Will they change Small World at WDW too?

[disneymyway]

First of all, is it for sure they are doing at DL? And is there talk of changing it at WDW. I honestly think I would be devastated. I hate to sound overly dramatic but

 

[centurythree]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the WDW version has already changed at least once since it opened to add more regions of the world.

Still, the changes that are being discussed at Disneyland just seem so contrary to the spirit of the ride . . . . I hope they don't do this at WDW. The US is already represented in the ride anyway.

 

[disneymyway]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the WDW version has already changed at least once since it opened to add more regions of the world.

Still, the changes that are being discussed at Disneyland just seem so contrary to the spirit of the ride . . . . I hope they don't do this at WDW. The US is already represented in the ride anyway.

I know they've spruced it up, but the idea of taking out the rainforest for some kind of "salute to America"? and putting Stitch and Mickey in there? My stomach is hurting just thinking about it.

 

[WDSearcher]

No one had a problem with Disney changing "Pirates" to add Johnny Depp. And, as it turned out, the changes made the ride more topical and more fun. The Imagineers did it seamlessly and stayed true to the original intent of the ride.

If WDW follows course and makes the changes DL is planning, the Imagineers will have that same attitude -- staying true to the original intent of the ride. I've seen sketches of the "new" characters they're looking to put into the DL version, and they fit perfectly. They're not just plopping down plastic toy versions of Pooh or Alice in Wonderland into the already existing backgrounds. They're specially designing each included character to match what's already there -- some of them are from sketches made decades ago by Mary Blair herself (the original designer of IASW).

Just as so many LOVED Pirates once the changes were made, I'm thinking many will also love the new "Small World", should WDW get it.



And yes, disneymyway ... just a tad dramatic. Having your home destroyed by some atmospheric event is "devastating". A change to IASW is more like "disappointing."

 

[disneymyway]

They're specially designing each included character to match what's already there -- some of them are from sketches made decades ago by Mary Blair herself (the original designer of IASW).




And yes, disneymyway ... just a tad dramatic. Having your home destroyed by some atmospheric event is "devastating". A change to IASW is more like "disappointing."

Apparently Mary Blair's family agrees with me - they've written a formal letter of protest to Disney.

 

[stopher1]

The potential changes at DL really are a result of the work being done for Hong Kong's version which hasn't even opened yet. The way I was told by a friend who works at Imagineering in Glendale, CA is that they were trying to make IASW even "more Disney" for the Hong Kong audience incorporating actual characters that they would recognize and know...and then, since they were going to be doing a long (9 mos) refurb to the Anaheim original anyway to replace the original flume (that dates back to the NY World's Fair), along with a laundry list of infrastructural changes to the 42 yr old show building... why not throw in the characters like planned for HK?

The most recent changes in FL really were to the opening scene in the queue area to make the indoor facade "match" the much more recognizable Anaheim original, and the Paris facade structure.

Personally, I don't like it when they "mess" with classics like this that date back to Walt's day... but Pirates with the Depp AA figures is OK, and I do love the new endless stair section of WDW's Mansion - so I'm taking a wait and see attitude. The concept art that I've seen isn't doesn't seem too intrusive on the original, but it really depends on the end product.

 

[disneymyway]

Personally, I don't like it when they "mess" with classics like this that date back to Walt's day... but Pirates with the Depp AA figures is OK, and I do love the new endless stair section of WDW's Mansion - so I'm taking a wait and see attitude. The concept art that I've seen isn't doesn't seem too intrusive on the original, but it really depends on the end product.

I really like the new Haunted Mansion because I think they just added to the fun, but I really hate what they did to the end of POTC. I don't mind that they added Depp throughout the ride, but I miss that last scene.

I love the new Spaceship Earth too. I'm not completely adverse to change. But I think it made me nervous that Mary Blair's family didn't like it. And enough with Stitch already!!!!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

OMG!!!!!!!!! Tell me this isn't so??????????????????????????? They can't change IASW!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I am being dramatic and I'm proud of it. That ride is a classic. It was my Nana's fave. ride and I think of her everytime we go through it. =(

 

[disneymyway]

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (

My sentiments exactly.

 

[mdoc]

If they change IASW, I hope it's nothing like what they did to the ride in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. I think they ruined it with the addition of the Three Caballeros, although I still like the ride. I'm neutral to slightly negative on the changes to POTC, I liked the Haunted Mansion rehab and I LOVE the new Spaceship Earth - that was a huge improvement. Disney changes, when well done, are an improvement, but they're not all well done.

 

[stopher1]

And enough with Stitch already!!!![/b]

AGREED!

 

[Moviejohn]

There are so many posts here, mine probably won't even be read. But this is such a sad idea that scares me by implying the best Disney can do to be creative these days is slap more characters into its classic rides. POTC still works DESPITE the Depp character -- because the POTC movies, good as they were, won't be remembered in 40 years the way the ride is! Thank God they never put Eddie Murphy or Jennifer Tilly into The Haunted Mansion!

But it is seriously time for Disney to stop messing with these classic rides! What are they going to do next? Take "Snow White" and digitally insert Belle into it because it will make it more "relevant" and "enhanced" for younger audiences? They're being silly now. And they know it.

I am hoping SO HARD that saner heads will prevail and they will leave IASW at DL alone. Upgrade it, refurbish it, enhance it with better lighting and better sound, but PLEASE no Disney characters! Not everyone who visits the park has bought into the idea that you need to see Disney characters EVERYWHERE to feel you get your money's worth.

Reminder: the dolls ARE Disney characters. And Disneyland itself, ESPECIALLY those parts without "recognizable" Disney characters, is the ultimate Disney experience. Why doesn't its management understand that??

 

[disneymyway]

There are so many posts here, mine probably won't even be read. But this is such a sad idea that scares me by implying the best Disney can do to be creative these days is slap more characters into its classic rides. POTC still works DESPITE the Depp character -- because the POTC movies, good as they were, won't be remembered in 40 years the way the ride is! Thank God they never put Eddie Murphy or Jennifer Tilly into The Haunted Mansion!

But it is seriously time for Disney to stop messing with these classic rides! What are they going to do next? Take "Snow White" and digitally insert Belle into it because it will make it more "relevant" and "enhanced" for younger audiences? They're being silly now. And they know it.

I am hoping SO HARD that saner heads will prevail and they will leave IASW at DL alone. Upgrade it, refurbish it, enhance it with better lighting and better sound, but PLEASE no Disney characters! Not everyone who visits the park has bought into the idea that you need to see Disney characters EVERYWHERE to feel you get your money's worth.

Reminder: the dolls ARE Disney characters. And Disneyland itself, ESPECIALLY those parts without "recognizable" Disney characters, is the ultimate Disney experience. Why doesn't its management understand that??

Well of course I read your post and I agree. I'm older, but when we were younger we still loved the classic stuff. For instance Snow White. We loved the Snow White ride was so cool and we loved that character - that movie came out when my mother was a little girl. It didn't have to be all new stuff with us.

 

[disnut8]

I don't really care about the changes one way or another but one thing to consider. I showed a picture of the big 8 track tape icon over at Pop Century to a couple of ten year olds. They had no idea what it was. But should we have never changed the way we listen to music because the 8 track tape was "classic"? My granddaughter doesn't even know what a VHS tape looks like.

The spirit of It's a Small World will still be there. And that same stupid song will still be there.

 

[centurythree]

I don't really care about the changes one way or another but one thing to consider. I showed a picture of the big 8 track tape icon over at Pop Century to a couple of ten year olds. They had no idea what it was. But should we have never changed the way we listen to music because the 8 track tape was "classic"? My granddaughter doesn't even know what a VHS tape looks like.

The spirit of It's a Small World will still be there. And that same stupid song will still be there.

I'm 30 and I don't know what an 8 track looked like.

My concern is that with the proposed changes the "spirit" of the ride may not be there anymore.

 

[EnnEss]

I have no issue adding in the characters really. I'm not sure how I feel about the adding of an American section that is large, it depends how large. It may be fine, but its a sign of the rampant nationalism of the times I guess. The original ride was meant to be an eye opener to other countries, not a nationalist revelry of each individually. It was aimed at americans to showcase all the other cultures as american culture exists just outside the ride in plenty. If you go to the save the small world site they explain that idea of the original ride.

PoTC, im still mad they made it so PC a few years back, dont mind johnny depp, i'll never mind adding characters in to be honest, disney does a really horrific job of education (everything they do is more sentimental as opposed to truthful, with more gloss than truth, which is appropriate, but should be realized), its not their goal, so why not add characters.

By the way, the Walt Disney World Its a Small World has always paled in comparison to DL's. It doesn't do the latter justice to compare the two .

 

[stopher1]

Thank God they never put Eddie Murphy or Jennifer Tilly into The Haunted Mansion!

Amen to that!!

 

[centurythree]

The original ride was meant to be an eye opener to other countries, not a nationalist revelry of each individually. It was aimed at americans to showcase all the other cultures as american culture exists just outside the ride in plenty.

That's exactly what my concern is.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

awww, I love the "It's a Small World" song......my Nana loved that song. I think she is looking down from Heaven singing that song.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

First of all, is it for sure they are doing at DL? And is there talk of changing it at WDW. I honestly think I would be devastated. I hate to sound overly dramatic but

Yes, it's for sure that some characters will be added to DL's IASW, But no, there is currently no talk of changing WDW's version.

Before people start to praise or condemn the planned changes for DL's IASW, it might be good to have a better understanding of what those changes might be. First, DL has stated uncategorically that Mickey and Minnie Mouse will NOT be added to the attraction. That probably rules out the rest of the Fab Five as well (although I think that Pluto might fit in).

As for other characters, we can look at HKDL's new IASW to see what some of them might look like at DL. Click on the following pictures to see them full sized:

Woody and Jesse


Woody and Jesse close-up


Aladdin and Jasmine


Ariel


Lilo and Stitch


Marie


Cinderella


Pocahontas


Personally, I think that Woody, Jesse and Stitch look very much out of place. But the rest of the characters seem to fit in pretty well. If DL plans to use the same sorts of designs for its changes, it may not be too bad. I plan to reserve judgement until I actually see it for myself. And then I'll decide whether I should start worrying about WDW's version or not.