Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 The dragon does seem an add-on to Fantasyland. It's not tied to any of the new attractions, or existing ones. It's like "oh, here's a dragon!". Possibly cool tech if you couldn't see the fan or pilot, but in this context, why bother? Unless you can implement it into a show or have regular appearances, it's just a waste. Lee, you brought up Lucky in comparison. What's the story with that tech? Why did he just disappear? I would think he could have been a permanent fixture at AK. Or...if they have improved it, why not make a dragon version for New Fantasyland? That way, there's a dragon walking around and interacting with guests, instead of doing a flyover once...
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<That way, there's a dragon walking around and interacting with guests,>> Now there is a great idea!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan If it was a talking dragon, it could share its own backstory with guests.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Lee, you brought up Lucky in comparison. What's the story with that tech? Why did he just disappear? I would think he could have been a permanent fixture at AK. Or...if they have improved it, why not make a dragon version for New Fantasyland? That way, there's a dragon walking around and interacting with guests, instead of doing a flyover once...>> Lucky is still on the Adventures by Disney SoCal trip as far as I know. That trip does visit WDI but I haven't seen the tour for a while. Lucky and Mobile Muppet Lab suffer from two problems: 1) Reliability: they still can't run more than a few shows per day which makes it tough work. There are still weather-related issues too especially in humid conditions (like WDW and HKDL) where it interferes with the mechanics. 2) Ops: The Ops folks hate them. It is difficult to police the experience to prevent guests from interfering with the attraction and that takes up GC CMs which should be deployed elsewhere. Ops also hate the number of performers and tech that are needed for the show. WDW Ops don't like performers as they cost too much. I always thought that the LCP would be best deployed as a component of other attractions rather than standalone experiences. I loved Lucky but it was very difficult to create a show for him and it ended up being rather contrived at DAK. I'd originally hoped he would form part of a new pre-show for CTX but that suggestion fell on very deaf ears.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If it was a talking dragon, it could share its own backstory with guests.>> You have to read a 200 page show bible before you meet Lucky.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "The dragon does seem an add-on to Fantasyland. It's not tied to any of the new attractions, or existing ones." Well at least it's an original concept and not based on some pre-existing story with a recent movie release, which seems to be Disney's modus operandi these days. I think we should be appreciative of that and praise WDI for attempting to take some risks for a change.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "Well at least it's an original concept and not based on some pre-existing story with a recent movie release, which seems to be Disney's modus operandi these days. I think we should be appreciative of that and praise WDI for attempting to take some risks for a change." Well, yes, you're right. However, this seems almost an afterthought to the whole expansion. Maybe if it were a key story element (here we go with story), or had an actual connection to Fantasyland, it would be better. I love it when they create original characters and attractions, but this isn't quite either of those things.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Oh, and thank you very much, Lee for giving a bit more info on Lucky and his whereabouts. It really is too bad they couldn't incorporate him into an attraction, or maybe create a dedicated space for him, something like Aladdin's Oasis at Disneyland where they allow a set number of guests in to see him.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I think some are over thinking this. It's a promotion for heaven's sake.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Oh, and thank you very much, Lee for giving a bit more info on Lucky and his whereabouts. It really is too bad they couldn't incorporate him into an attraction, or maybe create a dedicated space for him, something like Aladdin's Oasis at Disneyland where they allow a set number of guests in to see him.>> I think the best example of how LCP tech could be leveraged inside the park was the Farok and Camel show in the Arabian Coast courtyard at TDS. The show is literally just one performer and the camel but it was highly effective and added a lot of ambience to the space. The show wasn't scheduled so most guests would just stumble across it. It was a very cute show. Too much of the entertainment at the parks these days is fixed around major shows, parades and fireworks and stuff scheduled out. The Times Guides have really destroyed that element of surprise and wonder that used to exist in the parks. I remember when I first stumbled over The Laughing Stock Company in Frontierland - it was just a great addition to the day (I remain a fan!). It was the same with the original streetmosphere gang at D-MGM - I've wasted hours standing on Sunset Blvd watching those shows with Francis Floot et al. The problem is that actors are regarded as too expensive for WDW Co. So those type of shows are a dying breed. They would never consider something like a Farok for Lucky.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA In the fist few years of Disney's California Adventure, they had a wonderful improv theatre group -- called 'DUH' I think. Great, 20 minute show. Pulled volunteers from the audience -- very funny.
Originally Posted By leemac <<In the fist few years of Disney's California Adventure, they had a wonderful improv theatre group -- called 'DUH' I think.>> I know we always seem to end up back at Opening Day entertainment but there were some really fun things at the park back then like.....you know it's coming....Chance to Shine. Plus Three Bags Full etc. It just added much needed vibe and personality to the park. DUH wasn't liked by management at all. It didn't help that the performance venue was tucked away behind the facades - it did make it difficult for guests to find. I liked Cory Sewelson's work a lot for the most part but his work on HPB wasn't his finest. The masterplanning of the land was a mess - there is no sense of discovery in that formulaic layout. Plus missteps like the Hyperion frontage etc. just make it an unappealing land even with the updated placemaking. Streetmosphere and small entertainment shows should be a staple of every Disney park - every single one of the parks could handle more. Attractions are always estimated based on their cost per guest (both design & build and operationally) and each project lives and dies by those metrics. Streetmosphere at D-MGM can easily absorb the equivalent of 2k-2.5k guest per hour and is very cost effective considering the alternative is capex-intensive attractions. To continue to nickel and dime that experience is to the detriment of all guests.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<The problem is that actors are regarded as too expensive for WDW Co. >> If that's the case, and I don't doubt it is, why are they investing so much in all these Living Character animatronics and animations that require a performer to operate them? Seems like these types of experiences would end up being more expensive than they're worth.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If that's the case, and I don't doubt it is, why are they investing so much in all these Living Character animatronics and animations that require a performer to operate them? Seems like these types of experiences would end up being more expensive than they're worth.>> LCP is being funded by R&D - once an application is decided upon then it is sent for approval. There are a few LCP projects that have never seen the light of day. Stuff like Laugh Floor and Stitch Live! are popular as they have decent throughputs and require minimal staffing. They are also entirely controllable within indoor environments. It is Lucky and Muppet Mobile Lab that don't win fans amongst Ops folks. Those roaming shows are far harder to control and enforce crowd control.
