TSM review, details, and spoilers!

[DisneyAnole]

You guys know Toontown at Disneyland? Or how about Maroon Studios in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Pixar Studios will be like that, where all the Pixar favorites will be hanging around and doing their thing. It'll be like how little kids would imagine Pixar Studios would look like, with Mike & Sulley walking next to Wall-E. That kind of thing.

Really I think that idea works better than the idea of giant toys on Paradise Pier.

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm not convinced that's what DHS is getting. TSM sounds like it has a story about the toys setting up these games while Andy's family is away. If this is Pixar Studios, then the story should include that, not telling us we're in Andy's house.

 

[marni1971]

Just be grateful it isn`t in Tomorrowland....

And lets face it, DHS needs the hype TSM will bring with it for now.

 

[DisneyAnole]

Just be grateful it isn`t in Tomorrowland....

And lets face it, DHS needs the hype TSM will bring with it for now.

I agree that something new at DHS is good.

But ultimately sloppy Imagineering is bad.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Why does Tower of Terror fit? Why does Rock 'n Roller Coaster fit? I think the only real legit fits at DHS are the two stunt shows and the backlot tour.

I'll answer this one.

Tower of Terror fits in two ways:

1. DHS has always been half-"studio", half "interpretation of Hollywood. "The Hollywood Tower Hotel" is a symbol for classic Hollywood and fits perfectly on Sunset Blvd.

2. The Twilight Zone is a classic television show that you are becoming a part of by entering. Television is another important aspect of Hollywood and show business, and the fact that its a classic show fits even better with the "classic Hollywood" aspect that DHS has always had.

Rock 'n' Rollercoaster covers the music industry aspect of Hollywood and show business.


I've been a skeptic of Toy Story Mania ever since I heard about it. Yes, DHS desperately needs new rides, and this will help. Its also probably pretty fun, but I can't deny that the theme is pretty iffy. It's connection with DHS is kind of far-fetched, but with "Pixar Place" I guess it worksit. What I DO NOT like, however, is that they ALREADY HAVE A TOY STORY THEMED SHOOTING RIDE at the Magic Kingdom. That is the one thing I find unnacceptable about it.

 

[tirian]

Hmm are you sure about it...because when I was there early December (i know it might have been the busy season) It had a huge line... we really wanted to get on it...but it never got short...Yet we were able to get quickly on popular rides like the Matorhorn(sp?), Small World, Buzz Lightyear, and Haunted Mansion.. Pirates was a walk on! But it must have been the timing...and the day...

I'm talking about the online community. Many DL-centric sites complained that the scenes are difficult to see underwater, and Epcot's version is actually better.

 

[EpcotServo]

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm not convinced that's what DHS is getting. TSM sounds like it has a story about the toys setting up these games while Andy's family is away. If this is Pixar Studios, then the story should include that, not telling us we're in Andy's house.

That's the story of the ride. The Pixar worlds can be there too. From what I've heard (we'll see when it opens.) The toys are inviting us to come and and become their size to enjoy the Midway games they've set up. I think that that's the link between Pixar Place (the street) and Midway Mania (the ride). That's my guess. Andy's room is one, but who knows what other Pixar worlds will come in later. I kind of like to think that Pixar Place can kind of be a "Pixar Main Street" for MGM in the future. Kind of a hub with Pixar adventures in it. (Hopefully in the future)


Also notice in the new video up at the offical site, the model gateway they show calls it "Toy Story MIDWAY Mania"!
:sohappy:

 

[tirian]

It's the Studios. G-Force records exists next to a hotel that was popular in the 1940s on a street that is in the 1940s.

Does a legitimate link really matter with TSM? :lol:

 

[Brian_B]

Every ride in the Disney parks has a story behind it, this was set on an existing movie franchise, as in when it was made. That's why it's going in DHS. Star Tours is set as you being riders on a pilot program to the moons of Endor not you on a movie set.

FYI - when you first enter the star tours building, you can see equipment and soundstage walls, plus several signs indicating that it's a "hot set" (surely you noticed the red blinking lights), and also cast call sheets tacked to the walls. Not to mention that the building itself is shaped like a soundstage. In a movie studio. Sorry, but they actually fit star tours in with the "studio" theme.

Also, when you first enter the giftshop after the ride, it too is supposed to be a soundstage. You can tell via the soundstage walls and huge studio lights.

 

[Brian_B]

I kind of like to think that Pixar Place can kind of be a "Pixar Main Street" for MGM in the future. Kind of a hub with Pixar adventures in it. (Hopefully in the future)

First off Epcotservo, let me quickly state that I think you rule and I love your updates. With that said...

I sure hope they DON'T do what you want, because seeing as how the entire left half of your "main street" is in fact the great movie ride (specifically most of the western and alien scenes), such an idea would probably warrant the destruction of GMR.

Better idea: The pixar studio building should serve as an entrance to an entire pixar land where the old backlot was, because (with much love and due respect to everyone I know over at backlot), backlot tour is on it's way out. I love it and never miss it, but it's on it's way out.

Ahh, I love a bit of good old old-fashioned arm chair imagineering.

 

[wannab@dis]

I must say that I'm not surprised. I'm sure there are lots of readers of this thread scratching their head trying to figure out what's going on. The resident haters have come out with a vengence. A new attraction is about to open so they can't let this opportunity get past them. The first thread with first hand knowledge of the ride and details and they jump right in... not looking forward to a new attraction, but bashing it as their norm. Of course, their attempt is so ludicrous, it's laughable. A new attraction with new technology in a park that needs updates and changes and it's met with some messed up logic for complaints. Watching them to explain why an attraction where the guest is playing along with movie characters from a popular movie in the movie studios park doesn't fit the theme is pure entertainment. Of course, the rationalization that ToT or RnRC fits better is hilarious!

Of course, once you get past their poor attempts of reasoning, it's not hard to get at the crux of the issue. They complain because they think it builds their cred... far from the truth, but entertaining. I guess it's not very PC to find it so funny since it's a sign of such low self-esteem. Their attempts to belittle and tear down the professionals to make themselves look better should probably be seen as a lack of self-worth and in need of our pity. Really, we shouldn't laugh at them. :lookaroun

But ultimately sloppy Imagineering is bad.

Sometimes, it just goes to far as seen above. Of course, I'm sure when the attraction opens and the lines are crazy long with lots of happy guests we'll see a retraction. Nah, that will never happen. It will be rationalized that just the dumb guests are happy and standing in lines. :brick:

 

[DisneyAnole]

I must say that I'm not surprised. I'm sure there are lots of readers of this thread scratching their head trying to figure out what's going on. The resident haters have come out with a vengence. A new attraction is about to open so they can't let this opportunity get past them. The first thread with first hand knowledge of the ride and details and they jump right in... not looking forward to a new attraction, but bashing it as their norm. Of course, their attempt is so ludicrous, it's laughable. A new attraction with new technology in a park that needs updates and changes and it's met with some messed up logic for complaints. Watching them to explain why an attraction where the guest is playing along with movie characters from a popular movie in the movie studios park doesn't fit the theme is pure entertainment. Of course, the rationalization that ToT or RnRC fits better is hilarious!

Of course, once you get past their poor attempts of reasoning, it's not hard to get at the crux of the issue. They complain because they think it builds their cred... far from the truth, but entertaining. I guess it's not very PC to find it so funny since it's a sign of such low self-esteem. Their attempts to belittle and tear down the professionals to make themselves look better should probably be seen as a lack of self-worth and in need of our pity. Really, we shouldn't laugh at them. :lookaroun



Sometimes, it just goes to far as seen above. Of course, I'm sure when the attraction opens and the lines are crazy long with lots of happy guests we'll see a retraction. Nah, that will never happen. It will be rationalized that just the dumb guests are happy and standing in lines. :brick:

I gotta admit, your post made me laugh...because it's so predictable what you'll say anytime anyone has the audacity to question any design decisions made by any of the Imagineering gods.

If you don't value the integrity of "theme" and "story" and all that stuff that Disney supposedly prides itself on, that's fine. But your supercilious tone is really out of place in this thread.

No one here has suggested the ride won't be fun. Some people are merely observing that this ride appears to have been designed for DCA and shoehorned into DHS as an afterthought. What's so unforgivable about asking questions about that? This is a discussion board. People discuss things. Or perhaps it would be better if we had 100 posts saying, "Awesome!" "Can't wait!" "Looks cool!" "Neato!" "Like Buzz only better!" "Dizny rlz!!"

I don't suppose we'll ever get an admission from you that Disney has ever made a bad design decision, so it looks like you're just as obstinate as those whom you're criticizing. Although, if there's a difference, it's that your snide comments are just a little obnoxious and detract considerably from the content of your posts. Could you possibly work on correcting that?

 

[wannab@dis]

I gotta admit, your post made me laugh...because it's so predictable what you'll say anytime anyone has the audacity to question any design decisions made by any of the Imagineering gods.

Actually, it's more about those that ALWAYS question... here and there is not an issue, but ALL the time?

If you don't value the integrity of "theme" and "story" and all that stuff

I do value it.. in fact, I made that point in the post. The theme is there. Dead on. Maybe it's too obvious? :shrug:

that Disney supposedly prides itself on, that's fine. But your supercilious tone is really out of place in this thread.

Supposedly... "tired water effects" ... sloppy imagineering... shoehorned... You find MY tone arrogant? :zipit:

No one here has suggested the ride won't be fun. Some people are merely observing that this ride appears to have been designed for DCA and shoehorned into DHS as an afterthought. What's so unforgivable about asking questions about that? This is a discussion board. People discuss things. Or perhaps it would be better if we had 100 posts saying, "Awesome!" "Can't wait!" "Looks cool!" "Neato!" "Like Buzz only better!" "Dizny rlz!!"

Let's just get down to the nuts and bolts. Why is it necessary for a few to continually be negative about anything and everything? I honestly just don't understand the goal of someone who claims to be a fan to not actually find anything positive. But, I do believe they are looking for some "street cred" by attempting to stand out.

I don't suppose we'll ever get an admission from you that Disney has ever made a bad design decision, so it looks like you're just as obstinate as those whom you're criticizing. Although, if there's a difference, it's that your snide comments are just a little obnoxious and detract considerably from the content of your posts. Could you possibly work on correcting that?

Actually, if you had noticed in my post... I mentioned that MGM/DHS needs updates and changes. That implies a fault. But, the difference is that I don't dwell and focus only on the faults that are always present in anything made by a human. Maybe you could work on correcting that. :wave:

 

[DisneyAnole]

I do value it.. in fact, I made that point in the post. The theme is there. Dead on. Maybe it's too obvious? :shrug:

Supposedly... "tired water effects" ... sloppy imagineering... shoehorned... You find MY tone arrogant? :zipit:

All I'll say is this: if water effects used in every 3D attraction aren't "tired" then I don't know what is.

"The theme is there." I'm glad we have you to arbitrate these discussions.

 

[t3techcom18]

And some of you said Merf was the one who was always the hater...anyyyways...

I think the problem with TSM is the fact that the DHS is now in it's transition mode. That will ALWAYS cause a problem until everything is complete. TSM does make a good transition and a good theme in the sense that it IS designed to be the Pixar Studios. In most senses of the word, it is only a sign of the shape of things to come, which would be known as Pixar Place.

Now, does it completely work, as noted here, with the storyline it has? I won't give an answer to that just yet. I think it's safe to say a good majority of us haven't gone on it at all, so we can't make that predicament just yet. Am I thankful DHS has new rides? Definitely. It NEEDS them desperately and less of the shows. If it says anything, I get DHS done faster than AK, and that's saying something right there about the volume and amount of stuff to see there. Sure, I was iffy to hear about this idea, thinking, 'Oh, it's a video game ride, PLUS, WHY would they have another one of those if they have another shooter game in the MK, also based on Toy Story?', but I need to SEE the finished product before I make that decision. I've been surprised before, both by movies, TV shows, AND rides, into thinking they might be crap, when they actually weren't. The technology behind this is what is actually bringing my interest level in it up than ever before.

Point is, we can't have opinions bout TSM just yet. The idea? Yes. The theming? Probably. But stuff heard directly from a review, and no basis to point out stuff just yet? Definitely not.

 

[djkidkaz]

I always wonder why this board doesn't let you block a certain poster if you don't want to see anymore of their posts. I think this is a feature that should be worked on immediately Steve. Then all the lovers and haters can block eachother and the board will be bliss. :sohappy:

 

[Vernonpush]

I always wonder why this board doesn't let you block a certain poster if you don't want to see anymore of their posts. I think this is a feature that should be worked on immediately Steve. Then all the lovers and haters can block eachother and the board will be bliss. :sohappy:

You can do that now. Just click on their member-name, go to their Public Profile, then click on the "Add (member-name) To Your Ignore List" option.

 

[MousDad]

I really appreciate everyone's concerns about attractions being themed correctly to their surroundings within the park.

But I just have to honestly say that, to me, theming ranks at the very bottom of things I care about when enjoying the parks. Quality so trumps it, in my opinion. Also do cleanliness, service, variety of entertainment, quality dining, maintenance, and working attractions.

I respect other's passion and knowledge about theming, but any theming anomalies go almost entirely overlooked by me. There's plenty of good theming in the World to make up for it. Hopefully, that doesn't make me any less of a fan.

I often wonder too, as was previously discussed, if the whole theming issue was all that important in the development of the original park, or if that it is something that more or less has evolved over the years in the development of the newer parks, and in the ranks of fandom.

 

[t3techcom18]

I really appreciate everyone's concerns about attractions being themed correctly to their surroundings within the park.

But I just have to honestly say that, to me, theming ranks at the very bottom of things I care about when enjoying the parks. Quality so trumps it, in my opinion. Also do cleanliness, service, variety of entertainment, quality dining, maintenance, and working attractions.

I respect other's passion and knowledge about theming, but any theming anomalies go almost entirely overlooked by me. There's plenty of good theming in the World to make up for it. Hopefully, that doesn't make me any less of a fan.

I often wonder too, as was previously discussed, if the whole theming issue was all that important in the development of the original park, or if that it is something that more or less has evolved over the years in the development of the newer parks, and in the ranks of fandom.

Definitely, amen to that. I think the whole theming issue is just depending on people's viewpoints. Like me, Disney si the epitemy of theming, because, as part of their mission as Imagineers, is to create enviroments that are realistic in their own way, that, sure, they may be the strangest places that you have ever been to, however, you take one look at them, and you think you're there. It's that type of quality and believeablity that leads you to think that you're somewhere else. That's the sum of the theming argument, and to the exact viewpoints as to where and how it's done and to the level that it is. Lots of times, us fans take great huge remarks over this, good or bad, cause it is simply what we expect from Disney: high quality entertainment combined with the highest quality of showmanship and experience. I think with more time that passed by, and more and more of these attractions are done in a way that theming is over the top and beyond the call of duty, we raised the bar each and everytime. Yet, however, now it's become topic of debate, and it's simply cause everyone has different viewpoints of it. Some think it's nothing, while others think of it as everything. However, some people have gone the way of being totally defensive about it, which is neither healthy nor good. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it means you disagree with them. There's no need for arguments to be breaking out because of it. It is what it is, no questions asked.

 

[darthjohnny]

ven't heard about it being on two levels before.

Wasn't there a permit filed that talked about redoing the old Backstage Tour catwalk? Perhaps this was what it was for. :shrug:

Also, I read on another thread that they're installing Little Green Men on the roof of the ride. Anyone know more?

 

[jt04]

It Is Not A Working Studio

Just to clarify a point I made earlier about DHS theming. A better analogy for the future of the park IMO can be seen at World Showcase. Just as you have seperate lands there (Countries), you will have seperate "Studios" at DHS. I think it would be amazing if Disney gave the different Studios a lot of creative control over what is built. So the folks at Emery would present ideas to Imagineering of what they would like to see in their "land", and Lucasfilms would do the same and Muppets the same etc etc. I really think that would answer the theme issue. IT IS NO LONGER A WORKING STUDIO! Unless one of the "lands" decides to theme that way. And obviously they are not using that blanket theming across the whole park in the future. Please those of you who don't know that yet, realize it! End o' rant :zipit: