Pixar Pier is very immersive, in a way that only Bob Chapek and Josh D'Amaro could bring
I kind of understand what their motive was for what they did with the pier design. I think the problem was that they did not go far enough with the idea.
I have been to what is left of some of those old seaside piers and have read about them before and one thing that was common to all of them was the eclectic mixed of architecture and bizzare themes.
The problem was that they went with a themed neighborhood with sections of the pier dedicated to one movie.
What they should have done is mix the theming while maintaining one cohesive element. Instead of picking three main movies.
They also did not go far enough to add layering.
Lets say for example,
Instead of re-using most of the coaster queue canopy why not remove it and move it.
They had the concept for a queue that would have been built in the eastern helix.
A large marquee placed on the structure with entrance into the existing helix gates. A nice rotunda building that had an interior circular queue ramp. The queue then came out thru a small bridge that merged and connected to the upper level existing queue.
This would have opened up the front area of the land where we have the extended queue and fountain. In this area i would have envisioned a new themed pedestal with a relocated zephyr.
The kinetic movement over the walkways would have added so much to the pier. A new color scheme and the golden zephyr could have had a minimal theme to Wall-e. It would have continued the cohesive theme of Pixar but still had the underlying victorian feel of the buildings around it.
Since that is basically out if the question now, i still think the pier has room for improvement and growth.
First thing i would do is close the wheel for a major theme enhancement.
I still think they should consider reclaiming some of the water area that surrounds the back of wheel and behind the projection devices. Also the area between the helix and silly fun wheel. Part of that is challenging because they have in take and outtakes for the water in that Area but i think they can leave the water and just extend a wooden boardwalk over it.
Once that is done fit in a structure that can become one of the main stores for the area. This along with the hot stand next to it and a wrap around boardwalk that connects to the area between silly symphony and helix and also connect to the under utilized first deck of the swings would create an alternative path to explore. Think the pathway near splash and mansion along rivers edge.
At the same time give the wheel a proper entrance structure.
Now that you have a new themed boardwalk along the water for shopping gut the existing shops. Extend the building like they did for midway mania out into the boardwalk and create a load/unload area for a new darkride.
Punch thru the coaster again and use the footprint of the existing parade building for the show building. Something for the family a nice mixture of set pieces and projections if necessary a much needed dark ride
i never neard that plan either....seems like it would have been extrememly expesive for a very short ride though
the track would have been much longer than it was. Also the train cars would not have been as long allowing for more continuous loading.
They basically would have used the heimlich theming but proper ride system that would allow elevation change.
The original ride system would not have worked at an elevated track for safety reasons
