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Mine Train AA Tech In Other Rides
- Thread starter Turtle
- Start date
Tom
Beta Return
I think there's no doubt they will use the newest technology as they move forward. But there's no word on what the next thing really will be (besides Avatar, which is the only confirmed expansion/new offering).
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
I've never heard this rumor. I would love to see it happen. There are certain rides that I think the AA's need updating, but classics like PotC and SE, so it might look odd
MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
There were rumors that the Queen of Hearts in the Alice ride at DL was going to get a new AA with this tech, but those turned out to be false after the ride reopened recently. Don't know what's going to be done with the tech from here on out. I honestly wonder what the future of AA's even holds going forward actually. Universal, despite my general praise for their recent effort to build quality new attractions, has set a trend of forgoing AA's in favor of video screens that i'm not very keen on. And the new Ratatouille ride in Paris lacks any AA figures apparently as well. There have also been rumors that Shanghai's version of Pirates of the Caribbean may be highly screen-oriented with far fewer physical elements than other versions. I'm somewhat worried that animatronics are beginning to be cast aside in favor of video screens. Some insiders have mentioned in passing during the last few years that the industry executives are beginning to see them as passe.
The tech for projected faces is honestly a bit hit or miss. The effect requires very dark lighting and a well sculpted facial surface to project onto. The dwarf figures were very well designed in this regard, but other uses of the tech such as the queue Buzz Lightyear figure and the Haunted Mansion bride don't look anywhere near as good. Buzz's problem is likely largely related to poor lighting, while the bride's issue is that the underlying surface is supposedly completely flat. I've seen pics of the projection turned off and it doesn't look like any nose or facial features are present at all, so the result looks flat and fake. Even the now ancient Leota head adhered to those basic elements and still looks fantastic as a result.
I don't think facial projections would work as well for rides like Spaceship Earth or Pirates. The scene lighting might be too bright to pull it off properly. Especially for more realistic faces.
The tech for projected faces is honestly a bit hit or miss. The effect requires very dark lighting and a well sculpted facial surface to project onto. The dwarf figures were very well designed in this regard, but other uses of the tech such as the queue Buzz Lightyear figure and the Haunted Mansion bride don't look anywhere near as good. Buzz's problem is likely largely related to poor lighting, while the bride's issue is that the underlying surface is supposedly completely flat. I've seen pics of the projection turned off and it doesn't look like any nose or facial features are present at all, so the result looks flat and fake. Even the now ancient Leota head adhered to those basic elements and still looks fantastic as a result.
I don't think facial projections would work as well for rides like Spaceship Earth or Pirates. The scene lighting might be too bright to pull it off properly. Especially for more realistic faces.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Update the AAs please.
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
They seem to have learned a lot in between doing the Haunted Mansion bride and Buzz and doing the dwarves. The dwarves look great. Hopefully they will be able to update the others soon. But I hope they leave the classics as is.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
My view is that it's great technology for attractions going forward, but retofitting classics like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, or Spaceship Earth would be a step closer to ruining great attractions.
horizons82
Well-Known Member
I agree with Chef Mickey...I would really be disappointed to see classic attractions like HM be 'updated' with new AA figures...save it for the newer attractions IMHO. I can't help but to think it would feel a little disjointed to have newer-looking and newly engineered AAs without also updating the entire attraction--kind of like buying new kitchen appliances but leaving the 70s wallpaper still up around them.
A part of me that would almost rather see a classic attraction like HM removed and replaced with something completely new rather than retrofit the ride with new AAs. I feel doing something like updating AAs would be the worst of both worlds because you lose the nostalgia and charm associated with the original, but you also don't gain an exciting new attraction either, which the AAs would be better purposed for and match the technology with.
A part of me that would almost rather see a classic attraction like HM removed and replaced with something completely new rather than retrofit the ride with new AAs. I feel doing something like updating AAs would be the worst of both worlds because you lose the nostalgia and charm associated with the original, but you also don't gain an exciting new attraction either, which the AAs would be better purposed for and match the technology with.
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
If they ever redo Journey Into Imagination, I'd love to see Dreamfinder get the treatment.
horizons82
Well-Known Member
I'd have no problem with that at all since it would be something of a totally new attraction. Even though I personally still think Imagination is awesome all these years later, I can only imagine (no pun intended) how amazing of a creative ride they could make with the technology and effects that have evolved since the 80's.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Peter Pan's Flight should get this addition