Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Stop talking about the "community aspect" like it's anything more then some froofy postitive-action self-reassuring crapola you made up to justify the fact that you simply don't like getting wet on rides. > Ooooh!! Ooooh!! He's trying to "silence" FerretAfros. LOL. Believe it or not, he can talk about anything he likes, even if he disagrees with you.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Or, considering ridership and public opinion - it's vastly more likely to be true that not getting wet is less fun and people who don't get wet feel left out of the experience?" I wonder how many complaints they get (even if informally overhearing conversations while unloading) of guests who wanted to get more wet. I bet it's not nearly as high as the number of complaints they would get if everybody got wet. The randomization is part of the fun. It's like riding Indy and trying to figure out which Chamber of Destiny room you'll get. You may have a favorite one, but not knowing until you're in there is part of the fun. It adds to that illusive repeatibility factor that gets talked about so much.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "You're only saying that because he agrees with you." While I can't speak of a specific instance, I'm pretty sure I've disagreed with Dabob many times over the years. But he has never tried to silence me simply because I disagree. Instead, it tends to turn into a conversation and discussion about why we disagree and ways that improvements could be made. Neener neener.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Well, you dumb opinion is why Disney feels justified in making more poor quality attractions GRR. Enjoy that, enjoy being able to say whatever you want no matter how stupid and damaging to the experience it is for everyone else.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<I was suggesting you're a bunch of pansies who cant get wet on a rafting simulation...>> Wow. Way to jump to conclusions, merf. In case you didn't notice... there is a BIG difference between vacationing in the great outdoors and vacationing in a freakin theme park! I used to be an avid backpacker/hiker/cross-country skier. Some of my best camping trips were done canoeing or rafting down a river for several days. I LOVE whitewater! I LOVE getting wet while doing it! It's ten times better than a rollercoaster! The only thing I do NOT like about it, however, is when I'm not expecting it nor prepared for it. I've lost camping gear to unexpectedly turbulent rapids while canoeing, that worsened because of heavy runoff. But simulated rapids in a theme park? Sure, it's fun. But I do not enjoy walking around afterwards soaking wet. If it's scorching hot outside, then I'll dry off fairly quickly, so it's not a big deal. But most of the time when I'm in a Disney theme park, it's either fall or winter, not summer, and it isn't hot out. I still haven't ridden Kali at DAK because it's always been too cold. No one is a "pansie" for wanting to experience a theme park in dry clothes. And personally, I truly HATE having to take a seat in a coaster or other vehicle after the previous rider who was dripping wet. Sitting down in a small puddle of water isn't fun. It would be nice if the cast members could wipe off the seat before loading up the next batch of riders, but most parks don't bother with this anymore. And if it's cold outside, it really sucks to have wet pants that take forever to dry.
Originally Posted By mousermerf How is a raft ride unexpected? You have signs, lockers, places to put valuables, ponchos sold nearby, and even towels.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Nope. You still have no clue." Alright, let's go through the park, one pavilion at a time, looking for this slow paced boat ride through nature, shall we? Spaceship Earth-not boat ride Innoventions-not boat ride Universe of Energy-not boat ride Wonders of Life-not really open ever Mission:Space-not boat ride TestTrack-not boat ride The Seas with Nemo and Friends-not boat ride Living with the Land-slow moving boat ride through labratory, not nature Soarin'-not boat ride Journey Into Your Imagination With Figment-not boat ride Canada-not boat ride United Kingdom-not boat ride France-not boat ride Morocco-not boat ride Japan-not boat ride American Adventure-not boat ride Italy-not boat ride Germany-not boat ride African Outpost-not boat ride China-not boat ride Norway-boat ride, not slow, not past nature Mexico-slow moving boat ride past video screens featuring ancient Mexican locations and modern Disney characters Here's the official description of Malestrom from the WDW site: Maelstrom is a family-friendly adventure on a troll-tormented Viking ship from modern-day to historic Norway in the World Showcase area at Epcot theme park. Come aboard for a stormy voyage through a Norwegian fjord, a troll-infested swamp and on to the North Sea via a thrilling backward plummet. After departing a contemporary village, you'll be water-blasted to the past through a unique aquatic landscape. You never know what's around the next bend—you might even encounter polar bears and pirates! Once you've dodged the trickster trolls and other obstacles, disembark in the safety of a calm harbor. Then watch a glorious 5-minute film that captures the remarkable beauty of Norway today. Exploring Norway's heritage isn't going to be smooth sailing, so buck up like a Viking would!" While I do have some problems with details in it (depart contemporary village? backward plunge?? glorious film?!?!?), it really doesn't sound like a slow moving boat ride past nature to me. While it does indicate that it's nature themed stuff you go by, I've never thought of the ride as being about nature. Instead, it highlights Norwegian history and folklore, culminating in an oh-so-80's look at 'contemporary' Norway. Maybe this means I don't have a clue. But I kind of doubt that.
Originally Posted By mousermerf A) I see "not wet" people: <a href="http://z.about.com/d/themeparks/1/0/G/u/IOATL5.jpg" target="_blank">http://z.about.com/d/themepark...ATL5.jpg</a> That pretty well debunks the "everyone gets soaked every time so it's a lesser ride" theory and squarely puts the onus back into the "Raving Disney Fanboi" argument. B) Signs - with big letters: <a href="http://janetong.com/image_gallery/data/p1480888.jpg" target="_blank">http://janetong.com/image_gall...0888.jpg</a> "You will get wet, probably soaked"
Originally Posted By mousermerf <<<Maybe this means I don't have a clue. But I kind of doubt that.>>> Still clueless.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Geez Louise you are dense! Of course raft rides are supposed to get you wet. DUH. I stated I didn't like losing my camping gear to the rapids while canoeing when they've worsened because of heavy runoff. When I'm expecting a familiar set of rapids to be mild but they turn out to be far more violent with excess water, and my gear isn't secured or fully waterproofed to the max... then I get upset. I get wet and don't particularly care, because I'm outdoors and canoeing and expect it. But my gear, that's another story. I'm not a fan of walking around a theme park dripping wet, OK? Some people don't care. Some people ditch their personal possessions into the locker and put on a poncho and go for it. GOOD FOR THEM! I simply feel that it's too much hassle and bother to go through all of that, for a few minutes of simulated rafting. If you want to call me a "pansie" because I don't like getting wet on theme park rides, so be it. But to each his own, merf. Different strokes for different folks. You need to be more accepting of what other people like and dislike that doesn't jive with what you want from a theme park experience. Keep posting, merf. Every thread is yet more reinforcement for me that Imagineering made the right decision in not hiring you.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Here's a hint for the clueless: "The dark-ride portion of the attraction opens with a scene of a deciduous forest in the middle of a thunderstorm, illustrating how the forces that shape the land can appear destructive to us. The boat then sails through artificial biomes representing a tropical rainforest, a desert and the American prairie. Some of the audio-animatronic figures in this section were originally created for the never-built Magic Kingdom attraction, Western River Expedition. The biomes feature sound and lighting effects, in addition to heat, wind and mist, to simulate real conditions. "
Originally Posted By mousermerf <<<Keep posting, merf. Every thread is yet more reinforcement for me that Imagineering made the right decision in not hiring you.>>> Where exactly did you get this annoying delusion from?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>A) I see "not wet" people: <a href="http://z.about.com/d/themepark...ATL5.jpg" target="_blank">http://z.about.com/d/themepark...ATL5.jpg</a> That pretty well debunks the "everyone gets soaked every time so it's a lesser ride" theory and squarely puts the onus back into the "Raving Disney Fanboi" argument.<< Granted, I haven't been to IOA (and therefore on their raft ride) in 5 or 6 years, I'm not sure that's the most accurate picture. It looks to me like that is the portion of the ride that loops out into the main lagoon, around the big boat (which seems to be where the cameraman was). As I reacall, that is no more than 1/3 of the way through the ride, with the biggest splashes still to come after the lift hill. So, yes, there are still people who look quite dry on that raft. However, they still have a long way to go before they're getting off the ride, and the portion ahead of them is much wetter than what they've already done. I also see at least 2 (maybe 3) girls wearing bikinis. I don't think Disney would allow that. Since their dress code requires guests to wear, you know, clothes, they do need to keep that in mind when designing their attractions. I still agree that the storyline and props along the banks of Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges are a great example of what can be done with theming for a raft ride. Personally, I still prefer GRR.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <<Believe it or not, he can talk about anything he likes, even if he disagrees with you.>> <You're only saying that because he agrees with you. > No - he's already debunked that one. And I'll defend your right to bleat your nonsense all day long.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Every thread is yet more reinforcement for me that Imagineering made the right decision in not hiring you.> Was he really rejected by WDI? Lordy, that would explain a lot. Like the arrogance and sour grapes that practically permeate the screen.
Originally Posted By mousermerf And that, btw, is more proof of people making stuff up to rationalize their beliefs.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros So you're talking about Living with the Land, then? Yes, there are a few scenes at the beginning, but the majority of the ride (and the parts that tend to stick out in people's memory since they are much more unique and out of the ordinary in the theme park world) are the extensive greenhouses and labratories that showcase new technology for growing plants. I don't know the exact lengths of each scene, but I'm pretty sure that the storm and biomes are less time than the greenhouse dome, aquacells, and labratory greenhouse (calling the films in the barn as no-man's-land). From the official description on WDW's page: >>Living with the Land is a 14-minute boat ride in Future World at Epcot theme park that explores agricultural advances in the rain forest, Africa and beyond. Set sail on a voyage of discovery through living laboratories as you cruise past the American plains, a tropical rain forest and the African desert to witness the latest developments in aquaculture and desert farming. Float by experimental greenhouses—where produce is grown for Epcot restaurants—and take a fascinating first-hand look at an aqua environment, the Aquacell, with alligators and fish. The greenhouses grow crops native to many cultures, including rice, sugar cane and bananas. This thought-provoking ride will leave you amazed at the wondrous ways scientists are helping farmers prepare for the food needs of our world's nations.<< Funny that they seem to think that this attraction is about the greenhouses and labratories too! But then again, I guess the American Adventure is about George Washington at Valley Forge, El Rio Del Tiempo was about volcanoes, and Pirates of the Caribbean is about the bayou. Yes, they are all parts of their respective attractions that help set the stage for things to come later, but I would hardly call them the driving force behind the attractions. They could function just fine without those scenes (see also: WDW's POTC without the bayou), much like how the Land could lose the show scenes at the beginning without tampering with the meaning or purpose behind the attraction.
