News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[Deleted member 107043]

I know it seems like I'm defending Pixar Pier... I'm not. I'm really just trying to take this all at face value for what it is. You're at a pier at a Disney park, why would one expect it to be be all generic pier rides not related to Disney properties? Without that, it's just a regular pier with slightly better rides than you'd see in Santa Monica or Santa Cruz.

I get that, but what I'm asking is how will Disney tie Pixar into the current seaside pier theme. The company has built its brand on expert storytelling at its parks, and all I want know is what the backstory is for Paradise Pixar Pier. Maybe there isn't one. Maybe it's just a bunch of characters and props slapped on top of what's already there. If so, fine, but I'm hoping there's more depth to it than what we've seen in the concept art.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

 

[smile]

Right. You're saying Disney intentionally designed it that way so it would get pulled immediately and get people on the internet talking about Pixar Pier....Oh, wait...

well, that would be something...
was thinking more along the lines of someone not being as sly as they thought they were

speaking of - questionable imagery and bored looking people... is somebody saying something here? lol

 

[dweezil78]

I get that, but what I'm asking is how will Disney tie Pixar into the current seaside pier theme. The company has built its brand on expert storytelling at its parks, and all I want know is what the backstory is for Paradise Pixar Pier. Maybe there isn't one. Maybe it's just a bunch of characters and props slapped on top of what's already there. If so, fine, but I'm hoping there's more depth to it than what we've seen in the concept art.

Right...but what is the story to Fantasyland other than a bunch of classic Disney stories being set in an unspecified European'ish fantasy-like land? The idea of having deep connective storylines or immersion tied through an entire land certainly does not exist in every single land in every single park. (Although for PR purposes sometimes they make it seem like there is more to it than there really is!)

 

[dweezil78]

I really thought the classic Mickey & Co. approach was a perfect direction, and I'm sorry to see it abandoned instead of expanded across the whole pier. Somehow those great 1930's and 1940's character designs just fit the boardwalk theme much more smoothly than Inside Out and the Incredibles.

I agree... I like that more. But I also recognize there are new generations of kids (and many who are adults already) who have way more of an affinity for the Pixar characters than I ever will.

 

[Rich T]

Here's a thought, and please excuse me if this has been brought up before on the boards:

It's been driving me nuts that Disney abandoned a great new direction for the Pier (Classic Mickey & co.) for a really odd and ill-fitting theme (Pixar). Could this seemingly bizarre change of direction be caused by another project-- Maybe the Mickey's Runaway Railway attraction is part of a huge stylistic overhaul of Toontown that would make a Mickey & Co. Pier redundant? Someone please tell me there's actually a great, creative reason this is all happening!

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Right...but what is the story to Fantasyland other than a bunch of classic Disney stories being set in an unspecified European'ish fantasy-like land?

"Here is a land of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart, to those who believe that when you wish upon a star your dreams do come true." - Walt Disney

Is Fantasyland a perfect manifestation of these goals, no, but at least I can look at it and say, well yes, this firmly represents what Walt and his designers intended. With Pixar Pier it isn't clear exactly what story the designers are trying to tell visitors or what it's supposed to be other than an amusement pier with Pixar characters and emblems used as decor. It's entirely possible that there is no internal story guiding the design for Paradise Pier (I hope not) but if there is one the visual queues seen in the art don't make it easy to comprehend.

The idea of having deep connective storylines or immersion tied through an entire land certainly does not exist in every single land in every single park. (Although for PR purposes sometimes they make it seem like there is more to it than there really is!)

Maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is that every WDI theme park project begins with some sort of background story to inform the design process.

 

[dweezil78]

"Here is a land of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart, to those who believe that when you wish upon a star your dreams do come true." - Walt Disney

Is Fantasyland a perfect manifestation of these goals, no, but at least I can look at it and say, well yes, this firmly represents what Walt and his designers intended. With Pixar Pier it isn't clear exactly what story the designers are trying to tell visitors or what it's supposed to be other than an amusement pier with Pixar characters and emblems used as decor. It's entirely possible that there is no internal story guiding the design for Paradise Pier (I hope not) but if there is one the visual queues seen in the art don't make it easy to comprehend.



Maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is that every WDI theme park project begins with some sort of background story to inform the design process.

Of course Fantasyland as a themed area is far more intricate and beautiful to experience (more so since 1983). But there's still no unifying story that ties Mr. Toad with Dumbo with Snow White, etc other than that these are all Disney stories sharing space with one another. You're (thankfully) never fed some manufactured backstory that you are in this 'Fantasy' land these characters joined forces to create and invited you in to experience. (That would be Toon Town).

With that said, the problem is Paradise Pier (as a Disney 'land') has been flawed since day 1. It's always just been a California pier. There is no 'there' there. I take more issue with that -- a problem that stems to its very beginning with DCA, than the Pixarficiation of it. Hence my very lowered expectation and not really getting riled up that about this overlay. Unless they were to do a full re-do ala Buena Vista St., it's always going to have those core issues that no amount of overlaying will resolve.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

But there's still no unifying story that ties Mr. Toad with Dumbo with Snow White, etc other than that these are all Disney stories sharing space with one another.

It says right in Walt's dedication what the story is: a timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Most of the content in Fantasyland supports those underlying theme aspirations.

This isn't me hating on Pixar either. Again, I'm not asking for absolute storytelling perfection, nor do I have Star Wars Land level expectations for Pixar Pier, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what, if any, the guiding principles were for the land's thematic design because they aren't clear to me.

With that said for the umpteenth time I think I'm done trying to explain my view on this particular point.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

It says right in Walt's dedication what the story is: a timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Most of the content in Fantasyland supports those underlying theme aspirations.

This isn't me hating on Pixar either. Again, I'm not asking for absolute storytelling perfection, nor do I have Star Wars Land level expectations for Pixar Pier, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what, if any, the guiding principles were for the land's thematic design because they aren't clear to me.

With said for the umpteenth time I think I'm done trying to explain my view on this particular point.

They're not clear to you because they aren't clear to Disney...
This whole project just seems like a way to shove more Pixar IP and related march into the hands of consumers.

As is the case with most current Disney projects, the guiding principle is money.

 

[dweezil78]

It says right in Walt's dedication what the story is: a timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Most of the content in Fantasyland supports those underlying theme aspirations.

This isn't me hating on Pixar either. Again, I'm not asking for absolute storytelling perfection, nor do I have Star Wars Land level expectations for Pixar Pier, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what, if any, the guiding principles were for the land's thematic design because they aren't clear to me.

With that said for the umpteenth time I think I'm done trying to explain my view on this particular point.

I think we both agree here...just from different angles. You're right, Fantasyland holds together far more stronger than the pier. It always has. I'm just saying the pier has never had much of a purpose beyond it being a pier.

 

[mickEblu]

It says right in Walt's dedication what the story is: a timeless land of enchantment the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Most of the content in Fantasyland supports those underlying theme aspirations.

This isn't me hating on Pixar either. Again, I'm not asking for absolute storytelling perfection, nor do I have Star Wars Land level expectations for Pixar Pier, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what, if any, the guiding principles were for the land's thematic design because they aren't clear to me.

With that said for the umpteenth time I think I'm done trying to explain my view on this particular point.

There is no story. They re just branding the pier with Pixar. And I have to say, I think it’s better than kaboom! ...the Collectors fortress landed in DCA.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

There is no story. They re just branding the pier with Pixar. And I have to say, I think it’s better than kaboom! ...the Collectors fortress landed in DCA.

but...but...Kaboom! is such a great guiding principle!!!

 

[Deleted member 107043]

There is no story. They re just branding the pier with Pixar. And I have to say, I think it’s better than kaboom! ...the Collectors fortress landed in DCA.

Yeah but at least you can tell what the story is, and the general consensus is that the experience is cohesive, but is out of place in HWL.

Ah HWL, another Disney theme land with it's own set of serious storytelling issues.

 

[mickEblu]

Yeah but at least you can tell what the story is, and the general consensus is that the experience is cohesive, but is out of place in HWL.

Ah HWL, another Disney theme land with it's own set of serious storytelling issues.

Well that’s the thing, I would rather have no story than the one they came up with for MB. Like @dweezil78 said earlier, I would hate some sort of story explaining why Dumbo and Mr. Toad are connected etc. But maybe the fact that it’s called Fantasyland is all the explanation it needs. I think that’s kind of a cop out though. So that’s when I take it back to what were the intentions of Disney and the imagineers when they created Fantasyland? If I had to bet, I Dont think they were too concerned with any sort of story when it came to the land. They just wanted a way for guests to experience some of their favorite films. In that way Pixar Pier is the same. Although with no mission statement from Walt and with way less charming aesthetics. The biggest difference I think is that where with Fantasyland they wanted guest to experience some of their favorite films, Pixar Pier is more character driven. There isn’t a huge chance to experience much outside of that on a carnival flat ride.

Anyway, I think the idea of Pixar Pier is, how do I put this - WHACK. Lol. But I ll probably enjoy it at least as much or more than Paradise Pier. Let’s take the biggest change for example - the Incredicoaster. The Q will be upgraded and more aesthetically pleasing. The ride will be the same with some show scenes added. I can’t see how that could diminish my actual experience. Basically it won’t make me feel any less like I was on a Pier than Paradise Pier already did.

 

[Disneylover152]

Ah HWL, another Disney theme land with it's own set of serious storytelling issues.

TBH Hollywoodland isn't as bad as Pixar Pier is. Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout technically fits the land its in better than Tower of Terror did (maybe not the park). Hollywoodland isn't a golden age of Hollywood (like Buena Vista Street), its a backlot that celebrates the movie magic of California.

 

[TROR]

TBH Hollywoodland isn't as bad as Pixar Pier is. Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout technically fits the land its in better than Tower of Terror did (maybe not the park). Hollywoodland isn't a golden age of Hollywood (like Buena Vista Street), its a backlot that celebrates the movie magic of California.

But Hollywood Land is supposed to be the golden age of Hollywood. While they never properly remodeled the land, the name, logo, and set decorations show this.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

But Hollywood Land is supposed to be the golden age of Hollywood. While they never properly remodeled the land, the name, logo, and set decorations show this.

Not to mention that the main thoroughfare in the land represents Hollywood Boulevard during that era, complete with the Red Cars.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

DCA was, is, and will always continue to be an overall thematic jumble that has spawned some fun attractions, but little else.

It clearly should have been WestCot instead.

 

[TROR]

DCA was, is, and will always continue to be an overall thematic jumble that has spawned some fun attractions, but little else.

It clearly should have been WestCot instead.

Have you seen what they're doing to Epcot in Florida? It's not much better than what's happening to DCA now. We'd have been screwed either way in the end.