"Soarin" Moaners and Groaners

[Dr Albert Falls]

The reviews are in--- and they are almost all overwelmingly positive. With few exceptions, people seem extremely happy with "The Land", and are absolutely blown away by "Soarin".

So, now it's finally time to ask---- why did so many people get their underwear in a wad over this addition ?!?!?!?

When "The Land" rennovations were first announced more than a year ago, you would have thought Disney was going to bulldoze the castle--- at least based on the comments posted on message boards like this.

"The atmosphere will be ruined!"
"Sign the peitition! Save the balloons!"
"A Travel Agency and a CRUISE LINE? What are they thinking?"
"It's straying from what Walt envisioned for EPCOT!"
"What does Soarin' have to do with "The Land"? Bring back "Kitchen Kabaret?"
"How cheap! A direct clone of California! Who wants to ride that?"
"I'm boycotting The Land!"

I was rolling my eyes then, and I'm rolling my eyes now.

First of all, Epcot received one of the best Disney attractions ever built (according to the numerous reviews). How could anyone think that was a BAD thing?

Because it was a "clone"? Because Disney was "too cheap" to create a new film?

Hmmm. Didn't early WDW visitors complain because there was originally no "clone" of "Pirates of the Caribbean"?

Even though "Body Wars" provided a new film, didn't people demand that the original "Star Tours" be cloned?

Even though WDW has "Dinosaur", the message boards are currently lit up with people demanding a clone of DL's "Indiana Jones Adventure".

Why on earth WOULDN'T Disney clone a ride getting rave reviews on the West Coast? Or, why would they spend money just to change the film and risk the attraction being less impressive than the original?!?!?!?

(And, as I've posted before-- so WHAT if it's actually "California"? Nearly every film seen in Future World-- Universe of Energy, Mission Space, HISTA, etc.---- was shot in California. California just happens to have mountains, deserts, coastline, agriculture, and cities--- everything you'd want in a film that simulates hanggliding!)

"But it doesn't fit in with The Land!" some have argued. What? Flying over some of the world's most beautiful topography has nothing to do with The Land?

What did "Kitchen Kabaret" REALLY have to do with The Land? Food is grown in the land. OK. But the show was really about good nutrition (or at least, that's what all the lyrics refered to!). Wouldn't that have fit better over at "Wonders of Life"?????

And then there are those who said the Land's "Travel Agency" theme (with that completely bogus rumor about a "Cruise Line") would violate Walt's vision for EPCOT.

Sorry to break it to you, but Walt had NOTHING to do with Epcot. Well, other than the name. As any Disney historian can tell you, Epcot (the theme park) was simply a way to save-face after promising the Florida legislature that it needed government controls on Disney property to build an "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow."

EPCOT Center was brought to you by the same misguided Disney executives who nearly destroyed the company in the late 70's/early 80's. The ones that the exhaulted Roy Disney ultimately staged a coup to replace.

Don't get me wrong. I miss the kitch of the original EPCOT Center. But it would be irresponsible to the company and to the paying guests if Epcot was left as a museum to the 1980's. After all, isn't the Epcot "legend" about innovation and the future?

So WHY all the negativity even BEFORE Soarin' and The NEW Land even opened?

Some will cite the botched updates of Journey into Imagination, The Tiki Room, and Alien Encounter/Stitch.

I point to Mission Space, Turtle Talk, Mickey's Philharmagic, Wishes, Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and just about everything else Disney has done right in the past 10 years as reasons to have faith.

Oh yeah. And that people on the West Coast love Soarin'!

 

[The_CEO]

Great post!!

Some people just have different feelings towards The Land. I think it turned out wonderful. Others will argue it lacks a certain something. BTW I wonder where these came from..

"The atmosphere will be ruined!"
"Sign the peitition! Save the balloons!"
"A Travel Agency and a CRUISE LINE? What are they thinking?"
"It's straying from what Walt envisioned for EPCOT!"
"What does Soarin' have to do with "The Land"? Bring back "Kitchen Kabaret?"
"How cheap! A direct clone of California! Who wants to ride that?"
"I'm boycotting The Land!"

 

[CaptainMichael]

I see your point. I abstained from commenting on the rehab of the Land because I really don't know much about the pavillion. I've always welcomed Soarin' and cannot wait to ride it on Saturday. I think that a lot of the negative stuff spawned from rumors and heresay. ie: balloons leaving, travel agency, etc... I think that you will find that most people are pleased with the rehab of the Land and the addition of Soarin'.

 

[Robfasto]

To see my only complaint about the building of Soarin' check the following pictures:

http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/WorldShowcase/2004c/WS1104-058.htm

or this before and after picture that shows the Canada Pavilion with and without Soarin'

http://www.disneypix.com/potw/Year3/012805.htm

Although I really think it would have been neat to have it between The Land and Seas Pavilions (Land, Air, Sea) and have them interconnect with each other. Although looking at Satellite Pictures room would have been really tight for this.

 

[wannab@dis]

Good Post!

I had a similar observation in the poll thread about the Land. Even though the new land is seeing an overwhelming approval, the few that made the comments in your post are still whining about this or that. It's really a shame that Disney will never be able to make some so-called enthusiests happy! I have a hard time figuring out how they became such enthusiests, since they very rarely speak of anything positive.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I find my view of the world showcase is much more screwed up by the swan and dolphin hotels.

 

[wannab@dis]

I find my view of the world showcase is much more screwed up by the swan and dolphin hotels.

Interesting that you say that. I've always wondered why people whined so much about Soarin but never said a word about Swan or Dolphin. They've had the skyline messed up for years!

Just adds another point to the nay-sayers that can't figure out when to say "nay". :lol:

 

[Tom]

I, personally, am 100% FOR clones. I don't forsee myself going to DL, unless I'll already be in California for some other reason, and it's convenient. There just isn't enough there to make me want to pay to get myself to California, from Indiana, to see the "test run" version of WDW :lol:

So, if they do make the occasional successful attraction in DL, I would love for them to try it in Florida too, so that all of us WDW-ers can expereince it without wasting a trip to California.

 

[the-reason14]

That was truthfully a very excellant post, I think you hit it right on the spot.

 

[Robfasto]

I find my view of the world showcase is much more screwed up by the swan and dolphin hotels.

So true, I didn't mention that in this post as it was about The Land Pavilion. Disney did to itself what they attempted to get away from in California. The outside world creeping into the parks... but that is for another post.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I see your point, but we couldnt dig down far. This is florida.... We cant go that far down before hitting water.

 

[lifeguard1020]

I agree...

I find my view of the world showcase is much more screwed up by the swan and dolphin hotels.

I agree...
But am I the only one who can see the Test Track/World of Motion building behind Mexico???
I'm pretty sure that doesn't fit in with the skyline either...

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the last time I was there, I saw a big round silver building behind Mexico's pyramid...

Just a thought... :lookaroun

Dan

 

[KevinPage]

I think the compalints are misguided. People are entitled to their own opinion, but I think it's a case of "anything less than perfect, I'm going to whine and complain".

Is the new Land "perfect"? No, but it is far superior than what was there previously, so how can I complain?

Yeah it would have been nice to keep the colorful umbrellas and the designs of the food court exteriors, but overall I actually have a reason to visit The Land.

I never cared about it previously, now it's something I'll go to on every Epcot visit, which is essentialy what a paying guest wants and so does Disney.

 

[wdwmagic]

The reviews are in--- and they are almost all overwelmingly positive. With few exceptions, people seem extremely happy with "The Land", and are absolutely blown away by "Soarin".

So, now it's finally time to ask---- why did so many people get their underwear in a wad over this addition ?!?!?!?

The people getting upset over the change when it was announced was a small, very vocal, minority. I dont think that was really representative of the vast majority here.

I was glad when the changes were announced, and very happy with the way it turned out. Great job Disney and WDI!

 

[joel_maxwell]

well, you also have to take into account that the "nay-sayers" may have been a little justified due to the "quailty" rehabs and new attractions that have been added in the last 5 years............... but i see your side as well.

i was trying to wait and see........ i know that some were crazy over the balloons, i like them as well, but i didnt want to mural to be touched. that is one of the best parts of the land.

 

[righttrack]

Interesting that you say that. I've always wondered why people whined so much about Soarin but never said a word about Swan or Dolphin. They've had the skyline messed up for years!

Just adds another point to the nay-sayers that can't figure out when to say "nay". :lol:

Ding, Ding, Ding!!! We have a winner! Having just come back, I don't know if its the tree growth, or lack thereof, but I agree, the Swan and Dolphin are way too dominant in Int'l Showcase!

As for Soarin itself, its a great ride, wide audience appeal, and just plain magical. Thats what its all about. It was creative enough to clone, and gives Epcot a great mix of rides and attractions.

 

[psuchad]

To see my only complaint about the building of Soarin' check the following pictures:

http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/WorldShowcase/2004c/WS1104-058.htm

or this before and after picture that shows the Canada Pavilion with and without Soarin'

http://www.disneypix.com/potw/Year3/012805.htm

When was the first picture taken (the old one)? It seems to me that a lot has changed between the two pictures.

Also, who knows. They may be planning on painting a mountain scene on the soarin building to help it blend in.

 

[SpongeScott]

I find my view of the world showcase is much more screwed up by the swan and dolphin hotels.

Amen to that, brother.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am another person that has no problems with clones. The probability of me traveling to California with three kids is pretty slim and there is even less of a chance of me making it to Paris, Hong Kong or Tokyo so Disney can bring all the clones they want to WDW. The only problem I had with Soarin was very minor. It was lacking a little in the story line department. There wasn’t that total immersive theme that Disney is so famous for. I love the new look of the Land. I think Disney did a great job of blending 2 very different interior design styles to produce a beautiful pavilion.

 

[longfamily]

I have to agree with Yoda. I think the initial shock (and complaint) with the renovations to the Land and the inclusion of Soarin' was that there would not be a tie in aside from the rumored travel company which at the time seemed a bit lame and took away from the themeing of the Land itself. The final result is however beautiful. I am personally thrilled that the Land pavillion did not become some travel experience and instead retained the theme we have enjoyed for so long. I am also pleased that the pavillion is even better than before with the inclusion of the new seating areas and new themeing on food.

I have not had the opportunity as of yet to experience Soarin'. I'm sure that the California film is great but I would like to see a film made for the world instead of one area of it. That (to me) would be the perfect and final tie in to the land pavillion. Only because a California film is limited in the amount of landscape it can provide. There are many other landscape types that could be included. Flying over the Great Wall or over the Grand Canyon would be great!