Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Thank you also for the support, EPCOT Explorer. I agree with all of your examples, especially the finale scene of Splash Mountain! Which is able to conjure up this feeling even more with the "Welcome Home Brer Rabbit" sign intact, so I was glad to see it returned a few years ago after a one year absence! Sometimes, "little things" can make a big difference! The planetarium scene in SSE is also an iconic WDW "goosebump moment". I have to say this worked even better for me with the Irons narration, when the reveal of the Earth was synched perfectly with the line "Spaceship Earth". I also wanted to mention several pages ago that I agree with your take on Imagination. The first version was my favorite and I would be BLOWN AWAY if it was ever restored. However, I consider the current version a MAJOR improvement over the second, and I too am very thankful for the return of Figment and his wonderful "One Little Spark" song, which bring a much needed dose of whimsy and charm back to the pavilion.<<<< Exactly. And you'll be happy to note that the Dench narration now does the same. Great stuff. And Splash has had a refurb, too... Lots of old effects are back, and new lighting really make the sets pop.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Dunno if I want a magical headache from the noisemakers that were added to the queue. And on a related note, are the Tigger bounce pads still there? As soon as I saw a video clip of those things, I was predicting they would be replaced.<<< I'd do the queue once... It's nice. But then again, I was there for MVMCP. And those have fluctuated between being open and closed. Disney Legal has a good eye on em.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> And those have fluctuated between being open and closed. Disney Legal has a good eye on em. << I bet they do. I don't understand how something like that gets past the design phase and installed without anyone thinking there might be a safety issue.
Originally Posted By avimagine You know they could just open a new land for Meet and Greets call it something snazzier then Characterland and voila not only do you save a darkride location for a darkride, but you get a brand new land too! Or they could spread the meet and greets around more so you know people actually walk the park and go by the shops and restaurants. Maybe they could add FP to all the M&Gs too!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Santa Claus had a FP lane at our local mall this past December. I took a picture of the sign and meant to post it. I almost thought I was at DL for a wishful second
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Star Tours 2.0? Is Star Wars not tired? Did the last three films, which came out years ago now, not do more to destroy George Lucas's creative legacy than add to it? Star Wars will somehow always be relevant, right? But Potter won't? Or ------------------- I also posted my concerns for Star Wars being the watershed it is today. Agree completely that Epi 1-3 took away- did not add to legacy. However can tell you as the parent of a teacher- Clone Wars is wildly popular with very young boys. But will Star Wars be what it was 15-20 years ago even ? Well they'd be holding yearly events at Skywalker ranch like they used to if it was still drawing those numbers. Will it be relevant- sure, same with Potter..but have to be careful with that everlasting stuff..just little that falls into that category. Do you agree Lotr readership amongst youngsters-teens at 5% or less ? And that's the book of the last century. Now that the movies ended ( at least until we get the Hobbit) is the buzz for lotr stuff what it was in their midst- nope, nowhere near.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I would agree with everything above, VBDAD. I'd also say that popularity can ebb and flow, but most 'timeless' material stays that way. I don't know why this comes to mind, but look at the 007/James Bond films (finally announced a release date of the next one with the MGM situation apparently solved). Despite changing actors and having low points, the series is as popular today as ever ... yet folks were calling it dead as early as the 70s ... and certainly after the Timothy Dalton experiment. Dumbo isn't that popular as a property or character anymore. But riding that flying pachyderm is a rite of passage across the globe. Star Tours will be fine as long as it offers a quality experience. Potter will as well. When LoTR winds up in UNI,...oops, did I say that?
Originally Posted By avimagine Well the 18 yr old I know may or may not be representative of normal. But he lost interest in books a couple of years ago. His reading is limited to the Internet. Society just seems to be different now. 12 years ish separates us but I didn't have a cell phone, my Walkman didn't hold as many songs as his Zune. I participated in more structured activities. (Scouting for example is way down now). I also did more relaxed activities. I still do some slow activites (boardgames for example) he lost interest in slow activities (ie Lego) awhile back.
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael <<I'd also say that popularity can ebb and flow, but most 'timeless' material stays that way. I don't know why this comes to mind, but look at the 007/James Bond films (finally announced a release date of the next one with the MGM situation apparently solved). Despite changing actors and having low points, the series is as popular today as ever ... yet folks were calling it dead as early as the 70s ... and certainly after the Timothy Dalton experiment.>> Funny how that's the one of the biggest franchises of all time and yet, there is no themepark representation anywhere. Someone is missing out on a big opportunity.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Shakespeare and Goth are still popular around the globe. Borig Austin and Hardy, Dickens, Twain, Verne. The wizard of oz, star wars and indiana jones are still popular, as is gone with the wind and dracula. I am sure rowling will stay. As for Star Wars, it is still hugely popular. The amount of lego star wars branded gear that sells is amazing. I don't thin Potter has much to worry about. Dr Seusse still sells and it's land is popular
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'd also say that popularity can ebb and flow, but most 'timeless' material stays that way. I don't know why this comes to mind, but look at the 007/James Bond films (finally announced a release date of the next one with the MGM situation apparently solved). Despite changing actors and having low points, the series is as popular today as ever ... yet folks were calling it dead as early as the 70s ... and certainly after the Timothy Dalton experiment.>> <<Funny how that's the one of the biggest franchises of all time and yet, there is no themepark representation anywhere. Someone is missing out on a big opportunity.>> well, I do recall Disney supposedly wanting a Bond tie-in to LMA when it debutted in Paris and that not working out ... and I do recall hearing the Bond theme playing on the BGM loop at both TPFKaTD-MGMS and DCA at some point. But yeah, Bond seems like a natural for parks ... oh, and I do remember them selling Bond merchandise (coffee table book, magnets, shirts etc) in the Showcase shop in O-Town's Studios within the last two years.
Originally Posted By brotherdave The former Paramount parks (Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, etc) had a rather pathetic James Bond simulator attraction in the late 90s-early 2000's. Hardly noteworthy except that it featured Judi Dench as "M" and the late Desmond Llewellyn as "Q". They never really showed "Bond" as some sort of camera was "strapped" to his head and he was on a mission while doing all sorts of stunts. Your theatre style seats bounced and pitched with the movement, which was actually quite nauseating. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCA4u1dCCU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...A4u1dCCU</a>
Originally Posted By skinnerbox OH GEEZ! I had completely forgotten about that attraction until you mentioned it, brotherdave. I remember that stupid simulator at Great America in Santa Clara. I think it only lasted one season, maybe two. And it was very lame.
