What's Next For DHS And AK??

[nytimez]

The purpose of adding it to a theme park is that there is enough obvious knowledge and/or "stereotypes" (if you so choose to call it that) to make it an interesting enough idea for people to make a trip to go see it. This is a theme park entertainment business - not a history center or museum. If the idea or concept alone is not going to bring people in AK who otherwise wouldn't - there is no reason to pursue the idea and dump millions of dollars into it.

I would contend that much of what they put in for Asia is not common or obvious to most Americans.

It's not about picking what's obvious, nor is it about turning it into a history center or a museum. It's about making compelling attractions that tell compelling stories.

I don't believe they'll be building Australia in AK. But if they wanted to, I believe they could come up with some excellent stories and attractions that are appropriately themed and tell great stories, regardless of what stereotypes they do or don't fit.

 

[Bairstow]

I KNOW a LOT of people do not like the ride dinosaur for various reasons whether it be too bumpy,dark,jerky,or even scary and loud. Getting rid of this ride would be one of the worst things Disney could do to the park. Disney does not have many scary thrill rides and this might be one of disneys most unique rides. The DARK spaces in the ride are used as a mysterious feeling of what is aorund you....to me thats scarier than seeing what actually is there. Many of us have forgotten the thrill aspect of it because we know when everything is going to happen but for first time riders....thats ride can make you so shakey by the tme you get off you can barely move! lol:lol:

I'm glad you see virtue in the dark sections of Countdown to Extinction, but I see them as reminders of budget cuts and time constraints. Depending on who you read, 40-60% of that ride was never actually installed in the show building.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I'm glad you see virtue in the dark sections of Countdown to Extinction, but I see them as reminders of budget cuts and time constraints. Depending on who you read, 40-60% of that ride was never actually installed in the show building.

Not only not installed, take a look at Martins excellent video "Dinosaur at DAK - Ultimate Tribute", it explains a lot more.

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=642

They didn't only downsize it from the beginning on, they later downwatered the entire ride again, taking out or not repairing a lot of special effects.
No wonder that what was planned to become an anchor attraction actually came out as a, well not exactly flop but it is NOT the huge crowd puller either. EE was the first change that finally brought some more attendance in the park.

 

[menamechris]

I don't believe they'll be building Australia in AK. But if they wanted to, I believe they could come up with some excellent stories and attractions that are appropriately themed and tell great stories, regardless of what stereotypes they do or don't fit.

What I have quoted is how you should have responded the first time. You would have gotten your point across perfectly without sounding like a troll in the making... :wave:

 

[njDizFan]

What I have quoted is how you should have responded the first time. You would have gotten your point across perfectly without sounding like a troll in the making... :wave:

Exactly, Disney Imagineers could make a land themed to the inside of an empty soup can if they wanted, they are pretty creative people.

For me I don't see the appeal of Australia. Sure it has tens of thousands of years of aboriginal history, but the modern culture and architecture is not extensive(even younger the American history). Besides it has the population of Florida but the size of the the continental US, most of which is barren and lifeless. Besides the noted exceptions(barrier reef etc.), the flora and fauna are relatively minimal.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

Exactly, Disney Imagineers could make a land themed to the inside of an empty soup can if they wanted, they are pretty creative people.

For me I don't see the appeal of Australia. Sure it has tens of thousands of years of aboriginal history, but the modern culture and architecture is not extensive(even younger the American history). Besides it has the population of Florida but the size of the the continental US, most of which is barren and lifeless. Besides the noted exceptions(barrier reef etc.), the flora and fauna are relatively minimal.

Thank you. And they also don't have a very interesting landscape. People seem to forget that Australia is 90% desert and semi-desert, the outback is looking perhaps quite interesting in a movie but my mother was there, she was only bored after hours and hours driving through a nearly unchanging landscape to get to Ayers Rock. There is a small rainforest in the north and there are some mountains ranges, but they are nothing even remotely impressive if you compare to the Rockies, the Alps, the Andes, the Himalaya etc.
And there are no ruins, no temples, no pyramids, no ancient relics besides some sacred rocks and some caves. All the elements that make Maharaja Trail interesting, that create background for Asia etc. There isn't even an Aborigine
architecture so the buildings in DAKs Australia would be normal modern style like the ones you have in the USA. Of all continents of the world, with the exception (perhaps) of Antarctica, there is no one less suitable for a DAK land than Australia.
South America is a completely different story.

 

[nytimez]

What I have quoted is how you should have responded the first time. You would have gotten your point across perfectly without sounding like a troll in the making... :wave:

Not trolling -- but PP is ignorant, and continues to make laughably ignorant posts. Did you happen see the latest? It went something like this: My mom went there and was bored so I know all about Australia now!

I stand by what I said.

This happens to be one of the most intelligent communities of WDW fans around, but posts like that are far beneath the level of dialogue I've (mostly) silently enjoyed these many years.

 

[rsoxguy]

Not trolling -- but PP is ignorant, and continues to make laughably ignorant posts. Did you happen see the latest? It went something like this: My mom went there and was bored so I know all about Australia now!

I stand by what I said.

This happens to be one of the most intelligent communities of WDW fans around, but posts like that are far beneath the level of dialogue I've (mostly) silently enjoyed these many years.

I type with a great deal of caution as I hope that you will not perceive my post as an affront against you in any way. It is becoming painfully evident that you have taken the conversation at hand well past the issue of Australia. Calling Spike ignorant over and again is unnecessary and goes against the rules of this Forum. You have turned this into a personal attack against a Forum member.

We should be able to disagree without such insensitivity and harsh terminology. Spike has an opinion regarding the merits of Australia as an attraction at WDW, even as you have an opinion regarding the same topic. I do not understand the nature of your animosity toward Spike, but I have noticed that, while others have written against the idea of an Australian attraction, none have called you ignorant for your pro-Australian view points. It’s called common civility, and it should be exercised within a simple conversation as we exchange dialogue with each other.

You continue to post in a style that labels you as arrogant and rude. I refuse to believe that this is who you are as an individual. Please try to understand this as being the issue, rather than Australia.

 

[_Scar]

^ This.

 

[Bairstow]

Not only not installed, take a look at Martins excellent video "Dinosaur at DAK - Ultimate Tribute", it explains a lot more.

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=642

They didn't only downsize it from the beginning on, they later downwatered the entire ride again, taking out or not repairing a lot of special effects.
No wonder that what was planned to become an anchor attraction actually came out as a, well not exactly flop but it is NOT the huge crowd puller either. EE was the first change that finally brought some more attendance in the park.

What a cool video!
Thanks for the link.
I wonder why the "laser net" effect was taken out, and why there was never any narration in the ride OR preshow to explain it? I rode CTX for the first time back in 1999 or 2000 and I don't remember seeing the net OR the asteroid at the end, but my memory could be fuzzy.

Oh, and Australia sounds like a great idea to me.

 

[imagineer boy]

Thank you. And they also don't have a very interesting landscape. People seem to forget that Australia is 90% desert and semi-desert, the outback is looking perhaps quite interesting in a movie but my mother was there, she was only bored after hours and hours driving through a nearly unchanging landscape to get to Ayers Rock. There is a small rainforest in the north and there are some mountains ranges, but they are nothing even remotely impressive if you compare to the Rockies, the Alps, the Andes, the Himalaya etc.
And there are no ruins, no temples, no pyramids, no ancient relics besides some sacred rocks and some caves. All the elements that make Maharaja Trail interesting, that create background for Asia etc. There isn't even an Aborigine
architecture so the buildings in DAKs Australia would be normal modern style like the ones you have in the USA. Of all continents of the world, with the exception (perhaps) of Antarctica, there is no one less suitable for a DAK land than Australia.
South America is a completely different story.

You don't have to have ancient ruins to make a land interesting. If they were to build Australia at AK you could make a rugged outback type of theme with shackled buildings with metal roofs. Kind of like a Rescuers Down Under look. Plus IMO I think they should move the Nemo ride from Epcot because it would be a lot more at home here than at the over-characterified Epcot.

I also think the AK Nemo show should be replaced, perhaps with a version of the Mystic Rythems show at TDS?

 

[RSoxNo1]

I hadn't watched Martin's video on CTX/Dinosaur - I never recalled the net on the Iguanadon or the Meteor at the very end. I was there on opening day and I'm not sure I remember this narration either. The ride was equipped with Fastpass at the time of the CTX portion of the video though so I assume it was '99?

 

[Bairstow]

I hadn't watched Martin's video on CTX/Dinosaur - I never recalled the net on the Iguanadon or the Meteor at the very end. I was there on opening day and I'm not sure I remember this narration either. The ride was equipped with Fastpass at the time of the CTX portion of the video though so I assume it was '99?

There aren't many changes to the narration, either, and I can't figure out why they were made because they're not even related to deleted effects.
One big difference I've noticed is that the Alioramus used to lift and bend its head realistically before swallowing its prey, but now it makes several rapid chewing motions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23l-aYPMK34

The final Carnotaurus head couldn't have been cheap, and its rare that they make changes to the rides to make the more expensive and less reliable, so was the initial falling meteor effect at the last big drop a placeholder?

You said you once saw the stand-in Carnotaurus head used here- was it a placeholder for the placeholder when the original meteor broke?

For such a large and complex ride, it seems like so little fan research has been devoted to Countdown to Extinction compared to other attractions.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

You don't have to have ancient ruins to make a land interesting. If they were to build Australia at AK you could make a rugged outback type of theme with shackled buildings with metal roofs. Kind of like a Rescuers Down Under look. Plus IMO I think they should move the Nemo ride from Epcot because it would be a lot more at home here than at the over-characterified Epcot.

I also think the AK Nemo show should be replaced, perhaps with a version of the Mystic Rythems show at TDS?

Considering the fact that Nemo plays in the seas around Australia that would be a good idea. Perhaps if Australia would be part of a larger Oceania-land it would work better, with New Zealand and the Isles of the South Seas, especially Polynesia, as a larger scope. There could be a deep sea attraction, that brings you in touch with the bizarre wildlife of the deeper ocean zones that Mr. Ray mentions.

But I still find South America the better addition.
There could be for example an elevated Rainforest Ride like it was planned for the pavilion of Venezuela at WS. I also love the idea of including the waterfalls of South America, especially Angel Fall in the background, into the land. And an Indiana Jones Ride with a South American setting would also be a possible addition.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sYXHRFeJNk/SDgXrlnj11I/AAAAAAAADK8/T_yKlMsjiIo/s1600-h/Venezuela.jpg

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I hadn't watched Martin's video on CTX/Dinosaur - I never recalled the net on the Iguanadon or the Meteor at the very end. I was there on opening day and I'm not sure I remember this narration either. The ride was equipped with Fastpass at the time of the CTX portion of the video though so I assume it was '99?

Was the final impact of the asteroid more thrilling and exciting done originally? I had read about it, that it would be a major special effect and it was very disppointing when I finally rode it in 2007.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

For such a large and complex ride, it seems like so little fan research has been devoted to Countdown to Extinction compared to other attractions.

That is quite a sign, that this E-ticket was troubled from the beginning on and never got the popularity it was built for.

 

[RSoxNo1]

There aren't many changes to the narration, either, and I can't figure out why they were made because they're not even related to deleted effects.
One big difference I've noticed is that the Alioramus used to lift and bend its head realistically before swallowing its prey, but now it makes several rapid chewing motions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23l-aYPMK34

The final Carnotaurus head couldn't have been cheap, and its rare that they make changes to the rides to make the more expensive and less reliable, so was the initial falling meteor effect at the last big drop a placeholder?

You said you once saw the stand-in Carnotaurus head used here- was it a placeholder for the placeholder when the original meteor broke?

For such a large and complex ride, it seems like so little fan research has been devoted to Countdown to Extinction compared to other attractions.

Good memory on the stand-in Carnotaurus head. I'm at work now so I can't link to the Youtube video I posted but it's hosted by wdwfanboys and it's called something like "Dinosaur Evacuation Video". In it I have a picture of a Carnotaurus head that isn't intended to be viewed by guests in it's current location. It's situated behind guests when the Carnotaurus where your photo is taken is on your right. If I'm not mistaken, it's used when the charging Carnotaurus isn't functioning.

 

[Bairstow]

Ah, ok.
So it's stored near the final drop but used somewhere else.
Am I to understand that when it opened there was both a "charging" Carnotaurus and a "Chasing" Carnotaurus but now only the "charging" one moves?

I also like the note in Martin's video about the original plan for there to be multiple lightning programs that could be run at different times.

After finally riding the Jurassic Park River Adventure this summer I have a newfound respect for CTX, or at least its potential. When it finally goes down for a major refurb in 2019 there's no telling how cool it could be.

 

[RSoxNo1]

You can find the carnotaurus head in this video starting at the 48 second mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1b5bdtnmM

 

[Bill Pecos]

I KNOW a LOT of people do not like the ride dinosaur for various reasons whether it be too bumpy,dark,jerky,or even scary and loud. Getting rid of this ride would be one of the worst things Disney could do to the park. Disney does not have many scary thrill rides and this might be one of disneys most unique rides. The DARK spaces in the ride are used as a mysterious feeling of what is aorund you....to me thats scarier than seeing what actually is there. Many of us have forgotten the thrill aspect of it because we know when everything is going to happen but for first time riders....thats ride can make you so shakey by the tme you get off you can barely move! lol:lol:

This ride scared the hell out of me the first time I rode it 10 years ago, I just took my kids this past February and it scared them as well - but all they wanted to do is hope back on! It is a unique experience.