Originally Posted By leemac <<Doesn't this strike you as odd for a park that is very short on capacity?>> I guess it does. But it is more likely to be as a result of guest surveys etc. WDP&R weren't sold on the idea on dark rides for HKDL and neither were the WDI team. There is space in the Pooh and PhilharMagic buildings for one dark ride each. But I've not seen or heard anything to suggest that they even have a concept under development. The indication early last year was that we would see more current dark rides (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin etc.).
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Hopefully that means no Big Thunder Mountain either.>> Without a Frontierland, how could they put one in anyway unless it was rethemed?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: From what my sisters and I have heard from the start, there was never any intention of having a Frontierland at Hong Kong Disneyland. Supposedly, this is why Adventureland is twice the usual size.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I think what you said, leemac duckling, about the guest surveys and WDI's lack of interest in dark rides is sort of strange--after having read that Winnie the Pooh is already one of the most popular rides at Hong Kong Disneyland. You would think that this, alone, would show them that more dark rides are wanted and needed in Fantasyland. Thank goodness they left room for them. I think I'll write in and suggest a BLACK CAULDRON dark ride!
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ Well the ride roster isn't that big so it seems everything is popular. I guess they are focusing on iasw, HM and PotC for now. I'd rather them get those right before another dark ride. I guess it also doesn't have the marketing impact that one of those three have.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: A witch would certainly have to agree with that, leemac, duckling. It's just that...well...Orwen is so young at heart, you know, and a completed Fantasyland with plenty of dark rides are her heart's desire. Even at her current age, she still loves to frolic about our little cottage in Morva--pretending to be a princess...wearing a tiara...waiting for her prince to come...singing songs of romance and myrth. You understand...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Lee, I think it's great news to know about IASW, POTC and HM coming in the near future, even if such additions have not been announced officially yet. This park deserves these E-tickets. And while I am a fan of the original IASW at DL, I would hope for them to include some versions od the new scenes added in DLP's IASW...mainly an expanded look at North America such as DLP's. The only thing I don't understand is why not concider Big Thunder and place it in the area where it would cause the least damage to the views around the park. On the other side of the train tracks next to Lion King, but of course.. that would mean Frontierland as well...
Originally Posted By leemac I should have added that the scenes will be re-worked based on the fact that this it's a small world will be in Asia (much like DLP).
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 ""WDP&R weren't sold on the idea on dark rides for HKDL and neither were the WDI team."" Good lord why not! Those stories r timeless! Do they not think the demographics will understand Snow, Pan, Pinoc, or Toad?? This would be chance to resurrect Toad somewhere else and maybe recreate MKs or DLs orginal Snow. Why EXACTLY do they not want the traditional dark rides?
Originally Posted By leemac It is two-fold; an untested market and the problem of having 3 different languages. As I've said before (and been shot down over) the Disney enthusiast might love the dark rides but does the average guest? Is it going to be the difference between going and not going? I don't think so. Pan is popular though but I believe that is more due to the ride system itself. Ultimately adding a dark ride isn't going to be a good marketing tool. Now, iasw, HM and PotC are. As I said they have left space for them if needed. I'd prefer not to see the cut-out carbon copies of DL's dark rides either. Give us something new and with proper AAs please or at least like Monsters, Inc. at DCA.
Originally Posted By gardabble As long as the dialogue is really limited, I do not think there will be a language barrier for HKDL. As long as the dark ride has something to see and excite the crowd the attraction will remain successful.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN That is a very good point^^^ When I first set foot at the MK back in 1972, I had no idea what most of those characters were nor did I knew what stories they came from.. Toad for example was totally foreign to me. But the way the story was told in the ride, the unforgetable moments...running into the train and going to Hell... WOW!! I was hooked! I am sure the Chinese could appreciate a well designed story even if they do not know the characters. Reason why Disney should strive harder to bring these stories to life at HKDL...
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: If the reasons given for a lack of dark rides are true, then a witch would have to conclude that someone at WDI is just grasping at straws--looking for excuses to avoid an obvious need. ORWEN: Exactly! I mean, dark rides translate well in ANY language. It's just another example of how they're deliberately dragging their feet--doling out a few meager attractions as slowly as possible--thinking they can get by with it. ORDDU: But all the problems they've been having, of late, show that they AREN'T getting by with it. Having to turn guests away because the park is too small to absorb enough people--simply because there's so little to do there. We say Bring on the dark rides and stop making up silly excuses for not having them!! ORGOCH: They sure goes ta pooh in droves, don't they?!
Originally Posted By Mr X Orgoch, that is absolutely the truth. And, a pathetic Pooh ride to boot (God forbid they went for the ACTUAL, awsome Pooh attraction in Tokyo to open HKDL...how cool would THAT have been!!??).
Originally Posted By TDLFAN What is more pathetic how they chose the easy way out and copied WDW's version!! It's an identical twin in every way! But HKDL got a nicer and bigger Pooh store...of course.
Originally Posted By leemac To be picky it isn't quite identical. But the differences related to Building Codes more than anything (a legacy of British rule, HK has very stringent construction and evacuation policies hence the larger show building).
Originally Posted By TDLFAN There are some difference but I found them to be so minimal... But amuse me.. what are exactly the differences since I have only been on the HKDL version twice.
Originally Posted By leemac It is mainly the track (as the building is I think something like 25% larger). I guess that affects the show scenes but I don't think there is anything additional or missing.
