Have Disney Execs fallen in love with the cutesy little boat rides?

[WishnDisney]

Spaceship Earth and HM = Same ride system completely different experiences.

Slapping my forehead here with this realization!

 

[bryanb]

I would just like to see some creativity.

One might also accuse Disney Imagineers and executives of being obsessed with audio-animatronics, linear induction motors, motion simulators, and projection mapped fireworks shows. But Disney still offers a wider variety of ride systems (both at WDW and elsewhere) include those innovated in the current era.

I'm sure you're taking a contrarian view just for fun. I'm not sure how anyone could look at the work that Disney has done with Pandora (or Cars Land or Tron or countless other examples from the current era) and accuse them of lacking creativity. So one of the two rides in Pandora uses a boat mechanism: maybe that was the best way to present the story they wanted to tell, in a way that efficiently carries a lot of guests and is friendly for all ages.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I don't care for them, but they help me by drawing all of these other folks away from the rides that I do like, so I won't complain too much.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I don't hate them but how many do we need?

At least each one feels like a unique experience. The ride mechanism is the same but they aren't exactly the same ride. Yes, I'm looking at you AstroAlaTrimbo.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I don't care for them, but they help me by drawing all of these other folks away from the rides that I do like, so I won't complain too much.

Well they aren't drawing that much given that Epcot is still on a tiering system. The park has 3 cutesy boat rides: Mexico, Living w/ the land, Frozen. Other than Frozen (because it's a brand new attraction), I don't see the boat rides in Mexico and Living w/ the land drawing too many people away from the main attractions. If Disney spent more time on building more of those attractions that do attract people, perhaps they could do away with the tiering system at Epcot.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

One might also accuse Disney Imagineers and executives of being obsessed with audio-animatronics, linear induction motors, motion simulators, and projection mapped fireworks shows. But Disney still offers a wider variety of ride systems (both at WDW and elsewhere) include those innovated in the current era.

I'm sure you're taking a contrarian view just for fun. I'm not sure how anyone could look at the work that Disney has done with Pandora (or Cars Land or Tron or countless other examples from the current era) and accuse them of lacking creativity. So one of the two rides in Pandora uses a boat mechanism: maybe that was the best way to present the story they wanted to tell, in a way that efficiently carries a lot of guests and is friendly for all ages.

I'm not 100% sure that I hold a contrarian view. Perhaps on this particular message board I do, or at least based on the people participating in this thread. Again, it's not that I hate the boat rides, I just don't think we need any more of them.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Condescension? From someone who called some of the most well-themed attractions "cutesy little boat rides" one would think that was condescension. The research I was hoping you would do was based on Walt Disney's original idea for a theme park - create attractions the whole family could enjoy. There's so much stuff out there about his philosophy, hence the point to do some research. If you think the boat ride in Pandora is cutesy, perhaps Universal is more your speed?

Which of the boat rides do you consider to be the most well-themed attractions? Splash Mountain is the most well-themed attraction in all of Disney World and I'm not including that in the "cutesy boat ride" category. When thinking of Disney's "most well-themed attractions," I tend to think of Haunted Mansion and Toy Story. Frozen and Navi don't hold a candle to those rides.

 

[SteveMouse]

I think you have to consider the theme and what they are trying to convey.
TSMM lends itself because it's toys they are talking about, the carnival/winning a toy theme is perfect for it
HM although it doesn't have a height requirement a lot of families pass it up because some kids may find it scary
Dinosaur has a height requirement so it shouldn't be considered in this discussion
FEA could've easily been a dry ride but they already had the infrastructure there. It would've ended up being like Ariel's ride at MK
NRJ I like that it's a boat ride, it fits perfectly with the story of the land, I don't think they could've made this family ride any other way. Unless it was dry ride but same concept

Like others have pointed out Disney has always had boat/dry family rides to accommodate everyone.

Not to forget that Buzz (corrected, thanks for that, Robo- not enough coffee this morning) leveraged the track for "if you had wings" and the HM uses omnipods examples of Disney leveraging things Between attractions.

 

[Robo]

Not to forget that TSMM leveraged the track for "if you had wings"

TSMM?

I think you mean "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin."

 

[maxiesmom]

Which of the boat rides do you consider to be the most well-themed attractions? Splash Mountain is the most well-themed attraction in all of Disney World and I'm not including that in the "cutesy boat ride" category. When thinking of Disney's "most well-themed attractions," I tend to think of Haunted Mansion and Toy Story. Frozen and Navi don't hold a candle to those rides.

Why not? It is definitely a boat ride! Maybe you don't think it "cutesy" but that doesn't make it any less a boat ride. Nor do I think Living with the Land "cutesy".

I can only come up wit 3 boat rides that I consider "cutesy". So no, WDW is not over-run with them, and I don't think building one means they lack creativity. Not any more than building the 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride meant they lacked creativity because they built just another roller-coaster. I mean, they already had 3 in the Magic Kingdom, why add another????

 

[Jennasis]

Which of the boat rides do you consider to be the most well-themed attractions? Splash Mountain is the most well-themed attraction in all of Disney World and I'm not including that in the "cutesy boat ride" category. When thinking of Disney's "most well-themed attractions," I tend to think of Haunted Mansion and Toy Story. Frozen and Navi don't hold a candle to those rides.

Have you been on the new Nav'i river Journey ride?

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Why not? It is definitely a boat ride! Maybe you don't think it "cutesy" but that doesn't make it any less a boat ride. Nor do I think Living with the Land "cutesy".

Because of the drops. It packs a punch unlike the ones that are mainly being brought up in this conversation.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Have you been on the new Nav'i river Journey ride?

Has anyone?

 

[maxiesmom]

Has anyone?

Then why are you judging a ride you haven't been on? How do you even know it is "cutesy"????

 

[maxiesmom]

Because of the drops. It packs a punch unlike the ones that are mainly being brought up in this conversation.

I think Splash is the king of the "cutesy" rides. What is more cute than a bunch of rabbits, bears, and birds???

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Then why are you judging a ride you haven't been on? How do you even know it is "cutesy"????

Saw the video of the ride.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I think Splash is the king of the "cutesy" rides. What is more cute than a bunch of rabbits, bears, and birds???

We are coming from a different point of view then. Which is totally fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

Saw the video of the ride.

Maybe, like many things, it is better in person.

I don't get all of the fussing. If you don't think it looks interesting, don't go on it. But to claim that WDW, which has 4 theme parks, has too many "cutesy" (hate that word, btw) boat rides because it has, what 4? 5? A bit ridiculous. Some of us like to sit, relax, and float along. Plus, boat rides are an easy way to move many people along. Not everything has to shake or twist, or hang, or take you up into the air.

 

[Jennasis]

Has anyone?

Many people have, but I'm wondering how you could make a statement about the ride not holding a candle to the theming of others if you haven't been on it yet. I've at least seen walk throughs of the line and the ride itself and frankly, while it's "just a boat ride" the theming appears to be far beyond anything else on property (and I am one of the ones who thought/think that Avatar is a lame addition to the Disney parks). If you don't, then I'm not sure what you would consider amazing theming.

The bottom line is that you aren't likely going to find much support for your opinion of boat rides at Disney here.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Not everything has to shake or twist, or hang, or take you up into the air.

It's clear you haven't read all my posts on this thread. So I'll leave it at that.