The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[mickEblu]

True, but Disney can certainly afford to maintain every AA they've got on a daily basis. Certain someones calling the shots, however, don't seem to think it's as much a priority as it once was.

I think they do a pretty good job. Their always seem to be AAs down for repair. I take that as they care about show. With as many AAs as the park has their is no way that they can all be in working order all the time. The park is open 365 days a year. Stuff is going to break down from time to time. I think most of the critique is surrounding Splash Mountain which they seem to not upkeep as rigorously as the other attractions. Probably due to the sheer number of AAs in that attraction. Maybe they also think that due to the pace of the logs it’s not as important as if an AA goes down in POTC for example.

 

[Rich T]

...With as many AAs as the park has their is no way that they can all be in working order all the time. The park is open 365 days a year. Stuff is going to break down from time to time. I think most of the critique is surrounding Splash Mountain which they seem to not upkeep as rigorously as the other attractions. Probably due to the sheer number of AAs in that attraction. Maybe they also think that due to the pace of the logs it’s not as important as if an AA goes down in POTC for example.

They used to have night crews check and repair the AAs every night between park closing and opening. And this is when they had Pirates, HM, Small World, Tiki Room, Country Bears and America Sings all up and running. I do agree that, today, Splash probably gets "backburnered" for the very reason you mention.

On the flip side, the upkeep of the dark ride interiors in Fantasyland in the 70's didn't always seem to be stellar.

 

[mickEblu]

They used to have night crews check and repair the AAs every night between park closing and opening. And this is when they had Pirates, HM, Small World, Tiki Room, Country Bears and America Sings all up and running. I do agree that, today, Splash probably gets "backburnered" for the very reason you mention.

On the flip side, the upkeep of the dark ride interiors in Fantasyland in the 70's didn't always seem to be stellar.

I think there is room for improvement. One thing I’ll say though is unless all the AAs have been replaced, they re a lot older now than they were in the 70s.

 

[Rich T]

I think there is room for improvement. One thing I’ll say though is unless all the AAs have been replaced, they re a lot older now than they were in the 70s.

Also, the company has changed (big understatement). They used to do nearly all of this stuff in house, on-site. They were set up to repair AA's at a moment's notice. I'll bet the paperwork and middleman factor was a fraction of what it is today, too. Thank goodness for Garner Holt, but I really miss the days when so much wasn't farmed out.

 

[SuddenStorm]

Knott's log ride invented it and perfected the wet water ride long before Baxter copied it for Splash Mountain.

Splash Mountain drew influence from Knott's log ride- but everything from track layout, experience, to the quality of rockwork was improved by Disney for Splash Mountain.

 

[Phroobar]

Splash Mountain drew influence from Knott's log ride- but everything from track layout, experience, to the quality of rockwork was improved by Disney for Splash Mountain.

And Garner Holt brought Knott's log ride into the 21st century. They made it better than Splash Mountain imho.

 

[SuddenStorm]

And Garner Holt brought Knott's log ride into the 21st century. They made it better than Splash Mountain imho.

Now you're comparing a 2010's log flume to one Disney built in the '80s. Splash does a lot more right than Knott's log ride- it has lovable beloved characters, a beautiful score that utilizes an Academy award winning song, and utilizes a three act story structure very well.

When I said Disney perfected the water ride with Splash- I wasn't saying that it's tech would never need to be upgraded. I meant that like Pirates, BTMRR, Space, Big Thunder- it utilized storytelling, soundtrack, animatronics, setting and creative genius in a way that hadn't been seen before.

It combined thrills, story, and setting in a beautifully placed attraction that far outdoes what Timber Mountain was in the '80s, and I genuinely believe is a more emotionally engaging ride that what Timber Mountain is now.

Timber Mountain is a phenomenal ride. It's effects are beautifully done, and for a regional park- it's one of the best. But it misses a lot of what Splash Mountain has to go beyond "technically impressive ride" to "emotionally engaging experience that sticks with you".

 

[SuddenStorm]

In unrelated news- the Fox deal went through today. It was shocking to look at the Disney website.

The Walt Disney Company

The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.

www.thewaltdisneycompany.com

 

[SuddenStorm]

I find myself kind of teased on Indy wanting the Jeep to go faster to match the intensity of the music and visuals.

Sadly, the vehicles used to be far more engaging and intense before Disney toned them down. This is another case where the creative intent was there, but management got involved and neutered what was designed and built.

 

[Rich T]

In even more unrelated news, how 'bout that "Stranger Things 3" trailer, eh?
(Edit in an attempt to link to Disney) Um...part of it reminded me of Something Wicked This Way Comes.

 

[mickEblu]

In even more unrelated news, how 'bout that "Stranger Things 3" trailer, eh?
(Edit in an attempt to link to Disney) Um...part of it reminded me of Something Wicked This Way Comes.

I loved season 1. Still haven’t got around to seeing season 2.

 

[Rich T]

I loved season 1. Still haven’t got around to seeing season 2.

Season 2 isn't as near-perfect as Season 1 but it's still a lot of fun. 3 looks to be a bit crazier than 2.

 

[shortstop]

In unrelated news- the Fox deal went through today. It was shocking to look at the Disney website.

The Walt Disney Company

The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.

www.thewaltdisneycompany.com

Deadpool on the main page, bleh... I do hope TWDC doesnt further erode its own identity by marketing Fox IPs as equals with original Disney IPs.

 

[mickEblu]

Deadpool on the main page, bleh... I do hope TWDC doesnt further erode its own identity by marketing Fox IPs as equals with original Disney IPs.

Bart Simpson is also painful

 

[SuddenStorm]

Deadpool on the main page, bleh... I do hope TWDC doesnt further erode its own identity by marketing Fox IPs as equals with original Disney IPs.

As long as they keep Fox Studios running somewhat independently from Disney, and don't market them alongside each other or have the name "Disney" on any of the advertisement for those properties, it'll be fine. People don't look at Touchstone and think "Disney"

 

[NateD1226]

I love the Simpsons. I just hope they don't splatter their Disney magic all over the show. That goes with the rest of the Fox movies as well.

 

[lazyboy97o]

We don't use Knotts products in our household. Smuckers family all the way!

Knott’s is a Smuckers product.

 

[NateD1226]

I loved season 1. Still haven’t got around to seeing season 2.

I loved both seasons and they were both great in their own ways. I would recommend catching up because it is a really great show

 

[Mac Tonight]

Knott’s is a Smuckers product.

"That's it honey! We're smashing all our jam!"

 

[socalifornian]

Universal Parks have another Disney owned property in their portfolio