Disney(World) vs. Disney(land)?

[flynnibus]

From what I recall seeing in videos, there is very little of Carsland seen from RSR.

You see a good bit of it - it's just 95% of the video you see is looking into the RSR area.. instead of what you see when on the ride and the whole side towards carsland is exposed.

 

[ellie-badge]

From what I recall seeing in videos, there is very little of Carsland seen from RSR.

When the ride vehicles enter outside (namely during the "racing" portion), I'm pretty sure the riders are supposed to see a good portion of Cars Land. Hypothetically speaking, the illusion would likely be broken if Radiator Springs Racers were to be dumped in Florida... and really, it couldn't be called that anymore, as they aren't located in Radiator Springs anymore. A quick fix would likely be "Pixar Place Racers," but that just sounds silly.

 

[ellie-badge]

You see a good bit of it - it's just 95% of the video you see is looking into the RSR area.. instead of what you see when on the ride and the whole side towards carsland is exposed.

Bah, you beat me to my post.

 

[spacemt354]

When the ride vehicles enter outside (namely during the "racing" portion), I'm pretty sure the riders are supposed to see a good portion of Cars Land. Hypothetically speaking, the illusion would likely be broken if Radiator Springs Racers were to be dumped in Florida... and really, it couldn't be called that anymore, as they aren't located in Radiator Springs anymore. A quick fix would likely be "Pixar Place Racers," but that just sounds silly.

Yeah I agree. The illusion would be lost if it were placed in DHS. And besides, i'd rather have something new in DHS, because having just RSR doesn't work. You need to have the whole land, which would be a lack of creativity and wouldn't make me want to take a trip out to DCA to see Carsland when it is much closer to me in Florida.

So I really hope they can think something else "Up" for that area

 

[TalkingHead]

Also, DHS already has Pixar Place as a "land". It would be odd to then create a separate land based on a single Pixar property.

The shopping mall of lands. A forced, corporate theme.

I doubt it will resonate as a "land" -- but the rides might be great, which might make it a moot point.

 

[TalkingHead]

So I really hope they can think something else "Up" for that area

I would like something based on the Incredibles, Wall-E, Up...basically anything we haven't seen before.

But I wonder to what extent the execs would allow merchandise sales to dictate what attractions are built.

We know Cars is a goldmine of merchandise. Same with Toy Story. And Nemo had box office that eclipsed Incredibles, Wall-E, and Up. (Not sure how much Nemo merchandise is out there.)

We know one of the main factors at Potter is its merchandise sales -- magic wands, Butterbeer, whatever else.

Surely the merch must be at least one factor they're considering when they think about adding Cars to WDW. Would that make Up, for instance, less attractive to the execs?

...Great, now I want a Butterbeer.

 

[jrlbc06]

I was focused on the rockwork when in the outside of the RSR ride, not so much Radiator Springs itself. Wouldn't change the ride that much IMO if the entire town wasn't recreated. That said, I think it would be a sad thing if only RSR were plopped down in DHS.

Also for everyone putting down Luigi's and Mater's Jamboree....Luigi's took some getting used to but is not without its problems. Mater's is an absolute blast and is better than any spinner currently in WDW, Dumbo included. We loved Mater's and rode it 6+ times on our trip to DL.

 

[awhit066]

(...) I'm just surprised there is even talk of bringing RSR to Florida. At best, I assumed TDO would steal only the dark ride portion of RSR to make a discount Cars attraction (just as the Seas with Nemo is a discount version of DL's Submarine Voyage)

I actually think this would be a GREAT compromise (and nothing like Nemo). I picture this 'new' dark ride making use of the indoor scenes, AA's, etc. from RSR and making the ride more if a town tour of Radiator Springs, without the racing. One of the complaints people seem to have is that DHS doesn't have enough family friendly rides. Get ride of the Racing part and this ride could be an all ages version. It would need more scenes to make it work, but it could be a nice addition to Pixar place.

 

[BryceM]

@TalkingHead - Here's a butterbeer recipe: http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/harry-potters-butterbeer-recipe/1/ My mom made it for me and I drank it out of my mug and it tasted just like it!

ANYWAYS, I would hate to see RSR without the actual Radiator Springs. It would look weird.

 

[Captain Chaos]

@TalkingHead - Here's a butterbeer recipe: http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/harry-potters-butterbeer-recipe/1/ My mom made it for me and I drank it out of my mug and it tasted just like it!

ANYWAYS, I would hate to see RSR without the actual Radiator Springs. It would look weird.

Like I said, it would feel like Test Track through a rock structure...

 

[menamechris]

SOOO much work to be done at WDW. And so much procrastination.

It took The Disney Company over a billion dollars to fix one park in California. How much is it going to take to fix 4 parks and 1 Downtown Disney in Orlando if they keep putting this off?

 

[Skyway]

I actually think this would be a GREAT compromise (and nothing like Nemo). I picture this 'new' dark ride making use of the indoor scenes, AA's, etc.

I picture something like the old If You Had Wings/WoM "Speed Tunnel" substituting for the "race". This would make it different, eliminate risks of of an outdoor ride in Florida, and no concerns about visual intrusion.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If Disney can seamlessly plop a European castle at the end of a turn-of-the-century Main Street or a Haunted Mansion feet from a log flume (DL), I'm not too worried how RSR would fit in without the rest of Carsland.

From what I recall seeing in videos, there is very little of Carsland seen from RSR.

Also, DHS already has Pixar Place as a "land". It would be odd to then create a separate land based on a single Pixar property.

The other 2 attractions in Carland (Mater Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Flying Tires) sound like duds, or at least nothing that needs to be rushed into DHS.

If RSR is coming (and I, too, think it should be a DCA exclusive) I'd rather see it mixed in with a wide variety of other Pixar attractions to flesh out that "land".

I'm just surprised there is even talk of bringing RSR to Florida. At best, I assumed TDO would steal only the dark ride portion of RSR to make a discount Cars attraction (just as the Seas with Nemo is a discount version of DL's Submarine Voyage)

While one cannot see so much of Radiator Springs itself when on Radiator Springs Racers, the town sets the tone for the attraction. The attraction is the weenie. It is the caverns of Pirates of the Caribbean, not the meat of the ride, but ultimately what makes it so grand and special. At night, with the neon all lit, it is a good bit more noticeable than during the day. Videos do not due the attraction justice. To plop down Radiator Springs Racers with just other assortments of Pixar-based attractions would just be odd and useless.

While Luigi's Flying Tires may be having issues that would probably be compounded at Walt Disney World, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree has a much higher capacity is a good deal of fun.

 

[cheezbat]

I would imagine TDO going on the cheap and just cloning a few rides to help "fix" DHS. Maybe RSR? How about Monsters Inc from DCA? Or Indiana Jones Adventure? Or even the Indy coaster?

I could see them going that route. Nothing original...all to save money.

 

[Brewmaster]

It's slow at the office today, and I've got nothing better to do... So let's take a few minutes to review the history of jt, shall we?

Here's a nice litte gem, full of his predictions... Literally every single one, DEAD ON (this, by the way, is my favorite of the ones I've found so far!!):

"AI is strong in reviews despite the false claims of Yee and others, SM is getting a refurb far beyond what the cynics were claiming, work contiues on MI, new show for Stitch in TL (and the implications that has for SGE). The closing of CMM continues (and the implications of that)."
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/not-good-news-for-wdw.391532/page-3#post-3311437

Here's a fun one about Space Mountain directly... In which he says:

"not only do I think it is the defining attraction at the MK but WDW and at least for now, the defining attraction for all Disney parks. If they had done a poor job on the MK's SM it would have been the greatest blunder ever at a Disney Park even surpassing the mistakes made originally at DCA. It is a great relief to know they are probably going to do this right."
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/breaking-news-space-mountain-rehab.400131/page-4#post-3349047

Here's a REAL laugher!!!! I'll let your words speak for themselves...

"Just realized what may be going on. Disney seems to be timing the new Space Mountain to the opening of TWWoHP. Could be an interesting competition!:king: "

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/breaking-news-space-mountain-rehab.400131/page-14#post-3353880


Which was then followed up by all the ridiculous talk of what was done with SM as being a "prefurb", which you thought was going to be followed by a proper rebuild (this was in mid 2009).

Then there's the posts where when others were worried about MK capacity, you said it wasn't a concern, because they could push them to RnR or E:E (this goes directly against what you just said in your post I quoted above).

Or to quote you from another post: "It seems to me they are doing refurbs. I agree with you though that management has to stop worrrying about closing attractions for refurbs. There are tons of options on property. "

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...tate-of-the-parks.440383/page-30#post-3598546

Here's one of your comments directly tying SM's botched refurb and its money to FLE:

"We just don't know that yet. ES has changed my viewpoint on SM when he informed us less than 20% of MK's guests go on the ride. Rather than looking at SM as being done "on the cheap", perhaps Disney has decided those dollars are better spent elsewhere. Like Fantasyland."

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...this-mean-for-wdw.468640/page-41#post-3689820

A-HA! The smoking gun:

"See I think the claim the budgets were not related is not true. Lasseter said FL has been being planned for a long time.

I'm convinced we didn't get the rumored "Lee" SM because the budget was redirected to the expansion of the Magic Kingdom and the new FL.

And the cheers that were heard when the SM project were announced secretly to those who needed to know might have been for the new FL rather than the SM project. Possibly."

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...important-sm-news.494182/page-16#post-3767569

There are FAR more... I just picked a handful. Shall I go on?

Everything you say ends up being spun later... BY YOU. That's what's so funny. You do it to yourself. I picture you sitting at home as John Lovitz in a smoking jacket constantly saying "Yeah!!! THAT'S the ticket!!!" Your constant back and forth makes virtually everything you say easy to dismiss. Yet you either have no idea you do it (which would be sad), or refuse to admit that you realize you do it (which is much more likely, and ALSO sad).

Also... A word to the wise... NONE OF YOU SHOULD GO BACK AND READ THE PROGRESSION OF THE SM REFURB. The whole thing goes from optimistic and happy to insiders sharing the massive cutbacks, to the depression of the reveal. It ain't pretty.

Fatality! That was a beat down the likes that have not been seen since Apollo Creed was destroyed by Ivan Drago! Even Thick James couldn't wave enough smelling salts to resurrect him. @Buried20KLeague that was epic...

 

[marni1971]

Well, I've just tried the Ignore feature for the first time. Not on jt either.

Things certainly got lively overnight!

Remember, some are talking like RSR is coming to DHS. So far as I know, it isn't at the moment. Its been on and off since 2009 but is off again ATM.

 

[Longhairbear]

'74 mentioned a certain exec who got fired for cooking the books. We DVC members know for a fact that it was Jim Lewis. During his time at DVC, management tried to replace ceramic coffee mugs with styrofoam. All during a "green" campaign at DVC, and "going green" the lead story on the DVC member magazine. Member feedback was swift, and the styrofoam was taken away. Later Old Key West owners were pressured into buying another 15 years to extend their contracts. It was later said that Jim fumed over the low price original owners at OKW paid for their memberships, and as they could trade into higher priced DVC villas, they should pay the price.
He was also front and center at the opening of Aulani, which Al Lutz is now saying is in trouble. We DVC members smelled something fishy when sales of Aulani suddenly stopped, just when they had started. The next thing we read in the various forums is that Jim, and 2 others have left DVC, and Disney. Of course Jim now has a letter of recommendation from Disney, AND a retainer from Disney that puts him in an advisory position to the company.
Bay Lake Towers, another DVC add on is not without issues. Many members think it was built on the cheap, with villas already showing wear and tear much sooner than it should. DVC also had to redesign, and refurb villas recently because of member complaints. Is this TDO's fault? It might be, but I can't say as DVC is a different division than the parks. '74, or anyone else with more knowledge than I, is welcome to correct me on that. My take on any cheapening of DVC is an FLA based problem, and I will say why I think that.
I live in CA, and we go to DLR often, and now with our DVC membership, we stay for several nights. That's much different from before we were DVC members. Before we were 1 day visitors only. The Grand California DVC villas blow away anything the DVC villas in WDW have to offer. They are nicer, bigger, have more bathrooms per the larger villas, offer better services such as 24/ 7 room service, upscale gas grills, HD flat screen TV in the laundromat, high quality bath robes, and member perks that give members discounts on just about everything at DLR. Not so at WDW. Is that because TDA has a hand in the GC DVC? I don't know, but I think it is more likely the management of the GC has a hand in it. I do know that DLR's hotel division wanted nothing to do with DVC initially. I have no idea if that mindset has changed, but I can say this. The DVC at DLR has only 50 villas, and is booked when I try to get a villa. My home resort is Wilderness Lodge, so I can only book DLR DVC at 7 months out. Anything less, and the place is booked solid.
We haven't been to WDW in 2 years, and don't have any plans to go in the near future. We found that we can trade our DVC points for a 7 night cruise on the Disney Wonder here in CA. No Airfare, and meals included. We are basically trading a trip to WDW without paying for food, and not paying for park hoppers, or an AP.
'74, and many others dislike the expansion of DVC at WDW, I don't understand why because of my perspective of being a member. But I'll toss you a crumb of why we like the expansion of the DVC at WDW. It's the only new thing to experience at WDW.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Secondly, I think the TL makeovers have been under consideration for awhile. It is possible that the mega-SM was determined not to be a good fit for the MK's more family frienly aesthetics. WDW, unlike DL, has the luxury of skewing offerings at their parks to appeal more to different demographics. That does not mean they would give up on the "something for everyone" model. But it may mean they would rather a coaster at the MK be more like the new Mine Train coaster which is family friendly rather than the more thrilling DL type version of SM which has a limiting height requirement.

When the SM refurb was announced and it was learned that it was severely downsized from a full-blown rebuild and re-imagine to a basic "spit-and-polish", you told us all that you were sure it was because they had taken money from the SM project to dump into the FL project (which has had it's budget CUT from initial estimates given by Disney, NOT increased at all).

Now, with your constant revisionist history mindset, they just didn't want to close it because of capacity, and they didn't want to change the height requirement???

Hey @jt04, sorry to point this out, but you're running out of excuses on the Space Mountain screwup. They didn't want to put a new coaster in that building because they want something that caters to everyone? The newer, better Space at DL that everyone loves has a 40" height requirement; the WDW version of Space has a 44" height requirement. WDW could have put the exact same coaster in and lowered the height requirement, making it more accessible to everyone. Don't even try to say that's not true, because nobody regulates like California and they still got it down to 40" over there.

So it wasn't to shift money to FLE, and it wasn't because a new one would be too thrilling... maybe they just didn't care enough to do it right?

 

[alissafalco]

I know 74 said its not going to happen but I really believe a whole Star Wars land would be incredible for HS. They have so many options that they could explore. That would be a bigger hit than cars! But, oh well, I can dream right??

 

[GoofGoof]

When the SM refurb was announced and it was learned that it was severely downsized from a full-blown rebuild and re-imagine to a basic "spit-and-polish", you told us all that you were sure it was because they had taken money from the SM project to dump into the FL project (which has had it's budget CUT from initial estimates given by Disney, NOT increased at all).

Didn't the original FLE have a meet and greet instead of the mine coaster? Wouldn't that mean the original plans had a lower budget? From people posting on this board I have heard that the mine coaster was downsized from its original plans, but the downsized mine coaster still has to be more expensive than a meet and greet.