Originally Posted By Hista98 So I'm amazed it hasn't happened yet but are there any plans to replace MMR with philarmagic, it seems like an obvious choice as it can fit in there really easiley. Does anyone know if there are plans for this?? Then again I've never been to TDL so is it a popular ride there or is it rarely visited it seems like it would be dated by todays standards and philarmagic would probably be really popular!! anyone know more??
Originally Posted By Malin I understand the Mickey Mouse Revue was the deal maker in building TDL. It holds a special place in OLC's hearts and if that wasn't the case it would probarely have been ripped out years a go. So I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I understand the Mickey Mouse Revue was the deal maker in building TDL.>> Not sure where you got that from Malin but that isn't the case.
Originally Posted By Malin Well thats the story a certain person told me once, apparently The Mickey Mouse Revue was the one attraction Management at the time insisted on having at the park, when TDL first opened. And seeing that this unpopular attraction has been left untouched all these years I could quite believe some of the story, especially seeing that so many other theatre type shows have either been changed or ripped out completely over the years.
Originally Posted By Malin Clearly someone high up within the OLC has a soft spot for this attraction.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Does the OLC even want Philharmagic? Recent attractions haven't been clones at all. In fact the only clone I can think of being built in recent years is Indy and Jumpin' Jellyfish at TDS. Both Pooh and the upcoming Monsters Inc. are radically different from their stateside counterparts. Perhaps they just don't want clones.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Clearly someone high up within the OLC has a soft spot for this attraction.>> I wouldn't say that - there are just other priorities at the moment. I'm sure its time will come. <<Does the OLC even want Philharmagic? Recent attractions haven't been clones at all. In fact the only clone I can think of being built in recent years is Indy and Jumpin' Jellyfish at TDS.>> Turtle Talk is next for the SS Columbia and there are several other clones on the TDS menu at the moment - some might raise a few eyebrows if they do get built. Ultimately if an attraction is popular and successful OLC will take it. Think Buzz, MicroAdventure, Star Tours 2.0 etc.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 I could see Midway Mania being a fit in the American Waterfront section of TDS. I seem to recall there being a building or two in that section that had nothing inside them, and the victorian theming of the DCA version isn't much of a stretch from the same theming of the waterfront area. I hope The Mickey Mouse Review isn't replaced anytime soon. I would love to see it for myself one of these years. - Anatole
Originally Posted By Malin <<<Turtle Talk is next for the SS Columbia and there are several other clones on the TDS menu at the moment - some might raise a few eyebrows if they do get built.>>> By this you mean TDS is going to start introducing more characters to this character lite park. Certainly recent decision making points it going in that direction anyway with Crush coming to the Columbia and the new TDS 25th Anniversary greeting show featuring many characters you wouldn't usually associate with TDS.
Originally Posted By leemac That is right. When TDS opened OLC were provided with a massive bible of back-stories for the park by WDI. It basically decided what characters lived where and which could appear at both. So Aladdin, Jasmine and Ariel would become TDS-only characters whilst Peter Pan/Alice etc. would be TDL residents. The recent Meet And Smile revamp saw characters like Tweedledum and Tweedledee and Brer Rabbit, Fox and Bear appear in TDS for the first time. All I'll say is that you might see more Pixar characters in TDS in the near future.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Hmm...I guess Midway Mania would fit, despite having similarities to Buzz and maybe Monsters Inc. But Disneyland and WDW have similar attractions too, so why not? American Waterfrount could use more attractions, so I don't see a big issue with it. Is Soarin' still on the books too for Mediterranean Harbour?
Originally Posted By leemac There is a fascinating story about the development of Monsters, Inc. I'll cut it down but it does show the differing mindsets between OLC and WDIJ: The first pitch for Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! had a scoring element much like Buzz. OLC management didn't like the scoring element. The second pitch for Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! had the scoring element intact whilst the technology changed. OLC management didn't like the scoring element. The third pitch for Monsyers, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! had the scoring element intact whilst they had perfected the story and ride system. OLC insisted that the scoring element be taken out. It isn't very often that a confrontation like that happens between OLC and WDIJ but in this instance it did. OLC believe that the scoring system breeds competition and also reduces the size of the potential audience (remembering that OLC is struggling to attract the older set these days). OLC wanted an E-Ticket that would be accessible to all. Arguably you can sit back and just watch others play TSMM but it isn't the same as participating. Monsters, Inc. is a fantastic experience whether you play along or don't. It is just a very cool dark ride with some fun repeatability elements (try and find the five Rockys for example).
Originally Posted By leemac <<Don't see how Crush would fit in American Waterfront though.>> Well you are onboard a ship - that happens to be capable of whale-watching....I'm sure you get the point. The fascinating element is that OLC have 99% approved the attraction (budgeting aside) whilst also stipulating that Crush's personality be toned down. The Japanese believe surfers to be bums and therefore Crush would be perceived negatively. So the story is going to have to play up the father/son angle which was much more appealing to OLC. The changes that are coming to Turtle Talk are absolutely fascinating. Once I have approval from OLC to discuss further we will be featuring the changes on LP and in Tales (I'm hoping for Issue 13 which is TDL-centric but we aren't clear on the announcement date yet for Turtle Talk).
Originally Posted By Mr X These days, I'm wondering if OLC's take on things is REALLY what the Japanese public at large does or does not believe. The whole "surfers are bums" thing sounds like something that some stuffy old Japanese suits (er, OLC executive types in other words) might not like...but in general I don't see why that would be a major issue. Very much reminds me of this whole "mystery keys" 25th anniversary event, which Lee you explained in great detail (thank you), and to which most people I've talked to are just left scratching their heads. "what's the deal with the keys?", "this doesn't make any sense", "what is the theme of this event, anyway?" And everyone I mentioned the "Treasures/Pirates" theme to said "wow, now THAT would make sense", and when I mention that Pirates might be received negatively by Japanese, all have replied something like "no, that's not true. that's just dumb. Pirates are fine.". (referring to all the Japanese folks I've talked to)
Originally Posted By Mr X ***OLC believe that the scoring system breeds competition and also reduces the size of the potential audience*** Was there something in this issue having to do with Buzz and how it's been received? I mean, it's not like they were "anti-scoring" in the first place. I wonder if they've gotten some negative feedback regarding Astro-Boosters that might have skewed their opinion of these types of rides (I tend to agree, I don't like the "play and ride" concept myself, I actually find it distracting and not all that much fun).
Originally Posted By leemac <<Was there something in this issue having to do with Buzz and how it's been received?>> Don't think so - it is still the number one rated attraction in the park. It is also the most popular FP too (although we know that will change next January!). I suspect it is because Buzz would be a very dull experience if you weren't playing - just looking at all those colorful flats. Monsters from the outset was pitched as a full-blown AA attraction so it would have always been easier to remove the scoring element without taking away any of the entertainment value.
Originally Posted By leemac <<These days, I'm wondering if OLC's take on things is REALLY what the Japanese public at large does or does not believe.>> I can't really comment - every time I think I understand Japanese society (and pop culture in particular) something crops up that makes me scratch my head and say "eh?". Ultimately they have been successful at operating their parks. We will never know how much of that success is down to the popularity of Disney in general and how much is down to OLC's understanding of their core market. We have just had a series of long discussions about that huge success Camp Nepos - that was very entertaining indeed. And Ikspiari. I wonder what those two have in common....
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, as you know I dig Ikspiari for what it's worth (a good local hang for dinner and a movie where none existed before), so I'll not comment. Never seen Camp Nepos, but seems lame as hell from everything I've heard. OLC is an enigma, that's for sure!
