Chew Chew Train vs WEB SLINGERS

[Too Many Hats]

Yeah, the land just looks sterile. It’s not an environment in which I have any interest immersing myself and hanging out. The Imagineers overthink this stuff; people just want a cool vibe.

Adventureland? Now that’s an exotic vibe I never want to leave. That’s why Tropical Hideaway is so great. Same goes for New Orleans Square and Blue Bayou, or Hogsmeade and Three Broomsticks.

Avengers Campus and PYM? No thanks.

 

[CaptinEO]

Yeah, the land just looks sterile. It’s not an environment in which I have any interest immersing myself and hanging out. The Imagineers overthink this stuff; people just want a cool vibe.

Adventureland? Now that’s an exotic vibe I never want to leave. That’s why Tropical Hideaway is so great. Same goes for New Orleans Square and Blue Bayou, or Hogsmeade and Three Broomsticks.

Avengers Campus and PYM? No thanks.

I totally agree. I just love fun and charming/exotic locations.

 

[Eeyorenot74]

Didn't care for the other rides in Bug's Land but Heimlich was one of my favorites in the park. Loved the scents, humor and short line. Haven't been back to the park for the new rides yet.

 

[Too Many Hats]

I totally agree. I just love fun and charming/exotic locations.

Me too. I'm going to bloviate for a moment here...

One thing that's rarely/never discussed by Imagineers when they talk about Disney parks -- having cool environments in which guests can hang out. We know the cynical reasons why this isn't their focus (if guests are chilling on a bench, they're not spending money), but Disney severely underestimates how much more guests would enjoy the parks if they were permitted to just spend some time catching their breath, taking in the well-themed spaces.

I've heard it's hard to relax and enjoy a beer in Avengers Campus because Alan Silvestri's adrenaline-fueled Avengers score blasts on repeat all day in the sitting areas. Also, it's summertime, there's little shade, and the grey aesthetic is somewhat displeasing. Intentional or not, the message to guests is: spend money then get out.

IMO Tropical Hideaway rules because it allows guests to spend even more time immersed in the relaxing, faux-Polynesian Adventureland vibe. Now that alcohol is slowly being normalized in the park, I'd love to see them serve Mai Tais in there.

Wouldn't it be cool to create similar spaces in the other lands of Disneyland? A fake-rock wilderness-themed area in Frontierland in which guests can enjoy a beer while viewing the final moments of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Turn Tom Sawyer Island into a legitimately beautiful park within a park? A space-themed rooftop bar in Tomorrowland in which you could enjoy some, uh, space cocktails? I think guests would love this stuff.

 

[CaptinEO]

Me too. I'm going to bloviate for a moment here...

One thing that's rarely/never discussed by Imagineers when they talk about Disney parks -- having cool environments in which guests can hang out. We know the cynical reasons why this isn't their focus (if guests are chilling on a bench, they're not spending money), but Disney severely underestimates how much more guests would enjoy the parks if they were permitted to just spend some time catching their breath, taking in the well-themed spaces.

I've heard it's hard to relax and enjoy a beer in Avengers Campus because Alan Silvestri's adrenaline-fueled Avengers score blasts on repeat all day in the sitting areas. Also, it's summertime, there's little shade, and the grey aesthetic is somewhat displeasing. Intentional or not, the message to guests is: spend money then get out.

IMO Tropical Hideaway rules because it allows guests to spend even more time immersed in the relaxing, faux-Polynesian Adventureland vibe. Now that alcohol is slowly being normalized in the park, I'd love to see them serve Mai Tais in there.

Wouldn't it be cool to create similar spaces in the other lands of Disneyland? A fake-rock wilderness-themed area in Frontierland in which guests can enjoy a beer while viewing the final moments of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Turn Tom Sawyer Island into a legitimately beautiful park within a park? A space-themed rooftop bar in Tomorrowland in which you could enjoy some, uh, space cocktails? I think guests would love this stuff.

All this stuff just reminds me of what I love abiut Walt Disney and the park he has created.

Walt Disney's creations are all beautiful exotic idealized locales that people just love to linger in. These are fun, charming, and exciting all at the same time.

 

[mickEblu]

This is when I get irrationally upset when people fawn over the idea of tearing out the upper right corner of the park (Autopia/Subs) and replacing it with a big ole E Ticket in a box. The old Motorboat station is classic old school Disney. It's not a masterpiece of theming, but there's a lot of nice energy between the monorail gliding over, autopia cars motoring by, howls from the Matterhorn, and ticking from it's a small world. Might just be the last quiet spot left.

If Avengers Campus taking over Bugs Land taught me anything, it’s be careful what you wish for. Bugs Land has always been an easy target for armchair imagineers as is Autopia/ Nemo.

 

[PB Watermelon]

The word "whimsical" was a very good choice here.

When's the last time Disney built an attraction that was whimsical? Maybe Seven Dwarfs Mine Train?

Inside/Out Spinner
Fantasyland Dark Ride Overhauls (bring on Pinocchio)

First things that come to mind.

 

[mickEblu]

The word "whimsical" was a very good choice here.

When's the last time Disney built an attraction that was whimsical? Maybe Seven Dwarfs Mine Train?

At DLR I’ll go with the new Hungry Bear sign. The last “attraction” would probably be Fantasy Faire.

 

[Miru]

The word "whimsical" was a very good choice here.

When's the last time Disney built an attraction that was whimsical? Maybe Seven Dwarfs Mine Train?

Navi River Journey did feel a little whimsical...

Otherwise, it stopped with SDMT and Cars Land.

Heck, I’d argue some rides feel a bit toxically whimsical, like Enchanted Wish.

 

[Sailor310]

ITTBAB was a great place to go sit down and cool off on a hot day. I didn't do many of the rides in Bug's Land, but I loved the theming and watching kids play in the water feature.

 

[SuddenStorm]

At DLR I’ll go with the new Hungry Bear sign. The last “attraction” would probably be Fantasy Faire.

Wasn't Fantasy Faire the last project Tony had any kind of meaningful input in? @Figments Friend knows better then I would, but I'm pretty sure it was.

 

[mickEblu]

Wasn't Fantasy Faire the last project Tony had any kind of meaningful input in? @Figments Friend knows better then I would, but I'm pretty sure it was.

I’m not 100% sure but I think you re right. Would make sense

 

[Miru]

Wasn't Fantasy Faire the last project Tony had any kind of meaningful input in? @Figments Friend knows better then I would, but I'm pretty sure it was.

Enchanted Wish is whimsical in the worst way imaginable...

Anyways, I’d give a very slight edge to CCT, as it had water and scents to push along its physical sets, whereas WEB SLINGERS has one single high-quality animatronic and that’s about it.

 

[Figments Friend]

Wasn't Fantasy Faire the last project Tony had any kind of meaningful input in? @Figments Friend knows better then I would, but I'm pretty sure it was.

Yes, Disneyland's 'Fantasy Faire' project was Tony's last major project before he retired from a full time role.
He worked on the project with Michel, a wonderful designer and artist who has done a lot of excellent work at Efterling Park.
Tony made it a mission to get him hired by WDI some years ago, knowing his creative talents would work well with upcoming projects.

-

 

[CaptinEO]

Yes, Disneyland's 'Fantasy Faire' project was Tony's last major project before he retired from a full time role.
He worked on the project with Michel, a wonderful designer and artist who has done a lot of excellent work at Efterling Park.
Tony made it a mission to get him hired by WDI some years ago, knowing his creative talents would work well with upcoming projects.

-

Tony. Such a legend. Honestly it's amazing how much of his work inspired me and still does. It wasn't even until many years after these works inspired me that I realized they shared the same designer.

In themed entertainment there are two greats, Walt Disney and Tony Baxter, everyone else is on a completely different level.

I get sad just thinking about the possibility of his masterpieces leaving the park.

 

[Miru]

Tony. Such a legend. Honestly it's amazing how much of his work inspired me and still does. It wasn't even until many years after these works inspired me that I realized they shared the same designer.

In themed entertainment there are two greats, Walt Disney and Tony Baxter, everyone else is on a completely different level.

I get sad just thinking about the possibility of his masterpieces leaving the park.

Marc Davis, too. Modern imagineers have to rely on non-imagineers to help them bulk out their ideas, else they turn out paltry, and even then...

Those who did remain after Baxter left have seriously lost their mojo. Imagineering is the department at Disney in most need of help, moreso than Lucasfilm.

 

[TwilightZone]

When's the last time Disney built an attraction that was whimsical?

I feel like they tried to with mickey and minnie's but it doesn't quite hit that mark. Maybe if it had a different plot/was less busy?

If Avengers Campus taking over Bugs Land taught me anything, it’s be careful what you wish for. Bugs Land has always been an easy target for armchair imagineers as is Autopia/ Nemo.

Sad thing is most armchair projects have better ideas for replacements than what we ended up getting. Then again that's the case for most things Disney.

 

[SplashGhost]

Having only watched a video of it, Web Slingers looks like possibly the laziest ride Disney ever built that wasn't a spinner. I'm not a fan of Toy Story Midway Mania, but at least that has some variety in it. If Web Slingers is a demonstration of the future of WDI, please let them never modify another attraction again.

 

[CaptinEO]

Having only watched a video of it, Web Slingers looks like possibly the laziest ride Disney ever built that wasn't a spinner. I'm not a fan of Toy Story Midway Mania, but at least that has some variety in it. If Web Slingers is a demonstration of the future of WDI, please let them never modify another attraction again.

I think the Paris "Cars" ride that opened last week or Ant Man wins, but Web Slingerz is close.

 

[Miru]

I feel like they tried to with mickey and minnie's but it doesn't quite hit that mark. Maybe if it had a different plot/was less busy?

Ah, forgot about that one. Maybe with less screens, too? Not to mention the whole “crackhead Mickey” accusations leveled at it...

I think the Paris "Cars" ride that opened last week or Ant Man wins, but Web Slingerz is close.

When even the international parks are falling behind in quality, you KNOW we are now in a dark, dark time for imagineering. But they say “the only way to go is up”, but perhaps this ISN’T rock bottom just yet, but I sure hope it is. Even then, there’s always the use of a diamond cutter to go past rock bottom.