I was wondering what languages are used in the rides, especially the classic disneyland rides.

I know the Haunted Mansion is Japanese Narration with English singing. What about Country Bear Jamboree?

What about Star Tours?



-Kuzcotopia

As I recall-
TDL-

Country Bears- Mostly Japanese, with a couple of English songs. All of the rest of the songs are in Japanese.

Star Tours- 100% Japanese, from the androids in the queue area to the Star Tours vehicles themselves, to the small monitors to the left and right of the main screen.

MicroAdventure (Honey, I Shrunk the Audience)- movie completely dubbed in Japanese (but the original english soundtrack can be heard from headsets at the back row of the theater)

TDS-

20,000 Leagues- 100% Japanese, but the story is easy enough to follow.

Stormrider- 100% Japanese, but the preshow area has electric signboards that explain the story in English, and the show itself is REALLY self-explanatory, even though there is Japanese dialog during the ride- what a rush! (My personal favorite).

Sinbad's- 100% Japanese, and here it is a little tough to fully enjoy this attraction without some knowledge of Japanese.

Magic Lamp Theater- Not sure- will try to find out.

Mermaid Lagoon Theater- Songs are in English, dialog and acting is in Japanese. This was a real crowd-pleaser, even with the non-Japanese crowd.

Journey to the Center of the Earth- No dialog, so no problem. The only dialog is the screaming of guests, and that translates well in any language!

Magic Lamp is all in Japanese. I am interested to know how well this plays. How is the snake in the pre-show? How well does this compare to Micro-Adventure as far as audience response?


-Kuzcotopia

is it harder to experience something where you don't understand a word,or is it specil?

I found it almost more fun not being able to understand the language.

Especially on the Jungle Cruise, for instance. If you've been on the ride in the U.S. and know the spiel, then you'll get the jokes anyway.

Many times when I have bought Japanimation DVD's I have found the original Japanese voices with the engish subtitles give a better sense of action and dialogue, the japanese language is not intimidating its just the alphabet (25,000 characters I think) and is verrry strong in emotions and in my opinion is the best for storytelling and action, its the culture that has been more advanced than the western and even european languages. I can't wait till next year when our family goes there. From what I hear there is many signs in english around the resorts and if the influx of western visitors takes an upswing then I would not worry, perhaps certain shows may be enlish only say once a day.

Learning the Japanese (coversational) enough to get around and 'get it' is not that big a task. Great programs available on CD at Comp USA. (EASY too). Sure you'll speak with a dopey accent and make funny mistakes but so do they when they come over here.
We have alot more fun in Mexico when it's immersed in original language...even though I don't speak Spanish..I brush up a bit on a few things..and always bring a little pad and pencil to 'draw' the dialog in a picture language and that IS alot of fun..
As to understanding what's going on...it is all so visual there should be no problem.
I've got a fairly large movie collection in original language (no subtitles on many) and the Japanese movies are the easiest to get a grip on.


BNY the way...what IS the Storm Riders ride??????????
A simulator?

BY the way...what IS the Storm Riders ride??????????
A simulator?


Yep. The biggest simulator ever made. And there's two of them!

Each one seats over 100 people. The storyline is that it's the future, and your plane is going to be dropping a weather probe into the center of a hurricane (er, probably typhoon, since it is the pacific? anyone?)

But of course, something goes terribly wrong.






*******************************************
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
###################################




From what I've read, there are in-theater effects like never before. Wind and rain effects. Plus this simulator has windows on the sides too. A very intense show.



-Kuzcotopia

Eisner knew all along from the first pencil sketch what both DCA and TDS would be made up of, look at Stormrider the best ride yet possibly even better than Mission Space which if it ever gets built might be interesting, he knew he could kiss his $35 million bonus goodbye if he greenlighted ANYTHING TDS had into DCA (though I hear they have Jumpin Jellyfish that really works) face it we have to either take what is offered or go elsewhere and he knew as soon as news of TDS gets out many folks will unknowingly believe that DCA has it also, as P T Barnum said, "Theres a sucker born every minute" It depresses me that we get leftovers while someone else gets the main dish.

MrD..slight correction..P.T. Barnum..my own personal hero, NEVER said that...nor did he think that way.
He believed in giving FAR MORE in the show than was expected.
Interesting quote...but it didn't come from P.T.

Otherwise I agree with your other stuff!:D


Oh and thanks..Kuzcopia! Wow...sounds like my kind of ride aw right.:cool:

Sorry I guess my age is showing, I proudly stand while getting lashed for my error, but anyhow someone said it sometime somewhere. Besides I'm kinda in a funk about TDs vs. WDW, I am pretty sure I am going to cancel my trip to WDW in dec and see TDS in feb. instead. I work way too hard for my money to just spend it foolishly, I want quality and its not here anymore.

MrD...you just said the most succinct and 'ain't it the truth' statement in this whole long drawn out dialog.

This is the message that must be delivered...
and as to waiting a coupkle of extra months to not feel like YOU "were born every minute", sounds like a wise move.

I've heard that a lot of the CM's there are American? Is this true? How hard is it to go to TDS if you only speak English?

I don't think hardly any of the front lines cast members are American.

I do know that the signs are in Japanese and English.

Mostly I think you are on your own, as far as understanding anything. I don't think it will be a big deal. I can find my way around a theme park pretty easily!


-Kuzcotopia

Knowing only English - you will be perfectly fine.

The Cast working at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea is practically 100% Japanese.

Those that aren't are either 'face' characters like Snow White, or Cinderella, or Alice, etc.

Those that aren't Japanese and are wearing business suits are American Disney Directors or Vice Presidents, making quality inspections of all venues on a daily basis

I would think TDS would want mult-language CM's, and if the gaijun factor was still in effect then western employees could be backstage or in public relations or still around the park as rubberheads. Our friends from Japan may want to explain what "gaijun" means and I hope I am spelling it right. As far as language barriers there are portable translators that can be used for basic short verbs and requests such as time, direction and thank yous. How many times has anyone here bumped into another guest at DL or WDW that spoke little or no English, pantomining in a courteous manner always seem to work for me but then my stepfather has a masters PHD and a doctorate in foreign languages and myself did work for the military intelligence of some cental and south american companies in the early 80's. But that was mostly spanish technical transcribing of corporate documents. Flash cards with certain idioms of request may help, if you cannot find any make some, Windows has some good software and just print up a deck of cards with simple requests like, "where is the restrooms, please" I could think of a simple loose lease handbook that somebody could sell that had all the same stupid questions that CM's hear every day at DL/WDW and sell them but then I might get banned from TDS whithout ever seeing it!

Originally posted by TokyoInsider
The Cast working at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea is practically 100% Japanese.


I know of at least three American CM's working in Guest Control and can be seen doing crowd control during the parades and/special events for TDL. Other western CM's who are not classic Disney face characters are performers who are located around the Park. Eor example, the Bicycle Piano Player, Silhouette Shop artists, the Drummer of the Royal Street Six, the Fantasyland Bagpiper, etc.

JoeInJpn
http://www.jtcent.com

Originally posted by JoeInJpn


I know of at least three American CM's working in Guest Control and can be seen doing crowd control during the parades and/special events for TDL. Other western CM's who are not classic Disney face characters are performers who are located around the Park.

JoeInJpn- thanks for setting it straight! I got so caught up in the operations aspect that I neglected to mention that many of the entertainers are 'sent over' from the United States. BTW: did these 3 American CMs have nametags with their first name written on it? Or was it their family name?

To those who might be worried about the 'Japanese' factor in the Tokyo Disney Resort- you don't really have to be concerned. As mentioned before- all signs, menus, and park announcements are in English and Japanese. You will be able to communicate with the cast with no problems. (it might take a couple of different cast members to help you, but you will get help).

Forgive me for an error in my sentence of the "gaijun" factor, what I meant was from what I know of the Japanese culture is that they do not accept westerners easily especially in the rural villages much the same as a white person would get reactions in the heart of Harlem (but times have changed, look at Bill Clinton). That is the only thing I have any concern about is if I was so inclined to travel away from the Disney parks. Another funny thing is I have a severe phobia about crowds and that might be a problem if TDS is as packed as I am assuming it will be, I would not want to travel on the trains if its like being packed like sardines. I heard that there are even attendants that literally push the riders in during the rush hours on the trains. Interesting that TDS is using a full scale version of the monorail, I always thought DLR was full size, of course its makes sense that most everything would either be fully automated or working with telepresence and also the abundant use of AA's, this is the land of electronics and robotic assembly lines, what better place to have a Disney theme park! We Americans still cannot grasp the idea of wow, WOW and WOWZA until we actually visit this place I guess but if simple toys like a Mousechii and Robodogs and of course Pikachu (my sons treasure toy) mostly originate from this culture and of course Godzilla (hey Godzilla I hear DCA tastes good but smells like burnt coffee) then its all the more fitting that Japan gets the best. I know I'm gonna get flack on this next comment but here goes nothing, we do not need anything of the high caliber that TDS apparently is, its because Americans cannot appreciate it, and if its not a spaceshot or a triple inverted helix they wont be interested, but traditional families with younger children would and should travel to Japan. But then again its a morale thing with employees and the "frown factor" that is becoming prevalent, the japanese culture is so more the traditions of honor and respect prevelant in all aspects of their society from the making of tea ceremony to the bowing of heads and the code of bushido, there will never be graffitti inside these parks, no gangbangers and most likely no reports of drug abuse, Japan is perfect for the Disney legacy of the 21st century and I hope it expands, meanwhile I know that in the future here in the states any new parks will be designed exactly like DCA because....its all thats needed.

Originally posted by Mr D
Forgive me for an error in my sentence of the "gaijun" factor, what I meant was from what I know of the Japanese culture is that they do not accept westerners easily especially in the rural villages much the same as a white person would get reactions in the heart of Harlem

I think you have Japanese attitudes toward Americans a bit mistaken.

From what I understand, the distrust of outsiders is a more subtle thing than you describe. You seem to describe the thinly-veiled hostility that is the common stereotype of a french person meeting an american tourist.

Instead, the Japanese are helpful, polite, welcoming and genuinely happy to see American visitors. Friends have returned from Japan with stories of strangers wanting to take photograps with them. Friends who asked directions in Tokyo were surprised when the stranger got out his cell-phone and called directory assistance to find the restaraunt they were looking for, then walked them 3 blocks in person to the door! (Try THAT in New York!). Friends who have taught classes in Japan have told me about how their students looked at them as if they were some sort of Rock Star, because of America's wild and rebellious image. Americans and American culture are beloved in Japan. They have a rock and roll museum in Tokyo, and one WHOLE floor is devoted to Elvis!

The word and attitude you speak of, gaijin, is something else. Gaijin means foreign born. It is someone who doesn't understand Japanese culture, and so can never truely conform. And conformity is really big in Japan, and so there is some envy of Americans. They get away with things that many Japanese wish they could. Americans are the lovable bad-boys to the Japanese.

For you, an American, you get a LOT of leeway about conformity. In fact, when you mess up, people will think you are cute or cool, as long as you look like you are trying and not meaning to be rude.

If you lived in Japan for years, and tried to become a part of Japanese culture... if you really tried to fit in... that's where being a gaijin would hurt you. You might feel that you never really belonged. That's about as far as the whole gaijin thing goes.

It's a far cry from the stories they hear about how everyone in america carries a gun, and people shoot their schoolteachers. Imagine the crazy things they must hear, and imagine that you are only hearing the crazy things about japan.

And the Tokyo subway thing is true. But that's Tokyo. Go to the countryside and you will see the real beauty of Japan. And trust me, the people will be the friendliest you will meet in your entire life.

-Kuzcotopia

Thank you Kuz for explaing that and correcting my spelling of gaijin, you see thats absolutely what we need here on these boards is discussions such as this, not bashing and emotional tantrums, MP is going to be a very concise information center in the future for those needing accurate information prior to their journey. My rating of your posts from now on has increased immeasurably ;) Even though I consider myself a man of the world so to speak still my information is dated and often bent from lack of actually being there then again the internet has opened a new door for the armchair traveler. I can't wait for the next installment on the front page of MP this monday morning to see what the staff has for us, am hoping for a lot of info about Stormrider with pics and maybe a video clip, from what I gather this simulator will be the #1 ride at TDS or at least #2.

Originally posted by Mr D
Thank you Kuz for explaing that and correcting my spelling of gaijin... [some information deleted by JoeInJpn) ... am hoping for a lot of info about Stormrider with pics and maybe a video clip, from what I gather this simulator will be the #1 ride at TDS or at least #2.

Mr D,

Good points about coming to MP for information. Except, the term "gaijin" is used but not really the accepted term these days in the PC world. (Smile) Many people now use "gaikokujin" meaning "person from an outside country".

If pics and/or video are available for StromRider , then it would have been done against the rules that CM's recite to guests as they enter the main part of the attraction. Photos and video are allowed during the pre-show, but guests are asked not to film or take photos inside the main ride.

JoeInJpn
http://www.jtcent.com

Originally posted by TokyoInsider

BTW: did these 3 American CMs have nametags with their first name written on it? Or was it their family name?


Hi TokyoInsider!

Thanks for the comments. The three American CM's that worked that I met who worked in Guest Control had their family names on their name tag. This is just like any other "regular" CM working for Oriental Land Company and as is custom in Japan. However, the few other artists, musicians, etc. had the first names on the tags. Actually I saw a few western artisans at TDS today with their first names on the tags.

JoeInJpn
http://www.jtcent.com

P.S. I overheard some CM's say the crowd today was about 30,000 at TDS! Ouch! It was pretty tight in some places.

30,000 on a monday? or was it tuesday?:D not bad for a "soft" opening, what is the capacity of TDS, 70,000? If I remember right DL had near that amout during the holidays and then they stopped admissions. I am just getting an idea of what the real opening will be like, I bet 150,000 show up and camp outside for a week waiting to get in. This is going to be big, REALLY big, and the Disney magazine has an article about TDS? Hmmmm, mine must still be in the mail. Thanks Joe for being our spokesman here at MP, keep it coming we need this info.