tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post4327943724548164276..comments2024-02-08T07:33:49.907-08:00Comments on Re-Imagineering: One from the heart...Mr Bankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-76224462560527324382010-01-20T09:58:05.578-08:002010-01-20T09:58:05.578-08:00I thought the added characters in Small World were...I thought the added characters in Small World were okay. But those characters should have been singing along with everybody else; it is jarring to suddenly hear another musical theme coming out of an isolated scene. THAT, in my opinion, is what makes them stand out for the wrong reasons. I think it's fine to have the specific characters in the show, but they need to be participants in Small World, not overlays on top of it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09792672739497037755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-34204214412159963882009-09-01T01:28:59.764-07:002009-09-01T01:28:59.764-07:00How long will it take before they say, "You w...How long will it take before they say, "You will like the Spiderman, Iron Man and the Hulk addition to IASW in the supeheroes of the world section."<br /><br />"It will fit in 'seemlessly'. You will never know that they were not part of the original ride."<br /><br />"Oh and don't forget the X-Men vs Barbosa battle in the POTC ride."<br /><br />"It's a natural because the X-men will be in the next Pirates movie fighting alongside Jack Sparrow."<br /><br />Don't laugh. You know that Disney is just crazy enough to do it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-57490355657799779192009-07-20T14:05:28.244-07:002009-07-20T14:05:28.244-07:00I was at the park recently and in the shops they n...I was at the park recently and in the shops they now feature new Disney character themed IASM merchandise. <br /><br />What a shock!! Could this have been the idea all along?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-33248812903902337342009-06-15T23:19:52.680-07:002009-06-15T23:19:52.680-07:00It wasn't exactly terrible, it wasn't exac...It wasn't exactly terrible, it wasn't exactly great. The children in our boat (not with us) liked the additions, so I have to factor that into the equation. The America sequence reminded me of the Muppets, with the "finale about all nations of the world, but mostly America" joke. I would have liked something about my USA, but this wasn't blended into the attraction IMHO. I went to Tomorrowland and looked at where the Mary Blair wonderful artwork is hidden and gave a sigh. To me THAT is where the true rape of IASW happened.Adamnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304238105272143131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-10638811086196206912009-05-02T20:42:00.000-07:002009-05-02T20:42:00.000-07:00When is somebody going to quit complaining about a...When is somebody going to quit complaining about all this vandalism and do something about it? I mean, there are historic preservation laws on the books in all 50 states! When tasteless millionaires and bulldozing developers buy up old movie palaces, art deco hotels, arts-and-crafts bungalows, etc., in any other part of California (and Florida, too!) they get TAKEN TO COURT AND MADE TO STOP, private property or no private property. I mean, my God, if the current Disney management decided to cut footage of Johnny Depp into MARY POPPINS don't you think Woody Allen and Martin Scorcese and the rest of the film preservation set would cry bloody murder? Well, it ought to be the same with Disneyland. That park contains one-of-a-kind, personally-supervised works of art by an historic figure (dead nearly 50 years now) who was every bit as important to our cultural heritage as Walt Whitman or Frank Lloyd Wright. In other words, we goofed when we accepted the "Disneyland isn't a Museum" argument to begin with. II IS A MUSEUM...whether the current mgmt thinks so or not, whether Walt himself thought so or not! So let's just get in touch with the So Cal historic preservation people (with their long experience at such things...and their numerous and wickedly tenacious pro-bono lawyers) and have 'em go after these clueless philistine bastards. We don't have to take this anymore, guys! Repeat after me: I am not a watery-eyed nostalgic kid, I am a HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST. And Disneyland IS a museum...or will be after we take it away from them!wonderbossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-29386899908939020682009-04-24T22:46:00.000-07:002009-04-24T22:46:00.000-07:00Disneyland? That place still around?Disneyland? That place still around?Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244298044953214810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-19377174441768919782009-04-21T15:25:00.000-07:002009-04-21T15:25:00.000-07:00As of recent, I was able to attend Disneyland and ...As of recent, I was able to attend Disneyland and ride IASW in the early morning without anyone else aboard the boat. I have to concur with most that has been said, and I know its like beating a dead horse around here, but here is what I observed.<br /><br />I saw Ariel, Pinnochio, the Three Caballeros, Nemo/Dory, Woody and Jessie, all look to be in the likeness of themselves, and <B>NOT</B> in the style of Mary Blair.<br /> The above mentioned also stood out like sore thumbs within the attraction with blazen spotlights, and or "Main Street" type lighting all around them like Pinnochio and Three Caballeros. <br /><br />The Rain Forest was in fact, just a little bigger than the size of a Smart Car with only the Alligator holding his umbrella over 11 strands of rain. It was literally the single biggest dissapointment to me, because that area seemed so magical as a child with all of the birds, multi colored lights and glitter, it just doesn't compare. <br /><br />Finally, the western scene seems so one dimensional compared to all of the other areas having depth, and the characters seem really out of tune with the Mary Blair styled finale. Woody looked like Pixar Woody and not a <I>"in the style of Mary Blair".</I>Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter lied to the public, period. <br /><br />Sure, children of today will not no any different, and neither will all of the first generation families who attend the Park. They don't know any better, nor do they have any concept of what American Culture REALLY is. Disneyland is American Pop Culture. And as for myself, I DO know better, and better was a past time ago. Will I still go to the Park? Of course, simply because it still has <I>some</I> magic left to it like ETR, HM, Mark Twain, Space Mountain, etc,etc. Until Gilbert Gottfried starts hosting Tiki Room, or they add a Jim Evers character to Haunted Mansion, I'll continue to go. If those changes happen, I'm out for good!<br /><br />Now Mr. Banks, there are alot of rumors floating around Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln...Are there any truths or facts of what imagineers really plan to do with the Show?1987 Disneylandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-14994675123369009072009-04-05T10:14:00.000-07:002009-04-05T10:14:00.000-07:00Anonymous said "Have you noticed that less and les...Anonymous said <I>"Have you noticed that less and less people are leaving comments as they recognize the points of view by Mr. Banks and others as narrow?<BR/>I think more and more some of the posts here are becoming passe. Everything is negative and nothing is positive. It's like any change done is bad, even though Disneyland should change.<BR/>It's okay to disagree, but the arguments used are becoming very shrill."</I><BR/><BR/>Have you noticed that if the attraction (or discussion of) has remained true, there would be no need for discussion. The negative debates are over things that probably shouldn't have been adjusted, redone, plussed in the first place...etc,etc...<BR/><BR/>I for one, think that the shotcallers at the themeparks have way bigger battles to pick, and by plussing/adding additional characters to already popular rides, defeats the intended storyline, without doubt.<BR/><BR/>Instead of hackjobbing rides/attractions that are already established and popular, why not work on ones that are not-so-hot.<BR/><BR/>Disneyland:<BR/>Peoplemover<BR/>Innoventions<BR/>DCA(which hopefully will offer more to do, this time around)<BR/>Big Thunder Ranch(wasted space)<BR/>Boat Ride in Fantasyland<BR/>Fort Wilderness<BR/><BR/>Disneyworld:<BR/>*not sure on current situations, but I know from reading this blog, and other disney messageboards, there are some definate problem areas/attractions yet to be resolved, including the latest blog about TTA.<BR/><BR/>The negativity is what keeps this blog alive, and not only allows people to share and debate opinions, but also helps to fuel better ideas. Whether or not Disney would listen to any posted material here is a crapshoot, but you never know who is behind the posts! There is always hope if people take the time to come here, read and post their feelings about the topics.<BR/>All of the contributors like Mr. Banks, as well as the comment makers like Spokker and the rest, are valuable to the subjects, even if I may not totally agree(Which, I usually do anyhow..)<BR/><BR/>I know I'll be back to lurk, and to post, should a subject catch my eye.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-67571449369073519862009-04-03T22:19:00.000-07:002009-04-03T22:19:00.000-07:00Relax anon, it's only an online discussion!Relax anon, it's only an online discussion!Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244298044953214810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-82656959012721817062009-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:002009-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:00Relax everyone, it's only a ride, for God's sake!Relax everyone, it's only a ride, for God's sake!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-18870467433084351932009-03-31T18:58:00.000-07:002009-03-31T18:58:00.000-07:00I only got to ride IASW once, when I was twelve. O...I only got to ride IASW once, when I was twelve. Of course, at that age, I thought it was equal parts creepy and overwhelming.<BR/><BR/>Recently, I watched a video of the pre-revamp ride, and I literally wept with the beauty and profundity of it.<BR/><BR/>Then, I watched a video of the new ride, and it was a huge WTF moment.<BR/><BR/>I guess my point it, one doesn't have to be a dyed-in-the-wool nostalgic fanboy curmudgeon to think that a lovely thing has been cheapened.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06169920944565828337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-24378553692331542662009-03-26T22:51:00.000-07:002009-03-26T22:51:00.000-07:00"It's okay to disagree, but the arguments used are..."It's okay to disagree, but the arguments used are becoming very shrill."<BR/><BR/>You've never posted on A.D.D. have you?<BR/><BR/>The arguments on this blog are like old ladies talking about spinning yarn or whatever old ladies talk about compared to the old Usenet days.Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244298044953214810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-50787950455490696822009-03-26T20:12:00.000-07:002009-03-26T20:12:00.000-07:00Consumer goods is quite separated from other aspec...Consumer goods is quite separated from other aspects of the company. They will certainly jump on EVERY possible chance to sell crap to tourists but they really do not dictate what goes into the attractions.<BR/><BR/>I think not unlike governments people over estimate how connected the various arms of the Disney organization are.<BR/><BR/>I am not passing judgement one way or the other here, I have given my thoughts on IASW on other threads... but to suggest that consumer good somehow dictated changes made to IASW is simply not correct.<BR/><BR/>In reality I believe that this is some poor judgement from executives outside of WDI who saw what was going on in HK and thought it would be a good idea to add it here. It gives them a chance to get more merchandise out there, it gives them a chance to add new publicity (which to the general public has been overwhelmingly positive) about the ride and maybe, just maybe they actually thought it would improve the ride. WDI is simply a design firm in essence being hired to complete a task... even a task they may not fully agree with, and so they do it to the best of their abilities given the budget and the directive.Teevteehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009538411830575506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-82135551108088711852009-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:002009-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00Anonymous, read the article again and then look at...Anonymous, read the article again and then look at the pins all along the side of the page. Not even the proponents of the new additions to the attraction pretend this is anything more then a marketing gimmick and brand placement.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-53601645530354621622009-03-26T12:56:00.000-07:002009-03-26T12:56:00.000-07:00Actually, I think the argument can be made that it...Actually, I think the argument can be made that it's not an entirely bad thing to evolve the message of the ride. I know some are perceiving it as an insult, because the original message is profound, but I think it actually has a kind of postscript now for the kids of today. <BR/><BR/>What I mean is that individualism has become more and more a dominant mode of thinking. The addition of the characters some are objecting to as "special" addresses this in a way that will influence children before they're even old enough to understand the ride's message: these individuals are still a part of the same song, the same message, etc. They may call attention to themselves or sing differently, but the ultimate message is still that we all, even each precious special snowflake, live in a "small world."<BR/><BR/>I suppose I could take or leave that change overall, but some of the other objections seem to have similar intentions: for example the new addition of Donald and company makes South America important in a way that it just wasn't before. And let's be honest, even a halfway positive glance at Latino countries will influence how tomorrow's kids think. I'm more interested in whether the inclusion will result in a new South America/Donald film.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, the largely disliked SW America scene. Yes, it's ugly and fairly boring. But let's remember this is going out to the world. My overall thought is that ugly and boring is a fairly safe depiction of Americans that won't further promote American superiority abroad (which is also easily identified with - everyone has farmers). And since everyone else gets stereotyped into something they may not particularly believe to be representative, it seems only fair. <BR/><BR/>I agree that some of the changes I don't like as much as I did before, but I think the imagineers are trying to do something very large through relatively small shifts. And I have to respect that there's obviously much more thought than "hey, let's just throw in our characters" - they've clearly put thought into why they made these changes, and how. If it's not a perfect change - well, that's what the future is for...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-23070769216984873072009-03-26T08:22:00.000-07:002009-03-26T08:22:00.000-07:00Anonymous said:>>>Have you noticed that l...<B>Anonymous said:</B><BR/>>>><I>Have you noticed that less and less people are leaving comments as they recognize the points of view by Mr. Banks and others as narrow?<BR/>I think more and more some of the posts here are becoming passe. Everything is negative and nothing is positive. It's like any change done is bad, even though Disneyland should change.<BR/>It's okay to disagree, but the arguments used are becoming very shrill.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>No, I see just as many comments as I ever have. What I see fewer of is blog posts, which the authors have already stated (several times) is because many things at Disney are starting to change and some feel that they may be heading in the right directions again. In the meantime, we still have some things from left over projects in the works that are still bad ideas. The arguments here are mostly very on point, and there's nothing narrow about sticking to a philosophy of quality and craftsmanship.<BR/><BR/>If you'd been reading the comments, you'd know that your argument about how Disney should change is a Straw Man that no one EVER suggested shouldn't happen.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-48837456665654222362009-03-26T06:13:00.000-07:002009-03-26T06:13:00.000-07:00I haven't seen the Small World update, as I live o...I haven't seen the Small World update, as I live on the East Coast and rarely get to visit Disneyland. I did, however, see the original at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and it was life changing. It was the first time I had experienced ANY Disney apart from TV or movies, and I was awestruck. It's probably what propelled me into a career in art. I gladly defend IASW as possibly THE best attraction that Disney has ever produced! My question is: If Disney can create IASW, why does an insult like Journey to Imagination still exist at WDW? IASW expresses the joy and wonder of imagination so much better! Won't someone do something about Journey? Please?Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026245433206283936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-91583391976131049992009-03-25T22:52:00.000-07:002009-03-25T22:52:00.000-07:00> We were told that the Disney characters would...<I>> We were told that the Disney characters would blend in and be unobtrusive; they are not. We were told that the America scene would have the same look as the rest of the attraction; it does NOT. We were told that the theme and the message would not change; it certainly HAS. <</I><BR/><BR/>And we were told that Tony Baxter just happened to be at a fan convention where he just happened to find a gen-u-ine piece of never-before-seen Mary Blair artwork that just <I>happened</I> to look <I>just</I> like the America scene that WDI had already designed.<BR/><BR/>Thus giving new meaning to the term, "Disney Magic."<BR/><BR/>=Pmr wigginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05690712121710850903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-18287296312354611732009-03-25T21:34:00.000-07:002009-03-25T21:34:00.000-07:00Have you noticed that less and less people are lea...Have you noticed that less and less people are leaving comments as they recognize the points of view by Mr. Banks and others as narrow?<BR/>I think more and more some of the posts here are becoming passe. Everything is negative and nothing is positive. It's like any change done is bad, even though Disneyland should change.<BR/>It's okay to disagree, but the arguments used are becoming very shrill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-68212188126536994032009-03-24T15:10:00.000-07:002009-03-24T15:10:00.000-07:00Let’s face it boys and girls, Disneyland will neve...Let’s face it boys and girls, Disneyland will never be the same because of one thing and that one thing is Walt Disney. While everything was a collaborative effort at Disneyland for the first 10 years, in the end there was just one man and his vision that guided it all. Now everything is designed by a committee (or committees), focus groups, merchandise sales projections, blah, blah, blah. Walt Disney instinctively KNEW what people would enjoy, now we are TOLD what we will enjoy. IASW is a perfect example. We were told that the Disney characters would blend in and be unobtrusive; they are not. We were told that the America scene would have the same look as the rest of the attraction; it does NOT. We were told that the theme and the message would not change; it certainly HAS.Capt. Tomorrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382606555081631383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-13952837010841220682009-03-24T14:11:00.000-07:002009-03-24T14:11:00.000-07:00Long time reader, first time poster,No one has yet...Long time reader, first time poster,<BR/><BR/>No one has yet mentioned all those lovely pins alongside the article. C'mon, there was no commercial intent whatsoever in introducing the characters, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-34345385102128399862009-03-24T01:09:00.000-07:002009-03-24T01:09:00.000-07:00Disneyland on acid is a trip, to say the very leas...Disneyland on acid is a trip, to say the very least. As my shoes say, "Just Do It."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-87605524536242774632009-03-23T18:48:00.000-07:002009-03-23T18:48:00.000-07:00I'm curious why you think we are on the verge of a...I'm curious why you think we are on the verge of a renaissance. What makes you think that things are suddenly going to change? Everything the imagineers have done in the past three years, except for Toy Story Midway Mania, has been a misfire. Pirates, Spaceship Earth, It's a Small World- all terrible and misguided changes that show a serious failure to understand what made Disney great to begin with. And what new attractions do we have to look forward to? Cars: the ride. Mickey Mouse: the ride. Little Mermaid: the ride. Sure, those aren't the names, but you get the point. I see no renaissance, no creativity. Unless management's way of thinking changes and the imagineers stop being ego maniacs who wish to put their mark on everything, the parks will only get worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-42595141771105841252009-03-23T17:46:00.000-07:002009-03-23T17:46:00.000-07:00"is it really necessary to stamp "Disney's..." ove..."is it really necessary to stamp "Disney's..." over the entrance to every attraction? "<BR/><BR/>Yes it is. It's the good housekeeping seal of approval of needless change and brand aberration. How else could we be sure that Star Tours and Indiana Jones and are Disney?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-70984419254930964672009-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:002009-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:00After visiting Disneyland for the first time since...After visiting Disneyland for the first time since "last century," I was struck by the brand -- I mean, you're in Disneyland, is it really necessary to stamp "Disney's..." over the entrance to every attraction? <BR/>The addition of the characters was just another extension of this branding that went too far. The people in the know ride the ride and try to find the characters, a new generation of hidden Mickey searchers. The Americans in the boat learn about stereotypes around the world; with the addition of the western-themed America room, the foreign guests can now experience the same stereotypes about our vast diverse nation.<BR/>Despite all this going through my head, I still couldn't avoid smiling at the gorgeous pop art of Mary Blair on the happiest cruise that ever sailed. Weird, that.Gene Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00379356437905099987noreply@blogger.com