News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[Deleted member 107043]

Totally agree the theming at Gadget's is top-notch and thorough.

Top notch? Really?

Also, this is WDW we're talking about in this case, so we could go into a big discussion about the odd choices made: cheap-o outdoor Fantasyland with nevertheless improved dark rides, short PoC but longer JC, etc.

That just underscores my point that Disney has always cut corners when it decides necessary - at WDW and DL. I'm with you on the annoying IP everywhere movement, and pointing out the cheapness of Pixar Pier is fair, but the claim that Disney only skimped on quality in the past when it didn't have resources simply isn't true.

 

[Disney Lover Addie]

But that just underscores my point that Disney has always cut corners when it decides necessary - at WDW and DL. I'm with you on the annoying IP everywhere movement, and pointing out the cheapness of Pixar Pier is fair, but the claim that Disney only skimped on quality in the past when it didn't have resources simply isn't true.

Agreed. I just think they should have an equal balance of originals and IPs.

 

[Ismael Flores]

Here's a ridethru of Incredicoaster at night btw -


FX look a lot better, looks like there are also lights for the Jack Jacks on a Pole that light up as you pass by. A shame this stuff is so vastly different/underwhelming in daytime.

which is a shame since the coaster shuts down every night when WOC is running. someone didn't think this through at WDI

 

[c-one]

Nothing. I want the same.

I think that DCA is still struggling to find it’s meaning. One second you’re singing about how you want to go to the state of California and the next you’re in space with the guardians and the next you’re a car in radiator springs and next you’re in a pier themed for Pixar and next you’re soaring through California.

Is DCA just a park for all IPs that wouldn’t make sense in Disneyland?

I think the answer to your question is “yes”. And that’s the way things are going. Epcot isn’t DCA-levels of incoherent, but it’s on the same spectrum. Universal Orlando is certainly leaning in that direction; anyone come up with a unifying theory for gate 3 that I’ve missed besides being shamelessly IP dumping ground from the start?

It seems extra bad for DCA, I think, because the current transformation hits at the very identity of the park so deeply. For all the faults of PP and Screamin, that coaster was one of if not the icon of the park. It seems more significant to use your icon as an IP delivery service first and foremost, and to do so rather poorly (stick statues!) is even worse.

I guess we’re lucky they didn’t stick the Radiator Springs rocks on top of the bear mountain.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I think the answer to your question is “yes”. And that’s the way things are going. Epcot isn’t DCA-levels of incoherent, but it’s on the same spectrum.

Yep, and DisneySea is right behind them.

 

[c-one]

Yep, and DisneySea is is right behind them.

I haven’t been to TDS in years but my goodness have I read some disappointing things. Worse in many ways; at least DCA and IOA had flimsy excuses of being flawed parks desperate for a fix.

 

[SuperStretccch]

Is anyone there right now? How are the crowds?

 

[mickEblu]

Is anyone there right now? How are the crowds?

They re great at Disneyland!

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Is anyone there right now? How are the crowds?

The park has only been open 20 minutes. Couldn't get wait times for any Pixar Pier or Cars Land attractions on the app, but MB is already 30+ minutes.

Edit: TSMM is 60 minutes and RSR is 50 minutes. Can't see Incredicoaster.

 

[SuperStretccch]

Inside Out... One of Pixar’s most critically acclaimed films — reduced to a hot dog stand, a candy store, and a spinner ride.

Imagine an engulfing, ambitious, innovative trackless dark ride through Riley’s brain on the level of Pooh’s Hunny Hunt or Mystic Manor with multiple paths and some elaborate animatronics. Can you imagine what going through the Abstract Thought room would be like?
A grand E-Ticket that would have given much needed substance in an area mostly surrounded by off the shelf attractions.
Nope. A re-skinned spinner with recycled shade structures from the Maliboomer's queue is what you get.

That's exactly how I imagined an Inside Out ride to be. Imagine each emotion having their own little adventure paths to go down with different effects! Kind of like a more complex Mystic Manor. You would have a different experience every time. I would love an elaborate Inside Out dark ride like that, considering it's one of my favorite recent Pixar movies. I still hate the overall idea of Pixar Pier, but that could have been the one saving grace.

What do we have instead? A spinner that's not even completely new to the park.

 

[dweezil78]

Doh! Opening day and it sounds like Incredicoaster is currently down :/

 

[c-one]

I also want to note the 60s pop thing that @yeti mentioned because that’s I gerestig from an architecture nerd perspective. The Victorian theme of latter Paradise Pier fit the coaster (as a faux boardwalk wooden coaster); the initial wacky postmodern look did too I guess (the “wooden” coaster has a loop and a launch). But Googie / Mid-century themeing does not mesh with the ride at all.

The thing is, that Mid-century look IS one of those quintessentially Californian things. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it until this train wreck came up, but using that as a Cali-friendly entry point to an original Incredibles ride somewhere would...actually kinda work? I mean I know Eichler homes are not the most exciting theme park idea, but that general look fits the Incredibles aesthetic. Instead they dropped it on a “wooden” roller coaster and that’s just one more aspect that feels cheap and poorly considered.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

The Victorian theme of latter Paradise Pier fit the coaster (as a faux boardwalk wooden coaster); the initial wacky postmodern look did too I guess (the “wooden” coaster has a loop and a launch). But Googie / Mid-century themeing does not mesh with the ride at all.

From the LA Times:

Disney representatives said the overhaul was intended to enhance the old Paradise Pier’s theme, not reject it.

“We are about blending what we love about the seaside with the great Disney Pixar films,” park spokeswoman Mirna Hughes said.

Hmmm, ok sure Mirna.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pixar-pier-opens-20180621-story.html

 

[Disney Lover Addie]

I’m not at the park, but I’m getting info has fast as I can.

1st Update:
The current wait time for Toy Story: Midway Mania is at 60 minutes. The wait time for Pixar-Pal Around and Incredicoaster not being shown.

2nd Update:
DCA has gotten new maps today, with Pixar Pier on the front.

 

[Rich T]

Top notch? Really?
...That just underscores my point that Disney has always cut corners when it decides necessary - at WDW and DL. I'm with you on the annoying IP everywhere movement, and pointing out the cheapness of Pixar Pier is fair, but the claim that Disney only skimped on quality in the past when it didn't have resources simply isn't true.

Regarding Gadget's: Yes, the theming around the ride and station is pretty great. As a fan of Rescue Rangers, I spotted dozens of wonderful, obscure details and character references all over the place. It's not much of a ride, but the fan/geek service is 9/10.

Regarding the rest... all I can say is the balance felt better in the past. I never felt offended or ripped off. Let's take one of the longest-running cheap no-effort DL attractions: Fantasyland Theater. A bare-bones movie theater that looped 3 Disney cartoons. It was just a nice little bonus. Heck, Disney could have boarded it up, saved a few bucks and no one would care. But in the grand picture, it was a fun diversion where you could relax for a moment and watch some classic Mickey. It wasn't pretending to be a "real" attraction.

 

[Rich T]

...someone didn't think this through at WDI

This pretty much sums up all of Pixar Pier.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Regarding Gadget's: Yes, the theming around the ride and station is pretty great. As a fan of Rescue Rangers, I spotted dozens of wonderful, obscure details and character references all over the place. It's not much of a ride, but the fan/geek service is 9/10.

That's all fine and dandy, but it doesn't make the theming "top notch", nor does it mean that Disney hasn't been frugal at its parks since the beginning, even when it had the resources to spend more.

Regarding the rest... all I can say is the balance felt better in the past. I never felt offended or ripped off. Let's take one of the longest-running cheap no-effort DL attractions: Fantasyland Theater. A bare-bones movie theater that looped 3 Disney cartoons. It was just a nice little bonus. Heck, Disney could have boarded it up, saved a few bucks and no one would care. But in the grand picture, it was a fun diversion where you could relax for a moment and watch some classic Mickey.

I could be wrong, but you might be a teency bit biased.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I'll be there tomorrow! Our plan is Incredicoaster first at Rope Drop, FP RSR, then move around the DCA map.

 

[JD2000]

I can't stand these comments you come across:

"For what time and money they had, it is good"

That is not an excuse; this is not the Disney quality people expect.

Is it? Are expectations being lowered over the years?

 

[TROR]

Nothing is wrong with that -- however -- no matter what, DCA is never going to offer the tone/style/subject matter that you seem to enjoy in a theme park -- so you are going to be perpetually disappointed with just about anything you see in that park.

They were doing pretty good until they announced Mission Breakout.