Just a thought on ride rehabs and new rides.

[secondstar]

I never saw the original.

Also, I hope I didn't sound rude on my previous post. That wasn't my intention.

[Captain Schnemo]

And I didn't like taking my entire family to WDW, then going to spend two or three days at Epcot that had virtually NOTHING for my daughter to get excited about.

It's not a requirement to recycle an old piece of entertainment to interest a small child. They could have easily broadened the appeal of Epcot and at the same time, stuck to the message and not taken the cheap way out.

When you throw Donald into an attraction about a foreign culture, you might appeal to an audience that is a little shorter on attention span and perspective, but at the same time you are cheapening the experience for everyone else.

There's a smart way to do these things. The original Figment attraction is an excellent example.

[secondstar]

You're missing my point. From purely a business standpoint, it made perfect sense to add Nemo to reach a broader audience and I'm an example of that.

[samuraiblue]

From purely a business standpoint, it made perfect sense to add Nemo to reach a broader audience and I'm an example of that.

It's true, and unfortunately, Disney is pulling further away from Walt's Vision, and more toward the almighty dollar. It's sad to see unfortunate things happen to good attractions.

[Captain Schnemo]

From purely a business standpoint, it made perfect sense to add Nemo to reach a broader audience and I'm an example of that.

I accept that it's an easy way to make more money, I'm just saying that it dumbs down the experience and turns off people who like what Epcot is supposed to be.

A better way to handle the situation would be to make everyone happy, and they've proven they can do that.

[samuraiblue]

I accept that it's an easy way to make more money, I'm just saying that it dumbs down the experience and turns off people who like what Epcot is supposed to be.

You can still enjoy Epcot for what it is, and just choose to look past what they've done. Management just does what they have guests tell them. And if guests tell them that Epcot is too boring for their 4 year olds, then to make more money, they make a decision.

It pains me to say it, but Walt's Vision is no longer the end all be all. It's merely a way of thinking.

Anyway... to move away from Nemo momentarily...

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts on the Newer Tikiroom as opposed to the original? Personally, I liked the original and could do without Zazu and Iago.

I personally like Zazu as a character, while Iago's voice grates on me like knives. I'm not a big fan of the music changes, but with the updated lighting, and the brand new updated Audio Anim. Character in the center, it's a 50/50 for me.

[Captain Schnemo]

You can still enjoy Epcot for what it is, and just choose to look past what they've done.

Actually, no I can't. That's my point.

By trying to broaden their appeal, they've lost me as a customer. I'm in the clear minority, so I'm sure Disney could care less, I'm just pointing out that we shouldn't celebrate them for making this kind of decision.

It pains me to say it, but Walt's Vision is no longer the end all be all.

Walt's vision is dead. Once Disney started catering to what audiences say they want, as opposed to trying to exceed expectations, the dream died.

You see this kind of thing with movie sequels and recycled properties (remakes of things that sucked in the first place) all over the media these days. We shouldn't be surprised that Disney has bought into this and become just another entertainment corporation, but I do like to chime in when I see people commenting that this is in some way a good thing.

I'm not a big fan of the music changes, but with the updated lighting, and the brand new updated Audio Anim. Character in the center, it's a 50/50 for me.

As further evidence of the death of One Man's Dream, the new Tiki show actually makes fun of the old one, thereby insulting its audience.

I took the hint.

[Future Guy]

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts on the Newer Tikiroom as opposed to the original? Personally, I liked the original and could do without Zazu and Iago.

The new Tiki Room is an abomination unto the Lord.

[packwingfn]

They could easily bring back the original Tiki Room. It's not like it requires much changes either. I hope one day they return it back to its original glory.

[DisBeamer]

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts on the Newer Tikiroom as opposed to the original? Personally, I liked the original and could do without Zazu and Iago.

The new Tiki Room is an abomination unto the Lord.

^ This. I hate it like poison.

Throwing characters into an attraction to get kids (or anyone, really) interested in an attraction is the cheap way out. Maybe this is just the way entertainment for the ADD generation goes, but I'm sure it has a lot more to do with the people generating the content than the kids themselves.

This the the core of my problem with adding characters willy-nilly to things to 'increase their appeal' to children. I agree with secondstar on several points; I'm sure Disney's market research told them that adding Nemo to their aquarium was the cheapest, quickest way to breathe life into that pavilion, and so they went for it. And folks like secondstar and his family are now going there in droves, so it's mission accomplished as far as driving crowds in there goes.

What my issue is with the mindset that made that decision is it was the cheapest, quickest way. There wasn't anything groundbreaking or cutting edge about the addition, nor is there any explanation as to why it should fit in Future World. It's just branding. They've taken something that was cool simply because you got to look at fish, etc, and made it into an opportunity to sell more Nemo junk.

I would like to believe that Disney and Disney Imagineers are still capable of coming up with more complex solutions to have things appeal to little tykes than "Put a character in it". Maybe they are, and those ideas just don't get used because cheaper and quicker is more profitable, I don't know.

[invader07]

My biggest issue was when Spaceship Earth was refurbished. I liked the new scenes but I really miss Jeremy Irons' narration. The script read by Judy Dench seems dumbed down to me, like a teacher instructing first graders. I could really do without the new touch screens. I really liked just relaxing on the way down and these screens are so bright in such a dark place. They should've left the narration alone and stopped with the new scenes.

The refurbishment on the Haunted Mansion was great. The narration was left alone, new scenes were added and the sound system was updated. As for POTC, I'm glad they added Jack Sparrow and other characters from the movie while still keeping the ride as it was originally made.

[theBIGyowski]

My biggest issue was when Spaceship Earth was refurbished. I liked the new scenes but I really miss Jeremy Irons' narration. The script read by Judy Dench seems dumbed down to me, like a teacher instructing first graders. I could really do without the new touch screens. I really liked just relaxing on the way down and these screens are so bright in such a dark place. They should've left the narration alone and stopped with the new scenes.

The refurbishment on the Haunted Mansion was great. The narration was left alone, new scenes were added and the sound system was updated. As for POTC, I'm glad they added Jack Sparrow and other characters from the movie while still keeping the ride as it was originally made.

I agree about Jeremy Irons...I wish they had been able to get him to record the updated script. As far as the new stuff, I like it. Things about the future have to be updated or they will look dumb. Prime example is the Carousel of Progress. I love it...but the last scene is outdated and needs an overhaul if it is supposed to have "progress" as its theme.

I agree about the Haunted Mansion too. It was great and it will no doubt be better for a longer period of time now that it has been spruced up.

I have to agree as well that Future World has lost some of its "future" and that is very sad. Even though I like some of the character additions, they don't really fit into the "future" theme. Though Mission Space is not as beautiful as Horizons...at least it kept with the future theme. I still think WDI can come up with a way to honor Walt's original idea for EPCOT by giving us some glimpse into the future. Will they? I don't know...but one can only hope!

[Jacca5660]

My biggest issue was when Spaceship Earth was refurbished. I liked the new scenes but I really miss Jeremy Irons' narration. The script read by Judy Dench seems dumbed down to me, like a teacher instructing first graders. I could really do without the new touch screens. I really liked just relaxing on the way down and these screens are so bright in such a dark place. They should've left the narration alone and stopped with the new scenes.

The refurbishment on the Haunted Mansion was great. The narration was left alone, new scenes were added and the sound system was updated. As for POTC, I'm glad they added Jack Sparrow and other characters from the movie while still keeping the ride as it was originally made.

I agree about Jeremy Irons...I wish they had been able to get him to record the updated script. As far as the new stuff, I like it. Things about the future have to be updated or they will look dumb. Prime example is the Carousel of Progress. I love it...but the last scene is outdated and needs an overhaul if it is supposed to have "progress" as its theme.

I agree about the Haunted Mansion too. It was great and it will no doubt be better for a longer period of time now that it has been spruced up.

I have to agree as well that Future World has lost some of its "future" and that is very sad. Even though I like some of the character additions, they don't really fit into the "future" theme. Though Mission Space is not as beautiful as Horizons...at least it kept with the future theme. I still think WDI can come up with a way to honor Walt's original idea for EPCOT by giving us some glimpse into the future. Will they? I don't know...but one can only hope!

I know we've had a long discussion here about this, but I think they should just rename Future World "Show Room Show Case!"

[timekeeper]

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts on the Newer Tikiroom as opposed to the original? Personally, I liked the original and could do without Zazu and Iago.

The new Tiki Room is an abomination unto the Lord.

Have to agree... DD who was 5 the first time she saw it hated it, we avoid it.

[mdk010]

I know we've had a long discussion here about this, but I think they should just rename Future World "Show Room Show Case!"

It would go along well with the "World Showcase" haha