Extinct Attractions DVDs

[Desperad07]

I wanted to get everyone's opinion of the Extinct Attractions Club. I always avoided unofficial DVD sites (like Extinct or Jeff Lange) because I didn't think it could offer much value. But I keep coming back to Extinct and the descriptions on the site certainly seem to get as close to official as they can, with lots of Disney folks participating. I would then presume the quality to be worthy. But all I've ever seen are the Quicktime clips on their site. Anyone have good words to say about these?

 

[ChrisFL]

I have bought several DVD's from them before:

If you had Wings
1964 World's Fair
Horizons
World of Motion
Communicore
American Adventure
Peoplemover

Overall I've been satisfied with most of them, the only one I thought was lacking a bit was the Communicore one, though it did include the Cronkite version of SSE.

Most have interviews with the imagineers and history of the attractions from planning to finish.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

I own several of the EPCOT Center DVDs, and I am satisfied with them. I think they're maybe a little bit overpriced, but I think at least some of the profits go to charity, so that's okay.

I will say that I think Martin's ride-through videos are far superior (and free!). The Extinct Attractions DVDs have some nice extras, for example the Horizons DVD has a cute Cast video, but as far as the meat and potatoes go, Martin does an awesome job editing his ride-throughs.

 

[Teenchy]

I own several of the EPCOT Center DVDs, and I am satisfied with them. I think they're maybe a little bit overpriced, but I think at least some of the profits go to charity, so that's okay.

I will say that I think Martin's ride-through videos are far superior (and free!). The Extinct Attractions DVDs have some nice extras, for example the Horizons DVD has a cute Cast video, but as far as the meat and potatoes go, Martin does an awesome job editing his ride-throughs.

Totally agree. Martin has great videos but I also have purchased and enjoy several of the EAC DVD's. AS the other poster said many of their videos are more than just a ride through or walk through. Many have interviews with active and retired Imagineers, including many of the legends. Also several have "great history behind the ride" type information and the changes and transformation of the rides over the years.

 

[marni1971]

Aside from Interviews which are a bit difficult being over this side of the pond, I have been told my videos are far better for the actual attraction section. I also try to go over the top in my `Ultimate` series, and others, with concepts, construction, backstory and changes since an attraction opened. I`m not shamelessly plugging (its been done for me, thank you ) but you do have a choice not to spend anything and get a similar product I believe.

If you do want to take the route of purchased DVDs, may I suggest JeffLangeDVD.com ? His videos are pure attraction-based, but the quality and content far suppasses anything I`ve seen for sale elsewhere. In particular his Horizons disc (as I`ve said before) has a ridethru that looks like it was shot yesterday the quality is that good.

 

[Horizonstta]

I agree with Martin. This issue has been discussed in other threads. I personally have issues with some of the content that is for sale there, and I think Jeff Lange's DVDs are far superior in both content and quality. And please, don't purchase the audio that is for sale at Extinct Attractions. It is easily obtained through other sources.

 

[Desperad07]

.

Thanks all. This was really helpful. I have gone the free download route many times before (particularly with Martin's stuff) and I really dig it. But what appealed to me here was the historical/documentary style appeal since I'm such a geek for that whole thing. (I salivate over construction footage!) And i'm looking for a little more than ride-through. Clearly it looks like my best bet is to just sample a few videos from each and see what I like best. I see no better starting point than old favorite Horizons!

 

[Little Green Men]

I got Jeff Lange's 25th Anniversary Edition of JII. I really like it. It has many different ride throughs of the original attraction, and 2 different videos in the upstairs Imageworks. It also has JIYI with all of the original queue videos, and an overview of the Imageworks. It also has JIIwF, and an overview of the current state of the Imageworks. Then it has photos of an overview of things in all 3 versions of the pavilion, and a look at how the upstairs Imageworks look now. Anyway, it's a great DVD, the early recordings were a little fuzzy when it was really dark, but it was a long time ago, and it only lasts for a few minutes. The later recordings are perfect though, and the last few original JII recordings are good too. Not fuzzy like the earlier ones.

 

[ChrisQ]

Aside from Interviews which are a bit difficult being over this side of the pond, I have been told my videos are far better for the actual attraction section. I also try to go over the top in my `Ultimate` series, and others, with concepts, construction, backstory and changes since an attraction opened. I`m not shamelessly plugging (its been done for me, thank you ) but you do have a choice not to spend anything and get a similar product I believe.

Martin, where do I go to find your videos? Thanks...

 

[marni1971]

Martin, where do I go to find your videos? Thanks...

WDWMagic has some older ones (pay for bandwidth). The full (about 130+ now!) selection is always available for free at www.mousebits.com - a private torrent site. We only deal in rare and unreleased/fan media, not CDs from the stores or movie DVDs. Only a few people can upload, so the chance of a virus or similar is negligable we hope.

Any problems, have a look in the FAQs in the forum there or post a question :wave:

I always keep an up to date list of all my work in the messages at http://groups.msn.com/martinsvideos too.

 

[daliseurat]

I have several EA DVDs I like. Walt's Railroad, Mine Train through Natures Wilderness, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Monorail Story, People Mover. What I like are the interviews and some archival footage from peoples home movies and some rare Disney stuff. You just can't beat hearing stories from Rolly Crump, Alice Davis, Bob Gurr and more. Some DVD's are 2 disc and some are really short. I will say that their ride-thru's are weak. The just are usually one take ride thrus or cobbled together ride thrus using wahtever footage they could find. WHich isn't so bad for really old attractions. But the interviews are good. I always wait for a sale or free shipping. I highly recommend WALT's RAILROAD.

That said, Martin absolutely does the BEST ride thrus with terrific audio mix. He also mixes in good historical stuff. But no interviews.

It depends on what you are looking for. Martin's are free, so you should check them out. And I would recommend EA stuff if you want interviews. If Martin sold his, I would definitely buy them, they are that good.