"Attractions"

[lunchbox1175]

So...Did Cranium Command "ATTRACT" You into going and seeing said Attraction?...It's also known as the Jingle Keys affect..It lures you in wanting to be curious and yet entertained...

Is that girl having a stroke?

 

[horizons82]

By definition everything in any park is an attraction because the park itself is an attraction.

I think this is kind of where the OP is coming from...

By the definitions mentioned earlier, just about anything in a theme-park could be considered an "attraction". Therefore, you either list every single thing on the map as an attraction...or...you reserve it for rides or things that offer special physical thrills, movement or motion, etc. Something you just walk-through or walk-up to or "enjoy along the way" should not really be considered attractions in terms of classifications on a map.

Imagine a huge, massive movie theater where they have to hand out maps for people to find their way around the complex. If you highlight the "attractions" on the map, one is going to assume those are movie theaters because the majority of people going to a theater are there to see a movie. Some might consider the arcade, the popcorn machine or the life-sized cardboard cut-out of a celebrity a draw, but the movies are what the majority people are there to enjoy, so those are what you list as the attractions on the map.

So while I agree that what one considers an "attraction" can be subjective, I think there is a certain threshold that has to be met for something to called such on a theme park map when the general destination for most park-goers is going to be the rides of motion and of physical movement thrills.

Heck, my wife and I consider the cake cups at Cheshire Café an attraction, but I don't think that's listed on the park map as such

Just IMHO of course.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I think this is kind of where the OP is coming from...

By the definitions mentioned earlier, just about anything in a theme-park could be considered an "attraction". Therefore, you either list every single thing on the map as an attraction...or...you reserve it for rides or things that offer special physical thrills, movement or motion, etc. Something you just walk-through or walk-up to or "enjoy along the way" should not really be considered attractions in terms of classifications on a map.

Imagine a huge, massive movie theater where they have to hand out maps for people to find their way around the complex. If you highlight the "attractions" on the map, one is going to assume those are movie theaters because the majority of people going to a theater are there to see a movie. Some might consider the arcade, the popcorn machine or the life-sized cardboard cut-out of a celebrity a draw, but the movies are what the majority people are there to enjoy, so those are what you list as the attractions on the map.

So while I agree that what one considers an "attraction" can be subjective, I think there is a certain threshold that has to be met for something to called such on a theme park map when the general destination for most park-goers is going to be the rides of motion and of physical movement thrills.

Heck, my wife and I consider the cake cups at Cheshire Café an attraction, but I don't think that's listed on the park map as such

Just IMHO of course.

A lot better said than how I put it!

 

[mergatroid]

Do they give out maps in cinemas now?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think this is kind of where the OP is coming from...

By the definitions mentioned earlier, just about anything in a theme-park could be considered an "attraction". Therefore, you either list every single thing on the map as an attraction...or...you reserve it for rides or things that offer special physical thrills, movement or motion, etc. Something you just walk-through or walk-up to or "enjoy along the way" should not really be considered attractions in terms of classifications on a map.

You too are just confusing two words with different meanings. If Disney meant rides they would use the term 'rides.' The term 'attractions' was adopted not because of some overly saccharine marketing gimmick like it seems today, but because Disneyland (and even many of the other non-Walt Disney World parks) was not and is not overly focused on rides.

 

[epcotisbest]

Indeed we do Sir! We all go round to the Queen's house wearing our bowler hats and shout "Spot on Ma'am, tally ho old chaps and jolly hockey sticks to everyone for 2015" whilst sipping sherry .

Here I am on my way to her Majesty's

There is a town near us that celebrates with a possum drop...never been because I always felt sorry for the poor possum.

 

[DManRightHere]

Attraction is not a synonym for ride. Those things you listed fit the definition.

attraction

[uh-trak-shuh n]

• Synonyms
• Examples
• Word Origin

noun
1.
the act, power, or property of attracting.
2.
attractive quality; magnetic charm; fascination; allurement; enticement:
the subtle attraction of her strange personality.
3.
a person or thing that draws, attracts, allures, or entices:
The main attraction was the after-dinner speaker.
4.
a characteristic or quality that provides pleasure; attractive feature:
The chief attractions of the evening were the good drinks and witty conversation.
5.
Physics. the electric or magnetic force that acts between oppositely charged bodies, tending to draw them together.
6.
an entertainment offered to the public.

I think theme parks would use 6, "an entertainment offered to the public"

That's pretty wide open for what one could consider an attraction.

 

[ChrisFL]

you want stretched ideas of what an "attraction" is, look at a park map from when HKDL first opened...I believe City Hall was considered an attraction

 

[Goofyernmost]

You too are just confusing two words with different meanings. If Disney meant rides they would use the term 'rides.' The term 'attractions' was adopted not because of some overly saccharine marketing gimmick like it seems today, but because Disneyland (and even many of the other non-Walt Disney World parks) was not and is not overly focused on rides.

Absolutely true, and in an entertainment venue like Disney parks, everything is put there as an attraction. Anything from rides, to shows, to M&G's, to parades and fireworks shows, to the demanded detail even on the inanimate objects like buildings, vistas and music.

you want stretched ideas of what an "attraction" is, look at a park map from when HKDL first opened...I believe City Hall was considered an attraction

And like I stated above that is what it is. Every building on Main Street was designed to show a certain era of time and that is it's attraction and why it is done.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Attraction is a general catch-all term. If something provides some kind of enjoyment or entertainment that a person must actively seek out, a.k.a attract attention, it is the very definition of what an attraction is. There are specific categories of attractions that are not expressly stated but the verbiage on park maps (at least the ones at WDW) are pretty clear as to the nature of the attraction.

I normally break things down into three categories: Rides, Shows, and Experiences. In Disney’s case they all must tell some kind of a story. There is a fourth category that I use that doesn’t really follow with the others that I’ll explain later.

Rides are fairly self-explanatory, you get moved under power from one place to another or back to the same place. Shows have a performance aspect and are non-interactive. Experiences are interactive, are often not *identically* repeatable, and/or self-guided.

Haunted Mansion, Sorin, and Dinosaur are rides.
Dream Along with Mickey and Fantasmic are shows.
Meet & Greats, Tom Sawyer Island itself, and Agent P are experiences.

Many attractions fall into more than one category. Spaceship Earth is a ride and an experience. Carousal of Progress a ride and a show. The Move It Shake It parade is a show and an experience. Jungle Cruise is a ride and, depending on your skipper, can be a show AND an experience.

Fireworks and park icons are the other category. They are hard to classify but there is no denying they are a major draw and should likely be considered attractions.

 

[FettFan]

...............Rides
............./
Attractions --Shows
..............\
................Experiences

 

[horizons82]

I do understand that "attraction" does not necessarily mean "ride" in terms of Disney classification.

However, going back to the beginning of the post, if you go on the basis that anything and everything within a theme park can be considered an attraction by definition, then what criteria is used to determine what is classified on the map as an "attraction" and what isn't?

For instance, the large-scale model trains that run near Germany at EPCOT are very exciting to me, yet they are not listed as an attraction. For the same reason why I can understand why the model train layout is not listed as an attraction is the same reason I would expect other things to not be listed as attractions, yet they still are...

For me, the discussion isn't about being confused about attractions equaling "rides", the discussion is more about either everything should be considered an attraction by definition, or narrowing it down to where the most exciting and most thrilling things are considered "attractions". Otherwise, I want to see the train layout by Germany listed as an "attraction" too (which it is not on the WDW site).

 

[lazyboy97o]

I do understand that "attraction" does not necessarily mean "ride" in terms of Disney classification.

However, going back to the beginning of the post, if you go on the basis that anything and everything within a theme park can be considered an attraction by definition, then what criteria is used to determine what is classified on the map as an "attraction" and what isn't?

For instance, the large-scale model trains that run near Germany at EPCOT are very exciting to me, yet they are not listed as an attraction. For the same reason why I can understand why the model train layout is not listed as an attraction is the same reason I would expect other things to not be listed as attractions, yet they still are...

For me, the discussion isn't about being confused about attractions equaling "rides", the discussion is more about either everything should be considered an attraction by definition, or narrowing it down to where the most exciting and most thrilling things are considered "attractions". Otherwise, I want to see the train layout by Germany listed as an "attraction" too (which it is not on the WDW site).

The trains are a display. They don't get listed for the same reason a shop window won't get listed.

 

[horizons82]

The trains are a display. They don't get listed for the same reason a shop window won't get listed.

I'd also consider the trains a display, but at the same time there are a lot of things listed as attractions at Epcot that I would also consider "displays"...such as the many galleries that are listed under "attractions", as well as Leave-a-Legacy (also called an attraction). While I'm certainly not questioning the enjoyment of these things, I wouldn't expect these to be considered attractions just as I wouldn't expect the trains to be.

I think a category of "exhibits" or "exhibitions" might be a better classifier for many of the things we're taking about.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I remember they used to list "Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats" on the Magic Kingdom map alongside the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room. You can imagine my excitement upon learning that Adventureland had some sort of new boat ride attraction that I had never heard of. And you can imagine my disappointment.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Is it possible that the fiddler gets to call the tune? Maybe whatever WDW wants their guests to visit as a part of the guest's vacation (other than shops and restaurants) get listed on THEIR park maps as an "attraction".

 

[WondersOfLife]

I never did say that "attraction" had to be a ride. Even with that said.. I didn't mean for everyone to get so into the definition itself of the word "attraction." Like horizons82 was implying a little bit.. There are just some things that are considered attractions that are kind of the same thing as another thing in a different park, but are not considered an attraction.

You guys are really thinking too hard on this subject.. Either that, or taking it the wrong* way. It wasn't supposed to be that complicated.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I never did say that "attraction" had to be a ride. Even with that said.. I didn't mean for everyone to get so into the definition itself of the word "attraction." Like horizons82 was implying a little bit.. There are just some things that are considered attractions that are kind of the same thing as another thing in a different park, but are not considered an attraction.

You guys are really thinking too hard on this subject.. Either that, or taking it the long way. It wasn't supposed to be that complicated.

But it is that complicated because it is different for every single person that enters the parks. They are specific things to see and experience that really isn't just something that one walks by and glances over at. It is a scheduled, staffed and intentional set up and that is what they call an attraction. The part that allows Disney, or any other place, to define certain things as attractions are not complicated. Acceptance of them is yet another story.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I never did say that "attraction" had to be a ride. Even with that said.. I didn't mean for everyone to get so into the definition itself of the word "attraction." Like horizons82 was implying a little bit.. There are just some things that are considered attractions that are kind of the same thing as another thing in a different park, but are not considered an attraction.

You guys are really thinking too hard on this subject.. Either that, or taking it the long way. It wasn't supposed to be that complicated.

It seems you really don't know what you were complaining about and just wanted to complain. The equating of attraction to ride comes right from you're very first post.

The same goes to Tom Sawyer Island. Unless the rafts to get there themselves are called "Tom Sawyer Island." I consider the island a Frontierland-extension.. Not an attraction. I consider the actual transportation to get their an attraction. They don't make Rafiki's Planet Watch just an attraction at Animal Kingdom.. They title the train as the attraction..

 

[wm49rs]

I never did say that "attraction" had to be a ride. Even with that said.. I didn't mean for everyone to get so into the definition itself of the word "attraction." Like horizons82 was implying a little bit.. There are just some things that are considered attractions that are kind of the same thing as another thing in a different park, but are not considered an attraction.

You guys are really thinking too hard on this subject.. Either that, or taking it the long way. It wasn't supposed to be that complicated.

First we didn't get your point, then we're thinking too hard about it. Thinking the issues aren't on our end....