For the Love Of All Disney Parks!- Page 5

[otis33]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 3:44pm

They are adding a Little Mermaid ride in California Adventure - along with a few other new rides/attractions. (though I can't remember what). They have a great exhibit at the moment with models and video about all the upcoming additions.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 3:58pm

They're also putting a copy of the Little Mermaid ride into WDW's Fantasyland, a few years after the one in CA opens, I think.


The Tiki Room and Mr. Toad travesties at Disney World are simply unforgivable. Mr. Toad was the first ride I ever went on at Disney World, at age 2 and a half. My family and I even participated in that Save Mr. Toad protest that went on for a few months when fans found out Toad was being killed in favor of Pooh. (LOL, say THAT out loud...)

And the Tiki Room, is, well, the gosh darn TIKI ROOM! It's one of those signature Disney attractions that everyone knows about, whether they've been to a Disney park before or not. Are the imagineers going to put rap music into It's a Small World next?? Or how about redoing Pirates of the Carribbean and making it all about pirates fighting ninjas??
Updated On: 9/11/09 at 03:58 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 4:34pm

Compared to Mr. Toad the new ride IS Pooh.

[ScottInLA]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 5:15pm

> is the Grand Californian more incredible than the Grand Floridian?

Tough to compare...they're both so different. The GC faces directly into the theme park, so you've got pretty amazing close up views of DCA (assuming you're staying on the theme park side). The GF can't do that, but you do get the stunning view of the castle across the lagoon. The GC is one large building, so you don't have to walk outside to get to your room, which is nice. The GF has monorail service, whereas the GC just has the monorail sailing through without stopping. Both are pretty darn cool places to stay. :)

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 8:21pm

All the "goshes" and "darns" in this thread crack me up.



Holly---as far as It's a Small World, they recently revamped the ride at Disneyland to include characters from various movies. It's not as invasive as it sounds, but it still wreaks of an overly aggressive marketing department. The Little Mermaid, Belle, Stitch, etc. Many others.

Walt Disney didn't used to care whether he was plugging one of his movies or not. The Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and other rides and attractions weren't created to sell a new film.

But now, every new ride needs to market some other (usually recent) Disney venture. Ugh.

[otis33]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 8:46pm

I actually didn't mind the additions to It's a Small World. I thought they blended in well, and were all done in similar style to the rest of the 'dolls'. In fact, in a few cases they had to be pointed out to me because I didn't notice them.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 9:03pm

"All the "goshes" and "darns" in this thread crack me up. "

Trying to keep it Disney-esque!

In all seriousness, though, I'm really not one to curse. I've had friends tell me that I actually act like a Disney princess. I said 'damn' once and a friend next to me was shocked.



And I do know about the Disneyland Small World updates, but I agree with otis33 in that they're really not that big of a deal. The dolls blend seamlessly. (Although, yeah, I don't approve of the reasons they were added.) The Tiki Room was horribly ravaged in an attempt to make it 'hip'. That's why I mentioned adding rap into IASW.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 11:19pm

I was just at WDW last weekend, and have to admit that I was quite annoyed with the new Tiki Room show. Couldn't they sing the Tiki Room song even once???

I did like the additions to Pirates of the Carribbean. It was amazing how the animatronics really captured Johnny Depp's movements and expressions.

I hadn't been to the park in over 15 years, so it was fun to see some of the changes. The Buzz Lightyear shooting gallery ride was fun. And it was nice to see the Carousel of Progress updated. (Even if some idiotic family decided to leave just as the carousel was set to turn, and so set off the safety sensors and we had to watch the whole 1930's segment again!)

And over at Epcot, the changes to Space Ship Earth were kinda cool....if only because the new interactive computer screen distracted me from what was usually a terrifying ride backwards down at the end. (I literally used to watch the steps in the old version... )

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 11:21pm

Yeah, the Small World changes are subtle and they do blend in (as I also said in my post). It's just the idea (aka marketing message) behind it that isn't subtle. As if they needed to remind everyone gliding around on those little boats that it was a DISNEY attraction. You know, in case we forgot after the 17th language and 5th key change.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 11:25pm

Along the same vein, I saw more Disney "characters" in my day at Epcot than I did at the Magic Kingdom. Mary Poppins and Alice were in England, Belle was in France, and Pluto was hanging around by "The Land".

It's been a while, but the last time I was there, you never saw a character, and rarely the mouse ears symbol over at Epcot.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 11:55pm

singingwendy--I noticed that at Disneyland, too! The mouse ears are a rarity these days. I see a lot of kids in Goofy hats, and other Disney hats. But the classic mouse ears are all but gone. Don't know why. Maybe nobody wants to wear them anymore.

As far as the characters on the Small World ride, and all over Epcot, it's almost ruining the whole point (or theme) of those attractions.

The point of It's a Small World is that no matter where you go, we are all people (singing the same damn song). Though we may have differences, we are all united in the human race. A simple, sweet, and powerful message.

So, when you add in a bunch of Disney characters scattered throughout the ride, it's like you're saying, "No matter where you go in the world, you're gonna see one of our iconic characters in the mix, because we're so very GLOBAL now!"

Misses the point of the ride entirely.

Same thing with Epcot. You're supposed to be experiences these "experimental" cities of tomorrow ... not running into Goofy in Greece or Minnie in Malta.

They're not staying true to the idea. Poor Walt is a-spinnin' in the grave.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:43am

I like to alternate between my gold mouse ears and my Peter Pan hat. Although I should probably retire the gold ears, since they were for Disneyland's 50th, and they're getting a bit worn. (They're the Disney World version of the ears; I have a Disneyland pair that my friend bought and had embroidered for me on the day of the anniversary. I don't ever wear those. They're for display only.)
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 01:43 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:00am

Here is my D23 update....

So, today we went in to the Convention, which essentially was the impetus for this entire trip. I must say, I'm so glad we only decided to convention for one day. There were a LOT of people there who planned to spend the entire weekend at the convention, which I just couldn't fathom. It was good, I suppose, but somewhat...underwhelming, for lack of a better term. To be fair, there was a lot of really awesome stuff there, but much of it was not as "grand" as I expected. It also wasn't nearly as crowded as I expected it to be.


This was the main room of the exposition hall, with all of the information booths, directing people where to go.

By far the best exhibit at the convention was the Disney Parks and Resorts exhibit. We got to see a whole slew of scale models for the new Cars Land at California Adventure, which opens in 2012. That will be the next time I visit the Disneyland Resort, for sure.





We also got to see Wall-E out and about. He's really an amazing animatronic. His movements and vocals are very, very fluid. Didn't wait on line to get a picture with him, so you'll have to settle for these photos taken from the sidelines.

Along with Wall-E, they had a nice exhibit about the evolution of the animatronic, beginning with the simple joystick that controls early animatronics such as the Tiki Birds. We then got to see, and play with, the highly detailed controls that move new animatronics such as the new President Obama (who amusingly thought he was supplying audio for a hologram, by the way).





We then got to look at the concept art for the new Disneyland Hong Kong.

Also, the model of the Disney Vacation Club in Hawaii.

The only disappointment about the Parks and Resorts Pavilion was that there was nothing about Walt Disney World, although in the "talk" this morning (which we missed) there was apparently an announcement about the long rumored Fantasyland expansion (including Ariel's Undersea Adventure).

We toured some of the Disney technology stuff, and found out that Toy Story Mania is coming out for the Wii. This almost makes me want to get a Wii.


the Vynlmation guy was painting a lifesized one that he was auctioning off later this weekend

Up house!!

My favorite Donald painting, that I hope wins the contest (because I love how Donald inserts himself into the Partners statue)

There was a wedding exhibit, TONS of Lost stuff (mostly props). I've also joined the cast:

I got to have tea with the Mad Hatter

Herbie!

You couldn't take any photos in the archives, but they had a lot of neat stuff there.

That was pretty much it for the Convention. Went to DCA at night and the Disneyland, but I'm too tired to post about it. Will do so tomorrow!

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:07pm

Great pics. It looks like you're having a great time! I'm a fan of all things Disney, so I would love to be at the convention. Plus, I read online that Johnny Depp made an appearance dressed as Jack Sparrow.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:07pm

I see they have the Johnny Depp Mad Hatter out!

"In addition to adding Iago and Zazu, they also changed most of the music to include more "contemporary" songs such as Gloria Estefan's Conga and Hot! Hot! Hot!."

You mean, they added the soundtrack to the Party Gras Parade? After doing 1,385 performances of that parade and those songs, I cringe whenever I hear them, and DIsney seems to use them ALL the time.

[pli1018]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:17pm

The Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion was officially confirmed today at the Expo. Concept art is still being released but this is what's been released so far:




It looks AWESOME! Stars Tours is also getting updated in both Florida and California, debuting in 2011!
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 03:17 PM

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 4:52pm

The D23 Expo looks so fun! A Disney geek like me would be like a kid in a candy store there. Although, if I were you, I'd have gone on Thursday as well, because they showed the first thirty minutes of Princess and the Frog, which I've been waiting for for more than a year and a half.


!!!!!!!!!
That Fantasyland expansion looks AMAZING. Disney World's Fantasyland has always been rather dull. I went to Disneyland Paris for the first time this summer and was blown away at how GORGEOUS it was. Even the Mad Tea Party was beautiful.

Here's a more in-depth description of the new Fantasyland, along with pictures! You're going to go inside the princesses' homes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0

For anybody else who wanted to be an imagineer when they were little, here's a blueprint that popped up a few months ago. It must be real, since it matches up with that concept art. (Also, you can't read it on the blueprint, but word is that the Barnstormer will be rethemed into a Cheshire Cat coaster.)



I would have posted it on here, but it's a little too big Updated On: 9/12/09 at 04:52 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:33pm

So, is the Little Mermaid the only new dark ride they're building for it? They're not getting rid of other attractions to get these ones in, are they?

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:46pm

On that blueprint, I'm a little disappointed that they're putting in another "playzone" area. Why not save money with your children and bring them to a park? It seems a waste of space. They could put in a much better attraction, I'm sure.

Also, I think they'll be keeping all their other attractions. You can see on the bottom left, the Pinocchio's Village Haus, which is kind of at the back of Fantasyland now...

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:40pm

Yeah, the only real new attraction they're building for it is the TLM one. Unfortunately. Most of the expansion seems to be huge meet and greet areas. There are also those two new Beauty and the Beast restaurants, though. And even if it's all meet and greets, the theming looks phenomenal.

I am wondering, though... Where the heck is Jasmine and Tiana's representation?? I mean, Tiana's movie may or may not be successful, but Disney is hell-bent on putting her into the Disney Princess franchise, and Jasmine is one of the most popular princesses. An Agrabah or New Orleans/Bayou section would be a nice change from all the European theming of the other princesses' worlds. Tiana also loves to cook, which would have been the perfect opportunity for a new restaurant.


And I imagine they'll do something to the rest of Fantasyland. That 70s circus tent theme is not gonna mesh with all the new stuff. They'll probably just update the facades.


Also, looking at the concept art again, it looks like they're planning to refurb the teacups to make them like the Parisian ones, which are just gorgeous.





Updated On: 9/12/09 at 10:40 PM

[pli1018]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 12:09am

Princess Tiana will pop up in both US parks starting in late October where she'll take over the steamboats for a few months with Tiana's Showboat Jubilee. Not much more than a meet and greet though. The rest of the cast from the film will be on hand as well. I don't think Tiana will get much representation beyond this until she is proven to be a bankable Disney Princess. If anything she'd get some sort of attraction in New Orleans Square in Disneyland or at the Port Orleans hotel.

We're not losing any attractions though we're only gaining one. They're getting rid of Toontown completely to make space. I think this expansion is particularly exciting for the lush themeing which is essential to the Disney experience. I'm actually okay with the lack of attractions if it means breathing some fresh air (and rich themeing) into the aged Fantasyland.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 12:22am

Oh, are they getting rid of Roger Rabbit?

[pli1018]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 12:42am

Roger Rabbit isn't in Magic Kingdom's Toontown, only in Disneyland's.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 1:38am

I get the parks confused. My bad.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/13/09 at 3:08am

I'm way too exhausted right now to say very much, but I'll just say this:

After an incredible dinner at Napa Rose, we spent the final evening of the trip in the Magic Kingdom and got to see Fantasmic.

Murphy the Dragon was fully functioning and completely amazing. He looked great. The videos do not do him justice at all. It's stunning when you watch him live. He was greeted with raucous entrance applause to, if you will. I mean, wow, just wow. He was amazing.

I love WDW, and am very partial to those parks, but Disneyland's Fantasmic blows its Florida cousin out of the water, as I always knew it did. The dragon is just the tip of the iceberg.