Press event Tuesday, Jan. 18th.

[Wilt Dasney]

I see your point, in a way, but the multiple attractions you speak of are flat rides with no real story elements. Neither Dumbo nor Casey Jr. have a story and not much in common with each other. And the Teacups don't have much to do with the Alice dark ride other than some details in theming.

If the mine train was to be a simple kiddie coaster through the Dwarfs diamond mine, with no other story elements, then they could co-exist. I wouldn't want it to be that limited in scale. Also, the existing ride doesn't draw well, though it's my personal favorite in Fantasyland. I too wish they could co-exist. They could have always designed a ride for that space with another theme???

Very good point about the Teacups and both DL Dumbo rides lacking a clear story. While I was typing that post, I wondered if it would be possible for the mine car ride to have any kind of narrative element that DIDN'T step on SWSA, since the dark ride covers pretty much the whole movie.

I think you're probably right that it would be impossible to keep two story-centric Snow White rides without there being some overlap...unless the new ride basically created a "new" chapter that wasn't directly taken from the movie (i.e., a day in the life of the dwarves or something).

 

[ToTBellHop]

Excellent point, and I agree. If it tells the same story, it would be easier to accept or even prefer, especially if it retains the Happily Ever After Scene. But whenever someone refers to it as the "Snow White coaster", Raven corrects them and says the Dwarfs. And I believe there was another post around here somewhere where he suggested the beloved forest animals wouldn't be in the ride. Which makes me think it might just focus on the Dwarfs and not really tell the full story of SW like the ride does. I'd love to be proven wrong, though. But I am a little concerned that the gentler elements of the Snow White story may be eliminated in an attempt to make Fantasyland more "masculine" - which is why this ride is being added in the first place. Look how they sadly took the cute Gus and Jaques figures (the mice from Cinderella) off the carousel sign when they changed the name from Cinderella to Prince Charming.

Anyway, if the new coaster can approach the detailed storytelling found in the SW (or any) darkride, that would truly be a breakthrough for coasters.

Still, it would be a ride that could no longer be shared by every member of the family, in families where some members don't do coasters (even kiddie ones).

Someone posted an interview with Eric Jacobson (senior Imagineer) suggesting that, while the focus is on the mine (as per the theme), the ride will feature Snow White and the Evil Queen. And, I would imagine the outdoor segment in Fantasyland Forest will feature many of the animals you speak of. I believe he also mentioned a "party" ending--not really "happily ever after," but still upbeat.

 

[David S.]

I do have to ask though...I am sure there were attractions in the past that you probably didnt care for that are no longer there though right? Im sure there are quite a few ppl that maybe were sad to see those go.

Yes. Earlier in the thread I cited the example of preferring Stitch over Alien Encounter. I used that to illustrate that I'm NOT being a "contrarian" and protesting "change" just for the sake of being against "change".

When this happens, believe me, I take NO joy in knowing that decisions that have made certain aspects of the park an improvement for me cause unhappiness with other fans.

 

[voodoo321]

I have to say, very impressed at the new castle show and the promise it holds for the future! Sure, the pictures may seem a bit out of place to some, but that's just a marketing campaign that will eventually end. Once it ends, we will still have this incredible projection system installed, and the possibilities for integration into Wishes and special events throughout the year are astronomical. I think back to when they started making the castle change colors at night. We now view that as the norm and I, at least, consider that to be one of the most magical effects at Disney. I can only guess what will be the norm 5 years from now.

yes. my thoughts exactly. I'm very impressed. More than I have been in a long while by the things they've been rolling out.

 

[ToTBellHop]

yes. my thoughts exactly. I'm very impressed. More than I have been in a long while by the things they've been rolling out.

Yes...this may be the sleeper hit of 2011.

 

[David S.]

Someone posted an interview with Eric Jacobson (senior Imagineer) suggesting that, while the focus is on the mine (as per the theme), the ride will feature Snow White and the Evil Queen. And, I would imagine the outdoor segment in Fantasyland Forest will feature many of the animals you speak of. I believe he also mentioned a "happily ever after" ending.

Believe me, I truly hope you are right. They are saying the ride will be musical so that's also reason for hope, for my tastes.

If this comes to pass as you suggest, I am open-minded enough to the possibility that I could prefer this version over the current - just as I MUCH prefer the current over the first.

But I'm not going to get my hopes up and set myself up for disapointment. I'll take a catious "wait and see" approach.

If the new SW ride is considered by me to be an "upgrade" over the current one, I would only have to swallow the bitter pill of losing Toontown.

I think that touches on an important point that I hope people who are offended by my opinions realize. And that is today's announcement about losing the current SW ride would have been easier to swallow and accept if we weren't already losing Toontown.

Losing one favorite is hard enough. It's when they disappear in multiples that make it more difficult. I keep thinking about the Future World purge in the 90's, COMBINED with losing Toad, 20 K, and the original Tiki Room, all in the span of a few years.

It was a very dark time for me to be a WDW fan... unprecedented, really..

 

[Rich1]

I get the disappointment over SWSA but I really don't get the feeling over Toontown going. Most people can agree, this never has even remotely lived up the the quality that Disney should present. It's neither classic, artistic, upscale or fun. Wasn't sure that Toontown ever really was nostalgic for anyone..not arguing..just confused.

 

[ToTBellHop]

With all the complaints about the now drawn-out construction timing, we knew all along that this would open in phases. It's pretty clear from the concept art that they could easily open up the Beauty and the Beast and Mermaid areas next year while keeping the mine train and circus area behind walls and have those areas open as they are completed. I'm sure there will be traffic flow areas (esp. when they start building the new castle walls), but that is to be expected.

Screamscape did some nice zoom-ins showing the two dumbos are identical:

There are some other circus items strewn throughout circus land along with a water-play area:

And a zoom-in of the mine ride showing the pretty extensive outdoor portion:

Lots of tight turns that the new ride vehicles will really magnify.

Also of note--Eric Jacobson did confirm that there will be a height requirement and that the thrill level would be a step up from the Barnstormer.

Any word on what will be inside the dwarfs cottage?

 

[Magenta Panther]

Does anyone still care about SWSA being closed now that this image is released? :lol:

Isn't it awesome! So much more than I hoped for! The mine ride is going to be amazing! :sohappy:

 

[David S.]

I get the disappointment over SWSA but I really don't get the feeling over Toontown going. Most people can agree, this never has even remotely lived up the the quality that Disney should present. It's neither classic, artistic, upscale or fun. Wasn't sure that Toontown ever really was nostalgic for anyone..not arguing..just confused.

I LOVE it! I do find it fun, artistic, and classic. Not sure why it would need to be "upscale"

I hate to sound like a broken record, because I've posted all this elsewhere, but I find Mickey and Minnie's Houses VERY colorful, cute, and charming. The props, puns, and gags inside are very witty and humorous. There is so MUCH detail in these homes for those who take the time and look for it:

The recurring gag of Donald being caught by a shark (in photos).

The Mickey, Donald, and Goofy-shaped ping-pong paddles (and poor Donald getting shut out in the tournament!)

The mess in Mickey's kitchen.

The giant vegatables in Mickey's Backyard, and character-shaped cactuses.

The funny messages on Minnie's answering machine, and pun-filled plants.

The animatronic chickens that get alarmed everytime Goofy's Barnstormer crashes through his barn (rescued from World Of Motion).

These are just a few examples.

I also LOVE the Background Music Loop, which consists of classic songs and scores from the classic "Fab 5" Animated Character shorts and Silly Symphonies - like "Who's Afraid Of the Big Bad Wolf", "Minnie's Yoo Hoo", "Steamboat Willie/Turkey In the Straw", "The Country Cousin", "Funny Little Bunnies", etc

I could go on and on, but instead I'll post links to other places which will hopefully help explain the appeal and charm that Mickey's Toontown Fair holds for some fans:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9501/A_Tribute_to_Mickeys_Toontown_Fair

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9500/My_Disney_Top_5__Top_5_Souvenirs_Id_Like_From_Mickeys_Toontown_Fair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G5inzqY8BY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zTcK-FKBb0

 

[Magenta Panther]

LOL! He hasn't trolled this much since he was proven wrong about Tangled. But I actually agree. The timeline is a bit ridiculous.

It's just so hard to have to wait so long. I actually cancelled the trip I was planning last November so I could wait until the FLE was completed. It wasn't so bad when it was rumored to open in 2012. Now it's 2013 and beyond before everything will be finished...sigh...

Still, I'd rather the Imagineers take their time and do it right. After seeing that Mine Car ride art, I'm certain it'll be worth the wait.

 

[Magenta Panther]

LOL - I think she's about to promote the tree growth as "plussing".

That is the funniest thing I've read today, even after visiting the website Cakewrecks. :ROFLOL:

Well, I have to say I loved what I heard and saw about FLE. ESPECIALLY the Mine Ride. It looks AMAZING. I didn't expect the cottage to be there, and the ride itself to be integrated with it. The attraction looks like a scene from the movie, and that's awesome, and there ARE going to be AAs in the ride, which is even MORE awesome.

As for the castle projections, meh, don't care, but I agree with the person here who mentioned what the projectors could be used for in the future once the campaign has ended. Wow...I've seen the projections used for the Halloween castle show, with the ghosts flying across it...imagine what could be done for that show alone with more sophisticated equipment. Whoa.

So this event was worth waiting for, and many thanks to Raven, Lee and the other wizards here who so kindly share their info with us and keep our hopes high.

 

[Mickey92]

Ok, I managed to fall asleep last night, long day and very tired

But, just to recap from last night using the WESH.com Live Update Blog:
​

• Event took place at 7:00pm at Mickey's Philarmagic Theatre​
• Looks like they brought in a separate projection system because the image was seamless.​
• Al Weiss walks onto the stage and talks about:​

- Parks (In General)
- Talking about Park successes such as World of Color.
- DVC in Hawaii http://dizfanatic.com/DVC_Hawaii.aspx
- New lands in Hong Kong and Shanghai Parks.
- Christening of the Disney Dreams Starts Tomorrow (If your reading this now, today 01/19)
​

• Meg Crofton walks onto stage.​
• Talk about Let the memories begin.​
• 'We strive to create experiences' Meg Crofton​
• Talks about the new Wild Africa Trek​
• Various videos showing this... Pooh queing area, Rapunzel Experience​
• Recent Restaurant additions to Epcot​
• New Parade at Hollywood Studios​
• Star Tours is said to open May 20th which is just in time for Star Wars Weekends​
• Images of the Art of Animation Resort.​

Fantasyland Now...​

• Eric Jacobson walks onto the stage.​
• Talks about Little Mermaid, Beast Castle, Belle's Village.​
• He then talks about the new mine ride!​
• Peter Yesawich with research:​

- Research on Children and Vacationing
- 77% wanted to take a cruise.
- 81% of kids said they decided where their family goes for dinner.​

• Alan Brum onto the stage talking about that nights castle show.​
• He says its alot more than just a slideshow on the castle.​
• Castle will be digitally mapped!​
• This map shows the projector locations: (Sorry its small) http://images.scribblelive.com/2011/1/18/f7e76155-1372-4cd1-bc4a-56eb7bba8245_400.jpg​
• 500 photos in the show, where a computer decides which photo goes where in the show​

​

• Alan Weiss comes onto the stage again and presents this awesome Dream Panorama: (Again, Sorry its small) http://images.scribblelive.com/2011/1/18/32f7b12d-574c-4fea-825d-2475d8e9e837_400.jpg​

End of Presentation!

So yes, I thought I'd just lay it all out here in a nice neat form, but sorry if some of these points have already been said just wanted to help people who have just come into this topic to read this post rather than trawl through 50+ pages!

This information was taken from WESH.com Live Blog from last night!

Regards,

Tristan
​

 

[Master Yoda]

anyone that complains about that show is just simply put a miserable person. That show was top notch disney in creativity and incorporating guests. I honestly got chills. Kudos to the imagineers that thought this show up. I can't wait to see it in october!

newsflash disney, nobody wants to see a bunch of strangers faces plastered all over the castle. What a horrible gimmick...

ding!ding!ding! And we have a winner!!!!!!

 

[Fashionista007]

Walt at the end made me cry my eyes out! How can you hate on that?

Me too They need to incorporate his voice in more shows. I was stunned at how much that touched me. I think it was more the image of him projected on the entire castle that he imagined but never saw.

 

[danlb_2000]

I still find it incredibly hard to believe that TLM won't be in a soft open mode towards the end of this year or the beginning of 2012. It just seems inconceivable that it wouldn't be.

That said, has any word come out as to when they will start foundation work on the Seven Dwarves ride?

That's actually not to hard to believe. They started the foundation work for LM back in June, so 7 months later we are still only seeing the basic building framework which tends to go up pretty quick. The exterior details are going to take quite a while, and since they have only just recently closed in the building they probably haven't even started the interior yet. Not to mention all the site work that is still going to have to be done to put in the water features.

 

[RightTurnClyde]

I have to say, very impressed at the new castle show and the promise it holds for the future! Sure, the pictures may seem a bit out of place to some, but that's just a marketing campaign that will eventually end. Once it ends, we will still have this incredible projection system installed, and the possibilities for integration into Wishes and special events throughout the year are astronomical. I think back to when they started making the castle change colors at night. We now view that as the norm and I, at least, consider that to be one of the most magical effects at Disney. I can only guess what will be the norm 5 years from now.

The first thing I thought of was why go to the time and expense of installing the lights on the castle when they can just use the projectors to do a Christmas display.

 

[eilie]

Someone posted an interview with Eric Jacobson (senior Imagineer) suggesting that, while the focus is on the mine (as per the theme), the ride will feature Snow White and the Evil Queen. And, I would imagine the outdoor segment in Fantasyland Forest will feature many of the animals you speak of. I believe he also mentioned a "party" ending--not really "happily ever after," but still upbeat.

Do you mean this interview: http://www.justin.tv/torg0/b/277819624, which starts at 29:10?

I'm a long-time lurker (and first-time poster), but I couldn't resist posting some details about the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride from this interview with Eric Jacobson. Quotes below are from him.


Duration of ride? “less than 5 minutes”

Height restrictions? Yes, but “very low”

Locations through which the ride travels? “Inside the mine, inside Snow White’s cottage, and an outside portion in the forest from the movie.”

Story of attraction? “We’re really telling the story of going with the seven dwarves for their day at work, watching them dig in the mine, going ‘Off to work we go’ and ‘Home from work we go’ and finally the finale where they’re greeted by Snow White and have a party with the Silly Song... and we may get a visit from the old hag – we’re not quite sure, but we may just get a visit from her.”

 

[eilie]

Ah, I see that Spectromagic04 beat me to the interview link in another thread. This is a better link: http://youtu.be/gbdw2mQlAAo

Story of attraction? “We’re really telling the story of going with the seven dwarves for their day at work, watching them dig in the mine, going ‘Off to work we go’ and ‘Home from work we go’ and finally the finale where they’re greeted by Snow White and have a party with the Silly Song... and we may get a visit from the old hag – we’re not quite sure, but we may just get a visit from her.”

Very good point about the Teacups and both DL Dumbo rides lacking a clear story. While I was typing that post, I wondered if it would be possible for the mine car ride to have any kind of narrative element that DIDN'T step on SWSA, since the dark ride covers pretty much the whole movie.

I think you're probably right that it would be impossible to keep two story-centric Snow White rides without there being some overlap...unless the new ride basically created a "new" chapter that wasn't directly taken from the movie (i.e., a day in the life of the dwarves or something).

I agree.

Regarding the story reported from Eric Jacobson above, I’m guessing – and this is pure speculation on my part – that the old hag shows up right after the Silly Song party in the cottage. The dwarves instigate a chase, and the train cars race through the end of the ride until the queen is defeated and Snow White is reunited with her prince. The finale would be the perfect moment to introduce the “Someday My Prince Will Come” song, as the ride is supposed to be a musical journey through the film and already contains the “Heigh Ho” and “Silly Song” numbers.

Of course, this is exactly like the second half of SWSA, so perhaps the Imagineers will end the ride in a different way? Yet we are told that the ride involves some thrills and speed, so I can’t imagine it revolving entirely around Jacobson’s reported storyline of following the dwarves to work and meeting up with Snow White for a party at the end. Surely there will be some tension: an encounter and chase with the old hag. And WDI can’t resist the storyline: “…and then something went horribly wrong.”

Again, all of this sounds very similar to the existing ride next door. Perhaps it won’t follow SWSA’s storyline so closely. Regardless, some of the reported scenes from the new ride (like the Silly Song party in the cottage) are so similar to SWSA, that I can’t imagine how Disney could keep SWSA next door. DL’s Alice dark ride and Teacups feature the same movie but they don’t tell the same story. Part of me will miss SWSA, but the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride sounds amazing.

 

[JenShelby]

Just watched the new castle show and I have to say it was Amazing! I cannot wait until we see it in person.