Guardians Tower announcement Saturday in SD ...

[Californian Elitist]

Lots of posts, still catching up. If things turned hostile and the mods had to step in, I apologize. My comments were directed towards the people who wrote the petition and not anyone in particular in this community.

I'm not name-calling due to disagreement, I'm name-calling based on a point that is objectively nonsensical. Arguing that The Twilight Zone is superior to Guardians of the Galaxy because you don't like IP is nonsensical. It's like arguing that you think Maelstrom is better than Frozen because you prefer boat rides. It doesn't apply because it's the same thing.

Well whether Steve stepped in or not, isn't it common decency to be respectful?

Name-calling for whatever reason here is not okay. You could have said what you said and still made your point without calling folks here "dummies."

Back on topic now.

 

[Disone]

Perhaps, as sad as this is to say, TWDC needs to use the IP in the title of its attractions because it is accounting for the genetic ability of its average park guest.

Maybe. I did notice a billboard along a road way that advertised " new Frozen attraction at Epcot". It struck me that it did not say new Frozen Ever After now at Epcot. When Disney opened Space Mountain but they say no space roller coaster open at Magic Kingdom? When they opened Big Thunder today is a new Mine Train roller coaster open? When they open the Tower of Terror that they say new drop ride open at movie studios themed entertainment venue?

 

[ScottKC]

ToT at DCA peeks out from behind various places but is not the majestic anchor(or "Weenie"...if you prefer) like it is at DHS where it is the terminus of the incredible Sunset Blvd. At DCA you see a sort of "Streets of America" mural that is supposed to draw you down Hollywood Blvd Backlot, then when you get there you hang a right and you are like-"Oh..hey it's the Tower of Terror" right after you walk by the outdoor staging area(or "lobby") for the Hyperion Theater....I think you are supposed to be on a movie set/backlot whereas at DHS you are supposed to really be in Hollywood.

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Buckle up. If you disagree in any way with The Narrative, you're obviously a TDO shill.

There's a big difference in voicing a differing opinion (which is what you did in a logical way) and posting for the first time ever with the sole purpose of toting the company line (which the other poster did).

I wouldn't put you both in the same category and neither should you.

 

[Disone]

It *is* a bit sad that so many people have to comment on his ear, but Rhode isn't exactly the definition of the Walt Disney tradition. I respect the man and his creativity, and I would imagine he has gotten far in the company because he stands so far apart from what the rest of his fellow Disney employees are supposed to look like.

Still... if all employees are supposed to be held accountable to a certain business look, he shouldn't be granted an excuse to be so outwardly defiant of his employers definition of suitable dress standards - regardless of how creative he is (#DiscoYeti, Rivers of Light, DinoLand USA).

The Disney look guidelines do not adhere to the cast members of Walt Disney imagineering or animation. Joe Rohde is not Bending the Rules and Breaking the Rules he works for Department that the rules do not apply to.

 

[asianway]

There's a big difference in voicing a differing opinion (which is what you did in a logical way) and creating a new account with the sole purpose of toting the company line (which the other poster did).

I wouldn't both you both in the same category and neither should you.

In 2011.

 

[TalkingHead]

In situations like this, I wonder whether there's any middle ground between pixie-dust addict and the hand-wringers?

Because I saw someone online shrilly describe this as a "craven" decision, and I thought, "Who can be bothered to care that much?"

 

[Sue_Vongello]

In 2011.

Yikes. You're right. I should have noticed that. But still ... I'll edit my previous comment.

 

[mmartin046]

There's a big difference in voicing a differing opinion (which is what you did in a logical way) and creating a new account with the sole purpose of toting the company line (which the other poster did).

I wouldn't both you both in the same category and neither should you.

Sue--I refer you to my last post about conspiracy theorists.

It has long been my understanding that Walt's company was driven by creativity, which is an abstract quality. If it is your position that a Disney Park be tangible, which means clear, definite, and real, then there is no reason whatsoever for elaborate theming. Real would be a ride devoid of theming with a fitting moniker. If it is necessary for Disney California Adventure to be real, as you say, why not simply build rides like this:

It is certainly tangible because the colors are appropriate for the name.

Disneyland: Tomorrowland. Fantasyland. Frontierland. Adventureland. Future DCA: Marvel and Pixar lands. I think you know what I meant by "tangible" in terms of successful Disney parks having lands and a coherent layout.

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Sue--I refer you to my last post about conspiracy theorists.


Disneyland: Tomorrowland. Fantasyland. Frontierland. Adventureland. Future DCA: Marvel and Pixar lands. I think you know what I meant by "tangible" in terms of successful Disney parks having lands and a coherent layout.

I'd love to be proven wrong.

 

[ford91exploder]

There's a big difference in voicing a differing opinion (which is what you did in a logical way) and posting for the first time ever with the sole purpose of toting the company line (which the other poster did).

I wouldn't put you both in the same category and neither should you.

Be nice to the Cap'n he actually admits he works for a Disney company as such it's hard to fault him for taking a positive view of the company's actions as a whole.

 

[marni1971]

Hey @marni1971 -- Would the deletion of the Fifth Dimension scene in Tower Gen2 have anything to do with the original tower's Fifth Dimension design having mirrors on the floor and ceiling?

Did it *ever* correctly function with the mirrors?

Is the placement of the now-removed-mirrors why the lights are sideways in the Fifth Dimension?

I can't say I noticed the mirrors were missing last year. But I didn't look if you know what I mean.

The wall lights being sideways originally - when the lighting cues were spot on - gave the appearance when the 5th D doors first opened from shafts A-D of looking down an elevator. It was a very surreal effect.

One effect that was deactivated was a smoke effect behind the glass panels left and right. It kind of gave an infinity effect and made the room feel much larger.

The biggest reasons for the change of style were a) cost and b) tracking issues. As we know, the AGVs in Orlando are very clever and very expensive. The ride vehicles elsewhere are "dumb". That is they don't drive theirselves, have no internal power or batteries to recharge and don't need to be tracked. The WDW AGVs position can be lost from the RCS if a park map or litter falls above the buried cable. This causes an E stop and is not infrequent. Removing the autonomous guided part of the vehicle in DCA onwards gave better reliability but at the expense of show. There were other solutions but like we saw with Imagaintion better to remove the problem than to fix it.

 

[ford91exploder]

Disney absolutely is not "investing heavily in this attraction". Disney is doing this exactly because it's (for Disney) inexpensive.

Inexpensive can be good. However, let's keep in mind that this is an overlay. The basic ride system will remain largely untouched. Bells and whistles aside, it's still the same basic attraction.

As such, this adds nothing. It replaces one popular attraction with another in a shallow attempt to cash in on a popular IP and fool people (like you) into thinking that corporate Disney is doing something of substance.

This "new" attraction is all style, no substance.

Or as the Texans say all Hat and no cattle. Pretty good metaphor for Disney these days where they just cheaply shoehorn the $RANDOM_POPULAR_DISNEY_IP anywhere there is a space for it whether it fits or not. To think this is what we used to criticize Universal for doing...

 

[Disone]

I have to often take a step by and ask myself why I get so bent out of shape over something so minuscule as a theme park attraction, one which I have never been on in this case, getting a makeover. At the end of the day, this doesn't affect my life in literally any shape or form, so why am I bothering?

I have totally caught myself doing the same thing.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I am firmly opposed to this ride change but I have to give @RSoxNo1 credit for crafting a very intelligent, thoughtful, and logical counter argument; that may have softened me a bit ... may ... a bit.

It's what I do.

 

[RSoxNo1]

People dislike Rohde because Disney shareholders and executives want marvel thrown into something.

What does that have to do with Rohde?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Disney absolutely is not "investing heavily in this attraction". Disney is doing this exactly because it's (for Disney) inexpensive.

Inexpensive can be good. However, let's keep in mind that this is an overlay. The basic ride system will remain largely untouched. Bells and whistles aside, it's still the same basic attraction.

As such, this adds nothing. It replaces one popular attraction with another in a shallow attempt to cash in on a popular IP and fool people (like you) into thinking that corporate Disney is doing something of substance.

This "new" attraction is all style, no substance.

"It Adds nothing". Not entirely true. It plays up familiarity which can be more easily sold. That's the benefit. We've long discussed this on here, but Disney is now in the familiarity business, not necessarily the quality business. They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but familiarity will always reign supreme under this leadership team.

 

[RSoxNo1]

ToT at DCA peeks out from behind various places but is not the majestic anchor(or "Weenie"...if you prefer) like it is at DHS where it is the terminus of the incredible Sunset Blvd. At DCA you see a sort of "Streets of America" mural that is supposed to draw you down Hollywood Blvd Backlot, then when you get there you hang a right and you are like-"Oh..hey it's the Tower of Terror" right after you walk by the outdoor staging area(or "lobby") for the Hyperion Theater....I think you are supposed to be on a movie set/backlot whereas at DHS you are supposed to really be in Hollywood.

It was originally called the Hollywood Backlot and is now called Hollywoodland. But that doesn't excuse the sightline issues that are currently present in that park around the Tower of Terror. Those issues are why I knock Cars Land down a peg for best themed land in the country. You can see a huge attraction that's unrelated looking in the distance.

 

[Daveeeeed]

What does that have to do with Rohde?

I agree. He's a great guy, with a great imagination. He makes the best of what he works with. I don't understand the criticism towards him.

 

[mmartin046]

I'd love to be proven wrong.

Of course, any argument that runs counter to a conspiracy becomes part of that conspiracy. Honestly--ToT is my favorite ride in WDW. I recently bought a preproduction script of that attraction from ebay, when it was known as "Hollywood Haunted Hotel" and had a different ride system akin to Cedar Point's "Demon Drop." The ToT in DCA is just kind of OK. The ride experience is underwhelming and, moreover, does not do the Twilight Zone license justice. The Orlando 5th dimension sequence is what ties the attraction's plot to the property, and it is missing from DCA due to budgetary constraints. I would welcome any effort to reinvest in the attraction, regardless of theming, because it cannot get less interesting, right? I kid.

Nostalgia is a powerful drug. When Maelstrom was rumored to be taken over by Frozen, many hardcore Epcot fans were up in arms. Where were all the Maelstrom fans before these rumors started circulating? It always had a line but was at best a 3rd tier attraction. Now people are organizing vacations to experience its replacement. Ever since Disney invented the modern theme park in 1955, their parks have been a showcase for the company's properties and an opportunity for people to experience their favorite on-screen stories in an immersive themed environment. It would be a disservice to the millions of guests who love Marvel and visit Disney parks if they could not experience a Marvel land were it not for some nostalgic red tape held in place by people who frequent Disney fan forums. The old Hollywood section of DCA, including Tower of Terror, serves little function and is the only barrier to having Marvel in the notoriously cramped Disneyland resort. Cut the red tape, let it go, and if you want Tower of Terror, forget the truncated version and make the pilgrimage to Orlando.