Originally Posted By Daannzzz <a href="http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al110805a.htm" target="_blank">http://www.miceage.com/allutz/ al110805a.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Wow. Lots of spoilers regarding the re-do of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' but it really sounds cool.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I feel a strong desire to videotape every square inch of Pirates before they change it. Not because I am afraid of the changes; I'd just want to be able to have a record of the way it is now.
Originally Posted By gadzuux What's "extra-interesting" are not just the list of potential changes that al mentions, but also the context. I find it entirely credible that WDI would be a bit miffed to have two of the most popular current attraction overlays (HMH, SWH) done by the 'entertainment' division, without any input from imagineering. We've seen reports for years now about the friction between the two units, (hamburger anyone?) so I can easily believe that WDI would be itching to get in to 'pirates' and freshen it up. I'm also optimistic about the proposed changes to DCA. From what little we can currently see in HPB, it's not much - some new landscaping, pavers, a fountain. But it's a start. If al is correct, the entrance/sun court, the area outside of 'soarin', and PP are all slated for upgrades and atmospherics - and sooner rather than later. And the farm will become a new entrance area for an 'incredibles' attraction that we had been told was shelved. If there's a clunker in today's column, it's the news that 'golden dreams' may be moved to the DCA entrance area instead of being given the heave-ho it deserves. But all in all, a good read - and long overdue. We hadn't had an al update in about a month.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Jim Hill has some interesting comments about the new Incredibles ride... <a href="http://www.jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=1729" target="_blank">http://www.jimhillmedia.com/ar ticle.php?id=1729</a> >>A very similar message to Pixar was just delivered by Walt Disney Imagineering. Where the Imagineers who were working on a "Cars" -themed attraction for Disney's California Adventure were suddenly told to abandon that project. That -- from here on in -- WDI would concentrate its efforts on producing a robotic-arm-ride for that theme park that would be themed around the characters featured in Pixar's 2004 release, "The Incredibles." "What's so significant about the Imagineers supposedly pulling the plug on some 'Cars' -themed attraction?," you inquire. Well, another term that Steve Jobs has reportedly set in order for this new deal to go through is that -- from this point forward -- Pixar will outright own all films that that animation studio produces. More importantly, as a gesture of good will on Disney's part, Jobs allegedly wants this terms to begin retroactively with "Cars." Meaning that Steve supposedly wants the Mouse to hand over all ownership rights to this new John Lasseter movie. So that Pixar will then own "Cars" lock, stock and 4-barrel carburetor. "But ... But ... But what does that have to do with a new 'Cars' -themed attraction going into DCA?," you sputter. Well, yet another aspect of this new deal is that -- from here on in -- Pixar wants to have creative oversight over how the characters from their motion pictures will be used in the Disney theme parks. More importantly, that Pixar Animation Studios now wishes to recieve a fee every time a character, setting & storyline from one of their movies are used to help create a new ride, show and attraction for the Disney theme parks. "But what does this fee have to do with DCA's 'Cars" attraction being tabled in favor of an 'Incredibles' ride?," you continue. As I understand it, given that the Walt Disney Company will still co-own "The Incredibles" ... The belief inhouse is that the fee that WDI will eventually be asked to pay in order to produce a ride based on this Brad Bird film will be considerably smaller than the fee that Disney would likely have to pay Pixar in order to build a ride based on "Cars." Which is why DCA's "Incredibles" attraction has reportedly been fast-tracked (With this robotic-arm-ride now supposedly slated to open at Disney's California Adventure in late 2008 / early 2009) while that theme park's proposed "Cars" -based ride has now been put up on blocks.<<
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Interesting. The segment I've always liked the least in Pirates (the long boring cave just before the battle scene) is finally getting some much needed story telling elements. I dislike the retheming to correlate with the film, but it should play well with audiences.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt >Well, yet another aspect of this new deal is that -- from here on in -- Pixar wants to have creative oversight over how the characters from their motion pictures will be used in the Disney theme parks.< No wonder Eisner turned his back on the deal. If true this arrangement really does not work in Disney's favor and will drive up costs associated with using these characters in forthcoming attractions. Disney should be creating their own characters and situations for attractions and forget about paying out money to "lease" them from other sources. Why spend millions on character rights when that money could be spent on ride development?
Originally Posted By gadzuux If they did that we'd have more attractions based on cows (home on the range), underwater aliens (atlantis), intergalactic bandits (treasure planet), hunchbacks, dwarfs, slobbering incoherent aliens. Disney's recent track record of creating characters that resonate with the public has been, well - mixed. On the other hand, pixar has been batting 1000. Some people may like stitch, or quasimodo, or llama guy from ENG - but they haven't really taken root in the pop culture like buzz, woody, nemo and that whole crowd. One of DBs recent photos featured an 'abby mallard' rubberhead - yikes! Do they hope to sell plush of these characters? I'm all for funding new attraction development, but the recent spate of disney characters? Leave them out of it.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^I'm not talking about movie characters, therefore I suppose I agree with you. Why can't they continue to create original characters and stories ala Mansion, Pirates, or the original version of Journey Into Imagination?
Originally Posted By BrnardM About these pirate changes, just wow. It's hard to say just how I feel about such dramatic changes being made, mixed feelings to be sure. I love the attraction as it is (occasionally I do get wistful for the old pirates chasing maids). I only read part of Al's article, because I wanted to be suprised, but some of the propposed additions sound amazing. Now I like DCA, black sheep that it is, but my one true complaint about it is that it never displayed the magic that Imagineering can acheive (except for Soarin'). That's the kind of vibe I get from the sound of these new additions. Like it's going to be something special. Still, tying it directlly to the movies would not have been my first choice. I'll hold my opinion until I get to see whats in store, and in the meantime I'll be riding pirates like there's no tomorrow.
Originally Posted By Rivkah86 <in the meantime I'll be riding pirates like there's no tomorrow> DITTO. I'll be sure to soak it up all I can. I personally am a little torn. I am actually looking forward to some of their new additions- they sound pretty cool. However, I just had to think- all the kids born within the last 5-10 years or so, who have never ridden the original, will never know it without Johnny Depp. most likely, many kids from here on out will view the ride as being based off of the movie, and not vice versa. Because isn't that what they are learning from DCA? Movie first. If success, then a theme park ride. Sigh.
Originally Posted By pitapan16 WoooHoooo! I really like just about how everything sounds in these plans! Pirates and DCA both. I think the new entrance area to DCA sounds really beautiful with the craftsman woodwork look and Golden Dreams would work perfect as the entrance plot/attraction to California Adventure.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <If there's a clunker in today's column, it's the news that 'golden dreams' may be moved to the DCA entrance area instead of being given the heave-ho it deserves.> Couldn't disagree more. If 'Golden Dreams' were located in the front of te park, more people would see it. Plus, the changes to the Suncourt could be beautiful. Make it place to hang out, plan your visit, see a great movie, and then head out. Gives the park a much deeper layer. Jim in Merced, CA - who is a FOGD
Originally Posted By Monty Cristo I'm all for the changes to Pirates. I think the idea that DL is constantly evolving while maintaining its spirit is one of the charming aspects of the park. It's part of what seperates it from all the rest. I understand the sentiment behind not wanting kids to think the movie spawned the ride, but at the end of the day that's probably the case anyway. In fact, I'm sure a lot of children (and even some adults for that matter) got on those boats for the first time in the last few summers and wondered where Jack Sparrow was and gee...it's kinda weird that a "movie ride" doesn't have anyone from the movie in it.
Originally Posted By ahecht I have to agree with Jim in -- wait a minute, when did Jim move!?! Anyway, I always thought that Golden Dreams really helped lay out the groundwork for the park, and showed that there was at least some method to the maddness (well, at least before they starting de-Californiaizing it). It was the "thesis statement" for the 5th grade essay that is DCA.
Originally Posted By jaycub I love the Pirates Movies, but I am very upset about the changes that they plan to make to the attraction. I just don't see why they feel that they have to take a classic attraction and change it to fit the movie that was INSPIRED by it. There are a few changes that I think will improve the attraction, but there is no reason to eliminate the X Atencio talking skull dialogue to make you think that Davey Jones is the one who was beckoning warnings. I also am very much opposed to having Barbossa replace Blackbeard on the wicked Wench. Originally I was upset that they were even going to add Jack Sparrow to the attraction at all, but now that's about the only addition that I think won't bother me (I am intrigued by the new elements in the tunnel, I will admit that.) I have always been worried that Disney would ruin the best attraction in the park, and now I worry that my fear might come true.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I don't understand the whole tunnel thing. It sounds like they will be using a mini version of the mist screens from Fantasmic! to show Davy Jones over the boats. From what I've gathered by watching F! and reading about it, those things move tons of water. Sure, it looks cool, but people will be coming off of there completey drenched. And I'm very afraid that the effect will look too cartooney. The rest of the additions at least seem realistic, while this it a bit much. Also, I think I am fine with just about the rest of it, with the exception of the changes to the Wicked Wench. I think that it needs to stay the way that it is, and if it is getting a movie character, it should not replace the captain. What I always liked about POTC (and to some extent HM) is that there is a abit of uncertainty about the story, so you make it fit what you want to. It leaves plenty of room for imagination, while telling the story in a complete format. I'm afraid that the additions will force a story on the attraction (a fairly tacky story at that) and it just won't be as inspiring as the original.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> It sounds like they will be using a mini version of the mist screens from Fantasmic! to show Davy Jones over the boats. << I'm thinking the mist screens will be more like the "rat on a limb" effect from indy - nobody will get wet from that.
