What does California have to do with WDW? Why can't Disney film a new film for WDW?

[ScrapIron]

I regularly follow a couple of DL sites, and while I can't recall if this tid bit came from a verified source or an uninformed poster, you can take some consolation in the fact that it has been reported that some parts of the film were actually done outside the Golden State.

And doesn't it comfort you to know that the golf ball shot was Eisner's idea?
Plus, I forgot to look, but I understand the helicopter's shadow is visible in the aircraft carrier flyover.

It is a very good attraction, and, for DCA at least, if every few years they changed the film (even within the Cal theme, Soarin' over...the coast, the desert, the Sierra Nevada......), it can always be fresh and appealing. If they run the same film as long as Star Tours, sadly, it will become tired and stale.

Being from the South, now in the West, and having travelled a lot, I've got to agree with the limited appeal of arial Florida. I'm a National Parks afficianado, and know that the Everglades are great if you walk the boardwalks, paddle a canoe, rent a bike and such, but if you just drive through, it's unlikely to impress. Even if you just pull over into the Tunnel View parking lot in Yosemite and never leave your car, you'll understand vividly what all the fuss is about.

Now, Soarin over the Grand Canyon? Hey, I'm generally against the intrusion of aircraft, BUT, if a deal was made that would benefit the park, such as use of footage in the visitor's center, then I'd be all for it. The variety of landscape within this country is staggering. Done properly and continuously updated, and this is an attraction that will be pulling its weight for decades.

Of course, I'm still trying to figure out why DCA's tribute to California seaside amusement parks features a ride (Sun Wheel) based on a famous Coney Island attraction? Cheers.

 

[ThumpersThought]

Having flown Soarin' at DCA many times, I'd love a new movie... but, if I were an imagineer with unlimited money:

Future World is not USA specific. So, the movie shouldn't really be limited to any border. I'd actually have something like multiple different movies -- and any time you rode the ride, you might go all over the US, or you might fly through the Alps or next time you might fly over Aztec ruins...

But that would certainly violate rules number 1, 3 and 5

 

[LoriMistress]

Why isn't Disney out with a helicoptor filming Soarin' over Florida(?) right now? (it's a rumor)

California is the only state with all diffrent landscaping. California gets snow, we have desert, we have country, we have the city, we have beaches, etc. There is so much different kinds of land in California that most states don't have.

 

[Brian_B]

2012 is a long time to wait, hope the ride itself isn't out of date

 

[DarkMeasures]

Maybe the new film coming will be a modern version of the ride originally planned for The Land. The one where you ride in a Hot-air balloon and look at all the different environments of the world. Why it would fit in greatly.

But the next film will most likely not be of a state, or country but about the Land.

My reasoning. Soarin' over California takes place in a park built about California. (whole area carries that theme).

Epcot, though having many different theming will have Soarin' in The Land so wouldn't it make since to make a video about "The Land"?

 

[jcrb]

California is the only state with all diffrent landscaping. California gets snow, we have desert, we have country, we have the city, we have beaches, etc. There is so much different kinds of land in California that most states don't have.

You also have Highway Speed Chases!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Bagheera]

Latest word here is that "Soarin' over the U.S." will debut for Epcot's 25th birthday in 2007.

 

[TP2000]

Soarin' over California isn't a bad idea to open up with, I agree, just hope that it evolves to a wider scope. I agree with nettanyahoo that CA has the geographic diversity to make the ride interesting, but so would an equal land mass lying on the East coast (we just don't have deserts over here). And there's propably just as many recognizable landmarks too.

I'm a native Southern Californian, and I currently live in Orange County about 10 miles from Disneyland and the original Soarin' Over California ride. That said, I've also spent over a decade of my life living in Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, South Carolina and Georgia. And I've got to say that a Soarin' ride over those states would be about one fifth as exciting geographically as Soarin' Over California is.

The East Coasters will just need to get used to the big travelogue for California that Soarin' is. But, I also have a hunch that the average WDW tourist from Ohio or New Hampshire or Georgia or England who has never been to California is not going to recognize most of the film as being "California". They are just going to think "Wow! A giant mountain!.... Cool! A golden desert!.... Geez! A craggy coastline!.... Wow! A towering waterfall!.... Look! A frenzied freeway and a giant city!...."

California is so geographically diverse, and has such incredibly beautiful vistas and landmarks, that it really is the best representative of the entire country. I wouldn't be surprised if Soarin' Over California played at Epcot for at least three or four years.

I think a great deal of this is going to depend on the pre-show Disney sets up for the Epcot version of this ride. If it is drilled into every riders head in the pre-show and boarding areas that this is a trip over "The state of California" then I think the California theme may be a bit odd and out of place in the middle of The Land. But if it's simply presented as an aerial tour of the intense geographical differences of America, with coincidental heavy emphasis on California man-made landmarks, then it may not be much of an issue.

Regardless, it's an awesome attraction with some incredible scenery and imagery. Epcot visitors are going to love it.

 

[TP2000]

I regularly follow a couple of DL sites, and while I can't recall if this tid bit came from a verified source or an uninformed poster, you can take some consolation in the fact that it has been reported that some parts of the film were actually done outside the Golden State.

I think you are referring to the LaughingPlace discussion from a few years ago that was started by a Utahn. The poster insisted that one of the desert shots was filmed in southern Utah.

After much discussion, it was decided that the shot in question was indeed filmed in California, in the Anza-Borrego desert east of San Diego. Anza-Borrego does look similar to southern Utah however, so the confusion is understandable.

I have a hunch that if any part of Soarin' Over California was shot in Utah, or any other state besides California, the mainstream media would have been all over Disney for it. But it was just a heated discussion board thread started by some guy in Utah. :animwink:

 

[barnum42]

I would agree with a Soarin over the USA film rather than a single state

How about Soarin over the world. Then we can see how Trevor is doing in England :

 

[TP2000]

To all who say that Florida isn't exciting and doesn't have much to offer, then I guess that YOUR IMAGINATION IS AS SMALL AS FLORIDA IS LARGE!!!

Let's see what Soarin' over Florida would have to offer:....

2. Great beaches with more variety than California. You have the Atlantic beaches for sure, but you also have the Gulf coast beaches, and the beaches and crystal blue waters in the Keys along with the coral reefs there!

Okay, you had me on your side with your passionate argument until you got to the "variety" of Florida beaches. Florida beaches can be described in three words ... Flat, flat and flatter. Trust me, I've seen 'em, and they are pleasant but forgettable. And certainly nothing worth capturing by an IMAX camera strapped to a helicopter.

Here's some links to quick pics of typical California beaches....
http://www.californiapictures.com/beachphotos-04.html
http://www.californiapictures.com/oceanpictures.html
http://aku-aku.com/html/Local_stock/socal011.htm
http://aku-aku.com/stock/laguna.html

And now that I've done my part for the California Chamber of Commerce, I think I'll go have a snack.

 

[horizonsboy]

How about soaring over Eisner's place....guard towers, attack dogs, Katzenburg target range...and Roy and Stan picketing outside the heavily patrolled gate

I like it but it just doesn't say "Disney Magic" to me and other guests.