Carousel of Progress

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Wed 18, 2007 10:28 am

It says a lot about that type of entertainment. It means that attractions with high detail still appeal to people of all ages. It means Disney needs to stop going for cheap thrills, look hard at what makes family attractions like POTC and HM so popular, and bring that type of style back.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Apr Wed 18, 2007 12:36 pm

It's interesting that Disney is moving away from the AA-type attractions and more towards the "simulator" shows, where it's all movie screens. Given the success of the Mansion and Pirates, you'd expect at least a few more quality AA shows at this point.

They built a number of them in Epcot and have destroyed most traces of them by now.

I'm sure it's much easier to maintain a video screen than many individual elements. Even if they don't move, you occasionally have to dust and repaint them.

I guess Splash Mountain is an exception to this rule. I'm blanking on any others.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Apr Wed 18, 2007 1:21 pm

Aaaah! It is a beautiful thing when Disney attractions of the past still touch the younger generation. I think that says a lot about COP!

Well put it this way, I loved the attraction way back in 1993 when I was 8 at the time and I still love it to this day.

And I really wish they would keep Animatronics, If this new spaceship earth has only movie screens, I WILL FREAK OUT!!!! That is probably one of the best animatronic rides there is (with at least how many animatronics they have)

One addition that has been nice, is the addition of Jack Sparrow being an animatronic and not a video screen lol so at least we have some hope for those of us who want AAs

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Thu 19, 2007 10:37 am

I have split the technology aspect of this thread and placed it here:
viewtopic.php?t=2899

I'm sure it's much easier to maintain a video screen than many individual elements. Even if they don't move, you occasionally have to dust and repaint them.

Yeah, I'm sure that's why. Sounds like the "new" Disney. How can we do it cheaper with less effort? And fore go the attention to Detail we have come to love.

An updated COP with animatonics like Jack Sparrow would be so amazing to watch.

I remember being very impressed with EPCOTs American Adventure when Jefferson walked up the stairs. I thought how real that looked. (On my recent visit, it didn't seem as real as I remembered)

bamafan19 · Post by **bamafan19** » Apr Thu 26, 2007 12:39 pm

Updating the ride (ie., seats and upholstery) is fine as long as their intentions are to keep it open. I agree one of the last "originals" left in the park.

sgrfunk · Post by **sgrfunk** » Apr Fri 27, 2007 12:04 am

I actually enjoyed the update. I can agree with "Now is the Time" getting stuck in your head because the second time I went to WDW before the update I had that song stuck in my head the entire trip! The new song is better though. I went in May 2006 and it was open.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Apr Fri 27, 2007 9:39 am

I know from talking to friends that are tech's at Disney, They will put unheard of amounts of money into building attractions and then will nickel and dime maintenance to death. I know there seems to be a change in attitude, but I not gonna hold my breath waiting for Disney to really put some money into maintaining the attractions!

Blackie Pueblo · Post by **Blackie Pueblo** » Apr Sun 29, 2007 7:22 am

I have a question for the fans. Would changing the seats be considered a changing the legend? I mean, some of the chairs are pretty beat up. I am wondering if they put in new softer seats is that taking away from the originality of the attraction? I mean this in a serious way and in no way mocking or condecending.

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http://www.myspace.com/blackiepueblo

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Mon 30, 2007 11:57 am

Blackie Pueblo wrote:I have a question for the fans. Would changing the seats be considered a changing the legend?

I wouldn't think so at all. Everything is about the "show" of attractions.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Apr Mon 30, 2007 12:04 pm

Yeah, as much as we complain about every little change (I've spared you all my complaint about the new Spaceship Earth logo), I think it'd be pretty tough to find someone who would object to more comfortable chairs.

As long as they don't spray you with dog snot or anything.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » May Tue 01, 2007 2:13 pm

I'm all up for comfortable seating, but I'm usually at the edge of my seat always studying every detail in the ride, but I'm just a big nerd like that so I wouldn't really need the new seats

thsawrp · Post by **thsawrp** » May Tue 01, 2007 9:17 pm

The first time i rode this was on my College Program, great memories i loved it

JWG · Post by **JWG** » May Wed 16, 2007 10:59 am

Captain Schnemo wrote:I've spared you all my complaint about the new Spaceship Earth logo

What's wrong with the SSE logo? I like that it appears to be a reflection of the original. Not identical, but flashes of...

...it give me hope they've realized the value of EPCOT vs. Epcot and are trying to bring back the original theme with more Disney touches. I get wanting to incorporate Disney into the park and don't have an issue if its done well. For example, Nemo and Friends - I've heard good things, seems to work. Wand, bad - doesn't fit the park and out shines what is supposed to be the Icon, SSE.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » May Thu 17, 2007 12:55 am

Alright, you've dragged it out of me...

The old logo showed the Earth travelling forward (although, I guess backwards if you're Japanese). But it was definitely progressing towards something.

The new one shows it in a swirl of the metaphor of your choosing. Maybe swirling down the drain in "a flood of electronic babble"? Or maybe it's a stylized "S" for Siemens or something.

Anyway, I'd like for them to go back to standardized icons for each attraction and I don't understand why they wouldn't want to pursue the marketing possibilities. IMO the new icon is an indication that they're starting to put a little bit more thought into things, but not enough to be proud of.

All that said, it's a pretty trivial complaint, but we're (well, you're) paying for Disney to go the extra mile. Like the latest Spider-Man movie, it looks a whole lot like a great thing we've seen before, but ultimately fails to deliver.

JWG · Post by **JWG** » May Thu 17, 2007 9:26 am

I'm just happy that things seem to be progressing in the right direction. SSE gets a badly needed and well deserved make-over. A new long-term sponsor (12 years!) is on board and rumors abound about the wand...

Things seem to be progressing. Soarin' was put in Epcot - not necessarily themed for Epcot but a nice "addition" to a park that hadn't really seen anything added since what, 1989 when Wonders of Life opened? The Land is in a long-term sponsorship with Nestle, Mission Space seems to be doing well with the new "light" version of the ride...

It just seems that things are looking up for a park tat really has floundered for a meaning since 1999 or so. Have hope!