Steve Frearson Reporting Stitch Alien Encounter Makeover is Green Lighted

[All Aboard]

Follow the link:

WDWMAGIC.COM (http://www.wdwmagic.com/magic.htm)

[Sarangel]

I wonder why they're waiting a year before starting? If they did it this year, it'd be a lot closer to the L&S Video release...

Sarangel

[Bob O]

It would be interesting to here more info. I would be much happier if they kept the ride they had but increased the scare factor like it was supposed to have been then to have another kids ride takes its place.

[lodgelady]

I am glad to hear they are going to make the attraction less scary and more tied -in with a Disney theme.

[Barb]

I am looking forward to the change. I love it when a Disney ride or attraction is based on or uses a Disney theme! Alien Encounter was starting to get a little stale. Thanks for the update!

[vernon]

I'll be sad to see AE changing, I thought it offered a slightly different experience in a plethora of "samey" attractions. Nothing wrong with all the other attractions, but IMHO it's nice to have something that's a little "out there" in terms of imagination.

[toefungus]

I hope they do this right and it doesn't turn into a JIYA makeover. :(

[raidermatt]

...but IMHO it's nice to have something that's a little "out there" in terms of imagination.
I agree with the notion that letting their imagination go in different directions should always be part of Disney's SOP, I just don't think AE is a good example.

Yes, its different, but it just doesn't belong in MK. MGM maybe, but not AK.

That said, I'm not exactly over-joyed about the Stitch possibility. Don't get me wrong, I love Stitch. I think when its all said and done, L&S is going to rank easily within my top 10 favorite Disney films, and possibly in the Top 5.

But Tommorowland isn't supposed to be "Characterized". Yes, it should have family-oriented attractions, and even a few thrills, but IMHO, Disney is just using Buzz and Stitch as ways to keep them from having to re-do Tomorrowland every 15-20 years.

I guess its better than doing nothing and letting it stagnate completely, but they are capable of more.

On the plus side, I would like it even less if Stitch ended up in Space Mountain, as has been recently rumored...

[All Aboard]

Since Tomorrowland's theme (retro future) is "ruined" by Buzz Lightyear and the Speedway, I don't think this would make it that much worse. In fact, "retro future" doesn't really describe AE as it sits now.

My hope (but it will never happen) is that "Stitch" is not included in the name. He appears unexpectedly and proceeds to have "fun" with the guests. Naming the attraction "Stitch Encounter" or whatever, gives away the fact that we know he's coming, which wrecks the story. We're not really supposed to know he's coming.

That's one of my problems with AE. The story is that you are going to get a demonstration of a transportation device. The Alien shows up quite by accident. By naming the attraction "Alien Encounter" you've defeated the purpose of the story. Given away the punch line. Told us that we are going to encounter an alien. "Star Tours" doesn't do that. If it were named "Out of control robot driver" it would.

It's "Brian's Song", not "The Death of Brian."

At "my WDW" the Tower of Terror would simply be named "The Hollywood Tower Hotel." The story is that you are checking in, right? And Rock n Roller Coaster would be named "G-Force Records" You are taking a tour of a recording studio, correct? What happens next is not "planned."

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - perfect. If it were opened today, I suspect that it would be named "Runaway Mine Train Terror" or something like that.

Of course, without naming it Stitch Whatever, WDW wouldn't be able to sell it as a draw.

Boy, that's running off on a tangent, eh?

[GrimGhost]

I never gave all of those points as much thought before gcurling Naming the attraction "Stitch Encounter" or whatever, gives away the fact that we know he's coming, which wrecks the story. We're not really supposed to know he's coming.At "my WDW" the Tower of Terror would simply be named "The Hollywood Tower Hotel." The story is that you are checking in, right? And Rock n Roller Coaster would be named "G-Force Records" You are taking a tour of a recording studio, correct? What happens next is not "planned."

[hopemax]

The problem with your names, Greg, is that can you imagine the flack the poor CM's will get at either the loading or unloading. "I didn't know this was going to be a roller coaster!" or "I didn't know that the Hollywood Tower Hotel would be so scary! My poor child is scarred for life!"

[meowthew2]

I'm excited by the news. If done right, AE Stitch-ized could provide some delightfully quirky family fun, a much better fit for MK than AE has ever been.

Besides being poorly executed, AE in its current states really clashes with the bright, optimistic tone of Tomorrowland and MK as a whole, and any new attraction from Disney that kids and adults can enjoy together is very much welcome.

[d-r]

But Tommorowland isn't supposed to be "Characterized".

honestly, personally - I don't mind buzz and stitch any more than star tours or honey I shrunk the audience for tomorrowland (or microadventure!) -

DR

[All Aboard]

Hope, that's a good point. I always assumed the "giving away the ending" style names were more about marketing than warnings.

Further on the names, I wish the Tower of Terror didn't open up in view of the park guests. Make that a mystery too.

[1HourAway]

GCurling

I do not believe the name Alien Encounter "gives away" anything.
The storyline leads you to believe you will meet the head of X-S Technology - who is an alien! The fact that you actually encounter a nasty alien is the surprise. IMHO

[raidermatt]

honestly, personally - I don't mind buzz and stitch any more than star tours or honey I shrunk the audience for tomorrowland (or microadventure!) -
I see your point, but for me, there's quite a leap from Star Wars to Stitch. One is actually a vision of what some may think a future could look like (even though the story actually happened "a long time ago..."), and the other is a cartoon character who intermingles in the present day (as does Buzz). Stitch and Buzz are really visions of a possible future, where certainly Star Wars could be.

HISTA is probably somewhere in between, and probably isn't the best fit either (In DL, its in Tomorrowland).