Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[the.dreamfinder]

It is an issue of place. There are simply some themes that are poor choices because their proper execution demands a lack of place. While there ya be some romantic images of the circus, dirt and tents just don't lens themselves to such romantic images as other constructs.

Like...

Or...

 

[lazyboy97o]

Like...

Or...

Even those can easily fall short if they require a very specific reference. What makes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter so amazing is that it works for those with no familiarity with Harry Potter. Neverland, Arendelle and even Pandora are not overly defined and could include many different things. While that leaves a lot to be explored it also means you risk just tossing a bunch of stuff in and never creating a specific image. It's a weird balancing act of being both generic and specific in just the right ways. Disney has repeatedly returned to Skull Rock as the physical depiction of Neverland. It is easily understood beyond the narrative of the film. Mermaid Lagoon would be much more difficult to convey because it is just a lagoon that also includes mermaids. It has a specific form in the film but that form does not immediately communicate without being quite familiar with the film.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Even those can easily fall short if they require a very specific reference. What makes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter so amazing is that it works for those with no familiarity with Harry Potter. Neverland, Arendelle and even Pandora are not overly defined and could include many different things. While that leaves a lot to be explored it also means you risk just tossing a bunch of stuff in and never creating a specific image. It's a weird balancing act of being both generic and specific in just the right ways. Disney has repeatedly returned to Skull Rock as the physical depiction of Neverland. It is easily understood beyond the narrative of the film. Mermaid Lagoon would be much more difficult to convey because it is just a lagoon that also includes mermaids. It has a specific form in the film but that form does not immediately communicate without being quite familiar with the film.

I believe there is a piece of WDI art for a variation of Peter Pan which features a lagoon with Captain Hook's ship and Skull Rock surrounded by wavy Neverland mountains in a U formation.

 

[Goofyernmost]

We just got a five guys open nearby? Is it worth a try?

Only if you want to spend a few minutes thinking that you died and went to heaven.

 

[bhg469]

Only if you want to spend a few minutes thinking that you died and went to heaven.

It is pretty darn good. It's only slightly more money than a big burger from mcdonalds, but a hundred times better. You're going to have lots of options to put on it and it will be greasy but we'll worth the arterial clogging.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It is pretty darn good. It's only slightly more money than a big burger from mcdonalds, but a hundred times better. You're going to have lots of options to put on it and it will be greasy but we'll worth the arterial clogging.

Gotta die of something right? Might as well go out happy.

 

[doctornick]

I've asked this before and no one has answered, but does everyone just dislike the entire idea/theme of a dumbo-themed circus miniland, or just the final product? Because a circus is going to have tents. Right?

Agree with this. I don't have any problems with the tents per se, just what they contain. If we consider Storybook Circus to be its own land (and we should, no reason to have it part of Fantasyland any more than Toontown was), it's actually pretty well executed for its theme and tents certainly belong in an area that's supposed to be a circus.

The problem is the substance of the land -- a Casey Jr ride like DL would have been better than the splash area or putting a dark ride or two instead of the Sideshow M&G -- there's plenty of room between the Sideshow tent, the circular open area and the yellow tent + backstage to fit in two smaller rides like a Pinocchio themed one and/or Mickey's Madhouse or even the Pete's Silly Sideshow theme but having it be a ride (i.e. AA snake charmer Donald or daredevil Goofy, etc. showing their acts). They can even keep the big merch tent with the snacks. It would be nice if they revisit the land in the future and add more to it, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[NearTheEars]

Agree with this. I don't have any problems with the tents per se, just what they contain. If we consider Storybook Circus to be its own land (and we should, no reason to have it part of Fantasyland any more than Toontown was), it's actually pretty well executed for its theme.

The problem is the substance of the land -- a Casey Jr ride like DL would have been better than the splash area or putting a dark ride or two instead of the Sideshow M&G -- there's plenty of room between the Sideshow tent, the circular open area and the yellow tent +backstage to fit in two smaller rides like a Pinocchio themed one and/or Mickey's Madhouse or even the Pete's Silly Sideshow theme but having it be a ride (i.e. AA snake charmer Donald or daredevil Goofy, etc. showing their acts). They can even keep the bid merch tent with the snacks. It would be nice if they revisit the land in the future and add more to it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
My thoughts:
I like the snack/merch tent, but was underwhelmed by the M&G tent. So I agree on the substance part.
I see plenty of kids having cooling off in Casey Jr. area, but it probably belongs in a water park. Kids would probably have just as much fun cooling off in those fountains that just shoot water up out of the pavement.
The dual Dumbos was a nice addition.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Small world works where it is. Just rip off the aircraft hanger over the queue and load platforms and cut the corner of the Pan queue. That'd be one of the biggest NFL improvement.

I disagree. For all the crying about characters outside of Fantasyland, why is the opposite not also true? Non character attractions in Fantasyland? It's a Small World is about the interconnection between all nations, it is a much better fit in Showcase Plaza. Add in the fact that it opens up a huge area of land for new attractions in the most popular land in the most popular theme park in the world and it seems very logical to me. It's not something I ever think would happen, but it's something that really should.

 

[doctornick]

I disagree. For all the crying about characters outside of Fantasyland, why is the opposite not also true? Non character attractions in Fantasyland? It's a Small World is about the interconnection between all nations, it is a much better fit in Showcase Plaza. Add in the fact that it opens up a huge area of land for new attractions in the most popular land in the most popular theme park in the world and it seems very logical to me. It's not something I ever think would happen, but it's something that really should.

Agreed. IASW really doesn't fit thematically in FL, especially as they made it more medieval European in tone. In other Disney parks around the world, though, there's no getting around it and it's a classic ride, so it makes sense to keep it in FL. But WDW has a far more appropriate location with Epcot which basically has half that park inspired by the concept of IASW. Moving IASW to Epcot (and replacing it with something like Tangled or Frozen or Sleeping Beauty, etc.) both helps the needed ride count in Epcot and strengthens both parks thematically.

 

[Omnispace]

Agreed. IASW really doesn't fit thematically in FL, especially as they made it more medieval European in tone. In other Disney parks around the world, though, there's no getting around it and it's a classic ride, so it makes sense to keep it in FL. But WDW has a far more appropriate location with Epcot which basically has half that park inspired by the concept of IASW. Moving IASW to Epcot (and replacing it with something like Tangled or Frozen or Sleeping Beauty, etc.) both helps the needed ride count in Epcot and strengthens both parks thematically.

IASW started at a World's Fair so that makes a lot of sense.

 

[Mike S]

I disagree. For all the crying about characters outside of Fantasyland, why is the opposite not also true? Non character attractions in Fantasyland? It's a Small World is about the interconnection between all nations, it is a much better fit in Showcase Plaza. Add in the fact that it opens up a huge area of land for new attractions in the most popular land in the most popular theme park in the world and it seems very logical to me. It's not something I ever think would happen, but it's something that really should.

It actually fits perfectly in Fantasyland. World peace is just a fantasy

 

[flyerjab]

Agree with this. I don't have any problems with the tents per se, just what they contain. If we consider Storybook Circus to be its own land (and we should, no reason to have it part of Fantasyland any more than Toontown was), it's actually pretty well executed for its theme and tents certainly belong in an area that's supposed to be a circus.

The problem is the substance of the land -- a Casey Jr ride like DL would have been better than the splash area or putting a dark ride or two instead of the Sideshow M&G -- there's plenty of room between the Sideshow tent, the circular open area and the yellow tent + backstage to fit in two smaller rides like a Pinocchio themed one and/or Mickey's Madhouse or even the Pete's Silly Sideshow theme but having it be a ride (i.e. AA snake charmer Donald or daredevil Goofy, etc. showing their acts). They can even keep the big merch tent with the snacks. It would be nice if they revisit the land in the future and add more to it, but I'm not holding my breath.

I agree that I like the theming of the land. The colors of Storybook Circus are great, especially with the lit up double Dumbos. I must also agree, however, that there should be another ride of significance in that part of FL. That back area where the old fast pass machines were was always dead when we were there.

On a side note, when visiting FL in July when it is 97 degrees, I am a huge fan of the Casey Jr Splash area.

 

[doctornick]

On a side note, when visiting FL in July when it is 97 degrees, I am a huge fan of the Casey Jr Splash area.

I don't mind the splash zone -- it is very well done for that sort of thing -- but I think it should not have been built instead of an additional ride that all could enjoy. If the back corner had a Pinocchio dark ride then I'd be more forgiving of the decision to have the Casey Jr splash zone in addition.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It actually fits perfectly in Fantasyland. World peace is just a fantasy

Along that same line, the future features a lot of foreclosures and abandoned buildings so no changes are required to Future World either.

 

[GoofGoof]

I don't mind the splash zone -- it is very well done for that sort of thing -- but I think it should not have been built instead of an additional ride that all could enjoy. If the back corner had a Pinocchio dark ride then I'd be more forgiving of the decision to have the Casey Jr splash zone in addition.

I don't think the Splash Zone was built instead of a dark ride. The space it takes up is not large enough for a show building and would be small even for a spinner. From an operations and maintenance standpoint it's very cheap compared to an actual ride too. If they wanted to add another dark ride they could have, but I think the decision was independent of the Splash Zone.

 

[NoChesterHester]

I'm still waiting for the American Adventure table service restaurant that has regional foods from all over the country that would include things like Chicago Style Pizza, New York style pizza, Philly Cheesesteak, crabs from maryland, Main Lobster, Ribs from a few different locations, and of course something with goat cheese for California.

This 100%.

 

[Tigger1988]

Surprised no one mentioned this yet, DL ticket prices were raised overnight.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Surprised no one mentioned this yet, DL ticket prices were raised overnight.

And eliminated the SoCal regular AP. All that is left is either the SoCal resident AP with blackout dates (parking is extra) or the regular AP.

The premier annual pass (DL&WDW) is now over $1000.


Some dangerous precidents here.... Mostly making all resident APs have blackout dates or buy a regular AP.

 

[Travel Junkie]

And eliminated the SoCal regular AP. All that is left is either the SoCal resident AP with blackout dates (parking is extra) or the regular AP.

The premier annual pass (DL&WDW) is now over $1000.


Some dangerous precidents here.... Mostly making all resident APs have blackout dates or buy a regular AP.

To clarify they didn't eliminate So Cal AP ‘s they have suspended new sales. They are capping the number of AP’s at each level. Other levels including Deluxe and Premium could be suspended in the future.


This is actually a good move on Disney’s part. Friday nights and Sunday’s have become a nightmare with the So Cal AP’s (including myself) flooding in. They had to put a cap in. It has been getting out of control.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/annual-614733-disney-passes.html