Them replacing the AA by adding a screen was unfortunately to be expected. But them completely removing the giant squid scene is a major disappointment.
I am sure Imagineering in Paris has some talented folks in the architecture and engineering field. Though I get more and more the impression that many of them are lacking the essential creative storytelling & cinematic background. Many of the initial Imagineers for Disneyland actually were brought on by Walt from the movie studios.
I have recently read an interview with former WDI lead Bruce Vaughn who just returned to Walt Disney Imagineering as Chief Creative Officer. One question and answer stood out for me in particular:
"How do you and Barbara Bouza* collaborate?
When I first met Barbara, I realized we’re two halves of one brain. That’s how we need to function as leaders, and we do. Her architectural background is different from mine. I’m from more of a story background.
We’ll do joint meetings where we want the two parts of the brain there — Barbara from a deeper business and architecture side, and me, from a creative design, story, theater, and movie background. Barbara has massive experience in delivering complex projects that serve the public, like stadiums, hospitals, and community gathering places. And so that half of the brain is super important, because the project has to come up from the ground and deliver in function and be maintainable."
Source:
INTERVIEW: Bruce Vaughn is back as CCO at Walt Disney Imagineering
*(Barbara had replaced Bob Weis as the President of Walt Disney Imagineering in 2020 coming from Gensler - a global architecture, design, and planning firm.)
So Bruce is kind of admitting that WDI has been lacking the creative & storytelling component with Barbara in the lead. I guess that is what we are seeing now as a result. It is good sign that the leadership at Disney seems to have realised this and brought back Bruce for the creative balance. Considering the lead time of many projects, I am wondering how many more of those current ones have been impacted by this as well. Hence, I am quite nervous about anything that has been planned with Barbara as the sole WDI lead. As far as I understood, that could also include the plans for the rumoured Lion King expansion.
