News Splash Mountain retheme to Princess and the Frog - Tiana's Bayou Adventure

[_caleb]

It is a myth....I've had a post deleted (as I presume this will be).

You’re convinced that your posts were deleted because you were critical of the retheme?

 

[UNCgolf]

I don't think one can measure a ride's popularity by the number of animatronics it has. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is more popular than its forerunner, as is Cosmic Rewind.

I honestly don't know whether Tiana's Bayou Adventure will match Splash Mountain in popularity. I suspect it will be wildly popular even if it isn't as good.

I'm not sure this is true -- Touring Plans data suggests the average wait times for MMRR are roughly the same as they were for Great Movie Ride. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the wait times for GMR at the end of its life were shorter than the Touring Plans average times, because maintenance was lacking and the overall experience had lessened due to changes.

Regardless, that's not a factor of the number of AAs in the attraction, so your overall point still stands.

 

[LittleBuford]

Because you are kind, respectful, and thoughtful even when you offer criticism.

 

[Incomudro]

I think it has much more to do with the execution than the IP itself. My favourite Disney film is The Little Mermaid, but Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is most certainly not my favourite ride. And as you yourself acknowledge, one doesn’t have to like Avatar to really enjoy Pandora.

Splash Mountain is popular in spite of its IP, not because of it. Whether the rethemed version will be worth (re)riding is impossible to say at this stage.

I wouldn't quite say "in spite of its IP."
More, in spite of its IP being generally unknown.
The animated critters from Song of the South, and the wonderful music make it an excellent IP for the ride and are instrumental to its appeal.

 

[Incomudro]

To me, Splash and ToT are still the high water marks of post-Epcot WDI. Yes, even including Rise and FoP. That said, there’s nowhere for this overlay to go but down. I have no faith in modern Imagineering to improve it, nor any faith in the company not to budget cut it to death.

Every moment when I think "Yeah, maybe they can pull this re-theme off," is beaten back by a moment of the belief that re-themeing this ride is a crime.
That second realization was brought back to me when I watched the recently posted video of Splash in its prime.

 

[BobPar]

Every moment when I think "Yeah, maybe they can pull this re-theme off," is beaten back by a moment of the belief that re-themeing this ride is a crime.
That second realization was brought back to me when I watched the recently posted video of Splash in its prime.

It would never happen but if the company is really looking to cut back & looking to save money for whatever reason they have a fiscal responsibility to their shareholders & whats best for this company’s future health and growth they can easily hide behind that and simply put this on “hold” just like they have with so many announced refurbs & attractions.

 

[LittleBuford]

I wouldn't quite say "in spite of its IP."
More, in spite of its IP being generally unknown.
The animated critters from Song of the South, and the wonderful music make it an excellent IP for the ride and are instrumental to its appeal.

That's a fair distinction.

 

[MaximumEd]

Every moment when I think "Yeah, maybe they can pull this re-theme off," is beaten back by a moment of the belief that re-themeing this ride is a crime.
That second realization was brought back to me when I watched the recently posted video of Splash in its prime.

Yep. Super long ride time, high capacity, great story, catchy music, tons of AA’s, a freaking steam train running through the ride, and a decent thrill. If you don’t get off this ride with a huge grin, something is broken in you. PatF should 100% be represented in the parks, as it’s a really good animated movie…..just not at the expense of this.

 

[FettFan]

Every moment when I think "Yeah, maybe they can pull this re-theme off," is beaten back by a moment of the belief that re-themeing this ride is a crime.
That second realization was brought back to me when I watched the recently posted video of Splash in its prime.

Or just watch the Tokyo incarnation of Splash, which is still in primo condition. Even the “pogo stick” Brer Rabbit is functional, whereas at WDW, he’s usually turned off.

 

[FettFan]

Yep. Super long ride time, high capacity, great story, catchy music, tons of AA’s, a freaking steam train running through the ride, and a decent thrill. If you don’t get off this ride with a huge grin, something is broken in you. PatF should 100% be represented in the parks, as it’s a really good animated movie…..just not at the expense of this.

Aye. Perhaps instead of the Coco/Encanto area they want behind BTMRR, they should expand an East Coast New Orleans Square behind Small World/Be Our Guest.

They could even loop it around so that you could enter NOS through both Fantasyland and Storybook Circus, instead of SC becoming a dead end.

Added bonus: you already have the kitchen infrastructure in place thanks to BOG and Gaston’s Tavern. Expand it a bit and then build Tiana’s on the backside.

 

[Casper Gutman]

With how little actual artwork we’ve seen, how lackluster the sparse materials displayed have been, how relatively fast the redo will be, and how little ballyhoo there has been over what is arguably the most substantial makeover to a “legendary” ride in Disney parks history, I’m concerned that one of management’s primary goals with the conversion is to keep it as low profile as possible to avoid notice by certain news networks and other interested parties seeking to stir widespread controversy. Given recent events, it seems like management’s mandate is that the change be fast, low key, and under the radar - just get it done and hope no one important notices. That bodes ill for the quality of the redo, a project that should at least approach the scope of Cosmic Rewind. It’s disheartening to see the company this sheepish about a project in which they need to be fully invested.

 

[Incomudro]

With how little actual artwork we’ve seen, how lackluster the sparse materials displayed have been, how relatively fast the redo will be, and how little ballyhoo there has been over what is arguably the most substantial makeover to a “legendary” ride in Disney parks history, I’m concerned that one of management’s primary goals with the conversion is to keep it as low profile as possible to avoid notice by certain news networks and other interested parties seeking to stir widespread controversy. Given recent events, it seems like management’s mandate is that the change be fast, low key, and under the radar - just get it done and hope no one important notices. That bodes ill for the quality of the redo, a project that should at least approach the scope of Cosmic Rewind. It’s disheartening to see the company this sheepish about a project in which they need to be fully invested.

I fear that if they do a poor job, the blame will cast upon those who notice that and mention it - as our not being accepting of its inclusiveness, and empowerment - which is a relatively common tactic these days.
I hope they do a spectacular job, with spectacular visuals, and fun songs - but when I watch the videos of the ride in fully functioning form, I see a bar that is very high.

 

[Trauma]

With how little actual artwork we’ve seen, how lackluster the sparse materials displayed have been, how relatively fast the redo will be, and how little ballyhoo there has been over what is arguably the most substantial makeover to a “legendary” ride in Disney parks history, I’m concerned that one of management’s primary goals with the conversion is to keep it as low profile as possible to avoid notice by certain news networks and other interested parties seeking to stir widespread controversy. Given recent events, it seems like management’s mandate is that the change be fast, low key, and under the radar - just get it done and hope no one important notices. That bodes ill for the quality of the redo, a project that should at least approach the scope of Cosmic Rewind. It’s disheartening to see the company this sheepish about a project in which they need to be fully invested.

Well this is an interesting take.

Or maybe they announced a ride for “reasons”, that they had no actual plans for, and are now scrambling to figure out what to do.

 

[Trauma]

I fear that if they do a poor job, the blame will cast upon those who notice that and mention it - as our not being accepting of its inclusiveness, and empowerment - which is a relatively common tactic these days.
I hope they do a spectacular job, with spectacular visuals, and fun songs - but when I watch the videos of the ride in fully functioning form, I see a bar that is very high.

Of course they will, thats part of the playbook.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I fear that if they do a poor job, the blame will cast upon those who notice that and mention it - as our not being accepting of its inclusiveness, and empowerment - which is a relatively common tactic these days.

Speaking as a pretty progressive person politically, this is a very legitimate risk. And it concerns me the most. While there are no doubt a material number of people who complain for those reasons, this "shield" is being used by the creators, especially big companies. And that stands to do way, way more harm than good to any goals on increasing inclusivity and harmony regarding differences.

 

[retr0gate]

Yep. Super long ride time, high capacity, great story, catchy music, tons of AA’s, a freaking steam train running through the ride, and a decent thrill. If you don’t get off this ride with a huge grin, something is broken in you. PatF should 100% be represented in the parks, as it’s a really good animated movie…..just not at the expense of this.

At the expense of what exactly? None of this is changing, unless you don't consider PaTF to have a great story / catchy music which, to be fair, is a legitimate criticism. They're not changing the ride's capacity, the ride isn't going to become shorter, they're certainly not rerouting the railroad, and the whole "less AA's" argument is based off of pure speculation. I understand the sentiment but all the things that you described that make Splash Mountain so great are not expected to change. Same setting, different IP.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I fear that if they do a poor job, the blame will cast upon those who notice that and mention it - as our not being accepting of its inclusiveness, and empowerment - which is a relatively common tactic these days.
I hope they do a spectacular job, with spectacular visuals, and fun songs - but when I watch the videos of the ride in fully functioning form, I see a bar that is very high.

This EXACTLY...this is my biggest worry and concern.

 

[Casper Gutman]

At the expense of what exactly? None of this is changing, unless you don't consider PaTF to have a great story / catchy music which, to be fair, is a legitimate criticism. They're not changing the ride's capacity, the ride isn't going to become shorter, they're certainly not rerouting the railroad, and the whole "less AA's" argument is based off of pure speculation. I understand the sentiment but all the things that you described that make Splash Mountain so great are not expected to change. Same setting, different IP.

They aren’t using the story of PatF. Two of that story’s best characters - Facilier and Ray - aren’t appearing. The main characters aren’t frogs.

As shocking as it is, the ride isn’t using the music from PatF. It’s using new songs, perhaps tied to the D+ show.

If the new ride features anything like the number of AAs in the current Splash, it will be a complete deviation from WDWs pattern over the last two decades at a moment when the company is making drastic budget cuts. It’s speculation, but speculation based on all available evidence - akin to speculating that WB is unlikely to green light a mega-budget film based on a new IP in the next 12 months.

 

[Incomudro]

Speaking as a pretty progressive person politically, this is a very legitimate risk. And it concerns me the most. While there are no doubt a material number of people who complain for those reasons, this "shield" is being used by the creators, especially big companies. And that stands to do way, way more harm than good to any goals on increasing inclusivity and harmony regarding differences.

My thoughts exactly - the source material is there - the songs, the visuals, coupled with today's technology, lighting, and materials.
I do have some concern that if they fall way short on execution that they'll blame the audience, and I say that because I see it in action.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

And I've said it before (maybe on page 43, lol) that the ONLY reason Tony Baxter is on board is to save face between the diehard fans of Splash and TWDC...as soon as it opens, (well, maybe within 6 months) Tony is going to retire and sail off into the sunset...if anyone thinks the multitude of unique AA's, which is one of the reasons Splash was so awesome IMHO, are going to remain, I can't (and won't) help you...I'd offer to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge, but these days, you'd make too much money from tolls...perhaps some crypto currency from FTX