Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <The American Adventure is THE best attraction at WDW IMHO.> American Adventure is outstanding. Certainly, the best sit-down-and-watch-a-presentation type of attraction.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> The American Adventure is THE best attraction at WDW IMHO.>> This! I think there is a lot to do in WS. Impressions de France is my favorite film, American Adventure is wonderful, I actually really like the Canada movie, Maelstrom is okay (I feel Gran Fiesta is unfortunate), the Chinese Acrobats are amazing, etc. And I get to look in shops that I can't find elsewhere. I like WS because it encourages my wanderlust. (Impressions de France is how we ended up at Mont St. Michel - now twice).
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 I like the shops of WS more than anything. Each one has its individual stuff. Its quite interesting. I like it. Especially the $37500 jeweled cindy castle in Germany.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Except for 2006, I do the bulk of my spending in the Tea Caddy. Maybe I've just bought them out. I really love walking through the 3 sections. We always check out the stores of the countries. But I feel the nice (also pricey) items aren't there any more.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>The American Adventure is THE best attraction at WDW IMHO.<<< Agreed.
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 [But I feel the nice (also pricey) items aren't there any more.] What do you mean? Like collector/artsy style stuff? Ill agree, the Mexico gift shop did seem a little dumbed down by all the mass marketing of cheap little Donald things, but thats just me.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^I'm thinking mostly about the clothing and souvinier stuff for adults. The nicer things just don't seem to be available anymore. Maybe they weren't selling, so they went to selling cheaper items to get sales. Like no more armours in the Castle gift shop, beautiful to look at, but how many were sold? The furniture in the China pavillion is exempt from what I said, they still have some really nice stuff. I'm sure some others do too, but not like the "old days."
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The point is, at Disney, the expensive merchandise was a part of the attraction. I already have bought enough cheap tat to last me a lifetime. Very little point entering the stores anymore. It's a real shame.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 >>The point is, at Disney, the expensive merchandise was a part of the attraction<< Especially in WS! I will never be a world traveler, but if I was tall, I'd spend a fortune on the clothes in Morocco. But since I'm too short, I'll have to settle for turning my kitchen and computer room into "Little UK"!!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^For someone who believes in proofreading.... jerk! I meant I enjoyed visiting the WS countries and seeing their offerings in clothes, furniture, accessories, music, entertainment and food.
Originally Posted By jmuboy I don't hate Gran Fiesta Tour. it's not outstanding, but its far from sub-par. In my opinion its no worse or no better than the old El Rio version of the ride. However, I can see how some families might enjoy it more than the previous ride. And El Rio which was a disjoined ride through museum exhibit at best with some offensive movie clips and creppy marionettes thrown in for good measure. Hardly the loss of EPCOT at its best (like the destruction of WoM and JII was).
Originally Posted By nbodyhome ^^ I thought El Rio was fun, it was like a throwback to If You Had Wings, which I loved. It also was more about Mexico, instead of being about a bunch of cartoon characters (with Donald having his own funeral pyre).
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 Still, El Rio needed a facelift of sorts. It was just kind of there and something to do. I like the new version better, but its too cartoony.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome ^^ Is it not "just there" still? The attraction hasn't become a roller coaster or interactive experience. It's the same thing, with cartoon characters.
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 ^ i suppose it is. Never anyone in line. They need to make it a stellar attraction. Something that edumacates and is fun at the same time, like Test Track, Or living with the land.
Originally Posted By DLer While the idea of a bobsled coaster attraction based upon Switzerland or maybe even Canada would delight any of the coaster freaks, it seems that fitting such an attraction into WS would be a tough task given the geography of that area of the park. There is however probably room for some kind of dark ride, as you only need an entrance to theme with the rest of the building hidden from sight. I guess it all comes down to what Disney folks may consider the primary clientele of WS to be - thrillseekers versus those looking for something to pass the time between dining or more relaxing pursuits.
Originally Posted By jonvn After seeing what Disney did to El Rio, I don't want them to add anything to WS right now. They don't have the talent. Because if they do add anything, it will either be a roller coaster of some sort, or based on cartoons. That's all they know from, and they literally wrecked both Rio and Seas with out of place cartoons. And that is what will happen in WS if these guys got their hands on it. They have absolutely no sense at all as to what these places are there for, and why they are popular and what fits in them. I'd like to see more stuff put in WS, but not by the people doing stuff now. More likely than not, we'd get a Chester and Hester carnival add on which will be an eyesore for many years. So let it be left alone. If they can't make it better, and I don't think they can, then just let it sit as is.
Originally Posted By Mr X **After seeing what Disney did to El Rio, I don't want them to add anything to WS right now. They don't have the talent.** I didn't catch it this time...what was wrong with it? **they literally wrecked both Rio and Seas with out of place cartoons.** I'm generally a purist, as you know...but actually the Seas remake didn't bother me at all. In fact, I (as an adult) thought it was a rather whimsical improvement from the boring pavillion that preceeded it. And, looking at it from a kids' perspective, the whole place was absolutely my daughters favorite thing in all of DisneyWorld. She knew where it was located, and dragged us adults back there over and over again to "see Nemo". She loved the crush addition, loved the new hydrolator nemo ride (a total bore back in the day, for all)...and the important aquarium exhibits are all there for anyone to see same as before. A great new addition, I would say. Certainly not "wrecked" by any stretch (the pavilion was nothing to shout about before, in any case).
