Originally Posted By ctdsnark Seeing the video of the recent refurbishment of Mexico's boat ride started me thinking of an idea I had several years ago for an attraction for the UK pavilion,albeit in revised form. One of the UK's major contributions to world culture is fantasy legends and fictional characters---King Arthur,Robin Hood,Sherlock Holmes,Tarzan,Frankenstein,Dracula,Ebeneezer Scrooge,Peter Pan,Alice{In Wonderland},Winnie The Pooh,Mr.Toad,Paddington,Willy Wonka,Harry Potter---these,as well as many others,were created by UK writers,many of which still inspire filmmakers today.My idea is a ride celebrating these characters. You would enter a stately,19th-century English building---perhaps a scaled-down structure,like Disneyland's Toad Hall---where the queue area is a sitting room,wherein resides a talking animal{s?} in formal dress{a bulldog,a bear,a lion,etc. with the voice of John Cleese,Robbie Coltrane,Bob Hoskins,etc.}seated in a plush armchair,smoking a pipe.On the wall next to him,a painting of a fairy queen comes to life{CGI image,voiced by Miranda Richardson,Maggie Smith,Kate Winslet,etc.}---together,they serve as hosts for the voyage you are to undertake,as you leave this area and board a ride vehicle,which takes you past tableaux depicting famous scenes from UK fantasy fiction. Like the attractions found in the Mexican and Norwegian pavilions,this wouldn't be a major attraction{at least,not up to the level of Pirates or the H-Mansion}so no animatronics are used.They would all be static figures,like those in a waxworks{tying in to the UK theme},but in elaborately detailed backdrops.Some effects work would enhance the scenes---lightning flashes illuminates Dracula's lair,the sound of clashing steel can be heard in the static swordfight between Peter Pan and Captain Hook.Perhaps even the Imagineers could utilize their famous "smellitzer" device---the scent of chocolate enfolds Willy Wonka's edible forest,or pipe tobacco can be detected around Sherlock Holmes.Furthermore,none of these characters would overly resemble any of their previous depictions;the aforementioned Dracula wouldn't look like Lugosi,Lee,Langella,Gary Oldman,or any famous actor who's played the character.In a similar fashion,there would be no Disney depictions here---Peter Pan,Alice,and so forth wouldn't resemble their famous animated versions.This ride would celebrate the characters,not those who've depicted them.In fact,the ride itself would be like a visual cross between a 19th-century waxworks and an English ghost train.
Originally Posted By DlandDug This sounds like a lot of fun. It would provide a pleasant boat ride, and encourage imagination for those who are so inclined. I like "environmental attractions myself. This idea is rich with visual ideas.
Originally Posted By ctdsnark A boat ride?I suppose.....I really imagined this as an Omnimover ride,but that could work as well.It would certainly contribute to its "environment".
Originally Posted By ctdsnark Shakespeare---I forgot about him---the three witches from Macbeth,the fantasy creatures from A Midsummers Nights Dream... This ride would represent the UK as a whole---in other words,creations from the minds of Scottish and Irish,as well as British,minds.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN How about bulldozing the entire UK pavillion since it serves no purpose, and build a pavillion from a real country with more interesting culture and history to share?
Originally Posted By gutobr We can ignore TDLFAN's comment. A useless comment. Omnimover is a great idea. But through projected short recreations of different phases of British history (Druids, Vikings, Knights, Empire, WWII, modern UK). Then through a soaring type projection around sites in the country (like the PeopleMover used to have at DL) To see the moors of Scotland, the mountains of Wales, and the metropolis of London. That would be a thrill.
Originally Posted By irishfan >>with more interesting culture and history to share?<< Now that is the funniest thing I've heard in a long time.
Originally Posted By bloona <<How about bulldozing the entire UK pavillion since it serves no purpose, and build a pavillion from a real country with more interesting culture and history to share?>> you just get more and more odd.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The lack of oxygen TDLFAN experiences from spending so much time on aircraft has unfortunate effects on his brain. Please don't blame him... he really can't help it. ;-)
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I thought the attration is a good idea, does any one know somone in the know to get it started? I think England is pretty with all the rain it gets so green. Beautiful country sides.
Originally Posted By bloona << think England is pretty with all the rain it gets so green. Beautiful country sides.>> I is a lovely country, thank you. Lovely and sunny at the moment too. I like the idea of your ride, very good.
Originally Posted By ctdsnark A ride celebrating UK history and culture would be nice,but I think people would react more to an attraction celebrating this particular aspect of UK creativity.
Originally Posted By SpectroWishes914 I think this would be a great addition to the UK pavillion. Epcot really needs to expand it's attraction range. What Epcot needs are rides (Like this one) that would make families want to come again and again. I think your ride idea would help expand that range.
Originally Posted By partyhare I would love more rides in World Showcase, but I think UK is not the best candidate for a ride. A mix of stationary British literary references sounds kind of like a Superstar Limo type ride. Japan and Canada are the best places for themed rides, until a Brazil pavilion opens!
Originally Posted By mickey_ring <<How about bulldozing the entire UK pavillion since it serves no purpose, and build a pavillion from a real country with more interesting culture and history to share?>> Well, y'know, It really is an easily forgotten pass-thru to get to the rest of World Showcase. A thousand years of history is represented by fish and chips and a red phone booth and that's about it. Let's see a castle, a Rolls Royce and Bentley display, some Waterford crystal and like that.
Originally Posted By mstaft I think the UK is pretty fascinating, especially London. Loved the Tower of London in particular. It is too bad Disney never built a London Tube- type transportantion to bring you around World Showcase with multiple stops along the way. Coulda been fun.
