Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[lazyboy97o]

They were an easy option that was wanted by the guests; the masses, if you will.

People say they want to see what they know. That is why creatives are employed to create new things as so wonderfully stated by @Gomer.

The Masses did not necessarily want characters...they wanted more to do... ways to entertain the kids... In truth EPCOT needed more attractions as everyone knows...they needed quality updates to some existing attractions... They never did need characters added to the park. It just seems to have been a cheap way to bring up some guest satisfaction without any meaningful investment back into the park...Why create a new attraction when you can hire a college kid to wear a costume... TDO has been getting away with this for years...

EPCOT Center never hurt for visitors or money. It was never a bore that people avoided and all of the hip stuff has failed to keep it as popular in terms of visitation or as a piece of culture.

 

[dadddio]

In all fairness, the average day guests are thick / don't care / know no better.

Lowest common denominator and all that.

A lot of members here have higher standards.

I think that what I like the most about your post is that you didn't load it up with smileys. You allow the reader to read the sarcasm into it.

Bravo.

 

[dadddio]

Listening to the people is just about the dumbest thing you can do in the entertainment industry, be they in theme parks or on message boards. There is a reason we don’t make our own movies, write our own books, create our own TV shows, and design our own theme parks. And it is because, no matter what we may think of our own abilities, there are far more talented people in the world who can come up with far better ideas than we can.

I don’t want to go to Disney World to see something I tell them I want to see. I want them to come up with something so good, I would have never thought to ask for it. Something more, something better that exceeds my expectations. If meeting the expectations of the public had been enough for Walt, Disney theme parks wouldn’t exist at all and we’d be chatting about the chipping paint on this year’s tilt-a-whirl at the local state fair.

One wonders why the company bothers with guest surveys and feedback.

 

[marni1971]

I think that what I like the most about your post is that you didn't load it up with smileys. You allow the reader to read the sarcasm into it.

Bravo.

Yeah. Smileys need another button press on an iPad. But thanks!

 

[dadddio]

EPCOT Center never hurt for visitors or money. It was never a bore that people avoided and all of the hip stuff has failed to keep it as popular in terms of visitation or as a piece of culture.

I'm confused. Either EPCOT has never had attendance problems or the changes were unable to turn these problems around. I don't think that both can be true.

Either way, I think that you ignore the families who have small children who are bored to death in WS. Ignoring these families certainly would suggest problems.

 

[Mike S]

I'm confused. Either EPCOT has never had attendance problems or the changes were unable to turn these problems around. I don't think that both can be true.

Either way, I think that you ignore the families who have small children who are bored to death in WS. Ignoring these families certainly would suggest problems.

Wouldn't be a problem if there were more rides. Don't have to be toon based.

 

[dadddio]

Wouldn't be a problem if there were more rides. Don't have to be toon based.

True.

That being said, I really don't understand why some people are upset by the company using it's IP in the attractions. People like the characters, so it makes them want to go on the ride. Perhaps it even makes them enjoy the ride a little more. Why is that a problem?

 

[marni1971]

True. That being said, I really don't understand why some people are that upset by the company using it's IP in the attractions.

The park was meant to be something different. The IPs have two other ideal places to live. IMHO.

EPCOT Center is dead. No doubt.

But Epcot of tomorrow should be as awe inspiring, daring, radical, positive and advanced as the original was in 1982.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm confused. Either EPCOT has never had attendance problems or the changes were unable to turn these problems around. I don't think that both can be true.

Either way, I think that you ignore the families who have small children who are bored to death in WS. Ignoring these families certainly would suggest problems.

The park's attendance was just as high and higher when it was supposedly boring.

True.

That being said, I really don't understand why some people are upset by the company using it's IP in the attractions. People like the characters, so it makes them want to go on the ride. Perhaps it even makes them enjoy the ride a little more. Why is that a problem?

Because at present it stems from the idea that theme parks are not a respectable form of entertainment and the choices are based on box office and merchandising. The classic in-park properties include a lot of box office disappointments.

 

[Gomer]

One wonders why the company bothers with guest surveys and feedback.

Guest surveys are necessary for determining satisfaction with what is in the park currently in terms service level, quality control, and guest behavior patterns. That doesn’t mean they should be used to dictate creative direction. You don’t see the new Star Wars script being written based on guest surveys, because that isn’t how the creative process works.

Executive 1: Well, it seems 85% of movie goers surveyed loved Frozen and think we should incorporate into more of our products.
Executive 2: Well then, since the public asked for it, JJ do you think you can fit a talking snowman into those Hoth scenes you’re writing?

At least, I sincerely hope this isn’t how it’s happening. Point being, theme parks should have a cohesive creative vision designed by talented artists, not focus groups. Otherwise they become the vacant money machines that those with less love of Disney than I always accuse them of being.

 

[dadddio]

Guest surveys are necessary for determining satisfaction with what is in the park currently in terms service level, quality control, and guest behavior patterns.

Then why do the survey people as they enter the parks? Why do they ask questions like 'Would you like more characters in the park? What Star Wars lands would you like to see?

 

[dadddio]

At least, I sincerely hope this isn’t how it’s happening. Point being, theme parks should have a cohesive creative vision designed by talented artists, not focus groups. Otherwise they become the vacant money machines that those with less love of Disney than I always accuse them of being.

Since your post went perilously close to 'What would Walt do?', I can't help but ask: didn't Mr. Disney change parts of DL because of customer reactions?

 

[wdisney9000]

Either way, I think that you ignore the families who have small children who are bored to death in WS. Ignoring these families certainly would suggest problems.

My sisters two kids are 7 and 10 and my brother has 2 kids under the age of 10. We never get bored in ECPOT. Those kids will spend hours in WS without asking "what are we gonna ride next?" They love meeting the natives of the countries and saying hello and goodbye in foreign languages and getting their autograph book signed by them. As adults, we enjoy teaching them about the cultures and ask questions later to see what they learned and Im always amazed at the information they take away from the experience.

It takes just a little encouragement from the parents to show the kids how many cool features WS has. The entertainment value of a theme park does not have to always rely on rides and characters.

 

[Gomer]

Then why do the survey people as they enter the parks? Why do they ask questions like 'Would you like more characters in the park? What Star Wars lands would you like to see?

Are you implying that because they do it that it must be correct?

I think it is clear from the Maelstom decision that they are listening to guest feedback too much. Those surveys, along with many other factors, are part of the problem.

 

[dadddio]

My sisters two kids are 7 and 10 and my brother has 2 kids under the age of 10. We never get bored in ECPOT. Those kids will spend hours in WS without asking "what are we gonna ride next?" They love meeting the natives of the countries and saying hello and goodbye in foreign languages and getting their autograph book signed by them. As adults, we enjoy teaching them about the cultures and ask questions later to see what they learned and Im always amazed at the information they take away from the experience.

It takes just a little encouragement from the parents to show the kids how many cool features WS has. The entertainment value of a theme park does not have to always rely on rides and characters.

That's great for you. My kids are bored in WS. If it weren't for the character interactions and P&F, I think that they would violently mutiny

 

[dadddio]

Are you implying that because they do it that it must be correct?

I think it is clear from the Maelstom decision that they are listening to guest feedback too much. Those surveys, along with many other factors, are part of the problem.

I think that you are wrong. I think that making guests happy is what they should be trying to do. In order to do that, you must actually listen to your customers, not merely do what a relatively few cranks on the internet want you to do.

It should be noted that I don't for a moment buy the argument that the cranks are somewhat smarter than everyone else.

 

[marni1971]

That's great for you. My kids are bored in WS. If it weren't for the character interactions and P&F, I think that they would violently mutiny

Take em to the MK. Simples.

Epcot was never intended to be a kiddy park.

 

[Gomer]

Since your post went perilously close to 'What would Walt do?', I can't help but ask: didn't Mr. Disney change parts of DL because of customer reactions?

I’m not one of those “Mr. Disney can do no wrong folks” so that argument doesn’t really fly with me. The man was a master of making money and knew how to manipulate the masses with the best of them. He just managed to maintain some creative integrity while doing it.

That being said, you are mixing my words again as if I said all guest feedback should be disregarded. Guest feedback is important and should be taken as one of many factors. Just not the primary factor. If a part of a ride is too scary and needs to be toned down or guests won’t ride it, that is different than…”Frozen is popular now so we have to shove it anywhere we can find space regardless of fit”

 

[dadddio]

Take em to the MK. Simples.

Epcot was never intended to be a kiddy park.

Epcot isn't just what you want it to be.

My suspicion is that they actually want all families to enjoy all parks so that they will maximize ticket sales

 

[marni1971]

Epcot isn't just what you want it to be.

I'm not aware I said that. Sorry you misunderstood.