DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[MisterPenguin]

On the cheap is how Disney does everything nowadays. Even the projects that were clearly very expensive has things about it that make it clear there was some cost-cutting or wasted funds.

They don't ascribe a budget, let's say, for $100M, and then in the middle of construction slash it to $50 and tell WDW to deal with it.

They *think* it will cost $100M. Allocate $100M. And then start to build what they hope will be only $100M. But when cost overruns occur, then they have to reduce scope to stay in budget.

WDI still gets $100M and are told to deal with it. So they "cut corners." But not because they're clawing back allocated funds, but because the project costs more than they projected.

That's not "cheap." TWDC is allocating $17B for WDW. It isn't being cut. It just may not be enough to build everything they were hoping for.

They're not stingy, they're profligate.

 

[James Alucobond]

On the cheap is how Disney does everything nowadays. Even the projects that were clearly very expensive has things about it that make it clear there was some cost-cutting or wasted funds.

Said in the thread about the vastly more expensive replacement for a land that suffered from the realities of budget nearly three decades ago.

 

[veritas55]

They don't ascribe a budget, let's say, for $100M, and then in the middle of construction slash it to $50 and tell WDW to deal with it.

They *think* it will cost $100M. Allocate $100M. And then start to build what they hope will be only $100M. But when cost overruns occur, then they have to reduce scope to stay in budget.

WDI still gets $100M and are told to deal with it. So they "cut corners." But not because they're clawing back allocated funds, but because the project costs more than they projected.

That's not "cheap." TWDC is allocating $17B for WDW. It isn't being cut. It just may not be enough to build everything they were hoping for.

They're not stingy, they're profligate.

Yeah, I also don't think it's entirely fair to consider Guardians or Tron or Remy or Mickey/Minnie rides to be "cheaply done."
To me, those rides have quality interiors (in some cases exteriors) and have quality interiors that are well designed and well executed -- they don't look or "ride" cheap, again, maybe more to me.

Now, did they fail to really deliver on the Epcot re-do (yes), did Star Wars Galaxy's End scale back (yes, but you can't say they didn't invest super heavily on the rides and theming), but in the recent rides department, it's been solid.

 

[SamusAranX]

Yeah, I also don't think it's entirely fair to consider Guardians or Tron or Remy or Mickey/Minnie rides to be "cheaply done."
To me, those rides have quality interiors (in some cases exteriors) and have quality interiors that are well designed and well executed -- they don't look or "ride" cheap, again, maybe more to me.

Now, did they fail to really deliver on the Epcot re-do (yes), did Star Wars Galaxy's End scale back (yes, but you can't say they didn't invest super heavily on the rides and theming), but in the recent rides department, it's been solid.

MMRR was done cheap in theater portion. The queue carpets are in terrible condition and just slapped it into the theater.

My only complaint with Tron was the color choice of the canopy. Without constant pressure washing it looks awful

 

[danlb_2000]

Really bad move, even if it’s not the real deal it’s still a historic piece.

Would it be so hard to put it on Discovery Island somewhere?

We don't know what condition it is in, or if it was even built to easily come apart.

 

[veritas55]

MMRR was done cheap in theater portion. The queue carpets are in terrible condition and just slapped it into the theater.

My only complaint with Tron was the color choice of the canopy. Without constant pressure washing it looks awful

tough crowd.

Not sure we can ascribe poor color choices on Tron's canopy as being "cheap" (unless there was an incredible sale on the white-ish paint). It was a design choice (that some might say didn't consider cleanliness enough).

 

[SamusAranX]

tough crowd.

Not sure we can ascribe poor color choices on Tron's canopy as being "cheap" (unless there was an incredible sale on the white-ish paint). It was a design choice (that some might say didn't consider cleanliness enough).

Not a tough crowd at all; this is the standard the Disney theme parks have set itself. So we do notice.

And as a former painter, white is always cheaper than full color, at least with residential. Can’t say the same for sure for the canopy of that size in a theme park setting however

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not a tough crowd at all; this is the standard the Disney theme parks itself. So we do notice.

And as a former painter, white is always cheaper than full color, at least with residential. Can’t say the same for sure for the canopy of that size in a theme park setting however

The canopy is mostly an integrally colored, semi-transparent plastic. The metal trim panels aren’t traditionally painted either.

 

[Movielover]

They don't ascribe a budget, let's say, for $100M, and then in the middle of construction slash it to $50 and tell WDW to deal with it.

They *think* it will cost $100M. Allocate $100M. And then start to build what they hope will be only $100M. But when cost overruns occur, then they have to reduce scope to stay in budget.

WDI still gets $100M and are told to deal with it. So they "cut corners." But not because they're clawing back allocated funds, but because the project costs more than they projected.

That's not "cheap." TWDC is allocating $17B for WDW. It isn't being cut. It just may not be enough to build everything they were hoping for.

They're not stingy, they're profligate.

There you go bringing that pesky logic and reason back into the thread.

How are people supposed to blindly hate everything the company does if you make logical sense like this?

 

[Professortango1]

Yeah, I also don't think it's entirely fair to consider Guardians or Tron or Remy or Mickey/Minnie rides to be "cheaply done."
To me, those rides have quality interiors (in some cases exteriors) and have quality interiors that are well designed and well executed -- they don't look or "ride" cheap, again, maybe more to me.

Now, did they fail to really deliver on the Epcot re-do (yes), did Star Wars Galaxy's End scale back (yes, but you can't say they didn't invest super heavily on the rides and theming), but in the recent rides department, it's been solid.

If they don't match the quality that Disney is known for, it is cheapening out. So far Disney has yet to create a Marvel attraction that has a single AA in the ride. It's just screens and that is cheapening out when it comes to Disney and their legacy.

They also have a tendancy to undercook new ideas, cheapening out as well. A ride where the Guardians teach us about the history of our universe? Sounds like a fun time that fits Disney's standards for Epcot. A big box Space Mountain about trying to chase a space giant who steals gizmos and the only physical set is a static moon? Nah, that's cheap. Fun ride, but feels cheap.

 

[Gusey]

If they don't match the quality that Disney is known for, it is cheapening out. So far Disney has yet to create a Marvel attraction that has a single AA in the ride. It's just screens and that is cheapening out when it comes to Disney and their legacy.

The Rollercoaster in DLP has an Iron Man animatronic in the queue. Guardians should have had animatronics in the pre-show but not really needed on the rollercoaster.

They also have a tendancy to undercook new ideas, cheapening out as well. A ride where the Guardians teach us about the history of our universe? Sounds like a fun time that fits Disney's standards for Epcot. A big box Space Mountain about trying to chase a space giant who steals gizmos and the only physical set is a static moon? Nah, that's cheap. Fun ride, but feels cheap.

It's quite ironic to call the most expensive rollercoaster ever built at $500 million "cheap". Are we talking "cheap" as in money put into the attraction or "cheap" as in little effort put in?

 

[Professortango1]

The Rollercoaster in DLP has an Iron Man animatronic in the queue. Guardians should have had animatronics in the pre-show but not really needed on the rollercoaster.

It's quite ironic to call the most expensive rollercoaster ever built at $500 million "cheap". Are we talking "cheap" as in money put into the attraction or "cheap" as in little effort put in?

The queue would not be IN the ride though, would it?

I think I previously explained that "cheap" means that it falls short of the standards that Disney used to have as a theme park company. Cosmic Rewind is fun, but feels like a mid-level Universal Studios ride. Its all thrill with very little storytelling to take in. It reminds me of the Incredicoaster queue videos where they acknowledge how cheap and lazy these "themed coasters" are.

Rocket Rods cost a chunk of money. Doesn't mean it wasn't cheaply handled by Disney. Same with Soarin. Same with Kali River Rapids. Rides can be both expensive but also have the empty experience expose how empty aspects are.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Rocket Rods cost a chunk of money. Doesn't mean it wasn't cheaply handled by Disney. Same with Soarin. Same with Kali River Rapids. Rides can be both expensive but also have the empty experience expose how empty aspects are.

Rocket Rods was cheap and subject to a significant budget cut after the project had been approved.

 

[Professortango1]

Rocket Rods was cheap and subject to a significant budget cut after the project had been approved.

Budget was actually expanded when it was given its own budget outside of TL98. See, a ride can be both expensive and cheap.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

We don't know what condition it is in, or if it was even built to easily come apart.

That’s a shame then, guess an unfortunate side effect of it being exposed to the elements 24/7

 

[veritas55]

Cosmic Rewind is fun, but feels like a mid-level Universal Studios ride. Its all thrill with very little storytelling to take in. It reminds me of the Incredicoaster queue videos where they acknowledge how cheap and lazy these "themed coasters" are.

We will agree to disagree, then. Cosmic Rewind feels much more than a mid-level Universal Studios ride (I'm trying to even consider with rollercoaster at Universal you think surpasses it in theming and storytelling.... the only possible candidate could be Hagrids? Velocicoaster). Guardians surpasses those and is a great, immersive, and visually stunning ride. The use of screens does not automatically or necessarily "cheapen" a ride or make it non-Disney: sometimes its just a normal technological evolution. Animatronics lining the ride would be idiotic.

 

[UNCgolf]

We will agree to disagree, then. Cosmic Rewind feels much more than a mid-level Universal Studios ride (I'm trying to even consider with rollercoaster at Universal you think surpasses it in theming and storytelling.... the only possible candidate could be Hagrids? Velocicoaster). Guardians surpasses those and is a great, immersive, and visually stunning ride. The use of screens does not automatically or necessarily "cheapen" a ride or make it non-Disney: sometimes its just a normal technological evolution. Animatronics lining the ride would be idiotic.

Revenge of the Mummy is definitely a better themed coaster than Cosmic Rewind.

Note that I'm not saying it's a better coaster, which is a separate discussion -- but in terms of theming it's definitely better. CR is very disappointing from that standpoint; there's not much to it and it wastes the Guardians.

Hagrid's is also much better from a theme perspective.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Revenge of the Mummy is definitely a better themed coaster than Cosmic Rewind.

Note that I'm not saying it's a better coaster, which is a separate discussion -- but in terms of theming it's definitely better.

I’d argue it’s both - but theming there is no question. Crazy cool and Real pyro, real fog, a full story. And that fake ending is everything I want in a theme park attraction.

 

[gorillaball]

MMRR was done cheap in theater portion. The queue carpets are in terrible condition and just slapped it into the theater.

My only complaint with Tron was the color choice of the canopy. Without constant pressure washing it looks awful

Carpets looked good when I last went, November.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Cosmic Rewind needs an audio-animatronic of seven-time Academy Award nominee, Irani Real.