Do you like the CircleVision films?

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 2:45 pm

One of the many innovations that Disney has pioneered is the CircleVision movie, where a movie is projected onto 9 large screens arranged in a circle, and the audience must stand in the middle of the room and watch it.

I've seen the films in EPCOT (although it's been quite a while), and while I remember them as being pretty good, quite honestly the last thing I want to do after standing and waiting for a show to start is walk into the theater and stand some more. One of the benefits of waiting for a ride or a show at Disney is that once you get to the front of the line you get to sit down.

What about everyone else? Do you enjoy the Circlevision movies? Or is the fact that you have to remain standing a deal-breaker?

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 3:16 pm

I don't think I've seen any when they had the CircleVision theatre at Disneyland. I never got a chance to go through it but maybe if I ever visit EPCOT I can check them out.

Gymfan15 · Post by **Gymfan15** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 3:39 pm

Same here; never saw the CircleVision when it was at Disneyland, and I've never been to WDW. I would love to give it a try, although I do agree with you on the point that standing up for a movie is never appealing, since most people find movie attractions at theme parks inviting simply because of the seats.

jenjolt · Post by **jenjolt** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 3:41 pm

I really enjoyed Canada's movie when I watched it last time! And to be fair they do provide you rails that you can rest against and if you really want you could sit on the floor!! Although yes sitting would be perferable to standing any day!

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 4:11 pm

I love the circlevision films; like in Canada and China. I even miss the old circlevision films like Timekeeper. Sometimes I'll watch the 360 shows from the back...Everyone looks at me pretty funny but sometimes it's a cool perspective.

Discomick · Post by **Discomick** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 11:24 pm

Love them...does anyone remember the one they use to have at WDW next to the ole 'If you had Wings' ride? I'm really dating myself, but I remember it as a kid and used to love it. If I was tired then I would just sit on the floor...

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 7:17 am

Wasn't the time keeper a circle vision attraction? I don't care too much for those kinds of attractions or I-Max theaters. Motion issues.

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 11:51 am

Discomick wrote:Love them...does anyone remember the one they use to have at WDW next to the ole 'If you had Wings' ride? I'm really dating myself, but I remember it as a kid and used to love it. If I was tired then I would just sit on the floor...

There were three, actually: America The Beautiful, Magic Carpet 'Round The World, and American Journeys. I never saw them; on my childhood visits in the '80s, my parents often chose to skip Tomorrowland altogether (not that I blame them; they had two small children and a baby to deal with). I only experienced "Mission To Mars" once, and I never got to ride "If You Had Wings"/Dreamflight.

wdwannabe · Post by **wdwannabe** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 12:07 pm

I have seen, China, Canada, and possible the others... Magic Carpet, America The Beautiful, American Jouneys, If you had Wings.....

I do think they are wonderful! I feel like I am right in the middle and am really standing there. They could put in special effects like, wind and smells...now that would be great! How about it, circle vision and Soarin' all in one!

So, yes I do like circlevision....

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 12:10 pm

I think I appreciate them now more that I'm a little older. When I was younger and I remember groaning when we'd go into Canada, I just wanted to sit down. But, my dad loved the movie, so we'd all watch it with him.

I think it's a fantastic idea, but would be nice to sit down!!!

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 3:00 pm

As a kid I couldn't stand them, the ones in the old Circlevision theater at MK. Didn't see the ones at EPCOT until I became an adult and now I really appreciate them. China's film is beautiful and really makes me want to visit the country. I don't mind the standing to watch the movie, there are the rails to lean against and sitting really just makes you want to stay sitting longer.

Post by **js3901** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 4:01 pm

I loved Timekeeper (see quote in sig). Never waited more than a few minutes for it, and it was always a blast. And, can't forget the "Lean Rails"...

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 4:23 pm

I guess I'm the only one here that actually isn't that fond of them. I don't think it is the films themselves more of how they implemented them. The screens are all over head, I think they should be immersive and have the screens straight out in front, meaning all around but at your eye level. Basically you walk out onto a catwalk and stand in the middle of these screens, as you move out onto the catwalk a screen comes down behind you to give you the total circlevision experience.

I have thought about this at length and the cool thing is that you can fit the same number of people. The other thing is that you can't see the entire 360 in one go, which is how it is now, but you will want to see the rest more than before. I think I need to do a little CAD and design something and present it.......after we get past These Troubled Times.

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 5:35 pm

sherabby wrote:Wasn't the time keeper a circle vision attraction? I don't care too much for those kinds of attractions or I-Max theaters. Motion issues.

Yes, Timekeeper was a CircleVision attraction. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Timekeeper

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 12:08 pm

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:I guess I'm the only one here that actually isn't that fond of them. I don't think it is the films themselves more of how they implemented them. The screens are all over head, I think they should be immersive and have the screens straight out in front, meaning all around but at your eye level. Basically you walk out onto a catwalk and stand in the middle of these screens, as you move out onto the catwalk a screen comes down behind you to give you the total circlevision experience.

That is an excellent idea, the only thing I don't like about the Circlevision is that they are overhead and you have to look up, but it isn't enough to keep me from coming back.