Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks

[Mansion Butler]

As a kid, I used to have a re-occuring dream that I was at the park with my parents, and dying to go on rides, but before anything we were made to sit and eat some slow 3 course lunch at Plaza Inn and watch the other kids having fun out the window while they chatted and finished. When they finally did, and we headed outside, I always woke up.

I pretty much had the same dream growing up. Usually for me, something would keep going wrong, like my mom would keep forgetting things and w'ed have to get back on the monorail and go back to the car. Then, right before we'd go in to the Tiki Room, I'd wake up.

 

[kcnole]

IMHO Figment is still the heart and soul of whatever they do there.

I agree, but they need to return the real Figment. I was thinking about this last night for some odd reason as I drove home from work at 11PM. The original figment showed us childlike imagination. He was comparable to maybe a 5 year. He was wide eyed and excited about his imagination just like a child. It was the perfect vehicle to help us explore our imagination.

The current Figment is sadly much older. He's got the attitude of a bratty 13 year old. Instead of trying to teach us about imagination by showing it to us through the eyes of a child we now have a Figment who annoys us by playing pranks on us all throughout the attraction. Instead of loving Figment and wanting to play with him, I just want to ground him when we're done.

 

[Figment632]

I agree, but they need to return the real Figment. I was thinking about this last night for some odd reason as I drove home from work at 11PM. The original figment showed us childlike imagination. He was comparable to maybe a 5 year. He was wide eyed and excited about his imagination just like a child. It was the perfect vehicle to help us explore our imagination.

The current Figment is sadly much older. He's got the attitude of a bratty 13 year old. Instead of trying to teach us about imagination by showing it to us through the eyes of a child we now have a Figment who annoys us by playing pranks on us all throughout the attraction. Instead of loving Figment and wanting to play with him, I just want to ground him when we're done.

Yea they need to start over and gut everything that is there. They need to show some actual imagination when redoing the ride and that can be done by starting with the trackless system from Pooh's Honey Hut.

I also would like to see a ride that encourages people to use their imagination while riding. Maybe pay tribute to Horizons by adding in the ability to choosed different ride experiences.

Also I would like to see paint brushes like in the closed upstairs attached to each vehicle. The guests could use them to acctivate different things while they go along.

 

[kcnole]

Personally I'd be happy if they brought the ride back in almost the exact same form it first appeared in, only with effects that are up to date, and maybe a dreamfinder who doesn't look so much like a scary pedophile.

that's one thing I didn't like about the original. I really liked the concept and character of dreamfinder, I hated his appearance though.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I agree, but they need to return the real Figment. I was thinking about this last night for some odd reason as I drove home from work at 11PM. The original figment showed us childlike imagination. He was comparable to maybe a 5 year. He was wide eyed and excited about his imagination just like a child. It was the perfect vehicle to help us explore our imagination.

The current Figment is sadly much older. He's got the attitude of a bratty 13 year old. Instead of trying to teach us about imagination by showing it to us through the eyes of a child we now have a Figment who annoys us by playing pranks on us all throughout the attraction. Instead of loving Figment and wanting to play with him, I just want to ground him when we're done.

Interesting observation. hmmm.

I just left IAAPA, in my hotel in Vegas right now. Interesting show. I will do a write up on what I saw shortly.

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

Hm... Is Eddie Sotto a former imagineer? O_O

If he is, I did not know that. haha.

 

[_Scar]

I agree, but they need to return the real Figment. I was thinking about this last night for some odd reason as I drove home from work at 11PM. The original figment showed us childlike imagination. He was comparable to maybe a 5 year. He was wide eyed and excited about his imagination just like a child. It was the perfect vehicle to help us explore our imagination.

The current Figment is sadly much older. He's got the attitude of a bratty 13 year old. Instead of trying to teach us about imagination by showing it to us through the eyes of a child we now have a Figment who annoys us by playing pranks on us all throughout the attraction. Instead of loving Figment and wanting to play with him, I just want to ground him when we're done.

The next step is a drunk 21 year old frat boy. :lookaroun

Hm... Is Eddie Sotto a former imagineer? O_O

If he is, I did not know that. haha.

Yes, he is. He designed Disneyland Paris' MSUSA. :sohappy:He also is widely known for Sci Fi City.

Eddie, what is your opinion on Dinorama? Was it necesary? Is it garbage?

 

[hack2112]

Interesting observation. hmmm.

I just left IAAPA, in my hotel in Vegas right now. Interesting show. I will do a write up on what I saw shortly.

Looking forward to the IAAPA write-up. Always wanted to go, though I do find it interesting that Disney held their own convention this week as well.

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

Ahhh.... Interesting... It's an honor Mr. Sotto.

What is your opinion on the new Fantasyland Expansion? What would you do with it if the project was under your control?

 

[RSoxNo1]

I see that we have been able to eliminate the extra pages that were generated by deleted posts - is this a new feature?

 

[plutoismyhero]

Yea they need to start over and gut everything that is there. They need to show some actual imagination when redoing the ride and that can be done by starting with the trackless system from Pooh's Honey Hut.

Agreed but dont you think it would be expensive hence why it wont happen...i like the idea but i just think there is no way that would happen especially since the pooh ride at TDL cost 130 mil

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Agreed but dont you think it would be expensive hence why it wont happen...i like the idea but i just think there is no way that would happen especially since the pooh ride at TDL cost 130 mil

The Pooh Ride did not cost that much as I recall. I believe was less than 100 for sure and our budget encompassed all the improvements. That was for Queen of Hearts Restaurant, Pooh, and moving the Tea Cup Ride.

 

[plutoismyhero]

The Pooh Ride did not cost that much as I recall. I believe was less than 100 for sure and our budget encompassed all the improvements. That was for Queen of Hearts Restaurant, Pooh, and moving the Tea Cup Ride.

ooooo ok ya i was looking it up after i heard about this trackless coaster and the price i saw was 130mil which i thought was steep. if it did cost less then 100mill why is it never used for other rides i mean i did read that there are a couple others using it but none in the states just DLP and i think TDS, why not bring it to the states???

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

ooooo ok ya i was looking it up after i heard about this trackless coaster and the price i saw was 130mil which i thought was steep. if it did cost less then 100mill why is it never used for other rides i mean i did read that there are a couple others using it but none in the states just DLP and i think TDS, why not bring it to the states???

I ask myself this question as well.
If money isn't the object, then what is it? :shrug:

 

[_Scar]

The Pooh Ride did not cost that much as I recall. I believe was less than 100 for sure and our budget encompassed all the improvements. That was for Queen of Hearts Restaurant, Pooh, and moving the Tea Cup Ride.

Why did Tea Cups have to be moved? To be by the Banquet Hall? (which is amazing! Can you see the maze on top when walking up to the building? :shrug

 

[RandySavage]

credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23879054@N00/

 

[_Scar]

Wow.... that's very in depth. Very interesting

Poor lonely CM though.

Thanks for the pic!

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

Where did the peoplemover run in the concept?

Up the right (East) side of the street over the sidewalk from Town Square (at an angle in front of the Photo shop) to Discoveryland entrance, then returning behind the East Side inside the Discovery Arcade. You would pass through a Vernian style Model City as a transition back to Main Street from Discoveryland.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Why did Tea Cups have to be moved? To be by the Banquet Hall? (which is amazing! Can you see the maze on top when walking up to the building? :shrug

The teacups had to be moved because they occupied the land that Winnie the Pooh would need for its queue. As for the maze, you can see the tops of the hedges with the distant castle as its finale. The illusion is that you are penetrating a castle wall and entering the maze itself.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I ask myself this question as well.
If money isn't the object, then what is it? :shrug:

I think that management believed at the time that even 80 million was too much to invest in a Winnie the Pooh or children's character concept. They felt that the Japanese audience would accept Winnie the Pooh at all ages and that American audiences perceived it as primarily a children's ride. So in a way, it's like "why spend all that money on Winnie the Pooh when most people only expect it to be at the level of a Fantasyland dark ride?".