News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[Casper Gutman]

Just happy I got to see the park in 2015 when its thematic integrity was intact.

But the thematic integrity of Paradise Pier never really was intact - it was a mish-mash of post- and pre-DCA 2.0 elements, with the Victorian TSMM building right next to the post-modern elements like the giant leaning ringmaster in the store. This will extend the Victorian theming across most of the Pier, at the price of some very loose Pixar branding. You could coherently argue the Incredicoaster breaks this, but its still better then what's there now, a mass of barely themed concrete crammed around a Six Flags-style loading area..

And if you get upset by synergy, well... you're out of luck. That's the dominant reality of the modern entertainment industry. It's not going away barring a fundamental economic reorganization of all of Hollywood on a level we haven't seen since the 60s. So if that's a deal-breaker, it's probably time to give up on every single theme park - and TV show - and film.... Now, arguing a franchise is badly integrated into a park (as in the case of Gaurdians), that's certainly valid, but this seems like a fairly unobtrusive makeover in that regard.

I don't think this is a substantial improvement, but it's a small one and definitely not a huge negative. And it's quick and minor, not something like TSL at MGM that is half of a makeover of an incomplete park that people have been awaiting for decades.

It's funny, over in the WDW forums I'm one of the most critical poster, here I look like a pixie duster.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The only way to really improve Paradise Pier is to destroy it.

 

[TROR]

But the thematic integrity of Paradise Pier never really was intact - it was a mish-mash of post- and pre-DCA 2.0 elements, with the Victorian TSMM building right next to the post-modern elements like the giant leaning ringmaster in the store. This will extend the Victorian theming across most of the Pier, at the price of some very loose Pixar branding. You could coherently argue the Incredicoaster breaks this, but its still better then what's there now, a mass of barely themed concrete crammed around a Six Flags-style loading area..

That's not true. You even said so yourself. The Incredibles roller coaster isn't Victorian. Neither is a large Jessie statue or the Inside Out spinner.

 

[Casper Gutman]

That's not true. You even said so yourself. The Incredibles roller coaster isn't Victorian. Neither is a large Jessie statue or the Inside Out spinner.

The coaster loading area isn't victorian now - it's barely themed.

And I could do without the giant Jessie, but it doesn't strike me as that much more of a theme break than a giant Mickey face.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The only way to really improve Paradise Pier is to destroy it.

See, this I can buy - I don't think it's a great use of space. But if Pixar Pier eventually results in the addition of one or two dark rides - is it worth it?

By the way, which image shows the giant Jessie?

 

[Californian Elitist]

The only way to really improve Paradise Pier is to destroy it.

At this point, I’m in favor of this.

 

[TROR]

The coaster loading area isn't victorian now - it's barely themed.

And I could do without the giant Jessie, but it doesn't strike me as that much more of a theme break than a giant Mickey face.

It's not Victorian. Neither is this. I don't like either option between these two. But if I had to choose keeping the same garbage or replacing garbage with more garbage, I'm going to choose keeping the same garbage.

At this point, I’m in favor of this.

Ditto. But instead of just Paradise Pier, can we tear down everything that isn't Grizzly Peak, Radiator Springs Racers, and Buena Vista Street?

 

[lazyboy97o]

See, this I can buy - I don't think it's a great use of space. But if Pixar Pier eventually results in the addition of one or two dark rides - is it worth it?

No, because Pixar Pier is a more complete abandonment of themed entertainment. A theme park is not just a pretty amusement park.

 

[No Name]

I don't largely blame Bob Chapek. I recall the day that Pandora was announced for DAK with no consultation whatsoever. That was bad leadership. Good leadership heeds the advice of those around them, especially if they're no experts themselves. If this specific idea came from within Imagineering, I don't blame Bob for liking the sound of it and stamping it off. I certainly don't blame him for elements like the IncrediCoaster's queue that look out of place.

I mostly blame Imagineering, and that's scary.

See, this I can buy - I don't think it's a great use of space. But if Pixar Pier eventually results in the addition of one or two dark rides - is it worth it?

I don't see why that would be limited to Pixar Pier. Why couldn't they add two dark rides to Paradise Pier? Fantasyland received quality additions and improvements over the years without having part of it renamed Walt Disney Feature Animation Land.

 

[Disneylover152]

By the way, which image shows the giant Jessie?

Skip to 2:16

 

[Deleted member 107043]

The coaster loading area isn't victorian now - it's barely themed.

Agreed. It's pretty much Marriott's Great America circa 1987 on really good day.

 

[Little Green Men]

But the thematic integrity of Paradise Pier never really was intact - it was a mish-mash of post- and pre-DCA 2.0 elements, with the Victorian TSMM building right next to the post-modern elements like the giant leaning ringmaster in the store. This will extend the Victorian theming across most of the Pier, at the price of some very loose Pixar branding. You could coherently argue the Incredicoaster breaks this, but its still better then what's there now, a mass of barely themed concrete crammed around a Six Flags-style loading area..

And if you get upset by synergy, well... you're out of luck. That's the dominant reality of the modern entertainment industry. It's not going away barring a fundamental economic reorganization of all of Hollywood on a level we haven't seen since the 60s. So if that's a deal-breaker, it's probably time to give up on every single theme park - and TV show - and film.... Now, arguing a franchise is badly integrated into a park (as in the case of Gaurdians), that's certainly valid, but this seems like a fairly unobtrusive makeover in that regard.

I don't think this is a substantial improvement, but it's a small one and definitely not a huge negative. And it's quick and minor, not something like TSL at MGM that is half of a makeover of an incomplete park that people have been awaiting for decades.

It's funny, over in the WDW forums I'm one of the most critical poster, here I look like a pixie duster.

Atleast everything being put in DHS can be fit in the theme. This is a total mishmash, DHS has always been about movies, now it's taking guests into the world of movies and adding guest space to mostly backstage areas.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Atleast everything being put in DHS can be fit in the theme. This is a total mishmash, DHS has always been about movies, now it's taking guests into the world of movies and adding guest space to mostly backstage areas.

AND once it's all done everything will be cohesive and simple to comprehend.

This is the main reason WDW will always be better than DLR in my opinion. The Florida property has enough room for fully fleshed out themes and ideas. While some individual attractions at DLR may be better, WDW is where you go to get a wide variety of full blown immersive Disney experiences.

 

[Casper Gutman]

AND once it's all done everything will be cohesive and simple to comprehend.

This is the main reason WDW will always be better than DLR in my opinion. The Florida property has enough room for fully fleshed out themes and ideas. While some individual attractions at DLR may be better, WDW is where you go to get a wide variety of full blown immersive Disney experiences.

I disagree here. I much prefer DL to WDW at the moment. Nothing at WDW is as immersive as Carsland. Heck, I'd say Buena Vista Street rivals anything at WDW in immersion.

And this is an argument for another board, but I think TSL will be far more incoherent and uninteresting then Pixar Pier. I mean, just look at the TSLs that have already been built abroad. The accusation of "Six Flags-esque theming" is much more suitably applied to TSL than Pixar Pier.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Nothing at WDW is as immersive as Carsland.

Not even Animal Kingdom?

I'd say Buena Vista Street rivals anything at WDW in immersion.

That's kind of stretch considering that Hollywood Blvd at DHS is basically the same thoroughfare just bigger and without the Red Cars.

 

[Little Green Men]

I disagree here. I much prefer DL to WDW at the moment. Nothing at WDW is as immersive as Carsland. Heck, I'd say Buena Vista Street rivals anything at WDW in immersion.

And this is an argument for another board, but I think TSL will be far more incoherent and uninteresting then Pixar Pier. I mean, just look at the TSLs that have already been built abroad. The accusation of "Six Flags-esque theming" is much more suitably applied to TSL than Pixar Pier.

You've obviously not been since Pandora opened.

How is it Six Flags themeing? The whole TSL area is themed to one cohesive thing. Pixar Pier will be a mash of different IPs shoved into existing rides

 

[Brainleech419]

Not even Animal Kingdom?

Asia, Africa, and Pandora are all highly immersive lands that hold up to cars

 

[DLR92]

I disagree here. I much prefer DL to WDW at the moment. Nothing at WDW is as immersive as Carsland. Heck, I'd say Buena Vista Street rivals anything at WDW in immersion.

And this is an argument for another board, but I think TSL will be far more incoherent and uninteresting then Pixar Pier. I mean, just look at the TSLs that have already been built abroad. The accusation of "Six Flags-esque theming" is much more suitably applied to TSL than Pixar Pier.

WDW got some immersive areas. But their WDS is pretty weak. But I disagree with Toy Story Land being incoherent. I find Toy Story Land and Pixar Pier unmoving with immersion. They both look cheap and not very world class to see anyways.

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

This is the main reason WDW will always be better than DLR in my opinion. The Florida property has enough room for fully fleshed out themes and ideas. While some individual attractions at DLR may be better, WDW is where you go to get a wide variety of full blown immersive Disney experiences.

Like Dinoland USA?

 

[TP2000]

Skip to 2:16

Thank you, that was really helpful as he had some very high res images to share. But he still talks funny.