"Soaring" taking away from Canada

[mickeyfantroy]

I was at EPCOT yesterday and noticed something disturbing. We were standing at the lagoon near Germany and noticed the steel skeleton behind the Canadian Pavilion that I guess is the new 'Soaring' attraction. The castle has always been so picturesque so hopefully the imagneers have something in mind as to not be too distracting. Has anyone else noticed this? My friend is hoping they put a facade on the new buiding similar to the rocks that are on the O Canada circlevision theater so that it looks like a mountain behind the castle.

[caseymaureen]

I noticed this when the cranes first went up, the new attraction seems awfully close to Canada. I always thought that Canada had one of the best views out of all the pavillions, I hope they have some sort of plan!

[eleanor]

Doubt it.:rolleyes:

[YoHo]

Wait, I thought Soarin was going in at The Land?

Soarin doesn't need to be a particularly tall building.
It's not very big at DCA.

[wtg2000]

Soarin' will ruin the Canadian skyline from certain angles unless they mask it with a cloaking device! But then Eisner had no qualms about ruining France and Morocco from certain angles with the Swan and Dolphin so I'm not surprised.

[YoHo]

Does anyone have a map or picture illustrating this? As I said, Soarin in California is only a two story building and not all that large. I can't imagine that it is that hard to hide.

[KNWVIKING]

I was thinking the same thing YoHo. Maybe the OP is mistaking the cranes as part of the structure ?? I do know that the Land pavilion is set up on a hill,maybe that's what is making it visible from Canada.

What's amazing to me is that I never thought of Canada and The Land as being anywhere near each other - based on the amount of walking it takes to get to one from the other - but I guess "as the crow flies" they are actually fairly close to each other.

[DancingBear]

Screamscape has pictures of the steel structure and it looks 2-3 stories on there. I assume it's being built on the Imagination side of the Land, which puts it right behind Canada. See Terraserver for aerial views of Epcot.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/place.aspx

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by wtg2000
Soarin' will ruin the Canadian skyline from certain angles unless they mask it with a cloaking device! But then Eisner had no qualms about ruining France and Morocco from certain angles with the Swan and Dolphin so I'm not surprised. Why does every decision come all the way back to Eisner? I know some people don't care for the guy but it's not like he is sitting in his office all day making decisions on any and every issue that arises.

[daannzzz]

The Soarin' building at DCA was built lower as they were able to dig down into the ground there. When you enter the bulding you are essentially going down hill through the whole queue untill you get to the preshow area. That probably takes off one story there.

[txdznydude]

I also would hope that they are going to disguise the side of soaring that backs up to
Canada. I also thought making more mountains would be great. I've got my fingers
crossed that they do because I really dislike seeing the swan & dolphin from inside
Epcot! I would also realy dislike a huge ugly building sitting at the back of Canada!

[YoHo]

Kay, I now understand the layout. Still, it's just the steel structure, you have no idea how it will be themed.

[wtg2000]

Why does every decision come all the way back to Eisner? I've read reports which stated that the Imagineers told Eisner that the Swan and Dolphin would infringe on the World Showcase skyline and that he ignored them. Then when he saw the result he told them to erect a berm - which was impossible. Eisner said he picked out the furniture for the AKL and personally supervised the parking structure at Disneyland so he is ultimately responsible for these decisions. That's what he gets his millions for. Is anyone working for the Walt Disney World Company making millions of dollars a year?

Let's hope they do paint mountains on the side - or a giant hockey puck!

[PKS44]

I saw a picture of this somewhere on the net better than this one (http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040315.htm) ..but I can't recall where I saw it...the crane obviously will be gone but you can see that the building will be visible from World Showcase...the other photo I recall seeing it was more completed and it was very visible looming over and behind Canada..I do hope they will cover it with some clouds or something to keep the view from being ruined.

[SnackyStacky]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/soarin.htm

Definitely detracts from the skyline....

[YoHo]

Half of that is construction skeleton. It doesn't look any more obtrusive in those pics then the Current land buildings.

Now, I'm an element guy and all, but lets give em a chance to foobar this before we go on the attack. There's no themeing and the thing has crains and construction stuff surrounding it.

[ChrisFL]

I'm going to say that, if you're IN Epcot, the only place it would be a real problem would be toward the very back of the park, if that.

Any other angle from the front to halfway through World Showcase wouldn't be bad I don't believe, knowing the placement of everything.

[SnackyStacky]

I've seen the one at Disneyland. Granted, not in person, but it looks pretty sterile.

I'm not saying that they won't hide it (as they hid many show buildings at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom) with landscaping, but knowing current management, I'm really very doubtful that it'll happen.

I'm all for Soarin' coming to the East Coast, but I hope that they don't cut corners. (We won't get into the fact that they're simply copying the film....cause while Florida is truly boring, they could easily have found SOMETHING else....great landmarks like Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon....Soarin' Over America....or, move it closer to World Showcase and Soar Over the World....but we won't get into that.:crazy: )

[YoHo]

THe show building in Anaheim is intended to represent the old Desert aviation hangers where the Jet age came of age. Places like Bakersfield Barstow and Victerville. So, it actually looks 100% right.

Of course, that ain't the most appealing look in the world, but it is fairly accurate.

[manning]

move it closer to World Showcase and Soar Over the World....but we won't get into that.

They still could make it Soarin over the world at its present location. Spend the money to make a top notch film covering the world. After all Eisner said he wanted the best for himself.....I mean Disney!!

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by manning
Spend the money to make a top notch film covering the world.

Yah.....that'll happen.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by YoHo
THe show building in Anaheim is intended to represent the old Desert aviation hangers where the Jet age came of age. Places like Bakersfield Barstow and Victerville. So, it actually looks 100% right.

Of course, that ain't the most appealing look in the world, but it is fairly accurate.

I know that it does fit in with the theme in CA, but I'm still pretty doubtful that they're going to do much to it. It's just my gut feeling, and I will eat my words if I'm wrong.

[KNWVIKING]

.... but the CA film being shown to all us East Coasters is actually better then showing it in CA.

the great thing about a 'Soarin attraction is that the film can very easily be changed. I'm sure cost is a reason we're getting the CA version for now, but just think how inexpensively 'Soarin could become an entirely new and fresh attraction in a couple years just by changing the flick. Ideally, I'd love to see them have 3 or 4 version at one time, so you won't know what ride you're getting till the movie starts.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
.... but the CA film being shown to all us East Coasters is actually better then showing it in CA.

the great thing about a 'Soarin attraction is that the film can very easily be changed. I'm sure cost is a reason we're getting the CA version for now, but just think how inexpensively 'Soarin could become an entirely new and fresh attraction in a couple years just by changing the flick. Ideally, I'd love to see them have 3 or 4 version at one time, so you won't know what ride you're getting till the movie starts.

Seems to me the old debate was Soarin' Over CA versus Soarin' Over FL. I agree Florida's not a good choice, but I think that they easily could have selected something that fit much better within Epcot. I'm not at all knocking Soarin'. I'm glad that they're bringing it to Florida, and I think that the entire concept and tone fit completely within Epcot. But really....California???

And as for the 3 or 4 movies - then definitely, California could work in some sort of rotation.

But to the original topic of the debate, an aviation shed doesn't fit within Epcot. It needs to be hidden by landscaping - be it trees, or a rock structure... and only time will tell whether or not that will happen.

[KNWVIKING]

***" It needs to be hidden by landscaping - be it trees, or a rock structure..."***

They could surround it with Redwoods.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
***" It needs to be hidden by landscaping - be it trees, or a rock structure..."***

They could surround it with Redwoods.

Are there redwoods in Canada?

[KNWVIKING]

I don't think so. Aren't Redwoods only located in a small area in CA ? Them and the Sequious (sp) ?

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
I don't think so. Aren't Redwoods only located in a small area in CA ? Them and the Sequious (sp) ?

So then that still wouldn't solve the broken Candian skyline problem.

[wtg2000]

There are redwoods and sequoias in British Columbia.

[KNWVIKING]

**"So then that still wouldn't solve the broken Candian skyline problem."**

Actually my Redwoods idea was a failed attempt at humor.

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
Actually my Redwoods idea was a failed attempt at humor.
I got it ... if that helps.

:earsboy:

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
But to the original topic of the debate, an aviation shed doesn't fit within Epcot. It needs to be hidden by landscaping - be it trees, or a rock structure... and only time will tell whether or not that will happen.
An aviation shed doesn't belong in World Showcase -- but it wouldn't necessarily be out of place in Future World, if it's done right. Your problem here is that you're looking at Soarin' as if it's being attached to Canada, not as if it's being added to FW. But take a look at the other buildings in Future World. They're pretty non-descript, really. Concrete and metal -- some interesting form, but basically just boxes in which to hold attractions. Soarin' is a part of Future World, and so it shouldn't be themed out any more or less than the other buildings there. But, as is true of the rest of Future World, it shouldn't intrude on World Showcase either.

Sarcastic comments about how little care Disney is likely to take in masking the building aside, it needs to be tricked out with landscaping just as much to make it a part of Future World as it does to mask it from World Showcase. Eisner isn't personally in charge of landscaping and construction you know ... give the guys in Imagineering and Parks a little credit. It's in the budget.

:earsboy:

[YoHo]

First of all, Redwood=Sequoia
They are the same tree.

Second of all, WHo said it would be themed as an Aviation hanger? is that in a press release somewhere?

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
Eisner isn't personally in charge of landscaping and construction you know ... give the guys in Imagineering and Parks a little credit.


I was trying to find my own sarcastic comments to make on this subject. But the truth is in the Imagineers. I trust that they will do the right thing. If you want to see Canada without the skyline obstructions then go to Canada.

I have never seen so many people complaining about something that has not even happened yet. Would you have been happier to see a three story high wall built around the construction site so that you couldn't see what was going on?

I have seen Soarin' over California many times, and I am originally from California. The attraction fits well at DCA. I have said before that I feel this attraction is a Disney masterpiece, and it will also be a great fit at The Land, since a vast majority of the film focuses on nature.

But for the critics out there, consider this;
Maybe they should re-arrange the countries of World Showcase to make it more geographically correct. Shouldn't the U.S.A. pavillion be sandwiched between Mexico and Canada?

The view of Future World from World Showcase really hampers the skyline. Who want's to see Spaceship Earth from Japan?

And why doesn't Morocco light up during Illuminations?

Just some thoughts.

[wtg2000]

Shouldn't the U.S.A. pavillion be sandwiched between Mexico and Canada? There is a subliminal reason for the layout.

Firstly, America is in the middle with Mexico and Canada on each periphery. This is to point out that the U.S.A. is the centre of North America with insignificant Mexico and Canada on the edges.

Secondly, America is in between Germany/Italy and Japan, indicating that only the U.S. stood between Axis world domination during World War II.

I'm kidding. :)

Geographically though, France and England are separated by a waterway so they got that right.

And why doesn't Morocco light up during Illuminations? Could be religious reasons. Islam has a thing against flashiness.

[KNWVIKING]

***"First of all, Redwood=Sequoia
They are the same tree."***

I think your wrong dude. I'm pretty sure there is a distinction between the two. Redwoods are taller ????

Maybe not.

[wtg2000]

First of all, Redwood=Sequoia
Coastal redwood (Sequoia), Giant sequoia (Metasequoia). It sounds like they are sisters.

[YoHo]

redwood
Sequoia sempervirens, (D. Don) Endl.
Cupressaceae

The family name is linked to descriptions of the family and its genera, and tables of all North American species in the family. For taxonomic information above the family level for this species, click on the family name, above.


Species summary:
Redwood is the tallest tree in the world, reaching 368 ft. It is a relict species confined to a narrow coastal fog belt from c. California and s. Oregon, never more than 35 miles from the sea. Primarily found on alluvial flats in pure or mixed stands.

Meanings of names:

Genus name: for Sequoiah, who invented the Cherokee alphabet

Species name: everliving

Common name: for the deep red heartwood

Other names in use:

Common name: coast redwood, california redwood

Taxonomic notes:Because there are no other species in this genus, the use of the term "coast redwood" is unnecessary, and this tree should simply be called redwood.

[YoHo]

Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), or "bigtree" as it is often called, is among the largest and oldest of living organisms. While taller trees do exist, including its closest of kin the coast redwood, no species of tree matches its girth, and only a few species of any type manage to survive longer than these colossal giants. While the oldest accurate account of the age for a giant sequoia is 3200 years, it is suspected that specimens have survived for as long as 5000 years.

Kay fine, Redwood is a TYPE of Sequoia.



Heh, ya learn something new everyday.

[wtg2000]

Is this the first ever DisBoard thread to discuss the genus of redwoods and sequoias? Anybody!

I liked the fake forest at the entrance to Universal's E.T. ride. That was the favourite part actually.

Just curious, and keeping this on topic, are redwood/sequoias featured in the Soarin' film?

[YoHo]

I believe so yes. I'll check it out tonight (hopefully fastpass will be working today. It wasn't last week).

[KNWVIKING]

***"The names sequoia and redwood are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion between the two California members of this family, but they are very different trees. "***

From; http://www.redwood.national-park.com/info.htm#tree

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by wtg2000
There is a subliminal reason for the layout.

Firstly, America is in the middle with Mexico and Canada on each periphery. This is to point out that the U.S.A. is the centre of North America with insignificant Mexico and Canada on the edges.

Secondly, America is in between Germany/Italy and Japan, indicating that only the U.S. stood between Axis world domination during World War II.

I'm kidding. :)
But beautifully bluffed, nonetheless!

:earsboy:

[YoHo]

There are three members of the redwood family: coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of the California coastal fog belt, giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) of the Sierra Nevada, and dawn redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) of central China. The names sequoia and redwood are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion between the two California members of this family, but they are very different trees.




Vike, I already corrected myself. Your Google kungfu is weak.

But that having been said. That statement is blatantly wrong. They are all from the same or sameish family.

[SnackyStacky]

GAH! I had a whole post written out, but it didn't upload, and I can't get it back.

All I'm saying is that as it stands, Soarin' breaks the sightlines, and I hope that something does go up. I'm not saying it won't, I'm saying I hope it does.

And Searcher - I know perfectly well that it's going in Future World. I understand it's not part of Canada, but that doesn't mean that it can't be seen from Canada.

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by exDS vet If you want to see Canada without the skyline obstructions then go to Canada.
Perfect. Thank you. :D

I have seen Soarin' over California many times, and I am originally from California. The attraction fits well at DCA. I have said before that I feel this attraction is a Disney masterpiece, and it will also be a great fit at The Land, since a vast majority of the film focuses on nature.
Agreed, on all counts.

And why doesn't Morocco light up during Illuminations?
The last country to be added to IllumiNations (that is, the last one to receive rim lighting) was UK. Neither Norway nor Morocco were lighted. Norway was originally supposed to get PANI projectors, like Germany (gingerbread house) and Canada (maple leaves) had, which is part of the reason that there is such a large flat, unadorned surface on the castle front. But then they changed IllumiNations, and the PANIs were dropped. Morocco was supposed to get rim lighting, but when they switched out IllumiNations (to Illum 2000), they didn't add them because the rim lighting wasn't supposed to have a large role in the new show. Plus, without rim lights in Morocco, it helped balance out the fact that there were no lights in Norway. So ... a case of aesthetics meeting cost.

:earsboy:

[KNWVIKING]

***"Vike, I already corrected myself. Your Google kungfu is weak."***

Yeah, I hate it when my job delays my posting.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by exDS vet
If you want to see Canada without the skyline obstructions then go to Canada.

I actually live about 30 minutes away from the Canadian border, but thanks for the tip!

[JIMINOCCHIO]

You can't see the Soarin' building from The Land, or Canada. The only place you can see that building is from the opposite side of World Showcase Lagoon. I too hope they enhance the building to look like the Rockies, it woiuld improve the view of Canada from across the lagoon. It's a huge building though, someone said only 2 stories, it's more like 4 or 5 stories.

[KNWVIKING]

***" It's a huge building though, someone said only 2 stories, it's more like 4 or 5 stories."***

In DL, the building is probably 2, maybe 3 stories above ground. But as someone already posted, when you enter the building,the que is a continual down hill journey so there is probably two stories or more underground. CA doesn't have the high water table though that Florida deals with so I imagine thats one reason so much is above ground.

[JIMINOCCHIO]

The queue for Soarin' in DCA is, at most, 1 level below ground. The attraction raises you more than 40 feet in the air. Allow for head room and all the mechanics of the attraction, that building is at least 4 stories.

[honeymom]

If you are standing facing The Land, yes you can see "Soarin".

I've been on the one at DL. It is such an amazing ride that any obstructions of views should be forgiven!

[OnWithTheShow]

Maybe they will add a facade on the world showcase side to blend with Canada. We really just don't know yet, so don't get angry yet. When there ends up being no facade I will be angry with you!

PS Norway does have both lighting and strobes during Reflections of Earth.

[Goofyposter]

When there ends up being no facade I will be angry with you!

...prepare to get angry! ;)