Small World Rehab?

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 7:15 pm

Marzie1212 wrote:I was just there a few weeks ago, and one of the workers said that the ride was down until November. He wasn't sure if they were changing anything except the boats. I hope they add something new!

check out the article on Miceage for full details:
http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al022608a.htm

It start towards the bottom of the page and goes to the next page.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 7:32 pm

Movie characters in Small World? THE Small World? They'd better not. Hopefully this is just a rumor and they'll come to their senses before it's too late. A new moat and a new paint job had better be the main extent of the changes.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 7:49 pm

Hmm ... interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand I don't think seeing a little Peter Pan floating around Big Ben would be all that off putting, but at the same time I don't understand why they'd feel the need to bother. I mean, it's a popular ride as is (at least, it is at WDW - is it not out on the west coast?). That kind of enhancement seems more aimed at drawing an audience to something that's failing (to get the kiddies in and give them something to relate to, sorta thing). Curiouser and curiouser.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 7:52 pm

Can we all now admit that Lasseter is a tool? Or give him the benefit of the doubt and call him simply worthless?

I had to doublecheck the calendar to make sure Al wasn't screwing with us, but it's not 4/1 yet. It still sounds like a joke to me.

Ugh.

We need an emoticon of Walt Disney vomiting...

The Disney characters are bad, but the America thing is unforgivable.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 8:09 pm

Captain Schnemo wrote:The Disney characters are bad, but the America thing is unforgivable.

I have to admit, I would mind the characters less in the WDW version than I would the Rainforest -> USA thing, but I don't know the layout of the DL ride (having never been on it) so I thought it might fit better there. It wouldn't make any sense at all in the WDW (to say nothing of the fact that the rainforest part is my favorite). It seems like a really ... odd choice, for a number of reasons. I can sort of understand why it'd be in the ride at DL Paris because (again, WDW frame of reference) there's a big, cheesy France scene here, but putting a big USA area in the USA seems like the same thinking as sticking California Adventure in California to me... or Sam Eagle's "Salute to All Nations, but Mostly America".

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Mar Sat 22, 2008 10:43 pm

This one just seems like a parody...the kind of thing a grumpy crank like myself would use as a hyperbolic example of everything Disney is doing wrong.

"What's next?!? Adding Stitch to it's a small world?!?"

I agree that it would be less abusive and hateful to their audience to make some minor changes to the WDW version. But to screw up the original and actually remove a section of the existing ride to promote America (especially in the current world political climate) is a complete joke. Particularly since one of their own attractions has already made fun of this kind of nonsense and, as I remember it, there is a lot more "dead space" in the Disneyland version.

I've got nothing against "plussing" attractions. I think the seasonal holiday overlays to various attractions are a great way to both honor the past and give everyone something new. But if this thing turns out to be true, I don't want to hear another peep from the apologists who are making the claim that Iger/Lasseter is a significant step up from Eisner.

Same old poop, new Hawaiian shirt.

disneyfamily2008 · Post by **disneyfamily2008** » Mar Sun 23, 2008 1:38 am

I hear rumors that they're going to be adding Disney characters throughout the ride. For example, Lilo and Stitch in the Hawaii scene.

Post by **js3901** » Mar Sun 23, 2008 7:49 am

disneyfamily2008 wrote:I hear rumors that they're going to be adding Disney characters throughout the ride. For example, Lilo and Stitch in the Hawaii scene.

that's exactly what the link in Dr. Ravenscroft's post said.

skipper · Post by **skipper** » Mar Sun 23, 2008 2:45 pm

I have heard about the boats having problems. We were on it October and filled to capacity with adults and the boat when entering the end of the ride tipped far over on its left. Luckily my huband was able to reach the side and push us back up before we all got wet. None of us on the boat were extra large just normal to moderate and we had this problem. The cast member said then that they were having this problem alot.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Mar Mon 24, 2008 5:22 pm

For those out of the loop... ReImagineering has three (very commented) articles on this. One of which is the Blair family's letter to Disney about the changes.

http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/

soccermouse · Post by **soccermouse** » Apr Tue 08, 2008 12:36 pm

I have taken a look at some of the characters that they will be adding to Disneyland Hong Kong. They look very much in character with the original ride and I think they would bring an increase in popularity of Small World among today's kids AS LONG as they do not over do it. Check out the photos at www.dlnewstoday.com. I would not mind them being added to Disneyland.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Apr Wed 09, 2008 9:57 am

I think adding the characters will take away from what I always thought was the theme of the ride. For me, it was about the children of the world and how we could all laugh and play and get along together, just like the kids.

As I child, I didn't need the characters because the kids were just like me. The characters take away from the attention to kids.

If I thought it would do any good, I'd be writing Disney a letter. Unfortunately, I think it's too far down the pipeline to stop now.

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Apr Wed 09, 2008 1:20 pm

This is sooo funny! - one of the stereotypical views of 'Americans' by British comics relates to the 'large' issue. However, there is a certain amount of irony - I gather that the uk is number 1 for obesity in Europe. That, with binge drinking - it's a shame they don't make them both Olympic events as it would guarantee a gold.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jul Wed 23, 2008 6:51 pm

I saw this video yesterday and it made me think of the possibilities for this attraction. Is adding characters really the best thing the Imagineers can think of? I mean, really??

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Jul Thu 24, 2008 8:07 am

^Wow, Cap'n. That is a fabulous video. If only Disney could recapture that feeling in small world. I think they did with the original and could do even more with today's technology. Seeing children dancing together is universally joyful.