lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
There are many valid points in cross Resort comparisons, but all too often they are vague and secondary.
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Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks
- Thread starter hpyhnt 1000
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HBG2
Member
Thank you; I very much appreciate the personal response, Eddie. I've added a note within the body of the blog post and responded in the comments section there also.
Stevek
Well-Known Member
How True. Have been on both multiple times and Indy still knocks my socks off. Nemo...meh, is a fun diversion once in awhile.
For the last time, the fact that someone holds a different opinion, based upon personal experience or taste, doesn't make it a lie. I happen to think that I have the most wonderful family in the world - that neither makes it true nor false, just my opinion. I might be mistaken, but I am not lying.
So please stop tossing that word around so frequently.
Mansion Butler
Active Member
I have been to the BBQ place near Sheikra, but I don't remember it well. Which probably means I neither hated nor liked it.
Mansion Butler
Active Member
Really? Man, the quick service pizzas are exactly what stand out to me from Busch Gardens as the worst thing, and the first time I went to Sea World it was exactly what stood out to me as significantly better.I get cheese pizzas at both parks and they taste exactly the same to me! I enjoy both. The popcorn is the same, as well - really good!
:shrug:
Eddie Sotto
Premium Member
I'd like to get the thread back into the areas it does well, which is discussing theme park design and Imagineering. There will always be difference of opinion on which park, food, maintenance is best, etc. So let's move on shall we? :animwink:
Eddie Sotto
Premium Member
Jean Lafitte Mega backstory
Here's a short history of Jean Lafitte. His death is a mystery...a great reason to continue the storyline. I will try and find a free pdf of his memoirs as they are great to read.
http://www.cindyvallar.com/jeanlaffite.html
Here's a short history of Jean Lafitte. His death is a mystery...a great reason to continue the storyline. I will try and find a free pdf of his memoirs as they are great to read.
http://www.cindyvallar.com/jeanlaffite.html
NoChesterHester
Well-Known Member
Reminds me of the Blacksmith Shop in the Quarter. Many a late night there.
Mansion Butler
Active Member
Agreed. I would like to ask if a mod could cut some of the stuff out and put them in a new thread (this post, too).
Thank you, if so!
Peter Schaab
New Member
My friend Mr.EPCOT alerted me that the Epcot redesign project got mentioned a few pages back...if any one has any questions or criticisms about, maybe I can answer some of them. I've always shied away form message boards, but I figured it's about time to stop "hiding."
Mr. Sotto, you are one of the Imagineers whose work inspired me to pursue a career in design...many thanks!
And to try to help put this thread back on topic, what does everyone think about creating unifying narrative threads (along the lines of the Lafitte storyline) for not just lands, but entire parks...would it be too restrictive to designers of future additions/renovations?
Mr. Sotto, you are one of the Imagineers whose work inspired me to pursue a career in design...many thanks!
And to try to help put this thread back on topic, what does everyone think about creating unifying narrative threads (along the lines of the Lafitte storyline) for not just lands, but entire parks...would it be too restrictive to designers of future additions/renovations?
Slowjack
Well-Known Member
Peter, thanks for sharing your ideas with the world on your site.
As for the concept itself, I like it. I think it's an interesting idea to give the park a sense of mission. And I wonder if there would be greater potential for finding sponsorship or other financial backing with some of your ideas. That said, my concern is that, in and of itself, I'm not sure it enriches the guest experience in a tangible enough way. To the extent that I feel that Epcot is currently broken, I'm not sure your vision fixes it. In other words, I feel like if Disney were to re-imagine Epcot, there would have to be some expectation that people would say, "Boy, I really want to go to Epcot now because of ..."
I like the idea of a central story theme for the lands. Usually when I go to the parks I see families rushing from one ride to the next and I always end up with this overwhelming feeling that the concept of each land becomes lost, and the concepts to me are what make the park. If the Haunted Mansion/POTC/Tom Sawyer Island connection had gone through, I think it might've forced people to step back a little and escape into the world they'd be presented with.
It's slightly harder to connect rides through storylines in other parts (Tomorrowland?) with what they currently have.
I havent been able to go through this whole thread (really ancient computer, sorry) and I apologize if any of this was rehashing.
It's slightly harder to connect rides through storylines in other parts (Tomorrowland?) with what they currently have.
I havent been able to go through this whole thread (really ancient computer, sorry) and I apologize if any of this was rehashing.
RandySavage
Well-Known Member
Peter, I think your site plan / re-imagining of EPCOT was very original - excellent stuff. (I reimagine parks and create new ones via conceptual site plans myself (you can see my work here: http://www.idealbuildout.blogspot.com/))
I think unifying narrative threads are a major positive and add layers to the theme park experience. Frontierland at DLP is a good example - I believe there is a thread (involving the Ravenswoods) that connects the Manor to Big Thunder and would have extended to the never-built Geyser Mountain. Another example is at DisneySea where crates marked "Hightower" are found near Raging Spirits.
I also think cross-park threads are something that should be explored. Disney is beginning to do this with HKDL's Mystic Manor having a connection to DisneySea's Tower of Terror.
A narrative thread that connects six or seven lands across a Disneyland-style park would be something indeed... I am going to think about that and perhaps try to do incorporate it into a future site plan.
Eddie Sotto
Premium Member
Welcome Peter, glad to have you! To me, the dedication plaque at DL is the essence of a unifying thread. If you buy into the land as a premise versus a story, it's easier to do establish somehting that is more open ended. For example, Main Street USA is an American "small town" caught in a state of becoming at the dawn of the 20th Century. that is a thread you can build on and informs alot of what you do.
jt04
Well-Known Member
I'm glad you mentioned SEA because I think the potential for this (hopefully) franchise in the making is an idea that can be used in an almost limitless way. It can be a 'thread' that ties many elements together but be sufficiently in the background when necessary to not create inconsistencies. I like to think of this idea as a cross between hidden mickeys and the KP Adventure at EPCOT. It could not only join lands together in a single park but also whole parks around the world. The potential for this as a franchise across all of Disney's divisions is profound with the proper investment and creative talent.
Just to add, I think the look created by Peter is right on. I have not had a chance to look at all the details but I think the visual aesthetics are perfect and I really hope this is the direction they take it. Great visual appeal and very futuristic.
Just my 2 cents.
Peter Schaab
New Member
Slowjack, I actually agree with you to an extent. There are times when I think about revisiting the project to flesh out specific attraction concepts, but I figure that its primary goal (to lay out a general master plan) is, for the most part already achieved. What I'd love to see is for others to pick up where I left off...or take things in their own direction. The site plan and 3D model files, while a little old and probably in need of some clean-up, are available to anyone if they want.
zandt204, I'm also disappointed to see the detail and depth of the parks lost to some guests...but I always try to reassure myself that there are plenty out there that appreciate it (consciously or subconsciously). One of the most significant problems I see today (at least in Walt Disney World) is the tendency of guests to treat their park experience as a rush from one agenda item to another (e.g. "we --have-- to be at Space Mountain by 4:30 and then Liberty Tree by 5:00"). I know money and vacation time can be short, but I wish more guests would "un-schedule" their days and relax.
Very interesting site plans RandySavage. A Star Trek attraction is great anytime in my book! Also, it's good to see someone else appreciated those Oz concepts. What software and reference material (satellite, actual schematics, etc.) did you use? Call me strange, but I was one of those kids that could spend hours staring at site plans...sometimes they're more stimulating to the imagination than perspective views.
Eddie, you're of course absolutely right the Disneyland-style parks have a common thread by virtue of Walt's dedication...I wrote my original post in a hurry before work and didn't fully think the question through. A better question may be: how much more literal of a backstory could, or should, be created? Is there any wisdom in attempting to explain why, for example, Harambe exists only a short walk away from Anandapur?
jt04, the franchise idea is intriguing, although it seems to go against the current company trend of only inserting outside franchises from film and television into the parks. Developing original content for attraction and shows seem to have sadly taken a backseat for now.
zandt204, I'm also disappointed to see the detail and depth of the parks lost to some guests...but I always try to reassure myself that there are plenty out there that appreciate it (consciously or subconsciously). One of the most significant problems I see today (at least in Walt Disney World) is the tendency of guests to treat their park experience as a rush from one agenda item to another (e.g. "we --have-- to be at Space Mountain by 4:30 and then Liberty Tree by 5:00"). I know money and vacation time can be short, but I wish more guests would "un-schedule" their days and relax.
Very interesting site plans RandySavage. A Star Trek attraction is great anytime in my book! Also, it's good to see someone else appreciated those Oz concepts. What software and reference material (satellite, actual schematics, etc.) did you use? Call me strange, but I was one of those kids that could spend hours staring at site plans...sometimes they're more stimulating to the imagination than perspective views.
Eddie, you're of course absolutely right the Disneyland-style parks have a common thread by virtue of Walt's dedication...I wrote my original post in a hurry before work and didn't fully think the question through. A better question may be: how much more literal of a backstory could, or should, be created? Is there any wisdom in attempting to explain why, for example, Harambe exists only a short walk away from Anandapur?
jt04, the franchise idea is intriguing, although it seems to go against the current company trend of only inserting outside franchises from film and television into the parks. Developing original content for attraction and shows seem to have sadly taken a backseat for now.
jt04
Well-Known Member
I think Iger does not see franchises as 'outside' or 'inside' rather he wants any new park adds to be simply a franchise vehicle. I'm advocating the A.C. and S.E.A. be turned into a true home-grown Disney franchise.
There are indications that this is happening and the closure of the AC may be part of the larger plan. There are also rumors that the idea will get utilized at DAK.
I just think it has great potential for Disney. So in this case perhaps they will allow an attraction to grow into a franchise as Pirates proved so successful at doing. And now perhaps the Haunted Mansion too.
Peter Schaab
New Member
Hmm, I didn't think of it from the perspective of any new attraction should be a franchise vehicle, park-original content or not. And you're right, there is potential there.
On second thought, I probably should further clarify my question to Eddie...
I know there is a transition zone between lands in Animal Kingdom, but to the literal-minded, Asia, Africa, DinoLand, etc. can not physically exist in Florida. Fundamental to the design of a theme park is the idea that guests suspend their disbelief in order to be transported to far away lands and adventures. But imagine if Animal Kingdom was not just a park devoted to humanity's love of animals, but rather framed as a collection of animals and artifacts brought together by a eccentric explorer (think along the lines of the Adventurer's Club). Harambe would be explained as a rebuilt village *from* Africa, not an actual village *in* Africa. Each and every detail of the park and its attractions would support a literal (but fictional) story that is completely believable to children and rational adults. Mind you, I'm not advocating this be done, I'm just using it as an example.
I guess where I'm trying to go with this is: can a theme park exist that doesn't require any suspension of disbelief?
On second thought, I probably should further clarify my question to Eddie...
I know there is a transition zone between lands in Animal Kingdom, but to the literal-minded, Asia, Africa, DinoLand, etc. can not physically exist in Florida. Fundamental to the design of a theme park is the idea that guests suspend their disbelief in order to be transported to far away lands and adventures. But imagine if Animal Kingdom was not just a park devoted to humanity's love of animals, but rather framed as a collection of animals and artifacts brought together by a eccentric explorer (think along the lines of the Adventurer's Club). Harambe would be explained as a rebuilt village *from* Africa, not an actual village *in* Africa. Each and every detail of the park and its attractions would support a literal (but fictional) story that is completely believable to children and rational adults. Mind you, I'm not advocating this be done, I'm just using it as an example.
I guess where I'm trying to go with this is: can a theme park exist that doesn't require any suspension of disbelief?
ChrisFL
Premium Member
Ooh!! Ooh!! Me!! Me!! :sohappy:
Ironically WDW itself breeds this kind of behavior in the way they have set up vacation planning, with Fastpass, DDP, etc. Their target market is the family who plans all of their vacation 6 months in advance. That is why it's a difficult fit for WDW to try to also cater to locals the way DL does.
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