Updates on El Rio Del Tiempo

[Frank Stallone]

Just because we're EPCOT doesn't mean we're allowed to improve our park? I don't remember Walt's dream of EPCOT stating "make sure no changes are made! We must not improve, by any means necessary!"

 

[cloudboy]

This is not one of the rides I consider a classic or particularly good. I do like the volcano, and I have to admit I go on it more than I do some other rides. But it's passing really would not bother me greatly. So long as they don't destroy the interior of the Mexican Pavillion, this is one place where I could see a good coaster going.

Oh, for those of the right age bracket, there is one sure fire way to enjoy Rio Del Tiempo - sing the Love Boat theme throughout the ride. Wow talk about a flashback!

 

[Frank Stallone]

El Rio Del Tiempo is probably the only ride on Disney property that has aged so much, that I find it hilarious. Everytime I'm in the park, I try to ride it. It never has a line, and I always get a laugh out of it.

It's a guilty pleasure ride, for sure.

 

[wannab@dis]

Another step in transforming Epcot into the Magic Kingdom 2.0 ...

No offense, but why is striving to be as good as the most visited park in the world a bad thing? IF they make any changes, it couldn't hurt... seeing as there's rarely a line at all.

 

[PurpleDragon]

I may be mistaken, but these pavillions are sponsored by the countries they represent. So any refurb to the pavillion or its attractions would take some sort of approval from a representative from that country. So to be perfectly honest, I doubt anyone from Mexico would approve of their country being represented by characters that embody the mexican stereotype.

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

I may be mistaken, but these pavillions are sponsored by the countries they represent. So any refurb to the pavillion or its attractions would take some sort of approval from a representative from that country. So to be perfectly honest, I doubt anyone from Mexico would approve of their country being represented by characters that embody the mexican stereotype.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

You do bring up an excellent point. I am curious to know how much say the country rep. actaully has.

 

[Frank Stallone]

If the Mexican Tourism board had a strong word, I think they would be doing everything they could to replace that ride.

Until then, I look forward to the mexican salesman popping out of that barrel everytime my boat goes by.

 

[kcnole]

i love the beginnign of the ride....with the volcano and temple....btu then it gets cheesy just after that. I like that ride, but it feels like a "mexican-It's a Small World". Does it not. I think they could update it more.

agreed, the ride starts out with so much potential as you go past the temple. It always seems like it should become a somewhat mysterious boatride through an old temple or something like that. Instead it starts out serious and foreboding and then turns into the biggest joke in Disney.

 

[kaos]

Hello-- El Rio de Tiempo-- The river of time...

It's perfect for Mexico

agreed, the ride starts out with so much potential as you go past the temple. It always seems like it should become a somewhat mysterious boatride through an old temple or something like that. Instead it starts out serious and foreboding and then turns into the biggest joke in Disney.

Isn't that how Mexico is??

 

[Slowjack]

No offense, but why is striving to be as good as the most visited park in the world a bad thing? IF they make any changes, it couldn't hurt... seeing as there's rarely a line at all.

The poster you are replying to didn't say that Epcot shouldn't be as good as MK; only that Epcot shouldn't be MK 2.0. Which is to say, that it's cool that the four parks each have a different "feel" and a different approach to fun. Some kinds of rides or theming would work great in one park but not work well in another. I think El Rio could use an update--no argument there--but I hope it's something that fits in with the Epcot vibe and not something out of Fantasyland.

 

[wannab@dis]

The poster you are replying to didn't say that Epcot shouldn't be as good as MK; only that Epcot shouldn't be MK 2.0. Which is to say, that it's cool that the four parks each have a different "feel" and a different approach to fun. Some kinds of rides or theming would work great in one park but not work well in another. I think El Rio could use an update--no argument there--but I hope it's something that fits in with the Epcot vibe and not something out of Fantasyland.

I understand what you're saying, but many would rather have status quo than an update that may include characters. It's the same old argument against Living Seas changes, but I think we all can see just how much Turtle Talk has helped that pavilion and I dare say Nemo's clammobiles will help even more.

If most guests enjoy and like the charactes as part of their Disney vacation (which it appears they do) then I'm all for it.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I understand what you're saying, but many would rather have status quo than an update that may include characters. It's the same old argument against Living Seas changes, but I think we all can see just how much Turtle Talk has helped that pavilion and I dare say Nemo's clammobiles will help even more.

If most guests enjoy and like the charactes as part of their Disney vacation (which it appears they do) then I'm all for it.

Not to rehash the debate that has raged for months, but I feel this REALLY leaves out a major option. Why are the only options status quo or update with the characters? Why isn't there the option of updating and improving without the characters? I would be all for that. I love El Rio. Always have. It's cheesy, but it is a lot of fun. I would point to many other attractions I consider much more of an embarassment than this.

I agree that Turtle Talk has helped TLS' numbers as will Clammobiles, but I don't think these were the only ways to have done so. I guess I would just question the lack of the third "update w/o blatant Disney marketing" option.

 

[darthjohnny]

Everyone would be saying, "Donald is Mexican?"

I believe Donald Duck is very popular in Mexico. He is sort of the mascot in the Mexican Pavillion, seeing as the only stuffed animals in Mexican costumes is Donald.

 

[Scar Junior]

For several years now I've always loved the fact that "The River of Time" is so "old" and "outdated."

My sister and I ride it for this reason. Ironic as well as tacky! I want to see new life in the Showcase (and this is one of the problem areas), but there will be some level of sadness once this attraction is replaced.

 

[DisneyFine]

I heard on Inside the Magic, that El Rio Del Tiempo will recieve a refurbishment for Epcot's 25th. For that the Three Caberleros will be added. At the moment though it still only a rumor.:hammer:

If thats true, great! But right now the ride seems to be in tip-top shape! I really like the atmosphere of the Mexican Pavillion!

 

[wannab@dis]

Not to rehash the debate that has raged for months, but I feel this REALLY leaves out a major option. Why are the only options status quo or update with the characters? Why isn't there the option of updating and improving without the characters? I would be all for that. I love El Rio. Always have. It's cheesy, but it is a lot of fun. I would point to many other attractions I consider much more of an embarassment than this.

I agree that Turtle Talk has helped TLS' numbers as will Clammobiles, but I don't think these were the only ways to have done so. I guess I would just question the lack of the third "update w/o blatant Disney marketing" option.

Did I say I was against another option? I was pointing out the fallacy of being against the update simply because characters may be involved and asked the question... status quo vs. characters? I was not saying those are the ONLY options, just the options being discussed. :wave:

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Did I say I was against another option? I was pointing out the fallacy of being against the update simply because characters may be involved and asked the question... status quo vs. characters? I was not saying those are the ONLY options, just the options being discussed. :wave:

My apologies then. It seemed quite a few (myself included) were saying that we were all for an update, just not the Cabs addition. I agree that it needs some help (one of the rare times we seem to agree on something regarding an Epcot update).

And Donald's popularity in Mexico doesn't necessarily make him appropriate for a host for a pavilion meant to reflect the history of a country to me. I guess I really see no place for the characters in a permanent display in WS particularly. Is there nothing about Mexico that is exciting enough to be done well that we have to put a Disney character(s) in?

 

[Ivan72]

I think that Rio Del Tiempo has a "Small World" feel to it in the Fiesta section and a "If You Had Wings" feel to it in the Tropical Resorts section. But we love this ride. I would love to see some improvements to update the visuals and I'd love to see an expanded more realistic Mexico City scene.

The big change in the ride comes from portraying the Native Mayan etc. history and the contrast which occurs when Spanish rule arrived. Very different worlds, but all part of the Mexican fabric.

I don't mind characters incorporated into some attractions, but I don't think that it always has to be done. BTW I love the guy selling goods at the end "this is my,er your last chance" great stuff! We always hope that we get his part of the film.

 

[Astronaut Jones]

I love this ride so much. I'm all for adding things as long as they don't tamper with the already existing and do something stupid like update the videos.

Last time I rode it, two of the dancers in the fiesta/firework show at the end of the ride were broken and one of their legs had fallen off and was laying beneath them. It's the only ride in all of Disney where when something is broken it adds to the charm.

I think they should add a Chupacabra subplot and a huge drop.

 

[MMP]

The videos really need updating and the drawn on sky line in the last scene also looks badly in need of some help. It's all way too 80's, which all of us Disney regulars find endearing but people going for the first time are going to wonder why the ride is so crappy.