The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[MK-fan]

MJ is currently trending positively as he’s not one of the demons on the Epstein list. Also MJ movie is coming out in a couple months. TL theatre is still sitting empty. Time for a Captain Eo comeback?

 

[britain]

MJ is currently trending positively as he’s not one of the demons on the Epstein list. Also MJ movie is coming out in a couple months. TL theatre is still sitting empty. Time for a Captain Eo comeback?

Why not? Besides, Fuzzball’s appearance in Skeleton Crew officially makes Captain Eo part of Star Wars canon.

 

[BrianLo]

I will say if in some twisted way the removal of the ROA at MK or removal of Jungle Cruise at TDL make it more likely that those attractions stay put at DLR then selfishly, I’m ok with that. What matters to me above all is preserving Disneyland. Ideally the ROA would still exist for fans that love it at MK but I do see a silver lining. I do think that the more these classic attractions go to Yesterland around the world the more likely they are to remain in their original form at Disneyland. And the longer an attraction remains the more likely it is that it will be preserved for its historical value.

I think if Splash Mountain would have survived the weird early 2020’s that it had a good chance of making it into this category with the POTC’s, HM’s, Jungle Cruises and ROA’s of the world. Granted, it didn’t have the Walt factor so that’s makes it more expendable in Disney’s eyes.

Jungle Cruise is asymmetrically popular in Florida since its refurb. It’s pulled out as a tier one in lightening lane and previously was the highest priority tier two.

I don’t on the other hand expect Tokyo or Hong Kong’s to stick around for our lifetime due to space constraints.

It's interesting and a bit ironic that WDW is getting a bunch of meaningful but small updates, while DLR is the resort comparatively sitting on their hand

Isn’t it? Definitely a weird mirror of 2016 when DLR came off a huge amount of quality of life refurbs into their anniversary.

The 70th was a let down.

 

[BrianLo]

What attractions/projects do you assign to him? I feel like he's had more hits than misses, but I haven't looked at it as closely.

I’m not sure. Just wondering why that’s not being accounted for and only his time as Disneyland president.

There was MMRR, which was odd for a park specific president to announce. This was the first time I remember hearing of him and found it odd Chapek was nowhere in sight.

I think we can call this a general win in his column?

 

[wdrive]

Did the Paris version get updated too, or was it just a thorough refurbishment?

Just a refurb

 

[MK-fan]

Did the Paris version get updated too, or was it just a thorough refurbishment?

• Inside the attraction, major upgrades were reported to be taking place during the refurb, including the ride vehicles - The XP-41 Space Cruisers - receiving new technology, with the current Astro Blasters fully removed and replaced.
• Many of these same ride vehicles are being refreshed with new paint and upgraded dashboards featuring enhanced displays.
• The attraction’s interior lighting is also being completely overhauled, with spotlights replaced and special effects refurbished for a sharper, more dynamic look.
• The targets used to rack up points in the battle against Zurg are being swapped out for new versions with improved accuracy and performance.

 

[mickEblu]

There was MMRR, which was odd for a park specific president to announce. This was the first time I remember hearing of him and found it odd Chapek was nowhere in sight.

View attachment 908020

I think we can call this a general win in his column?

Yeah MMRR is win for sure even if it kind of let me down personally

 

[mickEblu]

Jungle Cruise is asymmetrically popular in Florida since its refurb. It’s pulled out as a tier one in lightening lane and previously was the highest priority tier two.

I don’t on the other hand expect Tokyo or Hong Kong’s to stick around for our lifetime due to space constraints.

Yeah I don’t think it’s going anywhere in Florida anytime soon. Removing it on the heels of removing the ROA would be going a little too far even for them.

I assume it’s much more expendable at the Asian parks although I’m not really familar with the of the psychology of the average guest when it comes to Disney parks. I’m sure they have their own nostalgia for these parks they ve been visiting for years but perhaps JC doesn’t really resonate as much over there for whatever reason? Not that it necessarily matters as Disney has shown us they are willing to rip out or retheme beloved attractions whether they are popular or not. I know removing it at Hong Kong would give them a ton of space but don’t love the thought of all the castle parks removing their “Rivers of America” for more concrete and lightning lanes.

Doesn’t sound like OLC are too “nostalgic” either between Space Mountain and the Adventureland rumors.

 

[Andrew C]

Doesn’t sound like OLC are too “nostalgic” either between Space Mountain and the Adventureland rumors.

They have their RoA. And splash.

 

[mickEblu]

They have their RoA. And splash.

I’ts been rumored that they have been contemplating replacing their ROA for years.

 

[Rich T]

Jungle Cruise is asymmetrically popular in Florida since its refurb. It’s pulled out as a tier one in lightening lane and previously was the highest priority tier two.

Also, there simply aren’t as many things to do at MK as there are at DL. MK JC is bizarrely a rope drop attraction. And, for adults, it’s now one of the few remaining MK attractions that doesn’t shove cartoons in your face. MK is becoming more and more a one-note park.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Also, there simply aren’t as many things to do at MK as there are at DL. MK JC is bizarrely a rope drop attraction. And, for adults, it’s now one of the few remaining MK attractions that doesn’t shove cartoons in your face. MK is becoming more and more a one-note park.

COP, Peoplemover, Space Mt, TRON, Astro orbitor, IASW (still ip free), Haunted mansion, Hall of presidents, the treehouse, tiki room, pirates, BTM don’t shove any cartoons in your face.

 

[Andrew C]

I’ts been rumored that they have been contemplating replacing their ROA for years.

Hopefully they keep it by the time I’m there next year.

 

[Rich T]

COP, Peoplemover, Space Mt, TRON, Astro orbitor, IASW (still ip free), Haunted mansion, Hall of presidents, the treehouse, tiki room, pirates, BTM don’t shove any cartoons in your face.

I should have said “good” rides. Kidding, but for me, coming from a life of DL, that leaves Peoplemover, Space Mt., the Treehouse, Tiki Room, and BTM (to be carefully watched) as the only attractions—besides JC—I’d wait more than walk-on for. It’s subjective, but we’re talking about a park that’s both incredibly expensive and a pain to get in and out of. Still…point taken.

But MK used to be a park that used to be both super affordable and aimed more at *everybody.” Times change, but sometimes I think the executives have no idea what the plaques over the entry tunnels say. I love Disney classic animation to bits, but Walt knew what he was doing when he kept the toon attractions confined to Fantasyland.

You have all my respect and gratitude for keeping Tomorrowland Speedway off the list.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Jungle Cruise is asymmetrically popular in Florida since its refurb. It’s pulled out as a tier one in lightening lane and previously was the highest priority tier two.

I don’t on the other hand expect Tokyo or Hong Kong’s to stick around for our lifetime due to space constraints.

I had heard that part of the reason for Jungle Cruise's insane recent popularity was because they were also now running fewer boats (gotta save that labor!) than they were in the past.

I'm wondering if based on your experiences as of late (and those of others who have been to WDW more recently than myself) you find that to be true?

• Inside the attraction, major upgrades were reported to be taking place during the refurb, including the ride vehicles - The XP-41 Space Cruisers - receiving new technology, with the current Astro Blasters fully removed and replaced.
• Many of these same ride vehicles are being refreshed with new paint and upgraded dashboards featuring enhanced displays.
• The attraction’s interior lighting is also being completely overhauled, with spotlights replaced and special effects refurbished for a sharper, more dynamic look.
• The targets used to rack up points in the battle against Zurg are being swapped out for new versions with improved accuracy and performance.

So significant and needed, but perhaps not quite at the level of what WDW is getting (unless I'm overestimating what is happening in Florida).

Yeah I don’t think it’s going anywhere in Florida anytime soon. Removing it on the heels of removing the ROA would be going a little too far even for them.

I assume it’s much more expendable at the Asian parks although I’m not really familar with the of the psychology of the average guest when it comes to Disney parks. I’m sure they have their own nostalgia for these parks they ve been visiting for years but perhaps JC doesn’t really resonate as much over there for whatever reason? Not that it necessarily matters as Disney has shown us they are willing to rip out or retheme beloved attractions whether they are popular or not. I know removing it at Hong Kong would give them a ton of space but don’t love the thought of all the castle parks removing their “Rivers of America” for more concrete and lightning lanes.

Doesn’t sound like OLC are too “nostalgic” either between Space Mountain and the Adventureland rumors.

I think one added factor in Hong Kong is that the park, like Paris, has to cater to a variety of different languages. For most of its existence it had separate lines for English, Mandarin, and Cantonese-which doesn't even take into account the visitation they get from speakers of other languages-and IIRC they have recently decided to do away with this setup. A spiel dependent attraction just doesn't make as much sense there as it does at some of the other parks. I can't entirely blame them, as both times I rode the attraction it was very clear the skipper's first language was not English. And I'm not blaming the skippers here by any stretch-it's difficult to be funny in one's native language, let alone one another language.

As for TDL, space constraints is a massive part of it-they're perpetually bursting at the seams even though the park is pretty much fully developed-but I also think they internally resent being "the US copy park". The least elaborate and interesting parts of the park-unless you're a Dis Parks historian-are largely the things left over from opening day. They've expressed a desire to entirely remake the park to fit today's audience, which I can't entirely blame them for. And their audience is different too-if there's any Disney park where their audience genuinely seems to want turning the place into Disney IP World, Tokyo is it.

 

[Disney Irish]

And splash.

Who knows for how much longer, they just removed their Zip goodbye sign a couple days ago, making all references to it now gone from all Disney Parks.

Tokyo Disneyland replaces classic Splash Mountain sign — sparking backlash as critics slam ‘woke’ move

The House of Mouse has removed the only surviving “Have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day” sign at the exit of Splash Mountain at Disney Tokyo, eagle-eyed observers said. The original sign had th…

nypost.com

So clearly OLC is not as nostalgic as some would hope, and would guess that even Splash's days at TDL might be numbered.

 

[mickEblu]

Who knows for how much longer, they just removed their Zip goodbye sign a couple days ago, making all references to it now gone from all Disney Parks.

Tokyo Disneyland replaces classic Splash Mountain sign — sparking backlash as critics slam ‘woke’ move

The House of Mouse has removed the only surviving “Have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day” sign at the exit of Splash Mountain at Disney Tokyo, eagle-eyed observers said. The original sign had th…

nypost.com

So clearly OLC is not as nostalgic as some would hope, and would guess that even Splash's days at TDL might be numbered.

That’s not a good sign. No pun intended.

 

[Disney Irish]

That’s not a good sign. No pun intended.

It was probably just a matter of time unfortunately, no matter how much many hoped that OLC would hold out and never get rid of Splash.

My guess is that saw something like Lion King coming to DLP and wanted an update to bring in a newer IP and so will eventually get that update.

 

[mickEblu]

I had heard that part of the reason for Jungle Cruise's insane recent popularity was because they were also now running fewer boats (gotta save that labor!) than they were in the past.

I'm wondering if based on your experiences as of late (and those of others who have been to WDW more recently than myself) you find that to be true?

So significant and needed, but perhaps not quite at the level of what WDW is getting (unless I'm overestimating what is happening in Florida).

I think one added factor in Hong Kong is that the park, like Paris, has to cater to a variety of different languages. For most of its existence it had separate lines for English, Mandarin, and Cantonese-which doesn't even take into account the visitation they get from speakers of other languages-and IIRC they have recently decided to do away with this setup. A spiel dependent attraction just doesn't make as much sense there as it does at some of the other parks. I can't entirely blame them, as both times I rode the attraction it was very clear the skipper's first language was not English. And I'm not blaming the skippers here by any stretch-it's difficult to be funny in one's native language, let alone one another language.

As for TDL, space constraints is a massive part of it-they're perpetually bursting at the seams even though the park is pretty much fully developed-but I also think they internally resent being "the US copy park". The least elaborate and interesting parts of the park-unless you're a Dis Parks historian-are largely the things left over from opening day. They've expressed a desire to entirely remake the park to fit today's audience, which I can't entirely blame them for. And their audience is different too-if there's any Disney park where their audience genuinely seems to want turning the place into Disney IP World, Tokyo is it.

Good point on HK

In regards to Tokyo get them wanting to move away from the copy cat park identity especially if they re that limited in expansion space. It’s just unfortunate IMO when that change = a huge loss of water, trees and foliage. That’s the kind of place making that contributes greatly to the Disney difference.

I wonder what locals in Tokyo would bring their pitchforks out for?

 

[mickEblu]

It was probably just a matter of time unfortunately, no matter how much many hoped that OLC would hold out and never get rid of Splash.

My guess is that saw something like Lion King coming to DLP and wanted an update to bring in a newer IP and so will eventually get that update.

I’m not totally convinced it’s happening yet but definitely not a good sign.