Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech There is a distinct tendency, after 50+ years of Disney theme parks, to take certain elements for granted. Obviously us AP's who know the attractions inside and out, find it a bit fun to see alternate versions (whether Holiday makeovers, or new versions in new parks) but when it comes to Walt's Disneyland, when is it going too far? For some reason Rockin' Space Mountain was really the final straw for me. For years I've been kinda bored with HMH, but the Space Mountain makeover really annoys me. First of all, it's hardly thrilling. The higher light levels decrease whatever thrill you used to get from being unable to anticipate the next movement your rocket would make. Not to mention how out of place the whole theme is. It was simply an attempt to boost attendance by redoing an old favorite. I say, let's boost attendance by improving things, not just providing alternate versions. the 2005 redo of Space Mountain was spiffy, perhaps not enough for some, but it was a clear, focused attraction, with a definate theme that was well presented. Nobody came off it scratching thier head. But there's this opinion that seems to invade either WDI or DL that "People are bored with Disneyland and we have to remake the Classics". Meanwhile they forget that a good number of people, from young children to older people have never been to these parks before, perhaps have been waiting to seee them thier whole life. And what do they find when they finally get there? The beuatifully designed Haunted Mansion is hid under wierdly simplistic Christmas decorations and a mix of Cartoony and not so cartoony creeps. The Tiki Room in Florida verbally keeps nudging you in the ribs about how boring the Original show was, except wait this is your first time so you've never seen the original show. And instead of convincing you to suspend disbelief and imagine you are boarding a rocket into Outer space, Space Mountain assumes you would rather listen to hard rock music and pretend you are at a rock concert than in a Disney Park. I know this is a long rambling rant, but seriously, after Pirates on Tom Sawyers Island, I am going to scream the next time Disney decides to fix something that isn't broke. It's not that WDI is creatively bankrupt- I don't think that, but they are having to contend with a much different situation than any previous generation of Imagineers. Whereas past generations simply had to create great attractions, the new guys have to do that with AP's protesting every little change, and the Imagineers own fond memorie's of the parks and thinking "hey wouldn't it be neat to see a different version of this show?". yeah it was neat for a while. We're done now. Let's spend money on new things instead of making one attraction 3 ways.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes >>>It's not that WDI is creatively bankrupt<<< I disagree. But the lack of creativity and imagination is not at the level of those I consider the Imagineers. The people who are creatively bankrupt are those at WDI and their parent company who hold the purse strings. I agree with just about everything else you posted. If they'd just stop with all these makeovers for a a while, and save up to do something new and original, they'd have huge money spending crowds and six hour attraction lines once again. (Think Indiana Jones, but you wouldn't have to spend THAT much mmoney)
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech <<I disagree.But the lack of creativity and imagination is not at the level of those I consider the Imagineers. The people who are creatively bankrupt are those at WDI and their parent company who hold the purse strings.>> That's my point. WDI has talent and creativity- therefore they aren't bankrupt. I never said every person there was a creative genius, or that the right people are making decisions. Even with all the good discussion that abounds about the problems of WDI, the phallacy that they no longer have any talent just gets thrown around too much. They have several hundred people- just because a few get in the way of the many doesn't mean that they are talentless.
Originally Posted By rader22 I agree with a few of the things you've said. But overall i cannot say that the company is bankrupt in imagination. I have been going to the park now since I was four. That is now over 30 years. I find some of the makeovers to be great ideas. The Haunted Mansion Holiday is and was a fantastic idea. I watched as the atraction lost more and more people every day for many reasons. The popularity that it once had was losing to the the blasie attutides of today. However, when they decided to put the makeover in, it became popular once again. At that point they began putting in more money to fix things that needed to be, as well as adding a few new tricks. Small World is another one of those that had this happen. I actually found myself enjoying the new rockin' space mountain. I got to see things that I would never have if this had not been done. I think it's rather a cool idea to lighten up some and add music that is more of a modern feel. However, I would not want this to be a permanent thing. The Tom Sawyer's Island change with the pirates is an interesting idea. I find myself mixed on the idea. However, I will wait and see hoe it turns out when its done. It's the AP's that in my opinion tend to have too higher of expectations. They seem to think that either they need to spend millions of dollars adding a new attraction, or they need to spend the money doing something else that would benefit them. Yes, many people go for their first time and don't see what some of the rides were like previously. Personally, I believe that they should work on new things that will enhance either the existing attractions or build new ones. The subs are an example of this. An attraction that many of us remember with added benefits of scenes from Finding Nemo; which I might say is more known by the kids of today than Snow White is. Don't sell the company short because you don't like something that they've done. There are many others out there who don't find any complaints with these makeovers and such.
Originally Posted By Mickeyfan1 I can see your point, but I am reminded one time when I was on StoryBook Land canal boats. This was after they had moved Toad Hall to the end of the ride and built on this "prime property" the land of Agrabah from Aladdin. I will never forget the delight and excitiemt for a little girl that was on our boat when she caught sight of the palace. She literally lit up and shouted so excitedly "Look Mom, it the palace wher Jasmine lives!" Well right there it hit me. This little one most likely had no idea who Mr. Toad was, but Disneyland became so special for her when she saw Jasmine's palace. Change is difficult, but Disneyland must change in order to delight children of all ages. Oh sure I miss some of the old attractions that are no longer there, but I still think of this little girl everytime I walk by StoryBook Land and just have to smile at what a little "magic" did for her that day. Pirates on the Island? Sure I think it will work, espcially if they go from the point that Mark Twain wrote about in Tom Sawyer. Hang in there, it will still be a magical place.
