Why are carnival rides disliked?

[Californian Elitist]

Raven you make a great point but I think most of us think of the dark rides as classic Disney attractions plus they have the element of Disney characters. When I see Dinoland USA at AK it has nothing to do with Disney at all and it just looks cheesy. The worst thing to me Raven is the fact that they charge you to play those games once you get in. I also think we have come to expect a lot more from Disney than what was put in that area ok AK. At any rate I really enjoy reading all of your posts as you always add interesting bits of information.

Dark rides have been present at carnivals and seaside amusement parks for years and years, even before Disneyland opened. For those who visit no other place but Disney, I can infests and why some may think Disney started the tradition of dark rides.

I can understand people being frustrated with how the rides are themed and whatnot, but it's impossible to deny the fact that carnival-type rides are present in Disney parks. That was always my point.

 

[ZodIsGr8]

Dark rides have been present at carnivals and seaside amusement parks for years and years, even before Disneyland opened. For those who visit no other place but Disney, I can infests and why some may think Disney started the tradition of dark rides.

I can understand people being frustrated with how the rides are themed and whatnot, but it's impossible to deny the fact that carnival-type rides are present in Disney parks. That was always my point.

Your are exactly right and I did not mean to imply that Disney invented the dark ride. I am just willing to give them a pass because of the Classic Disney storytelling that takes place. Thanks again!

 

[Goofyernmost]

There's nothing wrong with them if they are used sparingly. Adding the Magic Carpets of Aladdin to the MK when it already had Dumbo and Astro Orbiter was pointless. And of course, DinoRama in DAK is just tacky.

When used correctly, they're great, like in Paradise Pier at DCA.

Well, Tom... it was supposed to be tacky. That was part of the theme of the land. I roadside attraction meant to just take advantage of the unexpected rush of people to the area due to finding Dinosaur bones. It is the story that so many missed and in the process tend to take the area out of context and cannot appreciate the story.

 

[Cesar R M]

You can roll your gif eyes if you want, but you really did miss my point. Some people were making it seem like carnival rides don't exist at Disney parks, which they do. That was my point, and you missed it.

Except you're actually missing their point as well?

You're implying a lot of things.. your direct quote:

Some of you are ridiculous. "I don't go to Disney to ride carnival rides." "I didn't spend a hundred dollars to ride carnival rides." Yes, you do. Yes, you did. Disneyland opened with carnival rides, like Dumbo, the dark rides, Mad Tea Party and the Carousel. All of these types of attractions are currently in Disney parks.

There you are implying:

a) That people who said they dont go to disney to ride carnivals "are wrong.." just because Disney as SOME CARNIVAL RIDES. this is a fallacy.
b) You seem to imply that: Just because Disney opened with SOME CARNIVAL RIDES.. suddenly Disney = Carnivals ??
c) you're dismissing the scope of Disney, their themes and then making a very skewed and flawed comparison just based on RIDES alone.

To resume: You seem explicitly telling people that their opinion "I dont go to disney for carnival rides" is empty , void and wrong. Just because Disney has "carnival rides".


And I'm telling you that Disney as of today (and for decades) was/is MORE THAN JUST CARNIVAL RIDES.


Not to mention in your other posts (that you answered.. you accept that Disney as Carnival Rides, but it doesn't means Disney is 100% Carnival rides)
Example:

but it's impossible to deny the fact that carnival-type rides are present in Disney parks.

I dont think anyone is denying that. The problem that you really trying to set on stone that "People go to Disney for Carnival Rides".
So people Cant go to Disney for other things? Dinning? Characters? The shows? The musicals? the coasters?

Also, the scope of most of the people saying about not going to Disney for Carnival Rides.. do not seem exclusively for(as in time) when Disney opened the original Disneyland. (which seems you want to use that point to give your reply as a base regarding carnival rides or not).

 

[Cesar R M]

I'm sorry, but, the original Disneyland had massive numbers of carnival rides. The Carousel, Dumbo, Mr. Toad and even the Wild West rides could be found at roadside parks all over the country. Yes, they were themed to a degree (not Carousel), Dumbo was an Elephant with big ears instead of a make-believe airplane and Mr. Toad was and still is a fun house ride. It was the creation of the Omni-mover that changed all that. What is Splash Mountain but a carnival log ride with scenery? What about the rockets in Tomorrowland?

My point is most of the rides in Disney are basically carnival rides. Ironically, the ones that aren't are the ones that people keep asking to be removed. Tiki, CoP, Country Bears to name a few. Dinoland, is as themed as any of the other rides, it's just that as a group we don't relate to them much. In fact, an argument can be made that it is more themed then most. Has a backstory and everything. One of the most maligned attractions was "Sounds Dangerous" which was one of the best, most graphic demonstrations of how sound effects play an important role in movies and entertainment. Yet, everyone got caught up in the idea that all they could do was hear it. The concept went directly over their heads, to bad, it had a lot to offer if anyone would have had the ability to understand the purpose. I honest to god understand why Disney has lost the desire to create something different. Why waste it on the clientele of today as they plead to not have to exercise their imagination.

But how do you difference "Carnival" Rides vs Attractions?
Its the scope? the fixed system? the portable system? the length? or just the style?
because almost all the "rides" or attractions have something similar to the basic carnival rides.

Imho, the big difference of a carnival ride vs a real attraction is the scope.
a carnival ride is usually very simplistic (Ie like dumbo) or with a very short duration (those less than 2 minute "haunted houses" rides that fit inside a truck for example).
Vs the heavily themed and stationary systems that theme parks use.

Carnivals are just set up ...to say; a "bunch of rides and fun systems with no cohesive theme and just set there" for "when someone feels like it".

Because.. if we use the very loose definition of "Carnival Ride", then all theme parks are either "carnival rides" or "coasters". (barring of course the food stands/snacks)

 

[Californian Elitist]

Except you're actually missing their point as well?

You're implying a lot of things.. your direct quote:



There you are implying:

a) That people who said they dont go to disney to ride carnivals "are wrong.." just because Disney as SOME CARNIVAL RIDES. this is a fallacy.
b) You seem to imply that: Just because Disney opened with SOME CARNIVAL RIDES.. suddenly Disney = Carnivals ??
c) you're dismissing the scope of Disney, their themes and then making a very skewed and flawed comparison just based on RIDES alone.

To resume: You seem explicitly telling people that their opinion "I dont go to disney for carnival rides" is empty , void and wrong. Just because Disney has "carnival rides".


And I'm telling you that Disney as of today (and for decades) was/is MORE THAN JUST CARNIVAL RIDES.


Not to mention in your other posts (that you answered.. you accept that Disney as Carnival Rides, but it doesn't means Disney is 100% Carnival rides)
Example:
I dont think anyone is denying that. The problem that you really trying to set on stone that "People go to Disney for Carnival Rides".
So people Cant go to Disney for other things? Dinning? Characters? The shows? The musicals? the coasters?

Also, the scope of most of the people saying about not going to Disney for Carnival Rides.. do not seem exclusively for(as in time) when Disney opened the original Disneyland. (which seems you want to use that point to give your reply as a base regarding carnival rides or not).

I don't care if Disney had only one carnival themed ride. Some people complain about carnival rides in general and say Disney is above that. These are the people I'm talking about. Why you keep bringing up things outside of this, I have no clue, but it has NOTHING to do with what I'm talking about, once again.

I'm sure you're going to miss my mark, again, so let's just agree to disagree and end it here.

 

[FettFan]

The other reason we dislike the carnival rides....

Is because we saw the original Excavator concept art.

 

[Pocahontas]

Disney isn't a carnival, we should expect better rides; actual rides.
If I wanted to ride a junky old spinning ride, I would happily drive 2 miles to the local fair.
But that's not what I want at Disney, I want well-themed and maintained quality rides.

 

[GenerationX]

I don't mind that themed carnival rides exist at Disney. I just don't care to ride them, as they are generally kinda dull.

 

[doctornick]

When used correctly, they're great, like in Paradise Pier at DCA.

I would argue that the one row of rides at PP (the swings/jellyfish/etc area) are actually pretty lame. The roller coaster and fun wheel are fine as are the new additions of Toy Story and Mermaid, but I don't think PP in its original form was really much better than Dinorama.

I actually like A Bug's Land though. Smaller scale attractions, but I like the theming better and it works IMHO because of the simplicity and small size we associate with insects. They just feel more "Disney" to me, though being tied to a Pixar IP clearly helps.

 

[Cesar R M]

I don't care if Disney had only one carnival themed ride. Some people complain about carnival rides in general and say Disney is above that. These are the people I'm talking about. Why you keep bringing up things outside of this, I have no clue, but it has NOTHING to do with what I'm talking about, once again.

I'm sure you're going to miss my mark, again, so let's just agree to disagree and end it here.

actually, you finally explained it in clear way and I understood it.

not need to bait with "you're going to miss my mark again".

I don't mind that themed carnival rides exist at Disney. I just don't care to ride them, as they are generally kinda dull.

agree!

 

[disney4life2008]

Everytime I go to AK in Dinoland USA I feel so bad for the works at the carnival themes attractions. They literally beg people to do it.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Well, Tom... it was supposed to be tacky. That was part of the theme of the land. I roadside attraction meant to just take advantage of the unexpected rush of people to the area due to finding Dinosaur bones. It is the story that so many missed and in the process tend to take the area out of context and cannot appreciate the story.

"it's supposed to be tacky" is an excuse to make an off the shelf traveling carnival roller coaster fit in DAK. They told WDI what rides they would be installing and said "make this fit somehow!" That's all it is. Don't buy into the elaborate backstory that was created to attempt to justify it.

Besides, the backstory is lost on the majority of guests because it isn't all that obvious, instead its just confusing as to why it's there. People question it. Nobody questions the flat rides as to why they are on Paradise Pier.

I would argue that the one row of rides at PP (the swings/jellyfish/etc area) are actually pretty lame. The roller coaster and fun wheel are fine as are the new additions of Toy Story and Mermaid, but I don't think PP in its original form was really much better than Dinorama.

I never saw DCA in it's original form, but in the new form, I think the flat rides fit wonderfully in Paradise Pier. Especially Golden Zephyr. It makes sense for these rides to be on an old timey boardwalk.

 

[Goofyernmost]

"it's supposed to be tacky" is an excuse to make an off the shelf traveling carnival roller coaster fit in DAK. They told WDI what rides they would be installing and said "make this fit somehow!" That's all it is. Don't buy into the elaborate backstory that was created to attempt to justify it.

Besides, the backstory is lost on the majority of guests because it isn't all that obvious, instead its just confusing as to why it's there. People question it. Nobody questions the flat rides as to why they are on Paradise Pier.I never saw DCA in it's original form, but in the new form, I think the flat rides fit wonderfully in Paradise Pier. Especially Golden Zephyr. It makes sense for these rides to be on an old timey boardwalk.

Everyone has a different opinion, but since it was intended to be exactly what it appears to be is why I see no problem with it. It has theme, it has story and it has continuity. It's not an excuse, it's a reason! To not like it is one thing, but, to think of it as a mistake is just not true.

Disclaimer here... I have never spent one second in that part of Dinoland. It doesn't appeal to me, but, I do understand that it is what it is supposed to be. I find no need to excuse it. It's there and we can chose to like it or hate it because of what our tastes lean towards.

Since everyone is so insistent on people researching their trip... then the fact that they do not understand the purpose and meaning, is somewhat in their court.

 

[Nitrokoff]

OK... I for one like Dinoland USA. I "get" the theme. My kid loves it. Let's remove all the carnival-style rides from Dinoland... you can fit, what?, one attraction in there. So let's remove a few rides to make room for 1. Alladin's Flying Carpets, let's remove that and...well... do what? Let's drop some benches in there because nothing else will fit in there. While we're at it let's knock down the Astro-Orbiter and not put anything there either. Let's take out Space Mountain, because let's be honest, it's nothing but a carnival coaster set in the dark. Pooh can be taken out, I can ride a dark ride at my local fair. Bye bye Dumbo, Peter Pan and the Carousel . So we're left with the big rides. And whole lot of empty space. This is way complaining about carnival style rides is ridiculous. If everything was an E-Ticket than we'd all be standing in line for the majority of the day riding the same 6 rides over and over. That's sounds so magical I can't even contain myself.

 

[BostonJP]

Carnival rides or not, Disney employees are generally much more pleasant to deal with than carnival employees. If I could interact with the staff here and not wait in long lines, Dinoland USA sounds like a really nice break from the crowds.

 

[Bairstow]

I have two major issues with "carnival" rides.

1. They tend to be harder to integrate into the theming of the surrounding area because they're so obviously... what they are. The Tea Cups are a rare example of this being done correctly.

2. Their low price has made them an attractive crutch to Disney's leadership in the last two decades, installing them to boost ride count without spending any real money on design or hardware.

Alladin's Flying Carpets, let's remove that and...well... do what? Let's drop some benches in there because nothing else will fit in there.

...or just have the walkways be the correct width and not interrupt the polynesian/tropical theming that's supposed to continue from the Crystal Palace all the way to the Jungle Cruise.

I fully endorse removing the carpets and the Agrabah micro-land.

 

[flynnibus]

Some of you are ridiculous. "I don't go to Disney to ride carnival rides." "I didn't spend a hundred dollars to ride carnival rides." Yes, you do. Yes, you did. Disneyland opened with carnival rides, like Dumbo, the dark rides, Mad Tea Party and the Carousel. All of these types of attractions are currently in Disney parks.

If we were visiting in 1955... yes. But we are visiting the Disney of this generation, not looking backwards.

Just because they exist doesn't mean that's what drew you to the park.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm sorry, but, the original Disneyland had massive numbers of carnival rides. The Carousel, Dumbo, Mr. Toad and even the Wild West rides could be found at roadside parks all over the country.

And EPCOT was built without a single one... as was MGM Studios. Yet still Disney parks.

And should Disney never look beyond what it originally did in DL?

 

[Weather_Lady]

Carnival rides are meant to be set up temporarily. When I think "carnival ride" I think cheap, flimsy, and tacky. Not what I want on a vacation...

And no, Dumbo and the like are not carnival rides -- they are beautifully and permanently installed and elaborately themed "kiddie" rides, but nothing like you'd ever find at a carnival.

Chester and Hester's on the other hand, has all the cheapness, flimsiness and tackiness of a carnival, and deliberately so, but I think Chester and Hester's was a huge mistake by Disney...