AVATAR breaks ground

[TalkingHead]

The backward section was (and is) so effective for people who don't know it's coming. Most riders have talked to friends or watched a show on the Discovery/History chanel, or have seen Stacey Aswad; so there is no surprise. But for those who have no idea, they have no idea.

I assume you mean the surprise is that the train is going backwards. But even if that section was better themed--or if there were even some basic effects added (like red eyes a la the Matterhorn), I think it would improve the ride substantially.

 

[GoofGoof]

Just curious, Is that a high or low budget?

Fantasyland Expansion was $425M. DCA 2.0 makeover including Carsland was $1.1B. So almost twice FLE and 75% of DCA 2.0. That's pretty substantial.

 

[twebber55]

Fantasyland Expansion was $425M. DCA 2.0 makeover including Carsland was $1.1B. So almost twice FLE and 75% of DCA 2.0. That's pretty substantial.

yeah the more I think about it the more this makeover is like DCA 2.0
new nighttime show/World of Color
Pandora/Cars Land
this is a big deal...should ve happened two years ago but still a big deal

 

[TalkingHead]

How do people complain about the lengthy construction schedule and the lack of theming detail simultaneously?

They aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[Tom]

They aren't mutually exclusive.

Exactly.

And while I know times are different, I do like to point out that Disney has built entire theme parks in less time than they've spent on FLE.

But even in today's world, total thematic immersion does not necessarily require 3 years of construction. And with this area of DAK being 100% isolated from the rest of the park, with extremely easy access from "outside the berm", there will be nothing stopping them from working any hours....including while guests are present.

 

[JimboJones123]

Wow, some low standards exist around here.

FotLK consists of a bunch of painted-up rejects from Cirque de Soleil jumping around on trampolines, and giant fuzzy puppet versions of Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, et al. I read about the show here before I saw it, and thus had high expectations. Sadly, I was VASTLY underwhelmed when I saw it.

Please detail to me why you think it's so dazzling. I think Voyage of the Little Mermaid is even better than FotLK.

I am with you on a few points.

The opening number for VotLM is still one of the most magical things on property. The rest of the show is a bit of a disappointment after, but that open is great. Too bad the sight lines are horrible in that theater.

FotLK is a fun show for the under 7 crowd that has never seen it. For the rest of us, it is too bottom feeder pandering with the animal sounds and volunteer stuff. Let us also not forget the terribly unfunny jabs/banter scripted between the performers. Sure, it has its place, but it isn't by any means something I would recommend as a Must See.

In fact, the poorly scripted faux spontaneous moments kill most WDW shows. The audience plant for Indy. The OTHER audience plant for Indy. Pretending like LMA is shooting the show instead of just having a good stunt show on its own. Same thing with Harbor Attack.

Of all the shows, Nemo is at least a complete show from top to bottom. BatB is just a songs highlight reel. The horrible castle shows are just spewing out the same recycled Disney cliche grab bag as the park opening show.

Disney entertainment really kinda sucks overall.

Love Nemo and the Under the Sea number though. The rest could be scrapped in a heartbeat. Oh, and Star Wars really needs a fully immersive show experience for Jedi Training Academy. Even some simple Legend of Jack Sparrow projection stuff could enhance the heck out of that thing. Especially if they made it living character projections.

What were we talking about?

 

[JimboJones123]

I assume you mean the surprise is that the train is going backwards. But even if that section was better themed--or if there were even some basic effects added (like red eyes a la the Matterhorn), I think it would improve the ride substantially.

That would cost like $80 to put in some red eyes though.

 

[JimboJones123]

If on a once in a lifetime trip, is there any show you would go out of your way to see a second time? Or are this shows closer to the Six Flags pop musical shows that the parks run through the summer?

At least the cast of American Idol puts on a good show themselves. It is a complete narrative for the show. The concept of listening to guest karaoke is worn out, but the cast does pretty dang good for what they have to work with.

Now we did go out of our way to attend 10 of the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special shows over the holidays. They are exceptional and varied quite a bit in content between show times. The 6pm show had none of the same elements as the 5pm and 7pm.

Disney can do far better than this.

 

[Andrew C]

You know who puts on good shows, Disney Cruise Lines. It would be interesting to bring something similar to the parks.

 

[JimboJones123]

You know who puts on good shows, Disney Cruise Lines. It would be interesting to bring something similar to the parks.

I have heard nothing but the best about the Herc show.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I assume you mean the surprise is that the train is going backwards. But even if that section was better themed--or if there were even some basic effects added (like red eyes a la the Matterhorn), I think it would improve the ride substantially.

I know this is kind of ironic, but I would actually love to have strobe effects added to the backwards section. Strobes to give the illusion that the train is out of control and sparking. Also just cover up the visible hole between the track and the tunnel that allows light leak and the view into the mountain structure. Throw in some blue-ish glowing show lighting. All incredibly easy fixes.

 

[Scuttle]

The backward section was (and is) so effective for people who don't know it's coming. Most riders have talked to friends or watched a show on the Discovery/History chanel, or have seen Stacey Aswad; so there is no surprise. But for those who have no idea, they have no idea.

Don't know it's coming? How could you not? Lol your at a dead end and I think a five year old could figure out that your going to go backwards. Now if your talking about the actual turn inside the mountain that's different and I assume that's what you meant.... I hope

 

[George]

Don't know it's coming? How could you not? Lol your at a dead end and I think a five year old could figure out that your going to go backwards. Now if your talking about the actual turn inside the mountain that's different and I assume that's what you meant.... I hope

I always assume the ride is over (very forgetful on my part) and I undo my seatbelt and exit the ride vehicle and that point. It has led to a lot of shouting, tasering, and property banishments. I hope that MM+ doesn't improve security too much.

 

[nor'easter]

I never understood the love for Festival of the Lion King. Maybe it's because I've seen so many Broadway productions including the original Lion King at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street. To me, FOTL looks like a bad college production of a musical. It was built to be temporary and for some strange reason it became a fan favorite. Still trying to figure out why/how.

Couldn't agree more. People who fawn over this show should get out to a real theatrical production.

 

[Atomicmickey]

Couldn't agree more. People who fawn over this show should get out to a real theatrical production.

I've seen a lot of Broadway--including the Lion King. I dunno. When I'm paying upwards of 100
bucks a ticket, I expect certain things. When I enter a show in a theme park, others. This
show exceeded my expectations in every way, so maybe that's it. It's relative.

For the record--I've seen Nemo 3 times and don't need to go back, but FotLK will always
be on my must-see list. Nemo is grander in scale and execution in every way--full-on Broadway--but just
doesn't resonate or capture me at all.

One thing about FotlK that I like is that the theatre is so bare and, well, dull and unassuming
when you go in. Expectations are not much. But by the end it's jam packed with color, light,
dance, and song. I think that each time I've seen it, the vocalists have been astonishing. I
can't say that about Nemo--but perhaps it's just the material.

So, that's my thinking, but in the end I'm not going to argue with anyone who disagrees.
There's room for all of us.

For example, I don't think that those who call the Animal Kingdom a half day park do
the Pangani Forest trail and spend a half-hour/hour with the gorillas, or do the Maharaja
Jungle Trek and watch the bats and tigers. Those are must-dos for me that make AK a
full-day park every time I visit. To each his own.

 

[xdan0920]

Couldn't agree more. People who fawn over this show should get out to a real theatrical production.

Why are these two things being grouped into the same category?

The Lion King on Broadway costs somewhere in the vicinity of a Million a week to run. How can that be compared to a show in a theme park?

For what it is, FotLK is a great show. How many THEME PARK shows are on that level? Not many.

 

[ABQ]

I've seen a lot of Broadway--including the Lion King. I dunno. When I'm paying upwards of 100
bucks a ticket, I expect certain things. When I enter a show in a theme park, others. This
show exceeded my expectations in every way, so maybe that's it. It's relative.

For the record--I've seen Nemo 3 times and don't need to go back, but FotLK will always
be on my must-see list. Nemo is grander in scale and execution in every way--full-on Broadway--but just
doesn't resonate or capture me at all.

One thing about FotlK that I like is that the theatre is so bare and, well, dull and unassuming
when you go in. Expectations are not much. But by the end it's jam packed with color, light,
dance, and song. I think that each time I've seen it, the vocalists have been astonishing. I
can't say that about Nemo--but perhaps it's just the material.

So, that's my thinking, but in the end I'm not going to argue with anyone who disagrees.
There's room for all of us.

For example, I don't think that those who call the Animal Kingdom a half day park do
the Pangani Forest trail and spend a half-hour/hour with the gorillas, or do the Maharaja
Jungle Trek and watch the bats and tigers. Those are must-dos for me that make AK a
full-day park every time I visit. To each his own.

You are so right about the two walking tours, I'm sure some of those that term it a half day park have walked those treks, but never spent much time taking them in. Whether it be the bird aviaries, the well done theming around the tiger dens or watching the gorillas playing with their own Linus' like blankets, spending time back in those areas is a great thing to do. Or, try finding the Galapagos tortoises relocated back in the day from the original Discovery Island.
I also agree with you completely on how the outgoing FoTLK theatre transforms from nothing to something special. Can't believe the panning that show has gotten in this thread alone, also can't believe some long time visitors to WDW and this site in general never even saw the show? Really? If they also call it a half day park, i guess it's because they didn't take in much of what the park has to offer. BTW, Flights of Wonder is pretty darn good too. Though a little preachy.

 

[Figaro928]

Two questions about FOTHLK then - one - do you think it's such a "must-see" because it's in AK & there's so little to actually see (especially indoors) - if it were smack in the middle of MK would it still be on so many people's must-see lists

And with it's movement and the budget to do so, do you think any changes will be made to it? any major improvements?

 

[ABQ]

Two questions about FOTHLK then - one - do you think it's such a "must-see" because it's in AK & there's so little to actually see (especially indoors) - if it were smack in the middle of MK would it still be on so many people's must-see lists

Yes, must see no matter where it is. Takes a whole 40 minutes of a day.

And with it's movement and the budget to do so, do you think any changes will be made to it? any major improvements?

No idea.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Yes! It is fun, high energy and a joy to watch. I am glad that this show was kept and moved to where it should have been to begin with.

In MK I believe it would still be packed just as it is now.

I heard that there were going to be no changes to the show. I would be happy with some better and more comfortable seating going into a new theater. My tucus is not happy after 10 minutes of sitting on those old benches.