Originally Posted By Westsider So I've been on the new Pirate three times now. They are letting Attractions CM's ride the attraction now, we just have to promise not to take pics with our cellphones or anything. Mild Spoiler Warning!!!! Overall I am very, very impressed with how this rehab turned out. I was concerned about the Depp-ification of the ride, but I think they handled it just perfectly. There's certainly new stuff to see, and new faces spouting new dialogue, but it's all meshed perfectly with what has always been there. The removal of the 1997 rehab figures and scenes is also a breath of fresh air. Aside from the Politically Correct junk that gone jammed in there, those World of Motion figures never quite gelled with their environments in my opinion. The lone exception being the conquistador guys they added to the Fort around '00. But the new stuff and new figures really meshes nicely with the original surroundings. WDI added quite a bit of new props and eye candy. And someone in Imagineering must have gotten a really good deal on wood barrels and boxes, because there are dozens of barrels and boxes everywhere now from the loading area on through the entire ride. Maybe the townspeople were going to open a 19th century version of The Container Store or something? Who knows what WDI was thinking with all the barrels. The new Johnny Depp scene on the lift hill really turned out nicely, and I think it's a much better ending to the ride than the contrived "moral to the story" that they tried to shoehorn in there in '97. The Davy Jones effect is cool, but nothing too over the top. Your boat floats right through the mist screen, into his image, and on through the transition tunnel. It's certainly an improvement over the dark cave that had been there since '67, but I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if they had also installed the AA skeleton just past the mist screen effect. What impressed me the most, as someone who has ridden the ride probably over a hundred times in the last few years, was the amazing quality of the new audio. You can hear things that you never heard before, and individual lines and sound effects ring out as clear as day and really make the more complex scenes play much more effectively to the passing audience. Some of it is attributed to the hundreds (220 of 'em!) of new speakers that have been installed, and some of it is the digitalization of the original analog audio tracks. Combined, along with new audio added for the new figures, really makes the cacophony of sound that often bombarded riders make much more sense. The audio will blow you away! Lighting is also much improved, and the overall effect is a much crisper and fuller look to the scenes and set pieces. The funny thing is that management is insisting that the CM's don't refer to Johnny Depp as "Johnny Depp". We can only say the words "Jack Sparrow" when referring to the new figures in front of Guests. We haven't heard yet what we are supposed to do if a Guest says the words "Johnny Depp". Maybe call for Security? Overall, I think the redone Pirates ride is going to impress people. It's not radically different of course, it's just a really nice overall freshening with a few added bonus items to make it more relevant to the majority of riders who have seen and enjoyed the movies. The people who maintain that the ride has been ruined with these changes will become very quiet within a couple of weeks, and will probably be slinking into the very long line with the rest of us.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< The funny thing is that management is insisting that the CM's don't refer to Johnny Depp as "Johnny Depp". We can only say the words "Jack Sparrow" when referring to the new figures in front of Guests. We haven't heard yet what we are supposed to do if a Guest says the words "Johnny Depp". Maybe call for Security? >>> I never really thought about it, but what you say makes total sense. Especially since there will reportedly be a Captain Sparrow walk-around character, it makes a lot of sense to reinforce that it really is Captain Jack you meet in the park, and not a Johnny Depp look-alike. I suppose the proper CM reaction to a guest that mentions Johnny Depp is to respond with a reference to Captain Jack as if you were both referring to one and the same - that is, change the focus to Captain Jack without overtly correcting the guest.
Originally Posted By Diztwins How Dare you Brag! *slap* Just Kidding! thanks alot! It seems like it's going to be a great attraction... again
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Please step into my time machine: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-69173-P-1&Refresh=0617064415" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-69173-P-1&Refresh=0617064415</a>
Originally Posted By The_wicked_AP Kind of funny about the Depp reference. I've never had a crush on any kind of actor, never had a fave, even when I was young. But, boy howdy, do I like Captain Jack. Got some Depp videos after Pirates movie and it's not Depp I adore, it's Captain Jack. Maybe it's the accent....*grin*
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk My kids tease me about my crush on JD and I correct them everytime that it is Captain Jack Sparrow whom I love! One more week and I too will ride! Yo Ho
Originally Posted By DlandJB JD is the one actor that both my 15 year old daughter and I both find attractive...well JD and Hugh Laurie. Can't wait to see the new ride. LOL at the Container Store reference.
Originally Posted By quincytoo ^^^^^^OHHHHH DR. House.....Sigh.....and JD is right up there too!!! One more week until I ride also
Originally Posted By pecos bill I am one of those purists who dreaded the new changes. The deal is, there isnt a thing in the world I can do about it, so I plan on enjoying the attraction, no matter what. I certainly never planned on boycotting the ride in any way, but I will reserve my right to gripe and moan if there is something I dont like. Westsider makes things sound pretty good, so I am optimistic.
Originally Posted By fastpassholder Westsider, I had two quick questions. 1) Did they change any of the Paul Frees dialog as the Auctioneer or as the warning voice in the "transition tunnel"? 2) Do the Jack Sparrow AAs look more like Johnny Depp or the general character, like the Indiana Jones AA? Thanks!
Originally Posted By Tink60 Thanks Westsider, I was becoming a bit concerned with all the Depp hype, but it sounds like disney has done a good job of staying true to the ride but acknowledging the movies.
Originally Posted By azgroves Thanks Westsider for the ride update. I too will be riding in about a month. I have been riding this ride for over 30 years and I am glad to hear that the PC stuff is gone. I can't wait!!
Originally Posted By oc_dean Thanks Westsider! I always love your write-ups on every single ride update you do. I always wanted to meet Da'Westsider after 6 years here on LP .. but I guess we have to just say .. "Thank you for continuing to be one of the many intelligent and sharp voices around here."
Originally Posted By leemac On the Depp Vs Sparrow point WDI used Johnny's life mask from the movie to sculpt the AA so it should be an exact likeness.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Westsider, I swore I wasn't going to read any posts about the ride before I get to go to DLR at the end of the month. I'm pretty adept at skim reading, finding and blocking key words, so I thought what the heck, I'd check out your thoughts on the ride. My eye focused on Container Store and I HAD to read the entire paragraph. OMG, you literally made me laugh out loud and scared the cat. I can't wait to see those barrels now Instead of checking out Captain Jack and new diaglogue I'll be thinking "you know, Westsider was right, look at all those barrels and boxes"
Originally Posted By bloona great report. Oh and add me to the swoon over Mr Depp list too, but especially his Jack Sparrow character.yummi phwwwooooooooooooooooor.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I'm more of a Hugh Jackman manly man type of girl, but I'll admit Captain Jack is FUN to watch!
Originally Posted By dl1956 Maybe the "Johnny Depp by name" bit has something to do with Disney avoiding legal issues about using his name without permission?
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation We wants da redhead! We wants da redhead! Respectfully yours, The Men of LP
