News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[mickEblu]

I think walkaround face characters are typically hugely additive to the experience and one of the things that really puts Disneyland above Walt Disney World, even if I have no real idea who the character is. I have seen far more excellent face characters than awful ones.

And if there is an awful one? Easy. Fire the bad one and bring in a new one. Swap it out for something new. You know, adapt.

Maybe my expectations are too high but most face characters don’t really work for Star Wars IMO. The Skywalker I mentioned was egregiously bad but most aren’t great. I’ve only seen one Rey that I thought was great. I think the issue is that unlike the Evil Queen or Peter Pan for example there isn’t enough going on with the hair or costume to detract from the fact that they don’t look enough like the original character. And of course you re comparing live actors to human beings instead of human beings to cartoons. Hard to buy in on the random college kid in nothing but a $haggy haircut and brown robe pretending to be Luke Skywalker.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Smuggler's Run has been hampered by not having the 3 scenarios originally promised. Thus, for repeat customers and Annual Passholders carrying around a basket of peanut butter sandwiches, they grew tired of it.

(Not to mention the "Original Trilogy or it's garbage!!" crowd panning it.)

But, every time I ride it, there are always a bunch of newbies to the ride who are utterly flabbergasted by it and come off the ride with huge smiles.

 

[mickEblu]

Smuggler's Run has been hampered by not having the 3 scenarios originally promised. Thus, for repeat customers and Annual Passholders carrying around a basket of peanut butter sandwiches, they grew tired of it.

(Not to mention the "Original Trilogy or it's garbage!!" crowd panning it.)

But, every time I ride it, there are always a bunch of newbies to the ride who are utterly flabbergasted by it and come off the ride with huge smiles.

And yet those peanut butter sandwich eaters are happily riding Haunted Mansion for the 317th time.

I’ve taken plenty of first timers and casuals on it and it’s always gotten a resounding Meh.

 

[SuddenStorm]

And yet those peanut butter sandwich eaters are happily riding Haunted Mansion for the 317th time.

I’ve taken plenty of first timers and casuals on it and it’s always gotten a resounding Meh.

Same, every time I've gone on it with first timers it's always 'eh' and Star Tours gets a much better reaction.

The idea that a ride needs multiple scenarios for repeatability pays disrespect to the works of the past that were so well designed, they could stand on their own.

If the Mansion was the exact same as it was in '69, it'd still be popular today. Pirates would be better than it is today if it was unchanged.

Splash was largely unchanged for almost 35 years with no sign of slowing down.

 

[Distorian]

Smugglers Run needs to be replaced by an X-Wing coaster. Also let guests walk up the Falcon ramp.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Same, every time I've gone on it with first timers it's always 'eh' and Star Tours gets a much better reaction.

The idea that a ride needs multiple scenarios for repeatability pays disrespect to the works of the past that were so well designed, they could stand on their own.

If the Mansion was the exact same as it was in '69, it'd still be popular today. Pirates would be better than it is today if it was unchanged.

Splash was largely unchanged for almost 35 years with no sign of slowing down.

In general I'd agree, but I'm genuinely fine with the removal of the Pooped Pirate's original dialogue:
"Oh, shiver me soul, heh, heh... It's dead wore out, I be. (Giggle)
A might too fast, these light footed wenches be for the likes o' an old swagbellied pirate such as I. (Giggle)
Now where be that fascinatin' little old treasure, aye? (Giggle)
'eave to, mateys! Say, have you set your eyes on a bewitchin' maiden in yer travels? Oh, she be a lively lassie, she were. (Giggle)
Oh, I tell ye true, it's sore I be to hoist me colors on the likes o' that shy little wench. (Giggle)
Favor? Keep a weather eye open, mates... I be willin' ta share, I be. (Giggle) Whew!"

 

[mickEblu]

Smugglers Run needs to be replaced by an X-Wing coaster. Also let guests walk up the Falcon ramp.

Could you imagine how much more popular the land would have been when it opened without ROTR that if instead of Smugglers Run you got a damn X Wing coaster? Cost probably comparable too. Folks would still be getting the best of Smugglers Run with a Falcon walk through attraction and walking up the ramp would be the icing on the cake. And this isn’t some hindsight is 20/20 thing. Absolutely terrible idea to open Star Wars land without a thrill ride.

And before “the park already has Space Mountain crew” shows up. The park already had Star Tours and it’s better than Smugglers Run. But I will say ideally because Space Mountain exists in the same park, I’d go with a Speederbike coaster over an X wing if I had any say.

I get it. Someone pitched flying the falcon and they ran with it and never looked back. Not to mention they were going for the hyper immersive thing. And stepping into a cockpit and flying the falcon is undoubtedly more immersive than an X wing on rollercoaster tracks. That’s when a good theme park psychologist like myself would have stepped in and said hey guys let’s not forget to make this place fun. Also it’s Star Wars. People are going to be expecting thrills. And if not now, when? Moana?

They have to look at the park/ resort as a collection of offerings and think what ride type are we lacking? What are people craving? That has to be part of the equation. To their credit, it seems like they did that with the new DCA rides they re building. Although that may have happened organically based on the IP’s And the fact that Coco may have been originally designed for Rio Del Tiempo.

 

[Incomudro]

Could you imagine how much more popular the land would have been when it opened without ROTR that if instead of Smugglers Run you got a damn X Wing coaster? Cost probably comparable too. Folks would still be getting the best of Smugglers Run with a Falcon walk through attraction and walking up the ramp would be the icing on the cake. And this isn’t some hindsight is 20/20 thing. Absolutely terrible idea to open Star Wars land without a thrill ride.

And before “the park already has Space Mountain crew” shows up. The park already had Star Tours and it’s better than Smugglers Run. But I will say ideally because Space Mountain exists in the same park, I’d go with a Speederbike coaster over an X wing if I had any say.

I get it. Someone pitched flying the falcon and they ran with it and never looked back. Not to mention they were going for the hyper immersive thing. And stepping into a cockpit and flying the falcon is undoubtedly more immersive than an X wing on rollercoaster tracks. That’s when a good theme park psychologist like myself would have stepped in and said hey guys let’s not forget to make this place fun. Also it’s Star Wars. People are going to be expecting thrills. And if not now, when? Moana?

They have to look at the park/ resort as a collection of offerings and think what ride type are we lacking? What are people craving? That has to be part of the equation. To their credit, it seems like they did that with the new DCA rides they re building. Although that may have happened organically based on the IP’s And the fact that Coco may have been originally designed for Rio Del Tiempo.

X Wing coaster is a horrible idea.

 

[britain]

X Wing coaster is a horrible idea.

Agreed, just another Space Mountain.

But an Endor Speederbike Coaster, now we’re talking! Indoor but forested, nab a little of that ET adventure vibe, but faster. It could even still be on Batuu, so you have some rock work in addition to forest, and little Babu Friks instead of Ewoks.

 

[Disney Irish]

Could you imagine how much more popular the land would have been when it opened without ROTR that if instead of Smugglers Run you got a damn X Wing coaster? Cost probably comparable too. Folks would still be getting the best of Smugglers Run with a Falcon walk through attraction and walking up the ramp would be the icing on the cake. And this isn’t some hindsight is 20/20 thing. Absolutely terrible idea to open Star Wars land without a thrill ride.

And before “the park already has Space Mountain crew” shows up. The park already had Star Tours and it’s better than Smugglers Run. But I will say ideally because Space Mountain exists in the same park, I’d go with a Speederbike coaster over an X wing if I had any say.

I get it. Someone pitched flying the falcon and they ran with it and never looked back. Not to mention they were going for the hyper immersive thing. And stepping into a cockpit and flying the falcon is undoubtedly more immersive than an X wing on rollercoaster tracks. That’s when a good theme park psychologist like myself would have stepped in and said hey guys let’s not forget to make this place fun. Also it’s Star Wars. People are going to be expecting thrills. And if not now, when? Moana?

They have to look at the park/ resort as a collection of offerings and think what ride type are we lacking? What are people craving? That has to be part of the equation. To their credit, it seems like they did that with the new DCA rides they re building. Although that may have happened organically based on the IP’s And the fact that Coco may have been originally designed for Rio Del Tiempo.

And then the theme park realist steps in the room and reminds people that guests don't come to Disney Parks for the "thrills" of a coaster. They come for the experiences that you can't get just by driving down to Six Flags or other local amusement park, which is why Disney isn't a coaster first experience. And while the IP maybe you could say lends itself to a coaster experience, its not the first thing people think of when they think of Star Wars, they think of light sabers, dark side vs light side, and the Falcon. I don't think I've ever heard one person while walking through GE ever mention "wouldn't it be cool if they had a coaster here", I'm sure you'll pop up with "but I have", and maybe there are a few, but that isn't the majority.

I'll say they should add a 3rd attraction of some sort, but a coaster is probably not it.

 

[mickEblu]

And then the theme park realist steps in the room and reminds people that guests don't come to Disney Parks for the "thrills" of a coaster. They come for the experiences that you can't get just by driving down to Six Flags or other local amusement park, which is why Disney isn't a coaster first experience. And while the IP maybe you could say lends itself to a coaster experience, its not the first thing people think of when they think of Star Wars, they think of light sabers, dark side vs light side, and the Falcon. I don't think I've ever heard one person while walking through GE ever mention "wouldn't it be cool if they had a coaster here", I'm sure you'll pop up with "but I have", and maybe there are a few, but that isn't the majority.

I'll say they should add a 3rd attraction of some sort, but a coaster is probably not it.

lol right because Star Wars themed Disney coaster and Magic Mountain are the same thing

Well they tried it your way and you see how that went.

 

[Disney Irish]

lol right because Star Wars themed Disney coaster and Magic Mountain are the same thing

Well they tried it your way and you see how that went.

Its not "my way" its just the reality of the Disney experience, so lets get that out of the way first.

And an X-Wing coaster, what are you imagining? Because in order for it to be themed it would need to be completely indoors, and that would be a huge footprint, have to be larger than RotR at 165k sqft, closer to Cosmic Rewind at over 200k sqft or larger. So that in itself means it cuts more into the land and makes the rest have to be smaller, limiting what more you can do with the land. So you get one coaster with a 90-120 min wait, and then your "walk-thru" Falcon experience with a 90-120 min wait. And you think this wouldn't get the same complaints of "wish there was more to do"? Yeah, its nice in idea but when you start to think it out it begins to fall flat because it doesn't address much of what is needed with the land, ie more to do. Which is probably why they didn't pick a coaster in the first place, and why coasters aren't the first ride profile they choose.

 

[mickEblu]

Its not "my way" its just the reality of the Disney experience, so lets get that out of the way first.

And an X-Wing coaster, what are you imagining? Because in order for it to be themed it would need to be completely indoors, and that would be a huge footprint, have to be larger than RotR at 165k sqft, closer to Cosmic Rewind at over 200k sqft or larger. So that in itself means it cuts more into the land and makes the rest have to be smaller, limiting what more you can do with the land. So you get one coaster with a 90-120 min wait, and then your "walk-thru" Falcon experience with a 90-120 min wait. And you think this wouldn't get the same complaints of "wish there was more to do"? Yeah, its nice in idea but when you start to think it out it begins to fall flat because it doesn't address much of what is needed with the land, ie more to do. Which is probably why they didn't pick a coaster in the first place, and why coasters aren't the first ride profile they choose.

Sorry you already lost your credibility when you compared an indoor themed Disney family Star Wars coaster to Six Flags. I’m going outside to enjoy this beautiful day. Have a good one!

 

[Disney Irish]

Sorry you already lost your credibility when you compared an indoor themed Disney family Star Wars coaster to Six Flags. I’m going outside to enjoy this beautiful day. Have a good one!

Lol, I didn't compare the two, I just that people go to a Disney Park for experiences they can't get at a Six Flags which is why Disney Parks aren't known to be coaster first parks.

Also a "family Star Wars coaster" description doesn't lend itself to the "thrills" you were alluding to in your previous posts on this topic. I wouldn't call Cosmic Rewind or Tron or even Incredcoaster "family coasters". And anything like Space, Big Thunder, or similar "family coaster" wouldn't have the "thrills" you're looking for and come across and disappointing I'm sure. Because unless it has a loop, sharp turns, cork screw and other thrill experiences to mimic an X-Wing in flight during a battle I'm guessing its going to be seen as a fail, and that isn't a "family coaster". And that would again have to be a huge foot print, and means less room for other things, ie still have the same complaints the land does now, so no real improvement from a land perspective other than now a coaster instead of Rise, so basically a swap.

But yeah you have a good day.

 

[BrianLo]

Absolutely terrible idea to open Star Wars land without a thrill ride.

The flaw with shared development for Hollywood studios. DHS absolutely benefits from both attractions being slightly more accessible.

 

[BrianLo]

I guess it’s mildly refreshing we’re into a “grass is greener at the other resort” phase, as opposed to a the “grass is only green at DLR” like we were 2012-2016.

Clearly West Coasters want the Monsters or Villains coasters conceptually more than the East coaster critics do and vice versa with all the dark rides coming to DCA.

Hopefully both get their wish next decade.

 

[Incomudro]

Agreed, just another Space Mountain.

But an Endor Speederbike Coaster, now we’re talking! Indoor but forested, nab a little of that ET adventure vibe, but faster. It could even still be on Batuu, so you have some rock work in addition to forest, and little Babu Friks instead of Ewoks.

That makes more sense.
My objection to an Xwing coaster is the size of the cars.
I don't see how you can translate an Xwing to a coaster, and yes I saw some illustrations of one years ago.
The cars would need to be massive.
I don't even know if it would be feasible, given size, weight, and drag.

 

[Disney Irish]

That makes more sense.
My objection to an Xwing coaster is the size of the cars.
I don't see how you can translate an Xwing to a coaster, and yes I saw some illustrations of one years ago.
The cars would need to be massive.
I don't even know if it would be feasible, given size, weight, and drag.

Not to mention that an X-Wing is one pilot (and one astromech), so that negates the experience of a coaster with multiple cars per train and passengers per car for capacity. Plus the only people getting the real “X-Wing” experience would be the guests sitting in the front seats of the first car.

So many reasons why it might be good on paper, but when thinking about it in practical terms things start to fall apart.

Other parts of SW might lend itself to a coaster, like the speeder bikes, but X-Wing probably isn’t one of them.

 

[mickEblu]

That makes more sense.
My objection to an Xwing coaster is the size of the cars.
I don't see how you can translate an Xwing to a coaster, and yes I saw some illustrations of one years ago.
The cars would need to be massive.
I don't even know if it would be feasible, given size, weight, and drag.

You re falling into the hyper immersive trap they conditioned us with this land. I’m not sure if you re aware but the rockets we’re riding on in Space Mountain don’t make a lot of sense either. Also, it didn’t HAVE to be an X Wing coaster. Any indoor or outdoor themed coaster would have been massively more popular than Smugglers Run and would go a long way in changing peoples perception of the land. Still wouldn’t be perfect of course but much better.

 

[mickEblu]

The flaw with shared development for Hollywood studios. DHS absolutely benefits from both attractions being slightly more accessible.

Interesting way to look at it. I thought it was designed for DL’s version though? Not to say DHS’s ride roster couldn’t have factored into the equation. I don’t know, I’m not convinced that DHS’s attraction roster is the primary reason we ended up with the attractions we got at GE or how much it factored in at all.