Originally Posted By DBitz2 I'm surprised no mention of this has come up yet here. During one of the D23 Destination D seminars, an Imagineer mentioned that when the Mark Twain reopened from it's short refurbishment, it would have a new speil recording. And, indeed it does. As the boat leaves the dock to begin the journey, the familiar depth marking recording from before is still heard. (It is heard again, later, with the explaination of what it means.) Then, the captain says a few word about New Orleans as the boat passes that area and a jazzy rendition of "Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog plays up until the boat reaches the Haunted Mansion and mention is made of it and it's 999 ghosts. When passing Splash Mountain, the captain introduces the deep voiced Brer Frog to say a few words about what goes on inside Splash Mountain. A rendition of "How Do You Do?" from Song of the South and Splash Mt. plays until the boat reaches approximately the back deck of Hungry Bear. Then, the depth marking explanation is heard. In quick succession, the Captain introduces Mark Twain, who says a few words, then, mentions Mike Fink and Davy Crockett as the boat passes that scene. (It sounded like a different recording with a different actor for Mark Twain.) There is descriptive dialog as the boat passes the Indian scenes. After that, the captain mentions some of the wildlife to watch out for in the next areas. Another song plays as the boat passes through the Rio Grande area. I don't remember which song. It might have been "Red River Valley". Then, there is mention of Tom Sawyer Island and the pirate elements from the Tom Sawyer Story. Tom Sawyer says a few words, then, the captain has similar dialog as before as the boat approaches the dock. The new voice of the boat captain sounded somewhat like actor Rex Allen, who narrated several Disney films, and, who has been heard in Disney attractions. Since he is no longer living, I'm thinking that it might be his son, who sounds a lot like his father. I asked a CM at the dock who the new narrator was, but, they didn't know. I didn't have a chance to further pursue trying to find out. I'm sure one of you will find out who the new voices are soon! It will be interesting to hear people's reactions to the new narration and whether they like it or not. Because it now has songs associated with a couple of movies, and, two other characters besides Mark Twain are heard, I thought it sort of has more of a "fantasy" feel to it now. The voice actors are quite appropriate to their characters. No problem there. There are definitely parts of the old dialog that I liked better. I'm not sure yet how I feel about it. It will definitely take some getting used to since it is quite different than what we've been used to.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Do they mention the 4 different rivers you're supposed to be on? They went to all that trouble to "differentiate" between them - seems strange they wouldn't mention them. Did the Columbia get a new spiel also?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Given that I haven't been on it yet, I really can't comment too much, but I'm not really sure I how I feel about the heavy use of non-period music. I don't remember there being much (any?) music with the previous version, and I thought that the narration was quite effective. Part of what is so great about the river attractions is that they still leave it to the guest to piece together bits of the story, and there really aren't many references to other Disney properties. It sounds like this is just being done to try to create synergy and give the attraction a more corporate feel. I hope that it doesn't feel like that in person, but I certainly am a little skeptical.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I suppose this was Corporate Disney's way to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Mark Twain's birth and the 100th of his death. Mark Twain did pilot the Mississippi River between St.Louis and New Orleans and technically the River is constantly changing expanding and contracting to do what is asked of it(by nature) so the changes Disney chooses to make are acceptable in my mind. I just have to get used to it! In reality I am always thankful for Disney and the fact that anybody can still experience a train ride(ugh AMTRAK) and a riverboat ride or even a walk down Main Street. This is really important to my heart.I realize Disney must be aggressive to survive financially and that is why they must expand their markets. ANd we,the consumer must reflect our future by carefully choosing where our money goes.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 Yes, I think the new narration does mention the four river regions. Even though I went on the Mark Twain a couple of times, there was just too many things to remember to report on. >>I suppose this was Corporate Disney's way to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Mark Twain's birth and the 100th of his death.<< Having Mark Twain "himself" speak as a character in the narration recording is actually nothing new. He has had dialog in the speil for a number of years now. I didn't get a chance to go on the Columbia, so I don't know if any changes were made to its narration. I think they put the Columbia in dock once they finally brought out the Mark Twain about 10:30.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 As the to music in the previous version, FerretAfros, there was music, but, like a score to a film, it was so appropriate to the atmosphere that it didn't stand out as noticeable, just as a good film score evokes a mood but doesn't draw attention to itself.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I meant that as sarcasm; Disney completely changed the original theme in honor of our literary education being based on cartoons and animated characters. They chose to do this during a very important Anniversary Tribute year for Mr. Mark Twain(aka Samuel L. Clemens). In my weary mind I am trying to accept the new Disney; we need a daily creative challenge.
Originally Posted By Sparrow I'm not a huge fan of the new narration because I'm naturally resistant to change. That being said, I've heard it and it isn't too bad. It does mention the 4 different sections of river that are going to be seen and it's a little more explanatory in general.
Originally Posted By PetesDraggin I think the new narration is pretty great. Yeah, it has some music from Princess and the Frog, but it fits in as you pass by New Orleans Square. The new narration feels appropriate and does a good job of giving a cohesive story to your journey along the Rivers of America, while at the same time it does nothing to detract from a pleasant, relaxing boat ride.
Originally Posted By Dznygrl I REALLY miss the old banjo/harmonica music they used to play. I loved that so much....so, no, not really a huge fan of the new stuff.
Originally Posted By Dznygrl I REALLY miss the old banjo/harmonica music they used to play. I loved that so much....so, no, not really a huge fan of the new stuff.
