What I think...as of today...for now...

[hrcollectibles]

What I do not understand is all the hub bub about what does and does not fit in the fantasy land expansion.. Its a land of Fantasy based on cartoon characters. The thing they all have in common is they were animated ...So A flying elephant and princesses can coexist ...Also I never understood how some can be so displeased with an idea without ever experiencing the said idea... How doe one know an idea will be horrible? Just because they will not find joy in an attraction or experience does not men others will not.

 

[TinkerBelle8878]

I'm excited for the Mermaid ride. I'm happy they're finally doing something with Mickey's Birthdayland/Starland/Toontown Fair.

When the plans were first announced about Pixie Hollow and all the meet and greets...well..that didn't sound too fun for anyone over the age of 6.

I'm not a huge Snow White fan so news that the other big ride will be themed for her, isn't such an exiciting concept. I'd love it if there was a Beauty and The Beast dark ride or another character that has very little presence in that Land. Mary Poppins, Alice (I know she has the tea cups but there's so much material for a dark ride), Aladdin, etc. That using a character that's already had a ride, and its still standing, seems redundant.

Snow White doesn't even seem to be the 'big' draw for kids Princesswise. They seem to tolerate her but she's not as fun and glamorous as Ariel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty in my experience. A Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty ride would make a great deal more sense over Snow, at least from a character popularity standpont/merchandising that TDO seems to be driven by.

 

[BrerFrog]

Hopefully it isn't temporary the same way Toontown Faire was "temporary".

The new mine coaster sounds like it could be fun. And i'm very glad to hear that the number of meet and greets has been decreased. I think getting rid of SWSA is a big mistake though. :shrug:

I was going to say the same exact thing.

 

[hrcollectibles]

Here's a link to the original version. It's pretty dark, so you won't see everything, but it gives you the basic idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th7LJFzG1o8

Essentially the original ride was nothing but the witch popping out and threatening to murder you at every turn. (Many people interpreted the "star doors" at the end after she threatens to drop a boulder on you as evidence that she succeeded in that endeavor!)

It was a very bizarre ride for a Disney park, and honestly didn't have much of a story. It also thoroughly frightened the bejeezus out of many, many kids (including a 6-year-old Wilt Dasney), so I know why they took it out. I still think that atmospherically at least, it was more interesting than what's there now.

I loved the original version of the ride.. It was like that because you were experiencing everything through Snow White's eyes. That's why you never saw her in the ride

 

[foxrcr54]

If they pushed snow white more in shows etc and had the dwarfs out and about it, the whole concept snow white would appeal to little girls.

I remember as a boy, I loved the dwarfs. The whole story works for boys and girls in my opinion.

But as most things the origional concept is not upheld properly, or isnt seen through as it should be.

On another note.. does anyone miss the live shows in the diamond horseshoe? Im really disappointing with this "famous" piano.

Not sure what I would do if the barbershop quartet group disappeared, or the women walking about mainstreet.

I guess what Im trying to say is I to hope if they are to put in meet and greets, that its more than just a long line of children and their often annoyed parents, waiting for their 20 seconds with a princess. I wish their was more of a show-esque appeal. Not sure how this would truely work but I know there have to be some ideas floating about.

I too hope SWSA doesnt dissapear. It may be dull to some but it is a classic. What I mean is that there was true imagination in creating it, not just the dollar signs in the eyes of corporate execs. They did not build the ride to sell merchandise which is really what it appears they are trying to do nowadays.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Lee:

With the princesses getting bunched together, does that mean all of the "enhanced" aspects of the Cindy/Aurora M&G's are gone? (i.e., Aurora's suprise party, Cindy ballroom dancing, etc.)

In other words, will this be your standard hug/photo/autograph experience, or did any of the more interesting stuff survive the purge?

Yeah I'm hearing what Lee has said as well, no birthday cards or changing room (although that effect will still be used in Tokyo). I think the advantage of this from Disney's standpoint is that it would lend itself to more merchandise (again as Lee indicated) than the previous encounters would.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Yeah...you won't be coloring with Aurora or watching Cinderella change.
They do have some cool image capture stuff they are planning. That way, when you exit through the princess gift shop, you can immediately buy your photos!

Yeah I'm hearing what Lee has said as well, no birthday cards or changing room (although that effect will still be used in Tokyo). I think the advantage of this from Disney's standpoint is that it would lend itself to more merchandise (again as Lee indicated) than the previous encounters would.

Well that's a bit of a shame, because that stuff did sound about as interesting as M&G's can get...but rides > characters any day for me.

Plus all the B&B stuff will still be there, it sounds like, so the Next Gen M&G concept will still be included.

 

[aladdin2007]

Just thought of something, I hope for the mine ride they dont use the theme of "wheres dopey". That storyline has been used so much, well at epcot anyway.
Its sounding better and better though as a mix darkride/coaster.

 

[hrcollectibles]

I remember the original Snow White ride scared the crap out of me when I was little. The wtich was constantly jumping out at you. And the ending was so bizarre, the witch basically kills you. What a feel good ending. :lol:



Sorry, but I refuse to believe this. Kids have always loved Dumbo. I did when I was little. :shrug:

And Mr Toads Wild Ride sent you to very hot place

 

[Evil Genius]

The concept leans closer to a combination dark ride/coaster, like Revenge of the Mummy—but NOT on that scale! Crush's Coaster at Disney Studios Paris is a bit closer.

My point is that it won't just be the Barnstormer plopped inside a building. This will be an actual dark ride with coaster elements.

...if it's completely greenlit and not canceled...

Which means it is fairly close in style to Blazing Fury at Dollywood.

Works for me!

 

[tirian]

Yeah I'm hearing what Lee has said as well, no birthday cards or changing room (although that effect will still be used in Tokyo). I think the advantage of this from Disney's standpoint is that it would lend itself to more merchandise (again as Lee indicated) than the previous encounters would.

Actually, more extensive M&Gs would probably enhance merch sales, as kids would want to purchase whatever they just played with.

The problem was that there was absolutely no way to cycle enough children through those elaborate M&Gs without creating huge waits.

 

[cdunbar]

Actually, more extensive M&Gs would probably enhance merch sales, as kids would want to purchase whatever they just played with.

The problem was that there was absolutely no way to cycle enough children through those elaborate M&Gs without creating huge waits.

Ala Olianders at IOA....:lol:

 

[Studios Fan]

A couple thoughts, I like the Skyway idea for the M & Gs after they move out of SWSA. Second is it possible that the post show of the Dwarves ride will have a M & G with SW and one of the dwarves. If so, that would be one less princess they would need at the other M & G.

 

[Studios Fan]

Actually, more extensive M&Gs would probably enhance merch sales, as kids would want to purchase whatever they just played with.

The problem was that there was absolutely no way to cycle enough children through those elaborate M&Gs without creating huge waits.

Good points.

 

[hrcollectibles]

That is helpful. Just by way of comparison, this chart says The Incredibles has sold 15.6 million DVD's. That makes me think if you want to know what today's kids associate with Disney, you're better off looking at Pixar than Dumbo.

By the way, none of this means I think it's a bad idea to build a theme park area around Dumbo. I've never liked the idea of trying to get the "hottest property" into the parks at the expense of everything else. Some of Disney's best attractions have come from films that didn't necessarily do that well...or from ideas that were never films at all!

And that was in 2005.. Heck Napoleon Dynamite sold 4.5 million copies.. Also does it really matter if kids have seen Dumbo.. It is a popular attraction for both young and old.. I bet far less kids have seen song of the south and that ride is Very popular

 

[SeaCastle]

If I have one regret about the new plans, it's losing the Skyway station, waterfalls, and the vegetation that sprung up there since '71. It's one of the last holdouts of the original MK with its unique architecture, but I guess progress is progress (especially since the station is not utilized.)

 

[NoChesterHester]

If I have one regret about the new plans, it's losing the Skyway station, waterfalls, and the vegetation that sprung up there since '71. It's one of the last holdouts of the original MK with its unique architecture, but I guess progresss progress (especiallly sincce the station is not utilized.)

There is something nostalgic about it. I remember riding those buckets and waiting in line to get on them at that station. It will be great to see that space active again.

 

[DisneyNut2007]

Yeah...you won't be coloring with Aurora or watching Cinderella change.

Sorry, but I still think those are going to happen, no matter what, Mr. Selfish Meddling Overly-Negative Phony-Baloney Liar Who Is NOT An Insider At All!

 

[PurpleRose]

The concept leans closer to a combination dark ride/coaster, like Revenge of the Mummy—but NOT on that scale! Crush's Coaster at Disney Studios Paris is a bit closer.

My point is that it won't just be the Barnstormer plopped inside a building. This will be an actual dark ride with coaster elements.

...if it's completely greenlit and not canceled...

That's what my mind keeps going back to. And if it's a smaller scale version of Mummy I'll be first in line. I wonder how many show scenes they will do.

 

[JustInTime]

Ala Olianders at IOA....:lol:

Lol. You mean Ollivander's Wand Shop?