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WDWMAGIC Space Mountain soft opening report and detailed overview
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
The Skyway.... I`m not sure. It certainly happened very quick. The original plan (as of 12 months ago) was to incorporate it into something else, not chop half of it off. Took me by surprise. I was waiting for something to happen further west before this. I was however told the asbestos treatment and removal inside SM did eat into the overall budget. Add in new ride control software and hardware, including the kicker system, and you can see how changes for the guest to see quickly dissappeared.
Exprcoofto
New Member
Same guys voice. It's a short message and sounds like an advertisement still. I'll record it later today an put it on Twitter. Going to DHS first followed by MK. (open to 3 AM)
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Ugh...so they got rid of the really cool female voice? The one part I liked...
:lol:
Exprcoofto
New Member
Ugh...so they got rid of the really cool female voice? The one part I liked...
Yup. I'm very upset about the narration change. Certainly going to see Guest Relations.
jt04
Well-Known Member
At least for now.
Sounds like some unexpected prefurb work had to be accomplished first.
It could be a blessing in diguise however. As Tomorrowland's future is reimagined (as rumored), perhaps the changes can be better incorporated into any SM plussing. Including the possible external lighting package. Perhaps by delaying, we will get an improved and more state of the art product. Also, potentially a better themed design.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
I will agree there. This SM refurb show new and interesting aesthetics (in the queue, only
) that could really be incorporated into TL and SM if they were to give it another go.Don't agree with "Prefurb" and delaying this, though. That's the thing...if they wanted to do this, do it on one fell swoop and be done. Hold us over until 2013.:lol:
jt04
Well-Known Member
I will agree there. This SM refurb show new and interesting aesthetics (in the queue, only
Don't agree with "Prefurb" and delaying this, though. That's the thing...if they wanted to do this, do it on one fell swoop and be done. Hold us over until 2013.:lol:
If they had real "pixie dust", "one fell swoop" might work. But unfortunately they have to deal with pesky budgets and so on.
I agree that the aesthetics of the queue are compelling. I would just add that the post shows aesthtics might be even moreso.
Speaking of, you might find this to your interest....
http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Wow! Awesome article....
Love the cohesiveness of theme for that. Shame that it's not still kept in that condition.
Pesky budgets is right! More pesky are the people that keep cutting them when they shouldn't be cut!
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
*sigh*
jt04
Well-Known Member
I'm sticking with my theory that after the management realignment late last year, anything that wasn't well along the development pipeline (SM)was sent back to the drawing board or canceled outright (NK, WS E-Ticket). I truly believe you will never see another half budgeted project like SM or another SSE descent fiasco. If it isn't quality in every aspect it won't get the green light.
So just like happened within animation and is happening in live action, you will see less projects but ones where quality is the first priority.
Expect more Carsland and FL Expansion type projects and no SM/SSE type projects.
Actually, Pixar Place was WDW's first hint at the new ethic.
IMO of course.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
See, this post, I like.:wave::lol:I'm sticking with my theory that after the management realignment late last year, anything that wasn't well along the development pipeline (SM)was sent back to the drawing board or canceled outright (NK, WS E-Ticket). I truly believe you will never see another half budgeted project like SM or another SSE descent fiasco. If it isn't quality in every aspect it won't get the green light.
So just like happened within animation and is happening in live action, you will see less projects but ones where quality is the first priority.
Expect more Carsland and FL Expansion type projects and no SM/SSE type projects.
Actually, Pixar Place was WDW's first hint at the new ethic.
IMO of course.
Some opinion, and some "proof".
I'll keep the "I'll beleive it when I see it" line, but there are signs of improvement...amongst signs of Non-improvement. That's the factor that changes things.
jt04
Well-Known Member
I'm right and everything I have been saying is condensed in that post. Like Steve Jobs said to JL, "Just make it good".
It's not that the doomers don't have a point about the way things used to be, it's that corporate cultural norms that become entrenched are difficult to uproot.
The quality that people like 74 remembers was left over from the pre-Eisner years and hadn't been "wal-marted" yet. I'm not Eisner bashing but it was his era where things went downhill in the parks. Starting with Imagination and the end of EPCOT Center right up to the millinium clutterfest of FW. It's a living example of Eisner's years. The existing infrastructure was neglected during the build out of WDW which can now be seen as a mixed bag of success and failure.
But people are nostalgic for all the exciting stuff that happened under Eisner and fail to see the problems it created. Those problems have to be fixed. Whether it was the much needed HM update or HoP update and other infrastructure, including the need to upgrade/refurb portions of AL. These problems didn't just crop up in the last few years, they were decades in the making and will take time and a lot of money to fix. All the while trying to keep fans satisfied with new content. From your armchair CEO perch, I'm sure it seems easy, but that is just denial. If it was easy it would have already been accomplished.
But guess what, the turnaround keeps moving forward. Slowly, steadily and with resolve. Because that is the only way to guarantee quality.
The proof is glaring, you just have to be willing to see it.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
You are not right yet, and by all means, keep condensing.:lol::wave:
I agree that Eisner overstayed his welcome. That much is certain. However...Look at your bolded point. All that was done in the EARLY Eisner time. from 1989 to 1996, the growth in WDW was astounding. New park, new pavilions, rides, hotels, you name it. And at the same time...Everything was in pretty good shape. They made it look easy, yes. I'm sure they can do it again...and they might be starting now, who knows? However, when I do see GOOD things like HM, and PP, I also see things being cut, like LoW, a mediocre refurb for SM, and the other host of cuts plaguing WDW. Break out of this equilibrium, and THEN there's real proof. Adding things back. Refurbishments that actually improve show quality for the WHOLE ride. Rides that satisfy theme, capacity, differentiated markets. Things like that. That'll win me over...and I am certainly willing to see it. I just might be looking for very specific things, seeing that Disney has it in their power to be that specific, and that wonderful.
:wave:
jt04
Well-Known Member
You are not right yet, and by all means, keep condensing.:lol::wave:
I agree that Eisner overstayed his welcome. That much is certain. However...Look at your bolded point. All that was done in the EARLY Eisner time. from 1989 to 1996, the growth in WDW was astounding. New park, new pavilions, rides, hotels, you name it. And at the same time...Everything was in pretty good shape. They made it look easy, yes. I'm sure they can do it again...and they might be starting now, who knows? However, when I do see GOOD things like HM, and PP, I also see things being cut, like LoW, a mediocre refurb for SM, and the other host of cuts plaguing WDW. Break out of this equilibrium, and THEN there's real proof. Adding things back. Refurbishments that actually improve show quality for the WHOLE ride. Rides that satisfy theme, capacity, differentiated markets. Things like that. That'll win me over...and I am certainly willing to see it. I just might be looking for very specific things, seeing that Disney has it in their power to be that specific, and that wonderful.
See, I already explaind SM and you go right back to it. Cuts generally mean something more than just saving a few dollars. For example, Sounds Dangerous might, just might be seen as something more than a cut in the long term. But I refuse to wade into those waters. There is a strategy being employed here and if you have been observing as long as I have it would be obvious to you.
LoW isn't coming back in it's original form anymore than PI or any of the other "cuts" that generated futile petitions and letter writing campaigns.
There is so much more that goes into these decisions than you could ever guess or be willing to accept. At least until you have more experience in the business world. That is not an insult. It's just the way of things.
I'm done EE, I'm no longer trying to convince you of what you refuse to see. But you will never forget my "arguments". So that is enough for me. Because you may never admit I was right, but you will know it. :lol:
Adios :wave:
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Bolded points-
Cuts made my TDO? Highly doubt that. That's not how they operate.
You refuse to wade in there, because you have no argument? That's what I'm seeing...
The only strategy I see, is one of diminishing the uniqueness and quality of the "product", as the lovely Rasulo calls it, while charging more for it. While they look to be getting better in some areas, other areas of cutting amid slashing and burning are as disturbing as they have ever been. I encourage you to widen your perspective and look for yourself. Again, I ask you...What is your history with the resort? When was your last trip? What is your timeline? Do you know what they have done, and what they once did? Not insulting you, but I'm just wondering about your basic credibility.:wave:
I'm sure that there ARE things that I don't know about WDC. And you too. You've admitted that you don't have a insider or a source, and while I am not connected directly to WDC, it is easy to talk to people that are. The information gleaned by them offers a tiny, but piquant look at the mentality behind these decisions. While it's not nearly enough, it's certainly enough to expand upon when we have a front seat to a bigger picture here. That's just the way of things, as you said.
Your arguments? No, not forgettable, I have a good memoy. Will you be right? I hope so. I'll tell you when you are, trust me.
See you.
DisneyParksFan1
Active Member
Sorry if I am late to the party, but Space Mountain opens today!
Any news? Or just what we saw in the soft openings?
Any news? Or just what we saw in the soft openings?
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
I'll be genuinely surprised if something new pops up today. Happy, too....I would love to be wrong about this refurb.Sorry if I am late to the party, but Space Mountain opens today!
Any news? Or just what we saw in the soft openings?