Is story important in dark rides?

[Brer Panther]

Or is it more about atmosphere?

I've noticed that the most recent dark ride built at Disney World, the Little Mermaid, doesn't have much of either. Well, it SORT OF has a story, but it kind of stops aruptly. And when you come down to it, Peter Pan doesn't have much of a story either, but it has atmosphere. Same with Mr. Toad. Snow White had a story. Pooh has a story. Frozen doesn't sound like it has much of a story.

So, is it about story? Or atmosphere? Or both?

 

[ShoalFox]

All of the classic omnimover dark rides had both story and atmosphere (well, except for the SeaCabs). Both are important, but I think the two build off of each other in the end. Captivating story with an illusion breaking atmosphere? People will focus on what's out of place. Groundbreaking immersion but little story or a bad one? People will be bored out of their minds.

 

[Luxe]

Sorry but I don't agree with Peter Pan and Mermaid not having a story. I feel that the story is quite clear but that could just be me. Maybe if you have never seen the movies before then it might not be as clear!

 

[DinoInstitute]

I feel like a lot of the classic and modern dark rides do have a story, but you have to be thinking about it and pay attention to pick up on it. Otherwise it feels like its just jumping from random scene to scene.

 

[French Quarter]

I don't think the point of these shorter rides is to tell the story. I think they are picking up on the setting and themes of the movies and are trying to make you feel like you are a part of that.

 

[morningstar]

I think it's more about the atmosphere for me. Like, PotC has a definite storyline, but I don't really get into it. It's not like I'm rooting for the pirates or the townspeople. I just like the Caribbean scenery, floating along, and the tune.

Does HM have a story? I couldn't tell you. Classic Imagination had a killer beginning of a story, and then a middle, but there wasn't a distinct ending. Spaceship Earth, well, we go through hiSTORY, but I can't recall if there are really good connections between the scenes. Horizons is another one that they put a lot of effort into a structured story, but my favorite parts were just some of the individual scenes.

 

[JiminyandTink]

For me, a story is critical to any great, immersive ride, dark ride or not. Most of my favorite rides extend that story right into the ride queue itself (ToT, HM, EE, PoTC, etc).

 

[rsoxguy]

Story should always be an equal element within the rides at WDW regardless of length or style.
It's what should separate WDW from other parks.

 

[Raineman]

I agree that story should always be a major part of a dark ride, but consider this: does the average park visitor go on a dark ride for the story, or for the experience that the atmosphere/tone of the ride provides? Also, I think that with the majority of dark rides at WDW, if you try to listen carefully to hear the audio as well as watching, it's a bit tough to pick up the whole story, as there always seems to be a few areas within each ride where the audio of the area you are leaving gets kind of muddled with the audio of the area you are entering, with some rides seeming to be worse than others.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Story defines atmosphere. The problem is a confusion of terms heavily pushed by Disney. Story is not synonymous with length or complexity or exposition. A sentenence is more than capable of susinctly describing a compelling experience.

 

[AndyS2992]

Story is very important or what is the point. It is the reason why I dislike the Little Mermaid ride, it's fine up until the end where Ursula grants Ariel's wish and give her legs and then dies as a result for no particular reason. If you haven't seen the movie then I imagine you would be pretty confused.