All EPCOT Center, All the Time- Part II

[Horizonsfan]

To jump into the discussion:

Don't forget that Epcot lost another original song.

I will admit that more people go to Mexico and TLS now because of the characters added, but at what cost? I mean, they could add South Park characters (they've got quite a strong base like Donald and Nemo) to JII and more people would visit that location but in the end, that wouldn't make it an appropriate, respectable, or successful refurb.

I am aware of that however they replaced the finale carousel with another giant Video Screen the could have easily put AA's there.

There was also the priest figure where the first screen presently is.

 

[cdatkins]

To jump into the discussion:

Don't forget that Epcot lost another original song.

I will admit that more people go to Mexico and TLS now because of the characters added, but at what cost? I mean, they could add South Park characters (they've got quite a strong base like Donald and Nemo) to JII and more people would visit that location but in the end, that wouldn't make it an appropriate, respectable, or successful refurb.

As a partial refurb, though, I give it high marks. They didn't completey gut the old ride and it still contains its "Introduction to Mexico" flavor. Much, much better than what they did to JIE or TLS, IMHO.

 

[aladdin2007]

As a partial refurb, though, I give it high marks. They didn't completey gut the old ride and it still contains its "Introduction to Mexico" flavor. Much, much better than what they did to JIE or TLS, IMHO.

True it still holds its small world feel and serene float through. But that stage at the end is crappy built, and a nice set even without animatronics would have been nice.

 

[HMF]

Very loosely related to Epcot news. Splashtacular part 2 AKA Magical debuted at Disneyland this previous weekend.

 

[Horizonsfan]

As a partial refurb, though, I give it high marks. They didn't completey gut the old ride and it still contains its "Introduction to Mexico" flavor. Much, much better than what they did to JIE or TLS, IMHO.

To me (and I don't think I'm alone) the new ride is about Mexico just about as much as MTV is about music. There is some tie-ins to the original subject, for GFT it's the original sets and the film settings, but that is definitely not the main point or what they want you to focus on. What they want you to see is that wacky and crazy Donald Duck and, to a lesser extent, his two feathered friends (one of which happens to be from Mexico and makes the characters A-Okay to be in the attraction).

El Rio Del Tempo was very dated and very cheesy however, it worked and stuck to the main subject, Mexico. It did not bring in enough guests in its later years, most likely due to how dated it was and its lack of promotion. It needed an update. It needed to get guest's attentions. It needed to remain about Mexico.

Disney could of used Mexico's rich folklore like they did with Norway's Maelstrom. Instead, they used characters from an obscure Disney movie.

For the record, I don't hate the attraction but it sorely disappoints me.

 

[HMF]

To jump into the discussion:

Don't forget that Epcot lost another original song.

I will admit that more people go to Mexico and TLS now because of the characters added, but at what cost? I mean, they could add South Park characters (they've got quite a strong base like Donald and Nemo) to JII and more people would visit that location but in the end, that wouldn't make it an appropriate, respectable, or successful refurb.
.

Journey into Imaginationland.

 

[Horizonsfan]

Journey into Imaginationland.

EXACTLY!

I'd ride it and probably love it. However, it wouldn't belong in Epcot.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I still think Nemo may have been a "beta test" for the Little Mermaid ride technology. In which case it may be "temporary". As in a 5 or 10 year lifespan.

I had never heard or thought of that...


...Hopefully it's true.:lookaroun:lookaroun

Yeah but they come out better on home video without raster scan lines

:lol:

The major flaws with Gran Fiesta Tour are
1.It does not really teach you much about Mexico and it follows the over-used "Someones gone missing" storyline.
2.The overreliance on video screens
3.The fact that in the first scene they did not even bother to make the sets match the screens. The ancient culture set's are still there while modern Mexico is on the screens. Major aesthetic clash.
I am not opposed to the idea of having Three Cabaleros in the ride after all the film was designed to teach people about Mexico and other South American countries which presents a 4th problem Jose' Carioca is from Brazil.

1. It never did teach you about Mexico...It's a showcase of it.
2. It always has had vids.
3. Like I said it's a showcase...It works for me...You are journeying into Mexico...and happen to follow Donald get lost on the way

*feels like a DOM.*:lol:

I am aware of that however they replaced the finale carousel with another giant Video Screen the could have easily put AA's there.

True. Maybe they can use the 3 Cabs from MMR in Tokyo...:lookaroun

 

[Disneyson 1]

True. Maybe they can use the 3 Cabs from MMR in Tokyo...:lookaroun

Yeah... but wouldn't it be a little... awkward having the 3 Cabs somewhat statically floating in the middle of the room singing the big finale number?? I dunno, I think the screens really work there, gives the finale an "animated" and lively feel. AAs may look nice, but they can't dance around like they are needed to do in a situation like this. But maybe it'd work if they played the song loop one time fully through and then the carpet could float up from the back of the screen and sing another verse...?

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I still can't believe that parts of Futureworld were updated and attractions were added but the last big thing to come to World Showcase was the Maelstrom in like '88. Er, that's too long. I don't understand the big picture for Epcot. I miss El rio del tiempo too but I can kind of understand the update. I remember being at Mexico in peak season seeing nobody enter the turnstiles. Wonders of Life was neglected, hence its closing.

World Showcase still holds its ground but I think the ideas for attractions in certain countries are endless. And I'm not sure they would cost that much. It's more about the feel of the country than having massive million dollar coaster attractions put in every country. That's not necessary either, I guess.

I'd love to see new pavilions but maybe they should add to those that exist already. Would people be tired of another leisurely boat ride in the 9 other countries? Theming could be very creative but as far as the type of rides they should be, I'm not sure either.

 

[Jasonflz]

I still can't believe that parts of Futureworld were updated and attractions were added but the last big thing to come to World Showcase was the Maelstrom in like '88. Er, that's too long. I don't understand the big picture for Epcot. I miss El rio del tiempo too but I can kind of understand the update. I remember being at Mexico in peak season seeing nobody enter the turnstiles. Wonders of Life was neglected, hence its closing.

World Showcase still holds its ground but I think the ideas for attractions in certain countries are endless. And I'm not sure they would cost that much. It's more about the feel of the country than having massive million dollar coaster attractions put in every country. That's not necessary either, I guess.

I'd love to see new pavilions but maybe they should add to those that exist already. Would people be tired of another leisurely boat ride in the 9 other countries? Theming could be very creative but as far as the type of rides they should be, I'm not sure either.

:sohappy: Well said. WS needs lots of attention to detail and feel for each pavilion. FW needs high tech and modern entertaining attraction to make it great.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I still think Nemo may have been a "beta test" for the Little Mermaid ride technology. In which case it may be "temporary". As in a 5 or 10 year lifespan.

Awww man. In Epcot time, it will be like 30-40 years.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Yeah... but wouldn't it be a little... awkward having the 3 Cabs somewhat statically floating in the middle of the room singing the big finale number?? I dunno, I think the screens really work there, gives the finale an "animated" and lively feel. AAs may look nice, but they can't dance around like they are needed to do in a situation like this. But maybe it'd work if they played the song loop one time fully through and then the carpet could float up from the back of the screen and sing another verse...?

Hmmm...This is true. But knowing Disney, I'm sure they could make some interesting AA's. (Don't make the Yeti joke...) It would work...Keep the screen as a backdrop...

I still can't believe that parts of Futureworld were updated and attractions were added but the last big thing to come to World Showcase was the Maelstrom in like '88. Er, that's too long. I don't understand the big picture for Epcot. I miss El rio del tiempo too but I can kind of understand the update. I remember being at Mexico in peak season seeing nobody enter the turnstiles. Wonders of Life was neglected, hence its closing.

World Showcase still holds its ground but I think the ideas for attractions in certain countries are endless. And I'm not sure they would cost that much. It's more about the feel of the country than having massive million dollar coaster attractions put in every country. That's not necessary either, I guess.

I'd love to see new pavilions but maybe they should add to those that exist already. Would people be tired of another leisurely boat ride in the 9 other countries? Theming could be very creative but as far as the type of rides they should be, I'm not sure either.

AGREED!:king:

...WS needs a thrill. I know it isn't in the original concept, but it's time....

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Awww man. In Epcot time, it will be like 30-40 years.

The Descent scares me now...:lookaroun:lol:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

I still can't believe that parts of Futureworld were updated and attractions were added but the last big thing to come to World Showcase was the Maelstrom in like '88. Er, that's too long. I don't understand the big picture for Epcot. I miss El rio del tiempo too but I can kind of understand the update. I remember being at Mexico in peak season seeing nobody enter the turnstiles. Wonders of Life was neglected, hence its closing.

World Showcase still holds its ground but I think the ideas for attractions in certain countries are endless. And I'm not sure they would cost that much. It's more about the feel of the country than having massive million dollar coaster attractions put in every country. That's not necessary either, I guess.

I'd love to see new pavilions but maybe they should add to those that exist already. Would people be tired of another leisurely boat ride in the 9 other countries? Theming could be very creative but as far as the type of rides they should be, I'm not sure either.

I agree! I was just thinking this last trip up. World Showcase doesn't really need anything like a roller coaster. What I'd like to see for the Showcase: a Gran Fiesta Tour-like gondola boat ride in Italy, a Maelstrom-like boat ride in Germany, and the bullet-train theater show for Japan. That would give WS a nice array of C to D ticket attractions, especially if Germany's Maelstrom like ride was a bit longer and more thrilling.

In Future World, give us a new Imagination, an updated Energy, and something new in Wonders of Life. As much as some might disagree, a roller-coaster like thrill ride would be good (providing it fits the EPCOT Center theme). That way, FW would have 3 thrill rides and overall, 5 E-tickets, 4 D-tickets, and a number of C-tickets, while at the same time giving WS some new experiences that both entertain and inform. Oh, and get rid of the clutter and finish the descent. A perfect Epcot!

 

[The Conundrum]

1. It never did teach you about Mexico...It's a showcase of it.
2. It always has had vids.
3. Like I said it's a showcase...It works for me...You are journeying into Mexico...and happen to follow Donald get lost on the way

*feels like a DOM.*:lol:

1. It was a showcase of Mexico now its a bizare cartoon tie-in
2. It always had vids but they added more to this version. They replaced the nice scene with three dimensonal physical setpiecs at the end with a boring video screen.
3. two thirds of the charecters in the attraction have nothing to do with Mexico. Also, it takes the focus away from Mexico and makes it a childish "look for donald" ride.

Verdict: gran fiesta tour sucks and has a horrible name "Grand Fun Tour" yea that certainy sounds better than "The river of time" or whatever awsomesauce it was called originally.

I agree the original was getting old but a nice refurb with some upgrades and new set pieces or a REAL replacement would have been better. What we ended up with is something inferior to the original and very cheap/lazy looking. The project leads should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

1. It was a showcase of Mexico now its a bizare cartoon tie-in
2. It always had vids but they added more to this version. They replaced the nice scene with three dimensonal physical setpiecs at the end with a boring video screen.
3. two thirds of the charecters in the attraction have nothing to do with Mexico. Also, it takes the focus away from Mexico and makes it a childish "look for donald" ride.

Verdict: gran fiesta tour sucks and has a horrible name "Grand Fun Tour" yea that certainy sounds better than "The river of time" or whatever awsomesauce it was called originally.

I agree the original was getting old but a nice refurb with some upgrades and new set pieces or a REAL replacement would have been better. What we ended up with is something inferior to the original and very cheap/lazy looking. The project leads should be ashamed of themselves.

I realize that most of this is opinion versus opinion, but...

1. It's kind of both. :shrug: This is the character intergration I kinda like.
2. I agree that it's kinda sad some sets gor replaced, but I gues it facilitated it...The carosell would have looked odd.
3. Eh. I agree here...I wish it was more of a tour and not a search.

I agree with your final sentiments though...They could have made a nice AA and screen ride through...

 

[HMF]

If it was more like the actual Three Caballeros movie and not a search for Donald 'I probably would have much less of a problem with it.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

If it was more like the actual Three Caballeros movie and not a search for Donald 'I probably would have much less of a problem with it.

Well...It's a screen attraction...Easily upgradeable!

 

[Disneyson 1]

Actually, I think that the ride sheds a bit more class onto Latin Culture and visits more places than in the movie (mostly because it IS a travelogue ride). I mean, c'mon! They had the WORST stereotypes in that movie. The ride kept the essence and gags of these scenes and recreated them in a more tasteful way (i.e. Donald and co. divebombing the scantily-clad girls at the beach vs. Donald ogling the girls at the party)