Oh no, say it ain't so, Joe..

[HarperRose]

It is a choke point...I’m not gonna try to argue it...it’s not that significant...but it is

There are numerous choke points throughout the park, not only at the Oasis.

 

[Brer Oswald]

The place just seems like a million trails to nowhere for me.

Whereas I can zip around MK and EPCOT nearly blindfolded and generally work my way around DHS though not quite as easily as the other two as they've been opening up the new lands and I will still have to figure out the way through and around again. Plus I keep being confused by the front area which is a ringer for DCA and I keep expecting to find things in certain directions where they are not. lol

I’m with you there. I’ve been to Animal Kingdom at least 20 times (I’m sure that pales in comparison to most people on here, but I skipped it for several years).

Still can’t find my way around that park.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Isn't that what basically everyone is saying? I don't think anyone thinks DAK is perfect.

Zoomers.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The rocket is one of the best AAs as far as pure enjoyment for me

That part is enjoyable. Actually up until the actual ride I thought the attraction was pretty good on the inside. The ride itself, I’ll take tower any day.

 

[tirian]

Oopsie!

Hakuna Matata!

 

[tirian]

That part is enjoyable. Actually up until the actual ride I thought the attraction was pretty good on the inside. The ride itself, I’ll take tower any day.

I agree for DCA Tower, but definitely not Florida’s! The TOT atmosphere and vibe in Florida are superb.

 

[tirian]

There is a battalion of ardent DAK defenders that really have made approval of the layout to seem much higher than it probably is with the whole customer base.

I love DAK...but I think Tirian is more right than wrong here.

FWIW on a fan forum that most of the population doesn’t care about: I need to go on record saying I love DAK too!

I’m also a realist about WDI’s grandiose claims which ignore reality—like originally building Florida’s Toy Story Land with no shade.

Nevertheless, I do love DAK. It’s gorgeous.

 

[Parker in NYC]

I love the Nomad Lounge. Getting sloshed there is my idea of nahtazu! Thanks, Joe.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

His exterior design of that building is a blight on the park and one of the worst things WDI has ever done.

I’m not sure how much was “his” because marvel designers were involved but I 100% agree. It ruins the DCA re-theme for me.

 

[michmousefan]

The outside was DOA...the ride itself?? I kinda like it. The rocket is one of the best AAs as far as pure enjoyment for me

Yep. For what DCA offered originally with their "second class" Tower, the Guardians re-theme is superior to the original, and a lot of fun.

Note: the original DHS Tower is an entirely different story and should not be re-themed.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree for DCA Tower, but definitely not Florida’s! The TOT atmosphere and vibe in Florida are superb.

...it was another time.

Wdw still had Leads then

 

[Fable McCloud]

I didn't read the whole thread, but is Joe Rhode really one of the Imagineers that they let go? Or was that just speculation?

 

[412]

I didn't read the whole thread, but is Joe Rhode really one of the Imagineers that they let go? Or was that just speculation?

Speculation. Shortly after the rumor started, Joe said that he still works at WDI. The rumor was wrong.

Now that the rumor is dead, we've moved on to debating Animal Kingdom's path layout and Mission Breakout's paint job.

 

[_caleb]

And yet we never ask how much of Pandora was James Cameron, we just assume it is all “his”.

It’s the definition of myopic fanboy perspective - what you like, he gets the credit, what you don’t, it’s executives, bean counters, Marvel designers, the villain behind the tree.

Since I’m not a 16 year old girl filling out my Tiger Beat magazine poll of who is more dreamy Leif Garrett or Shaun Cassidy*, I can actually just judge the work, whoever did it without cheerleading.

* Dated reference used intentionally

Right. You've made your opinions clear. Not sure why you feel the need to label anyone who disagrees with you as a "cheerleader" or whatever, though. What makes your opinion any more valid than mine?

In general, I'm a fan of Disney's Imagineers and what they do. Some of their creative decisions don't make a lot of sense to me, others seem to exceed my high expectations. Joe Rohde's work (the things he claims to have had a hand in) generally fall into the category of "things I enjoy and am willing to pay to experience."

It's easy (and apparently fun) to criticize other people's work, but when it's obvious you don't know what the limitations, parameters, and constraints they were given, you're really not in a good place to judge much beyond whether you like it or not.

 

[Fable McCloud]

Speculation. Shortly after the rumor started, Joe said that he still works at WDI. The rumor was wrong.

Thanks so much!

 

[HongKongFooy]

I’m with you there. I’ve been to Animal Kingdom at least 20 times (I’m sure that pales in comparison to most people on here, but I skipped it for several years).

Still can’t find my way around that park.

20+ visits and don't know the layout.......
you're exaggerating to make a point, no?

 

[HongKongFooy]

As Harrison Hightower Joe R. had some involvement with one of the best attractions on the planet: Hightower Hotel at Disney Sea. Did he consult on that as well or just model his likeness?

I feel that should cancel out the ugly Guardians facade. One TOT facade is darn near perfect and the other TOT looks gaudy.

 

[lazyboy97o]

As Harrison Hightower Joe R. had some involvement with one of the best attractions on the planet: Hightower Hotel at Disney Sea. Did he consult on that as well or just model his likeness?

I feel that should cancel out the ugly Guardians facade. One TOT facade is darn near perfect and the other TOT looks gaudy.

He was just the character model, not part of the design team.

 

[Brer Oswald]

20+ visits and don't know the layout.......
you're exaggerating to make a point, no?

Let’s see. 2-3 visits the past 5 trips. Then the 5 or 6 other years we went with just one stop at Animal Kingdom.

No that’s about right . Around 20. Maybe I should’ve said “at least 15”.

 

[wdw71fan]

Joe is, without a doubt, still with WDI.. Hadnt seen this thread til today, but it couldn't be more wrong.