Marvel Land Discussion and Rumors

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I'm curious about VR. I followed the creation of Darren Brown's Ghost Train attraction in Europe, and that relies heavily on VR headsets for the ride portion. I'd be interested to see how Disney would handle it and if it didn't feel like paying for an experience most people can do on their cell phones right now.

Iger has publicly stated that Disney will not do VR-headset rides, which is fine.

As far as I know, Mario Kart will be the first major implementation of AR on a high-budget attraction. Will be interesting to see.

 

[Andrew C]

I guess the disclaimer should be an experienced guest who knows where to go and what they like/ dislike can do it in 2-3 days.

I have been multiple times and still cannot do everything I want in 2-3 days. Heck, 3 days is just enough for DLR. I guess it depends on what attractions you are doing, what you are skipping, and the pace you decide to go through everything.

 

[Professortango1]

I don't doubt it. I guess the disclaimer should be an experienced guest who knows where to go and what they like/ dislike can do it in 2-3 days.

I'm the type that wants to experience and see every nook and cranny on my first visit. See some of the smaller things that might be missed by a first timer. Then on my second trip I would probably be more like you.

This was my Girlfriend's first trip and we did EVERYTHING. From Peoplemover to Tangled bathrooms. I think the only things we skipped in MK was BTMRR (closed), Tomorrowland Speedway, Dumbo, and The Great Goofini. We did everything else. Same for other parks. We visited each country and pavilion in Epcot (that's why I maintain it needs 1 1/2 days), saw all the 15 year old shows at DHS, and walked every trail in AK. With only a dozen things to see/do in most of the parks, they don't take too long. Now Diagon Alley and Hogsmede almost took a half day alone, just because there is so much to see and interact with. Hopefully Star Wars Land is similar in time-consuming explorable surroundings.

 

[Professortango1]

I have been multiple times and still cannot do everything I want in 2-3 days. Heck, 3 days is just enough for DLR.

Go in late Summer. Outside of Frozen Ever After and 7 Dwarves Mine Train, the longest waits we had were 20 minutes tops. We walked onto Everest and Kilimanjaro every time. TOT was a straight walk to the library. The notorious queue for Midway Mania was about half full.

 

[Professortango1]

Iger has publicly stated that Disney will not do VR-headset rides, which is fine.

As far as I know, Mario Kart will be the first major implementation of AR on a high-budget attraction. Will be interesting to see.

That's good. A VR ride doesn't appeal to me, but I'd be willing to give Disney the benefit of the doubt that if they did it, it would be something unique.

 

[Andrew C]

Go in late Summer. Outside of Frozen Ever After and 7 Dwarves Mine Train, the longest waits we had were 20 minutes tops. We walked onto Everest and Kilimanjaro every time. TOT was a straight walk to the library. The notorious queue for Midway Mania was about half full.

I go September or early May. Usually stay 5 to 7 nights. This year, will be 10 nights. We do vacations differently, lol.

I consider DLR if we want a long weekend Disney trip.

 

[mickEblu]

I would agree, but the subject matter lends itself to this format. Its the old west; it's dirty, gritty and definitely low tech. It's a good match

Good point. Going through caves (especially at night) the sounds of the train etc. Maybe the greatest theme park attractions have already been built? Maybe what the industry should focus on is creating attractions using mediums that allow a story/ feeling/ emotion/ setting to be experienced in an organic way.

 

[GrizzlyAdams]

I hope Marvel Land is as ambitious as SWL. I want it to be beautiful and engaging and a place to hang out in. I don't know how you do that with Stark future world or big city streets (yawn), but they need to do something great.

 

[SSG]

It's interesting that MB seems to be set in California Adventure itself. So do the coming Marvel attractions do this as well?

 

[c-one]

I hope Marvel Land is as ambitious as SWL. I want it to be beautiful and engaging and a place to hang out in. I don't know how you do that with Stark future world or big city streets (yawn), but they need to do something great.

And I'm not sure what unifies the Marvel properties to do this -- Pandora and SWL are "planets", places defined in space and time with a backstory.

What is the full Marvelverse equivalent, esp one that can fit Guardians Tower? I'm not a marvel expert but i don't know of one. I had kinda hoped for some kind of Avenger base with various rides themed to different heroes but again, Guardians Tower seems like an odd fit for that.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

It's interesting that MB seems to be set in California Adventure itself. So do the coming Marvel attractions do this as well?

It seems to be the precedent thus far. Iron Man Experience literally takes place in Hong Kong Disneyland - you fly over the park and hotels in the simulator on your way to Hong Kong.

 

[c-one]

Let's be honest here. Has BTMM even been topped when it comes to themed coasters or even comparing to some of the newer high tech rides? I would argue that BTMM takes you somewhere in a way that feels organic that something like FJ doesn't even come close to doing.

As far as themed coasters, probably not -- but also Big Thunder does not tell a story in the way that the E-tickets of today attempt to. It's more of a mood piece of a ride. Not that that's better or worse, it just is. Can the world of the Avengers be told in that way, the way the world of the old West can?

 

[mickEblu]

As far as themed coasters, probably not -- but also Big Thunder does not tell a story in the way that the E-tickets of today attempt to. It's more of a mood piece of a ride. Not that that's better or worse, it just is. Can the world of the Avengers be told in that way, the way the world of the old West can?

Correct. I think "mood piece" attractions (which are more likely than not original attractions) have a greater chance of standing the test of time, appeal to a broader audience and are just more fun and repeatable IMO.

I think any IP can probably be told that way with enough creativity but it's a lot harder. It's hard to be a "mood piece" when you have to include 5 or 6 other worldly super heroes engaged in battle. It depends how closely the imagineers want to follow the subject material.

Not to bring everything back to TOT but it's a perfect example of a taking an IP and making it a mood piece type of attraction. Haunted Hotel+ Old Hollywood+ distorted jazz music + elevator+ Twilight Zone worked very organically. But that's because they used the IP in the same way Splash uses Song of the South, very loosely.

 

[c-one]

I guess my only nit pick is that I'd put TOT (and perhaps Radiator Springs Racers more recently) at more of a midpoint between purely story-driven like Guardians and mood piece like the Mountains. And maybe that's the sweet spot with IP rides? Who knows.

Could also argue that something like Forbidden Journey over at Universal is more of an IP mood piece, but suffers for it. Fun ride but a little bit nonsense frankly.

 

[mickEblu]

I guess my only nit pick is that I'd put TOT (and perhaps Radiator Springs Racers more recently) at more of a midpoint between purely story-driven like Guardians and mood piece like the Mountains. And maybe that's the sweet spot with IP rides? Who knows.

Could also argue that something like Forbidden Journey over at Universal is more of an IP mood piece, but suffers for it. Fun ride but a little bit nonsense frankly.

I don't get "mood piece" from FJ or RSR. A little more with RSR than FJ because of the scenery/ outdoors/ the very beginning of the ride and the fact that driving along the dessert (or anywhere really ) with the top down/ windows down is something we can all relate to.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Imagineering doesn't do experiential "mood piece" attractions anymore. Now everything is STORY STORY STORY, even when there's no need. Closest I can think of is Grizzly Runaway Mine Cars at HKDL, which is Big Thunder-ish in its lack of linear story. It's also a roller coaster with only a small handful of show scenes, like Thunder or Matterhorn.

WDI loves to crow about story, drawing up elaborate backstories for everything, even the "Copper Creek Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort". Most of the time it's just unnecessary and antithetical to Walt and Marc Davis' vision for the parks to begin with.

Davis said the medium (theme parks) doesn't lend itself well to stories, more to experiences. Hence rides like Pirates and Mansion, which lack linear storytelling (or they DID before Jack Sparrow ruined Pirates).

 

[mickEblu]

I hope Marvel Land is as ambitious as SWL. I want it to be beautiful and engaging and a place to hang out in. I don't know how you do that with Stark future world or big city streets (yawn), but they need to do something great.

It's always interesting to me when I really start thinking about "places to hang out in" at theme parks. How many of us are doing this? Usually it's so crowded we re just happy we finally got our corn dog or our next FP to get on the next ride. But I know what you mean - Somewhere pleasant to hang out with a nice atmosphere. I think the only two lands that fit the description of being cool to hang out in at DL are NOS and Frontierland. Basically because they are aesthetically pleasing, wonderfully themed and have pretty good restaurants facing the water. And Probably the best themed park restaurant in the world - Blue Bayou. Even the French market with all the trees and jazz band playing is awesome.

So theres the recipe I guess for creating lands people want to hang out in. Good restaurants. Water. Places to sit. Shade. Live music. And oh ya great theming and little shops/ alleys to explore. But mostly somewhere pleasant to sit, relax and eat something decent. All of the other lands have their strengths but are lacking in being somewhere pleasant to hang out:

Adventureland - great theming but crowded

Critter Country- pleasant because of the trees and shade but not much seating (I think) and not much to do after Splash.

Tomorrowland- No

Toontown- Double No

Fantasyland- usually crowded, no good restaurants and not many places to sit down

Anyway some of my fav places to hang out at DL are outside at the Plaza Inn (prob my favorite), the hub and the bench that runs near the Alice restrooms across from the Matterhorn.

I'm sure someplace like the Cantina going in SWL will be unique but I'm hoping it's more than that. It definitely takes more than theming alone. I think Cars Land is a good example. Great theming but I wouldn't consider it somepIace I want to hang out.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The discussion about DCA vs. WDW parks should really be moved to a separate thread. For the record, The Magic Kingdom (I don't care if they changed the original sign to remove "The") is, of course, still a fantastic theme park and superior to DCA. I'm not just saying that because they have Haunted Mansion 365 days a year without some ridiculous cartoon overlay.

 

[D.Silentu]

Internally, WDI's goal with Alcatraz is to surpass Pirates. If they can just match Pirates, it'll blow people's minds, but if it surpasses it? Lord.

This is my concern with the Marvel stuff - they don't seem to realize that giving Star Wars the balls to the wall treatment will make anything else they do half-assed look bad. They need to not half-*** it. DCA needs to hold its own as a draw against DL, and opening SWL will make that even more important.

This is a concern that has crossed my mind as well. I really hope that the Marvel team has the budget and creativity to give DCA something that will help it stand shoulder to shoulder with Disneyland. I liked the makeover of 2012, but in my opinion it didn't go far enough (there was a rumor about additional phases). Marvel has the chance to push the park that much closer to distinction.

Another thought that crossed my mind is that soon imagineers may need to take a look at the old Maliboomer site. When Marvel opens, the park will be a little side heavy, with the big rides essentially grouped (Guardians, Racers, Avengers). It might behoove them to build the next ride on the opposite side, near the pier (presuming there's space behind Screamin' for a new show building).

 

[SuddenStorm]

That's good. A VR ride doesn't appeal to me, but I'd be willing to give Disney the benefit of the doubt that if they did it, it would be something unique.

I could see them using it as an opportunity to experience past versions of attractions. Wear it while on pirates to "see" what it was like in the seventies.