Triton Installed on Ariel's Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure...

[Pioneer Hall]

The interior doesn't have to fit, it's the exterior that has to. Song of the South doesn't fit in Frontierland, but the exterior of Splash Mountain does, and the interior attraction is close enough to the exterior that it works fine.

The interior corridors of the Haunted Mansion don't match an antebellum mansion, and the graveyard doesn't match New England.

The exterior is an aquarium that fits just fine where it is. When you step in to that aquarium, you're transported to the sea. When you exit, you're back out in to San Francisco. It should work just fine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the attraction itself. Just seemed odd that with this big push lately with theme and placement that it just didn't click the right way. But, by your explanation how can people really complain that Monsters Inc doesn't belong in Tomorrowland...the building hasn't changed. Or, like I said earlier, if I put that attraction in a log cabin would it now fit in Frontierland? Really a question as to the placement of the attraction...at the end of the day, I am happy it is being build and very hopeful that it delivers like we expect it to.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the attraction itself. Just seemed odd that with this big push lately with theme and placement that it just didn't click the right way. But, by your explanation how can people really complain that Monsters Inc doesn't belong in Tomorrowland...the building hasn't changed. Or, like I said earlier, if I put that attraction in a log cabin would it now fit in Frontierland? Really a question as to the placement of the attraction...at the end of the day, I am happy it is being build and very hopeful that it delivers like we expect it to.

It's not black and white, it's how well what you see inside fits with what you see outside. The Brer Rabbit cartoon is close enough to the Splash Mountain exterior that the transition is not jarring. Same for the Haunted Mansion and many other attractions.

Walking in to an aquarium and being transported to the ocean I imagine will work just as well.

Monster's Inc. is not a horrific use of the area, either, but Tomorrowland embodies a spirit that other lands don't where what you're doing on the attractions themselves is a showcase of futuristic (realistic or not) technology and living, and Monster's Inc. is far enough removed from that people find it jarring. It is not the worst transition imaginable, though.

I mean, how does Peter Pan fit in a Bavarian village?

 

[TP2000]

You have to think of DCA's "lands" as being themed to "places we don't want you to visit while you're in California (and take your tourist dollars with you)". You have Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier, the National Parks, Cannery Row and San Diego/Miramar.

First, where the heck is San Diego and MCAS Miramar represented in Disney California Adventure? Aside from a 10 second flyover of San Diego harbor during the Soarin' film, I can't think of a single structure or environment in DCA that fits with anywhere in San Diego County. Unless you are confusing the high desert area of Condor Flats with the coastal plateau that MCAS Miramar sits on (along with a lot of condos, office towers, BMW dealerships and the big mall there)?

Regardless, the park lands are a mess and you're right, the Little Mermaid doesn't really fit other than to say "Cannery Row is on the water, Santa Monica Pier is on the water and the Little Mermaid takes place near water, so it's a perfect fit!!!!!!"

Secondly, and I get to say this because I have been one of the BIGGEST critics of DCA ever since the old alt.disney.disneyland days circa 1998-99 :lol: , I think the Mermaid building fits in perfectly with all the rest of the new Victorian era facilities and eye candy already installed in that area, or about to open with Mermaid on Memorial Day weekend.

But the Mermaid building is not in the Pacific Wharf (AKA Cannery Row) area, which is 100 yards away across the bridge. Mermaid is in a very different type of themed environment from the more casual and aged Wharf area. Or are you referring to "Cannery Row" as the little street of San Francisco row houses that contain the bathrooms and ATM machine across from the Golden Dreams rotunda? If you did just make that mistake, there are about 15 Million Northern Californians that would like to have a strong word with you. :lol:

The Blue Sky Cellar has some great examples of the Victorian-era boardwalk architecture from SoCal's old amusement piers that they are going for with Mermad. The soaring central archway and decorative flanking of the Mermaid building is based off of an old dark ride that used to exist in Venice, California in the early 1900's, as one example.

1900's Dragon Gorge Coaster, Venice, California

http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20110204-DLCellar/P07-0001.JPG

The whole area around Mermaid is coming together beautifully, and now all the detailing they put into the World of Color viewing area across the walkway is playing up the 1900's theme even more now. It's a big, lavish, intricately detailed show building that really anchors that entire area.

Early Schematic of Little Mermaid building at DCA

All of that said, the Cannery Row area is arguably the worst land in the history of Disney Parks...

And with that comment I think I understand that you are someone who has not actually visited DCA in person yet?

But if you have been to DCA, I'm surprised you find the Pacific Wharf section (which again, is quite separate from the area that Mermaid is in) in DCA to be one of the weakest spots. Again, I've been a huge DCA critic for approching 15 years and I have a laundry list of Imagineering sins to air with that park, but Pacific Wharf has generally been accepted as one of the more succesful little nooks of DCA. Heck, I even think it's a pleasant little corner.

Is it on par with Mysterious Island at DisneySea or the Harambe placemaking of DAK? No, not quite. But it's certainly not the armpit of DCA or the low point in the timeline of the Walt Disney Company. And since WDI has done little to change this small food court and factory tour area over the last 10 years, apparently WDI also agrees there are bigger fish to fry at DCA (most of which is being fixed by 2012).

Pacific Wharf at DCA, an homage to Monterrey's famous Cannery Row in the form of a food court and two factory tours

Is Pacific Wharf at DCA the height of Imagineering acheivement in food court design? No, not really. But I can think of a good list of similar environments in Disney parks on both coasts, and in Tokyo, that are far less succesful than Pacific Wharf at DCA.

 

[jt04]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the attraction itself. Just seemed odd that with this big push lately with theme and placement that it just didn't click the right way. But, by your explanation how can people really complain that Monsters Inc doesn't belong in Tomorrowland...the building hasn't changed. Or, like I said earlier, if I put that attraction in a log cabin would it now fit in Frontierland? Really a question as to the placement of the attraction...at the end of the day, I am happy it is being build and very hopeful that it delivers like we expect it to.

MI is set in NY which is why it is a natural choice to transition from Pixar Place to the streets of New York City.

The MK application of Monsters does not fit the land it is in on either the exterior or interior. And a derivative backstory can't overcome these deficiencies.

Mermaid fits at DCA in every way necessary. It is a natural for the land it is in and it is a great themed ride that enhances the setting. The only problem was taking a story that has a European origin and placing it on the west coast of north America. But I understand there is a backstory that does this. So they have covered all the bases. Hopefully this stays a priority for Imagineering and their bosses from now on when adding to the parks.

 

[TP2000]

MI is set in NY which is why it is a natural choice to transition from Pixar Place to the streets of New York City.

I've never seen the movie, but on the Monsters Inc. dark ride at DCA they constantly refer to the location as "Monstropolis". Is it really New York City in the movie?

Overall though, I agree with you about the settings and placemaking for these types of major attractions. It's a theme park, sometimes the exact stories and plotlines of the attraction interiors don't mesh with the exteriors.

Heck, the bears in the Country Bear Jamboree come from all over the country (and Canada) and they sing a collection of folk and country songs from the mid 20th century, yet they are in a themed land from the 1850's-70's Wild West. But somehow the audience accepts it, and enjoys it.

 

[Neverland]

Glad we're getting Eric's castle, I think it looks way better than the normal Fantasyland/Hollywood Studios facade California's getting.

While I think the DCA facade is pretty, I agree. I've always liked how different Eric's castle is from the other European ones. It's very themed to the sea, and I love it. I understand how the whole 'aquarium' thing kinda works at DCA, but I think the castle is a much better facade, because it accurately represents the ride. If DCA's facade accurately represented the ride, poor Ariel and friends would be trapped in glass tanks. :lookaroun

 

[sponono88]

^ Not trapped in glass tanks, but they are sculpted in the new bas-relief murals

 

[sponono88]

And for those who don't check the DLR Section, it was announced by the blog today that the DCA version of the ride will open June 3rd:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-a-soundsational-summer-at-disneyland-resort/

Here's a preview of the Ursula AA -

 

[Krack]

Unless you are confusing the high desert area of Condor Flats with the coastal plateau that MCAS Miramar sits on (along with a lot of condos, office towers, BMW dealerships and the big mall there)?

Hold on ... what do you think Condor Flats is supposed to be themed to represent? The middle of the desert? Because it always seemed to me that it was non-specific as to a particular singular place in California and more a tribute to the air force bases all over the state (Miramar, Edwards, McClellan, with a pinch of the Boeing manufacturing in Long Beach). And it appears to me it's also supposed to specifically evoke these bases immediately after WWII. I'm certainly no airforce expert, but that's the impression I've always got from the area. Part of the problem, and this gets back to my initial point is .... THERE'S NOTHING THERE. It's a dead "land". It looks like someone just said "what can we put up quickly that will be cheap?" It's a recurring theme in the park.

But the Mermaid building is not in the Pacific Wharf (AKA Cannery Row) area, which is 100 yards away across the bridge. Mermaid is in a very different type of themed environment from the more casual and aged Wharf area. Or are you referring to "Cannery Row" as the little street of San Francisco row houses that contain the bathrooms and ATM machine across from the Golden Dreams rotunda? If you did just make that mistake, there are about 15 Million Northern Californians that would like to have a strong word with you. :lol:

Yes, I consider the area of row houses to be part of what I was referring to as "Cannery Row". I could have used the term "San Francisco" if it'll make you feel better. The Pacific Wharf area is obviously supposed to be Cannery Row and the houses evoke Lumbard Street. To the east of the houses, you have California wine country. I further consider the Golden Dreams area to be a transition area between "San Francisco" and "Santa Monica". I'm sure the original theater copied an actual building somewhere in the state, but it's not a famous enough building that someone like me (who lived in California for several years) would recognize it immediately (or even have it evoke a particular area of the state). And therefore, if someone asked me, I would tell them the Little Mermaid Attraction is being put in an area that used to be a transition area between Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier.

And with that comment I think I understand that you are someone who has not actually visited DCA in person yet?

Nope. Sorry, I've been there many, many times (although, typically only for a couple hours and often, just for the Electrical Parade - before it left).

But if you have been to DCA, I'm surprised you find the Pacific Wharf section (which again, is quite separate from the area that Mermaid is in) in DCA to be one of the weakest spots. Again, I've been a huge DCA critic for approching 15 years and I have a laundry list of Imagineering sins to air with that park, but Pacific Wharf has generally been accepted as one of the more succesful little nooks of DCA. Heck, I even think it's a pleasant little corner.

It's a food court. They had the nerve to call a exhibition on making tortillas an "attraction". That's like calling the popcorn carts in the Disneyland hub an "attraction". It's an uninteresting area. It might be perfectly themed, but it's perfectly themed to look like an uninteresting place to be. They built a "land" with nothing there.

 

[Neverland]

And for those who don't check the DLR Section, it was announced by the blog today that the DCA version of the ride will open June 3rd:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-a-soundsational-summer-at-disneyland-resort/

Sorry to swing off topic for a second, but the video in that entry just makes me upset. Disneyland gets a wonderful, huge, new parade (and they got another wonderful, huge, new parade 6 years ago), and for WDW's 40th... We get the ten year old CDCT and Countdown to Fail?

 

[Mansion Butler]

But if you have been to DCA, I'm surprised you find the Pacific Wharf section (which again, is quite separate from the area that Mermaid is in) in DCA to be one of the weakest spots. Again, I've been a huge DCA critic for approching 15 years and I have a laundry list of Imagineering sins to air with that park, but Pacific Wharf has generally been accepted as one of the more succesful little nooks of DCA. Heck, I even think it's a pleasant little corner.

Is it on par with Mysterious Island at DisneySea or the Harambe placemaking of DAK? No, not quite. But it's certainly not the armpit of DCA or the low point in the timeline of the Walt Disney Company. And since WDI has done little to change this small food court and factory tour area over the last 10 years, apparently WDI also agrees there are bigger fish to fry at DCA (most of which is being fixed by 2012).

I'm with you on this. The Pacific Wharf is probably my favorite environment in that whole park, even ahead of the area around Grizzly Peak. The comment you're responding to baffled me.

 

[jt04]

I've never seen the movie, but on the Monsters Inc. dark ride at DCA they constantly refer to the location as "Monstropolis". Is it really New York City in the movie?

Overall though, I agree with you about the settings and placemaking for these types of major attractions. It's a theme park, sometimes the exact stories and plotlines of the attraction interiors don't mesh with the exteriors.

Heck, the bears in the Country Bear Jamboree come from all over the country (and Canada) and they sing a collection of folk and country songs from the mid 20th century, yet they are in a themed land from the 1850's-70's Wild West. But somehow the audience accepts it, and enjoys it.

I think you just ruined CBJ for me. :lol:

Anyway, I only saw MI once and I had the impression they moved between Monstropolis and the human world at times. It looked like it was based on NY anyway. I guess I need to watch the movie again.

 

[Mansion Butler]

It's an uninteresting area.

This is subjective, of course. And I will subjectively disagree with it. Strongly.

 

[Neverland]

And since WDI has done little to change this small food court and factory tour area over the last 10 years, apparently WDI also agrees there are bigger fish to fry at DCA (most of which is being fixed by 2012).

Not the best choice of words to describe the new Ariel ride. :lookaroun

 

[Mansion Butler]

Not the best choice of words to describe the new Ariel ride. :lookaroun

Agreed. I prefer my mermaid smoked.

 

[Krack]

This is subjective, of course.

Yup.

 

[Enchantâmes]

Understandable, but those mermaid items were there as part of a Boardwalk themed area. I see restaurants and carousels fitting, but not immersive dark rides. I also understand that this is DCA (sorry Mary Niven) and that some of what they have to do is going to be squeezed in to get the most out of it. Perhaps, it is just me, but it just doesn't fit to the theme of the San Fran area.

Get over it.

 

[Krack]

Get over it.

That's not really a compelling argument. That's more of a "I'm swimming in so much pixie dust that I won't let anyone criticize Disney in my presence" argument.

 

[Enchantâmes]

That's not really a compelling argument. That's more of a "I'm swimming in so much pixie dust that I won't let anyone criticize Disney in my presence" argument.

Get over it.

 

[Enchantâmes]

I'm swimming in so much pixie dust I'm farting rainbows.