News New Play Pavilion to replace Epcot's Wonders of Life

[Bender123]

Exactly. Pretty sure there’s nothing immersive or storytelling going on with their Batman ride. But people ride it for the thrill, not the logo.

They are pretty funny...Here is a standard rollercoaster, but its red and blue and has wood cutouts of Superman characters, therefore its a themed Superman ride.

Actually, the Justice League dark rides at Six Flags parks are pretty impressive and immersive IP experiences. I sort of hope they keep coming out with rides that are similar, because its a good direction for their parks.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

That's dangerous thinking. Just because they have different priorities from us doesn't mean their priorities are "low". There are a lot of pretentious people that view us Disney fans that way. They're wrong and they should respect our interests as much as they respect their own.

But so should we.

To be clear, I’m not trying to imply that being a fan of the Disney theme parks specifically makes you a higher being or anything like that. I’m just saying that people that don’t have a nuanced appreciation for something should take precedence over its core fanbase. If Disney cares about the long term success of their parks, then they need to find a proper balance for each change and/or addition in order to keep all parties satisfied overall.

 

[Horizons '83]

I'm glad - most people take it for granite.

Haha, fantastic. Yeah I have fallen victim to the autocorrect function once again....

 

[SteamboatJoe]

The Potter stuff works so well because....

-There are 7 books (8 films) worth of reference material instead of just one movie.

- When you read a book, you mentally transport yourself into it's setting so you have already imagined being there.

-The places where things happen matter more to the story and characters in Harry Potter.

- Places in Harry Potter are practically characters themselves, in some respects.

- You don't need the characters or character names to recognize the places in Harry Potter.

-The places in Harry Potter are not generic and are easily distinguishable. It's not just a kingdom/village/city in a far away land with a different skin.

-There are numerous places within each village/neighborhood that are relevant to the story which gives these areas depth and further brings them to life. People want to experience these places in context.

-The size of the places being replicated for Harry Potter are just right for a theme park, a neighborhood or village. Not too small or too big.

-Places in Harry Potter are not too fantastic or abstract to recreate.

 

[Bocabear]

Absolutely agree...Potter was the right franchise, and the design team did an amazing job.
I don't even believe you need to know the movies to get the rides and environments...they tell the story themselves.
Disney owns plenty of IP that could have been developed more successfully....

 

[iowamomof4]

Haha, fantastic. Yeah I have fallen victim to the autocorrect function once again....

I think it was one of the most wonderful auto-correct fails I've ever seen! Thanks for the belly laugh this morning!

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Absolutely agree...Potter was the right franchise, and the design team did an amazing job.
I don't even believe you need to know the movies to get the rides and environments...they tell the story themselves.
Disney owns plenty of IP that could have been developed more successfully....

Yep, at least they nailed it with Radiator Springs. It was a perfect candidate for recreation. It was the right scale, has personality and depth, is integral to the story, and is instantly recognizable.

 

[LuvWDW2]

But you guys(?) are looking at it from the point of a fan (or at least seen a movie or 2). It’s a meaningless franchise to me (and I’m sure I’m not alone).

Once SW opens, there will be people who feel the exact same way (I know, blasphemy, even to me). Not everyone who walks through will be looking at every single detail. Shoot, there will be self proclaimed fans that will miss a lot for whatever reason. Not every person is cut out to notice every nuance and a lot of people frankly don’t care to notice. Does that mean they should cut corners for the super fans? Of course not. I’m looking forward to finding those not so obvious gems. But I’m also trying to be realistic for my expectations so I’m not disappointed if every single detail doesn’t match what I hope is there.

My apologies for bringing this topic so far off from the original subject. I’m not the target demo for this updated pavilion (and won’t be until my grandparent days). But to bring it full circle, the parks are for everyone. I don’t have to love all of it. The parks are ever changing so I won’t lament the loss of WoL as it was either.

 

[Bender123]

But you guys(?) are looking at it from the point of a fan (or at least seen a movie or 2). It’s a meaningless franchise to me (and I’m sure I’m not alone).

Once SW opens, there will be people who feel the exact same way (I know, blasphemy, even to me). Not everyone who walks through will be looking at every single detail. Shoot, there will be self proclaimed fans that will miss a lot for whatever reason. Not every person is cut out to notice every nuance and a lot of people frankly don’t care to notice. Does that mean they should cut corners for the super fans? Of course not. I’m looking forward to finding those not so obvious gems. But I’m also trying to be realistic for my expectations so I’m not disappointed if every single detail doesn’t match what I hope is there.

My apologies for bringing this topic so far off from the original subject. I’m not the target demo for this updated pavilion (and won’t be until my grandparent days). But to bring it full circle, the parks are for everyone. I don’t have to love all of it. The parks are ever changing so I won’t lament the loss of WoL as it was either.

Im sure, somewhere...somehow, there is a person who has been lamenting the loss of Sex Ed hosted by Martin Short for the past 20 years saying that Epcot hasn't been good since it closed. (I just got one of those creeped out shivers writing that...)

 

[marni1971]

That’s my point: I’m not a Potter fan so I won’t get it..

Neither were we. But by god.

 

[BisonLion]

But you guys(?) are looking at it from the point of a fan (or at least seen a movie or 2). It’s a meaningless franchise to me (and I’m sure I’m not alone).

Once SW opens, there will be people who feel the exact same way (I know, blasphemy, even to me). Not everyone who walks through will be looking at every single detail. Shoot, there will be self proclaimed fans that will miss a lot for whatever reason. Not every person is cut out to notice every nuance and a lot of people frankly don’t care to notice. Does that mean they should cut corners for the super fans? Of course not. I’m looking forward to finding those not so obvious gems. But I’m also trying to be realistic for my expectations so I’m not disappointed if every single detail doesn’t match what I hope is there.

My apologies for bringing this topic so far off from the original subject. I’m not the target demo for this updated pavilion (and won’t be until my grandparent days). But to bring it full circle, the parks are for everyone. I don’t have to love all of it. The parks are ever changing so I won’t lament the loss of WoL as it was either.

The issue SWL will face is that Black Spire Outpost isn't a place many SW fans even know. Outside of the MF and ride, there will be many "fans" that don't know what else to look for. While I am a huge Disney fan and Star Wars fan, that is one thing that HP has going for it. The locations are very specific and they did a great job of trying to make the areas match the views and insights from the books. SWL will struggle with that, because the land is in reality a generic place that fits in the SW universe.

WWHP was a once in a lifetime chance to have a land like they do. It was many books, but all mostly taking place in a few venues that were described in depth and brought to life in a real way. SWL may be unbelievable, but it is going to be tough to match the immersion of WWHP. Now the hotel maybe able to take it a step further.

 

[LuvWDW2]

Neither were we. But by god.

I’m sure it’s beautiful. I’m just saying it’s not going to transport me anywhere because I don’t care to be.

I also think Disney did a great job with Pandora. But it also doesn’t transport me (unless I’m sitting on FoP, of course).

People will only be immersed if they want to be, details or not.

 

[marni1971]

I’m sure it’s beautiful. I’m just saying it’s not going to transport me anywhere because I don’t care to be.

If you’ve never been, try it. Seriously. Both areas (especially Diagon) are the pinnacle of immersive design. Indifferent to the IP or not.

It also helps one of the attactions is one of the worlds best of type.

 

[LuvWDW2]

@BisonLion

If there’s one thing I know about SW fans it’s that they are NEVER satisfied, no matter the product I’m fully prepared for reviews about how SWL doesn’t live up. I will make my own determination but respect the opinions of others.

 

[Kman101]

Those people should do some research.

They should. But shouldn't Disney also do a better job explaining and promoting what Epcot is and was? But since they haven't a clue ... lol

 

[Bender123]

They should. But shouldn't Disney also do a better job explaining and promoting what Epcot is and was? But since they haven't a clue ... lol

Even back in the golden age, when Disney was riding the science and technology theme hard, people still found it to be "the boring one".

The average person on vacation doesn't want to think...

 

[bcoachable]

If you’ve never been, try it. Seriously. Both areas (especially Diagon) are the pinnacle of immersive design. Indifferent to the IP or not.

It also helps one of the attactions is one of the worlds best of type.

What they did in there for the Potter Franchise makes me wonder how cool the acreage across I-4 will be!!

Seems like WDW has forgotten (sort of) how to theme their lands and Uni is figuring it out..

 

[NormC]

Even if you didn't know who Harry Potter was and where the books took place the land is still very immersive. You could forget you were at Universal while you walked around there. Being a fan doesn't make it more immersive. It makes it more familiar.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If you’ve never been, try it. Seriously. Both areas (especially Diagon) are the pinnacle of immersive design. Indifferent to the IP or not.

It also helps one of the attactions is one of the worlds best of type.

And I still can't interest my kids in taking even one day out of our WDW summer trip to go there. We went to Universal Hollywood, and the Potter stuff there is really cute. The area is pretty small, though, so I'm not sure how well the immersion works. My daughter enjoyed it as she was into the books -- but even she doesn't want to go to Universal Orlando for the Potter stuff. My son was far more into The Walking Dead walk-through attraction (as was I!).

What is the "worlds best of type" attraction that's in Universal Orlando? Different than either of the Hollywood ones? I like Forbidden Journey, but like most rides at Universal it triggered my husband's motions sickness so he was one and done on that one.

 

[marni1971]

What is the "worlds best of type" attraction that's in Universal Orlando? Different than either of the Hollywood ones? I like Forbidden Journey, but like most rides at Universal it triggered my husband's motions sickness so he was one and done on that one.

Forbidden Journey, though thankfully Orlando never got the 3D upgrade.