Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I bet if Disney were to go ahead an announce the commitment to Beastly Kingdom, they would steal some of that thunder from Uni.<< <<They can announce all they want but they have to deliver it to count... You can hype and brag about something all you want but when it opens and its just a mere shell of what was announced... To me somehow I have a gut feeling that the FLE is just going to be a mere shell of what they've hyped and we will get some pretty buildings with not much inside...>> When you start with a budget of around $750 million (about the cost of DAK just for comparison's sake) ... and then have it cut in half ... and who knows what will be cut from here on out ... well, yeah, you aren't going to have much substance. A nice dark ride and replacement meet-greet-and-gropes. And realize that those 'temp' buildings that make up Toontown Fair were going to have to come down one way or another within the next few years anyway. They won't even commit to the Pixie land addition and carnie ride that goes with it. While fanbois may eat this up, anyone with a modicum of standards can't compare this to what IOA has added.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>Yep. And the rest of the park ain't bad either (although not nearly on par with its newest 'land').<<< <<I wouldn't say not nearly on par. Seuss Landing and Jurassic Park are close. HP takes the cake, but Seuss and JP are very, very well themed.>> SL is great, that's true. Considering WDW's 'answer' to it has always been Mickey's Tentland. JP is well done, but taking out the Triceratops Encounter was a blow ... and the River Adventure often suffers from awful show quality ... and it's the only attraction that has ever eaten one of my caps, so I will always hold that against it ;-) Oh, and the burger joint had the BEST theme park quick serve burgers of all time in 1999, but went way downhill too. But don't misunderstand me, I love IOA. And that's pre-Potter.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<JP is well done, but taking out the Triceratops Encounter was a blow ... and the River Adventure often suffers from awful show quality ... and it's the only attraction that has ever eaten one of my caps, so I will always hold that against it ;-)>> I definitely agree with Triceratops Encounter. It was a really cool thing. As for JPRA, I must be extremely lucky with that one. I've never had problems with the effects, but everyone always talks about technical problems.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I think it's a dino affliction in O-Town because CTX is always in as bad or worse show condition at DAK.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The perfect example is Harry Potter. You have an instant winner because of the pre-existing fan base. If the group over at Uni has just created him, you would not have anywhere near the excitment that has been generated.<<< I agree with what you say, mostly, save for this... Disney has a pre-made base, too. Adding to that, only helps it. They can produce something of their own, and have the dedicated demographic that will go for it- synergy or not.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I wouldn't say not nearly on par. Seuss Landing and Jurassic Park are close. HP takes the cake, but Seuss and JP are very, very well themed.<<< So I have heard. And I am very excited to see them next week.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>For me in regards to Disney, It is more about the attractions and atmosphere.<<< And this, too. Disney can add that, too, WITH new attractions. Uni did...
Originally Posted By MagentaPanther I agree about Beastly Kingdom..THAT is what Disney needs to focus on if it wants to compete with Universal. Because now, Universal finally has an attraction that not only matches, but out-does Disney. And there can be little doubt that Universal will expand on Potter in the years to come. Heck, if Universal was really smart, it'd build an on-site hotel named The Leaky Cauldron and theme it accordingly. Man, it'd be filled to capacity in no time and during every season! I sure as heck would stay there. Plus there's the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley to exploit. Tons of ideas just waiting to be brought to life. As for the FLE...I'll never forget being in that room at D23 and hearing the Diz rep announce just what was going to be IN that long-awaited Fantasyland expansion...and hearing that it was going to be ALL ABOUT THE DISNEY PRINCESSES. Man, people GROANED. It was the LAST thing anybody wanted. I have no real anticipation for the FLE. It's all based on merchandising, not on an exciting idea. Screw it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Iger used to be a Weatherman before he was with Disney. ----- I knew some Weathermen back in the day, but I am willing to bet they were part of a different organization than he was
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep, these days I am totally feeling like Disney have jumped the shark. I have very little interest in Shanghai based on the efforts of the last few years. And FLE is just a meh experience (even though I have a daughter in the target demo). But there are a bunch of good ole boys with their little Brandeen and a bunch of folks in the UK who have been conditioned to think that Disney is all about the fey. They sadly did not grow up with Davy Crocket, Zorro, Treasure Island, 20k Leagues under the Sea, and all the other very cool and masculine things Disney used to offer. Beastly Kingdom would now be a mistake, and would be totally compared to WWOHP. They need to do something amazing in WDW, and as far as I am aware, nothing is on the slate. DCA looks interesting over the next few years. Ratatoule dark ride at Walt Disney Studios Paris sounds like it could be cool (though another attraction based on animation makes me want to vomit), the most interesting expansion is in Hong Kong, and I am waiting with baited breathe to see how it turns out.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Beastly Kingdom would now be a mistake, and would be totally compared to WWOHP. They need to do something amazing in WDW, and as far as I am aware, nothing is on the slate.>> BK wouldn't be a mistake at al, Dave. It would truly be the WDW "killer app". And it's the one thing they even have that could come close to Potter attraction and theme-wise.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think as soon as Duelling Dragons was built, BK became redundant. And now with WWOHP, it would seem too much of a me too. They had their chance, and they missed it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^The lands are completely different, though, especially since the Potter re-theme. And comparing Dragon Challenge to Dragon Tower is like apples and Oranges, IMO. DC is a coaster with minimal theming, and DT was going to be a ride with AAs and stuff like that. But, to each their own.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne Spoiler, but there is a dragon anamatronic on Forbidden Journey (and a dragon chase is the first set piece). BK as planned would seem derivative today. And honestly, I'm not sure it would have been the killer app people say had it been built 12 years ago. Comic relief bats would have destroyed any dark/scary atmosphere on the dragon coaster, and then you have a hedge maze (I'm sure TDO would have cheaped out on the theming) and a boat ride based on Fantasia? I'd rather see a truly Disney-like experience involving the "big" living animals, i.e. elephants/lions. Rather than a 30-second glimpse before we have to drive fast down a dirt road in pursuit of imaginary poachers.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>ALL ABOUT THE DISNEY PRINCESSES. Man, people GROANED. It was the LAST thing anybody wanted. I have no real anticipation for the FLE. It's all based on merchandising, not on an exciting idea. Screw it.<<< Yep. It's all synergy. Things we have already seen. Boring. Maybe if there were some new rides, it'd be easier to take.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Beastly Kingdom would now be a mistake, and would be totally compared to WWOHP. They need to do something amazing in WDW, and as far as I am aware, nothing is on the slate.>>> I think BK, of done on the same scope as WWOHP would be in that level. And there are plans. There are always plans. But...they just need someone to act on them, and make sure they are done to the highest standards of quality. We might see something soon, besides FLE. I hope so.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I think as soon as Duelling Dragons was built, BK became redundant. And now with WWOHP, it would seem too much of a me too.<<< Not at all...The two would have felt, looked, and acted, VERY different. Honestly, I would hope that we would get something like Mysterious Island, as we were planned, instead. Steampunk is the way to go!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer It could, easily. As long as the focus is on nature, and the adventure and the exploration of it, it fits. Steampunk is just the setting and the medium to do so...look how 20K is handled over in TDS.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Steampunk is just the setting and the medium to do so...look how 20K is handled over in TDS.>> Yea. I know how it's handled. But I still don't think it fits at all. To me, they were going to put it in because it has some creatures in it. It's the same lazy practice as DHS where people say, "Hey! It's a movie, throw it in DHS!" Except here it's, "Hey! There's animals and creatures in it! Throw it in DAK!"
