Originally Posted By phruby According to the lastest report from Fakey-Mc-Lutz, Alice in Wonderland will be getting a new wider exit ramp that hugs the building. Since they are doing that, Disney will be "enhancing" all of the other dark rides. What do you think that means? What would you like seen done?
Originally Posted By oc_dean What I find odd ... we are hearing some of the strangest ideas, coming out from left field - from Monsters Inc. mini land within Hollywoodland, to plussing Fantasyland's dark rides ... while they continue to skirt around the obvious things they should be focusing on: Tomorrowland/Peoplemover track, increasing park capacity by adding to Frontierland to the north, to finishing off sections of DCA that have still been left neglected. If plussed Fantasyland dark rides are their big calling card for the 60th, and their answer to Universal Hollywood's "Potter" .... all I want to do is just laugh!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "What do you think that means?" Most likely it means that MyMagic+ elements will be added to the queues. "What would you like seen done?" The last time I was at DL the only FL dark attractions we experienced were Snow White, Pinocchio and SB Castle because they had the shortest waits. Other than updating the tech, which they've already been pretty consistent with, I wonder how much more they could do given the small spaces the attractions occupy. If space were unlimited I would do two things: 1) make Peter Pan longer (the ride is almost over before it starts) and 2) build a proper conclusion scene for Snow White.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Fakey-Mc-Lutz<< Just a reminder ... Al is not currently writing the updates because he is gravely ill. So, uh, dial it back, would ya?
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Just a reminder ... Al is not currently writing the updates because he is gravely ill.<< But his brainwashed lackeys are....
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Who would want to read Disney gossip without Al Lutz? It's like me losing all interest in movie reviews after Ebert died.
Originally Posted By phruby I think they should say who is writing it and stop trying to emulate his style. We all know its not him. They should also fix some of the grammar.
Originally Posted By phruby As for the dark rides. I agree its pretty random. It does nothing for capacity but seems like an easy win to provide something new. It's got to be pretty low budget. They must need to beef up the Alice ramp problem budget in order to get a different level of funding internally. I think its enough to make it go from a maintenance project to a small enhancement project. It's probably because maintenance didn't want the ramp coming out of their budget.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I would definitely be down with some dark ride enhancements. They are always a favorite with my family. Especially if that means a better Snow White ending. And lengthening Peter Pan, like Hans said. Although, I must admit, I'd be so much happier if they were removing Snow White and adding a Dwarf Mine coaster in DL!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance While they are at it, they should tear down Toontown (but keep Roger Rabbit) and build the Dwarf coaster back there, and a couple other new dark rides!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree that, although it sounds like a nice addition, the upgrades to the darkrides seem like an odd use of funds. Those attractions are well maintained and are always running at (or very near) full capacity. There's not much additional space in Fantasyland for more guests to walk between the rides, so I wonder how well they'd be able to advertise it. I'm all for improvements, but this just seems like an odd choice And while it would be great to get some significant improvements, like a real finish to Snow White, I suspect we would see things more like the technical upgrades that Snow White got a few years ago, with the projections during the queen/witch transformation and the rain in the finale. With the changes in building codes (including ADA) since the rides were rebuilt in 1983, and the cost and time of completely overhauling 5 attractions, I have a hard time believing they would be doing too much serious construction >>I think they should say who is writing it and stop trying to emulate his style. We all know its not him. They should also fix some of the grammar.<< Both the style and grammar remind me of the people behind the "In the Parks" column, though in a more edited/refined form. I think they're still working to find their voice and tone, and just generally figure out the format of the column. I'm already growing tired of the references to items in earlier columns that they seem to think are set in stone, despite no evidence elsewhere online. I'll give them (whoever 'they' are) some time to settle in to their new role, but for now I think I prefer Jim Hill's folksier-than-though style to their holier-than-though-but-still-can't-run-spell/grammar-check style.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I think they should say who is writing it and stop trying to emulate his style." Have they actually stated that Al is sick? I'm not suggesting that he isn't, but why not just explain the situation to his readers?
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 They did Hans. Al has Parkinsons. There is another thread about it on here somewhere.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Although, I must admit, I'd be so much happier if they were removing Snow White and adding a Dwarf Mine coaster in DL!" Me too!! In fact, just rip out everything from Storybook Land all the way back to Toontown and give DL a "new" Fantasyland similar to the one in Florida.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "They did Hans." I guess I missed that. So then why not properly introduce his replacement? "Al has Parkinsons. There is another thread about it on here somewhere." Yes, I found that out from posters here.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Me too!! In fact, just rip out everything from Storybook Land all the way back to Toontown and give DL a "new" Fantasyland similar to the one in Florida." I'd be sad to lose Casey Jr and Storybook Land, I don't know why, I just love those two rides. A certain point on the Storybook Land ride, has the most beautiful views of the Matterhorn/river. I took a pic at that point once and it's the best pic I've ever taken, it looks like it should go on a DL calendar!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Storybook Land is a charming, low tech little gem. To me, it IS Disneyland. I'd be bummed out if they ever got rid of it. I've said it before, but about the only thing they could do to make that ride even more appealing to me is serve milk and warm cookies as you listen to the guide's stories. I wish I had it in my backyard!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan If they're going to do anything with Alice, it would be great to just expand the interior. For some reason, I always enjoyed the heck out of the part of the ride when you twist and turn down the giant leaves, but since that is apparently a safety problem, I'd use the real estate to add another interior show scene, and put the queue/loading beneath it.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I love that bit too, CC. It's when the have the Pinocchio alps/village with the "big Alp" (Matterhorn) looming behind. I mentioned it in a trip report and 2oony said it was his favorite view in all of DL, so we're in good company. And the new FaL in WDW is mostly nicely dressed up meet and greets plus the LM ride that's already in DCA. Nice for Fla since that FaL was so lame, but I'd hope for something better for DL.
