Orlando's LM to be "slightly longer and a lot better"

[worldfanatic]

I rode the one in DCA a few weeks ago and was pretty underwhelmed. I know what it's "supposed" to be, just a mild dark ride, and I felt like it was "almost" there.

There are a few spots with flat sea cutouts that could be enhanced to make for a better environment, if they were dimensional rather than flat. Seemed cheap.

The lighting overall was too bright and washed out.

The attraction lacked "dazzle", it just seemed "there".

So, for DCA, my take is "close, but not there". I am hopeful that just a few added effects and such will make the difference in WDW's version.

I agree with all these statements.
I was soooo looking forward to it before I rode it.

Afterwards, I can't say I was disapointed, just underwhelmed.

It just didn't have that special extra special something I had hoped for.
So I rode it again. Same result. Not bad.
But as Atomicmickey said, it was just "there.

Come to think of it......I guess I was disapointed.
Hope they make improvements.

 

[aladdin2007]

I think our queue/load area will blow DCAS out of the water. No pun intended. But the two are just so different that way in style and theming, I guess it cant really be compared. I just think asthetically ours is going to appear richer with more immersive theming and detail.

 

[muteki]

We rode the CA version a lot while we were there, and while we really liked it, one could definitely rework some of the later scenes. The way the ride is structured, each scene (vast majority anyway) is built around a song from the film. If the scene in the film wasn't accompanied by a musical number, it isn't in the ride.

It works for a lot of the rides scenes, and mostly works well, but the CA implementation certainly isn't a 1:1 storywise with the film. There is a good bit of jumping around from plot point to plot point (missing some entirely, re-writing others). If they changed ours a bit (and really, it wouldn't take much) it would be welcome IMO.

 

[AEfx]

They could easily make it a lot better by adding an encounter with Ursula at the end.

That said, I'd be decently happy with just what CA got, in our much more appropriate setting. I think it is quite a charming ride. But as a fan of villains, it left a bit to be desired with Ursula's resolution.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

They could easily make it a lot better by adding an encounter with Ursula at the end.

That said, I'd be decently happy with just what CA got, in our much more appropriate setting. I think it is quite a charming ride. But as a fan of villains, it left a bit to be desired with Ursula's resolution.

Good point. I'd love to see more of Ursula. She's fantastic.

 

[Lee]

Maybe they'll add the Ursula AA and scene they cut at DCA. Should be easy to drop it in, since it was originally planned.:shrug:

 

[AEfx]

Maybe they'll add the Ursula AA and scene they cut at DCA. Should be easy to drop it in, since it was originally planned.:shrug:

Oh Lee, I expected you to say, "No, that's impossible they can't do that".

I know you don't know either way...but wow, I tell you, this ride would be perfect to me if that were true.

It's the only thing wrong with it, IMO. I'm even fine with "ice cream cone hair Ariel" - I think it's kinda cute. But it feels like they cheaped out on Ursula - and just like the attacking Whale is my favorite thing in the Pinocchio ride, and the Witch my favorite in Snow White, an Ursula AA at the end would have been my favorite part, if it had happened at DCA.

A fan can dream...

 

[TP2000]

Hi, that's actually my blog. So, the guy who gave the talk was definitely doing it in an official capacity--he wasn't a custodian just talking to guests or something like that. But I know nothing more than what he said.

Since there isn't an official Preview Center for FLE, I think it's great that Disney is putting out official spokesmen like this to stand in front of the WDI artwork and tell park visitors what the Little Mermaid and other elements of FLE are all about! They should keep this up!

http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2011/12/latest-fantasyland-expansion-updates.html

And since he's an official spokesman and is publicly stating that the version of the Little Mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom is going to be "longer and better" than the DCA version, then that's a solid confirmation that we'll see major and noticeable improvements and changes to the WDW version of the ride when it opens next year. Thanks for taking the time to listen to this spokesman and report back to us about it. :sohappy:

All that said, I think it's important to realize what a big improvement the Little Mermaid ride was for DCA on that piece of property. From 2001 to 2008 the land that Mermaid is now on at DCA was home to a rather boring and very cheap California history movie. It was about like watching a California version of the Norway Pavilion post-show travel bureau movie. The Little Mermaid built from the ground up on that piece of land was a massive and huge improvement in offering for DCA and the Disneyland Resort overall.

The Little Mermaid at DCA isn't the most jaw-dropping amazing ride you've ever seen. I give it a solid 8 out of 10. But compared to what it replaced, it's a dramatic improvement for the entire park.

In its version in Magic Kingdom at WDW it is basically replacing what was already a really great attraction (20K Under The Sea) in a park that already has fabulous attractions (Pirates, Mansion, Space, Jungle Cruise, CoP, Small World, etc.)

 

[The Duck]

Maybe they'll add the Ursula AA and scene they cut at DCA. Should be easy to drop it in, since it was originally planned.:shrug:

I just rewatched the YouTube video from DCA and here's what I'm wondering. If WDW were to remove the "Crash & Burn" Ursula scene and Ariel's laser show kiss scene, would that be adequate room to put in a proper Ursula's comeuppance scene?

 

[ChrisFL]

The Little Mermaid: Bigger, Longer and Uncut

 

[danlb_2000]

And since he's an official spokesman and is publicly stating that the version of the Little Mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom is going to be "longer and better" than the DCA version, then that's a solid confirmation that we'll see major and noticeable improvements and changes to the WDW version of the ride when it opens next year. Thanks for taking the time to listen to this spokesman and report back to us about it. :sohappy:

I am still going to be cautiously optimistic. Disney is notorious for their word-smithing. For all we know they could be saying it's going to be "longer and better" just because it has a better interactive queue.

Dan

 

[aladdin2007]

I am still going to be cautiously optimistic. Disney is notorious for their word-smithing. For all we know they could be saying it's going to be "longer and better" just because it has a better interactive queue.

Dan

Good point, cause queues seem to be more important here these days than actual attractions. :shrug:

 

[Lee]

Oh Lee, I expected you to say, "No, that's impossible they can't do that".

Of course they can...if they want to.
I did a quick tracing of the original DCA plan showing how the last few scenes were laid out.
Note that Ursula had another major scene near the end which featured an AA Ursula being taken down. Not a cut-out, it was a full figure.
That scene was cut in favor or two smaller scenes, the very small Ursula cut-out and the married Ariel and Eric figures.

I like the old way better...but that's just me. Give Ursula her big demise scene.

Also, I was re-reading the LA Times review of the ride. The biggest complaint they had seems to have been the transitions. Fixing that with some projections or small figures would seem to be no big deal.:shrug:

 

[aladdin2007]

I wouldnt be surprised to see "1" added scene that does not appear in DCA. I guess at this stage would probably be minor, but could still make a huge difference. I guess things with this ride are not up to TDO? Thats a good thing right.

 

[HMF]

I wouldnt be surprised to see "1" added scene that does not appear in DCA. I guess at this stage would probably be minor, but could still make a huge difference. I guess things with this ride are not up to TDO? Thats a good thing right.

Absolutely! Remember TDO did not want this expansion, it was forced upon them by Burbank.

 

[Skooterkid]

Added the link. Not a lot of info in it beyond the "news" that our Mermaid will be "slightly longer and a lot better".

If they add the right things, I think they could make it a lot better and only slightly longer. One scene between Kiss the Girl and the finale ought to do the trick.

I agree, the transition between the Kiss the Girl scene and the Wedding is kinda awkward. They need to add more Ursula and sort out Ariel's hair! It is so stiff and unhairlike!

 

[Skooterkid]

Of course they can...if they want to.
I did a quick tracing of the original DCA plan showing how the last few scenes were laid out.
Note that Ursula had another major scene near the end which featured an AA Ursula being taken down. Not a cut-out, it was a full figure.
That scene was cut in favor or two smaller scenes, the very small Ursula cut-out and the married Ariel and Eric figures.

I like the old way better...but that's just me. Give Ursula her big demise scene.

Also, I was re-reading the LA Times review of the ride. The biggest complaint they had seems to have been the transitions. Fixing that with some projections or small figures would seem to be no big deal.:shrug:

That would make so much more sense! Peter Pan's Flight shows Captain Hook getting eaten by Tick-Tock (almost!) and Snow White shows the Wicked Queen crushed by a boulder, why can't we witness Ursula's comeuppance? Even if riders have seen the movie a hundred times and know what happens, it's so much more satisfying if they include the villain's demise!

 

[TP2000]

I guess things with this ride are not up to TDO? Thats a good thing right.

I wonder who the official spokesmen and spokeswomen work for? (I assume there are ladies doing this speech at the artwork too)

Are these Imagineers from the WDI side of the house, or are they WDW CM's from the Marketing or Public Affairs type departments that I'm sure WDW has in TDO. I wonder which department is staffing this spokesman position?

It would seem to be a WDI person doing the talking here, since they are so knowledgeable about the inner workings of an attraction still six months from opening. http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2011/12/latest-fantasyland-expansion-updates.html

 

[epcot85]

Absolutely! Remember TDO did not want this expansion, it was forced upon them by Burbank.

Maybe this is a sign of things to come, let TDO run the parks and let Burbank have creative and design control. Probably wishful thinking..:xmas:

 

[HMF]

Maybe this is a sign of things to come, let TDO run the parks and let Burbank have creative and design control. Probably wishful thinking..:xmas:

I would rather have Glendale have complete creative control and have TDO run the bare minimum business management. In other words WDI should run the parks.