Is adding Disney characters to IASW really that bad?

[TheAXIOM]

Just thought I'd start a thread so everyone can express themselves.

I for one don't really mind it. But of course, I'm not a purist when it comes to IASW.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Yes.

That about sums it up,
Dreams

 

[Sherry E]

I, for one, am looking forward to it. The only reason I would not want to see the new Disney additions to IASW would be if it somehow caused DLR to skip doing the IASW Holiday later this year. You know, they may want to showcase the new stuff/changes to IASW and the holiday overlay would totally obliterate that. But as long as they do the holiday overlay in November, I am cool with the new Disney touches and I think it is a good way to freshen up a ride that kind of went stale for a lot of people (some folks downright HATE IT), and attract people back on the ride during the non-holiday portion of the year!

 

[Mike_M]

This is a touchy subject for most. Last year, there was so much anger on most of the DL forums about this that I stopped reading them altogether and just recently came back.

Change is inevitable at DLR and where there is change, there will be criticism. Sometimes it's justified, sometimes it isn't. There have been good plussing decisions before (Jungle Cruise, the 1983 Fantasyland makeover) and bad ones (Tiki Room under new mgmt at MK, New Tomorrowland) History is a better judge of such things IMHO.

IASW hasn't gone through any major changes like this (With the exception of adding the holiday version) during the entire lifetime of most of the current DL visitors. DL veterans that grew up with the ride especially may be resistant to change since it is a beloved classic and much has changed already throughout the park.

As for my opinion, a lot has changed at DL in the 29 years since my first visit and I have to say that for the most part, I'm happy with the DL we have today and with most of the plussing that has happened (I like what has been done to POTC, HM and even Tom Sawyer Island. Tomorrowland could use some additional work though IMHO - Bring back the Peoplemover and get rid of Innoventions ). I welcome the changes at IASM so long as they are done within the style of the original (Which from everything I've read they appear to be).

 

[PinkBudgie]

I'm looking forward to the change. I like changes and new things to look for on rides, as long as the original character of the ride isn't changed.

 

[pixiewings71]

IMO, no it's not a bad thing. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

I usually avoid IASW like the plague. Now that there are Disney characters in it, I'll check it out next time.

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I'm looking forward to it as well!

IASW has always been one of my favorite rides at Disneyland, and I remember a time not so long ago before the holiday overlay when it seemed like no one wanted to ride that ride at all. I'm talking about showing up on some of the busiest days of the year and walking right on.

I like Disney characters, and if adding them to the ride gives it a second chance and introduces it to a new generation, and makes it so that the ride doesn't get shut down because of lack of interest, I'm all for it.

 

[fairycat]

I had a strong opinion about this at one point and then realised since I typically only ride this ride about once every ten years and my last two rides were both for the Holiday (so actually twice in three years this run WOW!!), I figured it was hard to have a real opinion or count, since the change will barely effect me, except to get me on it at least once this year. Then probably not again until the holidays or 2019!!!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I'm looking forward to the change. I like changes and new things to look for on rides, as long as the original character of the ride isn't changed.

Me too!! I love IASW however it does get old after a while. I did like seeing it all spiffy though. They took their time and it really looks nice! Before it was run down and just awful! I like the disney aspect and dont think walt would oppose it...but I dont want it to change the overall feel of the ride too much. I wasn't a huge fan of adding jack sparrow to pirates but it doesn't change the ride too much and is still okay. So yes...I am looking forward to it as well!

 

[Disney Dreams]

..but I dont want it to change the overall feel of the ride too much.

That is EXACTLY my point.

Cinderella at the Taj Mahal changes everything about what that location and scene is.

Jasmine at the pyramids no longer makes it about children from that part of the world, but about another Disney movie (which I loved btw, nothing to do with the film).

And on and on and on. The characters change the meaning of the scenes. And therefore distort the entire message of the ride. It's about world peace and harmony, not about Disney characters you can see around the world.

Or at least it was.
- Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

I did like seeing it all spiffy though. They took their time and it really looks nice!

I can agree with that.

I have ALWAYS loved the ride and the song. To the point where, I found out a few years ago, my stepmom nearly killed me, LOL, b/c I would play my album over and over and over (and over).

But when we went in '05, as my first time back as an adult, I could have cried to see how run down it was. I mean, I was looking up at the dirty nasty ceiling tiles, instead of paying attention to the ride, that's how distracting it was.

And I was very pleased to see it all shiny and new.


But I am NOT looking forward to the characters, and the possible addition of the American thing is almost sending me over the edge. We're IN America, we don't need the ride to include a scene. And I just do not see the point of the characters. There's seriously no point that makes sense to me.


Of course it also would be nice to get the Korean dolls out from behind the ice dragon, and for them to appear in the final scene...I think maybe that bothers me (and hubby!) more than anything else.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

That is EXACTLY my point.

Cinderella at the Taj Mahal changes everything about what that location and scene is.

Jasmine at the pyramids no longer makes it about children from that part of the world, but about another Disney movie (which I loved btw, nothing to do with the film).

And on and on and on. The characters change the meaning of the scenes. And therefore distort the entire message of the ride. It's about world peace and harmony, not about Disney characters you can see around the world.

Or at least it was.
- Dreams

I guess that is true. I will just have to wait and see it for myself. I grew up loving that ride but I think many kids or parents these days have tired of it. If it brings IASW back on the map then I dont think it's a bad thing. Sadly children just aren't as easily amused as they once were I guess.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just don't see how a few characters is going to make people interested in it enough to go on it multiple times.

There are people who hate the song and people who like the song. And no characters can make a hate-the-song person into someone who will abide it. To some people the song is like fingernails on a chalkboard, and gol they'd better not change the song to help THOSE people.

And a person who finds the dolls creepy isn't going to ignore that for a few characters.

Like I said, there's just no point. Other than extra merchandise.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I just don't see how a few characters is going to make people interested in it enough to go on it multiple times.

There are people who hate the song and people who like the song. And no characters can make a hate-the-song person into someone who will abide it. To some people the song is like fingernails on a chalkboard, and gol they'd better not change the song to help THOSE people.

And a person who finds the dolls creepy isn't going to ignore that for a few characters.

Like I said, there's just no point. Other than extra merchandise.

Good point. I am a lover of the ride and song so I guess I didn't see it that way. And you are right! Heaven help them if they mess with the song!!!

 

[fairycat]

I just don't see how a few characters is going to make people interested in it enough to go on it multiple times.

There are people who hate the song and people who like the song. And no characters can make a hate-the-song person into someone who will abide it. To some people the song is like fingernails on a chalkboard, and gol they'd better not change the song to help THOSE people.

And a person who finds the dolls creepy isn't going to ignore that for a few characters.

Like I said, there's just no point. Other than extra merchandise.

I agree no level of cuteness can get my mom on that ride. Even as kids she fought very hard to avoid taking us on that ride. I think she would even have done the teacups (another dreaded ride) in order to avoid that ride. We mostly only rode it when my Grandmother was with.

See even my childhood was not filled with IASW.

I do believe we could get my mom on for the holiday ride as long as we promise not to sing the standard song

 

[Disneylvrforever]

That is EXACTLY my point.

Cinderella at the Taj Mahal changes everything about what that location and scene is.

Jasmine at the pyramids no longer makes it about children from that part of the world, but about another Disney movie (which I loved btw, nothing to do with the film).

And on and on and on. The characters change the meaning of the scenes. And therefore distort the entire message of the ride. It's about world peace and harmony, not about Disney characters you can see around the world.

Or at least it was.
- Dreams

This is how I feel about the change; I really couldn't find a good argument for myself. I think that once the characters arrive, little kids especially will be like, "Look, there's Peter Pan!" or "Look, there's Mulan!" It just seems very "commercial" even though it's still Disney. I'm not really good at explaining myself, but I'm not all that excited about the change. I'll still go on the ride though.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that once the characters arrive, little kids especially will be like, "Look, there's Peter Pan!" or "Look, there's Mulan!" It just seems very "commercial" even though it's still Disney. I'm not really good at explaining myself, but I'm not all that excited about the change. I'll still go on the ride though.

I think kids will too. And I don't think it's necessary (not saying you do, just responding to the general concept you bring up). I have a little kid, and he likes IASW just fine without characters. Hasn't once wondered why Mickey Mouse isn't in there. I'm sure he'll like it once they are in there (though honestly I could imagine him, because I know him, asking WHY they are in there) but he doesn't need them to be there to enjoy it.

I'm so glad hubby and son enjoy the ride like I do. Surprisingly, if he liked IASW was NOT one of the many questions I asked him during our first few 10 hours of talking dates! Asked everything else, but not that. Lucky in that sense!

 

[Mahale]

So forgive me as I haven't been following this story that closely, but I'm guessing the changes will be similar to what they've done in Hong Kong? From the pictures I've seen from there, it seems subtle enough, but I'm definitely not big on the idea. I think I'll just wait and see and pass judgment when I get a chance to ride it.

 

[fairycat]

So forgive me as I haven't been following this story that closely, but I'm guessing the changes will be similar to what they've done in Hong Kong? From the pictures I've seen from there, it seems subtle enough, but I'm definitely not big on the idea. I think I'll just wait and see and pass judgment when I get a chance to ride it.

Yes the change is similar, but the feelings are a bit more intense on the change here since this was the original. This was a big deal with its connection to the World's Fair and Walt, I think its much harder to take this change as this was Walt's work.

I have to say I think the original meaning behind the ride is very good, and it does seem hard to have these characters coming in to adjust the meaning of the original ride.

Mind you I was cool with the change to Pirate's because that change felt different.