The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[WDW1974]

But why didn't the Marvel nerds flock to Islands of Adventure? The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man was the marquee attraction of the park for a decade.

The park had many issues, from the worst marketing I have seen on a project of that magnitude to a recession in early 2001 to 9/11 that really took any momentum from building out of the gate.

Ownership and management wasn't exactly great either.

No, that doesn't quite answer your question, but I'm not sure how many fans Marvel had in those early days. There was a reason UNI was able to swing such a sweetheart of a deal that goes on and on and on ... sorta like a refillable mug thread.

 

[WDW1974]

I got to meet Eisner at MGM when I was 7 and got a personalized tour of the park with him! I wish the good old days of the studios was still alive!

Really? That is impressive. I've spent time in the parks with Michael, but he never gave me a tour!

 

[WDW1974]

What you call a "kiddie coaster" actually looks to be the best themed family coaster on the planet. Pandora will open around the same time Avatar 2 opens, I think it will all work out fine.

Um ... yeah ... sure ... Momma Spirit always told me when you can't say something nice ...but I don't listen to her anymore!!!

So ... get your eyes checked if you believe that ... and look around at other family coasters. You think this is going to be better than BTMRR?

 

[RandySavage]

The Starbucks integration at IoA's Port of Entry (a land which is among my favorite pieces of themed design anywhere) is flat-out appalling. It makes the mediocre Main Street Starbucks look like 2001 DisneySea level design/integration. It didn't replace Cinnabon (which is unfortunately still a tenant), but the unique Croissant Moon Bakery.

Loathe Starbucks.

 

[HenryMystic]

The Starbucks integration at IoA's Port of Entry (a land which is among my favorite pieces of themed design anywhere) is flat-out appalling. It makes the mediocre Main Street Starbucks look like 2001 DisneySea level design/integration. It didn't replace Cinnabon (which is unfortunately still a tenant), but the unique Croissant Moon Bakery.

Loathe Starbucks.

It didn't replace anything. It replaced a window that sold funnel cakes. Cinnabon and Croissant Moon are still alive and well.

The exterior is perfect. The interior is fine. There are bigger fish to fry.

 

[WDW1974]

The Starbucks integration at IoA's Port of Entry (a land which is among my favorite pieces of themed design anywhere) is flat-out appalling. It makes the mediocre Main Street Starbucks look like 2001 DisneySea level design/integration. It didn't replace Cinnabon (which is unfortunately still a tenant), but the unique Croissant Moon Bakery.

Loathe Starbucks.

It didn't replace anything. It replaced a window that sold funnel cakes. Cinnabon and Croissant Moon are still alive and well.

The exterior is perfect. The interior is fine. There are bigger fish to fry.

Ah, thanks for setting the record straight. I would not have been happy if it had replaced the bakery. I used to really enjoy going there for a snack or light lunch.

 

[WDW1974]

Fun With Tweets:

Ricky Brigante, Host ‏@InsideTheMagic 14h
Two observations from @ToyFairNY: 1. Toy secrets are very highly guarded. Mega security. 2. People lurk outside hoping for freebies. Creepy.

Adam Roth ‏@arothwdwc 30m
Guardians of the Galaxy trailer. Masterful. Hilarious. I'm so excited for this film, words cannot describe! @Marvel @JamesGunn

EPCOT Explorer ‏@EPCOTExplorer 6h
Current Mood: Disneyland's Primeval World/Grand Canyon score is stuck in my head and I am not complaining.

Foxxy Hooves ‏@MKPony 15s
The scale of delusion on certain Disney message boards is something special.

Andy Castro ‏@21royalstreet 20h
Somewhere, Kim Irvine is finalizing her order on http://art.com for Main Street back alley "theming"

Sean ‏@Parkscope_Sean 4h
Where the hell is this nonsense about Sony Animation going into Toon Lagoon coming from?

 

[RandySavage]

It didn't replace anything. It replaced a window that sold funnel cakes. Cinnabon and Croissant Moon are still alive and well.

The exterior is perfect. The interior is fine. There are bigger fish to fry.

Sorry for the confusion. It replaced Arctic Express. The interior is pure generic, strip mall SB. The exterior's problem is the standard green Starbucks sign. Textbook Walmarting. http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_1146-610x409.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jAoT2lvQhC6Iw.JPG
http://i.minus.com/jvscAoWahyivO.JPG

If we're going to hold Disney's feet to the fire (which most definitely should be done), Uni has to get called out too.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The park had many issues, from the worst marketing I have seen on a project of that magnitude to a recession in early 2001 to 9/11 that really took any momentum from building out of the gate.

Ownership and management wasn't exactly great either.

No, that doesn't quite answer your question, but I'm not sure how many fans Marvel had in those early days. There was a reason UNI was able to swing such a sweetheart of a deal that goes on and on and on ... sorta like a refillable mug thread.

I'm well aware of the disaster that was Universal Studios Escape. The deal for Marvel was made in 1994. Marvel went bankrupt in 1996. X-Men kicked off the current wave of Marvel movie mania in 2000. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man seems to be the peak of super hero attractions with little thought on how to move beyond its formula, or the decoration based model. The Dubai park was packed with similar ideas. The Iron Man Experience is also the same. Potter fans show up in Hogsmead and declare themselves wizards. Superhero fans show up and remain their same selves in a rather familiar world. The superhero theme at the present lacks a depth of experience that seems to have a corresponding inability to capture the public imagination. Why pay theme park prices for a film, television or comic book experience of externality?

 

[Gabe1]

It's also fun to watch a pin trade, and silently marvel at the adults who go crazy over 5¢ pieces of tin.

I never collected pins but my really??? collectors item is Vinylmations. I don't get it, I also know that vinyl is a product that over time starts to disintegrate. Pins have a fighting chance, depending on the metal used.

 

[WDW1974]

Sorry for the confusion. It replaced Arctic Express. The interior is pure generic, strip mall SB. The exterior's problem is the standard green Starbucks sign. Textbook Walmarting. http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_1146-610x409.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jAoT2lvQhC6Iw.JPG
http://i.minus.com/jvscAoWahyivO.JPG

If we're going to hold Disney's feet to the fire (which most definitely should be done), Uni has to get called out too.

Sure. I'll agree. But I'll also put it in perspective with what is happening overall there.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm well aware of the disaster that was Universal Studios Escape. The deal for Marvel was made in 1994. Marvel went bankrupt in 1996. X-Men kicked off the current wave of Marvel movie mania in 2000. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man seems to be the peak of super hero attractions with little thought on how to move beyond its formula, or the decoration based model. The Dubai park was packed with similar ideas. The Iron Man Experience is also the same. Potter fans show up in Hogsmead and declare themselves wizards. Superhero fans show up and remain there same selves in a rather familiar world. The superhero theme at the present lacks a depth of experience that seems to have a corresponding inability to capture the public imagination. Why pay theme park prices for a film, television or comic book experience of externality?

You state the case well. I would only disagree that the Marvel movie mania began in 2000. While the film was a hit, I don't think people were going crazy over superhero possibilities in general or Marvel in particular.

I will certainly say that Marvel Superhero Island doesn't feel like it really is transporting me anywhere (a weakness it has had since Day 1 along with Toon Lagoon). I love Spidey and still enjoy the Hulk a lot, but they're sorta great rides I do before moving on to the many more interesting sections of the park.

On a separate note, I like Jimmy Fallon, I'd like to see him succeed ... but he seems like he's going to leave something in his pants and you can't be like that and succeed.

 

[Gabe1]

Um ... yeah ... sure ... Momma Spirit always told me when you can't say something nice ...but I don't listen to her anymore!!!

So ... get your eyes checked if you believe that ... and look around at other family coasters. You think this is going to be better than BTMRR?

I get a chuckle out of the "family coaster" category. Family Coasters are generally thought to be the off the rack, break 'em down coasters. As generic as they come carnival type coasters. IF that is the category Dwarf is going to be put in to garner the best "family coaster" in the world it is really is an amazing PR spin.

Suppose they don't want to judge Dwarf against the other themed coasters out there.

 

[WDW1974]

Oh too funny. Now that is Moxie, love it.

Thanks. And just to be clear, the two companies were not Disney and Comcast (although that would have been a hoot!)

 

[RandySavage]

^ Agree. Many exciting, positive things happening at UO. I just hate to see beautifully-rendered entry lands (MS:USA, PoE) that could and should be as immersive and compelling as any other, morph into everyday, ordinary shopping malls, albeit with nice, vestigial architecture.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Speaking of Eisner, anyone remember when a whole bunch of DL fans booed him at the 50th anniversary celebration? That was embarrassing.

 

[Longhairbear]

I can tell you that I was pleased with the renovations at OKW and also enjoyed my one bedroom at DAK Lodge (the real one, not Kidani) last year.

I'd also tell you that if you want a nice unit at WDW, the Villas at WL are now all being redone (their first MAJOR redo in 13 1/2 years of operation ... who says Disney doesn't keep up with the times).

I would feel safe telling folks they could stay at those ... just from the state of the carpeting off the lobby I would advise against BCV.

Thanks, WL is our home resort.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Sorry for the confusion. It replaced Arctic Express. The interior is pure generic, strip mall SB. The exterior's problem is the standard green Starbucks sign. Textbook Walmarting. http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_1146-610x409.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jAoT2lvQhC6Iw.JPG
http://i.minus.com/jvscAoWahyivO.JPG

If we're going to hold Disney's feet to the fire (which most definitely should be done), Uni has to get called out too.

Amazing how UNI makes even Disney's $tarbucks sell-out look sophisticated by comparison.

WDW - UNI 1-0. Disney showing who at least tries for theme, and who is only in it for the quick (star)buck. Although both confuse their theme parks for CityWalk and Downtown.


Jimmy Thick: What's next, a Wendy's in Potterland?

 

[stevehousse]

Really? That is impressive. I've spent time in the parks with Michael, but he never gave me a tour!

Yes, I was 7 and my family and I were at MGM for the day. We got to the park and saw Beauty and the Beast first thing. We then went to meet Mickey. Apparently Eisner and other suits were watching the meet n greet interactions between Mickey and various kids.

After I met Mickey, my family was approached by him and the suits. They told us that they were looking to cast real kids vacationing in Disney for their new Disney parks commercial they wanted to film, scouting for kids to fit that bill, and they loved seeing me met Mickey and wanted me to be in the commercial. They then asked us if we wanted to tour the studios!

They took us to see te new mermaid show that just opened up that year. We got front row seats. After that was the backlot studio tour, private, just my family and the suits and the cms working. I got to do all the "stunts", my favorite being riding the bee from HISTK. We got an entire red tram to ourselves, an after that we got to tour the actual studios and got to watch the MMC rehearsing for a few minutes!

Afte all this we were taken to offices and started going over all the details with my parents. For some reason everything they said kind of scared me, and my parents made it seem like this was a huge deal and that if I didn't want to do the commercial I didn't have to. I was quite shy as a kid, so I ended up saying that I was too scared to do it!!!
They gave us some free souvenirs and were escorted back to the park.

One of the biggest regrets of my life! But it was fun getting to have that experience and it has always been my favorite memory of the Mouse!

 

[Jimmy Thick]

But...there are priceless archeological artifacts made of 5¢ intrinsic worth of tin. Too brittle to use, they will fall apart if used. Like pins, you can only look at them, stored away safely behind glass. Yet, they represent great value to great many people. Value is in the eye of the beholder.


For example, these Roman Spirits, erm, I mean, Spitrii, that were the entrance tokens, 'magic bands' for spirited shows. They depict Roman fanbois meeting with the designers of 2nd century Rome's theme park at Tivoli. Which inspired Tivoli theme park in 16th century Renaissance Rome, which inspired Tivoli theme park in 18th century Paris, which inspired 19th century Tivoli theme park in Copenhagen, which is the park that inspired 20th century's Walt's park. So at the beginning of it all stood this spirited fanboi depected on this spitria of five cents of tin:

Brilliant!!!

Jimmy Thick- Now THAT is quality!!!