Has wdw gone to far with the pirates?

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I am intrigued by the concept of edgy fairies, puts a whole new spin on grabbing a Coke.

 

[hokielutz]

I do not think they are going over board. The upgrades were done so tastefully that they didn't spoil the original feel of the ride. What they REALLY need is a new sound system for the atrtraction and it would really be going well in Adventureland...

Actually the sound system is far better than it was before the change. You can hear the sounds and pirate chatter of the individual scenes much better than before.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Overall, it is a segment-by-segment issue. While I miss the original, more playful feel of the ride, I think the upgrade was done well. I also think the revamp of the Pirates gift shop and the World of Disney works. However, I do think the merchandise has spread too far. This is not really a Pirates issue as it is a general issue. Pirates should not be appearing outside of the MK and DTD. But, they use the same crap (and I use that term solely because the quality and diversity has gone downhill recently) everywhere. THAT is a problem. Integrating Pirates a bit more is not.

To sum up all of their use (and the problems), Disney is now in the business of quarterly marketing. They look for their now-popular franchises and market them at that level of popularity instead of trying to decide and bank on long-term popularity and marketing it selectively to maintain that. They are just behind current marketing turns (oddly, though, because many other parts of the company are very progressive in thier marketing strategies). The mass marketing of Madison Ave is starting to subside, so to switch to an eve greater use of this method seems questionable at best. (and, again, this is mostly marketing and merchandising, although it could apply to attractions in some ways).

 

[hokielutz]

I mean don't get me wrong, I loved the first movie and the sequel and it is great for Disney that they are a success but in my mind, adding captain jack sparrow to the theme of the classic ride may have even been taking it a little to far.

Actually I thought this debate was done and over-with back in March/April when there were HUGE discussions about the upcoming changes to our beloved POTC rides. It was a tasteful addition to the attraction, and gave a little bit of a story to the whole ride. (pirates are attacking the fort and town looking for Jack and trying to find a treasure before Jack can find it. In the end... Jack finds the treasure and celebrates with the parrot that was formerly at the front entrance - (not really))

The only point I will agree with you on is the incorporation of Pirate merchandise at EVERY SINGLE MERCHANDISE STORE AND KIOSK throughout the parks and resorts. I know the movie just came out on DVD... but give me a break. Sell the movie and toys at certain store... but remove it from the cart stands at Epcot and other non-related places.

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

I don't think that they've overdone it it....yet. I think that they need to be careful not to overexpose the franchise though.

Hey Alicia!

:wave:

:wave: hiya

 

[eeyoremum]

On another note, I'm glad they are promoting more boy things at WDW. My son was starting to get Princessed (if that's a word) out. He loved seeing the pirates. He's only 3 but knows that the Princesses are for girls. He did like Cinderella since he's had a thing for her from about 5 months on but he didn't like any of the other ones.

I agree with this. I am the mum of 2 boys who love disney but there is very little boy related marketing. Don't get me wrong I love the Princesses and I love that I don't have to dish out all that money for the dresses, hair, and castle meal, which of course I would in a heartbeat. I personally think a pirate character meal would be cool. Just my own opinion but I say bring on the pirates:animwink:

 

[reactiondaction]

just because the line is short does not mean the ride is unpopular.

You rode it for the first time in 2004? where have you been?

Why dont we just put jack sparrow in the carousel of progress, would that make the ride more popular?

You couldn't be stating the facts that I am trying to prove more clearly.
I have loved that attraction since I was young, far before the movies.
Even when I went two years ago, the store after the ride was not flooded with advertisements of the movie, it was based on disney characters put into typical scenes of pirates.
All I am trying to say is that disney needs to stop focusing on "the pirates" and move onto something bigger and better. I'ts just weird for disney to be known for pirates now days, how do we go from goofy dogs and cute mouses to pirates that blow eachother up? This is a whole nother topic in it's own but disney seems to becoming less and less it's self. :lookaroun

 

[DisneyMusician2]

And what is it with almost every disney character not having both parents. Its always one or the other with no explanation. How can you be all about family when you never actually portray a traditional family.

I think that the "traditional" family shouldn't matter. If Lilo had two dads, it would still be an enjoyable movie. And maybe one day a DIsney character should really have a not-so-traditional family. Might be good to show kids that their family is still important and real even if it "non-traditional". I hate even using that term, I feel it qualifies a unit that should have required elements to it.

 

[Master Yoda]

You couldn't be stating the facts that I am trying to prove more clearly.
I have loved that attraction since I was young, far before the movies.
Even when I went two years ago, the store after the ride was not flooded with advertisements of the movie, it was based on disney characters put into typical scenes of pirates.
All I am trying to say is that disney needs to stop focusing on "the pirates" and move onto something bigger and better. I'ts just weird for disney to be known for pirates now days, how do we go from goofy dogs and cute mouses to pirates that blow eachother up? This is a whole nother topic in it's own but disney seems to becoming less and less it's self. :lookaroun

What bigger and better thing would you have them go with? Dead man's chest is the number 3 all time world wide grossing fill in history second only to Titanic and Return of the King. You don't get much bigger than that. As far as the ride goes the majority of guests were upset that Captain Jack was not in the ride. I can't tell you how many people that I overheard asking where he was only to have a cast member explain to them that Captain Jack never was in PotC. The park has to cater to what the public wants. Right now they want pirates. I guarantee if the Haunted Mansion movie had the success that PotC did that ride would be getting a movie makeover as well.

 

[sknydave]

Any time you ride POTC you can't help but overhear "Look, there he is! There's Jack Sparrow!"

The only change they made I felt seemed out of place was the Jack hiding behind the barrel (Jack #2)

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I can't tell you how many people that I overheard asking where he was only to have a cast member explain to them that Captain Jack never was in PotC. The park has to cater to what the public wants.

Yep...the fact that PotC is in Florida at all is a testament to that. If people hadn't complained back in the 70s, the ride would have likely remained a West Coast only experience.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

just because the line is short does not mean the ride is unpopular.

You rode it for the first time in 2004? where have you been?

Why dont we just put jack sparrow in the carousel of progress, would that make the ride more popular?

First off: when the wait time for PotC is less than 5 minutes, and SplashM is over 50, I feel warranted in stating that at that time, SplashM was a more popular attraction than PotC.

I rode for the first time in 2004 on my honeymoon. Prior to June of 2006, I lived in NY and had only visited Disneyland, not WDW. I rode the original PotC for the first time in 1985, when I was five years old.

Jack Sparrow would not fit the theme of CoP. He quite appropriately fits the theme of PotC, since he is the star of the series of movies based on the ride. And is up with the hostility? I'm not allowed to state my ideas or opinions here? Tool.

EDIT: Although I agree with a few other posters that certain merchandise belongs in certain areas. I can see purchasing Pirate-y bits in Adventureland, the shop that is the ride's exit, and even the Emporium on Main Street, as well as DTD, and heck, maybe even at MGM (could tie in with the whole movie feel). But as for Pirate bits in Epcot? AK?? No. That does not preserve the magic. Sucka.

 

[the-reason14]

At first I didnt see what all the fuss was about with the movie, but now I can see why people like it. The cast is one big reason why it did so well, and I guess the action was the other. I still havent seen POTC 2 but will one day, I gotta understand the whole of the first one before I even think about looking at the second.

As far as the ride goes, I was kinda setbacked that they were putting Jack in, but after seeing it firsthand, I think it was a very good addition. Now disney has breathed life back into an already great attraction with todays audience, and now have an amazing product that can sell almost more than any other on their property.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

I don't mind Cap'n Jack, Barbosa, and Davey Jones in the attraction, I liked their addition and think it was very well done.

However, the pirates merch displays EVERYWHERE are annoying. When I go into the main gift shop for the entire park of Epcot, its just not right to see a big pirate display with skeletons and props everywhere.

And now we're going to have a pirate parade, and a pin event, and they're talking about switching the theme of Disneyland's Tom Sawyer Island. I think it is getting close to overkill.

 

[TP2000]

What they REALLY need is a new sound system for the atrtraction and it would really be going well in Adventureland...

They got a new sound system at Disneyland.

All 270 speakers were ripped out and replaced with new equipment tied to the new digital soundtrack. The sound on the Disneyland version is STUNNING and the first time we rode it after the last rehab we were all amazed at how improved the sound was. STUNNING in its clarity and lushness. STUNNING!

 

[JimboJones123]

but thats what the kids go for
you cant believe how many pirate costumes there were for Mickey's not so Scary HP and you cant believe how many princesses you see walking around wdw daily.


and the Jack Sparrow face character appeals to ALL ages :lookaroun

I'm not saying it's not working. Just not so much for me. Doesn't mean they are doing anything wrong. Please the masses first. I would have dressed in pirate a few years ago. Not anymore. If I could only find that Swedish Chef costume again. DANG!

 

[Peaches Magee]

Personally... theres is NO such thing as too much Johnny Depp so I am ALL for Captain Jack Sparrow galore! hehe
I havent been on the new PoC ride yet, but I hear it is cool. I mean everyone is always saying how they need to update the MK old rides and here they have done it is completely suitable fashion, it goes with the whole meaning of the ride. I know it is hard to sometimes let go of something that is a classic, but I think it is a good idea. And I also agree that is does incorporate more boy stuff into Disney. My son is 4 and loves pirates. And I mean u walk into the Disney Store in any mall and more than half the store is princesses and girly stuff... so it is great to see more stuff for boys.

Plus we do live a time of massive commercialism so had to know this would all be coming, right? hehe

 

[darthjohnny]

I don't think they've gone too far with Pirates, although you do see the merchandise everywhere (Does anyone else think they haven't come out with a lot of great male adult T-shirts for the movie like me?)

But I think if Disney is not careful, they will go too far, and saturate the market.

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't think they've gone too far with Pirates, although you do see the merchandise everywhere (Does anyone else think they haven't come out with a lot of great male adult T-shirts for the movie like me?)
But I think if Disney is not careful, they will go too far, and saturate the market.

I think that is the case with all of their shirts. The majority of them seem to have a very feminine vibe about them.

 

[darthjohnny]

I think that is the case with all of their shirts. The majority of them seem to have a very feminine vibe about them.

Most of their shirts are for girls, and if they are for guys, or are gender neutral, they barely have anything cool.