Evilgidgit
Well-Known Member
EVILGIDGIT'S REVIEW: STANZA #2 -- TEAM MIND
Depending on what follows in future stanzas, this one might be one of my favourites. Team Mind hit the ground running, throwing every idea imaginable around before quickly settling on an unlikely pair of neighbours – Japanese cinema released by Toho, and a 1950s-1960s beach party genre. There were ideas of a third land, but due to limited space, the team made the logical choice to stick to just two. Thanks to their excellent communication, encourage, and support, Team Mind have produced an expansion that feels the most unique and hypothetically long lasting.
Surf Swell Beach
Admittedly, I was paying more attention to the Toho land than Surf Swell Beach during the creative stage of the stanza, though the end result may be one of the most original, inspired, and unexpected lands in armchair imagineering. It celebrates the beach party subgenre, blending the land’s theming well into the then-remaining idea of filming movies there. Less said about Jake Paul, the better! I suspect those Beach Party movies would’ve been much more entertaining if the Paul brothers were shoved into a cannon and launched into the Sun!
I suspect imaginary guests would be surprised to find a beach resort in the studios. @Sharon&Susan does a great job detailing and fleshing out the intricate details, history, and characters of the land. The fun touches like the potentially cursed golden board, and the opportunity to play volleyball are nice touches.
The Creature Feature Boats is a great concept, a charming if slightly creepy tribute to B-horror films of the time. If a ride is described as being inspired by Marc Davis-esque gags, you know it is going to be good. Has a Stranger Things atmosphere to it in some respects, though less scary.
Rebel Motorcycle Race sounds like a cool motorbike coaster, and aside from minor grammar/spelling errors in the description, it is a good inclusion that could serve as a Floridian counterpart to Californian Screamin’. The description of the characters in the preshow are a little vague in whether or not they are in recorded footage, animatronics, or played by cast members.
I have mixed opinions on the beach party/surfing movie genre, as the ones we were forced to watch in university were nightmarishly boring. Luckily, this is Disney, so Beach Party Palooza makes itself a fun romp. It knows it is a silly and cheesy and runs with it. Though, I can’t really pair Mickey with the hunky surfer dude.
Wipeout Wheel makes for a nice addition to the land, and I loved the idea of a sunny soundtrack on the attraction.
Did you know that Disney Village over at Disneyland Paris has a googie-themed restaurant called Annette’s Diner, or is that just coincidence? Corman’s Cowabunga Café is just darling, and I love the inclusion of even a backstory for the restaurant. Columbia Hat Shop is quaint, and I love the dual small-sized shops as well.
Just about everything in Surf Swell Beach just clicks, tying in nicely to the overall theming that feels like a worthy, supremely better cousin to Paradise Pier, incorporating that sense of timelessness and deep-seated storytelling that was meant to be in DCA 1.0
Toho Town
As soon it was suggested or even decided upon that Studio Ghibli, Godzilla, and Akira Kurosawa’s works were going to be included, I lost my mind. How I have dreamed of this day! As a big fan of Japanese culture, Toho Town is my cup of tea. The details here from the descriptions of the overall land, the presence of a torii gate to the focus on Japan’s obsession with vending machines are just beautiful. The Studio Ghibli area feels like it upholds the sense of natural, untouched wildlife seen in Hayao Miyazaki’s films, whilst the urban area feels lively and offers good food and opportunities to explore the streets of Tokyo. The dining and shops are all fabulous choices, adding to the delights of the land
OH, GODZILLLLAAAAAA!!! Godzilla: Transit in Terror is a masterpiece of an attraction, and definitely one of my favourites in this competition. @DashHaber deserves a medal! It captures the exciting and terrifying atmosphere one might experience if in an actual Godzilla attraction. It takes the intended Godzilla attraction from Epcot and brings it to life like never before. Hail, the King of Monsters!
Spirited Away feels like a quintessential dark ride, complete with wonderful, highly detailed theming in both its ride and queues. Although the outline is a little long, it is worth the whole read just to get lost in the delights the attraction has to offer.
Take me to the Ghibli Gardens! TAKE ME!! I’ve seen a few Japanese-styled gardens close to home, but I want to go to this one. This really encapsulates the studio’s admiration for the environment, and the beauty of nature. Having Totoro has a major M&G character here is a fantastic and very appropriate choice.
A Tale of Trouble & Turmoil sounds like a pretty awesome stunt show that honours the history of the samurai, whilst also incorporating Japanese mythology as well. Although the seppuku might be a bit too extreme!
