MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
I'm actually surprised that significant work has already been done on the interior sets. I sort of expected there to still be a lot of bare steel and concrete. At this rate, I wonder if those aspirational goals to get this open closer to July actually end up happening... Eh @ToTBellHop ?
Objectively speaking, I would say the photos shared inspire some "cautious optimism" at least. It has physical sets and I don't see a whole lot of opportunities in there to cover everything in flat video screens. Should look much more lively once the AA's and show lighting are in.
It is clear to me at this point that Disney is holding back a lot of information and details on the ride. We're relatively "close" (by Disney standards) to the ride's opening and it's kind of crazy how much work they got done on the interior before they actually showed anything. No virtual ride through, and the only AA they've even teased so far was a static and very unfinished endoskeleton of Louis. I also know for a fact that they've been holding onto a number of other critter figures long before that brief D23 tease.
I don't think they're holding back out of concern over backlash either. I was told last year that there is actually genuine passion behind this and a desire to create something that can be a worthy successor to Splash. And i'm not talking about Charita Carter or Carmen Smith, who are figureheads at best (there are tons of actual creatives working on this). I myself doubt they can accomplish this. But I think it at least bodes well to have creatives with that sort of mindset involved, and I at least expect Tiana will be closer in quality to its predecessor than any of the other classic amazing E tickets they've replaced over the years.
Keep in mind that Splash Mountain was my favorite ride at WDW, and I am also going to be brutally critical of Tiana if it can't come close. I still have a lot of concerns about it.
1- The video claims the sets are only "slightly tweaked" versions of the ones in Splash, which isn't correct. It was a full gut and rebuild AFAIK, which the photos have shown.
2- I don't believe the claim that Iger saw it or said it was boring.
3- If Iger DID say that, good. Iger disliking something is a great sign IMO. He doesn't like the parks, and probably thought Splash Mtn and other classic E tickets boring too. Him disliking something is one of the best endorsements I can think of...
4- The comment about there being "17 new original AA characters" lines up with what my source said last year, and is now old info that was also misinterpreted spectacularly by that person narrating the video. The ride doesn't have only 17 AA's in total, the statement was that they created 17 brand new characters specifically for this ride that were not in the PATF film (which would manifest as AA's). That does not include duplicates of these characters that will appear in different scenes as you progress through the ride. Nor any other minor critters who aren't main characters. Nor does it include the returning characters from the film. Which include Tiana, Naveen, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Big Daddy, and Naveen's family. Tiana, Naveen and Louis will also have multiple AA's placed throughout the ride.
Objectively speaking, I would say the photos shared inspire some "cautious optimism" at least. It has physical sets and I don't see a whole lot of opportunities in there to cover everything in flat video screens. Should look much more lively once the AA's and show lighting are in.
Not installed yet. They'll be some of the last things that go in, as is always the case.
While I'd be shocked if this ride is nearly as good as Splash, even I think some of these "see, checkmate, no AA's" posts are incredibly dumb. As are the "they would have shown them by now if they exist" argument.
It is clear to me at this point that Disney is holding back a lot of information and details on the ride. We're relatively "close" (by Disney standards) to the ride's opening and it's kind of crazy how much work they got done on the interior before they actually showed anything. No virtual ride through, and the only AA they've even teased so far was a static and very unfinished endoskeleton of Louis. I also know for a fact that they've been holding onto a number of other critter figures long before that brief D23 tease.
I don't think they're holding back out of concern over backlash either. I was told last year that there is actually genuine passion behind this and a desire to create something that can be a worthy successor to Splash. And i'm not talking about Charita Carter or Carmen Smith, who are figureheads at best (there are tons of actual creatives working on this). I myself doubt they can accomplish this. But I think it at least bodes well to have creatives with that sort of mindset involved, and I at least expect Tiana will be closer in quality to its predecessor than any of the other classic amazing E tickets they've replaced over the years.
Keep in mind that Splash Mountain was my favorite ride at WDW, and I am also going to be brutally critical of Tiana if it can't come close. I still have a lot of concerns about it.
1- The video claims the sets are only "slightly tweaked" versions of the ones in Splash, which isn't correct. It was a full gut and rebuild AFAIK, which the photos have shown.
2- I don't believe the claim that Iger saw it or said it was boring.
3- If Iger DID say that, good. Iger disliking something is a great sign IMO. He doesn't like the parks, and probably thought Splash Mtn and other classic E tickets boring too. Him disliking something is one of the best endorsements I can think of...
4- The comment about there being "17 new original AA characters" lines up with what my source said last year, and is now old info that was also misinterpreted spectacularly by that person narrating the video. The ride doesn't have only 17 AA's in total, the statement was that they created 17 brand new characters specifically for this ride that were not in the PATF film (which would manifest as AA's). That does not include duplicates of these characters that will appear in different scenes as you progress through the ride. Nor any other minor critters who aren't main characters. Nor does it include the returning characters from the film. Which include Tiana, Naveen, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Big Daddy, and Naveen's family. Tiana, Naveen and Louis will also have multiple AA's placed throughout the ride.
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