There was a time not too long ago when we couldn't just sit down at our computer, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy a full ride-thru of Disney's newest attraction simply by hitting a "Play" button. It wasn't that simple. We couldn't experience the insides & outs of the newest themed land, restaurant, show, or any aspect of the parks by simply typing words on a YouTube search bar. Thanks to the internet, I can vividly picture all the pathways, architecture, horticulture, sounds, & other details of the new Fantasyland expansion. I've been to every corner, every shop, every attraction, & every restaurant. I know the play-by-play of what will happen inside Belle's storybook attraction. I know the ride detail, queue, layout, storyline, and many other aspects of the new Little Mermaid ride. Yet I haven't even stepped foot into MK since August, thus haven't been to FLE since it's opening to the public. My next trip is not planned until April. But thanks to the internet & sites like YouTube, viewers can get a full access tour of new lands/attractions in their entirety...sitting at their computer desk. So yes, the internet is a WONDERFUL thing. Not complaining about that.
But I wonder sometimes if all the technology in this day & age sometimes takes away from the mystique of the parks and their new additions. In this era we live in, you can know every animatronic, every quote, and every surprise of a new ride...only hours after it's revealed to the public, and while you're thousands of miles away.
Once upon a time, prior to the internet and all it's glories, we saw bits & pieces of new attractions via Disney Channel specials, travel brochures, magazines, and commercials. We were given small tastes & samplings of the new attractions via these means, yet not exposed to the entire full product until we actually visited in person. When I first rode Tower of Terror back in 1994, sure, I knew the elevator was going to drop at some point. I had an idea of the concept. But most guests back in that time did not have full access to the entire play-by-play sequence via a YouTube video prior to experiencing the ride first-hand. Had today's internet been around back when ToT first opened, you could see the full experience (including queue, pre-show, and all surprises within) online prior to visiting. You'd know all the goods, bads, and hundreds of complaints as to why the ride quality is "declining by degrees" in comparison to it's predecessors. Instead, you'd see samples of ride images on shows such as 'Inside Out' (one of my favorites), or pictures in a travel brochure, or a detailed synopsis in a Birnbaum's book...all to give you just enough taste without giving it all away. Only when you stepped foot onto the ride for the first time would you know what happens when the curtain is pulled back.
One might argue: "But Bob, nobody is forcing you to watch WDW vids & spoil the surprises." And to that I say, very true. Nobody has to ruin the surprise of a new ride, new update, or new anything by watching them online before visiting. That is a reason why I think the internet era is a great thing; it gives those of us who cannot wait to see it first-hand an opportunity to preview it in full if we choose to. And I highly doubt anyone who has watched a full ride-thru or walk-thru video prior to visiting has thought: "We'll, no need for me to go now. I've already seen it." Nothing compares to being there in person. If anything, seeing vids make me want to go MORE.
So what do you think? Does the internet take away any of the mystique of WDW (or any park in general) by giving audiences full exposure to rides & attractions? Did it build more excitement for you back when you couldn't see all the in's & out's of a new ride prior to visiting in person? Or does it really make a difference either way? What are your thoughts?
But I wonder sometimes if all the technology in this day & age sometimes takes away from the mystique of the parks and their new additions. In this era we live in, you can know every animatronic, every quote, and every surprise of a new ride...only hours after it's revealed to the public, and while you're thousands of miles away.
Once upon a time, prior to the internet and all it's glories, we saw bits & pieces of new attractions via Disney Channel specials, travel brochures, magazines, and commercials. We were given small tastes & samplings of the new attractions via these means, yet not exposed to the entire full product until we actually visited in person. When I first rode Tower of Terror back in 1994, sure, I knew the elevator was going to drop at some point. I had an idea of the concept. But most guests back in that time did not have full access to the entire play-by-play sequence via a YouTube video prior to experiencing the ride first-hand. Had today's internet been around back when ToT first opened, you could see the full experience (including queue, pre-show, and all surprises within) online prior to visiting. You'd know all the goods, bads, and hundreds of complaints as to why the ride quality is "declining by degrees" in comparison to it's predecessors. Instead, you'd see samples of ride images on shows such as 'Inside Out' (one of my favorites), or pictures in a travel brochure, or a detailed synopsis in a Birnbaum's book...all to give you just enough taste without giving it all away. Only when you stepped foot onto the ride for the first time would you know what happens when the curtain is pulled back.
One might argue: "But Bob, nobody is forcing you to watch WDW vids & spoil the surprises." And to that I say, very true. Nobody has to ruin the surprise of a new ride, new update, or new anything by watching them online before visiting. That is a reason why I think the internet era is a great thing; it gives those of us who cannot wait to see it first-hand an opportunity to preview it in full if we choose to. And I highly doubt anyone who has watched a full ride-thru or walk-thru video prior to visiting has thought: "We'll, no need for me to go now. I've already seen it." Nothing compares to being there in person. If anything, seeing vids make me want to go MORE.
So what do you think? Does the internet take away any of the mystique of WDW (or any park in general) by giving audiences full exposure to rides & attractions? Did it build more excitement for you back when you couldn't see all the in's & out's of a new ride prior to visiting in person? Or does it really make a difference either way? What are your thoughts?
