Guardians Tower announcement Saturday in SD ...

[DisneyDebRob]

I have often wondered how TWDC would react if an attraction announcement was made that resulted in guests boycotting a park in significant numbers.

Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever happen.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I think I am having an epiphany.

By adding brands to IPCOT, WDW is morphing towards the Universal park model.

Uni is not mimicking WDW, WDW is beginning to mimic UNI.

I've said this multiple times before. At least others are finally catching on.

Might also be a fun thing to mention to the WDI talking heads at the next D23.

 

[Mike S]

Agreed, but from a distance, people are pulled in by a major brand. "Twilight Zone" just doesn't resonate with today's potential guests like Marvel, Star Wars, or Guardians of the Galaxy. Yeah, it's great for those of us who know and love it, but we're already there. Disney is probably focused on the new people who aren't already there.

DCA is in the process of getting a whole land based on Marvel to draw those people in. I know DCA's Tower isn't as good as Orlando's based on personal experience but imo that's no excuse to shoehorn the Guardians into it. After all is said and done the "new" Tower may not even be within the actual confines of Marvel Land so it seems even more pointless.

I've said this multiple times before. At least others are finally catching on.

Might also be a fun thing to mention to the WDI talking heads at the next D23.

Like the ones who said "bring it on" in response to Potter one year?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This is a rare instance of Anaheim getting the short end of the stick. Rejoice WDW! Your glorious Epcot is now a themeless hodge podge of wine booths and IPs, but you're getting a full, brand-new attraction while Anaheim is getting the shoehorned overlay.

While I agree this overlay will pale in comparison to a new ride built from scratch, my assumption is that the completed Marvel Land planned for DCA will surpass WDW's lone Guardians ride. At least if they build it, and do it right.

 

[Suspirian]

Honestly I'll get over it not being centered around the Twilight Zone, I just want it to fit (although its not very likely). TOT was the only attraction in that land that made sense in the golden age hollywood theme they were going for after the remodel.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The enduring aspect of Tower of Terror is the story itself. You could remove all references to the Twilight Zone but keep the same story and it would still be great. My issue is that I don't see any conceivable way to turn the attraction into GotG without it being blatantly shoehorned in.

That's all the Tower of Terror at Disney land is. Disney World's Tower of Terror is another story.

Aside from a more grand exterior queue and not having the awkward loading/unloading hallway, the one defining difference in the towers is Florida's 5th dimension scene... an ineffective scene that nobody understands because it was poorly designed, filled with cheap plastic props, cheesy fiber optic effects, and audio that barely works. (oh, and random drop sequences... not sure why the other ToT's never got those since it's a fairly easy install...)

I'm being harsh to make a point. I know DHS's Tower has the upper hand, but to act like the others are "just drop towers" is ridiculous.

 

[mickEblu]

Of course they announce this at Comic Con. If they announced this at D23 they would be booed out of town.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

the one defining difference in the towers is Florida's 5th dimension scene... an ineffective scene that nobody understands because it was poorly designed, filled with cheap plastic props, cheesy fiber optic effects, and audio that barely works. (oh, and random drop sequences... not sure why the other ToT's never got those since it's a fairly easy install...)

I'm being harsh to make a point. I know DHS's Tower has the upper hand, but to act like the others are "just drop towers" is ridiculous.

There is a reason why the newer ToT's dropped (hah!) the fifth dimension scene. Like you say, it is an ineffective scene that merely detracts. As with movies, or DL into WDW's Pirates, common wisdom is to edit out that which detracts from the pace and story.

 

[180º]

The enduring aspect of Tower of Terror is the story itself. You could remove all references to the Twilight Zone but keep the same story and it would still be great. My issue is that I don't see any conceivable way to turn the attraction into GotG without it being blatantly shoehorned in.

Yup. That's the brilliance of ToT. It is IP based, but it's a completely original story, just using the IP for its format and iconography. Of course, the Twilight Zone lends itself to really original interpretations, whereas in a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction guests expect to see the same world and characters that are consistent throughout that franchise. There's really no way to do a GOTG attraction that's as as original as ToT without doing a disservice to the IP, which is why I've made up my mind that it couldn't possibly be a worthy replacement. Not in the slightest.

 

[Variable]

You obviously do not get it if you think it's just a falling ride. You would be better off saving your money and going to the local amusement park.

LOL omg, no I don't think its JUST a falling ride.

 

[mickEblu]

Why do you think they're announcing it to a group of Marvel fans? They are hoping that demographic will give them the applause they are looking for, and they're probably right.

It's funny though that they know Comic Con is probably the only forum they know they won't get boo'd yet they re doing this anyway. Even when 99 % of people were against it when it was trending on social media. Morons. All this to sell a little more merch. Wow

 

[Variable]

That's all the Tower of Terror at Disney land is. Disney World's Tower of Terror is another story.

I like the two level basement at CA better. Its a more interesting set.

 

[Variable]

You know that's par for the course on here. I think I've been really good my entire life at judging something when it is ready, and I can experience the final project for myself. I don't just mean theme park attractions; watching band and musical rehearsals months before tour or show ready, being part of brainstorming sessions well in advance of the final product being presented, and being pitched ideas that sound ridiculous, but turn out really good. In the vast majority of cases, things turn out much better than expected. It's important, imho, to give most things a chance to play out, and then judge.

Sure. I don't know if I'll like a guardians them or not. I suspect I will like it, because at the end, THE END of the ride is the payoff, and that's what rides are: the payoff for the wait. If the payoff is blah, who cares how great the queue and theme so forth were. Likewise a queue that doesn't live up to the hype doesn't waste my time, its just a waste of effort overall, so why'd they bother?

 

[Variable]

Yup. That's the brilliance of ToT. It is IP based, but it's a completely original story, just using the IP for its format and iconography. Of course, the Twilight Zone lends itself to really original interpretations, whereas in a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction guests expect to see the same world and characters that are consistent throughout that franchise. There's really no way to do a GOTG attraction that's as as original as ToT without doing a disservice to the IP, which is why I've made up my mind that it couldn't possibly be a worthy replacement. Not in the slightest.

Well its a shame you've predetermined what the ride will be and have closed your mind off. A GALAXY is quite a large place and the ride needn't be confined to the movie, part or future. Star Tours is composed of scenes that aren't in the movies. Maybe we'll be surprised. Maybe not.

What we don't have is inside data. Many regulars mention DL ToT never has the waits as that in DHS. Could be you know, its just not that popular - especially in a heavily local/annual pass market with many competitors. I don't know. Do you?

 

[mickEblu]

Well its a shame you've predetermined what the ride will be and have closed your mind off. A GALAXY is quite a large place and the ride needn't be confined to the movie, part or future. Star Tours is composed of scenes that aren't in the movies. Maybe we'll be surprised. Maybe not.

What we don't have is inside data. Many regulars mention DL ToT never has the waits as that in DHS. Could be you know, its just not that popular - especially in a heavily local/annual pass market with many competitors. I don't know. Do you?

I think it has more to do with the fact that there is A LOT more to do at DCA than DHS. That and Disneyland is next door gobbling up visitors as well.

 

[Variable]

Backlash or not, TWDC simply doesn't care what other people think.

The only backlash that makes a difference is lower ticket sales. And when people protest a ToT redo, or a SW land addition by still buying tickets to the park, but foregoing that one ride or land, that = NO backlash.

 

[brb1006]

At least we'll get some sort of concept art and the conversation can shift to a whole new kind of freak out.

I remember how the thread for Star Wars Land for Disneyland and WDW exploded last D23 after it's announcement.

 

[Variable]

I think it has more to do with the fact that there is A LOT more to do at DCA than DHS. That and Disneyland is next door gobbling up visitors as well.

Yeah, I can certainly understand that.

 

[mickEblu]

I guess when I think about it, TOT is probably my favorite attraction in all of DLR, which is why I'm so upset. Sure, POTC, HM etc. are classics but between theme, thrill and repeatability, I think TOT is at the top of the list for me.

 

[Variable]

My question is, would Disney even be touching ToT if they did not have plans to basically transform Hollywood Land into a Marvel area? .

Well, seems to be the prevailing assumption. Cram it in someplace. I'm not much of a comic super hero fan, so any attractions will draw me in due to the mechanics not the IP.