Originally Posted By Doobie <<< I think that would have been a great idea. And that has nothing to do with my opinion on Dench. As for your dislike of tributes... guess you don't like that statue of Walt or Roy on Main Street, huh? Or One Man's Dream, right? ;-) Granted, I don't think that Disney should focus on some of these issues, but I do think that them looking at their history is a important thing. Disney might be a theme park, but it's not total escape, you have to have SOME substance in there. >>> I didn't say I was against tributes (I specifically mentioned putting in a plaque). I think the Walt and Roy tributes are perfectly fitting. They're not old attractions brought back after they died. They were conceived and implemented as tributes from the start. Same for One Man's Dream and the Walt Disney Story for that matter. That's not the same as bringing back something that's already been removed and calling it a tribute. It's a disappointment for me when Disney announces something "new" that just ends up being something old (Electrical Parade being an example). Tributes just give them another reason to do that. Spectro (which I like) could only run for so many years. At some point it had to be changed. By removing it to bring back a classic (which I also like and am glad my son gets to see), that inevitable upgrade is now even further away. Of course once the MSEP run is over they can bring back the classic Spectro. As a fan of Disney and a frequent visitor, it's not a trend I like. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom << A theme park isn't the place for that. Leave the tributes the real world. Maybe a plaque or something in the queue. The parks are for escape.>> I want to get back to this statement because I totally disagree with it. I know this is what Disney does but, but!!! I was at WDW when the first Persian Gulf War broke out and there was a lot going on that week. The newly sworn Governor of RI shut down 14 banks. So oneone was accepting credit cards from from any of those banks. Eastern Airlines went out of business that week and many people were "stuck" in Orlando once their vacations were complete. As part of my Disney vacation I went on a Disney Cruise ( the Big Red Boat) and when boarding the cruise ship we were told there was an Iraqi terrorist ship in the Carribean. Four days later when we returned to port we were informed that Mexico had stopped the Iraqi terrorist ship. Anyway my point is that Disney never acknowledged that any of this was going on. I had two brothers stationed in Kuwait at the time who went to war. There was a lot going on domestically as well as international and at WDW there was a complete disconnect. Because I was from RI, no one was accepting my credit cards even though my bank was not affected. It was crazy and I felt that Disney's lack of acknowleging anything going on was "cold". At least put the American flag on Main Street at half mast and acknowledge there is a war going on.
Originally Posted By Doobie I feel for you and can even relate - there are certain times when I'm at a Disney and I want to be more in touch than I am. And Disney certainly should (and often does) acknowledge things to a point. They fly their flag at half staff in concert with the president's requests as far as I know. I've seen it at half mast many times. But I also think it's good for people to have a place to escape and the parks should be that place. It shouldn't extend to all of WDW. I want to be able to get a newspaper when I'm at my hotel. And if something potentially affects my safety (like an Iraqi terrorist ship), I'd like to know about it (taking into account the potential for panic as well, however). But in general, if I'm enjoying a day at Epcot, I don't want a loudspeaker announcement to let me know we've started exchanging fire with Libya. I know that's an extreme case, but I think it makes my point. But I do agree with putting the American Flag at half mast which they do. Other things ... I'm glad I'm not the one that has to make the decision because it is a very difficult decision for me. Should CMs be required to or even allowed to wear an American Flag during a war? Should the trees on Main Street have a yellow ribbon around them? My heart says yes. My head is not as clear. But when it comes to bringing back an old ride as a tribute, I'm pretty clear. I think it's a bad idea. Other good people disagree Doobie.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Doobie it sounds like we are mirroring our view points. I wasn't thinking in terms of yellow ribbons.... but perhaps taps at the end of the day? I don't think Disney needs to go overboard. Maybe play patriotic music? And I agree that the MK is different and should be treated with respect. The other parks especially EPCOT are a little bit more layed back. Again, I'm not saying I know exactly what Disney should do.... perhaps taps? But I am in no way suggesting Disney go over board.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>But I also think it's good for people to have a place to escape and the parks should be that place. It shouldn't extend to all of WDW<<< But to what point? Where we can't even have tributes and references to (gasp) dead people? I think that's walking a thin line between making a positive environment and looking for something unattainable and unhealthy.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I see nothing wrong with tributes to Walt and Roy. Without those two we would be standing in the middle of a swamp listening to gators sneak up on us. I do object to MJ in any Disney venue at this point. When he first appeared his reputation was intact and he, in all senses, represented his generation and what they liked. Now in light of all we know about his lifestyle, glorifying his in a place that may not be completely youth oriented but certainly made up of many...shouldn't be happening. He did not earn that lasting homage that was Captain EO. Too much water ran over that dam or under that bridge, whichever you prefer. Electric light parade, although old, is still exciting and the music is wonderful. I could watch it forever. Not so with Spectro. That always struck me as weird. I think MSELP was returned because it was better, even in its old age. I don't think the original Tiki Room is going to be a lasting success for this reason. I went to it a few years ago in Disneyland and half way through, I was thinking...gosh this is boring. I went in there filled with anticipation of seeing something that I remembered as great and left disappointed in the vagueness of my memory. Back to MJ. I see it as a flat out, full faced exploitation of a dead superstar. Disney should be better than that. JMHO!
Originally Posted By Doobie <<< But to what point? Where we can't even have tributes and references to (gasp) dead people? I think that's walking a thin line between making a positive environment and looking for something unattainable and unhealthy. >>> I'm fine with tributes - I even gave an idea for one. I like the Windows on Main Street, Walt and Roy, even Well's Expedition being put in the Matterhorn shortly after Frank Wells died. I draw a line at bringing back an entire attraction as a tribute a la Captain EO. I think that's a bad idea. Partially because it's a tribute and partially because, for the most part, I think "bringing back a classic" for any reason is a bad idea and tributes just give a reason/excuse to do it. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Manfried I agree with Doobie. It is time to get off this nostalgia kick at the Disney parks. I just got back from my trip to California parks and some observations. No one goes into Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Do I like the show? Yes. Was it worth bringing back. In my opinion, no. They could have done something new and more interesting, even including Lincoln, in the space. I also walked around and noticed that the live entertainment folks seem to be unable to do anything other than mega, semi-automated spectaculars. The Golden Horseshow, ZZZZZ. Billy Hill is okay, but no dancers in a saloon? Especially in the evening? Plaza Gardens sits there, but nothing happened the nights I was there. And there's no place there to get something to drink or snack, except out at the carts in the hub. But that doesn't matter as there is no show. Then there's what used to be the Tahitian Terrace/Aladdin show space. All boarded up. Oh, and Electronica is not all that great. I saw Glowfest, much better. One other comment, unrelated, what's with Small World? I mean they spent all that money rebuilding the trough and the boats, and they still back up before unloading.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Sigh. >>No one goes into Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.<< No one? Ever? You spent your whole time lurking in the lobby to confirm this? (And you went in. Was the theater empty? Are you "no one?") >>...the live entertainment folks seem to be unable to do anything other than mega, semi-automated spectaculars.<< Don't quite know what this means. But Disneyland still features a lot of live entertainment that is small scale. Specifically: --The Disneyland Band (daily) --Dapper Dans (daily except Mondays) --Laughing Stock (Daily, except Thurs. and Fri.) --Jambalaya Jazz (daily) --The Bootstrappers (Tue.-Thur.) --Royal Street Bachelors (Daily, except Tue. and Wed.) And there are bands at the Tomorrowland Terrace on the weekends. >>The Golden Horseshow, ZZZZZ. Billy Hill is okay...<< Maybe not to your taste, but if you had dropped in on any of their many sets, you would have found the place packed with fans. >>Plaza Gardens sits there, but nothing happened the nights I was there.<< Then you must not have been there Friday or Saturday night for the dance party. Or during the afternoons at 3:15 when the All-American Band was performing. Or during Magic Music Days when the kids are there. Just check the Entertainment Guide. >> And there's no place there to get something to drink or snack...<< Rancho del Zocalo is just through the passageway at the back. And there's a coffee cart right at the entrance with drinks and snacks. >>Then there's what used to be the Tahitian Terrace/Aladdin show space. All boarded up.<< It's not boarded up. It's just not being used right now. Biggest problem is when they offer small scale entertainment there and people go on line and complain that it isn't the same way it was back when the Tahitian Terrace was open. You know: "No dancers. No food. Yadda yadda yadda."
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>One other comment, unrelated, what's with Small World? I mean they spent all that money rebuilding the trough and the boats, and they still back up before unloading.<< Alas, the updating and upgrading of the boats and troughs still failed to yield an attraction that could violate the laws of physics. When there are many people on the boats, they will back up during unloading.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think bringing back the original Tiki's is a GREAT idea. That loud-mouth Gilbert Gottfried made it impossible to nap in a nice, cool and dark environment.
Originally Posted By CDF1 With as long as the Disney parks have been in existence, you could probably find any number of people who would support (1) bringing back the original version of the Tiki Room; (2) bringing back the "New Management" version of the Tiki Room; (3) bringing in an all new version of the Tiki Room. The one thing that you would probably get agreement on is that there at least should be some show in the Tiki Room as opposed to not having one there.
