Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[ParentsOf4]

It's a valid criticism of Universal that they heavily rely on video projection for show scenes over animatronics or other technologies and show presentation.

I hope I am simply misunderstanding but are you suggesting that it's valid to criticize Universal for not using 1950s technology for show elements? That it is valid to criticize Universal for using newer technology?

To me a good attraction is a good attraction regardless of the technology employed. Haunted Mansion is an excellent attraction but so is Spider-man. As I recall, Spider-man won several awards for the innovative technology it introduced. I'm not sure I understand how this suddenly has become bad.

Sorry in advance if I misunderstood your point.

 

[DisneyLeo18]

Also saw this gem of a comment over at OTPN:

"Universal just puts a movie screens. Furthermore they already had the specs done for transformers becasue its a carbon copy on spiderman. It would take universal a lot longer to build rides if they were actually building rides. Not movie screens."

The only question is, what facepalm picture to use?

All this comment is saying is that they roll rides out so quickly because they are screen based. I don't see the person implying they are lesser experiences, just the ease of building them so quickly.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

You're missing the point.

It's a valid criticism of Universal that they heavily rely on video projection for show scenes over animatronics or other technologies and show presentation.

Universal Studios has been on the forefront of film technology since the advent of stereo sound. Universal Studios is first and foremost a movie studio. And I will take a ride utilizing screens such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (which btw has 2 impressive AAs) over the crapfest known as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid (which has 2 impressive AAs).

 

[Disneyhead'71]

and when they do have animatronics, they are terrible. The motion is not remotely close to a Disney A100.

The Sorting Hat is. And just wait until you see the Goblins.

 

[lebeau]

I think this gets into this notion of people who only ever vacation at a Disney property. A lot of the time I get the impression that a good number of people think many of these treats are exclusive to Disney. Because they do not go to other tourist places they are never exposed to other turkey legs, corn dogs, churros, etc.

I think you're on to something there.

But also, there's this thing going on where fans just keep feeding each other hype. And it just keeps building and building. Look at the Disney Food Blog. They recently ran a glowing review of the food at Chef Mickey's. Here's some excerpts:

The Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder was a hit!

The culinary staff really shows off its talents with some beautiful garnish work. We spied this swan carved into a honeydew melon near the salad bar. Fancy schmancy!

But my fav-or-ite thing on the buffet that night was the Baked Parmesan and Panko Crusted Chicken.
Amazing flavor on the outside, and juicy and tender within. And baked! I think it would probably rate an honorable mention on my “Best Disney Fried Chicken” list! It was that good. If you go to Chef Mickey’s, you must try it.

And I loved these Mickey Mouse Domes! They immediately reminded me of a cross between Zebra Domes from Boma and the Oreo Bon Bons that you used to find at Cape May Cafe! (You can still find them at Beach Club Marketplace.)
These dark chocolate mousse domes are made on an Oreo base and are finished with little chocolate ears. Serious cuteness. It’s the little touches like this that make a big impression and add just one more layer of delight to the meal.

A meal at Chef Mickey’s is a Disney rite of passage. I could go on all day about the food at Tusker House, or the ambiance at Cinderella’s Royal Table, or the interesting characters at 1900 Park Fare. But, come on. Chef Mickey’s is an institution. It’s the perfect marriage of Mickey and food. The idea that he’s behind all the dishes here is just super fun. (It also explains all of that cheese!) Plus, when you first arrive at Disney World, Chef Mickey’s is the perfect way to plunge yourself into the loud, magical atmosphere you’re about to experience during your trip!

Chef Mickey's is a fun place to take the kids. But the food is Golden Corral level in every way but price. A bad review from them is something like, "It just didn't live up to the awesomeness of <insert over-rated cupcake>, but it's still worth a try if you like that sort of thing."

I post what I consider to be honest feedback and I'll give them credit for not deleting it. I think AJ is being sincere with her reviews even if they are almost uniformly positive. I enjoy the site or I wouldn't keep coming back. But I wish they could be more objective.

The same mentality dominates here in the Dining forum. In fact, every time the DFB posts a raving review of the latest cupcake with different colored frosting, someone posts an enthusiastic link to the article. And then a bunch of posters immediately "ooh" and "ahh" like they have never had baked goods before.

 

[wdwmagic]

They still have more motion than the Yeti at this point.

(Sorry Steve, you know someone was going to say that )

LOL yep I should have specified a "WORKING' Disney animatronic.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I never said it did not make them rides nor a lesser experience.

I said its a valid criticism to say that Universal is relying heavily on video projection technology in lieu of other methods of show presentation.

One could also say that Disney relies heavily on too many simple mechanical figurines. But then again, we wouldn't want another Yeti on our hands. Not that is one really impressive paper weight.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

All this comment is saying is that they roll rides out so quickly because they are screen based. I don't see the person implying they are lesser experiences, just the ease of building them so quickly.

And Disney is taking a year and a half to build a meet and greet, which involves no screens or animatronics. Each project will have a different timeline for construction based on a variety of factors. Sometimes relating to the ride's content, sometimes not (like fiscal quarters). Making generalizations of this kind is not really accurate.

Animated figures and show sets can be built and tested idependently of actual show building construction. WDW's Haunted Mansion had all it's props made far in advance of the acual building being finished. Disney could (and may) have done the same with Mermaid as the rides were identical. I believe it's been mentioned that Universal has aready done this with Harry Potter phase two.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

All this comment is saying is that they roll rides out so quickly because they are screen based. I don't see the person implying they are lesser experiences, just the ease of building them so quickly.

Would it really be correct to say that the Hogwarts Express is screen based when it is actually 2 full blown Doppelmayr Trains? Big Dif between Hogwarts Express and Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I hope I am simply misunderstanding but are you suggesting that it's valid to criticize Universal for not using 1950s technology for show elements? That it is valid to criticize Universal for using newer technology?

To me a good attraction is a good attraction regardless of the technology employed. Haunted Mansion is an excellent attraction but so is Spider-man. As I recall, Spider-man won several awards for the innovative technology it introduced. I'm not sure I understand how this suddenly has become bad.

Sorry in advance if I misunderstood your point.

Who said anything about it being bad?

I'm talking about two things: First, Universal's tendency to use or overuse video screen technology in the past several years.

Second, equally criticizing Universal when we criticize Disney. I mean If we're going to criticise Disney for the Yeti not working, we sure can criticize Universal for their inability to focus a video projector on Harry Potter.

 

[Big C 73]

I

And Disney is taking a year and a half to build a meet and greet, which involves no screens or animatronics. Each project will have a different timeline for construction based on a variety of factors. Sometimes relating to the ride's content, sometimes not (like fiscal quarters). Making generalizations of this kind is not really accurate.

Animated figures and show sets can be built and tested idependently of actual show building construction. WDW's Haunted Mansion had all it's props made far in advance of the acual building being finished. Disney could (and may) have done the same with Mermaid as the rides were identical. I believe it's been mentioned that Universal has aready done this with Harry Potter phase two.

I really don't have too many complaints against New Fantasyland, but that is a little long for a meet & greet. I know Disney does detail and they take their time, but the time limit is up on this one. Anyway, we know that this is going to be the best and grandest meet & greet you'll ever walk into.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Universal Studios has been on the forefront of film technology since the advent of stereo sound. Universal Studios is first and foremost a movie studio. And I will take a ride utilizing screens such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (which btw has 2 impressive AAs) over the crapfest known as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid (which has 2 impressive AAs).

Yes. Thats fine. But the crapfest that is Mermaid does not make people throw up as out of focus projectors on Potter.

Like I said, if we're going to criticize Disney as much as we do (and we should, to hold them accountable), Universal is free-game too. They don't get a pass simply because theyre actually building things.

 

[Big C 73]

Who said anything about it being bad?

I'm talking about two things: First, Universal's tendency to use or overuse video screen technology in the past several years.

Second, equally criticizing Universal when we criticize Disney. I mean If we're going to criticise Disney for the Yeti not working, we sure can criticize Universal for their inability to focus a video projector on Harry Potter.

You have made a very good point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

And rightfully so, Disney deserves a ration of (POOH!) for how long its taking to build a meet and greet.

Even with asbestos abatement, a year and a half is an insane amount of time.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Who said anything about it being bad?

I'm talking about two things: First, Universal's tendency to use or overuse video screen technology in the past several years.

Second, equally criticizing Universal when we criticize Disney. I mean If we're going to criticise Disney for the Yeti not working, we sure can criticize Universal for their inability to focus a video projector on Harry Potter.

OK, I think I understand better now. As I posted a few weeks ago, I don’t think Transformers is a particularly good attraction. It suffers by comparison to Spider-man, which (IMHO) remains a much better attraction. My considerably less than stellar opinion of Transformers is based primarily on the overall story; essentially every scene is one weird looking Transformer fighting with some other weird looking Transformer, all of them looking essentially the same to a non-Transformer kinda guy. What exactly is the story?

Beyond that, Spider-man offers more variety and, I think to your point, better integration with the non-screen elements of the attraction. Flames, smoke, moving dump trucks, “levitating” boxes, etc. all make Spiderman a more complete experience. Still, Spider-man, like Soarin’, Mission: Space, and Toy Story Mania, heavily relies on the screen as its primary means of presenting guests with the ride experience. I really like Soarin', Mission: Space, and Toy Story Mania, although none of them make my "Orlando Top 10" list. IMHO, they are all more fun than Transformers.

Conversely, Journey of the Little Mermaid is just plain mediocre; not because it employed 1950s technology but because it did it so poorly.

By the way, didn't someone just mention that FJ's projection was recently upgraded because it was out-of-focus?

 

[lebeau]

Yes. Thats fine. But the crapfest that is Mermaid does not make people throw up as out of focus projectors on Potter.

Like I said, if we're going to criticize Disney as much as we do (and we should, to hold them accountable), Universal is free-game too. They don't get a pass simply because theyre actually building things.

Point. Although TLM did make me a little queesy.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I


I really don't have too many complaints against New Fantasyland, but that is a little long for a meet & greet. I know Disney does detail and they take their time, but the time limit is up on this one. Anyway, we know that this is going to be the best and grandest meet & greet you'll ever walk into.

My thought was that it was intentional. They don't want to start up the meet and greet until the mine train is completed and the walls are down. Don't forget currently that location is outside the construction wall. If I had to guess it has been done for quite a while, they just don't want to start it yet.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Point. Although TLM did make me a little queesy.

Did it make you...sea sick?

 

[Wikkler]

I'm so sorry for attempting this again, and TP200 said it so concisely, but here's my tally for total "attractions" at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. I have excluded scenery, playgrounds, walkthroughs, arcades, walking trails, preshows, postshows, interactive thingies, & carnival games so they are "distractions"... and stage shows, character meets, fireworks, and parades as "entertainment". I also discounted the Main Street Cinema, because how invested can you get watching a Mickey Mouse cartoon when you have a FASTPASS for Indiana Jones Adventure???

Disneyland Park: 39 attractions

1. Disneyland Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A. Station
2. The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
3. Main Street Vehicles
4. Enchanted Tiki Room
5. Indiana Jones Adventure
6. Jungle Cruise
7. Disneyland Railroad - New Orleans Square Station
8. Haunted Mansion
9. Pirates of the Caribbean
10. Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
11. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
12. Splash Mountain
13. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
14. Mark Twain Riverboat
15. Sailing Ship Columbia
16. Alice in Wonderland
17. Casey Jr. Circus Train
18. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
19. it's a small world
20. King Arthur Carrousel
21. Mad Tea Party
22. Matterhorn Bobsleds
23. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
24. Peter Pan's Flight
25. Pinocchio's Daring Journey
26. Snow White's Scary Adventures
27. Storybook Land Canal Boats
28. Disneyland Railroad - Mickey's Toontown Station
29. Gadget's Go Coaster
30. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
31. Astro Orbitor
32. Autopia
33. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
34. Captain EO
35. Disneyland Railroad - Tomorrowland Station
36. Disneyland Monorail
37. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
38. Space Mountain
39. Star Tours - The Adventures Continue

Disney's California Adventure Park: 24 attractions

1. Red Car Trolley - Buena Vista Street
2. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Resce!
3. Muppet*Vision 3D
4. Turtle Talk with Crush
5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
6. Flik's Flyers
7. Francis' Ladybug Boogie
8. Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
9. It's Tough to be a Bug!
10. Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies
11. Luigi's Flying Tires
12. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
13. Radiator Springs Racers
14. California Screamin'
15. Golden Zephyr
16. Goofy's Sky School
17. Jumpin' Jellyfish
18. King Triton's Carousel
19. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure
20. Mickey's Fun Wheel
21. Silly Symphony Swings
22. Toy Story Midway Mania!
23. Grizzly River Run
24. Soarin' Over California

Magic Kingdom Park: 30 attractions

1. Main Street Vehicles
2. Walt Disney World Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A. Station
3. Jungle Cruise
4. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
6. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
8. Country Bear Jamboree
9. Splash Mountain
10. The Hall of Presidents
11. Haunted Mansion
12. Liberty Square Riverboat
13. The Barnstormer
14. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
15. Enchanted Tales with Belle
16. it's a small world
17. Mad Tea Party
18. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
19. Mickey's PhilharMagic
20. Peter Pan's Flight
21. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
22. Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
23. Astro Orbiter
24. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
25. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
26. Space Mountain
27. Stitch's Great Escape
28. Tomorrowland Arcade
29. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
30. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

EPCOT Center Epcot: 18 attractions

1. Spaceship Earth
2. Sum of All Thrills
3. Ellen's Energy Adventure
4. Mission: SPACE
5. Test Track
6. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
7. Turtle Talk With Crush
8. The Circle of Life
9. Living with the Land
10. Soarin'
11. Captain EO
12. Journey Into Imagination With Figment
13. O Canada!
14. Impressions de France
15. The American Adventure
16. Reflections of China
17. Maelstrom
18. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Disney-MGM Studios Disney's Hollywood Studios: 7 attractions

1. The Great Movie Ride
2. Star Tours - The Adventures Continue
3. Muppet*Vision 3D
4. Studio Backlot Tour
5. Toy Story Midway Mania!
6. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney's Animal Kingdom: 8 attractions

1. It's Tough to be a Bug!
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
3. Wildlife Express Train
4. Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
5. Kali River Rapids
6. DINOSAUR
7. Primeval Whirl
8. TriceraTop Spin

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park: 10 attractions

1. Chairlift
2. Cross Country Creek
3. Downhill Double Dipper
4. Melt-Away Bay
5. Runoff Rapids
6. Slush Gusher
7. Snow Stormers
8. Summit Plummet
9. Teamboat Springs
10. Toboggan Racers

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10 attractions

1. Bay Slides
2. Castaway Creek
3. Crush 'n' Gusher
4. Gangplank Falls
5. Humunga Kowabunga
6. Keelhaul Falls
7. Mayday Falls
8. Shark Reef
9. Storm Slides
10. Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool

Downtown Disney: 1 attraction

1. Marketplace Carousel

Disneyland Resort Total: 63 attractions
Walt Disney World Theme Park Total: 63 attractions
Walt Disney World Resort Total: 84 attractions

The number for Epcot is bad, but DHS and DAK are pathetic. You know your theme park sucks when it has less rides and movies than your water park!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

My thought was that it was intentional. They don't want to start up the meet and greet until the mine train is completed and the walls are down.

Then why would the opening date for the meet/greet be "Fall 2013" and the coaster "Spring 2014"?

I could see the media plus of having both (and the new parade) start on the same day, but even Disney would be embarassed to drag out the opening another six months.