News Reflections of Earth confirmed to be replaced by Harmonious

[Brenthodge]

I think the point I was making was clear. At least with that and SlinkyDogDash the track was integrated into the story. What exactly is the story they are telling with “massive floating piles of unused show equipment hidden by spraying water? (which you will see lit up later tonight- pretend we didn’t already show you that trick, just be WOWed later!) my point is they keep talking about this “compass” metaphor. Disney that cared would’ve made these massive techno barges look like a steam punk compass, playing up the gears and rivets, the center ring would have NSEW markings that went away at show time if not needed in the show. There would have been an attempt to have the screen recess down into the lower bunker to not be as obtrusive. There would’ve been SOME effort out into integration into the narrative of the whole. But I guess you didn’t get that, you got “everything sucks since they lightly decorated a stock model family coaster in a back section of the park.” I’ll try to be clearer in the future.

 

[Amused to Death]

There would have been an attempt to have the screen recess down into the lower bunker to not be as obtrusive.

Hell, I'd rather they just told me to look at a clip of Elsa and Anna on my phone during the five-minute lull in fireworks activity.

 

[Brenthodge]

Hell, I'd rather they just told me to look at a clip of Elsa and Anna on my phone during the five-minute lull in fireworks activity.

They ARE all about digital integration and those amazing “interactive” experiences.

 

[sedati]

Not holding my breath on this but someone on Twitter commented saying the floats are not fully finished yet and they will receive some things to help with their appearance. This could be true, could not be as well. We do know the barges are indeed still being worked on, I believe it was marni who had said the reason why they moved the the two barges out was for lack of space backstage and testing.
Think we can all agree nothing they do will fix the view they ruined by these things. But at least maybe they can make them not look like oil refineries lol.

A reflective base angled slightly down could possibly cloak the foundation, but that's a purely uneducated guess.

 

[DCBaker]

 

[Surferboy567]

I honestly find it fascinating how the arms extends and retracts so quickly. I am excited to see this show in action.

 

[TTA94]

And how long until that thing breaks? Don’t be surprised to see one or more of the arms extend or move during the show and it doesn’t go as planned lol. Hopefully they have a B mode planned, and not just for the arms.

 

[HauntedPirate]

More moving parts = more chances for something to go wrong. Sometimes simpler is better, but today they seem more focused on getting as many whiz-bang, gotta-get-the-social-media-attention technical effects crammed into a shows as possible without regard for show or overall impact on the viewing experience. Watch Martin's Illuminations 96 A&B video sometime. My kids were blown away at some of what they were able to create with some water fountains and lasers. And it still fascinates me to this day.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Ya'll are funny.

I know the barges suck, but the constant "that's gonna break chatter"... lmao.

 

[dreday3]

Well, I think it looks cool. I can't wait to see it all come together. Should be quite a show!

 

[TTA94]

This annoys me that this kind of stuff is going on during the day and in guest view. Its one thing to test things that are not as noticeable during the day, but more noticeable things like this should be going on overnight. Is there a reason why this stuff isn’t being done overnight?

 

[marni1971]

This annoys me that this kind of stuff is going on during the day and in guest view. Its one thing to test things that are not as noticeable during the day, but more noticeable things like this should be going on overnight.

If only someone who would have known better a decade ago had thought about this beforehand.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Ya'll are funny.

I know the barges suck, but the constant "that's gonna break chatter"... lmao.

Because their uptime track record recently is spotless?

 

[dreday3]

This annoys me that this kind of stuff is going on during the day and in guest view. Its one thing to test things that are not as noticeable during the day, but more noticeable things like this should be going on overnight.

Well now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak...the barges are already out there and aren't going back, so I don't see this mechanical testing any different than ride construction/testing done in plain view.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Because their uptime track record recently is spotless?

Things break. But I find they tend to be the older things...

It just seems a lot of people seem to be saying they shouldn't do any of this stuff as it will just break? It's a confusing argument to me.

But my experience is mostly Disneyland which is usually working fairly well. I mean, they keep their giant Animatronic dragon for Fantasmic up and running.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Things break. But I find they tend to be the older things...

It just seems a lot of people seem to be saying they shouldn't do any of this stuff as it will just break? It's a confusing argument to me.

That’s not the point at all. The point is these gigantic eyesores are so reliant on motors, which will be exposed to the elements and water constantly, that failure is inevitable, and that failure will likely come during a show. They can’t seem to consistently keep simple AA’s in a climate-controlled show building running these days, these things don't stand a chance. Doing something simpler can often garner the same positive guest reaction. But... technology. And needing the “Wow” factor.

 

[Disney Analyst]

That’s not the point at all. The point is these gigantic eyesores are so reliant on motors, which will be exposed to the elements and water constantly, that failure is inevitable, and that failure will likely come during a show. They can’t seem to consistently keep simple AA’s in a climate-controlled show building running these days, these things don't stand a chance. Doing something simpler can often garner the same positive guest reaction. But... technology. And needing the “Wow” factor.

So you are saying they did not, in anyway, engineer these to withstand the use of fountains and the elements?

And you know this for... a fact?

 

[wbostic12]

That’s not the point at all. The point is these gigantic eyesores are so reliant on motors, which will be exposed to the elements and water constantly, that failure is inevitable, and that failure will likely come during a show. They can’t seem to consistently keep simple AA’s in a climate-controlled show building running these days, these things don't stand a chance. Doing something simpler can often garner the same positive guest reaction. But... technology. And needing the “Wow” factor.

If Harmonious doesn't work, based on the over-budget nature of this project, we have no chance at any new shows in the future. Paint the Night would be a miracle.

 

[wdwmagic]

Well now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak...the barges are already out there and aren't going back, so I don't see this mechanical testing any different than ride construction/testing done in plain view.

The problem doing this kind of thing in front of guests is that it completely removes the element of surprise that can make shows better and more impressive for first timers.

I remember back to Refelctions of Earth, and how everyone was blown away by he fact that the earth barge started at the side, and that the thing opened up and a torch came out.

If all of that was tested in-front of guests the element of surprise would have been lost.

Admittedly it is hard to keep anything a surprise these days, but I still don't agree with testing show elements for a new show in-front of guests.

 

[wdwmagic]

So you are saying they did not, in anyway, engineer these to withstand the use of fountains and the elements?

And you know this for... a fact?

I think the likelihood is that it has been built to withstand the elements as much as possible, but probably assuming a certain degree of maintenance and part replacement will be required.

The problems that we have seen before are when at build time that is accepted, but later on it falls foul of budget issues and there is no longer money available to do that maintenance and part replacement.

Then we lose effects.