News Splash Mountain retheme to Princess and the Frog - Tiana's Bayou Adventure

[MerlinTheGoat]

I want to note that even in the poor condition the WDW ride is currently in, it's actually still in considerably better shape than 2010-2012. Back then there was scarcely any color left on the mountain's exterior paint. Netting and tarps were installed in several areas due to damaged and falling rockwork. Most voice audio speakers were damaged and barely comprehensible. Tons of animatronics were missing, none remained with more than about 25% of their motion and a huge amount that were completely motionless. This became a fairly common occurrence during that period-



Not to mention the boat seats were all caked in mold, scum and slime. They should have been handing out free tetanus shots and antibiotics for riding in them. Every water feature was switched off aside from the main flume needed to push the logs along, even the big drop was dry for an extended period of time.

In early 2013, the ride received an excellent refurbishment. They fixed almost everything. And for quite a few years after this, it looked almost brand new again. The only lingering issue outside was the real greenery once adorning the mountain exterior was only partially restored to life. One of the Mr Bluebird figures also took a few weeks to get working consistently again. But otherwise, the ride was pretty much back to the proper condition it was on opening day. It was great to see the ride working as intended. I was surprised what they accomplished in such a short amount of time. It was only down for a bit over two months.

I rode Splash Mountain at WDW late last month, and while in unacceptable condition, it still has quite a ways to go before it's as dilapidated as it was in 2012. As it stands, it sounds like it will probably be put down for good before it gets to that point again. Especially if the January claims are true.

Remember when Disney used to make fun of trashy knockoff businesses and their ill-maintained broken down attractions? Yeah, starting to hit a bit close to home now...

 

[EagleScout610]

How soon will Chapek break down my door for today's Goodwill score?

 

[celluloid]

They’ve only had Star Wars bought out for 10 years. They didn’t start doing IP based lands until A Bugs Land so it seems about the right amount of time for Star Wars to be done by Disney.

They did not need to own Star Wars to have the rights and see the potential. We had Star Tours, a new trilogy and events for decades. Imagineering had plenty of land ideas. Them owning it completely for a push only proves my earlier point.

Your second part is not really true.
Toontown was created directly due to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Supporting attractions came later.

The land was created from the movie and the anchor attraction and aesthetics based on it.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

As much as I adore this ride, if they're going to let it fall into such disrepair so frequently just put it out of it's misery and get this refurbishment going.

I still think it's going to be a massive failure. Really nice from the outside because they can sell tickets with photos of it for marketing, completely underwhelming on the inside. I predict it will be all the worst aspects of Navi River Journey and Frozen. Crappy screens, underwhelming story, underwhelming environment, great songs, and 1-2 great animatronics.

 

[_caleb]

As much as I adore this ride, if they're going to let it fall into such disrepair so frequently just put it out of it's misery and get this refurbishment going.

I still think it's going to be a massive failure. Really nice from the outside because they can sell tickets with photos of it for marketing, completely underwhelming on the inside. I predict it will be all the worst aspects of Navi River Journey and Frozen. Crappy screens, underwhelming story, underwhelming environment, great songs, and 1-2 great animatronics.

What do you mean by “massive failure?” Negative reviews?
Because there is no way people are not going to ride the ride anymore due to the changes.

 

[celluloid]

The hiring freeze is so as not to have to do layoffs.

The announcement of hiring freeze is, IMO, just a bone to throw to Wall Street.

The memos mentioned freezes and loss of jobs. A freeze does not mean no layoffs.

The point is to save it and make more money.

 

[BobPar]

What do you mean by “massive failure?” Negative reviews?
Because there is no way people are not going to ride the ride anymore due to the changes.

Massive failure is tough bc its one of the “thrill” rides the MK offers but this ride easily can fail when it comes to people desire to ride it between attaching a princess to it and if the ride isnt good people will not be looking to re ride it. I dont think there was ever a time we were in MK where we did not ride Splash multiple times…

 

[MisterPenguin]

The memos mentioned freezes and loss of jobs. A freeze does not mean no layoffs.

The point is to save it and make more money.

Well, we'll see from social postings all these non-layoffs layoffs that people think are going to happen.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

What do you mean by “massive failure?” Negative reviews?
Because there is no way people are not going to ride the ride anymore due to the changes.

Failure as in, going from tons of animatronics to just a few, more poorly incorporated screens, cheap special effects, weak story, etc.

Nothing they've revealed so far and nothing they've done recently gives me hope that the failures listed above won't happen. Navi River Journey and Frozen are our two best examples of what to expect. Many people view both of those rides as cheap and wasted potential, to some degree.

 

[celluloid]

Well, we'll see from social postings all these non-layoffs layoffs that people think are going to happen.

The official company line is that loss of jobs will happen among the freeze.

So you want to believe the word about the freeze, but not believe about the other parts of the memo?

 

[celluloid]

Massive failure is tough bc its one of the “thrill” rides the MK offers but this ride easily can fail when it comes to people desire to ride it between attaching a princess to it and if the ride isnt good people will not be looking to re ride it. I dont think there was ever a time we were in MK where we did not ride Splash multiple times…

Good point. Massive is a vague term anyway, but if the attraction does not move the needle and is the same in ridership as it is now,
it would certainly not be a big win. Guest spending is the biggest want, but they clearly need to move the needle with such an investment.

 

[UNCgolf]

Failure as in, going from tons of animatronics to just a few, more poorly incorporated screens, cheap special effects, weak story, etc.

Nothing they've revealed so far and nothing they've done recently gives me hope that the failures listed above won't happen. Navi River Journey and Frozen are our two best examples of what to expect. Many people view both of those rides as cheap and wasted potential, to some degree.

I would be very happy if it turns out like Na'vi River Journey on the inside. That's one of the 3 or 4 best designed environments they've built in an attraction at WDW in 25+ years. It's transportive and uses screens better than most other attractions. It has flaws (like a lack of AAs other than the showy centerpiece), but it's also a C ticket. It's a great C ticket.

Tiana would need the detailed sets/environments of NRJ plus other things since it's an E ticket, but NRJ level interiors would be a fantastic starting point.

Frozen Ever After on the inside would be massively disappointing as that ride is mostly barren, although it at least has quality AAs (other than the stupid projected faces).

I'd point at Little Mermaid as a worst case scenario; not NRJ.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

I would be very happy if it turns out like Na'vi River Journey on the inside. That's one of the 3 or 4 best designed environments they've built in an attraction at WDW in 25+ years. It's transportive and uses screens better than most other attractions. It has flaws (like a lack of AAs other than the showy centerpiece), but it's also a C ticket. It's a great C ticket.

Tiana would need the detailed sets/environments of NRJ plus other things since it's an E ticket, but NRJ level interiors would be a fantastic starting point.

Frozen Ever After on the inside would be massively disappointing as that ride is mostly barren, although it at least has quality AAs (other than the stupid projected faces).

I'd point at Little Mermaid as a worst case scenario; not NRJ.

Personally I like NRJ for what it is but the environments are just too flat and the ride lacks memorable moments outside of the awesome AA at the end. It's a good C ticket though.

But lacking memorable moments is what happens when you use screens and have hardly any physical AA's. Due to the cost of upkeep I just don't see Disney putting lots of AA's inside of Tiana. They'll over use screens and cheap effects to mask the overall low budget, low quality retheme.

That's my fear, at least. Nothing they've done recently makes me think I'm wrong.

 

[BobPar]

Good point. Massive is a vague term anyway, but if the attraction does not move the needle and is the same in ridership as it is now,
it would certainly not be a big win. Guest spending is the biggest want, but they clearly need to move the needle with such an investment.

Honestly i dont think it has a chance of seeing the same guest flow after the initial rush when it reopens…

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Honestly i dont think it has a chance of seeing the same guest flow after the initial rush when it reopens…

For us it will probably go from a 2-3 times a trip ride to a once a trip. My boys are upset that so much stuff is princess related in WDW, I doubt they'll ever want to ride it more than once but maybe. Again, depends how good they do with it.

 

[BobPar]

For us it will probably go from a 2-3 times a trip ride to a once a trip. My boys are upset that so much stuff is princess related in WDW, I doubt they'll ever want to ride it more than once but maybe. Again, depends how good they do with it.

As i previously posted we would ride multiple times a day… cant see that ever happening w this overlay. But i agree i think that will definitely play into it as well when it comes to boys wanting to ride a “princess” ride albeit they seem to be trying to avoid Tiana being a traditional princess in this attraction.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I would be very happy if it turns out like Na'vi River Journey on the inside. That's one of the 3 or 4 best designed environments they've built in an attraction at WDW in 25+ years. It's transportive and uses screens better than most other attractions. It has flaws (like a lack of AAs other than the showy centerpiece), but it's also a C ticket. It's a great C ticket.

maybe off topic, but as it pertains to NRJ, I am not sure where you would want to insert more animatronics. Part of the thing i think that really works for the ride, is the immersive nature of it. Like Avatar itself, the ride really showcases the land/journey across Navi River. Its one of the reason the screens really work, the "characters" that are making their way across the river with you are all in the background, and compliment, don't overpower the environment that you're in. I am not sure where you would place more animatronics to keep with that. Anything as large as the centerpiece is going to dominate that area/room i think to the detriment of the ride experience. Any anything really smaller is going to have scale issues for the ride.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The official company line is that loss of jobs will happen among the freeze.

So you want to believe the word about the freeze, but not believe about the other parts of the memo?

A job freeze is not the same thing as firing/laying-off people. You just don't hire replacements when someone leaves. That reduces the workforce, but not through telling someone they don't work here any more.

Then with less staff, you restructure so that less people are doing what used to be done by more (or, you eliminate tasks).

If there are indeed firings/layings-off taking place, it will get out and Chapek will further erode his trust with employees. He'll be called out for lying. The unions will be down his neck. And California will want to know if he evaded their mass-layoff notification law.

Chapek has done dumb things before, but when it comes to hiring/firing, you can be sure the lawyers are running the show due to how sensitive a firing/layoff can be if you are (or seem to be) targeting a protected minority and exposing the company to lawsuits.

 

[LittleBuford]

How can people predict from now how many times they’ll want to (re)ride the attraction? Work hasn’t even started on the retheme yet!

 

[J4546]

Navi river journey should have been bigger, used the Shanghai pirates building and ride system for a massive immersive avatar water based experience. Especially since the sequel was gonna be and is water-based