The Sorcerer's Apprentice Season 4: Homecoming Edition - Discussion Thread

[Suchomimus]

Go MATT HAMILTON!!!

Go lemon!

 

[spacemt354]

Wooo! That was such a good game!

 

[Suchomimus]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

I'd vote a Fire mountain. I have an idea here, but I don't know how similar to Thunder Mountain Grizzly Peak is. So, my mining idea for Fire Mountain might not be the best take on it. Some kind of volcano based rollercoaster (or other E-ticket) could give the park another big icon and an awesome, unique attraction no other Disney has.

-Fire Mountain-

View attachment 263709

-Overview-

E-Ticket Roller Coaster in Adventureland

Join the Ravenswood Mining company for an exciting ride through and around Fire Mountain. It all leads to an exciting confrontation with a fire creature known as the Heai Tagata who guards the cursed Jewel of the Cinders. The obvious allusions to Disneyland Paris’s Thunder Mountain with the Ravenswood name are meant to help signal that this attraction is the equivalent to Thunder Mountain for this park. The set-up of a mine train is used here with the new location of a tropical volcano and with the addition of a large monster. The thrill level is roughly in line with Thunder Mountain, but it feels a bit more intense thanks to the additional theming and the Heai Tagata.


-Back Story-

View attachment 263711

Rising up over the tropical, Polynesian jungles of Adventureland is the grand volcano locals refer to as Afi Mauga.

Afi Mauga roughly translates to “Fire Mountain” from the Tokelau language (the language from “We Know the Way”).

The beautiful, dangerous volcano has, in recent years, been the site of the next big project by the Ravenswood Mining Company. Founded in Thunder Mesa by Henry Ravenswood in 1849, the Ravenswood Mining Company got its start as the Big Thunder Mining Company. After the unfortunate deaths Henry and his wife Martha, their assets were split between their two kids Melanie and Alexander. Melanie took her half of the funds to start her new life with the man of her dreams, a train engineer. You can ride Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris to see how her happily ever after turned out.

View attachment 263710

Alexander took his half of the funds and rebranded the family business as the Ravenswood Mining Company. Setting up smaller outposts around North America, the company was a modest success. But it was growing! And unlike how it was run under Henry’s lead, the company was growing in legitimate, fully legal ways.

Eventually, the greed that has been the downfall of members of the Ravenswood family for generations began to take hold of Alexander. Hearing tell of a mountain on a small island in the pacific rich with jewels, Alexander charted an expedition. He found the island and, ignoring the warnings from the locals, set up a new mining outpost.

The jewels found throughout Afi Mauga were a prize in and of themselves, but Alexander wanted more. There was tell that somewhere, buried deep within the mountain was the priceless Jewel of the Cinders. If he found that, Alexander would be the richest man to have ever lived! He worked the miners around the clock. He underpaid them. He ignored basic workplace safety in order to expedite their work.

Perhaps most dangerously, Alexander Ravenswood ignored the warnings of the locals. The jewel is said to be guarded by a terrible creature. The Heai Tagata. A strange beast made of flames and rocks. The protector of Afi Mauga and the treasures within.

Mining on the mountain at all is a risk, but if Alexander disturbs the Jewel of the Cinders…

The mercy of God will be the only hope left for him.


-Queue-

View attachment 263712

Guests walk through the tropical jungle and past the edges of the mountain to find the Ravenswood Mining Company main outpost at the base of the volcano. Out front at the queue entrance, broken mining equipment is seen. It appears to have been destroyed on purpose as a warning to stop mining operations. Messages like “Stay Away from the mountain,” “Beware the Beast,” and things along those lines are painted on the broken equipment. The biggest piece of broken equipment simply has “Fire Mountain” painted on it to serve as the sign for the attraction.

View attachment 263713

The queue line itself winds through the offices and main base of operations for the Ravenswood Mining Company. It is very similar to the current queue of Thunder Mountain is WDW without the interactive elements. Also, played more seriously rather than comedically. Pictures of some of the other Ravenswood mines can be seen, such as Thunder Mesa. A family portrait with Henry, Martha, Melanie, and Alexander Ravenswood can be seen. As well as a portrait of just Alexander. A plaque telling the story of how the Ravenswood Mining Company can be found in the queue as well.

The boarding area and Ride vehicle are both very similar to WDW’s Thunder Mountain as well. The color scheme of the trains is changed from an orange base (to match Thunder Mountain’s Aesthetic) to a rusted metal look. Almost as if these trains are the old trains from Thunder Mesa after a few decades of wear and rust.

View attachment 263720

-Ride Through-

-1st Lift Hill-

The ride starts with trains heading immediately into the first lift hill. This is a cavern through Fire mountain full of ancient cave paintings depicting the legend of Afi Mauga and the creature, Heai Tagata, that protects it. The paintings show explorers searching the mountain. Then they find the jewel. Then the monster attacks them! Between the dramatic music playing and the foreboding paintings, an ominous atmosphere is set.

-1st Coaster Segment-

The trains then weave around the outside of the mountain past rock work, broken mining equipment, and a few tropical trees. After a bit, the trains enter another cave. Inside the cavern trains pass alongside a lava flow (brought to life with projection mapping) with artificial heat helping to sell the effect. Simple animatronic bats fill the cave. Volcano bats if you will (@D Hindley )

View attachment 263715

-2nd Lift Hill-

Still in the same cave, trains begin to climb a second lift hill. Mining equipment in the cave make it clear this was a recently excavated part of the mountain. A pick axe stuck in the wall has caused a crack to form. Lava is flowing out of that crack down to the lava pool at the start of the cavern. An indistinct roaring sound can be heard. Another mine train like the one guests are riding on seems to have derailed near the top of the lift hill. A warning is scrawled on the side of the derailed train. “This is your last chance. Turn back now or face the wrath of Heia Tagata.”

-2nd Coaster Segment-

Rider’s train then rushes around weaving around the mountain in and out of caverns. Nothing too eventful happens here. Just more mining equipment. Much of it destroyed. Observant guest will notice that these aren’t simply smashed like the equipment from before. It is charred. Crushed. Impaled by something as if a claw has been driven through it. There is another mine train that has been charred and destroyed. This one isn’t simply on the side of the tracks as if it was derailed. It is hanging across some rocky outcroppings as if it was tossed aside. The rider’s train passes directly under the hanging, destroyed train as if it was an archway. Look closely and you might even be able to see charred souvenirs and backpacks hanging out of the broken train (that is why you should secure all loose articles). A lot of little Easter eggs and gags hidden here. Not too many, but just enough to not ruin the ominous atmosphere.

-3rd Lift Hill-

The train then enters another cave for another lift hill. Guests can see the Jewel of the Cinders shining at the top of the hill. A beautiful sight! Mystical music gives the hill a magical feel.

View attachment 263717

Then, using a Pepper’s ghost effect, a charred skeleton reaching for the jewel appears. The music and the atmosphere changes. Real fire blasts up from behind the jewel. Observant guests will notice that the skeleton is wearing the burned up, tattered remains of the same outfit Alexander Ravenswood was wearing in the portrait seen earlier. Another Ravenswood has met an unfortunate end brought about by their greed.

-3rd Coaster Segment-

View attachment 263718

The train is then sent on one last plunge through dark caves. Nearly pitch black. Suddenly, the train turns a corner to see a large animatronic version of the mighty beast Heia Tagata! A creature who appears to be made of magma and stone. It is very reminiscent of a fiery version of the creature from Journey to the Center of the Earth/Alien Encounter. The creature roars and is an imposing figure. Real fire bursts out around the cave. The heat of the fire adds to the imposing nature of the beast.

The train barely escapes the cave!

Guests go for a quick trip through the tropical jungle at the base of the volcano as a cool down before returning to the station.


-Misc. Details-

The volcano the attraction is housed in is larger than needed just for the coaster. Afi Mauga is meant to be an icon for the park. Besides housing the ride, the volcano connects to the Adventureland Cave, serves as a dramatic backdrop for Fantasmic, and is a great stage for the dinosaur diorama on the train station.

View attachment 263719

Afi Mauga will be a signature sight for guests at Pi’s Disneyland.​

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

Looking at hong Kong's Adventureland, between Lion King and Tarzan, it feels like it has a more African influence than other Adventurelands which tend to be more Polynesian. Maybe lean into that with a Black Panther ride. It's a hit movie. Great potential for attractions. Plus, Marvel already seems to be a focus for Hong kong disney.

 

[DisneyFan18]

Looking at hong Kong's Adventureland, between Lion King and Tarzan, it feels like it has a more African influence than other Adventurelands which tend to be more Polynesian. Maybe lean into that with a Black Panther ride. It's a hit movie. Great potential for attractions. Plus, Marvel already seems to be a focus for Hong kong disney.

I was also going to suggest a Black Panther ride! And based on the 235M DOM Boxoffice opening I had say it's definitely a hit! (Though I agree we have to see how it does in China). Coco and Zootopia might also be good ideas for either Shanghai or Hong Kong as they are big on China, but I feel like Zootopia might fit better at a ToonTown-ish area rather than Adventureland, Coco wouldn't have any problem fitting though, as a small town facade similar to POTC at WDW could work.

 

[kmbmw777]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

Wakanda Mini Land!

 

[Suchomimus]

Looking at hong Kong's Adventureland, between Lion King and Tarzan, it feels like it has a more African influence than other Adventurelands which tend to be more Polynesian. Maybe lean into that with a Black Panther ride. It's a hit movie. Great potential for attractions. Plus, Marvel already seems to be a focus for Hong kong disney.

I was also going to suggest a Black Panther ride! And based on the 235M DOM Boxoffice opening I had say it's definitely a hit! (Though I agree we have to see how it does in China). Coco and Zootopia might also be good ideas for either Shanghai or Hong Kong as they are big on China, but I feel like Zootopia might fit better at a ToonTown-ish area rather than Adventureland, Coco wouldn't have any problem fitting though, as a small town facade similar to POTC at WDW could work.

Wakanda Mini Land!

But Adventureland is set in the former half of the 20th century (and that is if you exclude PotC). Plus with Marvel land coming isn’t it going to look awkward with Wakanda at one side of the park and an entire Marvel land on the other?

 

[Pi on my Cake]

But Adventureland is set in the former half of the 20th century (and that is if you exclude PotC). Plus with Marvel land coming isn’t it going to look awkward with Wakanda at one side of the park and an entire Marvel land on the other?

That's a good point about the time period. though the timelines tend to get a little wonky with more Disney lands after a bit.

Location wise, I don't think it would be weird. Wakanda is kind of separate from the majority of the Marvel universe already. Still very much a part of it, but the whole thing with Wakanda is being an isolated city. Having a Wakanda miniland or Black Panther ride separate from the rest of the Marvel stuff seems kind of fitting to me. I can understand that complaint though.

 

[AceAstro]

Question for y’all. I have been getting into Disney Twitter (DisTwitter) more. Who are some accounts, official or non-official, that you’d consider a must-follow?

 

[Disney Dad 3000]

Question for y’all. I have been getting into Disney Twitter (DisTwitter) more. Who are some accounts, official or non-official, that you’d consider a must-follow?

I don't have a ton of knowledge on past/present imagineers like many of you guys but there a few I like to follow
@tomkmorris. Maybe my favorite. He's always posting a lot of early park sketches, personal construction photos, odds and ends,
@boss_angeles
Joe rohde of course
@onefifthparis just came across this guy few weeks ago. He hasn't posted a ton lately, bUT he's put some cool paris stuff up where he's based.

 

[AceAstro]

I don't have a ton of knowledge on past/present imagineers like many of you guys but there a few I like to follow
@tomkmorris. Maybe my favorite. He's always posting a lot of early park sketches, personal construction photos, odds and ends,
@boss_angeles
Joe rohde of course
@onefifthparis just came across this guy few weeks ago. He hasn't posted a ton lately, bUT he's put some cool paris stuff up where he's based.

I knew about Tom and Joe but not the other two! I will definitely have to follow them!!

 

[spacemt354]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

Tough to say not having been in the park, but it feels like just researching the maps and walk-throughs, Adventureland branches off into Mystic Point (sort of a subland of Adventureland), Grizzly Peak/Frontierland, and Toy Story Playland...all with plenty of foliage and more seamless transitions.

Jungle Cruise I have heard is one of if not the best Jungle Cruise around, and the Moana stage show might bring some more life to Adventureland...Indiana Jones would work only because it's worked in the past, so that would be my pick

 

[TwilightZone]

Just saw Jumanji today. It was really good! Even though it wasn't an adaptation of a video game, it is very accurate to what video games are like. Also really funny

 

[TwilightZone]

Main Imagineering Question of the Day: Among the roster of attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland, one of them is a new stage show for Adventureland, set to Moana. However, this is not enough for a land that only has two or three; not counting the play area and current shows; attractions. What attraction (or attractions)
would you add to draw more visitors into Adventureland?

Adventureland is a tough one, but I think a river dark ride would be cool. Or fire mountain.

 

[Voxel]

Sorry if I'm late on this response, but perhaps we should look deeper into their adventure land and question if they have the same flaw as Disneyland's and Magic Kingdom's Adventureland. In terms of usability they are the worst sections of the park, there is not enough path ways or wide enough pathways to facilitate alot.
Further looking at the land available, it looks like you can build between the Festival of the Lion King and Grizzly Gulch. However looking at that openings, on of those buildings is an attraction or something according to the Hong Kong Disneyland map and the other section is storage but extremely close Grizzly Gulch making theme hard to maintain consitancy, but do-able with a significant number or trees.

 

[spacemt354]

Sorry if I'm late on this response, but perhaps we should look deeper into their adventure land and question if they have the same flaw as Disneyland's and Magic Kingdom's Adventureland. In terms of usability they are the worst sections of the park, there is not enough path ways or wide enough pathways to facilitate alot.
Further looking at the land available, it looks like you can build between the Festival of the Lion King and Grizzly Gulch. However looking at that openings, on of those buildings is an attraction or something according to the Hong Kong Disneyland map and the other section is storage but extremely close Grizzly Gulch making theme hard to maintain consitancy, but do-able with a significant number or trees.

I agree I think Paris and Shanghai both did a good job with spreading Adventureland out a bit but most of the time it's very tight and similar attractions...I was looking at the map too unless this is more towards fantasyland but there seems to be a section between Toy Story Land and the planned Frozen Expansion for a ride in a similar location to Paris' Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[spacemt354]

 

[The90skid]

Considering doing a brief trip report with an imagineering twist... what say ye?

 

[Voxel]

Considering doing a brief trip report with an imagineering twist... what say ye?

Go for it.. I've tried it a few times but I always get distracted by the trip. So if you can do it go for it!