merlinjones
11-11-2002, 06:29 AM
Well, as Al has reported today, it seems that the rumored additions to the classic E-tickets have been cut from the 50th budget, except for a complete overhaul of Space Mountain (... and please fix the facade - - or at least the paint scheme!!!).
Frankly, I think this is for the best. The classics (Pirates, Mansion, etc.) are well loved the way they are, and subjective changes are hardly what the company needs right now.
Instead, as David and Al have suggested, they shoud turn attention to fixing up the extant dormant attractions as a nostalgic (and highly marketable) boost (since we all know they are not going to finance new E-tickets or new rides, let's not even argue the point). I think this sort of program is an imperative for TDA... if they can't pull off some actual freshened or restored attractions for the 50th anniversary, I for one will be terribly disappointed (and I doubt I'll be alone). Tommorrowland can't even be celebrated in its current form (even with a Space Mountian fix).
For my money, I think the following fixes would be the minimum acceptable freshen up for Disneyland's Golden Anniversary:
1) Submarine Voyage - - Even if they just refurbished and reopened it the way it was, I'd be happy. There is no excuse not to do this. If they went the extra mile to revamp the sub exteriors to a Nautilus theme, they could even market it as a new ride for a modest reinvestment. This is a major park icon, sorely missed. It would be welcomed back heartily.
2) The new CircleVision film is a good idea. Again, there is no reasonable excuse for this not being done. It can't cost THAT much...
3) Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. WDW wants to close it, we have nothing good in our carousel. Just ship it out and put it back where it belongs!
4) Rocket Jets - - the mechanism is still there! Let's see a second set of rockets up high where they belong. Tomorrowland looks horibly bare without a living centerpiece.
5) Refurbish the original Tiki Room or add Lilo and Stitch overlay. This attraction needs to be brought to the anniversary party in top form. Just say no to the loudmouth Florida show.
6) The Golden Horseshoe Revue - - This is also a no-brainer. Bring back Slue Foot Sue, Pecos Bill and the Can-Can girls, and for God's sake, budget it to run indefinately.
7) Keel Boats. Motor Boats.
8) Fix ALL the bridges and play areas on Tom Sawyer Island.
9) How about some Bear band members to play in fixed sets for the riverboats and trains or the Hungry Bear restaurant? Why waste the figures if they can be used to enhance existing experiences?
...Of course, I would LOVE to see Inner Space, Skyway, Captain Hook's Pirate Ship, PeopleMover and Flying Saucers back... and Buzz Lightyear or Stitch Alien Encounter added... but are these just too expensive to even dream about? Shouldn't be...
They could still do all of this in time if they really wanted to make some BIG money for the 50th. During a war, everyone will long to revisit their lost childhood, to revisit the happy and safe times. This is the time to provide Disney's special contribution and be handsomely rewarded for it! These mini-classic revivals are a visual, photogenic, marketable tie-in with the anniversary theme. Don't miss the boat, TDA!!! A solid reinvestment will reap much bigger rewards.
Obviously, ALL of the above things won't happen... but if absolutely NONE of the above happens, I might be tempted to skip the whole thing altogether. Fiber optics and snow globes will leave me in no mood to celebrate - - or spend.
Frankly, I think this is for the best. The classics (Pirates, Mansion, etc.) are well loved the way they are, and subjective changes are hardly what the company needs right now.
Instead, as David and Al have suggested, they shoud turn attention to fixing up the extant dormant attractions as a nostalgic (and highly marketable) boost (since we all know they are not going to finance new E-tickets or new rides, let's not even argue the point). I think this sort of program is an imperative for TDA... if they can't pull off some actual freshened or restored attractions for the 50th anniversary, I for one will be terribly disappointed (and I doubt I'll be alone). Tommorrowland can't even be celebrated in its current form (even with a Space Mountian fix).
For my money, I think the following fixes would be the minimum acceptable freshen up for Disneyland's Golden Anniversary:
1) Submarine Voyage - - Even if they just refurbished and reopened it the way it was, I'd be happy. There is no excuse not to do this. If they went the extra mile to revamp the sub exteriors to a Nautilus theme, they could even market it as a new ride for a modest reinvestment. This is a major park icon, sorely missed. It would be welcomed back heartily.
2) The new CircleVision film is a good idea. Again, there is no reasonable excuse for this not being done. It can't cost THAT much...
3) Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. WDW wants to close it, we have nothing good in our carousel. Just ship it out and put it back where it belongs!
4) Rocket Jets - - the mechanism is still there! Let's see a second set of rockets up high where they belong. Tomorrowland looks horibly bare without a living centerpiece.
5) Refurbish the original Tiki Room or add Lilo and Stitch overlay. This attraction needs to be brought to the anniversary party in top form. Just say no to the loudmouth Florida show.
6) The Golden Horseshoe Revue - - This is also a no-brainer. Bring back Slue Foot Sue, Pecos Bill and the Can-Can girls, and for God's sake, budget it to run indefinately.
7) Keel Boats. Motor Boats.
8) Fix ALL the bridges and play areas on Tom Sawyer Island.
9) How about some Bear band members to play in fixed sets for the riverboats and trains or the Hungry Bear restaurant? Why waste the figures if they can be used to enhance existing experiences?
...Of course, I would LOVE to see Inner Space, Skyway, Captain Hook's Pirate Ship, PeopleMover and Flying Saucers back... and Buzz Lightyear or Stitch Alien Encounter added... but are these just too expensive to even dream about? Shouldn't be...
They could still do all of this in time if they really wanted to make some BIG money for the 50th. During a war, everyone will long to revisit their lost childhood, to revisit the happy and safe times. This is the time to provide Disney's special contribution and be handsomely rewarded for it! These mini-classic revivals are a visual, photogenic, marketable tie-in with the anniversary theme. Don't miss the boat, TDA!!! A solid reinvestment will reap much bigger rewards.
Obviously, ALL of the above things won't happen... but if absolutely NONE of the above happens, I might be tempted to skip the whole thing altogether. Fiber optics and snow globes will leave me in no mood to celebrate - - or spend.