Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt The capacity issues at the new TS areas at DLPR and HKDL are mind boggling. Why are so many things getting broken Dave? I don't get that either.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 It probably won't matter so much at HKDL because there is only about three hundred people per day there anyway!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hans, the problem are the guests. As much as I like living in Europe and the culture, there are some things not so much. There is a cultural view in Southern Europe that people can do what they want - so they climb on things and otherwise - adults and kids. But by now, Disney should know better. When Cars Race Rally opened a few years ago, they had some fantastic tableu of Luigi and Guido and their leaning tower of tyres. But very soon after, they put up barriers to stop people getting to them (the wear and tear was harsh). It is a real shame. and yet they still did not learn. They would either had made the sets so they were more durable or out of reach. It's not like they are new to building parks (but you wouldn't know it with this addition). But the Euro fans love it, so maybe I am really out of touch. But to honest, it wasn't until the 90's that other European parks started to crank up the theming. So for many, they expect theme parks to be glorified carnivals with the Disney name = toons. Not everyone feels this way, but there seem to be a fair few (though they do very much appreciate the real Disney quality - afterall Cinemagique, which is an excellent movie, but US fans would probably be "tired" of it by now, still gets applause 9 years after opening!)
Originally Posted By Doobie I've not seen Cinemagique but I'm still surprised a film can be so popular. Like you said, I'm guessing I'd be tired of it by now. But considering how many people I respect rave about it, there must be something truly special about it.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Also, Mickey doing hip hop in general, while not inappropriate, is not a good idea, IMHO. >>> That's from the "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" department. Great list, Doobie!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Hans, the problem are the guests. As much as I like living in Europe and the culture, there are some things not so much. There is a cultural view in Southern Europe that people can do what they want - so they climb on things and otherwise - adults and kids. But by now, Disney should know better." I know what you mean, although I don't recall actually seeing guests destroying things the several times I visited DLPR. As you said, Europeans may be awestruck by the design of Disney parks, in general there's definitely a lot less respect for Disney showmanship than there is here. I've always felt that if Disneyland had originated in France from a Frenchman the attitude would probably be different.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>But considering how many people I respect rave about it, there must be something truly special about it.<<< It is very special. It has enough humour and pathos (I can never leave that darn room with a dry eye). The way they leave so many clips together. And almost all of them, have some sort of link to the European film industry or culture (even the ones that people think of as being American films). It is genious, with a great score and some lovely in theatre special effects. It is on my must do list every time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>, in general there's definitely a lot less respect for Disney showmanship than there is here. I've always felt that if Disneyland had originated in France from a Frenchman the attitude would probably be different.<<< True, although the French can create some amazing theme park experiences too: Parc Asterix (30 minutes from DLP) has an excellent stunt show (as well as craftsman, highly themed areas etc.): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIYSSIV3mzo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...SSIV3mzo</a> Puy du Fou is pretty amazing too: <a href="http://www.puydufou.com/en" target="_blank">http://www.puydufou.com/en</a> And Futuroscope: <a href="http://uk.futuroscope.com/" target="_blank">http://uk.futuroscope.com/</a> They may not have the volumes Disney get, but they seem to not get the same damage. Though Disney do not seem to think anymore or maintain as much. And also, I have noticed it has gotten worse since Disney has been making their parks more and more commercial.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 I am starting to see you like the different stunt shows, Dave. You seem to most times get a mention in somewhere in your posts for the Lights Moteuurueuurueurs Action show! ; )
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ya, I do. I love them. I love dance, circus arts, and stunts. And yes, I ver much adore stunt shows, having seen about 30 of them around the globe so far, with Moteurs Action being my fav, followed by Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and then the one at Parc Asterix.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "...the French can create some amazing theme park experiences too.... They may not have the volumes Disney get, but they seem to not get the same damage." And that was my point.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Thanks for the detail and link to the pics.>> And there was me thinking that your own website had TSPL photos..... )))
Originally Posted By Doobie I remembered we had pics and video but forgot about your review - I'm sorry about that. Here are the LP Links: Pics and video: <a href="http://LaughingPlace.com/Lotion-View-1092.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/Lotio...1092.asp</a> leemac's review: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID513260.ASP" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/N...3260.ASP</a> Doobie. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Thanks for reposting Doobie. Wow, DSP's initial budget was only $533 million? Geez, no wonder the place was a disaster when I visited several years ago. From leemac's report: "There is a fundamental flaw with using these branded toys - most of them were not popular in Europe (and some weren’t even available) and therefore the emotional response that Walt Disney Imagineering was hoping to trigger through nostalgic childhood elements can’t be elicited." I was thinking the same thing, and I'm wondering about that in HK as well. Maybe the Chinese might be a bit more fascinated by the American cultural references, but I imagine that the French would just scratch their heads and think that Americans are clueless.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'm wondering about that in HK as well. Maybe the Chinese might be a bit more fascinated by the American cultural references >>> ... especially all of those migrant Shenzhen factory workers that are now eligible for a Hong Kong visitor's visa, but only if they include HKDL in their itinerary. Maybe some of them will recognize the Toy Story Playland themed elements as giant versions of what they make in their factory for $1.80 an hour.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> My only big disagreements on the stuff I personally experienced would be Tron and Princess and the Frog << Doobster was disappointed in Princess and the Frog? Why ever for? I'm surprised at this - I thought P&F was one of the better non-Pixar films put out by disney in the last decade.
Originally Posted By Doobie I loved Princess and the Frog. I believe the other person said they didn't like it so I disagreed with them. But if I'm confused - sorry. I definitely loved PatF. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan My top surprise has to be Epic Mickey for Wii. The game is challenging (but not impossible) and is multi-layered in every sense of the word. For Disney geeks, it's chock-full of obscure references and melancholy moments from "forgotten" characters of the early days of animation. And choosing to build vs. destroy along the way also affects how the game progresses (and I suspect, eventually concludes). For theme park fans, there are warped, distorted versions of familiar attractions, too. The level of detail and Disney authenticity appears throughout. (My only complaint is that, at some crucial moments, the "camera" is a bit wonky which can lead to defeat unfairly.) I bought this sort of on a whim. I found the Toy Story Mania game fun but kind of a letdown overall (it becomes fairly easy to master and doesn't have a whole lot of repeatability IMHO -- fine for little kids probably), but I'm totally hooked on Epic Mickey.
Originally Posted By Doobie I think Rebekah would put that on her list, she loves playing the game (though she gets stuck all the time and has to have her brother get her past). I can't play games like that at all but it's fun to watch her. I am impressed with the sets and characters chosen - definitely Disney lovers. Doobie.
