What's YOUR favorite Tomorrowland? Hong Kong

Originally Posted By Mr X

I wrote these comments on another message, but started thinking that it would be an interesting topic to discuss what makes Tomorrowland special, and what might NOT work so well. Anyway, I gave my thoughts (below), what do ya'll think?

$$my thoughts on Tomorrowlands begin here$$

I really was sickened by the newer Anaheim efforts. It was about as tomorrow as last weeks garbage.

Same with Florida, and Tokyo. Nothing special whatsoever.

Paris was just a retro "we have no vision" thing. Not impressed. If they called it "Jules Verne land" (like they pretty much DID in DisneySea) that would have been fine.

And PLEASE don't get me started on the worst, worst, worst, most PATHETIC tomorrowland ever...HONG KONG Tom.....erCARTOON LAND.

What a farce. What are they thinking? A freakin cartoon version of some stupid space reststop or something?

That is just horrible. And cheap. Oh, did I mention cheap? Yeah...cheap. And crappy. Horrible concept.

The only vision of Tomorrowland that EVER inspired me, and even still does to this day, was the ultra "on the move" wonderful Tomorrowland of Disneyland, circa 1960-70's (I think?). THAT was a place that was filled with "the promise of tomorrow".

Hong Kong really made me want to puke.

How can you create the world of tomorrow, today...on a shoestring? With a cartoony, stupid concept to boot!?

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Read my answer to you in the Tokyo section since you are pasting this topic all over.

 

Originally Posted By Loomis

You've clearly made up your mind, but if you'll indulge me for a moment...

I don't think the concept is that different to the other Tomorrowlands. Admittedly, I have only been to Anaheim and Hong Kong, but the essentials - Autopia; Space Mountain; Astro Blasters; Orbitron etc - are in both parks, with a few new additions.

The only 'cartoony' bit that I think of is the UFO Zone, which was probably a poorly advised addition to the struggling park. However, the other areas are great. Autopia's "alien landscape" makes driving cars a far more futuristic thing to do.

It seems to me that one of the chief complaints of Anaheim at the moment is that Tomorrowland is poorly executed and not 'in theme'. Many believe talking fish are not futuristic enough, and Innoventions has become a massive commercial. At least HKDL's theme keeps the future setting (with Stitch, UFOs, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain and an alien landscape), something that I think the US counterpart fails to do.

By the way, if theme park lands continue to make you feel ill to the point of vomiting, I'd probably consult a doctor.

Cheers.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

lol...

Well Loomis, as for Autopia I can't comment because it wasn't there when I visited the park. It does look pretty cool from TDLFAN's pics, though, so I'll give you that.

As for your claim that the HK theme "keeps the future setting", let me just point out that NOT ONLY are Stitch and Buzz both CARTOONS...neither are even future cartoons! One is a present day alien, and the other is a toy.

I don't see that as anything to do with "Tomorrow" whatsoever. It'd fit fine in Fantasyland.

And as for the "alien" thing, as far as I know aliens don't exist (more fantasy), and don't have much to do with the original concept of "the promise of tomorrow". Just an easy cop-out. And again, that serves to keep things cheap and not have to really put much effort into the idea.

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

I understand why HKDL went that way as far as theming, it will always be 'in time' I guess. But, the cartoon look is just too cartoony for my taste and Mr. X is right, it has just as many cartoon attractions as the rest of them. Ironically, outside of SM, the autopia is as futuristic as anything. But in Disney's mind since both of those cartoon's at least have some kind of alien/out of space theme, that makes them 'futuristic'. Whatever. I think we can ALL agree though that NONE of the TL's have anything to do with Walt's original idea. Monsters is being put in TL at TDL and that's the dumbest decision YET!!! I rather they spent that money on theming the land, but I'm sure most people who want more rides would disagree .

Anyway, HKDL TL is horrible for what it is, it's just so sad how small and landlocked the space is at this point. It can't really grow like the others and that's the biggest problem in my book.

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

^^OOPS, I meant to say was HKDL TL is 'FINE' for what it is....

Seriously, that's what I meant to say.

I guess that was just a Freudian slip .

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

I love it how people use that Freudian excuse to hide their true feelings...

 

Originally Posted By WorldDisney

^^LOL, I TRIED to be nice ;D

 

Originally Posted By Inspector 57

TDLFAN, don't be frustrated with X and WD over their perceptions of HKDL.

Instead, be thrilled that you somehow have the gift of being able to enjoy the Park.

You win.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Yeah!!! I win!!! So what are you saying about WD and X precisely???

 

Originally Posted By Inspector 57

LOL!

Now, play nice.

They're not "losers." . They're "non-optimized participants."

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Hey now...Inspector, I've heard YOU talk your share of trash from time to time.

And as for TDLFAN...well, I think he gives other resorts a break because he's busy focused on how bad WDW is, for some reason.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Not true^^ I give the MK a hard time. I actually enjoy Epcot and MGM and absolutely love DAK. One reason why I like HKDL a lot is because of their DAK-like Adventureland.

 

Originally Posted By Inspector 57

<<Hey now...Inspector, I've heard YOU talk your share of trash from time to time.>>

Wait a second! *I* didn't call you a loser! TDLFAN did! Slag HIM already, not me!

LOL! X, I love reading your and WD's comments about HKDL. Partly because I value your opinions, and partly because you guys are so damned funny when you get wound up.

But I was totally serious about TDLFAN being the winner. You and WD go to the Park and are disgusted and/or bored. TDLFAN goes and he finds delight in what he sees. We know that he's not stupid or easily impressed or unfamiliar with Disney Parks, so that doesn't explain it. He just has the gift, whatever that may be, of being able to enjoy it.

It doesn't make your criticisms of or reactions to the Park any less valid. It just makes you less lucky than him.

And as for me ever talking trash, I think you must have me confused with dabob or LuLu or edisyoda or someone.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>He just has the gift, whatever that may be,<<

Cash? nope!

>>..of being able to enjoy it.<<

Working for a ruthless management team in a company that has a historic culture of being CHEAP in everything they do. But we don't need to go into private details of my professional life.. please.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

***Not true^^ I give the MK a hard time. I actually enjoy Epcot and MGM and absolutely love DAK. One reason why I like HKDL a lot is because of their DAK-like Adventureland.***

Fair enough. I guess I've gotten caught up in your MK criticisms (well deserved, I'm sure) that I started getting the impression that you were finding all of WDW to be under-par.

To be fair, you HAVE commented on WDW service going downhill "as a whole", right? Not just at the Magic Kingdom?

I love Animal Kingdom too...absolutely awsome AND a great example of what they CAN achieve even without an unlimited budget.

MGM, I've always enjoyed "for what it is"...meaning, it's a counter to Universal and it works fine. I wouldn't travel to Florida just to see that place though!

EPCOT...ugh. I love Epcot, SO much. It WAS my favorite park, and if they'd kept up the SPIRIT of what it was meant to be it would STILL be my favorite park but turning "future world" into "thrill ride world" (and pretty lame thrills at that!)...just bugs the heck out of me.

Now you know how *I* feel about the 4 parks!

p.s. as for the Magic Kingdom...love it. Problems? Lack of attractions? Maintenance issues?

Don't care.

Why?

Cause no other Disney park ANYWHERE can compare as far as "getting there". With the lake, and the hotels, the boat, the monorail, and the castle spires off in the distance...it IS the ultimate fantasy for young and old.

I can forgive pretty much any content problems just by looking at it from the ttc.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Inspector...I must say that I enjoy myself wherever I go.

I enjoyed HKDL. Really. I did.

I SIMPLY ran out of stuff to see. That's it. I was somewhat perturbed that Disney would make a cheap park like that, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the place while I was there. And, with an awsome city to explore and time being against me, it certainly didn't bother me to say "okay...seen it. time to go do some more fun stuff elsewhere".

But, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy myself. I loved the 3D movie thing (that was cool, a first for me since I'd not been back to Florida), the Jungle Cruise was very different and cool to check out...everything else (what there was) was nice, and appropriately "Magic Kingdom" and I enjoyed it all just as I do in Florida, Tokyo, and Anaheim.

So, there you have it. It's a magic kingdom of sorts, and I liked what there was. They just need to put a LOT more in to make it a full day.

But I had fun.

So there.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>you HAVE commented on WDW service going downhill "as a whole", right? Not just at the Magic Kingdom?<<

There are many great CMs at WDW, but service and efficiency there can be a hit or miss... across the board. Lucky for us... the good service outdoes the bad, but I refuse to let WDW easy because of the lack of good staffing. On any given day at TDL, you can have twice as many CMs working than the # of CMs working at the MK on a busy day.. To me... that's UNEXCUSABLE!

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>Cause no other Disney park ANYWHERE can compare as far as "getting there". With the lake, and the hotels, the boat, the monorail, and the castle spires off in the distance...it IS the ultimate fantasy for young and old.<<

Agreed, but people don't pay to enjoy the "getting there" part. Therefore, my criticim of the park's less than perfect offerings, and many area closures. Besides... when you are stuck on the monorail waiting for "Traffic Clearance"... it's kind of hard for me to enjoy the getting there... which I can do for free without ever setting foot in the park. Besides... I have to say the second best park to arrive is ...HKDL. The promenade... the mountains around you... the lovely Disney music and landscape... Fountain with Mickey on the surfboard... I *love* that feel too. With DLP my 3rd fav, DL my 4th fav and TDL my least favorite of them all.. Maihama is simply not the best park arrival out there.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Yeah...too bad that in Hong Kong "getting there" is actually the best part of the whole experience.

Honestly, I was excited about the place right from when that Mickey Train came whooshing up to the station (like some sort of magic out of a movie...the Mickey Train arrives on generic platform 1 out of nowhere, looking totally different and great)..., walking up to that awsome Hong Kong Disneyland sign, and the neat fountain, and Main Street, all the way up until I actually started setting foot in the oh so sparse (all 3 of them) lands.

The mountains are very pretty though.