have your choice which one to see.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<And I bet a pretty large percentage of EPCOT visitors don't even realize that all the scenes are California. Unlike at DCA, they don't emphasize that. And in fact when I mentioned to someone who had only seen it at EPCOT that it was all shot in California, he flat out didn't believe me (!)>>

I'm not surprised - I think most WDW guests would probably only recognise the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign as Californian icons. I suspect even San Diego Harbor and Half Dome would be a push for most. Much of the landscape could be anywhere in the U.S. - it is just remarkable that they all come from just one state.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

>>I see little point in imagination if it can't be executed in the real world.<<

"It's fun to do the impossible."

- Walt Disney

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Gasp! My Disney fan card is going to be revoked! Correction:

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

-Walt Disney

 

Originally Posted By leemac

^^ It's also impossible to do the impossible. Another nonsense soundbite. But all semantics, right?

I'll hand in my fancard as I don't even know that one.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible." -- Audrey Hepburn