Details of POTC Update/Refurb

[yensiD naF]

If often surprises me when people on these boards get so defensive when others are critical of things. I have been slammed by some for my views

I applaud you for sticking to your guns and not only stating your beliefs, but backing them up as well. I agree with you about the POTC thing and how Disney has let profits get in the way of everything. I can already see the replies flowing in to this one.

Sure the company has to make a profit. They owe it to the shareholders. Haven't we heard enough of that over the years. But can't they try to do more new and original things like EE at WDW? I have no problem with them creating new attractions from the movies. That's what the parks have always been about. But going from ride to movie back to ride is pathetic.

Shame on those who chose to attack you for sharing an opinion. And thank you for the article.

BTW, your website is pretty cool. I just sent you a pm about it.

 

[jennydep]

I'm so sad about the timing of this update. We will be at WDW at the beginning of May for DD's wish trip. The only time I rode POC was when I was her age and was looking forward to taking her and our son on it. Oh well, guess this will give us a good reason to go again!!

 

[YoHo]

Nope. No Country Bears, just the Country Bear Playhouse. And before that they had the Country Bear Jamboree. Oh, and a Christmas show too. But there was never a Country Bears.

My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek.

Um, this makes no sense at all, The Country Bear Jamboree is the same show that WDW has. Then it was converted to the country Bear Vacation hoedown and had a seperate christmas show. When they switched to the Vacation Hoedown, they renamed it the country bear playhouse.

Check out Yesterland


http://www.yesterland.com/cbj.html

 

[exDS vet]

Um, this makes no sense at all, The Country Bear Jamboree is the same show that WDW has. Then it was converted to the country Bear Vacation hoedown and had a seperate christmas show. When they switched to the Vacation Hoedown, they renamed it the country bear playhouse.

That's pretty much what I said, only in reverse and I left out the Vacation Hoedown because it was the name of the show, but not the attraction or the theater.

 

[Olaf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the WDW version of POTC different from the Disneyland version?

I'm glad Disney has continued to change the parks and rides. I visited WDW for the first time as a child in 1972, and while that park was terrific, the WDW that exists now is 100 percent better.

 

[kittythepoohbear]

I know that I am in the minority here, but I also believe that the Jack Sparrow addition to POTC is a cheap marketing ploy. I understand the "making an old attraction fresh again" and "reaching new markets" arguments, but they don't cut it for me in this case. What really gets me is the addition not only of Sparrow, but of two other characters from the movie. One Sparrow AA stuck into the ride somewhere might be seen as cute and would be a nod to the success of the movie. But the rumors and news articles point to a slight change in story line to accomodate these characters. Yes, the original DL was built on movie plots and creative marketing, but this seems like a blatant attempt to promote the new sequel as well as continuing to squeeze ever last dime they possible can out of the original. (And I did see the movie. I will not be seeing the sequel however.)
Here's an idea: Keep POTC the same. Add one Jack Sparrow AA if you want. Then hire some passable Johnny Depp lookalikes and have a Sparrow meet and greet outside of the attraction. The kids will be happy, the fans of POTC will be happy and Disney would accomplish their goal of promoting the movie.

 

[Saxsoon]

Why don't you go see the movie first before you go critisizing the ride.

Besides if it weren't for the movies (Steamboat Willie among others) there would be no Disneyland or WDW in the first place.

And let me tell you this. I am a teen. I think you need a younger generation to listen to on here. I have grown up with these rides since I was two. I love these rides dearly, but they need an update. Like someone said, the younger generations are starting not to care. To tell you the truth I would rather go ride something more along the lines of Space Mountain because it is more FUN. It is a great ride.

Some of the older rides can benefit the rehab, and I would enjoy my trip more.

While I do admit the sequels to some classics were just stupid, there are movies like Toy Story, Monster Inc., Nemo, National Treasure, the Pacifier that I want to show my kids someday. I think Disney has lost it's animation touch, but these live action movies (I think) are better than a lot of the other movies that I have seen in my youth. PotC is not exception. THis looks to be a great movie (the sequel) possibly better than the first. So rant over.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Kitty, I don't see why you're unhappy? The movie was a huge success for Disney and why shouldn't Disney blatently try to make inroads with a new generation of fans. A new generation that often finds thrills more importatnt than story? I think the new POTC will be great as Capt. Jack is a very memorable character and will stand the test of time...He's a Pirate.

Walt himself would have used any marketing ploy available to him and I don't see any of this as a problem as long as IT's DONE RIGHT!

Sax, good post from a relevent perspective.

 

[exDS vet]

isn't the WDW version of POTC different from the Disneyland version?

The storyline is exactly the same at both parks, but the Disneyland version is FAR better than the WDW version. Here's why;
1. There is no Blue Bayou section at WDW.
2. There are two drops in the DL version
3. The skeleton sets are much bigger at DL
4. The finale is also better.
5. Overall, the ride is nearly twice as long at DL, the queue area is nicer and the building where you enter, as well as the Laffittes landing, where you board is much nicer.

The only things longer at WDW is the queue area and the wait itself, which tends to be quite long.

 

[Olaf]

isn't the WDW version of POTC different from the Disneyland version?

The storyline is exactly the same at both parks, but the Disneyland version is FAR better than the WDW version. Here's why;
1. There is no Blue Bayou section at WDW.
2. There are two drops in the DL version
3. The skeleton sets are much bigger at DL
4. The finale is also better.
5. Overall, the ride is nearly twice as long at DL, the queue area is nicer and the building where you enter, as well as the Laffittes landing, where you board is much nicer.

The only things longer at WDW is the queue area and the wait itself, which tends to be quite long.

Thanks for that info.

So how does that make the WDW version a "classic"?

 

[exDS vet]

I would call the WDW version a classic because it was one of the original attractions at the MK. Although DL's ride came along a few years earlier. Most of the rides that arrived at DL before WDW are considered to be better than the Florida counterparts. Some are exactly the same, with the exception of the buildings or facades that house them. But for the ride experience if definately give the edge to DL's originals. The only exceptions might be Big Thunder and the Jungle Cruise, which get a slight edge DL. Pirates and Small World easily beat the Florida versions though.

 

[peter11435]

I would call the WDW version a classic because it was one of the original attractions at the MK. Although DL's ride came along a few years earlier. Most of the rides that arrived at DL before WDW are considered to be better than the Florida counterparts. Some are exactly the same, with the exception of the buildings or facades that house them. But for the ride experience if definately give the edge to DL's originals. The only exceptions might be Big Thunder and the Jungle Cruise, which get a slight edge DL. Pirates and Small World easily beat the Florida versions though.

Actually Pirates was not one of the original attractions at the MK. The Magic Kingdom opened October 1, 1971. Pirates of the Caribbean did not open until over two years later on December 15, 1973.

 

[EUROPACL]

I would call the WDW version a classic because it was one of the original attractions at the MK. Although DL's ride came along a few years earlier. Most of the rides that arrived at DL before WDW are considered to be better than the Florida counterparts. Some are exactly the same, with the exception of the buildings or facades that house them. But for the ride experience if definately give the edge to DL's originals. The only exceptions might be Big Thunder and the Jungle Cruise, which get a slight edge DL. Pirates and Small World easily beat the Florida versions though.

If often surprises me when people on these boards get so defensive when others are critical of things. I have been slammed by some for my views on what Disney has tried to master over the past five years. Rehashing good ideas and trying to make a buck off of them. As long as you will buy it, they will keep doing it and you will continue to appreciate the depreciation of this once great company.

Since everyone has an opinion of what Walt would do, I thought I'd share an actual quote from this amazing man:

"You hate to repeat yourself. I don't like to make sequels to my pictures. I like to take a new thing and develop something, a new concept."

-Walt Disney

Maybe with these two post next to each other you can see the problem with your Walt never like to repeat himself logic???

 

[exDS vet]

Actually Pirates was not one of the original attractions at the MK. The Magic Kingdom opened October 1, 1971. Pirates of the Caribbean did not open until over two years later on December 15, 1073.

I stand corrected, I think. Anyway, you can't argue my point about DL's version being much better, or can you. But since we're being picky, you might want to check your dates. Or maybe you were referring to when the real pirates roamed the seas.

 

[exDS vet]

Maybe with these two post next to each other you can see the problem with your Walt never like to repeat himself logic???

You get a B+ for paying attention. But since Walt died years before WDW opened, it would be hard to argue that he repeated himself. BTW, Walt Disney World was clearly a new concept.

 

[dbm20th]

If often surprises me when people on these boards get so defensive when others are critical of things. I have been slammed by some for my views on what Disney has tried to master over the past five years. Rehashing good ideas and trying to make a buck off of them. As long as you will buy it, they will keep doing it and you will continue to appreciate the depreciation of this once great company.

Since everyone has an opinion of what Walt would do, I thought I'd share an actual quote from this amazing man:

"You hate to repeat yourself. I don't like to make sequels to my pictures. I like to take a new thing and develop something, a new concept."

-Walt Disney

Why is disagreeing with someone's very strongly worded opinion considered a "slamming" or an attack. SPeaking for myself, I respectfully disagreed with the author and stated my reasons for it and questioned his reasons for his. I didn't call him names and I didn't tell him what to think. If you are going to start a discussion with an opinion like this one, you MUST expect some disagreement. Honestly, and I don't mean this with an malice what-so-ever, if you can't take criticism don't post opinions.

As afr as your quote, you are correct. By the way, how many Alice comedies were there? How many Mickey shorts were produced by Walt? These sequesl are harmless, perhaps not good, but harmless

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I think it is great. Just about every time I take a ride on POTC over the past couple of years, someone in line or on the boat will mention Jack Sparrow. The younger generation loves this ride because of the movie. The movie even renewed my childhood love of the ride. I say, "Bravo Disney!"

 

[peter11435]

I stand corrected, I think. Anyway, you can't argue my point about DL's version being much better, or can you. But since we're being picky, you might want to check your dates. Or maybe you were referring to when the real pirates roamed the seas.

That would be 1973. And I agree that DL's POTC is far better than WDW.

 

[lillygator]

I think the update will be great and can't wait to see it!

As for quotes....that's great to have them and post them but that's also assuming that one would NEVER change their mind. I mean how many celebs have been interviewed and told that they "said" something and they look at the interviewer and say "I said that?"...I mean come on people!

 

[EUROPACL]

You get a B+ for paying attention. But since Walt died years before WDW opened, it would be hard to argue that he repeated himself. BTW, Walt Disney World was clearly a new concept.

So? I'm sure that half way through the constrution of MK after Walt died Roy just scrapped all of the new attractions and instead built an almost exact duplicate of Disneyland. Yes Walt repeated himself with MK and most of the attractions that were put there. So that little fact just blows your argument out of the water. Yes Walt had many great new things planned but you can't say he never repeated himself.