"Soarin" Moaners and Groaners

[ClemsonTigger]

Coral14,

On of the hardest things to get accustomed to in this forum (and others, to be fair) is the intense dislike bordering on hatred for anything related to Disneyland. I've never understood it either, other than to chalk it up to people who've never been to DL and really have no idea what they're talking about.

One of the truly great things about Disney (and one of the chief reasons we share our experiences, thoughts and dreams here) is that because it has had signifigant impact on one level or another in our lives, we all feel like we've taken a tiny bit of ownership. Unfortunately, some take it too far, and some how reason that in order to raise WDW up, DL must in some way be cast in a bad light. Hopefully these people will see the fallacy of such thinking, and be reminded that all Disney themeparks are important, unique, and wonderful in their own right (although the jury's still out on Hong Kong ).

I for one can't wait to get to Disneyland in June, and then on to WDW in September. They'll both be magical experiences,as much for their similarities as for their differences.

While there is some of that here...I don't think it's a general belief. Many here have never been, some enjoy both regularly, and most give DL the appropriate respect as THE ORIGINAL.

While WDW is a whole different animal, I have to say I prefer DL over MK for reasons that have been discussed in other threads. In any case all Disney locations are special and better than any contender IMHO.

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

at first I was wondering why the same ride wasn't ported with a new film, soarin' over florida, or the USA. somthing like that. kind of to tie it into epcot. but i'm glad they kept it the way it is, I've only been to Cali twice, and this attraction shows me things I've never seen. I can't wait to finally go to disneyland.

 

[Master Yoda]

I share no ill will towards any of Disney’s other parks around the globe. I have never been to any of them so how could I. I guess some people get very defensive and have an abnormal sense of pride about their home turf and sometimes that festers into hatred. Kind of like FSU fans hating Florida fans for no other reason then they are Florida fans. I would love to visit Disney’s other parks but it becomes a matter of economics. I can take my family to WDW for 12 weekends a year for the same price it would cost me to spend 1 week in California

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Considering Disney's recent track record and with rumors that the travel agency theme would be pushed to the max, I can see why some of us overreacted. I think the rehab turned out better than I ever could have expected, but I think alot of people remembered what happened to a little pavilion next door when it came time for it's big rehab. And some of us were afraid the same thing would happen to the Land. Disney delivered here and they should get credit for that, but they hadn't done too much within the past few years to ease our tensions about this rehab.

That I think is the real key to this discussion, and the root of the resistance to change. In the last Decade, Disney has a track record of updates on the cheap like Stitch and Imagination, lack of updates like 20K and WOL. These are separate from changes/replacement of "classic" rides like COP, WOM and Horizons. I think the majority of folks here are afraid of dumbed down refurbs or replacements.

To put on my optimistic hat, I think The Land/Soarin' is a positive move, as Living Seas seems to be. I do believe that Disney does listen to discussions like these and uses forums like this one, JHM, MiceAge to "float" ideas. If they are taking this kind of approach, I see a lot of positives in the not to distant future.

 

[dxwwf3]

That I think is the real key to this discussion, and the root of the resistance to change. In the last Decade, Disney has a track record of updates on the cheap like Stitch and Imagination, lack of updates like 20K and WOL. These are separate from changes/replacement of "classic" rides like COP, WOM and Horizons. I think the majority of folks here are afraid of dumbed down refurbs or replacements.

To put on my optimistic hat, I think The Land/Soarin' is a positive move, as Living Seas seems to be. I do believe that Disney does listen to discussions like these and uses forums like this one, JHM, MiceAge to "float" ideas. If they are taking this kind of approach, I see a lot of positives in the not to distant future.

I agree 100%. I too think that "the root of the resistance to change" is that fact that alot of us are afraid of "dumbed down refurbs or replacements". At least that describes me. Because once something is gone, it's gone forever and if we are left with an inferrior attraction, then the guests lose.

And I also agree that The Land and Living Seas are heading in positive directions and hopefully that will become a trend.

Fantastic post!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great original post.
I for one was excited when I heard Soarin' was coming to WDW, because I had riden it at DCA. I really enjoyed it there & really enjoyed my California Disney experience. I thought it was great to be able to see the original Magic Kingdom & walk where Walt had really walked. So count me in as someone who loves WDW & Disneyland as well.
I understood the concern over the rehab though considering some of the recent things that have happened, but I am very pleased to hear how well the Land seems to have turned out & can't wait to see it myself in October.

 

[ScrapIron]

Random reactions

The original post was long overdue (I was to lazy to type that much). I find the whole "reputaion points" thing a little too high school to allow for my participation, but I almost made an exception.

I'm cosidering adding the following clause to my advance health care directive:
"If I ever get upset over changing decor in a food court, someone is to immediately put a bullet in my brain."

Funny how none of the anti-clone people ever advocate the destruction of the Magic Kingdom, a clone of an entire park.

Ain't it odd how there were complaints about the theme of DCA (who wants to see a California themed park in California?), and complaints about the Soarin' film in WDW (who wants to see a California film in Florida?).

Cheers.

 

[saucymb]

You read my mind!
I for one am very excited to see Soarin' come to WDW. We experienced it in 2003 at DCA, and we loved it more than any other ride! I think that Cali is a great backdrop for the ride, but who knows, they may very well put together a new film highlighting other topographical locales.

 

[Goofy23]

First of all, I think because of the fond memories, Matterhorn and IJA, and the history I would much rather go to DL. But my wife prefers WDW. Since we live closer to WDW, that's where we go.

Second of all, I'm just not impressed with Soarin'. It's cool that you feel the wind, but it's like Back to the Future at Universal: I just can't suspend my belief.

Maybe I'm just unimaginative, but I don't ever need to ride either of those again. Once on Soarin' is enough for me.

 

[brettman35]

Hide the show building with trees

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.

Wouldn't it be quite possible to hide (or at least disguise) the show building with trees, similar to the Haunted Mansion's show building? It would blend in with the Canada Pavillion and wouldn't really look all that out of place behind Future World (I mean, they're only trees).

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Besides, even if the Soarin building was more visable (I continue to be amazed at how a little paint choice can hide it as well as it does), you will always have those out of scale titans of Swan and Dolphin that totally ruin the scale and composition effect.