The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[Too Many Hats]

Yes, but especially at close the CMs especially don’t want to go 101, that means a longer time until they can go home.

Ah okay, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[PiratesMansion]

Here is a pretty cool look at Disneyland in 1990 with sing along songs. Lots of Roger Rabbit.

This video was my introduction to Disneyland, and for that reason will always have a special place in my heart.

I had several Sing Along Song tapes, being squarely in the target audience for them at the time, and so it must have seemed only natural to my mother to pick this one up to get me oriented for our upcoming trip (or maybe she just threw it in the cart without paying attention to what it was about, who really knows).

This video basically set my expectations for the place, and because of it I knew about the Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Jungle Cruise, the rockets, the monorail, Splash Mountain, and fireworks on some level as a seven year old. It pointedly did not give any info about Space Mountain and Indy (both of which scared the crap out of me) or Pirates, and made me terrified of the Haunted Mansion until my parents made me ride it (I spent the entire ride worrying that, per the lyrics of Grim Grinning Ghosts, some ghost or villain was going to come up right next to me during the ride; for whatever reason I found the Big Bad Wolf costume particularly scary).

And so, while I can't pretend it's high art, it's very much one of those pieces of media that imprinted on me at a young age and very much affected the way I saw the place.

 

[Rich T]

This video was my introduction to Disneyland, and for that reason will always have a special place in my heart.

I had several Sing Along Song tapes, being squarely in the target audience for them at the time, and so it must have seemed only natural to my mother to pick this one up to get me oriented for our upcoming trip (or maybe she just threw it in the cart without paying attention to what it was about, who really knows).

This video basically set my expectations for the place, and because of it I knew about the Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Jungle Cruise, the rockets, the monorail, Splash Mountain, and fireworks on some level as a seven year old. It pointedly did not give any info about Space Mountain and Indy (both of which scared the crap out of me) or Pirates, and made me terrified of the Haunted Mansion until my parents made me ride it (I spent the entire ride worrying that, per the lyrics of Grim Grinning Ghosts, some ghost or villain was going to come up right next to me during the ride; for whatever reason I found the Big Bad Wolf costume particularly scary).

And so, while I can't pretend it's high art, it's very much one of those pieces of media that imprinted on me at a young age and very much affected the way I saw the place.

The best of all the Sing-Along videos, and possibly the best promotional piece (post-Walt) Disney’s ever created for the park!

 

[Rich T]

Planet Coaster 2 just added—among other things—the ability to build restaurants where the peeps order, pick up, and carry their food to a table. Nice! And this guy eats his fries and sandwich with a spork just like I do!

 

[mickEblu]

This video was my introduction to Disneyland, and for that reason will always have a special place in my heart.

I had several Sing Along Song tapes, being squarely in the target audience for them at the time, and so it must have seemed only natural to my mother to pick this one up to get me oriented for our upcoming trip (or maybe she just threw it in the cart without paying attention to what it was about, who really knows).

This video basically set my expectations for the place, and because of it I knew about the Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Jungle Cruise, the rockets, the monorail, Splash Mountain, and fireworks on some level as a seven year old. It pointedly did not give any info about Space Mountain and Indy (both of which scared the crap out of me) or Pirates, and made me terrified of the Haunted Mansion until my parents made me ride it (I spent the entire ride worrying that, per the lyrics of Grim Grinning Ghosts, some ghost or villain was going to come up right next to me during the ride; for whatever reason I found the Big Bad Wolf costume particularly scary).

And so, while I can't pretend it's high art, it's very much one of those pieces of media that imprinted on me at a young age and very much affected the way I saw the place.

I loved this VHS when I was a kid. It’s easy to forget that in those days you didn’t have the internet at your fingertips which is why so many of us DL fans of a certain age are so fond of that video. It’s why catching a DL commercial on TV promoting the newest land attraction was so exciting. Or why it was so cool when the Full House (or insert sitcom family) visited Disneyland or Disney World. You were at the mercy of what was on TV… or that legendary Disney sing a long. Then in the early Internet days, I remember being so excited in the late 90s when I discovered Disney had uploaded a grainy 5 second video clip of Splash Mountain (along with other clips of other attractions I presume) and posted it on their website. I remember not having something installed on my computer that was required to watch that 5 second clip and my more tech savvy friend helping me figure it out.

 

[D.Silentu]

I remember giving the TV my undivided attention whenever the commercial for the Indiana Jones Adventure came on. It started by focusing on a map of Adventureland, which burned away much like the opening to Bonanza.

 

[Rich T]

I remember giving the TV my undivided attention whenever the commercial for the Indiana Jones Adventure came on. It started by focusing on a map of Adventureland, which burned away much like the opening to Bonanza.

I’m old, so my all-time favorite DL commercial is/was 1978’s “What’s Gotten Into The Matterhorn?” A foggy long shot of the mountain, a slow zoom into a painting of a crystal cave… and then growls and glowing red eyes. Brilliant, minimalistic and perfect.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I loved this VHS when I was a kid. It’s easy to forget that in those days you didn’t have the internet at your fingertips which is why so many of us DL fans of a certain age are so fond of that video. It’s why catching a DL commercial on TV promoting the newest land attraction was so exciting. Or why it was so cool when the Full House (or insert sitcom family) visited Disneyland or Disney World. You were at the mercy of what was on TV… or that legendary Disney sing a long. Then in the early Internet days, I remember being so excited in the late 90s when I discovered Disney had uploaded a grainy 5 second video clip of Splash Mountain (along with other clips of other attractions I presume) and posted it on their website. I remember not having something installed on my computer that was required to watch that 5 second clip and my more tech savvy friend helping me figure it out.

This is why the WDW Explorer CD-ROM (first released in 1996 then updated 2 years later with Animal Kingdom) was such a valuable source of clips and information. A well of knowledge with flashy (for the time) graphics, narrated slides, clips etc

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This video was my introduction to Disneyland, and for that reason will always have a special place in my heart.

I had several Sing Along Song tapes, being squarely in the target audience for them at the time, and so it must have seemed only natural to my mother to pick this one up to get me oriented for our upcoming trip (or maybe she just threw it in the cart without paying attention to what it was about, who really knows).

This video basically set my expectations for the place, and because of it I knew about the Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Jungle Cruise, the rockets, the monorail, Splash Mountain, and fireworks on some level as a seven year old. It pointedly did not give any info about Space Mountain and Indy (both of which scared the crap out of me) or Pirates, and made me terrified of the Haunted Mansion until my parents made me ride it (I spent the entire ride worrying that, per the lyrics of Grim Grinning Ghosts, some ghost or villain was going to come up right next to me during the ride; for whatever reason I found the Big Bad Wolf costume particularly scary).

And so, while I can't pretend it's high art, it's very much one of those pieces of media that imprinted on me at a young age and very much affected the way I saw the place.

The best of all the Sing-Along videos, and possibly the best promotional piece (post-Walt) Disney’s ever created for the park!

Fun fact, it was remade in 1997 for Disneyland Paris and an English language copy was sold in the UK

(yes, it's also on YouTube)

 

[Animaniac93-98]

There's nothing like Disneyland after 9:00pm

Unlike other Disney parks where things start to close early (or the whole park does), nearly everything is open and it's still full of people. That combined with the night time setting brings a whole different energy to the park, especially in Fantasyland where the midway rides have a life of their own they don't seem to have when it's daylight.

Darting back and forth between all the rides cramped together behind the castle is so easy to do then and you don't care if it's late and you're tired because the heat from the sun isn't crushing you and you can actually get through the streets. Same is true for that stretch of park from Indiana Jones to Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's compact size can be an issue for most of the day, but when it's late at night it just becomes one big model railway set for guests to play in and then if you're lucky it's easy to walk back to your hotel.

 

[Too Many Hats]

There's nothing like Disneyland after 9:00pm

Unlike other Disney parks where things start to close early (or the whole park does), nearly everything is open and it's still full of people. That combined with the night time setting brings a whole different energy to the park, especially in Fantasyland where the midway rides have a life of their own they don't seem to have when it's daylight.

Darting back and forth between all the rides cramped together behind the castle is so easy to do then and you don't care if it's late and you're tired because the heat from the sun isn't crushing you and you can actually get through the streets. Same is true for that stretch of park from Indiana Jones to Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's compact size can be an issue for most of the day, but when it's late at night it just becomes one big model railway set for guests to play in and then if you're lucky it's easy to walk back to your hotel.

I love it so much. Fantasyland can get chaotically crowded during the day; late at night, when it’s mostly just adult Disney dorks and highly-motivated families squeezing the last minutes out of their vacation, it’s perfection.

Also (in my experience) posted wait times late at night tend to overstate the actual wait. The other night Big Thunder was posted as 30 minutes; I waited 8. Space Mountain said 40 minutes; I waited 20.

Real pro-tip: ride Rise after 9pm (before it closes at 10pm). In my experience, the wait time will be posted as 40+ minutes to deter people from venturing back there, but the ride will be nearly a walk-on.

 

[Too Many Hats]

I’m afraid to ask: why is Small World closed for 4 months? I know they’re adding an additional verse to the song, but 4 months? Did I miss a Disney parks blog post?

 

[Touchdown]

I’m afraid to ask: why is Small World closed for 4 months? I know they’re adding an additional verse to the song, but 4 months? Did I miss a Disney parks blog post?

Add Miguel to Mexico and add a new verse to the song.

 

[mickEblu]

Posted my thoughts on Epic’s rides over in the Universal Hollywood Thread. I ranked one particular ride a bit higher than some might think it deserves, but… hey… Werewolves are awesome!

I enjoyed your review and glad you had a great time! I’ve seen a few vlogs now and I have a few questions. Is the park entry and Celestial Park as barren as it looks on video? Seems like they didn’t bother planting any mature-ish trees? In some areas I didn’t see many trees at all which is odd because I remember being pleased when I read a quote about them “wanting to put the park back in theme park.” That whole fountain area looks nice-ish on video but comes across as a Southern California Caruso outdoor mall fountain with a knock off Bellagio in the background.

Overall the park has a few impressive attractions but just get the sense that as a whole it’s sort of lacking soul. I think that’s partially due to the lack of trees, natural looking elements (whether real or fake) like rock work and water features (such as rivers, streams, waterfalls). I guess part of it also that this is the first theme park built from the ground up stateside in the Single IP land era. So seeing a loosely themed park with four unrelated Single IP lands will naturally come off that way. If this is the template for new parks I don’t love it.

I wish Universal would start building more E ticket level family attractions like POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise etc. But then again I think would these more passive attractions move the needle as new builds in 2025 without the nostalgia? I’m not sure. I also feel like those types of rides are pretty much exclusive to Disney or at least Disney castle parks. Meaning to say even Disneys non castle parks are sort of light on those types of attractions. With all of that said where is the 6 minute Shrek E ticket boat ride? Where is the GhostBusters omnimover or trackless ride? Why aren’t they building stuff like that?

 

[WeekendGM]

There's nothing like Disneyland after 9:00pm

Unlike other Disney parks where things start to close early (or the whole park does), nearly everything is open and it's still full of people. That combined with the night time setting brings a whole different energy to the park, especially in Fantasyland where the midway rides have a life of their own they don't seem to have when it's daylight.

Darting back and forth between all the rides cramped together behind the castle is so easy to do then and you don't care if it's late and you're tired because the heat from the sun isn't crushing you and you can actually get through the streets. Same is true for that stretch of park from Indiana Jones to Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's compact size can be an issue for most of the day, but when it's late at night it just becomes one big model railway set for guests to play in and then if you're lucky it's easy to walk back to your hotel.

Seeing the Main Street Vehicles running after dark was truly an head turning moment during my first visit

 

[Rich T]

I enjoyed your review and glad you had a great time! I’ve seen a few vlogs now and I have a few questions. Is the park entry and Celestial Park as barren as it looks on video? Seems like they didn’t bother planting any mature-ish trees? In some areas I didn’t see many trees at all which is odd because I remember being pleased when I read a quote about them “wanting to put the park back in theme park.” That whole fountain area looks nice-ish on video but comes across as a Southern California Caruso outdoor mall fountain with a knock off Bellagio in the background.

Overall the park has a few impressive attractions but just get the sense that as a whole it’s sort of lacking soul. I think that’s partially due to the lack of trees, natural looking elements (whether real or fake) like rock work and water features (such as rivers, streams, waterfalls). I guess part of it also that this is the first theme park built from the ground up stateside in the Single IP land era. So seeing a loosely themed park with four unrelated Single IP lands will naturally come off that way. If this is the template for new parks I don’t love it.

I wish Universal would start building more E ticket level family attractions like POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise etc. But then again I think would these more passive attractions move the needle as new builds in 2025 without the nostalgia? I’m not sure. I also feel like those types of rides are pretty much exclusive to Disney or at least Disney castle parks. Meaning to say even Disneys non castle parks are sort of light on those types of attractions. With all of that said where is the 6 minute Shrek E ticket boat ride? Where is the GhostBusters omnimover or trackless ride? Why aren’t they building stuff like that?

I hope to soon post a review of the park as a whole, which hopefully will answer some of the points you bring up. In the meantime, though:
(Quick edit: I just looked at this and I apologize for how long this reply goes on! )

Before entering EU for the first time (Passholder Previews), I tried to stay as spoiler-free as possible, but I’m glad I peeked at a couple of vlogs just enough to be aware of the “newly planted” look of Celestial Park.

It doesn’t look barren in person, but it definitely has that “new landscaping” vibe, and I look forward to seeing the park develop larger trees over the next couple of years. (Although actually I wouldn’t be surprised if more trees appear before May 22: They have planted hundreds of full-sized palm trees all over the resort and parking lot, so it certainly wouldn’t be out of the question.)

But the more I hang out in Celestial park, the more I love it. The flower gardens are beautiful. The many fountains are wonderful. The shops are whimsical. The walkways are well laid out. And the music is excellent. And at night… it’s all spectacular, and the two rides and the fountains and music all come together to make the place feel alive and connected, like the entire land is performing for you.

I’ve spent three full days there now, had a great time all 3 days, kept trying new things and trying to hit all the check boxes on my must-do list… and I STILL haven’t come close to seeing/doing everything.

I’m glad you brought up the “charm” element, because that’s really, really important.

Because I don’t think any of the videos I’ve watched convey what I felt from the first day on: Epic Universe is, indeed, charming. Incredibly so, and I’m still trying to figure out what the secret sauce is. I mean, I was expecting Berk to be charming, because I’m a huge HTTYD geek, but… I even found Dark Universe charming.

The entire park, in person, is… kinda cuddly! I have never felt so at-home and welcome and inspired and young-at-heart in any other park that isn’t Disneyland. I mean, I love Islands of Adventure, but it doesn’t feel completely “alive” as a whole the way EU does.

I don’t want to go on too long here… I’ll try to make sense in the upcoming Everything Else review, but here are just a few more thoughts:

- The Portal concept really, really works. They don’t just look and sound great and tie the whole park together thematically; they are fun to walk through (every dang time) and they add a subliminal “New Chapter to your day starting…. NOW” exclamation point to one’s wanderings. They feel alive…. adding to the charm… (I’m gonna figure this out yet! )

- The Team members are giving it their all, and they are fun and delightful.

- All the lands are densely packed with storytelling and insane levels of detail. We’re talking Disney-at-it’s-most-creative level, and it’s everywhere.

- I agree a great boat adventure would be a fantastic addition here, but in the meantime… Monsters Unchained and Ministry are 2 of the most epic, fun, mind-blowing adventure rides I’ve ever been on. The way the vehicles move on these two rides: I’ll take them over trackless vehicles any day.

- The character performers in the park are wonderful, and the two live shows are spectacular, emotional and heartfelt.

- I had the best park food I’ver ever experienced in EU. More on that soon for sure.

- This is my new favorite park that isn’t DL, and I’d absolutely call it the best park in Florida. And the icing on the cake is that it contains a Non-IP land with two unique, spectacular rides that also serve as amazing light shows at night.

- To Acknowledge the Big Looming Question: My Passholder Preview visits have been a blast, but… What will the park be like on May 22? I hope to find out in person… and I’m hoping it all goes well.

 

[Rich T]

@mickEblu: Theme Park Worldwide just posted an excellent YouTube Video of his first day and evening at Epic: His photography, more than in any other vlog tour I’ve seen yet, does a great job of capturing what the park genuinely looks like in person: outstanding nighttime footage too. Nice “You Are There” feeling with very accurate, true color and lighting representation. I like his approach, too: Enthusiastic but not without criticism. And I totally agree with him that Berk is the best land.

 

[Adventureland Veranda]

@mickEblu: Theme Park Worldwide just posted an excellent YouTube Video of his first day and evening at Epic: His photography, more than in any other vlog tour I’ve seen yet, does a great job of capturing what the park genuinely looks like in person: outstanding nighttime footage too. Nice “You Are There” feeling with very accurate, true color and lighting representation. I like his approach, too: Enthusiastic but not without criticism. And I totally agree with him that Berk is the best land.

Theme Park Worldwide does a nice job with his videos.

I watched a few other videos from other vloggers and it was 95% "Look at ME! Look at MY reaction!! OMG I'm crying!!" vs. showing Epic Universe.

 

[Rich T]

Theme Park Worldwide does a nice job with his videos.

I watched a few other videos from other vloggers and it was 95% "Look at ME! Look at MY reaction!! OMG I'm crying!!" vs. showing Epic Universe.

Exactly. I love that TPW always puts the emphasis on accurately documenting a park; he plays the role of a genial, genuinely interested and informed tour guide and lets the great park footage take center stage. I think it helps that he’s not a foodie.

 

[truecoat]

I enjoyed your review and glad you had a great time! I’ve seen a few vlogs now and I have a few questions. Is the park entry and Celestial Park as barren as it looks on video? Seems like they didn’t bother planting any mature-ish trees? In some areas I didn’t see many trees at all which is odd because I remember being pleased when I read a quote about them “wanting to put the park back in theme park.” That whole fountain area looks nice-ish on video but comes across as a Southern California Caruso outdoor mall fountain with a knock off Bellagio in the background.

Overall the park has a few impressive attractions but just get the sense that as a whole it’s sort of lacking soul. I think that’s partially due to the lack of trees, natural looking elements (whether real or fake) like rock work and water features (such as rivers, streams, waterfalls). I guess part of it also that this is the first theme park built from the ground up stateside in the Single IP land era. So seeing a loosely themed park with four unrelated Single IP lands will naturally come off that way. If this is the template for new parks I don’t love it.

I wish Universal would start building more E ticket level family attractions like POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise etc. But then again I think would these more passive attractions move the needle as new builds in 2025 without the nostalgia? I’m not sure. I also feel like those types of rides are pretty much exclusive to Disney or at least Disney castle parks. Meaning to say even Disneys non castle parks are sort of light on those types of attractions. With all of that said where is the 6 minute Shrek E ticket boat ride? Where is the GhostBusters omnimover or trackless ride? Why aren’t they building stuff like that?

Take a look at the first few minutes of this Fresh Baked video. He showed a side of the Celestial Park I hadn't seen before.

Around the 2:30 minute mark.