It's a small world interactive queue concept art leaked

[whylightbulb]

And Now For Something Completely Different

Believe it or not I actually like this concept. Here's the problem - Disney will most likely botch it up. I say this because they have botched up about 80% of every Florida project since 1994.

If the video is dressed up properly, i.e., in windows, behind doors that open, or blended thematically amongst quality scenery, it can fit nicely within the classic theme. It can add another level of entertainment to an outdated and poorly maintained attraction. I get the whole nostalgia for the sixties and the catchy song but lets face it - Small World doesn't have the immersion and detail of Pirates or Mansion.

I would take it a step further and make a game of it. Identify the countries and places where your doll appears and, after riding, enter it into your phone for points. This will certainly add a repeatability to the ride that it currently does not have and it will also add a bit of edutainment.

Would I prefer a rehab that included upgrading the sets, lighting, effects, and AAs similar to Sinbad from Tokyo? Absolutely. Short of that I think this could be a quality rehab if done properly.

 

[zooey]

When is Bob Iger going to realize that "brands" don't drive the theme parks. The theme parks are the brands. Amazing brands that once told immersive, unique stories that you couldn't find anywhere else. Stories that merged technology, artistry and storytelling to transport people to places new and familiar, but distinctly "Disney."

:sohappy:

 

[RSoxNo1]

THIS ... says it all.

If people are bored out of their minds in Disney queues, maybe it's because Disney hasn't done anything that comes close to this level of immersion at WDW. ... And, no, all that camping/hiking gear at EE doesn't count!

But... but... they're authentic props - it really brings me to Nepal.

In all seriousness, the Everest queue is done very well. But it's not Forbidden Journey.

Walt's philosophy (and WED's) was to give people what they DIDN'T know they wanted.

Today, TWDC's view is give the guests what they THINK they want and tell you in surveys that are rigged to give you answers that you want anyway.

Out of curiosity - who is the driver behind this? Imagineering? Suits? Marketing?

 

[ChrisFL]

But... but... they're authentic props - it really brings me to Nepal.

In all seriousness, the Everest queue is done very well. But it's not Forbidden Journey.

I agree, the everest queue doesn't get the recognition it deserves...I think its great and the experience really starts (at least from the west side) pretty far back, to the diety statue and is incredibly detailed until you board the ride itself.

FJ's queue is awesome, I just wish they were able to put in moving staircases

 

[the-reason14]

So this is for sure gonna happen? Like they're gonna start putting screens and stuff in IASW? When can we expect this? Not a fan of this at all btw.

 

[Tom]

So this is for sure gonna happen? Like they're gonna start putting screens and stuff in IASW? When can we expect this? Not a fan of this at all btw.

Nothing at WDW is "for sure" until it's installed AND operating. And even then, if the technology fails due to their lack of R&D, they'll just put some old CRT monitors in the ride and play old episodes of Southpark, so they can SAY they completed the task.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

My response was not to you, so no, I could care less about your email.

I believe you meant to say that you COULDN'T care less.

But whatever. Grammar isn't important when putting someone down, right? :lol:

 

[flynnibus]

petty grammar picks really do not help anyone's cause.

If the post is clear - no need to pick on typos/grammar/etc. It really just makes you look like you have nothing else to stand on... so you come back with 'oh yeah??? but you're stupid!!' type of responses.

It means you are either

• too to actually see the bigger idea..
• too snobbish to trust the word of someone you see as inferior..
• or simply out of rebuttals

None work in your favor.

 

[dreamfinder]

Interestingly enough, has anyone else seen the similarities to the interactive "game" in the Disneyland Explorer iPad app? The dolls in the IASW portion are drawn pretty much identically to some of the costumes/styles presented on those layouts.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I think you're reading too much into a joke.

:hammer:

 

[MichWolv]

Believe it or not I actually like this concept. Here's the problem - Disney will most likely botch it up. I say this because they have botched up about 80% of every Florida project since 1994.

If the video is dressed up properly, i.e., in windows, behind doors that open, or blended thematically amongst quality scenery, it can fit nicely within the classic theme. It can add another level of entertainment to an outdated and poorly maintained attraction. I get the whole nostalgia for the sixties and the catchy song but lets face it - Small World doesn't have the immersion and detail of Pirates or Mansion.

I would take it a step further and make a game of it. Identify the countries and places where your doll appears and, after riding, enter it into your phone for points. This will certainly add a repeatability to the ride that it currently does not have and it will also add a bit of edutainment.

Would I prefer a rehab that included upgrading the sets, lighting, effects, and AAs similar to Sinbad from Tokyo? Absolutely. Short of that I think this could be a quality rehab if done properly.

This doesn't sound too bad. The SK stuff says your doll would ride along with you, and your write-up would be an interesting way to implement it.

Another intersting way (to me, at least) in a pre-show or post-show area would be if the screens were in portals (windows, doors) in the decorations you pass in line. Open the window and your doll peers out at you, perhaps singing the song or giving an example of how it is a small world after all.

If it's done simply with monitors stuck to the wall where your doll waves as you go by, it'll be terrible.

Somebody mentioned earlier in the thread the post-show area in Paris (which has recently been replaced with a princess meet n greet). Although that area was terrible-maintained (seriously, it made WDW maintenance look stellar), it was a fun little add-on. You looked into various structures reminscent of landmarks or architechture in various places around the globe, and inside you say little animation of kids communicating with other kids in different parts of the world, emphasizing what a small world it is. Something like this with the added feature that the animation you see include "your" doll might be interesting and fun.

I'm not optimistic, but I'll wait to get annoyed until I see what it is. I thought the Pooh interactive stuff sounded dumb until I saw it. And I though KP sound pointless as well, until I played it.

Of course, I also thought SGE sounded good until I experienced it. So the door swings both ways.

 

[googilycub]

I believe you meant to say that you COULDN'T care less.

But whatever. Grammar isn't important when putting someone down, right? :lol:

Correct. I am glad that you caught my error, and thank you for pointing it out.

 

[WDW1974]

Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
THIS ... says it all.

If people are bored out of their minds in Disney queues, maybe it's because Disney hasn't done anything that comes close to this level of immersion at WDW. ... And, no, all that camping/hiking gear at EE doesn't count!

But... but... they're authentic props - it really brings me to Nepal.

In all seriousness, the Everest queue is done very well. But it's not Forbidden Journey.

Yes, I was only partially serious. I am a big Joe Rohde fan as I've said before. It's just that Disney sometimes thinks the queue is the attraction ... Look at KRR (probably my least favorite attraction at all of WDW) ... it has an amazing queue chockful of details, but then a lousy, soaking off-the-shelf raft ride that you can find anywhere at local parks coast to coast (yes, Disney has nicer landscaping, but so what?)


Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
Walt's philosophy (and WED's) was to give people what they DIDN'T know they wanted.

Today, TWDC's view is give the guests what they THINK they want and tell you in surveys that are rigged to give you answers that you want anyway.

Out of curiosity - who is the driver behind this? Imagineering? Suits? Marketing?

A very tough question to answer. I believe it is an all of the above deal. Marketing shoves ideas down everyone's throats and has waaaay too much power at a creative content company ... the suits all the way up to Iger want to leverage many of their properties (hence the over reliance on toon based attractions) and WDI Imagineers know that those type of products are more likely to be approved and keep them employed.

It's like a party at Vista Way -- everyone is getting their hands (and other parts) involved!:animwink::drevil:

 

[WDW1974]

Believe it or not I actually like this concept. Here's the problem - Disney will most likely botch it up. I say this because they have botched up about 80% of every Florida project since 1994.

If the video is dressed up properly, i.e., in windows, behind doors that open, or blended thematically amongst quality scenery, it can fit nicely within the classic theme. It can add another level of entertainment to an outdated and poorly maintained attraction. I get the whole nostalgia for the sixties and the catchy song but lets face it - Small World doesn't have the immersion and detail of Pirates or Mansion.

I would take it a step further and make a game of it. Identify the countries and places where your doll appears and, after riding, enter it into your phone for points. This will certainly add a repeatability to the ride that it currently does not have and it will also add a bit of edutainment.

Would I prefer a rehab that included upgrading the sets, lighting, effects, and AAs similar to Sinbad from Tokyo? Absolutely. Short of that I think this could be a quality rehab if done properly.

Unless you picked up the contract, I doubt very much that Disney can pull this off in any way that isn't loud, tacky and out of character with a signature attraction.

It's like Mansion's new queue, it isn't bad by itself, but it totally changes the set-up to a signature attraction and really sorta ruins the build-up and for very little (if any) real added gain for guests.

 

[whylightbulb]

Unless you picked up the contract, I doubt very much that Disney can pull this off in any way that isn't loud, tacky and out of character with a signature attraction.

It's like Mansion's new queue, it isn't bad by itself, but it totally changes the set-up to a signature attraction and really sorta ruins the build-up and for very little (if any) real added gain for guests.

I completely agree regarding the Mansion queue. Even if you skip the interactive section you still pass by it and hear the sound effects. The suspense is gone as the "playful spooks" are revealed. The difference here, in my opinion, is that adding more dolls to the Small World mix could actually enhance the experience - as long as it's executed correctly. There really was no way to do the mansion queue right since the concept was flawed from the start.

Even if I had picked up this contract there is no guarantee that they'd listen to my or anyone else's input to avoid ending up with a lousy follow-through.

 

[aladdin2007]

I completely agree regarding the Mansion queue. Even if you skip the interactive section you still pass by it and hear the sound effects. The suspense is gone as the "playful spooks" are revealed. The difference here, in my opinion, is that adding more dolls to the Small World mix could actually enhance the experience - as long as it's executed correctly. There really was no way to do the mansion queue right since the concept was flawed from the start.

Even if I had picked up this contract there is no guarantee that they'd listen to my or anyone else's input to avoid ending up with a lousy follow-through. Look at the latest iteration of the Imagination ride that Baxter was involved with for a sad example. I'm sure his hands were tied due to budget and politics as has been so common place in TDO's, and in some cases, Glendale's recent past.

Baxter had nothing to do with the recent atrocity's of Imagination, only the original.

 

[ladydi]

I think this idea would ruin the ride for me. Can't we do anything without a a flat screen these days? My three kids loved this ride when they were little (and still do, though they wouldn't admit it to their friends). There is plenty to look at without staring at a monitor in your boat to see if your virtual friend is still with you. I hope they only introduce it in pre or post show.

 

[whylightbulb]

Baxter had nothing to do with the recent atrocity's of Imagination, only the original.

My memory isn't what it used to be but I believe you might be right. I have never spoken to him about the project because it is probably a sore spot for him. I edited the original post just in case you are right though.

 

[WDWFigment]

I'm not quite sure where I stand on this yet; I'll have to give it some more thought. I've had no issue with the Haunted Mansion queue (the name alone and the fact that many first time guests know it as the "Haunted House" is a comparable reveal to what takes place in the queue, as far as I'm concerned--I consider it foreshadowing; whether it's well-executed is another matter) and I think the Disneyland IASW additions were well done.

What I don't agree with is those treating changes to "it's a small world" as tantamount to painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. While both are art, there are stark differences between the two. One is a theme park attraction, and such attractions were intended from the beginning to be dynamic and evolving. It doesn't sit well with me that we have an expectation that the most beautiful theme park attractions (in any case, I wouldn't count IASW among this group, for what it's worth) should never change.

Theme park attractions are collaborations by nature, whereas many other pieces of art are the product of one person. This is not to say I agree with making changes for the sake of advertising other products or synergy, but changes, in general, should be tolerated.

And I 'hide' here because we are all allowed to be anonymous and the vast majority of people choose to be (wisely I might add as there are some crazy wackjobs out there in Disney FanBoi Land). I assure you that the powers at TWDC (well above friends like Phil Holmes) know exactly who I am. And some lowlif... I mean lower level folks in PR and Social Media have become aware of who I am by Social Media whores trying to leverage my identity to gain favor from the Mouse. I'd tell them that it isn't very smart and not really fruitful for them either because the power of Disney isn't run out of cubicles at Celebration Place. ... And TDO knows exactly what I think of the way they are running the resort. We're like lovers on Valentine's Day -- we have no secrets from one another ... yeah, that's it!:drevil::wave:

So you're telling me that I could be leveraging your identity to gain favor from Disney?! Shoot, I'm been leveraging it for only some ALF Pogs! (By the way, if you start getting some odd Hanson fan club emails, sorry about that!)

 

[whylightbulb]

Baxter had nothing to do with the recent atrocity's of Imagination, only the original.

My memory isn't what it used to be but I believe you might be right. I have never spoken to him about the project because it is probably a sore spot for him. I edited the original post just in case you are right though.