Appreciation for Subtle Imagineering

[linkeq2001]

So in our quest to stay entertained, and to check out Disneyland my son and I have watched a handful of ride videos. We have a trip booked for December when he'll be four, and he's genuinely excited, we shall see if we keep it or postpone though.....

But anyways, watching the Alice in Wonderland ride video with the updates I have to say I really appreciate the subtle touches that Imagineering can come up with. They kept so much of the ride true to its classic roots while plussing it in a way that makes it feel a little bit more modern. I am really excited for what they have in store for some of the other dark rides including Toad, Pinocchio, and of course the announced Snow White.

Makes me wish that new lands and expansions got more of these small ventures, the mix of screens, props, and animatronics works well, adding as I said a modern flash to the classic experience. Not every ride needs to be an E-ticket or even a D-ticket, and these experiences would really flush out some new lands, here's looking at you SWGE.....

Outside of the small dark rides, anyone else have a piece of Imagineering that they appreciate? One that is not necessarily in your face, but just a small plus to an area, or maybe a neat detail in a ride that brings the whole experience together?

[Spongeocto4]

Star Tours: The 2nd security droid is actually using a real thermal camera to 'screen' guests

Rise of the Resistance: As I said in ROTR thread, it dawned on me that the 2 security droid cars you encounter in the beginning of the ride, are actually the cars for the next boarding group. The Imagineers deliberately program the returning cars to act like props in the ride.

We also can't forget about Smellitizers in the parks, which pumps out scents in the park(aka Candy scents on Main Street).

[MrGoat]

First thing I thought of was the un-marked door in Sleeping Beauty's Castle walk-through. It's a realistic looking door, for the environment, so you walk by without really thinking about it, but if you pull on the knob, the door pulls back! It's a great little touch. Scared the pants off me the first time, LOL

Also, I love the little creek that runs through Critter Country

[micromind]

The airplane runway markings in DCA.

[linkeq2001]

First thing I thought of was the un-marked door in Sleeping Beauty's Castle walk-through. It's a realistic looking door, for the environment, so you walk by without really thinking about it, but if you pull on the knob, the door pulls back! It's a great little touch. Scared the pants off me the first time, LOL

Also, I love the little creek that runs through Critter Country

Love that creek as well, that and the river make Disneyland and Disney parks so distinct from other theme parks, the natural features rather than concrete everywhere. Yes it makes for potential crowding situations, but I could not envision Critter County without all of that greenery and the stream...part of the reason Animal Kingdom is my favorite park in Florida; the Magic Kingdom feels a lot more concrete filled than Disneyland.

[greenalfonzo]

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. Not just the sunken ship pumps and stuff, but the grotto effects, like the treasure traps, and pirate voices and digging sounds coming up from the hole. And the coolest, the jailed pirate animatronic. The projection skull face transformation effect is super cool. You can really almost imagine the grotto as being a transplanted part of the potc ride. Also love that they have voices audio coming out from behind the window at Lafitte's Tavern.

[Right Down Broadway]

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. Not just the sunken ship pumps and stuff, but the grotto effects, like the treasure traps, and pirate voices and digging sounds coming up from the hole. And the coolest, the jailed pirate animatronic. The projection skull face transformation effect is super cool. You can really almost imagine the grotto as being a transplanted part of the potc ride. Also love that they have voices audio coming out from behind the window at Lafitte's Tavern.

I'd say this was a clear case of Imagineering gluttony, not subtlety.

The travesty that is Pirate's Lair is anything but "subtle."

[DisneySpaceAce]

The little details are some of my favorite things about Disneyland. Stuff like the fireflies in the Blue Bayou area are some of my favorites.

[Zipcoaster21]

A couple audio details at DCA I like:

Cars Land: As Radiator Springs Racers zooms by the walkway, you can hear the engines revving. The cars are electric and don't make any sound, so the speakers playing the background music fade out momentarily to add this sound in. Subtle, but makes a big difference in the overall immersion of the land.

Incredicoaster: The onboard soundtrack crescendos to an end exactly as the train comes to a stop in the station. It's easy to miss, but there is a quick crossfade as you re-enter the station to ensure the timing works out. Again, extremely subtle and not something most guests would notice, but I appreciate the effort.

[sailor310]

I love all the gags in Toontown.

[sbk1234]

The recordings of voices and activity from the upstairs windows on Main Street.

[SkunkID]

A couple audio details at DCA I like:

Cars Land: As Radiator Springs Racers zooms by the walkway, you can hear the engines revving. The cars are electric and don't make any sound, so the speakers playing the background music fade out momentarily to add this sound in. Subtle, but makes a big difference in the overall immersion of the land.

Incredicoaster: The onboard soundtrack crescendos to an end exactly as the train comes to a stop in the station. It's easy to miss, but there is a quick crossfade as you re-enter the station to ensure the timing works out. Again, extremely subtle and not something most guests would notice, but I appreciate the effort.

I thought at some point they have added small woofers in the cars with their own seperate audio track so they go more realistic "feel?" Reguardless, it's as close to the real think minus the smell of burning petro.

[linkeq2001]

I thought at some point they have added small woofers in the cars with their own seperate audio track so they go more realistic "feel?" Reguardless, it's as close to the real think minus the smell of burning petro.

I know that it is "gasp" IP based, but even with the two smaller rides cars land still stands out to me as a bit of a gold standard in theme and what a land can be. The interaction with the various car meet and greets, the patio at Flo's overlooking the cars racing by, the lights turning on, there are lots of small details that are simply amazing. While there is also only the one E-ticket, the other two rides are serviceable, even if one is a flat ride it is well themed and fun for the whole family. They kind of gambled on those floating tires, I found them to be quite fun but their replacement is not entirely terrible, again a good family ride for a park that needs it, though I do think it could be better.

[Bob Weaver]

Always liked the lava flowing behind the dinosaurs in the Primeval World diorama.

[micromind]

Always liked the lava flowing behind the dinosaurs in the Primeval World diorama.

That entire diorama is very well done.

[bayouguy]

Though it’s not an engineered or imagineer effect, l love listening to the Doppler effect of those attractions that swoosh by, like the Radiator Springs Racers, the Monorail, the Incredicoster and many other attractions.

[linkeq2001]

That entire diorama is very well done.

One of the moments I enjoy most about our trips. I went with my parents when I was really young, 3 maybe, the diorama is one of the few things that I distinctly remembered from that trip. Didn't get the chance to show my son last trip, he was too young to sit out a long ride on the train and see something that "scary", hoping it survives possible changes until we get back, was supposed to be this December but now...who knows.

[denyuntilcaught]

Rise of the Resistance: As I said in ROTR thread, it dawned on me that the 2 security droid cars you encounter in the beginning of the ride, are actually the cars for the next boarding group. The Imagineers deliberately program the returning cars to act like props in the ride.

I actually thought this was a stroke of brilliance on the Imagineer's part!

[Spongeocto4]

The Tiki Room's Finale, 'Heigh Ho' varies from the original version from Snow White. It's lyrics are bit amusing. Its easy to miss as you leave:

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
It’s out the door you go.
We hope you’ve all enjoyed the show.
Heigh ho. Heigh ho, heigh ho.

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
Keep marching in a row,
Don’t stop to look or read a book,
Heigh ho. Heigh ho, heigh ho.

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
Just lift your feet and go.
We’ll sing this song; you march along!
Heigh ho. Heigh ho, heigh ho.

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
Step lively—not so slow!
Come back again; we’ll see you then.
Heigh ho. Heigh ho, heigh ho.

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
Make room for our next show!
There’s folks outside; go take a ride.
Heigh ho. Heigh ho, heigh ho.

Heigh ho. Heigh ho.
It’s out the door you go!
We hope you’ve all enjoyed the show.
Heigh ho! Heigh ho!

[jacinda01]

I love all the gags in Toontown.

same with me...LOL...