Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>What about the thematics of it? What about the story being told?<< EE is correct, that is the larger point. It ain't the interactive activities so much, it's really all about how they are presented. Do they add to the mystique of the Mansion, or distract from it? In other words, there is a more natural way to guide guests through the cemetery and have things in a proper scale so it doesn't come off as too goofy. Save all that for INside -- when the swinging wake kicks off. Keep the tombstones outside a little more understated. They can make noise or wiggle or blink or fart or whatever is needed to keep the modern theme park guest from toppling over into slumber due to a nano-second of boredom, but just do that in a way that doesn't seem out of proportion/mood/theme. Is that a tall order? I don't think so.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>In my Perfect Theme Park there would be no queues. You'd simply walk up and get on the ride.<< Twice each year, Disney should test High Rollers Day. On High Rollers Day, it costs perhaps $1,000-$2,000 to enter the park (or whatever it would take to make a profit). But attendance is strictly limited to some very low number, so that there is no wait of more than, say, 5 minutes. I bet a lot of people would go for it. And you'd have all the time in the world to get soaked by Dead Cap'n Splashy's Tombstone. That alone is priceless. ; )
Originally Posted By dshyates "... but just do that in a way that doesn't seem out of proportion/mood/theme." (Quietly hides blueprint for the Tichonderoga Water Fortress intended for the American Adventure Lobby/ Queue.)
Originally Posted By wahooskipper My father worked for a company that "rented" Disneyland each year from 8pm to 1 or 2am. Some of my fondest memories in the park were of those nights when it felt like we "owned" the place. I have no idea what the attendance was like but I can remember getting on a LOT of attractions in that time and reriding almost immediately attractions like the Matterhorn. I'm not sure how much I'd be willing to pay for something like that...but it sre did leave an impression on me.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>LOL! American Adventure: Under New Management<<< Some would argue it's been that way for a while... Zing?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Yes, the queue effects look RIDICULOUSLY cheesy, but that's actually not why this bothers me as much as it does. Why waste perfectly good money enhancing a queue that didn't need to be enhanced, when other attractions are in DIRE need of a refurb? ---- that part I 100% agree with
Originally Posted By vbdad55 WDW guests don't want Roquefort. They might not even want Cheddar. They want American. -- likely cheez whiz
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<-- likely cheez whiz>> Ah yes... cheese distilled until you get it's ULTIMATE essence! LOL
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I posted this elsewhere on a MAGICal realm, so it may not all make sense, but I think it sums up my feelings on something I haven't seen yet ... <<I largely agree with HBG2's incredibly detailed and thoughtful (dare I say reasoned) explanation for why the Mansion queue may (I haven't experienced it and am hesitant to pass complete judgment without seeing it in person) may be a disaster for the attraction's sense of place/theme/story. I'd argue (quite a bit) that Disney has long since decided that its own rules no longer apply if it is convenient or cheaper to break or bend them. My issue or concern with the new interactive queues is more of a 'we surrender, we surrender!' 'tude by Disney to today's generation/class of guests (because let's face it, this isn't just something you see with teens or the under 25 crowd) that needs constant stimulation. They were first called the 'MTV generation' when WDI began ripping out long immersive rides like those at EPCOT and shortening other attractions and films because it was said they couldn't sit still for a 20 minute ride or film. Today, the 'excuse' is that guests (ages 4-84) are so addicted to their 'smart phones' (I am convinced they should be called dumb phones since you see people do dumb things with them all the time ... from driving while texting to walking without even paying attention to anything/anyone around them), they can't even stop to enjoy being in a theme park without Tweeting, updating their FB status, emailing Aunt Phyllis a Disney pie recipe or playing some game. Now, perhaps the 'tude of many people would be that Disney is correct in simply giving in, that they shouldn't fight what they view as inevitable. I'm not one of them. Disney has always been at the top of the family themed entertainment game precisely because it provided the best product out there and because it didn't pander down to the LCD by giving guests what they wanted or thought they did, but by giving them what they didn't know they wanted ... often in amazing, trendsetting, revolutionary ways. Say what you will about these queues, but they certainly don't aspire to that level of thought. I also often wonder if people are playing with their 'toys' in the parks because they find them boring, which should really scare the folks who run and build them. Maybe I'm just against technology (I'm not), but it does bother me when I'm standing in a Spanish fortress waiting maybe 10 minutes to ride PoC and everyone in line is playing with their toys. Why can't people take in their setting? Nothing takes you out of the story or escape as seeing someone tweet 'OMG!!! Just did SplashMtn and DAD Got soaked!' If they're that bored, then maybe Disney should just do virtual theme parks and folks can stay home, sitting on the couch looking up at their 60-inch 3D screen and visit that way ... oops, wait a minute ... if they did that what would happen to all those timeshare, hotel, food/booze and merchandise sales. Nevermind. >>
Originally Posted By dshyates "but it does bother me when I'm standing in a Spanish fortress waiting maybe 10 minutes to ride PoC and everyone in line is playing with their toys." Oh, this one is always great. Spirit, they aren't playing with their toys. They are standing there staring at their toy with a confused look on their face. Then they look up slightly paniced and say, "No bars.....I've got no bars!"
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Did Disneyland REALLY give people anything that revolutionary and trendsetting, or did it just respond to a need that had long been expressed but never answered. Walt said that he wanted a place that was nice and clean where he could take his children for entertainment that would appeal to the whole family. Was that REALLY that radical, or was he just responding to a fairly well-known desire that had never been met? I would argue that it was primarily the latter.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys Disney is in the entertainment business and there is nothing wrong with giving people what they want. C'mon it's not like the spent a lot of money on this. As I said before, there are some things to complain about Disney but this is not one of them. I've been going since 1975 and compared to some of the other disasters ( Pooh's Playground comes to mind) this little added feature to HM is really nothing to talk about..
Originally Posted By Tony C I'm going through these posts and number 23 was very well written and hit it on the head.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Can SOMEONE tell ME why WE are YELLING every OTHER word?> Two "REALLY"s is every other word? Buy yourself some glasses man... you've got VISION problems!! lol
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Now, perhaps the 'tude of many people would be that Disney is correct in simply giving in, that they shouldn't fight what they view as inevitable. I'm not one of them. -------------------------- I so much agree with you in spirit- Spirit -- however I truly believe it is a losing battle, and is it worth risking the majority of your business to take a stand on principle. Face it people like us here do not make up the majority of their business- whether it be at the parks / at the theatre or over the airwaves. They can gauge their audience thru surveys at WDW, they can also get very good readings from movie feedback- and their next generation -- turn on Radio Disney for a few ear splitting hours... THAT is the target audience, as much as we all hate that. my generation - raised on MMC and Disneyland is moving thru our period of relevance to them. Yes we contributed heavily to things like DVC - but we did not create the Hannah Montana type monster...nor do we particularly support it, yet it is wildly successful. I dare say the storytelling and rides that require patience we all so adore would likely not be built today. I am glad others feel this way too...but I fear we will have to enjoythe relics / nuggets we have--pray for a societal shift and unfortunately live in the I have to be doing 4 things at once- I want it now world slowly enhyulfing every part of our lives.
