A Spirited Valentine ...

FerretAfros

FerretAfros

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
Even "Celebrate a Street Party" was better than MiSiWii. When I saw it I was pleasantly surprised.
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I agree that for what it was, it was very well done (assuming you can get past Mary Poppins lip syncing "I Love Rock & Roll", and the like). It was clearly a lower-budget production that was meant to be an obvious step down from the elaborate Parade of Dreams, in order to make the next real parade seem impressive in comparison. It was part of that year's marketing campaign, and it filled the role well. I think it helped that it was DL's only parade at the time, rather than a secondary show like MK had, so more resources were dedicated to it

Additionally, the show's performers did a great job with it, especially the street-level dancers. Performers in a normal parade at DL are on stage for less than 20 minutes from gate to gate; performers in C!ASP were on stage for nearly an hour, including three times through the 17-minute show stop filled with high-energy choreography and no real breaks. Even on cool days, it wasn't unusual to see the dancers sweating through their costumes halfway through the first stop; I don't think WDW's climate or talent pool would have permitted that sort of production. One show stop was occasionally cancelled during the warmest days of summer, but it was a very difficult production to perform (and had far more injuries than anything reliable I've heard of Paint the Night)

For what it's worth, much of the parade is still around in various modified forms. One of the big floats with the live emcees is the centerpiece stage for DCA's Viva Navidad street show, and the chassis of the smaller balloon floats were converted into the drum units for Soundsational. And the character bikes have popped up on occasion, including appearances in Tokyo and Shanghai

As a side note, Soundstational has had a good run, but it's starting to get into Aladdin/Wishes territory. If they don't replace it soon, there will be a huge outcry when the time finally comes, simply because people don't remember that other entertainment can be equally good (or even better). It opened in 2011 and there's no indication of it being replaced any time soon, which is a very long run for a DL parade
 
ChrisFL

ChrisFL

Premium Member
WDW1974 said:
If you like everything you see at UNI's existing parks, then you'll like this. The sad thing is the original plans were much greater in scope and more unique (like what Disney did) and UNI is totally playing this safe. I'm debating visiting UNI-Osaka on my upcoming trip to Japan and I have to say after talking to friends, I'm likely dropping it for now. Yes, there are 2-3 attractions that are unique and I'd like to ride Jaws again. But when I hear about the crowds and realize that a good 80% of the park is been there, done that (and not even changed at all from the US parks), I'd rather do more historical and natural sites.
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I went to UNI Osaka in 2014 and agree, other than the special events, the park is mostly a smaller "highlight" park of existing things we have here. What IS interesting is how theming there is so difficult since it's literally next to a large bridge of roads that makes for some very odd viewing angles.
 
R

rushtest4echo

Well-Known Member
HMF said:
How?, Other than the contrived "The Movie is about environmentalism" corporate reasoning.
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The same reasoning that has produced Indiana Jones in Adventureland and Star Tours in Tomorrowland. Same with Cars at DCA and Tron in Tomorrowland. I still have yet to figure out why those corporate morons put Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square either. These same geniuses thought it proper to destroy Bear Country with Song of the South too. These same corporate fools thought it proper to put a huge barque onto the "Rivers of America" alongside a steam ship. What idiots...

Next thing you know they'll be putting a Scandinavian themed IP into a Scandinavian themed pavilion at Epcot or a Hollywood Tower Hotel theme on Sunset Blvd. So contrived!
 
stretchsje

stretchsje

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
If I may, as of last week, no.
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Thank goodness. I cringed when I saw the scaffolding come down on the other coast:
https://blog.disneygeek.com/2017/02...alaxy-breakout-scaffolding-partially-removed/

I hope the plans for California involve adding considerably more theming and kinetics in the area to give this eyesore a sense of placement. Probably not. Either way I can't conceive of the mind of a man who would say, "Mmmm, yes, great job, but it also needs to go on Sunset Blvd." Perhaps the full reveal in California will be a final nail in the coffin for it coming to Orlando.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
Skimming through I thought I glimpsed spirit saying that Pandora will be a great new addition. Built with a massive budget and now the crown jewel in JR's crown of a theme park. Built in cooperation between Lightstorm and WDI.

We have come a long way from a project supposedly mired in creative hell because JC was too demanding and hard to get along with as Joe was being shoved towards the nearest exit.

Don't you just love happy endings?
 
MagicHappens1971

MagicHappens1971

Well-Known Member
stretchsje said:
Thank goodness. I cringed when I saw the scaffolding come down on the other coast:
https://blog.disneygeek.com/2017/02...alaxy-breakout-scaffolding-partially-removed/

I hope the plans for California involve adding considerably more theming and kinetics in the area to give this eyesore a sense of placement. Probably not. Either way I can't conceive of the mind of a man who would say, "Mmmm, yes, great job, but it also needs to go on Sunset Blvd." Perhaps the full reveal in California will be a final nail in the coffin for it coming to Orlando.
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With just the little portion revealed by the scaffolding, I can not even begin to explain how atrocious and out of place this is.
 
R

rushtest4echo

Well-Known Member
WDW1974 said:
Neither city has what I would call a nice theme park climate. Although neither does Orlando and that sure means nothing!

But you can weatherize and I wish I could give examples (I can't right now) where people wanted covered walkways and larger showbuildings that incorporated dining and retail so people would be indoors more and were shot down (largely by Woodbury). I wish the Chinese were being as forceful with UNI as they were with Disney and that could change. I know there was a lot of concern at Creative about the partners visit.

But it would seem Disney also didn't weatherize Shanghai as much as they should have. I think 90% of the pics I have seen since opening are showing the park in the rain.

If you like everything you see at UNI's existing parks, then you'll like this. The sad thing is the original plans were much greater in scope and more unique (like what Disney did) and UNI is totally playing this safe. I'm debating visiting UNI-Osaka on my upcoming trip to Japan and I have to say after talking to friends, I'm likely dropping it for now. Yes, there are 2-3 attractions that are unique and I'd like to ride Jaws again. But when I hear about the crowds and realize that a good 80% of the park is been there, done that (and not even changed at all from the US parks), I'd rather do more historical and natural sites.
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I know we live in a post-facts society. But I have to at least try:

Aside from World Bazaar, Tokyo Disneyland's pathways, attractions and "weatherizing" are no different from the stuff here in the US- aside from a lack of decent air conditioning/heating in Tokyo. And yet- Tokyo receives around 20% more rainfall than Shanghai. Last year, Shanghai had some historic rains and flooding during the summer, but the fact remains: Tokyo receives more rainfall and has no more attention paid to protecting rides or guests from the elements. Shanghai also receives less snow than Tokyo as well.

Well before Universal Beijing made public the park was stocked with Universal's "greatest hits". Creative sold Beijing on the greatest hits concept, it's what got the project moving. At some point, creative decided to slip a few unique elements in. These elements were rejected.

And if you've never been to Universal Osaka, you probably should head out there just to experience the superior guests service. It may be the only park that I've visited where they make Tokyo's cast look downright poor (I'm only partially exaggerating). ;) Space Fantasy and Hollywood Dream are excellent rides that are (to me) worth the price of admission. To think that Hollywood Dream was supposed to be in Orlando still bugs me every time I see that eyesore and awful ride experience called Rip Ride Rocket. :(

You'll be able to see that Universal Osaka is also "not weatherized" (besides again, a covered entry) in the terms that you think are necessary in Beijing despite Osaka also receiving more rainfall. ;)
 
Daveeeeed

Daveeeeed

Well-Known Member
rushtest4echo said:
I know we live in a post-facts society. But I have to at least try:

Aside from World Bazaar, Tokyo Disneyland's pathways, attractions and "weatherizing" are no different from the stuff here in the US- aside from a lack of decent air conditioning/heating in Tokyo. And yet- Tokyo receives around 20% more rainfall than Shanghai. Last year, Shanghai had some historic rains and flooding during the summer, but the fact remains: Tokyo receives more rainfall and has no more attention paid to protecting rides or guests from the elements. Shanghai also receives less snow than Tokyo as well.

Well before Universal Beijing made public the park was stocked with Universal's "greatest hits". Creative sold Beijing on the greatest hits concept, it's what got the project moving. At some point, creative decided to slip a few unique elements in. These elements were rejected.

And if you've never been to Universal Osaka, you probably should head out there just to experience the superior guests service. It may be the only park that I've visited where they make Tokyo's cast look downright poor (I'm only partially exaggerating). ;) Space Fantasy and Hollywood Dream are excellent rides that are (to me) worth the price of admission. To think that Hollywood Dream was supposed to be in Orlando still bugs me every time I see that eyesore and awful ride experience called Rip Ride Rocket. :(

You'll be able to see that Universal Osaka is also "not weatherized" (besides again, a covered entry) in the terms that you think are necessary in Beijing despite Osaka also receiving more rainfall. ;)
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Japan does not have the "smog" problem like China does.
 

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