I came back to the Disney fandom to find the latest on the change of Pleasure Island into its new form. What I found was this. I must not have been paying attention because this was all news to me. I've just now gotten through all these pages.
I haven't seen it, or Disneyland (or anything West of Jacksonville, FL), live, but from what I've seen so far, the attraction seems far from ruined. Let's take a look at each individual instance.
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell: If I didn't have them pointed out, I never would have noticed them. Of course, I've never payed much attention up there anyway. They do seem non-intrusive, and are based on a classic British story. Their design is in keeping with the rest of the ride, for sure. I think they did well with this. My only complaint would be that it is too far from the limelight, although many would think the more removed, the better. 8/10
Alice and the White Rabbit: They are the cuuuuuuuuuuuuutest thing I've ever seen (Yes, I am a guy), and I enjoy their inclusion just for that. They are representative of England, as they are too from a classic British tale. My only complaint is that they are really close to the boat and really brightly lit. I'd rather they dim the light a bit. 9/10
Cinderella, Gus, and Jaques: Here's where I start to have an issue. I did not know this story took place in France. I always thought it was in England. Of course, that matters little. While most of the other inclusions are mixed into their country, Cinderella is an exception. In her rags with her mice, and with that bright spotlight on them, they are a show scene unto theirselves. This doesn't blend at all. As mentioned before it would have been better if she were in her gown with her prince.
To be honest, if I were to choose one Disney movie for France, I would have picked Beauty and the Beast, which is very highly tied into France. I would have even taken some Hunchback of Notre Dame. Both are French classics. 6/10
Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket: Many have complained that Pinocchio is pudgy, but I think that is just because of the transition to the more abstract style. I think that his switch to this style is good and helps him fit more with the attraction. The lighting also seems more in character with the rest of the ride, as well as the situation (a character on a stage), rather than the bright spotlight that Cinderella gets. I cannot say much about Jiminy Cricket because I haven't been able to get a really good look at him. Nevertheless, the inclusion of this classic Italian tale does not seem to be too intrusive, and blends well with the Italian section. 8/10
Aladdin, Jasmine, Apu, and the Magic Carpet: This definitely blends well with the Arabian section. I think the inclusion of Apu may be overkill a bit, but Aladdin and Jasmine fit like they were always there up among the flying carpets.
Just one little fun fact about Aladdin. While his story may be a classic Arabian one, the characters in the story weren't Arabian. The story took place in the Orient, and they were all of Asian decent. This sort of puts an odd spin on the whole thing. Nevertheless, they are a welcome addition to the area. 9/10
Mulan and Mushu: Mulan is set back, but she is one of those spotlighters. This creates a major issue, as she can be seen from a mile away, and may distract someone away from most of the Chinese and Japanese areas. At least the other are seen, and then you move on. This light needs to be cut some, or at least she needs to be moved to a spot that is more hidden until you get up to it. Heck, even then the light needs to be toned down some. Mulan is, in fact, an ancient Chinese legend. Her inclusion in China is fitting. 7/10
Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon: This trio is beautifully done. They are exactly in the style of the other animals, and fit in great. My only gripe is the way Timon is presented. I'd rather he just be out with everyone else. Why is there a tiny tower just sitting in the middle of the Jungle? It just seems a bit discordant. No gripes besides that, though. 9.5/10
The Three Caballeros: I really wish that they were portrayed more in he style of the ride. Perhaps theydon't lend themselves well enough to it. I would have preferred a flat version such as Pinocchio, or maybe as pinatas. Still, they're not too bad. Perhaps a less conspicuous spot would better make things gel. Their musical change to the soundtrack, however, is very well done. 6.5/10
Ariel and Flounder: From here in is when things start to take a sharp drop. Ariel is very problematic. While the others at least celebrated stories and/or cultures of their nations, this has little to do with anything. This entire scene is all about Ariel, and the story of the Little Mermaid, which is a Danish tale! This was, of course, put in because of the equally non-connected mermaid scene was already there. Before anyone complains about not having to do with children of all nations living in harmony, the mermaid scene could be described as being the first divergance from this theme, and it was in the original ride. The second such theme, of course, is the Antarctic, where there are no indiginous (probably not spelling that right) peoples. This is something that the Antarctic shares with the ocean, which brings us back the the point at hand.
The biggest problem here is the placement of Ariel. The inclusion of Ariel in this scene may be a nice little Hidden Mickey-type-deal, but the way it's presented makes it all about her. I'll admit it, I didn't know much about the ride until these last few days, and didn't know its scenes nearly as good as the Mansion, or even Pirates or the Jungle Cruise. I only knew my version, and didn't know the mermaid scene existed. I thought it was rediculous that they build a whole scene around Ariel. Of course, now I know better, but I know that many without knowledge of the old ride can and likely will have this misconception. The biggest mistake was using her to replace the centerpiece mermaid. It would have been better if she'd been one of the other mermaids, the lower ones in the dim lighting. That way, you could include her without her being the center of attention. Oh, and Flounder definitely has to go. I don't care if the other undersea creatures are in the same style. Flounder is waaay too obvious. 0.5/10
Nemo (Marlin?) and Dory: These glitter fish don't seem to fit in that well. Yes, the movie takes place in Australia, and I wouldn't mind seeing them in Australia, but not this way. Put flat versions among the other flat fish a little later on, but don't just make them look exactly like their movie version. As one mentioned earlier, just make them look like the real fish, and people will get the idea. Maybe a flat Regal Tang, a flat daddy and kiddie Clownfish, and a flat sea turtle among the fish of the South Seas. It could fit, but the current version is like Flounder, too much like the regular figure just dropped in. It's like they stole these from the display outside the Seas. At least they're not as conspicuous as Ariel and Flounder 2/10
Lilo and Stitch: I actually see Lilo and Stitch fitting the theme of children celebrating unity. That beng said, you still can't put Stitch in this attraction, especially not in such a conspicuous place. I think the aforementioned idea of leaving Lilo and include Stitch as a necklace works well. Perhaps there is another sly nod to Stitch that can be made in thise scene, but we can't just include him. Perhaps this would seem less offensive if it hadn't been right after two horrible examples. What I notice is that there seems to be some stacking of characters. While there are long distances with no characters, we get Pan, Alice, and Cinderella in rather quick procession. This also happens with Ariel, Nemo, and Stitch. 5/10
Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye: Ariel was definitely the worst offender. This isn't too far behind. The animatronics aren't too bad, but given how the rest look, they're not fitting at all, and their much too large scale. The worst offense about this, however, is that this is supposed to represent America. These characters have little to do with traditional American stories or culture. I can understand why they were chosen. The concept art for the American section included a barn and desert, and this was the only character they could think of to fit in either. It still doesn't make it right. I know the intentions were good, but it didn't work out.
What should have been there instead? Why not include a colonial America part to the scene. There you could include the Disney character that does exemplify American culture and legend: Ichabod Crane. He's the perfect choice for the job, although, alas, he's not going to get the name recognition these two are. 2/10
By the way, am I the only one that thought, until seeing that narrated version of the ride, that the toy soldiers were representing England? I was shocked to find out they were Danish, representing the Tovali Boys Guard.
but if I wasn't told ahead of time that they added these characters, I don't think I would've noticed them right away
