Carousel of Progress-not progressing?!!?

[Another Voice]

I like the spirit. It's the same modern Disney attitude that's made California Adventure, The Disney Stores, GO.com, Hollywood Records and Feature Animation everything they are today.

Sorry, but I've never bought into the whole "the guests are stupid and scumy" mindset. I don't think it's right to blame us when a show or ride is unpoular. It's not our job to buy up whatever Disney offers.

It's Disney's job to create shows and attractions that people want to see. If no one show up, it's because Disney did a bad job. And it also means it's Disney's responsibility to fix.

 

[Mickey1122]

I will SCREAM if there is one more Pixar attractin in Walt Disney World. We always here of new Pixar attractions, and have made up most of the new rides. (besides Soarin' and Everest) There is way too much Pixar already. Aren't they doing Pixar in the Millionaire spot already?

 

[dmk1021]

This past weekend I found myself thinking that it's definitely time for CoP to go.

I agree with another poster who thinks that Walt would be upset at the state of CoP today.

Come on now:

"You're not going to talk about the old days when you didn't even have a car phone!'

Plus, anything with the inclusion of laserdiscs is just plain upsetting.

For the record, I love CoP, or at least the memory of it. I just think it's "time." I would love to see something new and innovative there...isn't that what Tomorrowland is supposed to be about?

 

[MJMcBride]

This past weekend I found myself thinking that it's definitely time for CoP to go.

I agree with another poster who thinks that Walt would be upset at the state of CoP today.

Come on now:

"You're not going to talk about the old days when you didn't even have a car phone!'

Plus, anything with the inclusion of laserdiscs is just plain upsetting.

For the record, I love CoP, or at least the memory of it. I just think it's "time." I would love to see something new and innovative there...isn't that what Tomorrowland is supposed to be about?

I agree with anyone who is a Buffalo Bills fan. Laserdiscs bite!

 

[bicker]

There are discussions, and then there is complaining.

 

[bicker]

I will SCREAM if there is one more Pixar attractin in Walt Disney World. We always here of new Pixar attractions, and have made up most of the new rides. (besides Soarin' and Everest) There is way too much Pixar already. Aren't they doing Pixar in the Millionaire spot already?

As it is, Pixar and Disney are the same thing now. Pixar is Disney's future -- in reality, Pixar is what Disney was meant to become, by the normal passage of time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The last few trips to WDW we found COP open--and as Bicker suggests, woefully "UNDER-attended". CM's outside looked about as bored as human beings could look. It was almost embarrasing to be seated inside with so few people. One teenage girl I saw in a row in front of us actually closed her eyes and took a brief nap!!
Personally I like the ride and have liked it ever since I first saw it at the Worlds Fair (when I was 21). But it seems clear the "public" isn't too fond of it, for (I suppose)a variety of reasons. So Disney can close it (which is what I think will happen eventually), update it, or leave it be.
Time will tell--

 

[barreloflaughs]

As it is, Pixar and Disney are the same thing now. Pixar is Disney's future -- in reality, Pixar is what Disney was meant to become, by the normal passage of time.

Normal passage of time? What the heck does that mean? Is Disney not bound by the same laws of physics as everyone else?

IMO, Pixar's success boils down to their ability to spin a good yarn. In that sense, Pixar is not what Disney was meant to become; Pixar is what Disney used to be. It hasn't been a lack of time that has hurt Disney....it's been a loss of vision.

barrel

 

[bicker]

Disney is indeed bound by the same laws as all other companies. Thanks for making my point.

Some people seem to feel their own "vision" is superior to everyone else's, and especially superior to the people who have actually EARNED the place from which decisions are made. That must be frustrating for those people. It must be a terrible place to see the world from.

 

[barreloflaughs]

What was your point again? That Disney was destined to become a small, focused maker of fine animated films but that time got in the way? Was that really the vision? Cuz if that was the vision then Walt could've just quit in 1941 and been satisfied that the vision had been realized.

Thankfully Walt's vision extended beyond the one you describe. Sadly the people who've been running his company in the recent past have had no vision whatsoever.

barrel

 

[Sarangel]

Gentlebeings, may I remind you that you need to play nicely in this forum? I have edited several posts to remove personal attacks - if they return I will delete them & close the thread.

Sarangel

 

[raidermatt]

Some people seem to feel their own "vision" is superior to everyone else's, and especially superior to the people who have actually EARNED the place from which decisions are made. That must be frustrating for those people. It must be a terrible place to see the world from.

I agree.

Not sure how that applies to the conversation at hand though. Perhaps you can clarify how its relevant?

As for CoP, we went on it once on our recent trip. Theatre was about 1/2 full. But I agree that its popularity has waned.

What cannot be proven is whether that popularity has waned only because its seriously outdated, or if people just don't like "that type" of attraction.

My money is on the outdated reason. That's not to say an updated CoP would be an E-ticket that brings droves of people in. But it would be a solid contributor as a lower ticket, maybe B or C level (I'm not sure what it was originally, but I'm sure somebody will tell us).

Remember also that updating does not have to be limited to simply changing the timeframes of the scenes. Like some of the recent PotC updates, they can also include new effects.

 

[Another Voice]

Some people seem to feel their own "vision" is superior to everyone else's, and especially superior to the people who have actually EARNED the place from which decisions are made. That must be frustrating for those people. It must be a terrible place to see the world from..

You are absolutely right.

Those who have experience inside the entertainment business and Disney management know how difficult it really is. Attempting to do any type of entertainment with any level of style is difficult; maintaining the historical standards of Disney is extremely difficult to point where it’s nearly impossible. But we found there were great rewards too. Few experiences are a great as listening to an audience react to something you’ve created; fewer still than those that come from walking around a park filled with happy people and thinking to oneself “I made this happen”.

There are frustrations, sure. Disney attracts those that are interested in creating, but it also attracts those in it for the money. It’s no different than Hollywood. It’s a struggle to keep those people from ruining the company – the resources diverted to make a cheap video sequel could have gone to fresh and innovative project instead. To people who have really earned their place, maintaining high standards isn’t just a marketing line – it’s a battle against those with other aims.

But what is even more frustrating are the outsiders, the ones without any direct knowledge of entertainment or of Disney. The ones on the sidelines that, through their ignorance, cheer on the mistakes just as loudly as they cheer on the successes. It’s the people that don’t want to know the difference between the short term and the long term, the outsiders that don’t know the difference between “popular” and “good”, the people that lack the understanding of craftsmanship and talent and imagination.

The ones that equate this quarter’s profit with success.

It must be a terrible place to see the world, forever cheering on the corporate balance sheet no matter what. They miss all the magic that can be possible and instead satisfy themselves with the mundane. There is no joy in shutting down an attraction to save a few bucks; but there’s infinite joy to be found in making a child’s imagination soar.

You’re right. The people that have never earned the applause, who only gain joy through their fandom of a corporation’s bottom line, the people without dreams, without talent and who never push themselves…what a horrible and frustrating place to be.

 

[All Aboard]

But it would be a solid contributor as a lower ticket, maybe B or C level (I'm not sure what it was originally, but I'm sure somebody will tell us).

It was a freebie, along with If You Had Wings, Hall of Presidents (after a brief stint as an E-Ticket), CircleVision 360 and The Walt Disney Story.

 

[raidermatt]

That's in MK right? Was it a freebie in DL when it opened earlier, as well?

I don't know, maybe it would still be a "freebie" or an "A". All depends on what the update would entail.

 

[All Aboard]

I was recently set straight by a very knowledgeable individual. CoP was free because the fee paid by GE to Disney more than covered the ticket sales Disney would expect from the attraction. GE wanted as many people as possible to see it, since they felt it was a strong commercial for their products.

Of course, the whole overriding electricity theme was later dropped.

 

[pirateparrot]

If it is closed, I wonder if the Smithsonian would be interested?

 

[exDS vet]

I don't believe CoP was a freebee at Disneyland. To the best of my knowledge there weren't any free attractions during CoP's time. At least not at Disnneyland. I also don't buy the justification that G.E. paid so much to sponsor it that they just made it a free attraction. It still had operating costs and labor to boot.

As I recall, the attractions that did not require a ticket, had an individual charge. Like the shooting gallery and the Main St. Vehicles. But then again, I was quite young during the CoP's time at Disneyland.

 

[hopemax]

Now, see what you made me do, I had to post

Carousel of Progress was free at Disneyland. Other free attractions at DL: Golden Horseshoe Revue, Hall of Chemistry, House of the Future, Adventure thru Inner Space (however, teens found great enjoyment in the ride, so later they made it free for adults, but teens needed a ticket, and then after Monsanto pulled out they made it a ticketed attraction), and Circle-Vision (when it was sponsered by Bell). Get your hands on the old "Guide to Disneyland" and you can see what tickets each of the old attractions required.

*sigh*

 

[bicker]

Not sure how that applies to the conversation at hand though. Perhaps you can clarify how its relevant?

No, I feel the statement stands on its own. The reality is that people who haven't earned a place of power always complain when people who have earned a place of power do something they don't like. They seek to put their personal preferences on a pedestal, and try to belittle the hard work of professionals doing a good job, solely because they don't "like" who those in power have done.