Maelstrom vs. Backlot Tour

[alhenton]

I have noticed a lot more attention devoted to the closing of Maelstrom more than the closing of the Studio Backlot Tour. My question is:

Why was the attention to the farewell so different?

Is it because the Backlot had run its course?
Is it the surprise that Maelstrom is closing? (although it had been rumored for months)
Is it the replacement attractions?

For me, I think it is a combo of all of the above. The Maelstrom was never a ride with too long of a wait, nor was the Studio Backlot Tour. You can argue that both rides needed change, but I find it somewhat odd that Backlot (which I always made a point to ride every trip to WDW, and I enjoyed it) didn't receive the same kind of goodbye.

Thoughts?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I have noticed a lot more attention devoted to the closing of Maelstrom more than the closing of the Studio Backlot Tour. My question is:

Why was the attention to the farewell so different?

Is it because the Backlot had run its course?
Is it the surprise that Maelstrom is closing? (although it had been rumored for months)
Is it the replacement attractions?

For me, I think it is a combo of all of the above. The Maelstrom was never a ride with too long of a wait, nor was the Studio Backlot Tour. You can argue that both rides needed change, but I find it somewhat odd that Backlot (which I always made a point to ride every trip to WDW, and I enjoyed it) didn't receive the same kind of goodbye.

Thoughts?

I think all of us realize that Backlot had run it's course and beyond. That was valuable building space being occupied by basically nothing. Maelstrom has a different reason for upset. World Showcase was set up as a permanent Worlds Fair. They specifically did not allow any "cartoon" characters in any part of Epcot. At least live character meets. World Showcase always remained free of make believe and was meant to let people get a chance to see other cultures, besides our own and to be a 'serious', but, entertaining part of WDW.

That got blown out of the water when they put the Three Cabalnothings in Mexico, but, it didn't completely take out the Mexican influence. Putting Frozen in the Norway pavilion completely pulls apart the intent of WS. It in many ways cheapens it and turns it into a kiddie park (when the grownups aren't in there getting smashed). I don't really believe that losing Maelstrom is bothering anyone as much as what is replacing it.

 

[Mawg]

I think it's the replacement attractions. Everyone is hopeful that the closure of the Backlot will bring a nice expansion to DHS. The closure of Maelstrom breaks theme and does not give Frozen the attention it needs.

Everyone goes to Disney World for the same reason. They might call it different things such as to forget about every day life, or for the sights, smells and sounds, to relax. But when it comes down to it, it is the theming, the attention to details and the immersiveness that makes all this possible. They break theme and it becomes just like any other local theme park where you throw up attractions where ever you have space.

 

[rct247]

Studio Backlot Tour was past it's prime and a shell of what it once was. Maelstrom was tired and campy, but somewhat classic in some sense. Not quite a Jungle Cruise/it's a small world type classic, but in terms of World Showcase attractions it was.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Backlot Tour had definitely run its course. Even though it's sad that it's closing for nostalgic reasons, it's exciting because of what things may come in the future.

 

[dannyboyindc]

The saddest thing is, the backlot tour was only past its prime and had run its course because it kept getting chopped into smaller and smaller bits...until there wasn't much of a reason to visit the attraction.

 

[mf1972]

The saddest thing is, the backlot tour was only past its prime and had run its course because it kept getting chopped into smaller and smaller bits...until there wasn't much of a reason to visit the attraction.

very true. after lights, cars, action premiered, figured it was a matter of time.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I'm sad they are both gone but happy for new things . I love frozen and I hope it doesn't ruin the experience of norway

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

I'll add a bit and say that it's also the suddenness combined with the replacement.

The rumors popped up in late May and four months later our beloved, classic ride was closed. The Maelstrom just had a 2 week refurbishment not too long ago, also. Previously, all Frozen rumors were isolated to DHS and those additions were a welcome change to a stagnant, park in need of additional/different attractions. The changes came swiftly, and I'm sure corporate is happy with the numbers they brought in.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Backlot is a mere shadow of its' 1996 self especially without the studios not being actual studios. Maelstrom was slightly run down but could be brought back. Without an operating studio I do not think the premise of "backlot" held water any longer. It was an empty promise of a forgotten dream and time to move on...

 

[WondersOfLife]

It's more of a "Epcot barely has ANY classic rides left" problem rather than a "I loved this ride because it was amazing" problem.. At least that's what I think.

The closest things Epcot has left to classics are..

Living with the Land
Impressions de France
Captain EO (although, the revival is past it's welcome. This kind of film only lasts for so long.)
Reflections of China
Spaceship Earth

There are some attractions with some bit of their former shell still left..

Ellen's Energy Adventure
3 Cabelleros

Other than that, Epcot is basically just losing everything nostalgia about it. Which is weird, because all of Epcot's original attractions feel so much nostalgic-y-er than Magic Kingdom's.. I'm not sure why.. Horizons, Living Seas, World of Motion... They all have a nostalgia-feely to them.

 

[Glasgow]

I'm guessing the move to replace Maelstrom with Frozen was not a Disney-only decision. I imagine the countries want to drive visitors their way as well, and what better way than to utilize the most popular animated franchise in the world right now. Just my two cents, nothing more. To be honest, I'm much more concerned about the state of FW than anything in WS right now!

 

[copcarguyp71]

It's more of a "Epcot barely has ANY classic rides left" problem rather than a "I loved this ride because it was amazing" problem.. At least that's what I think.

The closest things Epcot has left to classics are..

Living with the Land
Impressions de France
Captain EO (although, the revival is past it's welcome. This kind of film only lasts for so long.)
Reflections of China
Spaceship Earth

There are some attractions with some bit of their former shell still left..

Ellen's Energy Adventure
3 Cabelleros

Other than that, Epcot is basically just losing everything nostalgia about it. Which is weird, because all of Epcot's original attractions feel so much nostalgic-y-er than Magic Kingdom's.. I'm not sure why.. Horizons, Living Seas, World of Motion... They all have a nostalgia-feely to them.

I personally (and yes this is a personal post) feel that Futureworld at EPCOT should not be nostalgic. Yes we all miss TT, Horizons, and WOM but it was meant to be a continuing cutting edge presentation ala a "worlds fair". The mere stagnation speaks to its level of failure for me.

WS...well I get the classic staticness of it. Would be nice to see the areas left for expansion used but I would embrace some groundbreaking new technology in Futureworld...I long for the day when I walk into and attraction and my breath is taken away once again. Maybe I have gotten too jaded for that to even happen but DANG I sure miss that feeling!!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

It's more of a "Epcot barely has ANY classic rides left" problem rather than a "I loved this ride because it was amazing" problem.. At least that's what I think.

The closest things Epcot has left to classics are..

Living with the Land
Impressions de France
Captain EO (although, the revival is past it's welcome. This kind of film only lasts for so long.)
Reflections of China
Spaceship Earth

There are some attractions with some bit of their former shell still left..

Ellen's Energy Adventure
3 Cabelleros

Other than that, Epcot is basically just losing everything nostalgia about it. Which is weird, because all of Epcot's original attractions feel so much nostalgic-y-er than Magic Kingdom's.. I'm not sure why.. Horizons, Living Seas, World of Motion... They all have a nostalgia-feely to them.

How about the American Adventure & Canada?

 

[Monkee Girl]

My thoughts on the two. I enjoyed both rides but one ride kept getting cut down to the point where people knew something had to happen sooner or later while the other had nothing wrong with it and the sudden decision to change it shocked people.

Backlot tour was still showing the Pearl Harbor movie, there was nothing really to look at and it was only really this year that I notices 'new' things added to it, such as the costume museum and they had some 'Lone Ranger' sets out. People have been talking on this boards for YEARS that nothing has been happening with it. So the idea that they are closing it for something new is exciting.

Maelstrom, on the other hand, had no issues, it just had a refurb done and has always been a popular EPCOT attraction (at least for my family). I don't recall it ever being a major topic here especially regarding it being old, campy and cheap. That's something that just came out recently to justify Frozen (my opinion). It took no major space from anything and fit will with the pavilion. There was no good reason to change it. Especially with all the other dead space in the resorts where Frozen would have been better used.

 

[copcarguyp71]

[QUOTE="Monkee Girl, post: 6366121,

Maelstrom, on the other hand, had no issues, it just had a refurb done and has always been a popular EPCOT attraction (at least for my family). I don't recall it ever being a major topic here especially regarding it being old, campy and cheap. That's something that just came out recently to justify Frozen (my opinion). It took no major space from anything and fit will with the pavilion. There was no good reason to change it. Especially with all the other dead space in the resorts where Frozen would have been better used.[/QUOTE]

I am pretty sure it had mold, lack of fog/wave machine and effects issues for some time but I am going to invoke @marni1971 to back me up with some fact backups before I put my foot in my mouth.

BUT...all entirely addressable without this heinous overlay/redux ala Frozen

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

I believe addressing the mold is what the refurb was for... but don't quote me on that.

 

[Monkee Girl]

No problem. I didn't mean it had no issues needing fixing, I mean it was never big main topic of discussion like Backlot and Yeti are. If you check the posts daily, before the Frozen thing, how many people actually brought up Maelstrom vs. the Backlot tour issues? I can't give a specific number but my idea was that there was always someone bringing up a problem with the backlot tour. Before Frozen, no one had a problem with Maelstrom and I don't ever recall anyone saying things like 'it needs to go.' I think more people were prepared/expecting a backlot closing while Maelstrom came as a shock.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

There are a few differences I can think of as to why the closing of one got more attention.

1 - Maelstrom, though it might have possibly used a very minor refurbishment, still accomplished its goal to educate and entertain people on the culture and history of Norway. The Studio Backlot Tour took away far more than it gave park guests in the years following its introduction in the park, and was never really fresh. All it gave people was a yawning "ho-hum" experience after they'd already done the attraction once or twice. How many times can one see the "Flight of the Navigator" ship in the boneyard and find it interesting?

2 - It's more controversial to replace one attraction (Maelstrom) that fit the very ideal of the area it was in with one that is based on a flash-in-the-pan, popular NOW animated film that really does NOTHING to fit that ideal. There is absolutely nothing about "Frozen" that educates people on the culture or history of Norway.....nothing. Whereas the replacing of the Studio Backlot Tour was really something many of us expected to eventually occur, and with the rumored plans of a major Pixar Place expansion or the adding of Star Wars land into DHS, it will help rather than harm that area.

 

[FettFan]

I have noticed a lot more attention devoted to the closing of Maelstrom more than the closing of the Studio Backlot Tour. My question is:

Why was the attention to the farewell so different?

Is it because the Backlot had run its course?
Is it the surprise that Maelstrom is closing? (although it had been rumored for months)
Is it the replacement attractions?

For me, I think it is a combo of all of the above. The Maelstrom was never a ride with too long of a wait, nor was the Studio Backlot Tour. You can argue that both rides needed change, but I find it somewhat odd that Backlot (which I always made a point to ride every trip to WDW, and I enjoyed it) didn't receive the same kind of goodbye.

Thoughts?

1. Because Maelstrom was still in one piece. Backlot Tour's closing was a mercy kill, as pieces of it have been going away since 93. The original Backlot Tour was a three-hour experience.

2. Because Frozen doesn't belong in World Showcase.