New News on Stitch's Great Escape!

[Mission: SPACE]

***SPOILER NOTICE... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!***





One of my coordinators, who works in Tomorrowland, said he spoke with one of the few Imagineers lingering around Stitch, who told him new effects will be added to Stitch on an ongoing basis. From what he said, another animatronic will be added to the top of the teleportation tube where Stitch will pop his head out at various points in the show, as well as effects making it looks as though the cannons shot the chamber walls, which will reset at the end of every show (think of something kinda like the destruction of the wall in Muppetvision). I don't know what the timeline is on this, but it's supposed to be done chamber by chamber, after park close. In other words, it will not call for any down time during park hours.

I don't know why they think this will improve the guest's impression of the attraction, but hey... they're never going to bring back AE (which is what I want!).

 

[dxwwf3]

At least they are doing SOMETHING. It probably won't fix the attraction in the minds of most, but hey if it pleases the general public (and not WDW Fans) that's all that Disney really cares about. And if the changes are accepted by the general public, it will be a good thing. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

Nope AE isn't coming back M:S. Maybe something similar in the future though. Eh probably not :lol:

 

[Snapper Bean]

I'd rather see them spend some money to write a script that is actually funny and makes sense. Granted, I saw S:GE during previews but I sat there a did not have the foggiest clue as to what was going on/what the point of it was. A part of me says that they may be chasing good money after bad at this point.

Snapper Bean

 

[barnum42]

Snazzy effects can't rescue a poor script - take a look at the first Start Trek movie

 

[CTXRover]

Most probably now this, but right now, one of the two chambers isn't being used at all. Part of the reason is a refurb of the Merchants of Venus shop that the one chamber empties into. I imagine though that they would take this time to start tweaking that show chamber while its closed. I'm hoping for some story changes within the main chamber as I think that could go a long way, but some new effects like those mentioned above would help as well. If you actually saw Stitch pop his head out from time to time around the chamber it would decrease the need for as much darkness as well as solidify the fact that he is running around the chamber vs just the sound effects now. Hopefully they can at least get started with whatever they plan to do while that chamber is closed and we will be able to see some of the changes once it reopens in the near future.

 

[tigger_rox00]

I kinda liked the stitch attraction, though I liked AE much better. It will be good to see Disney invest some extra time and money into Stitch. It will improve the overall experience and generate some added buzz on the attraction. Though the script is pathetic, but the majority of the public doesn't really care about script. It will be great.

 

[marni1971]

Most probably now this, but right now, one of the two chambers isn't being used at all. Part of the reason is a refurb of the Merchants of Venus shop that the one chamber empties into..

I understood it was the other way round (One chamber being `improved` so the shop went down as well)

 

[Hakunamatata]

Darn, when I opened this thread, I was hoping to read that it was being shut down.... :lookaroun

 

[dxwwf3]

Darn, when I opened this thread, I was hoping to read that it was being shut down.... :lookaroun

Well life isn't perfect is it? :animwink:

I do my fair share of SGE bashing, but I don't want anyone to get it twisted. I do want the attraction to be decent enough to where most guests want to see it every once in a while. One reason is that it still features Skippy and as long as SGE is there, a little piece of AE will still be there (Sappy I know). But another reason is that what's done is done. If they were going to bring AE back in that spot it would be one thing, but it's not happening guys. So there might as well be something in that spot that kids like. Of course, I also won't lie that I get kick out of being so right about alot of the things that happened to SGE. But really it wasn't that hard to predict what would happen. You just think Disney would have thought of it as well.

 

[CTXRover]

I understood it was the other way round (One chamber being `improved` so the shop went down as well)

Very well could be that way. Disney has technically only reported the shop closure with intentions to refurb it with a SGE theme (and thus the chamber would have to go down unless a small walkway was set-up direct from the chamber to the store's exit) but nothing official has been mentioned on any show changes (and there may never be as it could be seen by some as they are admitting their mistakes). The shop hadn't been touched since the days of AE and the X-S Tech props were still in the store before it just went down a few weeks ago. I imagine there had been plans to refurb this shop at some time in the future, even before it was realized SGE would need work. Its possible that the decision to improve the chamber led to a more recent decision to close and refurb the store as well. Doesn't really matter, the point is that one chamber is currently closed to the public and so work might be going on right now vs just occuring after park closing.

 

[dxwwf3]

The shop hadn't been touched since the days of AE and the X-S Tech props were still in the store before it just went down a few weeks ago.

Would it kill them to leave the XS Tech sign in there? :lol:

Give me SOMETHING to do in that area for crying out loud. That could be the highlight of the trip. I seriously thought they would leave that sign up there as a nod to the fans.......I guess I was wrong again.

 

[CTXRover]

Would it kill them to leave the XS Tech sign in there? :lol:

Give me SOMETHING to do in that area for crying out loud. That could be the highlight of the trip. I seriously thought they would leave that sign up there as a nod to the fans.......I guess I was wrong again.

Actually, I thought at first the props in the shop were going to remain as a nod to AE as well. It wasn't really much, but it was a nice gesture. I expect it will be removed in the shop's refurb.

I believe the only reference to AE/XS-Tech inside SGE now is right before you enter the main chamber. To the right along the path from the 2nd pre-show to the main chamber is a collection of equipment/pipes/machinery. The XS logo was still on them last time I saw SGE.

 

[SirGoofy]

Good to hear that they're trying to help SGE. I liked SGE when I saw it in December, but I beleive it isn't used at full potential. These effects will help, but the script still needs to be upgraded.

 

[General Grizz]

These effects do not help the problems: lame show, terrifying for kids. Thanks for the update.

 

[Figment1986]

the script needs fixing... they could do more special effects.. but a script is needed to be fixed for repeated visitors...

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

It's funny, I always thought the attraction needed a broken wall feature like Muppetvision or Philharmagic, as well as something at the top of the tube.

I hope this also means a better script...

 

[CTXRover]

These effects do not help the problems: lame show, terrifying for kids. Thanks for the update.

The greater the possibilities of having more appearances by Stitch and less periods of complete darkness COULD help a lot in the kid department. Right now, my biggest gripe is the long periods of darkness where nothing really seems to happen. Sure, you can hear Stitch sounds behind you, but I think using the Stitch AA more, having Stitch figures pop down from the top of the tube (or even the ceiling) from time to time, and just more effects that limit the dark periods could help, both in improving the overall show and make it more kid-friendly (one of the main reasons for the re-do of AE). I agree that it still needs quite a few adjustments in the storyline for any major improvement, but I still think the prospects for a great show are still there.

 

[hstupno@mac.com]

Attraction?

Well, I'm glad to see they're doing SOMETHING to the "attraction". We stood in line for what seemed like forever last week and boy was this a disappointment. Perhaps it's because we liked AE so much, that this seemed so much worse, but we couldn't understand the story, couldn't understand Stitch and it just seemed really disjointed. It was not worth the wait, that's for sure. We could have spent our time elsewhere.

My two cents.
Heidi

 

[NemoRocks78]

but hey... they're never going to bring back AE (which is what I want!).

I think that's what everyone wants..... :lol:

 

[aloha2308]

Enough already....

OMG! I understand that our "hardcore" Disney fans (which in itself is a pretty amusing phrase) are upset by the fact that AE is no longer with us. But please, for the sake of all that is Disney remember this:

1) AE was FAR MORE FRIGHTENING than SGE. When my family went to Disney for the first time in'94, my brother was 8, and he CLIMBED OUT OF THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT AND CLIMED ONTO MY MOTHER'S LAP. I've been on SGE several times and I haven't seen that violent of a reaction yet. With AE it was common.

2) AE even seemed out of place being that you were in the MK and not MGM. Most of the rides in MK are essentially "kid-friendly" and they really should be. Please keep in mind that MK is for the young and young at heart. Now, I don't have a problem with a thrill ride here or there but set the height limit higher to accommodate the appropriate age group.

The story lacking Shakespearean properties really didn't bother me much. It seemed cute, and gross, and funny, and I really enjoy all of the Lilo and Stitch characters. Stitch himself as far as animatronics goes is amazing! I was so excited to see my favorite little blue fluffy puppy up close and personal. I think it's great that Disney is going to continue to tweak the attraction and strive to improve it. It makes me feel like they really want this attraction to become a "must see". So, from a castmember/annual passholder/WDW fan ... if you don't like the ride, don't go on it. My husband and I would love for the line to be as short as possible.:sohappy: (He likes to ride it at least twice a trip. He's a huge Stitch fan!)