El Rio Del Tiempo Refurb Question....

Epcot82Guy

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
Be cautious. Threads have been closed on this very topic for sparking debate. Just warning! :lol:

Suffice it to say, many don't care since it is a minor attraction. Many loved the attraction and hate to see it changed. Many wanted change, but think the importation of characters, especially into WS destroys what Epcot meant to them (and what drew them to it). Others think it is great to add to individual attractions to make them more relevant and updated. Others love the characters and welcome any addition of them anywhere since it is DISNEY World.

Specifically, there is a logical tie of these characters to Mexico (and South America). So, it is not as far-fetched as other current projects. Luckily, that doesn't seem to be the huge debate being waged on this decision. If they had to pick one, this one at least has a logical story as to why.

Pick your sides. The best way is to agree to disagree. If you fall into an anti-category, choose where the line is that Disney is no longer worth it. If you like it, by all means go and enjoy yourself.

(Think that sums it up). :p
 
CThaddeus

CThaddeus

New Member
I welcome this attraction upgrade. Donald, Panchito, and Jose are great representatives for the Mexican Pavilion, and though many may dread actually having to WAIT more than 10 seconds to go on El Rio Del Tiempo, that may be a good thing. I don't see why everyone has such a dislike of Disney characters in World Showcase. Mulan would make a perfect hostess for China, for example. As long as Disney does it tastefully, and still maintains both an appropriateness and the cultural heritage of the country, what is the problem?
Personally, though I love most of El Rio Del Tiempo, I find the whole bartering scene extremely distasteful. I cringe every time I pass through that area. If they were to even just replace that section with the audio-animatronic Caballeros, I would cheerfully stand up and yell "Ole!" Of course, then I'd be told to sit back down by the magic overhead voice and given a lecture by Disney security when I reached the unload area, but...
 
Magicot

Magicot

Member
This is the way I see it. The main objective of El Rio del Tiempo is to inform the guest of the history, culture, and people of Mexico. I don't see why this objective can't easily be achieved with the use of the 3 cabs as exploring visitors like ourselves. People say "not all 3 of them are Mexican- it won't work!!" But does everyone on this ride have to be Mexican? Are all of the tourists currently seen in hot tubs and diving off cliffs Mexican? No. What's wrong with replacing terribly cheesy and dated videos of tourists in Mexico with new animations of the 3 cabs enjoying and exploring the culture, just like we are?? (Plus a nice refurb/cleaning of the ride)

As far as the "no characters in Epcot rule," it all has to do with the evolution of a theme park. No 'rules' will last forever. Also, when Goofy educated us on health in Wonders of Life, and when Simba educated us on preserving the earth in The Land, were our experiences ruined with these darn Disney characters?
 
Epcot82Guy

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
Magicot said:
As far as the "no characters in Epcot rule," it all has to do with the evolution of a theme park. No 'rules' will last forever. Also, when Goofy educated us on health in Wonders of Life, and when Simba educated us on preserving the earth in The Land, were our experiences ruined with these darn Disney characters?
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To some of us, yes. We didn't see the point and didn't like the approach. But, we chose not to go (Circle of Life was for a long time one of my most disliked attractions for multiple reasons). Just like you (or at least people similarly situated to your argument) chose not to go on ERDT, some of us may choose to ride the new attraction once and not again. It's up to Disney to design and then decide whether this is a good move. I would simply point out that characters a good attraction does not make - Circle of Life is, overall, poorly attended as was Goofy about Health. It's a completely ongoing debate with clear sides. I do honestly hope they do it well and that you enjoy it. I may simply be one of those bodies not in line anymore because the "rule" that has changed was a bit part of what drew me to Epcot and MK as it was in the 1980's and early 1990's. To each his own. :wave:
 
Magicot

Magicot

Member
Epcot82Guy said:
To some of us, yes. We didn't see the point and didn't like the approach. But, we chose not to go (Circle of Life was for a long time one of my most disliked attractions for multiple reasons). Just like you (or at least people similarly situated to your argument) chose not to go on ERDT, some of us may choose to ride the new attraction once and not again. It's up to Disney to design and then decide whether this is a good move. I would simply point out that characters a good attraction does not make - Circle of Life is, overall, poorly attended as was Goofy about Health. It's a completely ongoing debate with clear sides. I do honestly hope they do it well and that you enjoy it. I may simply be one of those bodies not in line anymore because the "rule" that has changed was a bit part of what drew me to Epcot and MK as it was in the 1980's and early 1990's. To each his own. :wave:
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Please don't include me in that statement! I think you misunderstood me. I very much enjoy the way ERdT is now and I go on it every time I'm in Epcot. However, with what I hear will be happening to the attraction, I try to look at these unavoidable changes in a positive way rather than worry or reject the idea. Honestly, if it was up to me, I wouldn't add the 3 cabs, but that's not the case. They are definitely coming and I'm only trying to see the good in this situation. Maybe it'll be a good thing? I guess we'll see.
 
Epcot82Guy

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
Magicot said:
Please don't include me in that statement! I think you misunderstood me. I very much enjoy the way ERdT is now and I go on it every time I'm in Epcot. However, with what I hear will be happening to the attraction, I try to look at these unavoidable changes in a positive way rather than worry or reject the idea. Honestly, if it was up to me, I wouldn't add the 3 cabs, but that's not the case. They are definitely coming and I'm only trying to see the good in this situation. Maybe it'll be a good thing? I guess we'll see.
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My apologies. I misunderstood your take from your previous post. Shall we say the masses that chose not to ride ERDT then. :D

I guess, overall, I don't think this is going to change much in numbers. I personally feel with what has been said it will be a greater risk going in than a benefit coming out. But, you are absolutely correct: "I guess we'll see" (and soon by Disney rehab standards).
 
DisneyMusician2

DisneyMusician2

Well-Known Member
One of the reasons this rehab makes me happy is the proposed change to include some classic Disney characters. I really enjoy when Disney pulls up some old faces and finds a great way to reintroduce them to the general public (a.k.a. Song of the South for Splash Mountain). Now if we could only get a Sword in the Stone ride, we'd be well on our way....
 
PrinceAndysMom

PrinceAndysMom

New Member
Original Poster
I really think the charactors are better suited at other locations. Epcot is supposed to be Epcot. If you watch the film of Walt promoting the Epcot concept, there is not a charactor to be found. Charactors themselves are not necessarilly bad, but they can be "misplaced" at times. I am all for progress, but I am not a fan of turning Epcot into "Majic Kingdom, Part 2".
 
mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
PrinceAndysMom said:
I really think the charactors are better suited at other locations. Epcot is supposed to be Epcot. If you watch the film of Walt promoting the Epcot concept, there is not a charactor to be found. Charactors themselves are not necessarilly bad, but they can be "misplaced" at times. I am all for progress, but I am not a fan of turning Epcot into "Majic Kingdom, Part 2".
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Walt Disney had nothing to do with the building or design of Epcot the park.
 
DisneyMusician2

DisneyMusician2

Well-Known Member
Remember that Walt did not conceive EPCOT as a park AT ALL. The "no-character" idea was a concept brought to the forefront by Disney's associates. Just thought I'd mention it.
 
mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
PrinceAndysMom said:
Of course not, that is why I said "original concept" not building or design or park.
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You said Walt doesn't mention characters in the Epcot concept...

The imagineers who created Epcot specificly created Imagination with Figment and dreamfinder for the purpose of creating Disney characters for Epcot to have. They felt it would otherwise be cold and sterile. If you watch the Today Show interviews with imagineers from the preview period when the park was opening, there's a sequence with Dreamfinder and he's being interviews and he says (paraphrase) "I feel I'm just like Mickey Mouse or Donald or Goofy" because the Imagineer also in the interview (I believe it was Tony Baxter) says they needed to bring the heart and warmth to the park to keep it from being cold and sterile.
 
PrinceAndysMom

PrinceAndysMom

New Member
Original Poster
mousermerf said:
You said Walt doesn't mention characters in the Epcot concept...

The imagineers who created Epcot specificly created Imagination with Figment and dreamfinder for the purpose of creating Disney characters for Epcot to have. They felt it would otherwise be cold and sterile. If you watch the Today Show interviews with imagineers from the preview period when the park was opening, there's a sequence with Dreamfinder and he's being interviews and he says (paraphrase) "I feel I'm just like Mickey Mouse or Donald or Goofy" because the Imagineer also in the interview (I believe it was Tony Baxter) says they needed to bring the heart and warmth to the park to keep it from being cold and sterile.
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Um.....ok? I think this is getting a bit silly now....way, way off topic. If you are looking to "argue", I don't think this is the right venue for that. If you want to discuss the 3 cabs charactors being added to ERDT, then let's discuss it. :hammer:
 
mousermerf

mousermerf

Account Suspended
PrinceAndysMom said:
Um.....ok? I think this is getting a bit silly now....way, way off topic. If you are looking to "argue", I don't think this is the right venue for that. If you want to discuss the 3 cabs charactors being added to ERDT, then let's discuss it. :hammer:
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It is on topic - it just blows your arguement out of the water.

You stated that Epcot wasn't designed to have characters. It was.

It was since day 1. There is proof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egKmeb0MlOo

Designed by the Imagineers and intended since the beginning. Epcot was meant to have characters, they were worried it was too sterile, and have brought more in since the park opened to correct the problems they've faced.
 
E

Eyorefan

Active Member
mousermerf said:
It is on topic - it just blows your arguement out of the water.

You stated that Epcot wasn't designed to have characters. It was.

It was since day 1. There is proof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egKmeb0MlOo

Designed by the Imagineers and intended since the beginning. Epcot was meant to have characters, they were worried it was too sterile, and have brought more in since the park opened to correct the problems they've faced.
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Thanks for posting that. I maybe part of the retarted public, but I like EPCOT with characters. I only got to go there once as a kid and I didn't enjoy it. I'm not saying that I agree with The Living Seas becomeing totally Nemofied, but I don't think characters should be bared from the park.
 
MojoMax

MojoMax

Member
I have mixed emotions on these types of changes. I still love Epcot for many reasons, but I am not a fan of the changes to the future world rides, and now some of the world showcase. I always loved the cool way of experiencing the educational side of EPCOT. Ahh the memories. Alas, what we are to be left with. :lookaroun
 

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