Originally Posted By TDR_Fan Al Lutz recently stated in his article about DCA's much needed placemaking that "a recent idea pitched to the Oriental Land Company has a new Soarin' theater installed in Tokyo DisneySea, but with Jiminy Cricket as the shows host who instructs the theater riders to fly along with him and let their conscience be their guide on a series of adventures." If this is true, I can see it becoming very popular considering the tie-in with Pinocchio. The adventure theme also provides a variety of options for the film locations.
Originally Posted By leemac Al's source has obviously been wandering around the TDR building in Glendale as the artwork for Soarin' with Jiminy Cricket is on show there. WDI has pitched a number of big ideas to "correct" the park and OLC are currently deciding what to do. They also have plans outside of Maihama that will impact their ability to develop TDS into a fuller experience.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<They also have plans outside of Maihama that will impact their ability to develop TDS into a fuller experience.>> Such as? And I'm glad the OLC is putting some more effort into making TDS a better park. I really hope that Soarin' idea gets greenlighted; it will bring a much needed E-ticket to Mediterranean Harbor.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Such as? >> Ah. It really is at too early a stage to speculate on what the new venture will end up as (although you can have a good guess what is likely). OLC are looking to grow outside their existing base and are looking at a number of different concepts in other markets.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan <<although you can have a good guess what is likely>> What are some of your predictions?
Originally Posted By Roger55 ^ A quick check of Google Maps satellite at 100ft scale for both TDS and DCA indicates there doesn't appear to be enough room behind the Roman Ruins. Even if they remove the large building, looks like there is only about 2/3 the space needed for a Soarin' show building. TDS Link <a href="http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&z=18&ll=35.627495" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/maps?ie= UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&z=18&ll=35.627495</a>,139.885751&spn=0.002089,0.003567&t=h&om=1 DCA Link <a href="http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&z=19&ll=33.808475" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/maps?ie= UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&z=19&ll=33.808475</a>,-117.919967&spn=0.001068,0.001784&t=k&om=1
Originally Posted By SuperDry It looks like it would fit if they built part of the building over the canal.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan Just checked Google Earth and there is enough space backstage behind the Roman Ruins. The Soarin' building is actually not that big; even if they can't fit one the size of DCA's, they can opt for a smaller theatre.
Originally Posted By leemac <<^ A quick check of Google Maps satellite at 100ft scale for both TDS and DCA indicates there doesn't appear to be enough room behind the Roman Ruins.>> Take my word for it. It would fit perfectly once the backstage area is reorganized. There are going to be some big changes to the OLC office complex between the parks too.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan So any idea when and if the OLC will announce this new attraction? And is this the only future project they have in mind for TDS right now? Finally, any possibility of this opening by DisneySea's 10th anniversary ? Interesting that they thought a Soarin' concept would work in TDS and Mediterranean Harbor of all places.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< There are going to be some big changes to the OLC office complex between the parks too. >>> That's very encouraging. Looking at the satellite pictures, there's a great deal of room available for expansion of either or both parks if the off-stage buildings could be relocated.
Originally Posted By Mr X The interesting thing is that those buildings are there at all...MOST of them aren't used for anything "parks related" and could be easily relocated to some office park far from the resort (like how the "team Disney" building isn't anywhere near any of the parks in Florida). Of course, some of those offices NEED to be near the parks, but for the most part they could vacate and leave TONS of room for expansion of both parks (imo).
Originally Posted By Roger55 Taking a more detailed look at the area, I can see it fitting if you build over the water or put the show building further back. But you would have to remove the lerge square building which I did not know was a doable option. I'm also assuming the Resort Line maintenance building is off limits. Someone in the know correct me if I'm wrong in that assumption. If removing buildings in an option, yes there is enough room to build an entire land back there.
Originally Posted By ChampDisney I love the idea of changing the storyline of Soarin' & putting Jiminy Cricket into the mix, I always thought it was great hearing him as a host for several parades but what I really like is the new storyline. They're doing the same with TOT & that version is simply the best hands down & now Soarin' with a new storyline? Now thats something to see & chances are it will be way better then the DCA's version & I hope it will be. All I know is that when it comes to building an attraction thats all ready out there & it gets a new story, TDLR knows how to do it!
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if, when the new movie for Soarin opens at Epcot (Soarin over America), if it also has an animated "host." Personally, I don't think it's necessary to have Disney characters, or any characters in every single attraction. I would also say that Soarin' is near perfect as it is. The only thing that could really improve it is to give the film a dramatic arc through a story of some sort, but there really isnt' time for that. What you would end up with, then, is something like the films in Star Tours and the Star Trek Experience (in Vegas) where you have some sort of dangerous situation that's designed to show off the capabilities of the simulator. Soarin is a completely unique attraction in that respect--it's the first gentle simulator that I can think of, and it should stay that way. Which isn't to say that adding characters will change that, but it takes something that isn't cutesy and makes it so. Besides, you really can't tell what the Japanese will enjoy or reject: look at Raging Spirits, which is a dreadful coaster. It has one of the longest lines in Tokyo DisneySea!
