Miceage: Mermaid Rehab Back On

[TP2000]

This news item has popped up early this morning on the front page of Miceage...

"Editor’s Note:
January 30, 2014: Disneyland back in the swim of things – The refurbishment for DCA's Little Mermaid ride we'd told you about in a Miceage Update last year is now back on. Burbank is beginning to loosen purse strings for Anaheim at least, while Orlando remains on a very short fiscal leash due to MyMagic+ cost overruns. DCA's Mermaid refurb is currently slated for seven weeks from late March to early May and will fix a laundry list of cosmetic, lighting and scenery issues throughout the ride. No word yet how they'll budget this Mermaid refurb for WDW's version, much less schedule it. WDW's version of Soarin' is also in refurb purgatory, while DCA's Soarin' closes next month for a big HD upgrade."

Wow. I didn't put this in the Winter Rehab thread because technically it'll be a Spring Rehab, and it also seems to generate its own questions. Such as, what exactly do you think they'll be working on in the Mermaid ride? And how will they schedule the same Mermaid closure for WDW, where they are much more averse to closing rides for rehab? Or does this mean WDW will stick with the original Mermaid and original film Soarin' indefinitely while Disneyland gets updated and HD versions?

Very interesting...

 

[Californian Elitist]

I say get rid of the Ursula cutout in Mermaid. In regards to Soarin' Over California, I'm all for HD and new footage, but it should stay California-themed. This Soarin' Over the World idea for DCA doesn't interest me.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

WDW might be able to get away with Mermaid closing after the Mine Train opens.

 

[Maryssa*]

Ooh looking forward to HD Soarin'

 

[croboy82]

Seven weeks is quite long though right? When they exchanged her hair it was closed for a week or so. Hmm.

 

[Disneyfanman]

I've heard from several sources that the major change is lighting effects; mostly centered in the Under the Sea centerpiece. They want to improve the "ride in a box" feeling and have some ideas for how to do that. I really enjoy the ride despite its faults, but that is certainly a big problem. I've heard more is to be done as well but have no idea what. There were effects and storytelling cuts in the value engineering phase.........maybe they are going to restore some of those?

 

[Clamman73]

I've heard from several sources that the major change is lighting effects; mostly centered in the Under the Sea centerpiece. They want to improve the "ride in a box" feeling and have some ideas for how to do that. I really enjoy the ride despite its faults, but that is certainly a big problem. I've heard more is to be done as well but have no idea what. There were effects and storytelling cuts in the value engineering phase.........maybe they are going to restore some of those?

I guess it's the same at DCA Mermaid, but that whole Under the Sea room needs some type of faux water surface ceiling look to it...

 

[Cosmic Commando]

If it were up to me, I would combine the sinking Ursula at the end and the kissing screen into something more substantial to represent the battle between Eric and Ursula. The wedding-y scene at the end is enough for you to know that they fell in love and lived happily ever after. Ursula's part in the whole affair is very confusing, going by the ride. Oh, and put some of Ariel's sisters in at the end; I'm sure they're happy she's getting married!

 

[Figments Friend]

I've heard from several sources that the major change is lighting effects; mostly centered in the Under the Sea centerpiece. They want to improve the "ride in a box" feeling and have some ideas for how to do that. I really enjoy the ride despite its faults, but that is certainly a big problem. I've heard more is to be done as well but have no idea what. There were effects and storytelling cuts in the value engineering phase.........maybe they are going to restore some of those?

This is good to hear, the lighting issues being addressed.

I remember a old Trip Report i did a few years ago about my take on the Attraction ( WDW's version ) and offered some suggestions for fixing some of the lighting issues in that particular room.
Nice to see i was not the only one who felt it needed better positioning and light levels.

At the time, i felt they were set far too bright and the overhead fixtures ( and ceiling vents/air ducts/etc ) were far too visible/intrusive.
I remember thinking that a clear or colored plexiglass piece suspended from the ceiling, above the ride track, would block the above view and create a better ambiance since lighting could be seen through it, but not clearly.
Think of it as a big light/sight 'diffuser'.

It will be interesting to see what the improvements will be.

 

[FutureWorld1982]

I say get ride of the Ursula cutout in Mermaid. In regards to Soarin' Over California, I'm all for HD and new footage, but it should stay California-themed. This Soarin' Over the World idea for DCA doesn't interest me.

I agree with you. The Disney California Adventure version of Soarin' should continue to show... California. The park is themed after than, right?
What should change IMMEDIATELY is the Epcot version of Soarin'. It should have never been about California in the first place (it's a park celebrating the WORLD and the future). It was an extremely lazy move putting the same video there.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

With the HD upgrade, I think the original Soarin' movie and music are classics that could play for a long, long time. Especially at WDW, where it's themed like an airport and there might be a third theater coming, they should play both movies... after all, most airports offer flights to more than one destination!