Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom?

[jt04]

I know I'm going to regret asking this, but exactly how is the current show not "family oriented"?

The saga of American history does not need to be 'dumbed down' with 'toons for children. That's simply ludicrous. Are you suggesting that kids today are less intelligent or less capable of understanding than were children of two or three decades ago? The presentation certainly wasn't 'over the heads' of young people back in the 1980's.

Did not say it was not currently suitable for families. What I am saying is that sections of the presentation are too mature for some age groups. I am saying it would be easy to have an edited version that is also reimagined for younger families as part of a rethinking of World Showcase in general. It would be just one aspect of a new business model for Epcot that goes along with adding Frozen in Norway. Simple.

 

[jt04]

What is in the show that younger guests can't relate to or learn about American history from? Benjamin Franklin? Mark Twain? The horror of the Civil War told through the story of a family who were torn apart by it? Slavery? America's role in World War II? You're making an assumption, nothing more, and using it as a basis for butchering a classic attraction.

The show covers such events as the American Civil War and World War II so parts of the show are going to be serious, it shouldn't be sugar-coated or rushed through in any way.

The American Adventure is as as patriotic as you can get, I'm not even an American and that music and montage put tears in my eyes every single time, I feel a sense of pride that I shouldn't but that's the effect that the show has.

Your suggestions for "improving" AA equate to nothing more than dumbing it down.

I do know that many of the subjects you include are not part of early education. Probably because they are complex issues that are not easily understood. They do not normally teach algebra in early education classes either for the same reason.

 

[jt04]

So Disney in 2014 needs to talk down in its guests where it didn't need to in 1982? Children can be raised to have an appreciation for the aesthetics. Surprisingly, there are some 7-year olds who enjoy art galleries and the like.

There are exceptions to every rule. But seriously, what percentage of guests under ten have any idea why the ride vehicle passes under an oil platform in Norway or even why trolls appear. However, Frozen can be be related to by the masses. Leave edutainment to other media, WDW should be a bit more entertainment oriented.

 

[jt04]

I agree... It is a complex story, and I believe this attraction does a great job at telling the tale as quickly as can be told, hitting the high notes in history, and tugging some heart strings... It always makes me feel inspired and proud to be an American.....And while none of us can truly know what "Walt would do", I believe this attraction is something he would be very proud of...it is the continuation of his work with Mr. Lincoln...It was truly inspired by Walt's legacy of patriotism.

And nobody is suggesting the show be removed. I am suggesting it be restored to its original content and a second show added that is featured during the day. But I repeat and repeat and repeat that point.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There are exceptions to every rule. But seriously, what percentage of guests under ten have any idea why the ride vehicle passes under an oil platform in Norway or even why trolls appear. However, Frozen can be be related to by the masses. Leave edutainment to other media, WDW should be a bit more entertainment oriented.

Plenty of guests under ten also had a good day if they didn't pee their pants and like to eat dirt.

 

[jt04]

Plenty of guests under ten also had a good day if they didn't pee their pants and like to eat dirt.

As usual you add to the conversation in your own unique way.

 

[FrankLapidus]

I do know that many of the subjects you include are not part of early education. Probably because they are complex issues that are not easily understood. They do not normally teach algebra in early education classes either for the same reason.

The show is a theatrical retelling of key moments in American history. How do you present such a show and omit the Civil War, slavery and World War II?

History is complex by its very nature, if any parent feels that the show is not appropriate for their children then that is up to them. But you are never too young to begin to learn your history.

The show does not need to be touched, and nor will it be.

 

[cw1982]

Leave edutainment to other media, WDW should be a bit more entertainment oriented.

And this right here is the most telling thing you have said in days.

As a teacher, I'm very disturbed that you're actually coming out and saying that entertainment should completely bypass edutainment, as you called it. News flash. Kids learn best when they're intrugued. That doesn't always happen when they're seeing the same characters they already know. More often the things that make them curious and want to learn more are the things they know so little about. If the pavilions become all about entertainment, children everywhere have lost a great opportunity to learn something in a meaningful way that is more likely to stick with them.

I would want my children to have fun at Epcot, but having fun doesn't have to mean not learning.

 

[FrankLapidus]

I think I puked the dinner I'm about to have


To be fair...amazing AA's and ride system underneath the theater. But the show is boring and too patriotic which sounds like another show in another park

I don't think its possible to be "too patriotic". And I don't agree that the show is boring in the slightest.

To each their own but as a non-American I think its an absolutely brilliant show and I would be delighted if Disney produced one of such quality that chronicled the history of my own country in such a way.

 

[Gomer]

There are exceptions to every rule. But seriously, what percentage of guests under ten have any idea why the ride vehicle passes under an oil platform in Norway or even why trolls appear. However, Frozen can be be related to by the masses. Leave edutainment to other media, WDW should be a bit more entertainment oriented.

Amazing thing about kids....if you tell them why the oil rig is there and what trolls are, then they'll know. And they'll like the ride more for it. If we only showed kids what they already know, they'd be watching sesame street and eating baby food into their 80's.

 

[jt04]

The show is a theatrical retelling of key moments in American history. How do you present such a show and omit the Civil War, slavery and World War II?

History is complex by its very nature, if any parent feels that the show is not appropriate for their children then that is up to them. But you are never to young to begin to learn your history.

The show does not need to be touched, and nor will it be.

Sorry but the show has already been touched sadly a couple decades ago.

Walt Disney provided plenty of examples of history for different age groups. That would be a good template to follow.

Again, nobody is saying get rid of the current show. Just suggesting adding a new show during the day that is similar to some of the content Walt provided back in his day.

 

[FrankLapidus]

Sorry but the show has already been touched sadly a couple decades ago.

Walt Disney provided plenty of examples of history for different age groups. That would be a good template to follow.

Again, nobody is saying get rid of the current show. Just suggesting adding a new show during the day that is similar to some of the content Walt provided back in his day.

Its perfectly fine as it is and doesn't need any of the changes that you are suggesting.

If its too complex for you then feel free to give it a miss if you ever do make it back to WDW one of these days.

 

[jt04]

And this right here is the most telling thing you have said in days.

As a teacher, I'm very disturbed that you're actually coming out and saying that entertainment should completely bypass edutainment, as you called it. News flash. Kids learn best when they're intrugued. That doesn't always happen when they're seeing the same characters they already know. More often the things that make them curious and want to learn more are the things they know so little about. If the pavilions become all about entertainment, children everywhere have lost a great opportunity to learn something in a meaningful way that is more likely to stick with them.

I would want my children to have fun at Epcot, but having fun doesn't have to mean not learning.

Edutainment has become a bit passse in a theme park setting. Perhaps the emphasis should be put back on inspiration and patriotism. Good old fashion love of country. We seem to have forgotten that largely. Which explains so much I might add.

 

[Matt_Black]

There needs to be a holographic Abe Lincoln surfing a bald eagle while playing Hendrix's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner while Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty make out.

 

[jt04]

Its perfectly fine as it is and doesn't need any of the changes that you are suggesting.

If its too complex for you then feel free to give it a miss if you ever do make it back to WDW one of these days.

An easier way would be just go to the original version and not the new version if it does not suit you. Both options would be available. Like green and orange over at Mission Space.

 

[Gomer]

Edutainment has become a bit passse in a theme park setting. Perhaps the emphasis should be put back on inspiration and patriotism. Good old fashion love of country. We seem to have forgotten that largely. Which explains so much I might add.

America definitely needs more undereducated but blindly patriotic people. Can't have enough of those.

 

[wdwmagic]

Can we take the rework of AA to the Imagineering board please. It is off topic.

 

[FrankLapidus]

An easier way would be just go to the original version and not the new version if it does not suit you. Both options would be available. Like green and orange over at Mission Space.

Completely and utterly pointless.

Its not going to happen in any event and perhaps your little ideas for turning World Showcase into a kids-zone by day and adults-only by night would be better placed in the Imagineering sub-forum.

 

[jt04]

But if we're dumbing down history every chance we get, kids have less reason to feel that sense of patriotism that you're saying should be pushed. Dumbing it down to make it less educational will not give kids any reason to feel patriotic other than "because the characters say so," which for most kids just leads to the question of why, and if they can't find the answer, they'll often give up and move on to learning the next thing. Besides, kids often model their parents. When they see their parents reacting with pride to the current show, that means more to them than watching a kiddie show that bores mom and dad to tears.

Teaching to a childs level in not "dumbing down". In the same way 1st graders are not taught calculus. That is not a case of dumbing down a teaching plan. There a plenty of examples at WDW of shows aimed at younger children and the parents enjoy the experience through their children. Sadly though, there are few examples at Epcot. Which could easily be remedied without losing much of the current content.

 

[jt04]

Can we take the rework of AA to the Imagineering board please. It is off topic.

I will limit my ideas to Frozen at WS in this thread. Thanks.