Is adding Disney characters to IASW really that bad?

[Mahale]

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.

That makes sense. I wasn't really thinking about how it's the original and all. :/ I'll just keep hoping that it's done tastefully.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

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

Yeah, I have no idea why I felt okay w/ the addition of Jack and such into POTC. Maybe bc he's only in the ride 3x or something, I have no idea.
I know what you mean about IASM being one of Walt's creations and being a part of the World's Fair & such, but it's kinda the same w/ POTC. DL's was the original and it was the last ride that Walt worked on. So I don't know why I feel okay w/ POTC's change & not IASW's.

 

[fairycat]

Yeah, I have no idea why I felt okay w/ the addition of Jack and such into POTC. Maybe bc he's only in the ride 3x or something, I have no idea.
I know what you mean about IASM being one of Walt's creations and being a part of the World's Fair & such, but it's kinda the same w/ POTC. DL's was the original and it was the last ride that Walt worked on. So I don't know why I feel okay w/ POTC's change & not IASW's.

The difference is it doesn't change the meaning. When they tried to PC the ride up a lot of us got mad because pirates are not PC. But POTC spawned Jack Sparrow and it seems ok for the circle to switch back. It also doesn't change the focus of the rides. Its subtle, but Jack is a Pirate, the ride is about pirates and its all still about pirates.

Adding Disney characters in IASW does feel like it changes the storyline. I mean Cinderella is a story and a character not a child talking about world peace (note I picked one of my favorites from the list). I think it also feels more marketed in a ride that is not about marketing, its about seeing the world as a big place that is all interconnected. It feels more forced in this case I think.

IASW changes feel more like the Tikiroom under new management then Jack in POTC.

ETA: ok maybe not AS terrible as the TRUNM, cause at least the Disney characters in IASW won't sing and talk in annoying voices, but if they did it would be a tie.

 

[bumbershoot]

fairycat, you just spoke as though you were in my brain! Those were the exact things that went through my head as I read the question.

Jack is a pirate, and there are pirates on the ride. And in the movie he was an exceptionally good looking pirate, so it's OK that his ride character looks different and better than the other pirates.

But with IASW, those are kids. So throwing anyone but *maybe* Peter Pan and Wendy into IASW doesn't fit. Doesn't work. Is just plussing for the sake of plussing. And for merchandise sales.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

And see I am exactly the opposite. I dont like that they changed POTC but am pretty okay with changing IASW. Now had they changed it dramatically and changed the song I would be upset.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I'm okay with it. It's DL, of course Disney characters fit on a Disneyland ride! Doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am looking forward to it.

 

[MinnieMouse7575]

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.

I don't think it's bad. I think it might be cute.

 

[HallGirl]

I think it will be cool, but then I'm a WDW person and haven't ridden the original except with the holiday overlay. I think that adding Disney characters can help in identifying countries that are represented.

 

[tyluvsdis]

I think that it's a great way to help my kids appreciate both the old and the new in Disneyland. I am such a fan of the Characters, but at the same time, love the vintage. I think that it will be a great way to mesh both. My two cents...

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

I don't believe that they would ever try to change the message of the ride and my hope is that the addition of characters will only enhance that and not detract. I don't know how they would accomplish this, but I have faith that it will be fabulous.

I will reserve judgement until I see the results. I'm just happy that the ride has finally received some attention. It was looking pretty shabby for quite a long time.

 

[cats mom]

I really don't have strong feelings one way or another, and either way I doubt that I'll be logging much time in line for IASW... so take my opinion for what it's worth.

Honestly though I expect self promotion from Disney. They're masters at it.

Ever been on a Disney cruise and watched Disney Dreams? The first time my extended family saw it my FIL said it was a huge commercial for Disney movies with a bit of story line thrown in for good measure. My SIL was sitting next to him with tears in her eyes and couldn't have disagreed more. Personally I fall somewhere in the middle. I see the self promoting aspect, but I still think it's one of the best shows I've seen on any cruise line (and apparently the cruise industry agrees since Dreams won a best show award) so I can forgive some self promoting excess.

I guess the question is when does the self promotion cross the line from being in context and subtle enough to not feel like it's in your face to being blatant and detracting. Obviously the answer won't be the same for everyone.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I'm personally looking forward to it, but I completely understand that people are not used to change and react to it negatively. Its very visible by the numerous amounts of threads on this discussion.

The way I look at it for Disneyland is the amount of numbers they are getting for the ride. I am VERY sure that IASW costs a good amount of money in electricity and I would consider updating it to make numbers so that it is less of a liability in the park and more of an asset; even if it only makes people who hate it go on the ride once more than they have (its one more than they did before).

As Walt said, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

When I go back to DLR, I'm definitely going to be one of those people who goes on the ride to see the new characters added to the attraction

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm looking forward to the changes. I like the idea that something at Disneyland is different from time to time for those of us who go often. We have our memories of the way it WAS and can enjoy the park for what it IS, and can look forward to how it WILL BE.

I also think that the number of "purists" are outnumbered by the tourists who will enjoy seeing the Disney touches on It's a Small World.

If the idea of IASW is to show peace & harmony throughout the world, then it's my opinion that Disney promotes 'happy' (putting aside the total business aspect of the company), and so it is appropriate to put Disney figures in the Small World style in the attraction, and doesn't take away from the the basic storyline, but kind of ties in how Disney touches on different parts of the world in its movies, etc.

 

[goofycathy]

Do you still get into a little boat after standing in line looking at all the little topiaries? Do you still float thru and see all the little kids from different places in the world singing a song about unity? Do you still get a little annoyed with the song?

You do? GREAT! so its still the same!!!! What? they added Disneyland charachters in Disneyland!!!! OMG I'll love it even more!

Cant wait till I can go and check out the improvements for myself!!!

 

[HallGirl]

I want to add that the Disney characters show the sharing of different cultures through stories. Many of the Disney classics stories came from other countries. It may give you a different way to watch the movies. One example is watching the Aristocats and seeing Paris in the background and seeing how accurate it may be or how the people are portrayed.

 

[Disney Dreams]

^^^ your signature ^^^ awww

 

[dmked]

I'm looking forward to seeing the changes!

And I know some people are mad about it, but what's the point? DL is not going to ever change it back, so enjoy it! And Disneyland is commercialized anyway, what difference does it make that they spruced up a ride that used to not have Disney characters...now it has them. It is DISNEYland after all.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I'm looking forward to seeing the changes!

And I know some people are mad about it, but what's the point? DL is not going to ever change it back, so enjoy it! And Disneyland is commercialized anyway, what difference does it make that they spruced up a ride that used to not have Disney characters...now it has them. It is DISNEYland after all.

I personally think that some rides shouldn't be "Disneyized." Like HM for instance, there are no Disney characters and it has it's own charm & is a Disney favorite. I like rides like these bc they go away from your typical everyday Disney character and has their own memorable characters like Madame Leota or the Hatbox Ghost in HM and each doll in IASW has their own special place in the ride. I just think that the addition of the Disney characters will just get in the way.

 

[*BTMRR*]

I can understand about people not wanting to mess with a Walt Disney original. I'm a lifelong Disneyland fan and IASW is one of my most cherished rides.
We did see the version in Hong Kong, though, and I was surprised by how subtle and interesting the addition of the Disney characters was. I had thought the ride would be all about the characters and it was not. It was fun looking for the characters, sort of similar to looking for Hidden Mickeys. My family gave it a thumbs-up.