Small World Possibly Getting "NexGenned"

[WaltD4Me]

I read an article that I would say is just a rumor, but there is some art work to go along with it. Seems the plan is that you will be able to make your own virtual Small World doll somehow and then somehow you will see your doll as you go through IASW. Really don't understand how they will do this, but I think I am coming to hate the term "NexGen"

From the article.....

Taking advantage of the NextGen infrastructure in which guests will be able to personalize their experiences at Walt Disney World, the “it’s a small world” interactivity begins at home. Using their computer or smart phone, guests will design their own “it’s a small world doll.” When they visit the attraction at the Magic Kingdom, monitors placed throughout the attraction will virtually ride along with the guest (or the monitors may be installed in the vehicles, this is an unknown at this time).

Did Disney buy a monitor company or something? They need to leave IASW alone.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I understand wanting to keep the integrity of the ride, but I also don't see how this would take away from that.

Then again, I wasn't upset about the character additions to IASW here at DL.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Let's repaint the Mona Lisa with more modern clothing.

Let's put in drop ceiling/accoustic tile in the Sistine Chapel.

Let's glue arms on Winged Victory.

Or.....

Let's Stop trying to fix something that's not broken.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Let's repaint the Mona Lisa with more modern clothing.

Let's put in drop ceiling/accoustic tile in the Sistine Chapel.

Let's glue arms on Winged Victory.

Or.....

Let's Stop trying to fix something that's not broken.

Let's turn Cinderella's Castle into a pepto bismol Birthday cake?

I am trying to imagine how they would do the IASW thing and I can't without becoming slightly nauseous.

And in the mean time, instead of this...how about fixing the things that really are broken. Starting with the Yeti and Splash Mountain animatronics.

I appreciate technology, but it has a place and IASW isn't it.

 

[carpedm]

Now, I'm fairly progressive when it comes to attraction changes, but this one scares even me. I'm not sure how this will improved the attraction in any way.

For as many successes as this generation of Imagineers have had, they sometimes show a lack of restraint with regard to technology. Perfect example is Spaceship Earth when they replaced an uplifting and inspirational descent with the idiotic touch screens. I hope this isn't a similar change.

Then again, there were a ton of complaints about the Haunted Mansion changes, and those turned out great.

 

[kaligal]

It's no more personal than those letters in the mail we all used to get - the ones that were supposed to wow us with how they were sooo personal:

Hi, Kali!

We have a surprise, just for you, Kali!

It wasn't personal then, it isn't personal now.

Would I have fun killing some time on the computer making my own dolls? Sure. I might even buy IASW stickers that included the real deal and my own stupid one.

But I don't want to see it on the ride. I'm not impressed.

If they want to impress me, they can master the technology that would allow them to bring back the Lights of Winter. They can pay for the songs they stole all those years and restore Hoop Dee Doo and the Chritstmas Country Bears to their former glory.

 

[ADP]

This idea doesn't sound good to me. I usually reserve judgement until I see it or hear reports and guest feedback, but this doesn't sound good from the get go.

 

[mjaclyn]

If they put monitors in the boats for the guests to see their creations I think that would be a much better idea than adding screens to the attraction. It would seriously cheapen the experience for me to have screens in the actual ride scenes.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Now, I'm fairly progressive when it comes to attraction changes, but this one scares even me. I'm not sure how this will improved the attraction in any way.

For as many successes as this generation of Imagineers have had, they sometimes show a lack of restraint with regard to technology. Perfect example is Spaceship Earth when they replaced an uplifting and inspirational descent with the idiotic touch screens. I hope this isn't a similar change.

Then again, there were a ton of complaints about the Haunted Mansion changes, and those turned out great.

I understand your point about HM, but in that case, they enhanced what is there and incorporated it into the story. This is just adding a whole other element that doesn't have anything to do with the story or message of Small World. Very much like Spaceship Earth's idiotic touch screens as a matter of fact. No reason for those, they don't add anything to enhance the story and in fact detract from it IMHO.

 

[Reddog1134]

I much prefer physical/mechanical technology over virtual/electronic technology.

That's why I think Frontierland Shootin Arcade is a much better attraction than Toy Story Mania.

 

[Ginamarie]

I don't think it would bother me too much if there were screens in the boat dashboard, though I don't seen why it's needed on this ride. There are certainly enough things to look at during the ride, so it seems a little like sensory overload. Trying to reserve judgment on this, since the last couple of upgrades have been fine with me.

 

[Greenfield1984]

These types of ideas just sound so tacky. Its like disney execs have this new technology that they are just trying to force into attractions. I like the idea of immersion but don't force it to work. Find a way to make it blend in seemlessly. Or better yet build a new attraction with the focus of the attraction on immersion.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

Let's glue arms on Winged Victory.

What... no head? You just want to glue on the arms? She is missing her head as well. I mean so long as you are gluing things, why not give "Winged Victory" a little head.

 

[Tiny Little Seed]

the idiotic touch screens.

I like the idiotic touch screens. My son and I think they're fun, and I would disagree that they detract from the attraction. JMHO. The IaSW changes seem to still be in the rumor stage, so I will reserve judgement until I know more. With any changes come many and varied opinions. That's what makes this community so great. As PP stated, I like the character additions to IaSW out here at DL, but others absolutely hated it. To each his/her own...

 

[auroralark]

I am trying to imagine how they would do the IASW thing and I can't without becoming slightly nauseous.

And in the mean time, instead of this...how about fixing the things that really are broken. Starting with the Yeti and Splash Mountain animatronics.

I appreciate technology, but it has a place and IASW isn't it.

Totally agree. There are a lot of other areas where Disney can dedicate their money/time. IASW is a classic attraction. Let it be.

 

[carpedm]

I like the idiotic touch screens. My son and I think they're fun, and I would disagree that they detract from the attraction. JMHO.

Don't get me wrong, I think they are fun too. I just think they would be much better as a kiosk in the Project Tomorrow area. It seems like such a waste of attraction space, particularly when compared to what was in the space pre-rehab.

 

[sayhello]

Now, I'm fairly progressive when it comes to attraction changes, but this one scares even me. I'm not sure how this will improved the attraction in any way.

For as many successes as this generation of Imagineers have had, they sometimes show a lack of restraint with regard to technology. Perfect example is Spaceship Earth when they replaced an uplifting and inspirational descent with the idiotic touch screens. I hope this isn't a similar change.

I love the little touch screens. I try to work it out to get a different video each time, and I even record them. I think it's a great addition to one of my favorite rides!

I don't think it would bother me too much if there were screens in the boat dashboard, though I don't seen why it's needed on this ride. There are certainly enough things to look at during the ride, so it seems a little like sensory overload. Trying to reserve judgment on this, since the last couple of upgrades have been fine with me.

I agree with this. But I just imagine a little girl who sat with her Mom and designed her own IaSW doll, and then went on a ride and actually saw *HER* doll! How exciting would that be? Certainly more so than maybe seeing a fleeting glimpse of a picture of you projected on the Castle wall...

Sayhello

 

[Cyrano]

I hope Disney implement NexGen better than these rumours are being released and portrayed.

I love my technology ... iPhone. iPad but hope that Disney experiences are not reduced to endless travel planning minutia and the preserve of those with the large bank balance.

There is a lot to be said for those aspects that just happen, not as a right of entitlement but those simple, money can't by Disney magic moments

 

[steve76]

This sort of thing would have been cool a few years ago - like in the 80s or 90s. Back then, this sort of thing (the rumoured additions) would have been truly novel. These days, most people have this kind of interactive touch-screen technology in their pockets.

When I go to the parks I don't want to be staring at a computer screen (I do that all day), I want to *go* places. I much prefer the physical stuff. I also don't feel the need to *interact* with stuff either.

However I'm sure I'm in the minority as Disney would only do this if their research showed people respond to it. I'm not a fan of the screens in the Spaceship Earth descent, but from the screams of hilarity from other passengers every time I ride it, I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority. I'm more concerned about how they can integrate this sort of stuff in a way that doesn't detract from the experience for those who don't care for it.

 

[WaltD4Me]

This sort of thing would have been cool a few years ago - like in the 80s or 90s. Back then, this sort of thing (the rumoured additions) would have been truly novel. These days, most people have this kind of interactive touch-screen technology in their pockets.

When I go to the parks I don't want to be staring at a computer screen (I do that all day), I want to *go* places. I much prefer the physical stuff. I also don't feel the need to *interact* with stuff either.

However I'm sure I'm in the minority as Disney would only do this if their research showed people respond to it. I'm not a fan of the screens in the Spaceship Earth descent, but from the screams of hilarity from other passengers every time I ride it, I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority. I'm more concerned about how they can integrate this sort of stuff in a way that doesn't detract from the experience for those who don't care for it.

This is a great point. Aren't there enough screens in our lives? TV's, computers, laptops, ipads, cell phones, tablets. Do we always have to be staring at a screen? I'm guilty of it, evident by the amount of time I'm on my computer on the DIS, but do we really need more? Are we not entertained anymore if it doesn't involve a screen and something interactive?