Originally Posted By TDLFAN Here is the new cover on the MK Guidemap now available in the park. <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32237575&p=74479370" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32237575&p=74479370</a> Concequently... the lines have now grown a bit. Today, G-Fan and I waited approx 35 mins to ride at around 4pm. Not much new in the ride itself since I rode it during soft openings.. Seems like the battle scene had more going for it than the last time I ride.. with more booming sound from the cannons and the water explosions jumping a bit higher, but still not as good and often as DL's. It's still hard to hear some of the new dialogue unless you pay close attention to what's being said. they need to increase the volume on those scenes, especially the dunking scene. Other than that... not much else new.
Originally Posted By Labuda Nice cover & WOW at the wait. I honestly don't think it's ever taken me more than 20 minutes to board Pirates from the time I entered the covered area where you get into the queue.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer I like the cover. I doubt that the changes the ride received will sustain longer waits for very long though.
Originally Posted By Skylardad I understand that Stitch has been removed from the monorail spiel in favor of a "Pirates" plug. It's sad that every square inch of the park and now the audio of the monorail has to be a sales pitch. Remember the good old days when the only ads you saw were the attraction posters in the train station? Remember when hearing Jack Wagner's voice on the monorail was like being greeted by an old friend? IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.
Originally Posted By MmmOranges Not at all impressed. In fact, I'm outraged at this addition. *Kristen*
Originally Posted By Trinitys Ghost Hey TDLFan - I enjoyed your critique on the attraction (post redux), and have my own thoughts on it since I'd ridden the updated version. Forgive me, this may have been mentioned on the other thread, but the talking skull and crossbones that once graced the rocky facade prior to the drop is, alas, no more (big deal to some, no big to others). What are your thoughts (fellow posters, please chime in) on losing that piece within the attraction? I'd heard it was taken out because the Davey Jones effect was too close to it, however DL's skull and crossbones did not suffer the same fate. (I know there may be a difference in length in that area of the attraction - DL vs WDW, but still found the reasoning odd). I think they could have kept the effect, and even updated the wording if need be (with X Atencio) if WDI felt sensed any sort of redundancy.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I'm outraged at this addition.>> Have you ridden PotC with the additions? Seems like most of the reviews say the changes are minimal.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden <<IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.>> Why shouldn't the company be allowed to tell guests what's going on? And why does it have to ONLY be in the guidebook? They're promotoing their own attractions to people who seem to be interested in actually experiencing those very attractions. And if you're on the monorail heading to the MK is it so bad that they actually tell you what's new or what you might not want to miss? Some people may actually get excited.
Originally Posted By tonyanton Does anyone know if they re-opened the old "House of Treasure" shop? There was a rumor it might re-open with the updated attraction. I don't mind changes, I just wish they hadn't removed the Barker Bird from outside of "Pirates..." :[
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.>> If it weren't for the advertising and shameless plugs (regardless of where they are, WDW and otherwise) I can guarantee you that PoTC: DMC would not have raked in a record first few days.
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 <<IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.>> IMHO.. This is Disney's park.. they own and run it the way they see fit..... "shameless plugs" I'm speechless...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I understand that Stitch has been removed from the monorail spiel in favor of a "Pirates" plug.>> What a shock. <<It's sad that every square inch of the park and now the audio of the monorail has to be a sales pitch.>> Two words: Pirates and Princesses. Remember them because those are what Disney is going to shove down your throats for the next few years. <<Remember the good old days when the only ads you saw were the attraction posters in the train station? Remember when hearing Jack Wagner's voice on the monorail was like being greeted by an old friend?>> I can tell you're a kindred spirit. Those were the days. When you visiting WDW was just so magical that they never had to tel you all about the DISNEY MAGIC (insert trademark)they were going to create for you. It's such a different mindset at the company. I think that everytime I walk into a shop and see a manager wearing no costume with Gap clothing and dangling a lanyard with pins and company ID just how tacky and UNMAGICAL the whole experience has become. Some people like to say it's the marginalization of the product (or worse, 'the brand') but I say it's the WalMarting of WDW because nothing reflects the dumbing down of our society quite like the Evil Empire. <<IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.>> I agree. It also would be nice to see guidebooks again, but why bother? Everything is so generic Disney now.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Does anyone know if they re-opened the old "House of Treasure" shop? There was a rumor it might re-open with the updated attraction.>> No. Why pay for AC for a real gift shop when you can wall it off, turn it into a storage room and turn what was a peaceful courtyard that old a few items into a tacky flea market of pirates crap? All part of the WalMarting of WDW. Does anyone here remember when there were half a dozen shops in Adventureland and they didn't sell generic character merchandise?
Originally Posted By Skylardad I must admit that I am shocked that I have been blasted for my comment and stating what was merely an opinion... <<IMHO, the guide map should be the only place where they should be doing any kind of advertising or shameless plugs.>> But, if people want to take a shot at my opinion, I feel compelled to respond. To elaborate on why I feel this way... So much of WDW is cluttered with advertising, marketing, and duplicate selections and displays of merchandise that much of it loses its novelty before you get to the next themed land. So when the monorail has been transformed from a unique, pleasurable experience to yet another avenue for marketing and advertising please forgive me for being sore. To clarify the above statement... While plugging the re-opening of Pirates or the former HCOE spiel is informative to guests who may not know about the re-openings or celebrations, it's not the same kind of information or helpful hints that used to be addressed - such as dining options, planning on where to meet if you become separated in the park, fun facts about the resort, etc. As for the success of POTC: DMC... I honestly don't believe that the saturation of Pirate merchandise at WDW and the plug on the monorail spiel had a major impact on the box office success of the new film. The quality of the first film; anticipation of the new film; the hearththrobs of Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Kiera Knightly; and the media blitz on commercial television had the impact on audiences who put the new film's ticket sales in the record books. The saturation of merchandise and the re-do of the attraction was designed to take advantage of the box office success - not the other way around. I am well aware that WDW owns the park and has every right to run the park as they see fit. But all of this discussion comes back around to what has been argued here a million times - WDWs direction into making every effort to squeeze my wallet dry rather than focus on the little things that make it magical and memorable are disheartening. Having managed in big box retail and also in the entertainment industry, I am well-aware of the importance of capitalizing on a hot product. But I am also a patron of WDW from both the old and new school way of doing business and I prefer the old way. Subtlty went a LONG way to not only selling a product but also in preserving the magic and ambience of the parks.
Originally Posted By tonyanton Spirit...I remember when there were a half-dozen unique shops in Liberty Square too (and a couple in Frontierland, as well).
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 <<Two words: Pirates and Princesses. Remember them because those are what Disney is going to shove down your throats for the next few years.>> I guess as a guest, you have a choice to attend or not... and if does not make money for Disney then it will go away... no one is forced to do any of the extra hard ticket events... and to look at the big picture... no one is forcing anyone to even go to Disney World... I personally choose to go, and the advertising that you mention does not bother me in anyway... IMO..
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Spirit...I remember when there were a half-dozen unique shops in Liberty Square too (and a couple in Frontierland, as well).>> How about the magic shop and the penny arcade on Main Street? It's just the same plush and t-shirts each and every time you go in a store.
