Cameron has given the OK ...

[whylightbulb]

You talked a big talk for Forbidden Journey and when it got close to opening you quickly changed your tune and said Universal slashed the budget and opted to make it less spectacular. When I rode it I thought it was good ride not OUT OF THIS WORLD but it was good. I was very disappointed by how dark and poor quality the video footage was and some of the sets and motions of the AA's could have been better as well. The ride system was definitely cool though I will give you that. I'm just concerned your overhyping again only to under deliver.

I wouldn't say they opted to make it less spectacular but it was more an issue of execution and Warner/J.K. trusting Creative Studios a bit too much. From what I've seen during the development so far they have learned their lesson. I'm not going to say that Creative isn't still full of incompetent knuckle-heads, along with some very competent and talented individuals, but Warner and J.K. are running the show and have been putting feet to fire to ensure a hgh quality execution.

On top of that understand that FJ was developed under the old Universal/GE regime. Comcast has commited a healthy budget - more than twice phase one's budget - to ensure that the inevitable blunders will be taken care of. They have to because J.K. has already threatened to pull the IP a few times already after some design reviews stating that what she was seeing was not exactly what was pitched initially. She has won every battle so far. They will not risk losing her blessing. One example concerns consumables such as LN2 and steam. UC wanted to cut that budget in half. Instead they were only able to cut about 10 percent. This expansion is about three times the size of the first. Regardless of individual opinions everything I've stated so far will be included. The quantity of props and show sets alone, something you shouldn't be able to complain about with respect to FJ or the existing land, should be enough to get you excited. If you like FJ queue and some of the land details you're sure to love what's coming. There are a few additions s slated for the existing land as well by the way.

 

[whylightbulb]

Wow, you really make this sound very exciting. I hope it comes out the way you are describing. Do you know when the construction will be finished?

Expect some activity around summer of 2014.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Could be that they're anticipating a "phase 2" type expansion and want to leverage multiple years' worth of new attraction attendance boosts from the Cameron contract.

Frankly, I'd bet they're wary about the whole project and THAT'S why they're not going whole-hog on it. I bet they're waiting to see how the initial attraction performs before they put any more money into an expansion.
TDO is a timid outfit, it seems to me. But when you have lunkheads like Bob Iger in charge, someone who's the flip side of Walt, it's easy to see why TDO tends to play it safe - or is FORCED to play it safe.

 

[Turtle]

Tower of Terror (which I love - it's my favorite ride in all of WDW)

So you think the Muppets aren't a good fit for Disney... Yet the Twilight Zone is okay?

 

[Magenta Panther]

[quote="Magenta Panther, post: 5189704, member: 70383" Tower of Terror (which I love - it's my favorite ride in all of WDW

So you think the Muppets aren't a good fit for Disney... Yet the Twilight Zone is okay?[/quote]

I don't know why you keep harping on this. I've already said that I see DHS as a park dedicated to celebrating movies in general, not just Disney movies, so it's okay to have singular attractions in it based on non-studio properties (although I'd much prefer that ALL of the attractions there were Disney-based). Disney doesn't own Twilight Zone (and IMO, the Tower doesn't NEED Twilight Zone in order to be the great attraction it is), the concept is just a "guest star" in the park. Ditto Star Wars and Indy. As a singular attraction, the Muppets are okay for DHS, if extremely dated. But as actual corporate property, yeah, I think they're a bad fit. And Disney doesn't need them, OR Marvel, or at least it wouldn't if it were the creative, innovative company it used to be.

 

[TalkingHead]

There are a few additions s slated for the existing land as well by the way.

What an interesting two days this has been in the world of theme parks.

A few additions for WWoHP...would that be something as extensive as a new attraction (like a show?) or are we talking smaller plusses?

 

[menamechris]

Expect some activity around summer of 2014.

Whew - thank God Disney has the mine coaster opening in 2014 to compete...

 

[HenryMystic]

I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight, WLB has me absolutely giddy!

 

[Tom]

Why can't Disney just build the damn bike coaster along with the simulator and boat ride. Stop being cheap. They spent $300 mil on Radiator Springs Racers alone out in California and people showed up in droves. It takes money to make money baby! Thats something Frank Wells and Walt Disney understood very well.

Would you rather they blow the whole wad on Animal Kingdom, or save some for DHS too? I, for one, would like to see something added to both parks, rather than one of them get a lot. Both parks are desperate for something new. They can add phases, but I just want for them to at least put a phase 1 in both parks, personally.

When I heard that the loading areas were on three levels, I got the impression that this was for speed of loading, rather than movement of the cars. For example, in Soarin', after picking up guests, the ride vehicles are stacked horizontally, but then return to the floor.

By loading horizontally, the loading procedure will be noticeably faster as you don't have to walk around a big loading area. I don't know about you, but I've almost gotten lost trying to follow the CM into Soarin's loading area (in DCA), as they just don't seem to have the manpower to load large numbers efficiently.

With three levels it will be short and sweet, like Star Tours a doors will open up and you probably walk down a row without wasting money on CMs, and/or time, guiding everybody in. Plus, it might make it easier for the CM to check the safety belts.

Soarin' has a big screen already, plus if you can't see the pixels, how will it help having a bigger screen, further away, in higher resolution? (Not really sure if Soarin' uses digital projectors, might not). Unless you are talking about having the screen bend more around the peripheral vision areas of black nothingness you have on the ride.

Not so sure that the screens will be bigger, also.

I think the 3-tier loading is to accommdoate this.

Similar to soarin but a much simpler ride mechanism.

 

[tomman710]

My two cents (which basically have been said before but if TDO honks are reading this I just want my vote added to the "We Don't Care File);

1. I hate Avatar as a film, I think the "franchise" has very little potential to even put a dent in the zeitgest when compared to Star Wars and Potter et al, and I think Avatar as a theme park entity was a knee jerk reaction by out of touch execs that equated box office with popularity and were scared by Potter.

2. HOWEVER, yes the landscapes have potential and yes Cameron is a freak about technology ... so Avatar as an add to DAK I would be on board with, especially since adding quality attractions is ALWAYS a good thing.

3. HOWEVER, the fact that Cameron is ALREADY giving in to Disney is discouraging and they haven't even started yet and the (alleged) attraction line up is ... underhwelming ... granted maybe we should take a wait and see approach but no matter how you cut it if the anchor attraction of this new land is a ride film, well that sounds ... blah. Give us something new, something fresh.

The end.

 

[HenryMystic]

Would you rather they blow the whole wad on Animal Kingdom, or save some for DHS too?

DHS, definitely.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Would you rather they blow the whole wad on Animal Kingdom, or save some for DHS too? I, for one, would like to see something added to both parks, rather than one of them get a lot. Both parks are desperate for something new. They can add phases, but I just want for them to at least put a phase 1 in both parks, personally.



I think the 3-tier loading is to accommdoate this.

Similar to soarin but a much simpler ride mechanism.

Sweet. On the Vekoma website, you get the idea that the RVs are loaded by being able to be maneuvered backwards on a track above. On the alledged Avatar drawings, you can even see what looks very much like the RVs in what appears to be the loading position. Four of them actually, on each level I guess. So 12 RVs per theatre.

So, more degrees of motion! Soarin just goes up, and tilts, this thing can do a whole lot more, like quickly tilt to one side to avoid a tree or something.

So, basically when they load you got four RVs in a sort of slight curved row, guests walk down, and a CM on each level checks the safety belts, gives instructions.

Awesome they will do this, but the drawback is that it will make Soarin' look kinda of primitive, though it will probably still get guests too.

 

[The Duck]

A while back, there was talk about a "Pandora Zoo" that was widely considered to be a walk through attraction with (possible) AA creatures of Pandora on display. Now there's evidence of a C-Ticket boat ride that has me wondering if this could be the Zoo attraction that was rumored.

If this is the case, one of the first things I considered was if this was going to be an alien "Jungle Cruise" without the corny jokes. Another thing that I was reminded of was Joe Rohde's original plan for Tiger River Run that had guests cruising down an Asian river in rafts as they rode past Asian animal exhibits. Of course, that attraction was supposed to end with the rafts going through the rapids and was eventually scaled back to become Kali River Rapids.

Since this is supposed to be a C-Ticket, I find it highly doubtful if the ride will have any sudden drops or rapids or any other thrills but a possible family ride that the park desperately needs. Since it appears to be at least partly indoors, this could have some impressive dark ride effects as well. It's not every day that I'm more intrigued about a C Ticket than an E Ticket but if my assumption is correct, I will be pleasantly pleased.

 

[Tom]

Sweet. On the Vekoma website, you get the idea that the RVs are loaded by being able to be maneuvered backwards on a track above. On the alledged Avatar drawings, you can even see what looks very much like the RVs in what appears to be the loading position. Four of them actually, on each level I guess. So 12 RVs per theatre.

So, more degrees of motion! Soarin just goes up, and tilts, this thing can do a whole lot more, like quickly tilt to one side to avoid a tree or something.

So, basically when they load you got four RVs in a sort of slight curved row, guests walk down, and a CM on each level checks the safety belts, gives instructions.

Awesome they will do this, but the drawback is that it will make Soarin' look kinda of primitive, though it will probably still get guests too.

Aside from exact counts on RVs, I agree.

 

[Fable McCloud]

I'm still not sure how I feel about this whole Pandora thing, but since it was given a green light, I guess I have no choice but to at least accept it. I just hope whatever they do doesn't ruin the feel of AK. I like it least of all the parks, but it has a very distinct feel to it, and I rather enjoy the atmosphere there.

 

[Tom]

I'm still not sure how I feel about this whole Pandora thing, but since it was given a green light, I guess I have no choice but to at least accept it. I just hope whatever they do doesn't ruin the feel of AK. I like it least of all the parks, but it has a very distinct feel to it, and I rather enjoy the atmosphere there.

Green Light is a loose term these days.

And fortunately, tucked back in Camp MM, it won't interfere with the overall park.

 

[bubbles1812]

Would you rather they blow the whole wad on Animal Kingdom, or save some for DHS too? I, for one, would like to see something added to both parks, rather than one of them get a lot. Both parks are desperate for something new. They can add phases, but I just want for them to at least put a phase 1 in both parks, personally.

I'd like to see each project get the budgets they deserve to do the "A" plans, rather than opting for the cheaper "B" plans. I'd personally rather get one extremely well done land with more than two attractions than two half assed lands (relatively speaking). It'd be nice if they created a land that was so good it wouldn't even need a "phase 2"...because we all know how often phase 2s actually get built. But alas, this is Disney and that's not going to happen.

I recognize though that I haven't seen the plans for Carsland yet. Will be curious to see what they include from DCA considering they are going to apparently move forward with both projects.

 

[flynnibus]

for everyone for the bike coaster... has there even been one built yet that isn't just some low intensity family coaster? the ones I am aware of aren't much more thrilling than barnstomer was.. and we know that's the point keeping many from embracing the mine coaster.

 

[WED99]

for everyone for the bike coaster... has there even been one built yet that isn't just some low intensity family coaster? the ones I am aware of aren't much more thrilling than barnstomer was.. and we know that's the point keeping many from embracing the mine coaster.

^^^ Mich Doohan's Motocoaster at Dreamworld, Australia. I have rode it and it is fast! Great fun!

 

[Pseudonym]

This expansion is about three times the size of the first. Regardless of individual opinions everything I've stated so far will be included. The quantity of props and show sets alone, something you shouldn't be able to complain about with respect to FJ or the existing land, should be enough to get you excited. If you like FJ queue and some of the land details you're sure to love what's coming. There are a few additions s slated for the existing land as well by the way.

As a theme park junkie this is fantastic news. From the perspective of a Disney fan...Not so much! But at the same time, this will only make the battle better. Orlando is in for a treat for the next decade.