Disney's next major attraction?

[discruisegirl90]

I too hope they have the spinning rides out of there system.

The hundred acre woods playground looks really cool so far and does fit in well since it is right across from the Winnie the pooh ride. I hope it turns out well.

 

[Peter Pirate]

It's time for Disney to knock us dead with as amazing dark ride.

OK, fair enough but is Soarin' not considered a dark ride? Because that knocked my socks off.

If not then what are we looking for? A Spiderman or Indy type step forward? If this is the case then that is asking for a lot. Great idea, great implementation, huge expenditure and the hope that the public will love it and more importantly to the the Company, the hope that it will increase attendance...Sad but true. It's not Walt's world any longer.

 

[airlarry!]

Mr. Pirate, I personally don't consider a dark ride, but I'd like to know if there is an industry definition or somesuch.

I see Soarin' Over No Storyline to be one of the best ever simulator rides...but certainly not a dark ride in the vein of a Snow White or Pooh (all the way up to the Indy style thrill-type dark rides.)

Just imagine. What if they had actually put the effort into building a great story and attraction together with Soarin' instead of the attraction ECA (and I'm assumming here) and Epcot got? The ride mechanism is amazing....

 

[SoCalKDG]

Mr. Pirate, I personally don't consider a dark ride, but I'd like to know if there is an industry definition or somesuch.

I see Soarin' Over No Storyline to be one of the best ever simulator rides...but certainly not a dark ride in the vein of a Snow White or Pooh (all the way up to the Indy style thrill-type dark rides.)

Just imagine. What if they had actually put the effort into building a great story and attraction together with Soarin' instead of the attraction ECA (and I'm assumming here) and Epcot got? The ride mechanism is amazing....

For California the storyline was fine, an Adventure through great parts of California, making for the perfect ride to represent DCA. I imagine that since Soaring is in the land, once they remake the film you will get great lands of the U.S. or even great lands of the world.

I'd like to see something imported from Disney Sea. I know many don't like imports, but since it will be a minimum of 15 years before I'd ever get to Japan, I don't have a problem. There is a rumor that Epcot might get Stormrider(I think thats the name) to replace the simulator(body wars?) they already have and make that pavilion a Weather pavilion. Journey to the center of the earth would be great as well, just not sure where to put it.

 

[Lil_Tink]

I truley dont know any dirt. But hope that its something really sweet and fun

 

[MitchK]

I think a new E-ticket dark ride is just what the Magic Kingdom needs

 

[dpic]

Personally, I'd love to see a Pinnochio dark ride off the Pooh playland area. Pinnochio is THE classic Disney animated feature and has virtually been ignored (other than a counter service restaurant) at WDW. It would be perfect for that area.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I think that there's a lot of GREAT Disney movies that have been overlooked. I understand that they can only have so many rides and they've had millions of movies, but still.

 

[raidermatt]

I think some of us have different definitions for what "story" means.

A trip over CA is not a story.

Why are we flying? For that matter, how are we flying and in what? Where are we leaving from, landing? To quote Timon, "WHAT'S GOIN' ON HERE!?"

That said, I agree its a great ride, it just lacks the surrounding storyline that would make it unquestionably a great ATTRACTION.


Is it a "dark ride"? No, but I don't think that's a big deal. Its a reasonably non-exclusive ride which thrills and entertains the audience. I think Disney needs to work a little harder on developing more "all inclusive" rides, which certainly includes dark rides.

Tell that to my kids. It's becoming standard for 1/2 of our day at AK to be spent at the Boneyard.

Hmmm, so a single playground equals a 1/2 day park? Then 2 playgrounds equals a complete park?

Yes, I'm having a little fun with you.

Still, its a little frustrating when some of us call for "more" and are preached to about fiscal responsibility, then when we say a particular move is likely due to financial reasons, we're told its because people love it.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I'll agree that there is no real greay story to Soarin' (especially iat Epcot) but I didn't know everything had to be "story"... I mean the "story" to Dumbo is pretty weak...Sure you're riding in "flying elephants" but beyond that wee bit of imagery it's just a carny ride, is it not? Recently Test Track has been lambasted as having little or no story but it has become one of the most popular attractions at WDW. Back to a Disney Classic again, how about the Teacups? Little story, just ride.

To be sure Soarin' probably could have been better but realistically how much better? They could have given us a cause and eliminated or softened the scene changes but would the additions have added greatly to the effect of the ride itself which gives the "wow" in this case. Please note, I'm not claiming I'm right here only leaning one way...

So I'm saying that perhaps Soarin' isn't a dark ride but it still can be a great attraction. Now, is the idea permeating here that Disney must come up with another dark ride per se or have great attractions become the norm?

Also, back to Indy & Spiderman, I assume these would be considered dark rides by mosr of us?

 

[raidermatt]

Pete, your point about Dumbo and The Teacups, etc is a good one, however, the thing about Soarin' is that it can't even be compared to a carny ride and that's why it deserves more. As it is, its solid "D" ticket, but it could have been a premiere "E".

No, not every single ride has to have a complete, detailed story all around it. But some of them do, and if Soarin' doesn't rate that level, what does?

Test Track is a fun ride with a sort-of story around it. Certainly more of a story than Soarin'. And sure, fun rides are going to be popular. Especially when you put one in a park that had been neglected for years.

But again, think of the opportunity cost here. An automotive proving ground? Do you REALLY think that was the best Imagineering could come up with for that ride mech?

So I'm saying that perhaps Soarin' isn't a dark ride but it still can be a great attraction. Now, is the idea permeating here that Disney must come up with another dark ride per se or have great attractions become the norm?

Yes, it could be a great attraction, and would be with a better story around it.

I'm not 100% sure what you are asking after that, but I'll say that certainly an attraction can be great and not be a "dark ride".

I don't count Indy as a dark ride, though. To me, dark ride implies a non-exclusive indoor ride-through attraction. Indy doesn't make that definition, though certainly it is a great attraction.

To me, though, the issue is that Disney seems to have it in their heads that dark rides (as defined above) are just to give the kiddies something else to do, and there's not much point in putting more effort into them.

I'm not saying that they MUST add more dark rides, but I do think they probably should. But they should do so with an eye toward innovation.

 

[All Aboard]

I wouldn't classify Soarin' as a pure dark ride, but somewhere between dark ride and simulator. You are definitely travelling through scenes, but are not moving "through" them in your vehicle - which I think is a prerequisite for being a true dark ride.

I would classify both Indy and Spiderman as dark rides. You are moving through a story, scene by scene in each.

The story attached to Dumbo and the Mad Tea Party was created in the movies on which they are both based. In the climactic ending to Dumbo, he learns that he can actually fly. That's really a pretty stong and emotional scene - one of Disney's best, in my opinion. At the park, you get to join that moment, along with Dumbo. Without the movie supporting it, you are right, there'd be no story at all.

Soarin' is, in a way, the next generation of Circlevision. America the Beautiful, Magic Carpet 'Round the World, Wonders of China, have taken us on a magical trip across some pretty fantastic scenery. Soarin't takes it another step with a great ride mechanism that adds so much to the experience. Without the narration, those other attractions wouldn't have any story, either. I like the fact that Soarin' has no narration. But, as a result, it has no story - but that's more than ok.

I'm hopeful for another Fantasyland dark ride based on a great Disney animated feature, that's perfect for the whole family that just wows the heck out of you. I'm not creative, so don't ask me to describe it.

btw, I disagree with others who say Test Track has no story. I think the story is pretty clear. Perhaps it's more of a premise, but it flows well. I don't think it's a "great" attraction. But, that's another discussion.

 

[peter11435]

I wouldn't classify Soarin' as a pure dark ride, but somewhere between dark ride and simulator. You are definitely travelling through scenes, but are not moving "through" them in your vehicle - which I think is a prerequisite for being a true dark ride.

I would classify both Indy and Spiderman as dark rides. You are moving through a story, scene by scene in each.

The story attached to Dumbo and the Mad Tea Party was created in the movies on which they are both based. In the climactic ending to Dumbo, he learns that he can actually fly. That's really a pretty stong and emotional scene - one of Disney's best, in my opinion. At the park, you get to join that moment, along with Dumbo. Without the movie supporting it, you are right, there'd be no story at all.

Soarin' is, in a way, the next generation of Circlevision. America the Beautiful, Magic Carpet 'Round the World, Wonders of China, have taken us on a magical trip across some pretty fantastic scenery. Soarin't takes it another step with a great ride mechanism that adds so much to the experience. Without the narration, those other attractions wouldn't have any story, either. I like the fact that Soarin' has no narration. But, as a result, it has no story - but that's more than ok.

I'm hopeful for another Fantasyland dark ride based on a great Disney animated feature, that's perfect for the whole family that just wows the heck out of you. I'm not creative, so don't ask me to describe it.

btw, I disagree with others who say Test Track has no story. I think the story is pretty clear. Perhaps it's more of a premise, but it flows well. I don't think it's a "great" attraction. But, that's another discussion.

That truly was a great post.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I agree Greg, that TT does have a pretty good story but many people disagree (although I rate it higher on the 'great-o-meter' than you, I know) and it's true that Dumbo was magic for those having just seen the movie and visiting a new theme park all full of wonder and wow.

Soarin' was awe inspiring for us the first time and somewhat less so on subsequent rides (although we're all chomping at the bit to ride it again at WDW) and I guess tweaking could have given it more of the greatness we were looking for...Perhaps the rumored Epcot update' will give us that in the future.

I also agree on classifying Indy & Spidey as dark rides and would appreciate further clarification from Matt on his dissent.

Disney does have a boat load of material from which to choose another FantLand dark ride from and I'm hoping that it'll soon come...After an import of a new/different and improved Indy ride, of course...

 

[manning]

Fantastic service!!!!!!!!

 

[ShadowWind]

What I would like to see is another Haunted Mansion/Pirates quality dark ride, but I doubt that will happen. Disney has it in their mind that unless there is a thrill portion, that such attractions die out. And as I said in another post, they don't really want to spend the money on audio-animatronics at any great length like we see in Pirates and Haunted Mansion.

Here's an idea, they could put back Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Heck, as long as they are going to dig up the Flying Saucers from Disneyland's early years...

 

[FrozenTundra]

While I am a fan of Fast Pass, I think Test Track is an attraction whose story suffers from it. If you take the time in the que to see what goes into the construction of a car and other safety advancements on our highways you'll be impressed by the "story".

My ideal dark ride needs to have about a 15 minute, climate controlled ( 62F would be ideal) que followed by a 10-12 minute boat/carriage/train/whatever journey thru a great story. I don't need to get wet or experience massive drops. I don't want to see height restrictions or read warnings about back & heart conditions.

I want another Pirates.

 

[raidermatt]

I also agree on classifying Indy & Spidey as dark rides and would appreciate further clarification from Matt on his dissent.

I classify them more as "thrill" rides because of the physical stresses and height restrictions. (But certainly Indy is a high quality, and yes, classic, Disney attraction)

The reason I do think that is somewhat significant is that Indy has a 46" requirement. If we say that it qualifies as a "family dark ride", then the new dark ride requirement could be met with rides most 5 year olds can't ride.

If dark ride doesn't necessarily mean "family", then I guess I could call Indy a dark ride, but then we still have the problem of needing new, quality, all-inclusive rides.

 

[raidermatt]

Just to clarify on Test Track, I'm not sure that what it has qualifies as a story, or if its more of a "premise". But maybe that's semantics.

Regardless, I just don't think that simulating an automotive proving ground is really all that exciting an idea to most people. Yes, the ride itself is fun, which is why people ride it.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Location: In Guatamala

Scoop???