Originally Posted By leemac <<Anyone notice there was no castle show this year?>> The preference was for the anniversary greeting show (once in front of the castle and twice as a parade).
Originally Posted By leemac <<Iger has made it clear that any new major addition to the parks (or perhaps just the MKs) is going to have a tie-in with other Disney intellectual properties, especially the movies.>> I think if it is just a book report a la Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley To The Rescue! then I would agree with your later comment. However many of the new tie-ins coming are telling different stories - Radiator Springs Racers has a unique storyline using existing characters. That is the preferred route for WDI. There are projects on the boards right now for a combination of unique attractions and tie-ins.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite "I didn't know that. But I have to ask: for what venue was J! designed for? Wasn't it designed to be performed in TDL? If the end result is something that can't be properly performed in that venue, then there's something wrong with the design, independent of any legitimate problems the venue might have." I don't know about that. I understand what you're getting at, but I personally wouldn't take down the quality level to make it fit into a glove that is worn out in the first place...if that makes any sense. Perhaps it's really time for TDL to actually update their sound system. I wouldn't dumb down the music to make it work in a flawed and old sound system. "But that's just the thing. I'll probably do exactly the above before I see the parade again, and may as a result have a different perspective. But is that the way a parade should be designed? If you need to listen to the nuances that are not present in the actual performance in order to appreciate the performance, that seems to be a fatal and rather fundamental show design flaw in my book. Certainly, any new, expanded part of the guest population that isn't already going to the Tokyo parks isn't going to sit at home listening to the soundtrack through their home stereos before seeing the parade in the park." But thats the thing, they're nuances. Those subtle sounds, intricate details, and so on that you can't simply catch all in one viewing, especially the first time ever seeing it. That's the thing that hopefully, if people like it, makes them wanting to come back for more...to experience it again and discover things they didn't see the first time around. I think it should be clear that listening to the nuances in the music and seeing the intricate details in the design and performance are not necessary to liking it from the first viewing, as you would hopefully be blown away by the production itself as a whole. But these details are what makes it richer in quality and experience, especially after repeat viewings. I hope that makes sense.
Originally Posted By Mr X This obsession with "repeatability" is kinda weird, honestly. It's understandable for attractions, cause what can you do? You can't build a new park every few years, after all, or even all new rides. But for shows? I agree with SuperDry on this one. Sure some will watch over and over (and over and over and over), but the thing should be designed with a single viewing in mind. Think of other forms of entertainment. Sure you've got movie buffs that'll pay for a ticket 10 times before rushing out to by the DVD for their favorites, but they are in the minority. Most folks would rather go see another movie, rather than see the same one twice. Or think of Broadway. Those shows are full of nuance and intricate details, impossible to catch all in one sitting. But that doesn't mean most people go back over and over. They'd rather shell out those big bucks to see another show they haven't seen. The cool thing about TDL back in the day was that they would seemingly ALWAYS have some all new show or event to check out. That made it worth it to go back again and again. But then it started to stagnate, they started bringing back the SAME shows season after season. Less reason to return. And as for trying to create shows that way, I think it's better to go for the one shot view, and then come up with something new and different as quickly as possible (granted the OLC seems to be following the American parks' lead on this one *sigh*).
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi SD is right that the video on jtcent.com (wink) has bad audio because of the location. It seems that he/she (wink again) was between the Fantasyland and Westernland section. While it is a prime spot for Mickey's float to stop, it certain is less than desireable for video. Hopefully jtcent.com will have a better video available in a few days. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite While I enjoy the subtle details, I think it's a bit of a balancing act going on, in that you have the audience that comes once in a while or only once in a lifetime, and you have those repeat visitors...trying to create something that truly wows and connects with both audiences, but that gets the point/story across in the first (and maybe only) viewing, but allows the repeat visitors to discover and experience something a little new each time they see it.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< as you would hopefully be blown away by the production itself as a whole. >>> Well, "blown away" is certainly not the term I would use to describe my opinion of the parade after having seen it once. As I said before, "meh" is about the best way I can put it. Put another way, I'm neutral on it. I didn't think it was a bad parade, just not one I'd make a point of seeing again. <<< But these details are what makes it richer in quality and experience, especially after repeat viewings. I hope that makes sense. >>> I see what you're trying to say. And I definitely feel that way about other parades and shows that I've seen many times and continue to enjoy. Just not this one. <<< his obsession with "repeatability" is kinda weird, honestly. ... the thing should be designed with a single viewing in mind. >>> I only half-way agree. I do think that parades and shows should be designed with repeatability in mind. This will keep guests coming back for more on another day. But the point is, the parade or show has to "click" on the first viewing, and without having already been familiar with the soundtrack or art direction, otherwise most guests will never get to the repeatability stage.
Originally Posted By Malin <<< Hopefully jtcent.com will have a better video available in a few days >>> Hopefully jtcent.com will also start to upload pics and videos from the other 25th Anniversary events(wink)(wink) I was quite impressed by the soundtrack used for the Spring Carnival show Primavera this years. As a Beatles fan I just love the song Here Comes the Sun.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris "the squeals of delight when the hordes of characters came flooding out of the castle for the anniversary greeting" Really?!? WOW!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Hopefully jtcent.com will also start to upload pics and videos from the other 25th Anniversary events(wink)(wink) >> Not to take anything away from jtcent's but we will have the first part of our TDL 25th coverage from Thursday I believe (Jubilation is up first). We decided to run the DAK stuff for its tenth anniversary first. <<"the squeals of delight when the hordes of characters came flooding out of the castle for the anniversary greeting" Really?!? WOW!>> They have become a lot smarter about these Meet 'n' Greet shows now - the characters can now run amongst the crowd at both TDL and TDS (except for the Lido Isle version). Honestly it is just an incredible sight seeing people (adults and children alike) going all gooey about coming into contact with even obscure characters. That said I have a real beef about the decision to throw out the character guidebook. The Kirks and their team at WDI spent a long time writing the backstories to each land at TDS and explaining which characters live in which park (and which in both). I believe they have stuck pretty close to that since opening - now we see Alice, Tweedledum & Tweedledee and Brer Fox & Rabbit in TDS when they are TDL-only characters.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***The Kirks and their team at WDI spent a long time writing the backstories to each land at TDS and explaining which characters live in which park (and which in both).*** Do they actually do this with all the parks? Does Epcot actually have "backstories" to the various areas? Or the Studios? Who actually hears about them besides employees? Is there any way for a guest to learn what these stories are supposed to be? All in all, I would guess that most folks wouldn't really care and would just be disappointed if they didn't see *their* favorite character.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Do they actually do this with all the parks? Does Epcot actually have "backstories" to the various areas? Or the Studios?>> Not all of them. Epcot is more about the architectural immersiveness - you know where you are when at the France Pavilion. For DCA and TDS there are extensive backstories to each land - DCA's are actually pretty complex at times (particularly the Golden State area - Condor Flats etc.) but TDS also has a lot too. The "bible" is massive and I believe CMs are still trained on the backstories so you might want to try asking them when you are next at TDS. Would be an interesting exercise. Like try asking someone in American Waterfront what the exact timeframe is and the point of reference. It is interesting how that influences the entire land. Same with the new Turtle Talk for American Waterfront - it all needs to fit with the theme and timeframe (and it does - the conceit works).
Originally Posted By Bob Paris ^ I guess we will have to trust you, since I was a little shocked that the OLC seemed to now be going the character route and just throwing Pixar creations into the beloved TDS.
Originally Posted By leemac Don't take my word for it - you can have an opinion. I like the set-up. Not perfect but I think the guests will love it as an attraction.
Originally Posted By Mr X Not sure what you mean about point of referrence? Time frame I always guessed was the 1929's, but I guess it would depend on when elevated trolleys were big? Turn of the Century seems too easy. When all is said and done though, were there really ANY Japanese restaurants in America during those time periods? I don't really see how turtle talk would "fit" in any sense if it's actually Crush, the Australian surfer turtle from a recent hit movie. But I suppose you can make up a story to shoehorn in anything you like. (no offense to "backstory" fans, I do appreciate the intent. I just think that "real world" (particularly bunches of smiling, bowing JAPANESE SPEAKING employees) sort of intrudes just a bit too much for it to make much sense in Tokyo)
Originally Posted By leemac <<I don't really see how turtle talk would "fit" in any sense if it's actually Crush, the Australian surfer turtle from a recent hit movie. But I suppose you can make up a story to shoehorn in anything you like. >> There is a clever spin on the usual Turtle Talk story. When I'm permitted to discuss it further I will - but the TDR imagineers have come up with a twist on the usual story to meet the Japanese sensibilities. <<Not sure what you mean about point of referrence? Time frame I always guessed was the 1929's, but I guess it would depend on when elevated trolleys were big? Turn of the Century seems too easy. When all is said and done though, were there really ANY Japanese restaurants in America during those time periods? >> Nope - earlier. There is a specific date - I'll let you try and discover when it is (The Hightower Hotel is a perfect case in point). And yes there were Asian restaurants in NYC at the start of the 20th century. It is all in the backstory.
Originally Posted By Mr X Asian restaurants yes, but Japanese? I'll take your word for it. I didn't think sushi got popular til LONG after.
