Muppet Mobile Lab

[Jerm]

Who does Jim Henson play?

:brick: :brick: :brick: The youth of today :brick: :brick: :brick:

 

[ToTBellHop]

MGM is a disaster these days...the last thing we should be suggesting is that something sit there and stagnate. That's the problem--most of the park's attractions have sat there to stagnate while the park has lost any coherent theme. Pretty much everything on the eastern side of the park needs to be leveled and redone...if you want a permanent memorial to Jim Henson, watch The Muppet Movie.

 

[spaceghost]

I love Muppetvision, but after experiencing Mickey's Philharmagic, they totally need to redo the effects in the film. The story, jokes, etc. aren't really outdated though, just the 3-D effects. I don't see why they can't redo the 3-D stuff in the film, and just touch up the other stuff, keeping the rest the same, so as not to lose the last recording Jim Henson did before his death...

 

[CThaddeus]

Leave it alone. It's one of the few classic attractions they have in that Park. There is nothing wrong with the 3-D effects (I thought Philharmagic was so-so, at best), the story is still entertaining, it's still the most 4-D attraction at the Disney Parks (you've got Muppets all over the theater - the Swedish Chef in the back, Statler and Waldorf to the right, Bean Bunny to the left, and the penguins in the front...not to mention the live Sweetums. And then there's the exploding theater. Come on, no other 3-D film is this interactive), possibly the greatest preshow of all time, and it's just plain clever and funny. I've seen it probably over 100 times now between Disney-MGM, California Adventure, and the recordings I've done and I never tire of it. There is so much else that needs to be fixed at Disney-MGM (*cough, cough stupid hat cough, cough*) that no one should even be thinking about changing it. More Muppet stuff, like the Muppet Mobile Lab, is certainly welcome...but let Muppetvision be.

 

[StageFrenzy]

last time i was there, the side projections for the walls were tilted and it was bugging me the whole show

 

[Figment82]

Who does Jim Henson play?

Wow.

That's all I have to say...

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Let me be perfectly clear...I love the Muppets and Muppet Vision 3D. I would be delighted if an entire section of MGM were devoted to the Muppets. I dont want them to disappear, but I think the show itself is ready for a nice update. If nothing else, they could re-do the film just updating the effects.

 

[mousermerf]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

 

[CThaddeus]

If future attractions might somehow incorporate these unattached audio-animatronics, I'm all for the R&D for them. To me, Lucky, Bunsen, and Beaker are novelties. They're not intended as permanent entertainment for the Parks, but rather a test to see how they would work in the real world and how receptive guests are to the idea of the new technology. I know I would enjoy Dinosaur more if the dinosaurs could actually move about the attraction (within their programmed areas, of course). And the idea of a Great Movie Ride featuring movie stars that could move throughout their scenes would be amazing (ie. a real dance scene with a Gene Kelly AA, a lightsaber duel between Ben and Vader, etc.). Or how about a Ben Franklin that really could walk up those stairs? Yes, the technology isn't quite there yet, but that's what Lucky and friends are all about. I look forward to the future incarnations of these guys, and as long as Disney isn't taking money away from other attractions to develop this, I don't see a problem with it. I think Walt (yes, I'm invoking his name) would have been the first to invest in this kind of advance.

 

[Scar Junior]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

I agree with some of your sentiments. But in general I think the best use of the free roaming AAs would be within actual attractions, not being streetmosphere. We don't yet know the direction that they want to go with this technology. I think there is a lot of potential, but there are worrisome components to this research as well. The budgets are indeed inflated and much of Lucky's use has been self-gratifying. Additionally, it has been (too) time consuming (thus an argument of wasted $ for labor). But from what I had heard was that the engineers first wanted to make the technology smaller before they moved forward with more ambitious projects. I mean, how great would it be to have a Muppets Dark Ride (or any theme for that matter) with AAs that actually moved around on their own. It may be naivety, but I'd like to think this is where their aspirations truly lie. Lucky and the Muppets Mobile Lab may just be one step in a process where interactive AAs are more common and cheaper... allowing for their placement in new/renovated attractions.

BTW, I did see Lucky. It was very cool but what excites me more is the potential than the actual dinosaur.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

Sorry Merf, I completely disagree with everything you just said.:wave:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Perhaps their purpose is to delay you in the streets so you're slower moving between attractions and dont notice that there is hee haww to do at MGM.

 

[Buford]

Perhaps their purpose is to delay you in the streets so you're slower moving between attractions and dont notice that there is hee haww to do at MGM.

oh my gosh :lol:

 

[Testtrack321]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

As an engineer, I'd like to say you are full of it. What you fail to realize is just because something doesn't get used in the parks doesn't mean the technology won't be carried over. Lucky was made from electronic parts, not hydrolics, which means future AAs won't need as much power and look more fluid. Of course, this doen't matter now does it?

The kinks aren't easy to knock out, and they keep moving forward with new ideas and concepts. Do you even know how long a NASA mission takes to prepare, and how much time they put into ironing out the kinks?

Again, I don't say this often, but I will now, you have no idea what you are talking about. While we're at it, can you please turn in your computer and turn off the internet, not only would it help us all, but also they're direct results from the R&D you so much despise that engineers do (internet w/ DARPA and the PC from XEROX).

 

[darthjohnny]

:brick: :brick: :brick: The youth of today :brick: :brick: :brick:

Wow.

That's all I have to say...

Jeez...so I didn't know.... I thought Jim Henson died before Muppet*Vision 3D. It's not like I'm totally removed from the Muppets. I know Frank Oz plays Miss Piggy and Fozzie, as well as other characters.

I thought Kermit was played by the same guy as now, because they sound alike.

Sometimes I think you people are wrapped in your own little world. :lookaroun

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Theres a lot of love around today people, its making me feel woozy.

So many experts so many opinions, its like a 24 hour rolling news station, and just as accurate.:shrug:

I can ______ higher than anyone buy the way.

 

[flynnibus]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

They are R&D tools.

Why do car companies build concept cars? One reason is for marketing.. the other is to test and push concepts without having to put them into full production.

The work of Lucky and the mobile lab is a R&D concept which will have trickle down effects into AAs and other mediums as the techonology developed here in more freedom, will be applied to other projects.

Same reason millions are spend on F1... the technologies honed there make their way into mainstream production.

Disney is no different.. since they are trying to be on the cutting edge of these types of technologies, they need to develop and push the limits themselves. Concepts are a way to do this.

To say that funding should be pulled for research projects would be like saying 'all technology should stay exactly as it is... forever'.

 

[Sumshine 904]

It's funny how this thread turned into a discussion about the Mobile Lab and turned into something completely different. :ROFLOL:

In my opinion, we already have a mobile thing around MGM..the High School Musical Pep Ralley. Personally, I'm getting sick of HSM. Why? It seems like whenever I watch the Disney Channel, they're airing something HSM related. As much as I like HSM, it's getting to the point where I barf whenever I hear it's name. But I might like this Mobile Lab thing, since the Muppets need some attention around Disney. I'll make my final decision when I see the thing.

but if the attractions becomes very unpopular, should they keep it as a memorial...

I mean...MGM is a theme park, not a museum.....

Lets not forget about One Man's Dream, now. :lol:

Who does Jim Henson play?

;

Dude..I'm 13..and even I know who he plays...

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

Sorry, I disagree with ya.

 

[unkadug]

I think the whole "living characters" initiative needs to be stripped of its funding and that capital needs to be reinvested in park expansion.

For the price of Luckey and now this Muppet Mobile Lab we could have had something else in the parks.

Instead we get the self gratification of engineers with no capacity to actually entertain people - really how many of us found this truly entertaining? Why hasn't any character developed remained in the parks? How many people actually got to see these creations in the first place?

The first clue that this was going horribly wrong was when Luckey was refered to as being "a real live thing" and treated like it -backstage- by the engineers. Only the uber-geeks out of the various tech schools working on artificial intelligence do this with their creations. They some how managed to get funding to sit there and amuse themselves while wasting millions of dollars on pieces of junk that have only entertained - the key goal in the venture - a measely few people, mainly themselves.

They're not working out the kinks. They've had years.

Their team is a failure and needs to be disbanded before they suck up any more funds into their money pit.

*hops off soapbox*

I generally agree with your points merf, but I think you missed the mark here.

The technology is still evolving and Disney needs to be on the cutting edge of this or they will be branded a follower again instead of an innovator.

I think they are using what they learned in the creation of Lucky in the making of the Muppet Mobile Lab. So in effect alot of the R&D had already been done.

 

[spaceghost]

Also, just to point out (unless I'm mistaken, in which case ignore this), but attractions like Turtle Talk with Crush and Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor also came out of the Living Characters Initiative. While more on the digital side, the former is definitely a fun, successful attraction and the latter may end up being so as well (I thought it was great when I went recently - apparently my Mother-in-law subscribes to "Slime Magazine"). Who knows what else might be in the pipeline under this "initiative" that we might miss out on if it were scrapped?