Originally Posted By mousermerf So the refurb of the Rivers of America include some new theme/landscaping additions. In particular 4 "zones" the Rio Grande, Columbia, Mississippi & Potomac Rivers. The Columbia secton is apparently going for a Northwestern look recycling old Christmas trees from horticulture.
Originally Posted By Marlin Perkins Sounds interesting. I think it's time the spruced up the old goose.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Hm. That sounds like an interesting idea. Depending on how it works out, it sounds like it will be a lot more like the ROA title implies, instead of simply a random river somewhere in the country. I'm not sure how well the four different areas will look together (especially since the TSI side will likely look pretty much the same throughout), especially with the surrounding lands. It's something new and different, and it sounds like it could be really neat. I'm looking forward to it. And I'm not sure how they could be recycling old Christmas trees, since DLR has been using artificial ones for several years. Even if they were using real ones, it's unlikely that the roots would have been kept in tact during their time in the parks.
Originally Posted By Manfried The Rivers of America were always based on the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. The landscaping might be a nice touch, but frankly they need to re-think what people see besides an empty cabin and politically correct Indians. Maybe a trapper or two it would be historically accurate no matter how distasteful the PC types find it.
Originally Posted By Roger55 I'd like a reasonbly credible source cited before believing what has been posted. One inconsistency has already been pointed out.
Originally Posted By Westsider Of course we all know that Jungle Cruise is set up this same way officially - the cruise takes you down different world rivers; the Nile, the Amazon, the Mekong, etc. That show concept is of course entirely lost on 99.95% of the few hundred million guests who have gone on this attraction in the last 55 years. To almost everyone it's just "trip through jungle with fake animals". The Rivers of America is being set up this way, and they have been planting some new trees and such to try and give different sections of the river a different vibe. Think a few new pine trees to simulate Oregon and the Columbia River, etc. But there's still a ton of all those massive, 50+ year old trees that were planted there just to create green foliage. The reworking of some of the show scenes and new staging for animatronics might help a bit, but... This concept of having the Rivers of America represent four of the greatest and most iconic American rivers is something that is going to be totally lost on almost everyone. This will only make sense to press release copywriters, a few Imagineers after the Friday afternoon cocktail hour at PF Changs, and the fanbois who hang on their every word. The 99.95% of the rest of Disneyland's paying guests will continue to think of their trip on the Sailing Ship Columbia as "ride on pirate ship past the Indians and fake moose".
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <That show concept is of course entirely lost on 99.95% of the few hundred million guests who have gone on this attraction in the last 55 years. To almost everyone it's just "trip through jungle with fake animals".> So? Isn't it those kinds of 'attention to detail' that makes Disneyland attractions special and unique? Or is that my old-fashioned and quaint thought processes from my out-dated 'Traditions' classes?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I'm with you Jim, and frankly I was slightly taken aback by Disney's decision to do this and not populate the shores with characters from Pocahontas and Home on The Range. So does this mean that the Pirates overlay will finally go? What about the Fort? Will it be restored?
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland "recycling old Christmas trees from horticulture." LOL! I wonder where they've been keeping those hidden...
Originally Posted By Westsider Hey guys, I'm with you. All of us on the River were psyched to hear we were getting some love that didn't involve Pixar Characters or over-hyped Hollywood celebrities. My point was... don't expect radical, major change with this rehab. The Fort will still be boarded up and off limits, Pirate's Lair will still be in full force (with some refreshing itself), and pirate flags will still fly from the rafts. Those very familiar with the Rivers of America will notice some new trees and some reworked landscaping. Those less familiar may notice some of the new animatronics and refreshed Show scenes. But none of these rather modest additions, or the much needed maintenance on the rest of the Rivers of America, is going to make anyone think they are sailing the Columbia River in Oregon or the Ohio River through the bluegrass country of Kentucky. I wonder if Disney should even say anything about the Four Rivers concept? It seems like it's just going to be ammo for fanbois to fire up the Internets with when they are let down on May 15th.
Originally Posted By mousermerf This is going to make me sound stupid.. since I can't recall ever having ridden the Twain or Columbia.. but don't they have an automated spiel that plays as they go 'round? Wouldn't that, if updated, reinforce the new thematic elements?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It might, but how effective will it actully be? The Jungle Cruise skipper tell us when we're rounding the bend from the Congo to the Nile, but it pretty much looks exactly the same and is only a set-up for a cheesy joke (If you don't believe me, then you're in denial...And that makes the Nile the longest river in Anaheim). Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad that they're updating ROA and adding some new theming in. I really just wonder exactly how practical the change will be. If it was more like DLP's river, which has a woodsy section, an area with gysers, and the rocks of Big Thunder, people would probably get it a little better. But with all the old growth trees in Anaheim, anything they add now will take years before it becomes the dominant plant in the area that guests will see. It's good intentions, but I still wonder how effective it will be.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "My point was... don't expect radical, major change with this rehab." So in other words you think Disney should be doing more than add some trees to reinforce the story. Based on what's being reported it sounds like we are probably in agreement on that. It's really unfortunate that the Pirates thing is staying and that the Fort isn't being rebuilt.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA My feeling is that sometimes it's okay for Disneyland to make updates to the park without turning it into some sort of Press Event.
