VIDEO - Part two of Imagineering's tour through Enchanted Tales With Belle

[habuma]

I find these videos stunning and I can't wait to show the real thing to my two daughters in December. And that's the key thing...it's for them...it's for kids. It's also for adults--I know my wife and I will certainly be excited to see it. But it's an interactive experience primarily for kids.

I love the interactive stuff and even if it is cutouts (What else are they going to use? Costumes? And deal with the cleaning and appropriate sizing?) it'll be fun. Kids totally dig that kinda thing. And if my kids don't get a cutout, they'll be fine with it. I think I'll have more disappointment from my youngest if she *does* get a cutout and she doesn't get to be the footstool/dog character than if she doesn't get one at all.

As for the animatronics and using projections, I'd be terribly disappointed if i was *all* projections, but I really like the mix of traditional animatronics with projects as we've seen here. I don't think of it as a cheap way out, but a way to keep a certain lifelike quality to the facial expressions of the characters that would be difficult to achieve with traditional animatronics. I think both the wardrobe and Lumiere animatronic seem all the more real because of the projections.

 

[pixargal]

Will guests be allowed to walk through the cottage and the wardrobe without having to stay and listen to the story?

 

[mousefreak]

This is amazing!!! Luminere animatronic is just unbelievable. Can't wait to see this in person.

 

[WDWBryan]

I guess now we know why they were putting up temporary walls to get to this area through the construction, for the safety of the guests they were trying it out on. My guess is they are a few employee's and their children.

Aww was just gonna post this

I can't believe they posted so much of the experience though. It's basically the whole thing. There's no surprise to go and see it now

 

[Mawg]

I can't believe they posted so much of the experience though. It's basically the whole thing. There's no surprise to go and see it now

I can't believe they showed so much either, but I'm glad they did. The negative comments like, I don't have kids so they made something that I can't enjoy and how dare they make something that not everyone can enjoy are getting to me. Good, stay out of the line then!

 

[Scuttle]

They are typically friends/family of Imagineering.

Some of the contractor's families have been invited to early previews as well.

 

[Ignohippo]

While I give the exterior finishes of the FLE 10/10 grades, there's something that's been bothering me about what we've seen thus far of the interiors of the Beauty & Beast half of FLE that this video reinforces.

Here are two takes by WDI on "Merlin's Workshop retail" that demonstrate the difference between "theme-ing" and "decorating".

Themed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theverynk/7604911380/sizes/c/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theverynk/7604906304/sizes/c/in/photostream/

Decorated:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpanfan1953/6081182669/sizes/l/in/photostream/

A well-themed interior completely sells the intended environment (e.g. down to period door hinges), while a a decorated one adds props and other elements to what is essentially modern room to get an idea across.

Looking at these vids, the B&B areas, unfortunately, look like the latter. In this video in particular, the rooms look like a dressed-up WDW convention center room with thin, Ikea-like bookshelving, modern doors (hinges, push locks), new carpeting, bright recessed lighting, zero aging - basically the opposite of a centuries-old castle interior. I understand certain concessions need to be made in a theme park environment (exit signs), but I had hoped for a rigorously-themed interior rather than a light dressing to a modern room style one.

I hesitate to criticize what isn't open or I haven't seen in person, but I hope that these B&B interior areas look much better by opening day or in person than these vids are showing.

I'm SO glad you said this! I was thinking the exact same thing and agree 100%. I'll definitely hold judgement until I see them in person, but the videos don't make these interiors look nearly as impressive as I was expecting.

The room with the armoire looks like a generic holding room. It doesn't look like a dressing room in a centuries old castle at all. It looks, as you said, like any room in a convention center.

The library doesn't seem from the vids to have much of a sense of scale either. It looks like a room with books, rather than a huge multi-story library like in the movie. Now, I'm not saying it had to be huge, or that they needed to add the winding staircases on either side of the room, but adding another 5-10 feet in height would have done wonders.

 

[danlb_2000]

Aww was just gonna post this

I can't believe they posted so much of the experience though. It's basically the whole thing. There's no surprise to go and see it now

No one forced you to watch the video.

 

[Scuttle]

Will guests be allowed to walk through the cottage and the wardrobe without having to stay and listen to the story?

This is what I'm curious about as well. I don't have kids (yet), but I don't think I want to be the weird couple without kids, I already get enough weird looks doing solo research trips. I guess I have to do it once, but after that I am not sure I'll be back.

 

[JungleTrekFan]

This looks absolutely amazing. Im loving the use of projection technology and mixing it with physical technology. The magic mirror, Madame wardrobe, Lumiere, even the story time room had different lighting effects for different scenes. I was purely amazed just at how realistic madame wardrobes mouth moves. Defintely a lot more believable and well done that Mr. Potato head over at Midway.

Also for the people that are not a fan of projections it really adds a more realism to the character. When they can move their eyes any direction and at any speed and blink quickly, which is still is impossible to do with AA eyes, it makes it look a lot better. And Lumiere’s looks amazing, those arms, the flames, even the physical 1/2 of his mouth working with the projection half is so well done. Im surprised they stayed true to the movie where his bottom lip is apart of the candle holder, where it would of been easier to just project his whole face on the “wax”.

 

[sshindel]

This is what I'm curious about as well. I don't have kids (yet), but I don't think I want to be the weird couple without kids, I already get enough weird looks doing solo research trips. I guess I have to do it once, but after that I am not sure I'll be back.

I'm more apt to give odd looks to the folks that leave an attraction early than I ever would be to someone enjoying an attraction, be it for kids or not! Of course, the difference is you can't see me giving you odd looks for leaving the attraction early, as you are already gone...

 

[ExtinctJenn]

This is what I'm curious about as well. I don't have kids (yet), but I don't think I want to be the weird couple without kids, I already get enough weird looks doing solo research trips. I guess I have to do it once, but after that I am not sure I'll be back.

DH and I made a ton of trips before DS6 was born and we did so many things that are typically "kid" experiences. Us... we could care less who was looking.

 

[Scuttle]

I'm more apt to give odd looks to the folks that leave an attraction early than I ever would be to someone enjoying an attraction, be it for kids or not! Of course, the difference is you can't see me giving you odd looks for leaving the attraction early, as you are already gone...

I'm use to the weird looks trust me. It's just usually I'm on the move when I receive them. This time I'd be stuck and would have no choice, but to give them back. Haha

 

[flynnibus]

Anyways, why are AAs these days using projection technology? I guess because it's cheaper?

Because it allows things AAs can not do effectively.

And all the prop comments.. bah. The cheaper they are, the easier it is for them to stock more of them. They can make a ton and cycle them in as needed. Durability vs cost to replace is always a balance companies have to make.. if it's plates, spoons, or props.

 

[SirLink]

Hmmm I like that Lumiere is fluid in his motion. I guess this is the only way to see him via the wonders of Youtube.

 

[PurpleRose]

This is what I'm curious about as well. I don't have kids (yet), but I don't think I want to be the weird couple without kids, I already get enough weird looks doing solo research trips. I guess I have to do it once, but after that I am not sure I'll be back.

It's okay, Scuttle. You can come through with me and we'll get looks together. lol

 

[wannab@dis]

I'm just going to copy my post from the other "This is it" thread... same whining, same response!



I see the malcontents have invaded another thread. Let's review how it's going...

1. "This isn't what *I* wanted" - It was always a M&G, any expectation issue is your own doing. In fact, it's a plussed and enhanced M&G, better than expected. (Strike 1)
2. "This is for kids - attractions are supposed to be for everyone" - This is weak and it shows the level they are digging to find fault. Neither of my kids will be able to ride Rock N Roller coaster in a couple of months, so they should take it out. Scream with me... "It's not for everyone!!" (Strike 2)
3. "Those cardboard cutouts are cheap" - So you know for a fact they are cheap and they are cardboard? Ignore that, cause they may be both cheap and made of cardboard. So what? A frame made of wood that kids can't lift up? Or a real footstool they couldn't move? Or, the fact they've used props at previous story times without issues? (Strike 3)

Once again, they strike out on their complaints. Oh, they've IM'd their cohorts to invade the thread and trash an attraction before it opens with ludicrous claims (notice they use the same talking points and pat each other on the back?) Really, this is the level you want others to see you falling? You lose so much credibility when you bash anything and everything.

 

[phi2134]

One thing I am loving about this is how Lumiere is constantly moving and doesnt really go into "sleep" mode. I remember when I was little in the older days of animatronics, show elements would dim and the characters would just go stationary. Now its like they are just being quiet and listening to things going on as well.

 

[peterpanic74]

Hey, I LOVE this addition! I think it's absolutely fantastic. That doesn't mean the the paper-cutout props don't look a little cheesy compared to the otherwise elaborate themeing.

A very minor nit-pick, to be sure. One-quarter point deduction, that's all. Otherwise: most excellent.

 

[danlb_2000]

Just got chance to watch the video and I think it looks fabulous. The "paper-coutouts" don't bother me at all since there are completely appropriate for how they are being used. They obviously want the kids to hold them up in front of themselves to portray the characters, not sure there would have been any better way to do this. The Lumiere animatronic is just amazing. I can't figure out how they got such fluid motion out of the arms especially with how small they are.