The cheapening of WDW

[BurningStroller]

Does anyone else see a trend here? The restaurant in Norway becoming a 'princess meal' only restaurant. The "re-imagineering" of Alien Encounter to huge merchandise commercial called Stitch Escape. The opening of (and this still fumes me) MICKEY MART at Downtown Disney...an under 10 dollar Disney store. The addition of a Jack Sparrow AA into Pirates (how that will fit into the already thin storyline of the ride is beyond me....I say this because rumours hold that the new AA will be placed in the final scene). Does anyone else find this trend a little unsettling? I turned the other cheek when the All Star resorts opened, but this is getting a little crazy. (and yes, before the fire-storm starts, I understand the need for value accomodations...I just think they could have done it without a giant plastic cell phone and rubix cube...as well as catch phrases spelled out across the length of buildings....NEATO"

[The Fry Family]

what is the Jack Sparrpw thing with Pirates?
It's only been 3 wks since I was there last
Did I miss something?

[BigDaddyKyle]

I like Pop Century...They already have huge cokes and bongos, why not a Rubix Cube...Pop Century was made to help you relate to when you were a child. UIt helps to bring back those memories of your youth, and I like it. A Lot!!!!!

[BigDaddyKyle]

Its rumored that a Jack AA will be put into place for the 50th. I think it is stupid because thay r just attempting to make more profit by having sometihng you can really relate to in the ride. Supposedly the AA will actually feature the voice of JD and carry lines from the movie. If they do put it up I hope that they take it down right after the 50th and get PotC back its beginings!!!!!

[BurningStroller]

Jim Hill had an article stating that his sources (questionable) have mentioned that WDI has approved a Jack Sparrow AA for Pirates at WDW to be installed in the coming lengthy rehab. He mentioned this was due to many patrons complaining at city hall that there was no JACK in the Pirates ride. God forbid.

I know that after growing up riding the Haunted Mansion, I immediately expected to see Jennifer Tilley's face in the crystal ball in the seance room once I saw the movie....(exteme sarcasm).

[BurningStroller]

I love reverting back to my childhood as much as anyone else, but I dont need to stay at a cheap hotel with over-sized bongos to do so. I'll just go to the Toys R Us and get a Slinky.

[The Fry Family]

I can't believe that!!
I will bery very dissapointed if that happens, but it dosen't suprise me. That has to be the most cheesiest thing they have done yet. It will just add to the confusion that is the pirates ride. After going on the one at DL, This one here needs some serious work!

[BigDaddyKyle]

Amen to that!!! You would think with the MK having more land than Dl it would have been longer but no, WDW is considerably smaller than DL's

[BurningStroller]

The strange thing is, there seem to be a lot of people (on other boards) that LIKE this idea. And these are die hard Disney fans? I'm all about updates and change, but this isnt the right kind of change. Adding an element of a popular film (that may not remain popular) to a ride that has proven itself for 30 years just isnt right.

I wish I had the time to go to city hall and address all the issues I have. Apparently the people that take the time to do this are the ones that wanted the McDonalds in the park, that were upset that Alien Encounter scared their 2 year old.

[The Fry Family]

Not only that, but for the "non Disney nut" it is easier to understand the story of the ride! Meanwhile, the one at Mk is just so choppy!

[BigDaddyKyle]

Maybe this is just a internet rumor...I guess we will find out soon enough!!!!!

[Dustysage]

Think about it this way. They have a free human sized AA sitting in a closed attraction (Time Keeper). It woudn't take much to put a Jack Sparrow mask on him and dress him up. It isn't like they actually green lit the building of a new AA.

[KevinYee]

I say they throw the Timekeeper AA into Pirates intact. Even keep Robin Williams' voice. It would sure liven up the Treasure Room scene!

(it may be noted here that I prefer DL's potc to WDW's....one of the few attractions DL does better)

[BurningStroller]

Add the Haunted Mansion to the list of better attractions at DL. When I left Los Angeles to come here to Orlando, I couldn't believe how sub-par the effects were. Specifically the audio and video effects. The only good thing a Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay would bring is upgraded sound/video systems.

[BigDaddyKyle]

Think about it this way. They have a free human sized AA sitting in a closed attraction (Time Keeper). It woudn't take much to put a Jack Sparrow mask on him and dress him up. It isn't like they actually green lit the building of a new AA.

You have to think about this Dusty. They will have to reprogram the AA to match a priate's moves. I takes about 15-50 man hours to program 1 second worth of movement into one of the A-100. If they put a Jack in there you know it will be an A-100 plus you have to expect them to have to workon the ride itself to put a place for his AA wires, unless they take out an old AA and put him there.

[The Fry Family]

I agree with you about the HM thing. Not that we're turning this into a what's better at DL thread or anything.

[BigDaddyKyle]

From: D-Troops.com:

The Pirates of the Caribbean rehab is MUCH more likely for fall 2005, with a near definite inclusion of Jack Sparrow and new special effects and animatronics.

[lashbear]

They could so the pirate/skeleton moonlight change in front of each & every guest boat by using the "Country Bear Turntable" trick hidden by cannon smoke or similar. No need for a close down and reset every night then ! (See Al's article)

[angryrubberduck]

A Jack Sparrow AA is not that big of a deal in my opinion. If he is added to the last scene without completely changing the ride, "I say No big deal". After all, the movie was based on the ride, with many of the elements appearing in the movie so hopefully there is not that much they will change to foul it up.

ON the other hand, I do agree that it seems more and more that the resorts management is making more and more bad choices. I mean, I think Stitch is a decent attraction, but why play to the lowest common denominator with the burp jokes? That is certainly not the entertainment Walt invisioned. I look at all the changes at DL and the quality at the Asian parks and marvel and what is lacking at WDW. I am hoping we get a couple good managers in here to bring back the magic because a "magic mirror "on the castle isn't going to show us anything other than all the other places we could go instead of WDW.

Just my 2.5 cents.

Duck!

[BigDaddyKyle]

I agree with completely about the Walt thing Duck!!!!!