The parks works best as immersion. It’s not that I don’t mind details, but when the attraction is over, I’m done with it. And they really can’t sufficiently explain anything for attractions that are usually 5 minutes long. Galaxy’s Edge was botched as a frozen in time Sequel Trilogy land. And Bright Suns isn’t my Star Wars.
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You’ll need a secret identity and super powers to get a job in Disney’s new Marvel land - OCR/SCNG
- Thread starter Darkbeer1
- Start date
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
So glad this sort of annoying behavior was not required of me as a Fantasyland CM when I worked at the park years ago.
ProjectXBlog
Well-Known Member
imagine how delightful new orleans square would be if everyone talked like justin wilson and had backstories about gettin’ bit by a gator or whatever
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
Bear in mind I'm saying this a) as someone who is a much bigger Marvel fan than Star Wars fan (though I consider myself to be both) and b) someone who has spent a LOT of time around the Marvel areas of Hollywood Land for the past few years and before that in "Super Hero HQ" in Tomorrowland and c) someone who can't speak to the particulars of this small team and its training:
Marvel CM's are already the most immersive and engaged in the entire resort. And have been for years.
No, you don't get "Bright Suns" or "Til the Spire" (which personally make me physically cringe and get awkward and uncomfortable "umm, yeah, you too!").
But what you do get from any of the regular CM's who work the character lines are absolutely fantastically fun conversations (and trivia contests and 'who's your favorite Avenger... ?' and 'who else have you met today?', 'show me your favorite hero pose!', etc. which kids and adults who are fans both get into) and clearly love the Marvel universe as much as the diehard fans do. Cap isn't 'taking a break' at his meet - he's 'checking the perimeter for bad guys' or 'Nick Fury called him away on a mission'. When talking about the new campus I had a super endearing conversation the other day with a CM about wishing Mr. Stark would hurry up with his construction, and maybe Pepper could encourage him as she's a stickler for deadlines, and looking forward to what Hank Pym is cooking up in his kitchen and wondering if Doctor Strange would have some new spells and on and on. I really do 'live my adventure' already there - with both characters and CM's and it doesn't feel awkward or forced, it feels charming and engaging and fun! The CM's who work the character lines are 'agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and proudly work for Nick Fury - though he's apparently a demanding boss. lol
When I'm over by M:B, the CM's report to The Collector - who's an even worse boss apparently, but they're happy when they get some freedom to go outside and see what's happening and are excited, amused or 'annoyed' when Star-Lord, Gamora or Groot show up to dance and play.
Hollywood Land is already genuinely immersive thanks to all of the cast members without requiring knowing catchphrases that have nothing to do with the movies. Instead it's a place where people who love Marvel and its characters share that love and play it out. Cast and characters alike LOVE quoting the films and extrapolating from them. I will never forget the day Captain America was passing by Loki and called him "Reindeer Games" or the time Star-Lord tried out his Thor-voice on Thor (who was not impressed - and neither was Gamora).
#thisiswherethenerdslive
Which is why I personally am a million times more excited for the "circuit city / college campus / kiddie ride" that everyone else is complaining about than I was or am to visit Galaxy's Edge (which I generally avoid going to). This is already my playground - and now it will be bigger. So yay.
Marvel CM's are already the most immersive and engaged in the entire resort. And have been for years.
No, you don't get "Bright Suns" or "Til the Spire" (which personally make me physically cringe and get awkward and uncomfortable "umm, yeah, you too!").
But what you do get from any of the regular CM's who work the character lines are absolutely fantastically fun conversations (and trivia contests and 'who's your favorite Avenger... ?' and 'who else have you met today?', 'show me your favorite hero pose!', etc. which kids and adults who are fans both get into) and clearly love the Marvel universe as much as the diehard fans do. Cap isn't 'taking a break' at his meet - he's 'checking the perimeter for bad guys' or 'Nick Fury called him away on a mission'. When talking about the new campus I had a super endearing conversation the other day with a CM about wishing Mr. Stark would hurry up with his construction, and maybe Pepper could encourage him as she's a stickler for deadlines, and looking forward to what Hank Pym is cooking up in his kitchen and wondering if Doctor Strange would have some new spells and on and on. I really do 'live my adventure' already there - with both characters and CM's and it doesn't feel awkward or forced, it feels charming and engaging and fun! The CM's who work the character lines are 'agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and proudly work for Nick Fury - though he's apparently a demanding boss. lol
When I'm over by M:B, the CM's report to The Collector - who's an even worse boss apparently, but they're happy when they get some freedom to go outside and see what's happening and are excited, amused or 'annoyed' when Star-Lord, Gamora or Groot show up to dance and play.
Hollywood Land is already genuinely immersive thanks to all of the cast members without requiring knowing catchphrases that have nothing to do with the movies. Instead it's a place where people who love Marvel and its characters share that love and play it out. Cast and characters alike LOVE quoting the films and extrapolating from them. I will never forget the day Captain America was passing by Loki and called him "Reindeer Games" or the time Star-Lord tried out his Thor-voice on Thor (who was not impressed - and neither was Gamora).
#thisiswherethenerdsliveWhich is why I personally am a million times more excited for the "circuit city / college campus / kiddie ride" that everyone else is complaining about than I was or am to visit Galaxy's Edge (which I generally avoid going to). This is already my playground - and now it will be bigger. So yay.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I wouldn’t call that “delightful,” but more so annoying and doing too much.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
If this is Disney’s new mission, I’m all for it. Get the CM’s more engaged and invested in the story. Make them part of the story. To me this would be an innovative way of staffing a theme park over competitors.
truecoat
Well-Known Member
Although you came up with a great superhero name, your new superhero name is Trashman. You circle Avengers Campus always on the lookout for your arch enemy, Overflow.
You also have a chance at Barcode Man. Helping the public insert their tickets the right way for truth, justice and fast passes for all!
You also have a chance at Barcode Man. Helping the public insert their tickets the right way for truth, justice and fast passes for all!
SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
I loved the commentary and optimistic approach to Avengers Campus. I agree that it's going to be way better than many on here are expecting, it seems to be far more 'under control' than the dumpster fire that's Galaxy's Edge.
But you lost me with that line.
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
Depends on what you choose to see, I suppose.
Sure, it's just a bunch of set pieces and facades if you want to experience it that way. Isn't that what all cinematic stories start with? (And I will understand the desire to tear the whole area down and making something better once the campus opens.) But just like movies, if you add a little imagination and make-believe, it can be more. And for me, it's a place I've had some of my best memories in the entire resort. Because the cast made that area magic for me.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
I agree with you. But today's press release about Marvel Land CM's is the exact same corporate pablum they spit up about Star Wars Land a year ago. And look how that turned out.
If they can't make this whole Cast Members Have An Immersive Themed Backstory thing work for Star Wars, why should we trust them they'll suddenly make it work for Marvel?
That's hysterical! I love it!
Although I doubt that's what they had in mind. But it would be more immersive than Ky'le From Tustin ever has been.
WickedWrench
Member
I don't care if the cast members stay in character or not, as long as I get to meet Batman in person
SSG
Well-Known Member
I heard that Ky'le is transferring from GE to the Avengers Campus, where he will be known as the Tustin Tornado.
Mickeyboof
Well-Known Member
All while keeping their pay as low as possible!
What an innovative way to staff- more work, more entanglement, less pay!
Geez, no wonder people flock to Universal after Disney burns them out.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
FerretAfros
Well-Known Member
I'm hardly a connoisseur of the Marvel universe(s?), but doesn't the notion that every character has an intriguing backstory sort of go against the basic tenants of that world?
In a big city with millions of residents, there might be two or three super heroes/villains among the bunch. There are a small handful of stand-out characters, but otherwise it's set more-or-less in the real world filled with ordinary people and buildings. This is why Marvel has struggled to create a compelling theme park area, since the built environment relies more on distinct atmosphere than individual characters or linear storytelling.
The overly-involved CM backstories kind of made sense at Batuu, which is supposed to be an intergalactic crossroads filled with all walks of life. But even at a super hero community college, the overwhelming majority of people would just be ordinary people. The cashiers, custodians, and even most instructors would simply be normal people going about their mundane everyday work.
Claiming that every person in the land is a headliner takes the spotlight away from the heroes we've come to see. Why wait an hour for the Spider-Man ride, when Kyle from Tustin selling churros can also beat the bad guys? The whole point of the Marvel universe is that the title characters are unique for their extraordinary abilities, not that every inhabitant has those powers.
In a big city with millions of residents, there might be two or three super heroes/villains among the bunch. There are a small handful of stand-out characters, but otherwise it's set more-or-less in the real world filled with ordinary people and buildings. This is why Marvel has struggled to create a compelling theme park area, since the built environment relies more on distinct atmosphere than individual characters or linear storytelling.
The overly-involved CM backstories kind of made sense at Batuu, which is supposed to be an intergalactic crossroads filled with all walks of life. But even at a super hero community college, the overwhelming majority of people would just be ordinary people. The cashiers, custodians, and even most instructors would simply be normal people going about their mundane everyday work.
Claiming that every person in the land is a headliner takes the spotlight away from the heroes we've come to see. Why wait an hour for the Spider-Man ride, when Kyle from Tustin selling churros can also beat the bad guys? The whole point of the Marvel universe is that the title characters are unique for their extraordinary abilities, not that every inhabitant has those powers.
Anjin
Well-Known Member
No?
Disneyland/DCA
Active Member
I'm more concerned with the lack of Condorman and Darkwing Duck.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Bingo!
That point had been bugging me as well, put I couldn't put my finger on it like you just did.
If Kyle from Tustin working the churro cart is actually the Tustin Tornado (with many thanks to @SSG for keeping tabs on Kyle's career) and his dorky manager checking his stock is actually Captain Dockers, then the whole premise for the land seems to fall apart. Everyone isn't special, everyone isn't a hero, everyone doesn't have superpowers.
I can't imagine this concept was fleshed out beyond the lower executive levels in Anaheim. I can't imagine the Marvel folks bought off on this creatively, because as you say it goes against the basic tenets of the Marvel world.
But what I can imagine is that this Everyone Is Super! concept was fleshed out by TDA's apparently clueless training department and their communications teams. The same people who put these silly videos together that claim that "Every Role Is A Starring Role!" at Disneyland, because they are trying to hire youngsters who were constantly told they were very special, very talented, and that their entire generation was above average.
There's a hundred of these videos, covering nearly every mundane and average job at Disneyland.
So if every Cast Member is a STAR!, and no one has an average job or merely a supporting role, then certainly everyone is a Superhero and is very, very special. Which makes all of that meaningless and pointless.