Rumor Bye Bye (Tiki) Birdies?

[Casper Gutman]

I agree completely on PI. For those who never experienced it in its prime when it was still behind closed gates with New Years Eve every night its hard to understand what was lost. It truly was a unique experience. Disney Springs is nice and an upgrade over DTD post PI closing (especially for shopping and fine food) but it cannot compare to PI from an entertainment perspective.

For TT I can see an argument being made. At the time it opened it was cutting edge ride technology. It was a pretty big deal back then. Losing World of Motion was unfortunate, but I think many people forgive it more since the replacement was pretty good and there were still several similar ride experiences at EPCOT at the time. M:S much harder to argue.

I actually think the removal of WoM was the bigger sin, though both were egregious. WoM had the cartoonish, witty AAs of PoC or HM - it felt like a ride designed by an ingenious Disney animator. I can still see many of the faces of the figures in my mind. Horizons was wonderful, but it lacked that unique comedic edge. And TT, particularly in its first iteration, offers an experience akin to being a passenger in a car driving through a badly kept up parking garage. TT offers a great example of the fact that just because tech is new doesn't mean it will make an interesting or exciting ride.

Both removals were awful, but the loss of WoM stings me more today.

 

[TalkingHead]

I actually think the removal of WoM was the bigger sin, though both were egregious. WoM had the cartoonish, witty AAs of PoC or HM - it felt like a ride designed by an ingenious Disney animator. I can still see many of the faces of the figures in my mind. Horizons was wonderful, but it lacked that unique comedic edge. And TT, particularly in its first iteration, offers an experience akin to being a passenger in a car driving through a badly kept up parking garage. TT offers a great example of the fact that just because tech is new doesn't mean it will make an interesting or exciting ride.

Both removals were awful, but the loss of WoM stings me more today.

More egregious still, World of Motion only lasted a little over 13 years.

By comparison, we've had the current incarnation of Imagination for nearly 15 years.

 

[GoofGoof]

I actually think the removal of WoM was the bigger sin, though both were egregious. WoM had the cartoonish, witty AAs of PoC or HM - it felt like a ride designed by an ingenious Disney animator. I can still see many of the faces of the figures in my mind. Horizons was wonderful, but it lacked that unique comedic edge. And TT, particularly in its first iteration, offers an experience akin to being a passenger in a car driving through a badly kept up parking garage. TT offers a great example of the fact that just because tech is new doesn't mean it will make an interesting or exciting ride.

Both removals were awful, but the loss of WoM stings me more today.

Fair point. I said an argument could be made for TT, but it's not a particularly strong one and I agree the execution was not perfect for the ride. I would prefer to have EPCOT of old any day over the mess that is there now.

 

[Mike S]

I actually think the removal of WoM was the bigger sin, though both were egregious. WoM had the cartoonish, witty AAs of PoC or HM - it felt like a ride designed by an ingenious Disney animator. I can still see many of the faces of the figures in my mind. Horizons was wonderful, but it lacked that unique comedic edge. And TT, particularly in its first iteration, offers an experience akin to being a passenger in a car driving through a badly kept up parking garage. TT offers a great example of the fact that just because tech is new doesn't mean it will make an interesting or exciting ride.

Both removals were awful, but the loss of WoM stings me more today.

Those were the styles of Marc Davis (PotC, HM) and Ward Kimball (WoM).

I miss that "Disney humor" too...

 

[Goofyernmost]

I actually think the removal of WoM was the bigger sin, though both were egregious. WoM had the cartoonish, witty AAs of PoC or HM - it felt like a ride designed by an ingenious Disney animator. I can still see many of the faces of the figures in my mind. Horizons was wonderful, but it lacked that unique comedic edge. And TT, particularly in its first iteration, offers an experience akin to being a passenger in a car driving through a badly kept up parking garage. TT offers a great example of the fact that just because tech is new doesn't mean it will make an interesting or exciting ride.

Both removals were awful, but the loss of WoM stings me more today.

I do so agree with that. TT was not an improvement. It was different and had it's good points, but, riding through WoM was a hoot. If anything should have stay, it would be that plus the turntable at Imagination... the rest could have used some work. I also think M:S is better and more fun then Horizon.

 

[Bandini]

You won't see unique items in today's market because of smart phones. Before the age of computers, it was difficult to track and locate retail sales items. Buyers often had to purchase items (at high price levels) for fear that they would not be able to find that same item again. Those days are long gone. I can stand in a Disney store and look up the Universal Product Code (UPC), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), International Article Number (EAN) and/or the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) instantly on my smart phone. I can find the lowest price for said item and purchase it on my phone and have it shipped to my home. Before I arrive home from my vacation that item will have been delivered. Why would I buy anything other than clothes to suit the weather? Thanks Steve Jobs.

I want to buy souvenirs at the place I'm visiting. It's part of my vacation memories. I also don't want to spend more time on my phone.

 

[ford91exploder]

Japan knows how to market their parks.

Its stuff like this which makes one realize that Disney in the US is not even trying anymore.

It sums up in 30 seconds a lot of our collective experience at a Disney park. We go as children and eventually bring our chikdren to the park to experience the wonder we felt.

 

[Mike S]

Its stuff like this which makes one realize that Disney in the US is not even trying anymore.

It sums up in 30 seconds a lot of our collective experience at a Disney park. We go as children and eventually bring our chikdren to the park to experience the wonder we felt.

I can't find it on YouTube but do you remember the WDW ad where the dad became a kid again with his son? That one was great and totally on the level of that Tokyo one.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Its stuff like this which makes one realize that Disney in the US is not even trying anymore.

It sums up in 30 seconds a lot of our collective experience at a Disney park. We go as children and eventually bring our chikdren to the park to experience the wonder we felt.

I started later. I went as a 35 year old on my first trip and brought my children, My children brought their children and at one point I brought my children and my grandchildren. I didn't have to be a child to get hooked on the place, in fact I believe I was far more influenced then my kids were. Neither of them have achieved the level of fixation that I did, and that's OK, in fact I find that to be better. They still enjoy visiting, but, are not anchored to the place and enjoy many other activities as well.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Japan knows how to market their parks.

This is probably the best ad Disney (OLC)has ever made because it comes from an understanding that guests, not just the superfans, have a meaningful relationship with these park.

 

[ford91exploder]

This is probably the best ad Disney has ever made because it comes from an understanding that guests, not just the superfans, have a meaningful relationship with these park.

Yes it does it's also produced by OLC a company which clearly enjoys operating theme parks it also shows that they know precisely why they are in that business i.e. facilitate these types of experiences (and as a result make lots of money)

 

[Phil12]

I want to buy souvenirs at the place I'm visiting. It's part of my vacation memories. I also don't want to spend more time on my phone.

I understand. Some people exhibit OCD about souvenirs.

 

[beachlover4444]

I agree completely on PI. For those who never experienced it in its prime when it was still behind closed gates with New Years Eve every night its hard to understand what was lost. It truly was a unique experience. Disney Springs is nice and an upgrade over DTD post PI closing (especially for shopping and fine food) but it cannot compare to PI from an entertainment perspective.

For TT I can see an argument being made. At the time it opened it was cutting edge ride technology. It was a pretty big deal back then. Losing World of Motion was unfortunate, but I think many people forgive it more since the replacement was pretty good and there were still several similar ride experiences at EPCOT at the time. M:S much harder to argue.

I miss the old way it was. To me the new disney springs is nothing more than an overpriced mall. it's barely disney themed at all. i loved being able to go to the marketplace and buy disney stuff without having to do the parks. now all thats left is world of disney. the christmas store gets smaller and smaller. the nightlife at PI was great. i'm not a big party person but loved going to fireworks factory and the country music place to line dance, it was a blast.

 

[aladdin2007]

I miss the old way it was. To me the new disney springs is nothing more than an overpriced mall. it's barely disney themed at all. i loved being able to go to the marketplace and buy disney stuff without having to do the parks. now all thats left is world of disney. the christmas store gets smaller and smaller. the nightlife at PI was great. i'm not a big party person but loved going to fireworks factory and the country music place to line dance, it was a blast.

I agree, with the underlined especially. Disney World in general is becoming less and less, Disney.

 

[brb1006]

I can't find it on YouTube but do you remember the WDW ad where the dad became a kid again with his son? That one was great and totally on the level of that Tokyo one.

I miss these type of advertisements Disney made for WDW when it focuses not only on children but a family and longtime guests.

 

[MuteSuperstar]

I agree, with the underlined especially. Disney World in general is becoming less and less, Disney.

To me it's starting to feel more and more like Vegas without the casinos. And that's the absurdly expensive, $50-and-up-buffets new Vegas, not the Vegas of old.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

To me it's starting to feel more and more like Vegas without the casinos. And that's the absurdly expensive, $50-and-up-buffets new Vegas, not the Vegas of old.

As someone who visits both, I'd say Vegas offers better value for money when you consider how hotels are priced and/or bundled with flights and that there are still many options for cheaper food, even as the push for higher end shows, tours, dining and shopping continues.

 

[Bandini]

I understand. Some people exhibit OCD about souvenirs.

Frankly, I couldn't find any merch that I wanted to purchase. I don't know why you would characterize that as OCD?

 

[MuteSuperstar]

Frankly, I couldn't find any merch that I wanted to purchase. I don't know why you would characterize that as OCD?

Yes how crazy to want to purchase a souvenir in an actual store instead of fumbling around on your phone. You luddite.

 

[matt9112]

If they sold tiki drinks they would make bank

Replace preshow with bar...... $$$$$$$$