Small World

Originally Posted By jmuboy

For anyone who has experienced it, whats the HKDL Small World ride like? I've read that its a lot shorter than the other versions around the world.

 

Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara

Al Lutz reported the time in his update today. It was something like 8 minutes (assuming he's right).

 

Originally Posted By Malin

Its a lot shorter than the Disneyland version but thats because everything is layed out differntly, do not consider just because this version is a lot shorter that it is in anyway a poor man's version. As for my thoughts I posted that in my trip report...

It was starting to get dark by this time and I realised I hadn’t done it’s a Small World, so I walked over to that next. The clock at the front of the building seemed to be broken for some reason. This version is the first to feature Disney characters and has received huge criticism online by some, as they have heard the changes will be coming to the Disneyland version. Personally after riding this attraction I fail to see what all the fuss is about. The characters are not very noticeable and really do not take away from the enjoyment of the attraction. The Hong Kong version also had many tricks up its sleeve like an extended Asian scene and a scene where it features the Hong Kong skyline. I enjoyed this version very much, except I prefer the flooded scenes to what Hong Kong has due to the attraction being in my opinion too close up. I felt all the scenes were to over-powering due to them being so near your boat.

<a href="http://news.hkdlsource.com/story/296" target="_blank">http://news.hkdlsource.com/story/296</a>

Also check out my gallery here

<a href="http://multimedia.hkdlsource.com/gallery/cat/28/" target="_blank">http://multimedia.hkdlsource.c.../cat/28/</a>

 

Originally Posted By jmuboy

Are there any sites online with pictures?

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

Yeah, I been on it as well this past summer and agree mostly with Malin. Its a shorter version, but its just as good and the Disney characters ADD to it IMO and the asian scenes were cool. It felt like HKDL got a clone that feel 100% like the others for a change. JC is different too, but its the weakest one to me, so that doesnt help it.

I would say IASW is a nice addition, not really worth going JUST to see that ride (and I never really been a IASW fan), but certainly do it if you are going to HKDL....I mean, what else are you going to do there lol.

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

...got a clone that DIDNT feel like 100% like the others for a change.

Sigh, better!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

I rode it for thr first time(s) about six weeks ago.

I loved it. I'd say it's my favorite version of the classic.

The characters are integrated seamlessly into the scenes and don't detract at all ... matter of fact, I missed some of them. They in no way overpower the attraction or its message.

As to its length, it's shorter than DL's, but I don't think by a great deal. It sure didn't feel truncated in any way.

I'd be curious to see what the actual ride time is vs. other versions (paging Leemac with a stopwatch to the thread!)

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<I loved it. I'd say it's my favorite version of the classic.>>

Glad you loved it, Spirit. I think that is a testimony to the hard work that the core WDI team put in - led by the incredible Tom Morris, Jodi McLaughlin and probably the best color stylist since Mary Blair - Katie Olsen.

<<I'd be curious to see what the actual ride time is vs. other versions (paging Leemac with a stopwatch to the thread!)>>

I'll check my files. I think it is sub-8 minutes for an average boat speed.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

I rode it this past summer as well and enjoyed it. I don't think it's my favorite version, but my experience was partly spoiled by the rude guests ahead of me standing up and taking flash pictures left and right (even sitting up on the edge of the boat while it was moving and reaching out to touch the sets!). Most of all, the adults encouraged this type of behavior in their kids!

The guest behavior really affected my enjoyment in the park as a whole. The endless queue-cutting, loud talking during attractions, pushing during entrance to theatre shows, and what seemed like excessive (and rather heated) arguing between family members in public really put a slight damper on my trip.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

*** The guest behavior really affected my enjoyment in the park as a whole. The endless queue-cutting, loud talking during attractions, pushing during entrance to theatre shows, and what seemed like excessive (and rather heated) arguing between family members in public really put a slight damper on my trip. ***

Interesting to read about this, while I did experience some of this behavior in Hong Kong and Macau, I never experienced any kind of what I would refer to as rude behavior inside the park. To my knowledge guest respected other guest, although guest standing up in the Its A Small World attraction is a big problem, as you can constantly hear Castmembers making annoucements over the PA telling guest to sit down. And interesting to hear about guest reaching out to touch the scenes, WDI fault really for cutting out the flooded scenes and having the props and set pieces so near to the boats.

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

I expected some rude behavior, but not to the extent that I witnessed. The people I met in Hong Kong were much more well-mannered than the park guests from the mainland (judging from their accents).

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

Yeah, have to chime in, but the guests were pretty bad when I rode it as well, all the camera taking and the constant announcement for people to sit down. I dont get why its SO hard to follow directions in that park vs the others? Until HKDL came along, I would say Paris use to be the worst, but now Hong Kong has taken that dubious honor.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

I love walking around the Paris parks and watching the Brits make complete fools out of each other by screaming at there kids. Or kicking up a fuss in Mcdonalds after waiting 10 minutes to be served, funny and embarassing stuff. As for Hong Kong Disneyland and its guest standing up, I wonder how long its going to take before someone does something stupid. Might be an idea to install safety bars.

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

^^Or an electronic fence around the sets .

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<Glad you loved it, Spirit. I think that is a testimony to the hard work that the core WDI team put in - led by the incredible Tom Morris, Jodi McLaughlin and probably the best color stylist since Mary Blair - Katie Olsen.>>

I didn't recall that Tom worked on it, but that's not surprising. Very talented guy.

<<I'd be curious to see what the actual ride time is vs. other versions (paging Leemac with a stopwatch to the thread!)>>

<<I'll check my files. I think it is sub-8 minutes for an average boat speed.>>

Really? I wonder how that compares with all the other versions. I know DL is the longest, but MK and DLP certainly don't seem much shorter either.

It would be interesting to see how they all stack up.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I rode it this past summer as well and enjoyed it. I don't think it's my favorite version, but my experience was partly spoiled by the rude guests ahead of me standing up and taking flash pictures left and right (even sitting up on the edge of the boat while it was moving and reaching out to touch the sets!). Most of all, the adults encouraged this type of behavior in their kids!>>

I rode it three times. And the first two were fine, but the third time was very similar to what you describe above. Every person, who was an adult, spent the entire ride videotaping and snapping pics. It did ruin that ride. And no announcements were made, even when one person stood up.

Of course, except for the standing, I have had the same behavior on almost every ride on the Seas With Nemo at EPCOT and PoC at MK the past 2-3 years.

<<The guest behavior really affected my enjoyment in the park as a whole. The endless queue-cutting, loud talking during attractions, pushing during entrance to theatre shows, and what seemed like excessive (and rather heated) arguing between family members in public really put a slight damper on my trip.>>

I didn't witness any queue-cutting, but I did see a few folks who clearly were hankering to do so. The loud-talking was most noticeable in PhilharMagic where it was incessant throughout the show. And pushing happened in a few gift shops of all places.

Clearly, the behavior is more akin to the folks from the mainland. And it is something Disney MUST address. They are doing a piss poor job of it now ... wait, until I tell you my Chef Mickey's adventure.

There are some cultural 'norms' that must be corrected. The problem is Disney doesn't seem to think it needs to be addressed ... but I see boorish behavior in the American parks and in the Paris parks as well ... and it also goes unaddressed.

You need to have rules and enforce them. And Disney doesn't seem to have the stomach to do so. No matter the resort.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<I didn't recall that Tom worked on it, but that's not surprising. Very talented guy.>>

Tom was Executive Producer for the entire park, the Tomorrowland expansion works (although Tim Delaney effectively ran that project) and it's a small world (which was his last HKDL project prior to the creation of the portfolio leads and Joe Lanzisero taking both Asian resorts). Tom is one of the most unassuming and talented art directors I have ever met at WDI. He is also one of the most eloquent imagineers that I have ever dealt with.

Tom Fitzgerald should also get a lot of credit for this attraction - he was the one that convinced Jay that this was the right thing to do for Hong Kong Disneyland. He was very passionate about the project.

I checked my notes and HK's version is in between Paris' and DL's at 13 minutes. I must admit that I thought it was shorter.

We did a great interview with Tom, Jodi and Katie for Issue 12 of Tales. A cutdown of the article was on LP earlier this year:

<a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID512130.asp" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/N...2130.asp</a>

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<Tom was Executive Producer for the entire park, the Tomorrowland expansion works (although Tim Delaney effectively ran that project) and it's a small world (which was his last HKDL project prior to the creation of the portfolio leads and Joe Lanzisero taking both Asian resorts). Tom is one of the most unassuming and talented art directors I have ever met at WDI. He is also one of the most eloquent imagineers that I have ever dealt with.>>

I knew that Tom had been EP for the park, but I thought I heard he was off it once it had been opened. Glad to hear he was one of the folks who brought Small World to life. I share your opinions about him.

What is he up to these days?

<<Tom Fitzgerald should also get a lot of credit for this attraction - he was the one that convinced Jay that this was the right thing to do for Hong Kong Disneyland. He was very passionate about the project.>>

Well, I'd suggest Tom also work on convincing Jay that Pirates, Mansion, Peter Pan, any mountain attraction etc ... be added to HKDL.

It may be a beautifully designed and detailed park, but it will never come close to reaching its financial potential so long as it remains woefully short of signature Disney attractions.

<<I checked my notes and HK's version is in between Paris' and DL's at 13 minutes. I must admit that I thought it was shorter.>>

Interesting. That actually makes more sense to me. It didn't seem like it was only 2/3rds or 3/4ers the length of the other versions. Eight minutes sounded waaay off, but I wasn't sure because I generally don't look at my watch when I am experiencing a Disney attraction for the first time.

<<We did a great interview with Tom, Jodi and Katie for Issue 12 of Tales. A cutdown of the article was on LP earlier this year:

<a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/N...2130.asp>>" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/N...>></a>

Great. I think I must have missed it, but will check it out!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

"Tom is one of the most unassuming and talented art directors I have ever met at WDI. He is also one of the most eloquent imagineers that I have ever dealt with."

I LOVE Tom's work is DLP, simply amazing! Absolutelt!

As for IASW in Paris, I think it runs 11-12 min dependent on loading procedures. It's funny, it's DW's fav attraction at DLP and DL, but you should hear her womp on WDW's.

 

Originally Posted By oc_dean

>>he was the one that convinced Jay that this was the right thing to do for Hong Kong Disneyland. <<

So .. it takes a lot of convincing to have even just one new E Ticket attraction in a park with so few?

That's not encouraging!