Originally Posted By jmuboy Very disappointed to see they have brought the canopies back for the Fun Wheel instead of doing a nice queue to match TSMM and the games. Seems this big rehab was really only new paint and a new name.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Count me in as one of the people who is disappointed. They closed the attraction for 6 months, and there will be nothing noticably different about the experience when it reopenes. Sure, you get to be in a gondola with a character on the side, and Mickey will stare you down as you approach the pier, but from the time you enter the queue until you exit, there will be very little that is different. I really thought that the new queue was going to be the real noticable purpose for the refurb, but instead all we got was a paint job (which I do like better than the original pastels), a different face on the side, and new lighting. Granted, none of that would have been a very quick thing to do (since they scaffholding had to be built pretty high), but it really has very little effect on the ride experience. Had they made the queue better, it could have really added something. How much could it have cost to build a roof over the existing area and slap some siding on the concrete walls? They could have used the steel columns than hold the canvas up to hold up a roof, and for all I care they could have left it open to the breeze coming through. Put some funhouse mirrors and vintage Mickey posters on the walls, and you have a very fitting queue for an attraction called Mickey's Fun Wheel. I wonder if they even managed to figure out a better way to handle the swinging vs non-swinging gondola queues, since going in through the exit wasn't exactly the most logical way to do it, especially for first time visitors.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer OK, and by no means am I an Disney Apologist. But the "upgrade" was done for the "World of Color" show primarily. Yes, the Gondola's got new paint, but the lighting and the "Mickey" Face are there specifically for the new water show. I wish they addressed the queue, which was part of the "wish list", alas, budgets said We can't afford it. Disney did what it NEEDED to do.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I said at the outset that I was unimpressed with most of the proposed upgrades and changes to Paradise Pier. Once the dust settles it's going to be essentially the same place with some nice upgrades and a few more details, but this project is hardly as phenomenal as some people on these boards hyped it up to be.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <How much could it have cost to build a roof over the existing area and slap some siding on the concrete walls? > I agree. I think they could have made the queue nicer without busting any sort of budget. It wouldn't have taken that much.
Originally Posted By believe The need the wall around boardwalk like they'll have on the swings. It makes for a better view for people standing there, and could be a romantic place at night.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Despite my reservations about how this project would turn out, in looking at the model and renderings of PP makeover I'm disappointed that Mickey's Funwheel isn't getting the covered queue that was proposed. I'm glad pier extension in the model was axed: it really makes the base of the wheel facing the water look too clunky. <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Showpic.asp?filename=http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20090424-DLDCA/big/P26-0006.jpg&caption=Plans%2C+models%2C+and+renderings+of+World+of+Color+and+Games+of+the+Boardwalk+displayed+in+Blue+Sky+Cellar" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/S...y+Cellar</a> I had asked if there were plans to remove the clown sign on the Man Hat 'n' Beach facade. Based on the concept art below there is a rather elaborate new facade planned for that retail space: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Showpic.asp?filename=http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20090424-DLDCA/big/P25-0001.jpg&caption=Plans%2C+models%2C+and+renderings+of+World+of+Color+and+Games+of+the+Boardwalk+displayed+in+Blue+Sky+Cellar" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/S...y+Cellar</a>
Originally Posted By lesmisfan the only reason that the queue got cut was because that money went into carsland and mermaid, same with the budget to redo things like the carousel and maybe the redone queue to screamin, its not like it got cut and not put somewhere else **cough, TL '98, cough** all that budget was removed and put towards rides and an entire land that will be better because of it. I think it would be easier to come back to that area and redo as they need with a new budget then not take that budget and put it into an area that it needs and get an half done ride or land.
Originally Posted By ni_teach I'm also disappointed but it doesn't mean that they can not do it down the road. Either as part of phase II or maybe the crowds from WOC show might have them looking to put some of the budget back into the park.
Originally Posted By wachawacha The real question is would the money put into a new que for an attraction that no one really likes in the first place really bring more guests into DCA??? The que is in the back of the park. It is ugly and poorly designed. But Disney should be putting money where it will truly be utilized. The did the right thing. If you really want DCA to have great new attractions then put your money where your mouth is. Go buy some plush at TOT or TSM. Get a shirt at the fly n' buy. Eat lunch and Dinner in the park. These are the things that help out DCA and it's budget for new attractions.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <The real question is would the money put into a new que for an attraction that no one really likes in the first place really bring more guests into DCA??? > A lot of people (including me) like the Sun/Fun Wheel. The cost for a roof over the area and some siding on the concrete would have been minimal. They did as much (or more) for the games; they certainly could have done so for an actual attraction without breaking the bank.
Originally Posted By tonyanton I agree. I do hope the budget includes money up front for new lamp posts along the boardwalk.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig The two links in Hans' post #7 show two very different concepts for sprucing up the queue. First link shows the physical model with a full roof structure over the queue. Other link shows the drawing depicting a simpler concept with just a nicely themed archway entrance. Gosh, couldn't they at least have done that, and maybe dressed up the bare concrete walls inside the pit??
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Of the two concepts, I actually like it without the roofed queue. It's natural to want to look at the wheel when you're standing in line for it. Putting a roof over the queue would prevent you from doing that. Standing in any line is boring enough; a roof there would make it just that much worse.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "They did as much (or more) for the games; they certainly could have done so for an actual attraction without breaking the bank." The games make revenue for the park. The queue for Mickey's Fun Wheel does not. Sorry to be so cynical, but obvious Disney management is being smart about how it invests its money on the the redo of PP Pier. "It's natural to want to look at the wheel when you're standing in line for it. Putting a roof over the queue would prevent you from doing that." Good point.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 "They did as much (or more) for the games; they certainly could have done so for an actual attraction without breaking the bank." <The games make revenue for the park. The queue for Mickey's Fun Wheel does not. Sorry to be so cynical, but obvious Disney management is being smart about how it invests its money on the the redo of PP Pier.> I don't object to them doing so for the games; just for not doing so for the Wheel, when it would be so inexpensive. Seriously, just some laminate or siding over the ugly bare concrete - how much could that cost? Some "fab five" figures or faces in the queue area - a pittance. (I don't like the over-tooning of the park, but they've already themed the wheel to the fab five, so it would be appropriate for the wheel). I'm really talking about minimal expense here.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle Maybe this is one of those things they are saving for a later date, to be "safe" in light of the current economy. If Cars Land and TLM bring in bigger than expected crowds and/or the economy starts to turn upward, maybe it gets plussed this way. I'm not losing any sleep over it.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf <<Seriously, just some laminate or siding over the ugly bare concrete - how much could that cost? Some "fab five" figures or faces in the queue area - a pittance. (I don't like the over-tooning of the park, but they've already themed the wheel to the fab five, so it would be appropriate for the wheel). I'm really talking about minimal expense here.>> You're absolutely right. Not upgrading the queue area sounds more like laziness than anything else. Waiting in that line - as it is right now - is one of the least magical experiences in the whole DLR in my opinion.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby If they don't fix the queue now, I doubt they will later, at least in a substantial way. Building the walk-around boardwalk and most of the other ideas in the concept art would require new foundations to be built and construction to be done while the lagoon is drained. They will not be re-draining the lagoon anytime soon. So if it hasn't happened by now...
