Source: Screamscape (//http://www.screamscape.com/index.htm)
Quote2008 - It's A Small World - Confirmed - Hong Kong Disneyland confirmed plans to open an all new version of the classic It's A Small World attraction in early 2008. The ride will have a new twist however... for the first time more than 30 popular Disney characters will inhabit the various world scenes inside the ride, representing the various counties where their stories take place. Characters mentioned by name include Mulan, Peter Pan and Aladdin. The ride will also feature an expanded Asia section with scenes showing off popular landmarks such as The Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the Hong Kong skyline. There will also be a new middle eastern scene as well as a completely new scene to represent North America. There will be a grand finale where the children from all over the world come together for "a spectacular curtain call" aided by some special lighting effects.
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"more than 30 popular Disney characters will inhabit the various world scenes inside the ride"
Sounds interesting! If you look closely at the right hand side of the second picture, you can see Cinderella dancing with prince charming :wink:
Sounds awesome - and HK is probably top of my lists of other disney parks to see
Well nice to see they FINALLY are getting IASW. This park really to me seems still too small, people can always comment on how small wds is, but it's not a park trying to hold together a whole resort. Really hope one day the imagineers do finally decide to give the park some unique attractions.
It's just like WDS , they have to begin small and then expand a lot! :)
yay! thank god its finally confermed!
It's a Small World Logo Unveiled
PRESS RELEASE - HONG KONG (January 25, 2007) Having completed her first State Department trip to China in her new role as American Public Diplomacy Envoy, Michelle Kwan visited Hong Kong Disneyland today to enjoy the theme park and unveil the specially designed logo of "it's a small world" at Hong Kong Disneyland.
During her tour of the Park, the five-time world skating champion visited a special display area for "it's a small world", located in the Opera House on Main Street U.S.A. which will temporarily house two penguin figurines.
(//http://www.hkdlsource.com/media/Image/news_stories/smallworldlogomed001.jpg)
For the first time ever, more than 30 popular Disney characters, including Peter Pan, Aladdin and Mulan, will join the existing dolls to be seamlessly blended in the countries where their stories take place. Enhanced with an expanded Asia section which will include famous regional landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the distinctive Hong Kong skyline, the attraction will also include a Middle Eastern scene and a new scene for North America – something not even North American Disney resorts enjoy!
The grand finale features the children of the world coming together from all the corners of the globe for a spectacular "curtain call" with some extraordinary optical lighting effects not seen on any other Disney ride!
More: http://www.hkdlsource.com/news/viewstory?story=101 (http://www.hkdlsource.com/news/viewstory?story=101)
It's the old Disneyland entrance sign mixed with the classic "it's a small world" typeface. Nice! :D
No post in here for over a year !
Well ovbiously alots changed
From Disneytheque;
QuoteSome recent photos of the site, dated January 22 and the map of the park, which now shows the new attraction.
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080129/001.jpg)
Its in the very top right of the map, looks abit faded.
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080129/002.jpg)
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080129/003.jpg)
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080129/004.jpg)
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080129/005.jpg)
Photos from; Keithlee83
Dont get me wrong, I love this attraction, it is after all the Disney Original Classic. But for an underperforming park, im still not sure its the right choice. I love it because of its history and what it represents, but intodays world isnt this a liitle bit dated to be putting in as a major new attraction to draw the crowds??
Quote from: "penfold12"Dont get me wrong, I love this attraction, it is after all the Disney Original Classic. But for an underperforming park, im still not sure its the right choice. I love it because of its history and what it represents, but intodays world isnt this a liitle bit dated to be putting in as a major new attraction to draw the crowds??
I agree, they would have been better off with a Big Thunder Mountain or another big ride or thrillride, i don't think a lot of people would go to the park for It's A Small World, no offfense it's a good ride but not special enough to visit a park specificly for this ride :?
Quote from: "mehdi5"Quote from: "penfold12"Dont get me wrong, I love this attraction, it is after all the Disney Original Classic. But for an underperforming park, im still not sure its the right choice. I love it because of its history and what it represents, but intodays world isnt this a liitle bit dated to be putting in as a major new attraction to draw the crowds??
I agree, they would have been better off with a Big Thunder Mountain or another big ride or thrillride, i don't think a lot of people would go to the park for It's A Small World, no offfense it's a good ride but not special enough to visit a park specificly for this ride :?
They couldnt really go for BTM, as they dont even have a frontierland.
Quote from: "Japper"It's just like WDS , they have to begin small and then expand a lot! :)
But unlike WDS the park offered nice themeing from the beginning. They do need to expand, though.
Quote from: "penfold12"Dont get me wrong, I love this attraction, it is after all the Disney Original Classic. But for an underperforming park, im still not sure its the right choice. I love it because of its history and what it represents, but intodays world isnt this a liitle bit dated to be putting in as a major new attraction to draw the crowds??
Agree. I would rather see something like PoTC or HM being built, but hopefully the new additions and effects for IASM will make it more original and memorable. The exterior looks pretty good, though.
Quote from: "SMCD"The exterior looks pretty good, though.
Yes, i agee. I love the way they decorated the train bridge to match the themeing of the area.
Its A Small World in my opinion is the perfect attraction to be heading to Hong Kong Disneyland. Its an attraction everyone from the kids to the Grand Parents can enjoy together. I'm very interested to see how the introduction of the 30 Disney characters will go. I'll be heading to Hong Kong in May and hope to ride this attraction.
I think I'd be more interested in HKDL if it wasn't missing two big attractions. Pirates & Haunted Mansion. Hopefully they have plans to add them in the future, it's almost like blasphemy to have a Disneyland without either one.
-Garrett
Source: //http://www.disneyreporter.net.ms
QuotePictures of the new Disney characters being added to It's a Small World in Hong Kong Disneyland have finally been released. I think they look pretty good, fitting in nicely with the traditional character look. If I didn't know they were Disney characters, I would have thought they were just like the other dolls. While these characters are for the Hong Kong Disneyland version, replicas of these will end up in the Disneyland version if Disney does go through with their characterization plan.
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Lilo and Stitch
(//http://dlnewstoday.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/2348993835_63a0874808_m.jpg)
Peter Pan and Wendy
(//http://dlnewstoday.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/2348993839_fdf863c849_m.jpg)
Mulan
Quote from: "disneyreporter"(//http://dlnewstoday.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/2348993833_f144c20b56_m.jpg)
Lilo and Stitch
Is THAT supposed to be Stitch?! Horrible. Now I understand why the riots at several Americans discussion boards have begun. Hopefully Paris' Its A Small World will stay as it is.
Quote from: "Maarten"Is THAT supposed to be Stitch?! Horrible. Now I understand why the riots at several Americans discussion boards have begun. Hopefully Paris' Its A Small World will stay as it is.
That's what I thought at first as well... But take a second look at it. Most Disney-characters will just be dressed "It's a Small World" dolls. Stitch is made a bit abstract to match the attraction's style. If Stitch is the only character that will be threatened with this style, I'll be pretty much 'Okay' with all this.
Most of the users on the American sites were against this idea without seeing the concept art. I'm actually looking forward to the new version and will be in Hong Kong during May to expereince this for the first time. Should be fun.
The thing is (and we are all guilty of it at times) the internet forums cam be full of negative feedback before anything has been released or actioned. I have read open letters from the daughter of the artist of the original ride, and then reply after reply from disney fans, all slating this project and acting if the attraction is sacred.
Firstly, the changes are totaly in keeping with the original concept. The character being added are, on the whole, IASW dolls dressed in the character costumes.
Secondly, we are now living in the 21st Century. While this ride appeals to me because of its history to the Walt Disney Company and Disneyland, that connection is of no importance to little boys and girls accross the world today. The Disney Parks are not museums, so keeping them relevent and interesting for today is important and vital.
Finally, on a personal level, I think these additions look cool, I cant wait for them to reach DLRP......
Quote from: "disneyreporter"their characterization plan.
I like that we've even got a word for this now. :lol:
Are these the final dolls? Stitch does indeed look a little weird, but I think it's actually really quite respectful to the original attraction that the characters all appear in the same style as the famous dolls.
It's not that bad, they're not adding Hannah Montana or Zac Efron. Apart from serial offender Stitch, most of the characters come from stories that have existed for centuries before Disney put them into animation.
It's funny how every entrance area is different. This outside building can be found in California and Tokyo too, but in Tokyo you have to walk inside the building to board the boats in a big hall and there's no train going by and in California the train goes between the wall and the boarding area, just like it's realized in Paris, but in Paris there's a different style of the wall and unlike California there's a roof above the outside parts. In Florida there's a completely different entrance and no train going through or near the attraction.
Quote from: "Parkfisch"It's funny how every entrance area is different. This outside building can be found in California and Tokyo too, but in Tokyo you have to walk inside the building to board the boats in a big hall and there's no train going by and in California the train goes between the wall and the boarding area, just like it's realized in Paris, but in Paris there's a different style of the wall and unlike California there's a roof above the outside parts. In Florida there's a completely different entrance and no train going through or near the attraction.
I suppose the entrance of Hong Kong's version will be similar to Tokyo's Its A Small World?
Disneytheque has some new photos from the attraction interior. I think the Stitch doll look better with the right context, also, I love the Hong Kong scene.
//http://www.disneytheque.com/index.php?/archives/55-Its-a-Small-World-arrive....html
The attraction will officially open on April 28th and the attraction now has a website up dedicated to the new attraction. Only 31 days to go people http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl ... lworldPage (http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/events/listing?name=smallworldPage)
I will be in Hong Kong during May and can't wait to ride this new updated version of IASW. :D
From their website:
QuoteDon't miss the lively toy parade as it emerges from the clock tower, the centerpiece of the façade, every 15 minutes. Look out for the newly added Chinese Opera Character toy that is unique to Hong Kong Disneyland!
Somehow that sounds so sad. Their marketing office must be going crazy by now.
After seeing this new pics on disneytheque:
http://www.disneytheque.com/index.php?/ ... ve....html (http://www.disneytheque.com/index.php?/archives/55-Its-a-Small-World-arrive....html)
I must say: I don´t like it much. seesaw changes I know. But first I was thinking it isn´t very evil, bad, sad to have some well designed disney characters inside IASM. But this version in Hong Kong doesn´t look like IASM. It seems more like just another disney dark ride to compense the missing fantasyland attractions.
I don't know, the Disney characters don't look that bad, but there's something else that makes these photos look so wrong. Do our scenes have more dolls in them? Or am I dreaming?
This version will have over 200 dolls, how many does the Paris version have. I read on that WikiPedia site that the DL version has 400 which surely can't be right, or that will make the HK attraction missing almost half the dolls. But hey it is only about half the size of the original park to begin with!
Yes I think so! It seems that they have reduced the other dolls to keep the Disney characters in eye. And the backgrounds are more inspired from diffrent disney movies like aladdin or cinderella.
Is it just me, or does in seem really dark in those pictures compared to the DLRP it's a small world? :?
The Stitch doll looks very abstract, like said before...
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080327/001.jpg)
...Flounder, on the other hand, looks more like the character from the movie.
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080330/011.jpg)
Why would there be such a difference?
I think the Stitch doll is sweet. But I agree that it is so obviously different compared to Flounder. It might just be that it would be hard to make an abstract fish model for flounder whereas stitch has an easier shape to make look like a doll (round head, ears, legs etc)
Quote from: "RnRCj"Is it just me, or does in seem really dark in those pictures compared to the DLRP it's a small world? :?
All "It's a Small World" versions are dark like Pirates of the Caribbean, only in Paris it's that bright. They should add paintings of a blue sky and clouds in Paris. Would be nicer to view when you look to the top inside.
How many Disney characters can you spot? :wink:
[youtube:by17wixv]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB-Zyk_Cjlw&eurl=http://dlnewstoday.com/wordpress/[/youtube:by17wixv]
I still prefer Paris' Its A Small World as far as I can judge. I dont understand why they choose not to use the flooted sets like in Tokyo, Orlando and Paris. Its uses the same elevated ride system as Anaheim's version... shame. And because the boats don't go outside, they just could have made it an omniver system aswell. Whats the purpose of the water aspect if you dont use it to its full potential? Even Anaheim has its loading area outside. Besides, I think its way better to start the ride outside of the building. I dont care for the characters either, they distract from the message of the attraction since people are trying to spot as many characters as possible.
Their China/East part of the ride looks quite good however. Maybe they can use several new lighting techniques in other versions of the attraction worldwide aswell?
I dont think the ride is bad (as far as I can judge from a video ofcourse), but it doesnt deserve to be called the best version of the ride to date either in my humble opinion.
Quote from: "Maarten"I dont understand why they choose not to use the flooted sets like in Tokyo, Orlando and Paris. Its uses the same elevated ride system as Anaheim's version... shame. And because the boats don't go outside, they just could have made it an omniver system aswell. Whats the purpose of the water aspect if you dont use it to its full potential? Even Anaheim has its loading area outside. Besides, I think its way better to start the ride outside of the building.
Well, that opinion is subjective at best. The Florida and Tokyo versions of IaSW take place entirely indoors, including the load areas, as well. Other Disney boat rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Sinbad's Storybook Voyage at Tokyo DisneySea, take place entirely indoors as well.
QuoteI dont care for the characters either, they distract from the message of the attraction since people are trying to spot as many characters as possible.
I beg to differ on that view as well. I don't think they're a distraction at all. Sure, it's fun to try to spot them all, but they're not a distraction--looking for them is really like looking for Hidden Mickeys, IMO. The anonymous "children of the world" are still the stars of the show, with the Disney characters mostly taking on supporting roles. Also, the characters actually seem to come across more as regular Small World kids dressed in Disney character costumes or stylized Disney character toys rather than being the actual characters themselves.
The ride's message of world peace is still there.
QuoteTheir China/East part of the ride looks quite good however. Maybe they can use several new lighting techniques in other versions of the attraction worldwide aswell?
I can agree on that.
QuoteI dont think the ride is bad (as far as I can judge from a video ofcourse), but it doesnt deserve to be called the best version of the ride to date either in my humble opinion.
I agree that it does look pretty good (I hope to ride it in person one day), but I disagree with your opinion that it shouldn't be called the best version. I think that both the HKDL and DL versions are the best versions of IaSW.
Quote from: "DisneyNut2007"Quote from: "Maarten"I dont understand why they choose not to use the flooted sets like in Tokyo, Orlando and Paris. Its uses the same elevated ride system as Anaheim's version... shame. And because the boats don't go outside, they just could have made it an omniver system aswell. Whats the purpose of the water aspect if you dont use it to its full potential? Even Anaheim has its loading area outside. Besides, I think its way better to start the ride outside of the building.
Well, that opinion is subjective at best. The Florida and Tokyo versions of IaSW take place entirely indoors, including the load areas, as well. Other Disney boat rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Sinbad's Storybook Voyage at Tokyo DisneySea, take place entirely indoors as well.
Ofcourse my opinion is subjective, I've never pretended it to be otherwise. All examples you mentioned use flooted scenes like I mentioned; Pirates, both Orlando and Tokyo's Its A Small World and even Sinbad. Other examples include Splash Mountain and Mealstrom. Why is it so difficult to take Hong Kongs version to the same level, instead of Anaheim's 1960s level? Its not the fact thats its indoors (although I prefer the boarding area to be outside like in Paris), but the fact that they still use the "elevated waterway"... They don't use the water aspect to its full potential in my opinion, like they could have done. At least in Paris they connected the water both outside and inside the attraction with each other.
Quote from: "DisneyNut2007"Quote from: "Maarten"I dont care for the characters either, they distract from the message of the attraction since people are trying to spot as many characters as possible.
I beg to differ on that view as well. I don't think they're a distraction at all. Sure, it's fun to try to spot them all, but they're not a distraction--looking for them is really like looking for Hidden Mickeys, IMO. The anonymous "children of the world" are still the stars of the show, with the Disney characters mostly taking on supporting roles. Also, the characters actually seem to come across more as regular Small World kids dressed in Disney character costumes or stylized Disney character toys rather than being the actual characters themselves.
The ride's message of world peace is still there.
As an example; on several American discussion boards members are trying to look out for as many characters as possible. Its more of a hide and seek version of the ride. Ofcourse the characters can blend in very well or be placed in a subtle way, but as long as people are focussing on the characters, the message of the attraction will fade to the background, unlike the other versions of Its A Small World. The characters dont necessarely make the ride better in my opinion.
Once again, its not a bad attraction at all, but personnaly I dont favour it over Paris' version (which is the best in my opinion). And I am not someone who thinks everything in Paris is great, not at all.
Quote from: "Maarten"As an example; on several American discussion boards members are trying to look out for as many characters as possible. Its more of a hide and seek version of the ride. Ofcourse the characters can blend in very well or be placed in a subtle way, but as long as people are focussing on the characters, the message of the attraction will fade to the background, unlike the other versions of Its A Small World. The characters dont necessarely make the ride better in my opinion.
I agree with you Maarten, the ride has become a bit more of a hide and seek with the Disney characters attraction, but unfortunately at the end of the day, I think that most children don't really focus on the message of the ride anyway, and will enjoy this version more. I think that the same could probably be said for adults as well. The only people that it is a disadvantage to is the fans of the ride. So although it distracts from the rides message, I really don't mind the changes at all, and I wouldn't mind if they crossed the seas to other parks either :)
Quote from: "Maarten"As an example; on several American discussion boards members are trying to look out for as many characters as possible. Its more of a hide and seek version of the ride. Ofcourse the characters can blend in very well or be placed in a subtle way, but as long as people are focussing on the characters, the message of the attraction will fade to the background, unlike the other versions of Its A Small World. The characters dont necessarely make the ride better in my opinion.
That opinion is still subjective and debatable.
If I may be coming across as a bit crass, I'm sorry. It's just that I, for one, am fed up with the constant Small World arguments that have been dominating all those other Disney forums and blogs lately which have become so annoying and intolerable that it's just laughable and only gives us Disney fans a bad name. I just wish those people would chill out already!
Press release for the opening:
'it's a small world' Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland!
With elements unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, it's a small world, which opens today at Hong Kong Disneyland, will invite guests to immerse themselves in a world of laughter and joy. Filled with more than 200 hundred Audio-Animatronics® figures representing children from around the world and dressed in their national costumes, splendid landmarks from numerous countries and for the first time ever 38 Disney characters, the attraction takes Guests into the whimsical world of children, where friendship and mutual understanding cross all boundaries and nationalities.
"it's a small world is a timeless attraction that has delighted generations of adults and children alike across the world, and has deep roots in the Hong Kong community," said Maple Lee, Vice President, Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. "The Cantonese version of the theme song has lived in the hearts and minds of Hong Kong citizens for over 30 years because of the simple yet powerful verses composed by legendary lyricist James Wong. The opening of the attraction will be a significant step for the Resort, in continuing Walt Disney's vision of uniting all nationalities through the universal language of laughter and joy."
Created by Walt Disney and first appearing at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, it's a small world was one of the earliest attractions in history to make use of the revolutionary Audio-Animatronics® technology created by the Walt Disney Company at the time. The original artistic designs were created by Mary Blair, a veteran Disney artist, along with Marc Davis an original Disney film animator and Imagineer; the catchy theme song was composed by the Sherman Brothers. Hong Kong Disneyland's version of it's a small world builds upon the classic attraction with exciting new additions.
"With Hong Kong Disneyland's version of it's a small world, we had the unprecedented opportunity to expand on a classic attraction to seamlessly blend local, regional and international elements," said David Minichiello, Art Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. "Four new languages, Cantonese, Putonghua, Korean and Tagalog, have been added for the classic theme song. Combined with expanded sections, all-new scenes and the incorporation of familiar Disney melodies with the theme song, we have brought a truly unique and joyous offering to Asia and the rest of the world."
For the first time ever, in addition to the hundreds of dazzling and brightly decorated figures of children, the attraction will feature 38 Disney characters in their countries of origin. These dolls, toys and animated props will offer a fresh new perspective on the classic attraction, and holds true to the artistic style created by Mary Blair and the original Walt Disney Imagineering team.
The expanded Asia scene, now two times larger, is the biggest Asia scene ever to appear in any it's a small world attraction. It will feature famous landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Temple of Heaven. The Middle East has its own scene and new sets have also been added to the Americas scene.
Guests will be surrounded by veiled dancers in the Middle East or can fly through the sky on a magic carpet ride with Aladdin and Jasmine; they can meet Woody and Jessie from the Disney·Pixar films Toy Story and Toy Story 2 or sail by New York's Empire State Building or San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
One of the defining elements of Hong Kong Disneyland's version of it's a small world is the facade. Inspired by the facades at Disneyland, California, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, a unique color palette was specially created to match the facade and the attraction's surroundings. The facade itself will have an extensive and stunning LED lighting system that will sparkle and glitter in the Hong Kong dusk.
The centerpiece of the facade, the Small World Clock Tower will, just like its brothers and sisters across the globe, chime and gong at the appointed hours and will feature the classic toy parade, with a newly added Chinese Opera Character toy.
Quote from: "DisneyNut2007"Quote from: "Maarten"As an example; on several American discussion boards members are trying to look out for as many characters as possible. Its more of a hide and seek version of the ride. Ofcourse the characters can blend in very well or be placed in a subtle way, but as long as people are focussing on the characters, the message of the attraction will fade to the background, unlike the other versions of Its A Small World. The characters dont necessarely make the ride better in my opinion.
That opinion is still subjective and debatable.
If I may be coming across as a bit crass, I'm sorry. It's just that I, for one, am fed up with the constant Small World arguments that have been dominating all those other Disney forums and blogs lately which have become so annoying and intolerable that it's just laughable and only gives us Disney fans a bad name. I just wish those people would chill out already!
Nope, Disney is not what it once was. WDI is going creatively bankrupt. And after a lifetime and a fortune spent on Disney, I will not sit idly by for them to turn their THEME parks into rubbish toon/kid focused parks losing the ethos of their roots.
I am with Maarten here (oh what a surprise), I hold DLP up as being the best version (though DL's being the 1st and my 1st has a real soft spot). IASW is a part of why I do what I do for a living now. To be cheapened into a character fest would be like allowing banksy to alter the statue David.
sorry but I totaly disagree. It simply making it relevant to todays market. A Disney park is not a museum.... And the changes are done with respect, in the correct style. Either way is it really worth all the drama that it is being given? I do agree that WDI is going through a less creative time with all the cloning however
Quote from: "penfold12"sorry but I totals disagree. It simply making it relevant to todays market. A Disney park is not a museum.... And the changes are done with respect, in the correct style. Either way is it really worth all the drama that it is being given?
Here, here! Disney is still what it was in the past, just in different ways. Some may not see it that way, but it is.
Change does have to occur at Disney's theme parks in order to keep them relevant...and to keep the turnstyles rolling.
Not only are the parks not museums. They are NOT turning into so-called "character fests". WDI is NOT going to put familiar characters into ALL of its attractions, so there's no need to worry and get all up in knots about it.
And saying that specific characters don't belong in certain places is like telling someone that they don't belong in their own house or home, if you know what I mean. The Disney parks are where the characters live, work and play, so it's not a good idea to have that kind of bad attitude.
And the combinations that have been made so far have been quite appropriate, especially if you take things like history, context and deeper meanings to heart.
QuoteI do agree that EDI is going through a less creative time with all the cloning however
That, however, I must disagree with. Just because someone says something is uncreative doesn't make it so. They only clone attractions that actually become big hits or successful franchises anyway...and it's not a new practice either.
HKDL's 'It's a small world' is now officially open!
(//http://www.screamscape.com/assets/images/db_images/db_2008_0430_SmallWorld41.jpg)
:mrgreen:
Lol, I was just going to post that exact same photo. It shows the coloured LED lights on the façade that do a show thing every night.
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Quote from: "DisneyNut2007"Quote from: "Maarten"As an example; on several American discussion boards members are trying to look out for as many characters as possible. Its more of a hide and seek version of the ride. Ofcourse the characters can blend in very well or be placed in a subtle way, but as long as people are focussing on the characters, the message of the attraction will fade to the background, unlike the other versions of Its A Small World. The characters dont necessarely make the ride better in my opinion.
That opinion is still subjective and debatable.
If I may be coming across as a bit crass, I'm sorry. It's just that I, for one, am fed up with the constant Small World arguments that have been dominating all those other Disney forums and blogs lately which have become so annoying and intolerable that it's just laughable and only gives us Disney fans a bad name. I just wish those people would chill out already!
Nope, Disney is not what it once was. WDI is going creatively bankrupt. And after a lifetime and a fortune spent on Disney, I will not sit idly by for them to turn their THEME parks into rubbish toon/kid focused parks losing the ethos of their roots.
I am with Maarten here (oh what a surprise), I hold DLP up as being the best version (though DL's being the 1st and my 1st has a real soft spot). IASW is a part of why I do what I do for a living now. To be cheapened into a character fest would be like allowing banksy to alter the statue David.
I personally don't mind the characters being in the NEW versions of IASW but I do agree with people who are not happy about the refurb at Disneyland...
I mean why??? Is this ride not popular enough as it is? I have never been to Ca but in the Magic Kingdom park in Florida it is very very popular and I know this from working there year-round...
I am personally worried that they will change ours as well :( when does it end?
I'm not the type to hate change at Disney just because it's change but I am unhappy when they change things for the worse or try to fix something that ain't broke...
Quote from: "The Butlin Boy"HKDL's 'It's a small world' is now officially open!
(//http://www.screamscape.com/assets/images/db_images/db_2008_0430_SmallWorld41.jpg)
:mrgreen:
Wow their facade is brilliant look at those colours, how beautiful.
I will be offering a full review and pics once I get back from my trip out to Hong Kong in about 3 weeks time. Disney are expecting a huge attendance increase with this attraction, but I'm not too convinced by it personally. I'm not disputing its not going to make a fantastic addition to the small number of attractions available at this park, but will it be enough to get people inside the park.
Quote from: "Malin"I will be offering a full review and pics once I get back from my trip out to Hong Kong in about 3 weeks time. Disney are expecting a huge attendance increase with this attraction, but I'm not too convinced by it personally. I'm not disputing its not going to make a fantastic addition to the small number of attractions available at this park, but will it be enough to get people inside the park.
Good point-Small World is beautiful, and popular, but is it something people will flock JUST to see? Very interesting...
HKDL has launched a dedicated website for their it's a small world which shows all the Disney characters that are included in the show scenes.
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl ... index.html (http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/html/iasw/en_US/index.html)
Don't shoot me for saying this, but I like it! :mrgreen:
Edit: be sure to check out the opening video. It's pretty cute!
Nice website! I like some of the characters a lot and others not at all.
For example, Mowgli and Baloo are brilliant, the design of Baloo is really unique. But then Cinderella doesn't make much sense because at least in my mind she doesn't really have a very strong connection to a particular country. Peter Pan is perfect, they're all children afterall, whilst as I read somewhere else, isn't Pocahontas a bit out of place in what should be more of a Canadian mountains scene?
The Three Caballeros is super cool and certainly not a reference designed to sell more DVDs or toys, hardly anyone knows those characters. But then Finding Nemo... seems to be more on the DVD-selling side of things. Lilo & Stitch we already have the surfer animatronic for in Paris, and the Ariel here is almost identical to the non-Ariel mermaid in Paris. Fits nicely.
But finally... Bambi. In the north pole? Really?
Final score from the photos for me: 11/15. Good job. It's really all just a way to shoehorn as many Disney characters into HKDL as quickly as possible though, surely? In DLRP we've got separate attractions for a lot of those, so seeing Peter Pan or Pinocchio again in IASW would seem rather pointless. But for HKDL yes, this is a great move to make these characters permanent residents without having to actually spend some decent money and build them proper homes. Thumbs up.
Hmm well at least they're done artfully. I don't know what to say besides why is Bambi in the North Pole? lol!
Any word on the refurb at Disneyland?
A video introducing IASW from bennett: =D>
[youtube:2dmb9b1t]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlbkx_D3tM[/youtube:2dmb9b1t]
HKDLfan, we already had a topic dedicated to the IASW at Hongkong Disneyland. I've merged your topic with the existing one. :)
Thanks HKDLfan! I was wondering, since Its A Small World is open for business since April, is there any increase in attendance?
Quote from: "Maarten"Thanks HKDLfan! I was wondering, since Its A Small World is open for business since April, is there any increase in attendance?
There isn't any increase in attendance. But many visitors rushed to the IASW area and ride it after the grand opening until May. Therefore, other attractions seemed to be very desolated.
Sorry for my bad english :P
Don't worry about your English, it's perfect.
I'm not surprised IASW isn't bringing in the guests. It's more of a crowd pleaser then a crowd puller...
How did they advertise it?
I think we have all said it before, but IASW seems a really strange attraction for a struggling park. Hong Kong is one of the most technologicaly advanced cities in the world, and this is one of the oldest style attractions.
Is there a strong culture for Dolls in Hong Kong? I dont want to sound offensive when I say that. I mean Japan has a a culture where many cute and small characters seem popular, and TDL even has its own doll. I wondered if this is also true of HK, hence this attraction?
Every disney park deserves an IASW, and it's just great that hong kong got something nobody else got. I think it looks great, but I wouldn't like them to do the same at DLRP. Then it's not special anymore, and I don't think they would fit in, because ours aint build to contain them, like the hong kong one. But I like it though :D
the characters look good in the HK one, but not for ours please, not in ours!