Simulators, are they taking over?

[KBLovedDisney]

Ok, I actually have an issue with simulators. Not that they aren't cool or anything, but I can't ride them. Not that I won't, I can't. I am very prone to motion sickness. Rollercoasters are fine because you are actually going somewhere, but when I see a screen moving like crazy and all my seat does is jerk here or there, vomit central. With the direction TDC is going with creating new rides that are more or less simulators, this scares me, even to the point where Disney trips might become less and less. Does anyone else see this as an issue with their future Disney trip planning and so on?.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Ok, I actually have an issue with simulators. Not that they aren't cool or anything, but I can't ride them. Not that I won't, I can't. I am very prone to motion sickness. Rollercoasters are fine because you are actually going somewhere, but when I see a screen moving like crazy and all my seat does is jerk here or there, vomit central. With the direction TDC is going with creating new rides that are more or less simulators, this scares me, even to the point where Disney trips might become less and less. Does anyone else see this as an issue with their future Disney trip planning and so on?.

Just so you know the diversity of the people that go to a theme park. I am fearful of the lack of simulators because I do not tolerate roller coasters, but, I love simulators. I wouldn't worry though, there will always be enough of both to go around. Disney never has had many coasters, more recently then ever before so without the simulators all that would be left would be merry-go-rounds, boat rides or omni's.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Just so you know the diversity of the people that go to a theme park. I am fearful of the lack of simulators because I do not tolerate roller coasters, but, I love simulators. I wouldn't worry though, there will always be enough of both to go around. Disney never has had many coasters, more recently then ever before so without the simulators all that would be left would be merry-go-rounds, boat rides or omni's.

Good point. I guess I overlook the fact that we will still get some new coasters throughout the years like Tron and hopefully some more that don't involve screens.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Unfortunately, I think E-Tickets are headed that way. There won't be all simulators because of the many age groups, but E-Tickets will either be simulators are rollercoasters.

The days of Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and non IP hyperthemed E-Tickets have been gone, but technology has confirmed that.

 

[JIMINYCR]

You could see the simulators/VR type attractions coming for some time. They probably have less start up costs, maintenance issues and guests can be cycled through faster. Its all a win- win for Disney, so anyplace they can fit them in they will manage to. The younger generations fascinated by the technology and will be drawn to the rides so unless you can overcome the motion sickness from the experience, there will be a lot more attractions youll have to avoid. But coasters will always remain at Disney because there isnt as much thrill riding through a screened experience as feeling the ride car speed around turns and making the wild loops and drops.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

No. But screens are definitely taking over.

 

[Goofyernmost]

No. But screens are definitely taking over.

As well they should. They are the current theme park base of operation. They are more versatile, easier and cheaper to set up and are enjoyed by everyone other then the "I'll never let go" group of Disney purist. They tend to forget that Disney relied on screens very heavily in the early days. They weren't as high tech as now, but, they were there and enjoyed, but, obviously forgotten.

 

[Chef Mickey]

As well they should. They are the current theme park base of operation. They are more versatile, easier and cheaper to set up and are enjoyed by everyone other then the "I'll never let go" group of Disney purist. They tend to forget that Disney relied on screens very heavily in the early days. They weren't as high tech as now, but, they were there and enjoyed, but, obviously forgotten.

Screens in rides are generally awful when not the main focus of the ride. Nemo for example is awful.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Ok, I actually have an issue with simulators. Not that they aren't cool or anything, but I can't ride them. Not that I won't, I can't. I am very prone to motion sickness. Rollercoasters are fine because you are actually going somewhere, but when I see a screen moving like crazy and all my seat does is jerk here or there, vomit central. With the direction TDC is going with creating new rides that are more or less simulators, this scares me, even to the point where Disney trips might become less and less. Does anyone else see this as an issue with their future Disney trip planning and so on?.

Can you do Soarin?

I can do Soarin, but not Star Tours.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Screens in rides are generally awful when not the main focus of the ride. Nemo for example is awful.

Your opinion my friend. Not everyone feels that way about them. Disney has been using them for years. Mission to the Moon/Mars was one of the most reliant on the technology. Primitive by todays standards, but, still enjoyed by many. The best things in Universal are done with screens. Their problem is that they overdue the same story line and just stick different characters in them, but, what they do is very well done. However, the Hogswart Express is absolutely awesome, real feeling and totally immersive. Something that AA's cannot give you.

 

[becca_]

I was last at WDW in May. Did Soarin', Star Tours, and Flight of Passage. I'm pretty young, no health issues, never been motion sick before. Star Tours made me very close to puking, Soarin' gave me a touch of nausea, but I had legitimately 0 problems on FoP. I knew they were trying to make FoP smooth so there was little to no motion sickness, and I think if they continue in that direction for all the future simulators (hopefully keeping this # to a minimum... bring on the dark rides, I say!) then maybe sickness will decrease for a lot of guests.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

As well they should. They are the current theme park base of operation. They are more versatile, easier and cheaper to set up and are enjoyed by everyone other then the "I'll never let go" group of Disney purist. They tend to forget that Disney relied on screens very heavily in the early days. They weren't as high tech as now, but, they were there and enjoyed, but, obviously forgotten.

It's not a purist thing. It's a "Can it be done without screens?" thing. If something can be achieved without the use of screens; that should be the go to. Digital over practical effects aren't always better or cheaper.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

@KBLovesDisney I feel for you. My DH struggles with simulators and large screen experiences. It disorients him which creates dizziness and nausea. While I can handle them well, they're definitely not a type of attraction I love. I prefer live experience attractions with AAs or coasters.

I hope simulators don't eventually take over. Just for the sake of variety of nothing else. I believe (hope!) that Disney will always stay true to their classic use of AAs and tell stories in unique ways like that in addition to other ways of course. I hope they don't transition totally to the Frozen Ever After type faces on AAs.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It's not a purist thing though. It's a "Can it be done without screens?" thing. If something can be achieved without screens then no screens should be used.

OK, but, I have never seen a screen show that could have been done by any other way, certainly not in the detail and believe-ability.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

OK, but, I have never seen a screen show that could have been done by any other way, certainly not in the detail and believe-ability.

It's the substituting practical effects with digital effects that's the problem. Well, not knowing when to use which method and the heavy reliance on digital effects aka screens and projections. I get that it's a valuable tool but like in the movies... it's overused.

 

[Goofyernmost]

@KBLovesDisney I feel for you. My DH struggles with simulators and large screen experiences. It disorients him which creates dizziness and nausea. While I can handle them well, they're definitely not a type of attraction I love. I prefer live experience attractions with AAs or coasters.

I hope simulators don't eventually take over. Just for the sake of variety of nothing else. I believe (hope!) that Disney will always stay true to their classic use of AAs and tell stories in unique ways like that in addition to other ways of course. I hope they don't transition totally to the Frozen Ever After type faces on AAs.

They aren't going to take over everything, but, they are going to be a strong force along with screens because the combination of the two make things more immersive and intense. They can make thrill rides out of immobile vehicles by forcing the brain to think that it is actually happening. So either we get smarter or they are going to continue to advance. I cannot think of a ride that was more intense then "Back to the Future" all screen all the time.

 

[Club34]

i am not a fan of simulators either much like the OP. i will do "disney coasters" but that's about as extreme as i go. i am PotC/HM kind of guy. looking very forward to the navi river ride. i have a question, is ratatouille a simulator? is that a no-go for me? that would be sad.

 

[Driver]

They aren't going to take over everything, but, they are going to be a strong force along with screens because the combination of the two make things more immersive and intense. They can make thrill rides out of immobile vehicles by forcing the brain to think that it is actually happening. So either we get smarter or they are going to continue to advance. I cannot think of a ride that was more intense then "Back to the Future" all screen all the time.

Yep I agree about BTTF it was intense. I'm not one that gets motion sickness easy however some of those rides get to me. An easy out is to just close your eyes. But what really gets me is the rooms they put you in are typically hot! If they cranked up the AC it wouldn't be so bad. You got 20 people whatever cramped into this little room all hot and sweaty....... yeah that's when I start feeling queezy. And it doesn't seem to matter even in the cooler winter months those simulators are hot and sticky.

 

[AndrewsJ]

i am not a fan of simulators either much like the OP. i will do "disney coasters" but that's about as extreme as i go. i am PotC/HM kind of guy. looking very forward to the navi river ride. i have a question, is ratatouille a simulator? is that a no-go for me? that would be sad.

It is a hybrid. The vehicle actually moves through a ride path in front of motion on a screen similar to Spider-Man and Transformers at Universal. There are a few set pieces in the Paris version but not a lot.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Disney has unfortunately been trying to play catchup with Universal ever since Harry Potter came around. But Universal has become obsessed with screen-based attractions and screen-based attractions only: Reign of Kong, Jimmy Fallon, etc. Honestly, if this is the path Universal is going with, I hope Disney doesn't follow suit. At least Disney still acknowledges physical sets and animatronics, something it seems Universal wouldn't know about if it bit them on the nose. Disney should learn to stick to what makes their attractions great, not what makes Universal's attractions great.