Well as you know, Hong Kong Disneyland will get a brand new it's a small world with a few Disney characters blended in the scenes.
Now as expected, the first rumours are popping up about another park getting this characters tie-in. All Lutz broke the news this week about a Californian-upgrade:
QuoteBut it now appears that the inside of the attraction will be quite different from the original 1964 version that has hosted tens of millions of Disneyland over the years. Imagineers have recently been inside the ride placing temporary cutouts of Disney characters in scenes along the flume trying to determine where those characters would look the best in each scene.
The concept of adding Disney characters to it's a small world was first introduced as a way to make the attraction more interesting to contemporary Chinese audiences at the Hong Kong Disneyland version of the boat ride that opens later this year. A cartoonish version of Peter Pan will fly around Big Ben in the United Kingdom scene, Lilo and Stitch will surf through the Polynesian scene, Simba will take up residence with the rest of the wildlife in the African room, etc. After that concept was approved for Hong Kong and the Disney figures created to sit alongside the traditional dolls and animals, attention has now turned to the original version of the ride in Anaheim.
Even though it's a small world has remained one of Disneyland's most popular attractions for decades, and still pulls in over 2,000 riders per hour on busy days, Imagineering has received Ed Grier's blessing to "plus up" the old attraction by adding Disney Characters throughout the original 1964 show scenes. It should be interesting to see how Disneyland's PR department spins that one, especially when the Disney purists catch wind of it.
From what I've heard, the riots on micechat have already started... :lol:
Source (//http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al022608b.htm)
Quote from: "raptor1982"From what I've heard, the riots on micechat have already started... :lol:
On WDW Magic as well... Personally, I don't mind having a few Disney characters in
It's a Small World. As long as they keep it subtle and well executed I don't see the problem here.
Now, if they started adding Stitch to Pirates of the Caribbean, that would be really weird. :lol:
Quote from: "raptor1982"From what I've heard, the riots on micechat have already started... :lol:
Get the water cannons!
It wouldn't bother me too much either. I think if Walt and friends had the kind of massive, multi-theme back catalogue that Disney has today (like Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Lion King), they'd have put Disney characters throughout the World's Fair version too.
(Off topic-- I'm not sure what the queues are like at the other parks, but Paris' could do with attracting a lot more people than it does to take the strain from elsewhere. I'd rather this happen than the Pirates overlay, since that feels much more corporate and is already a more popular ride.)
Just so long as the song never changes. :wink:
Talking about the california version having an update, i read the other day there boats have been leaking water in ! And other things that were bad about this attraction at DLR.
I wouldn't mind it either, from concept art for Hong Kong, all of the characters seem to have been slightly re-designed to look like the dolls anyway, so they won't exactly stick out badly. It'd also be quite cool seeing an IASW version of Mickey conducting the final scene of the ride :wink:
:lol: I hate that ride, so Disney characters would only make it better for me.
:roll: I only ever go on it because my mum likes it.
Quote from: "Owain"Talking about the california version having an update, i read the other day there boats have been leaking water in !
According to numerous sources, the boats were having trouble with overweighted guests. It seemed like people have become more heavy these days.
You can also read about this on //http://calorielab.com/news/2007/10/29/small-world-ride-revamped-for-bigger-passengers/
There's an update on this page (from the 3rd of November 2007) about a Disney spokesman claiming the issues with It's a Small World were not caused by overweighted guests.
QuoteA Disney spokesman has acknowledged the ride's refurbishment but denied any obesity connection, according to the New York Times. Decades of fiberglas patching and repairs of It's a Small World have built up the bottom of its flume at several stress points, making it shallower than when originally constructed, said the spokesman. The Los Angeles Times got the same response from Disney. However, the New York Times points out that heavier passengers may have brought this problem to a head sooner than it otherwise would have been.
Does anyone know where there might be pictures of the concept art for HK or photos of the actual ride?
Edit: My bad, just found the other thread! Will teach me not to look before asking.
This photo is from 11feb;
(//http://www.disneytheque.com/phototheque/hong_kong_disneyland/IASW/080211/001.jpg)
Photo : HKDLSource
This version looks great !
Kevin L. Blair, son of Mary Blair has written a letter in name of the Blair family to the Walt Disney Company. You can read the letter on the Re-Imagineering blog (//http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2008/03/blair-family-speaks.html).
A little excerpt from the letter:
QuoteWhile I fully understand and support the upgrade to the boats as a necessary safety upgrade, the addition of the Disney Characters and the "Up with America" section I do NOT support as it represents a gross desecration of the ride's original theme and my Mother's stylized artwork.
I expect the Disney Company to take this letter serious, but will they also decide to give up the changes to "It's a Small World"? I wonder...
They are wanting to replace the Rainforest scene with an 'Up with America' section!
There is no need for such a scene. The one Indian and one cowboy at the end of the attraction was enough! The ride is about the rest of the world and its unity.
PLUS, the concept art released looks nothing like the rest of "its a small world."
This is such a new low level for WDI :(
Visit //http://www.imagineerebirth.blogspot.com for more info on what is at hand and at stake!
I don't agree with the people on MiceChat here, and I'm siding with WDI on this. But I suspect with all the bad negative publicity this has caused, Disney will scrap plans to change scenes and add new characters. And the diehards on MiceChat will get there own way.
Quote from: "Malin"I don't agree with the people on MiceChat here, and I'm siding with WDI on this. But I suspect with all the bad negative publicity this has caused, Disney will scrap plans to change scenes and add new characters. And the diehards on MiceChat will get there own way.
Granted it didn't have a letter from such an important person's family, but this kind of negative talk didn't stop them with Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer. And is anyone still crying over that? Seems like DLR has one of these events every year now.
As for the complaints from Mary Blair's family, I can understand their concern, but we are only talking about adding a couple of extra dolls in, not pulling down her fabulous façade. No one can know what she'd think. She might have even been happy that the new characters mean more people will take a ride and get to see her wonderful work.
Mulan, Ariel, Mowgli and Alice in Wonderland would fit nicely, and they're all children of the world.
I wouldn't see the point in adding, say, Peter Pan to the UK scene outside of Hong Kong, where there's already Peter Pan's Flight. And they could probably do without ripping out the rainforest to build this "Up with America" section... oh the irony.
Quote from: "Baloo"Quote from: "Malin"I don't agree with the people on MiceChat here, and I'm siding with WDI on this. But I suspect with all the bad negative publicity this has caused, Disney will scrap plans to change scenes and add new characters. And the diehards on MiceChat will get there own way.
Granted it didn't have a letter from such an important person's family, but this kind of negative talk didn't stop them with Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer. And is anyone still crying over that? Seems like DLR has one of these events every year now.
As for the complaints from Mary Blair's family, I can understand their concern, but we are only talking about adding a couple of extra dolls in, not pulling down her fabulous façade. No one can know what she'd think. She might have even been happy that the new characters mean more people will take a ride and get to see her wonderful work.
This is one of the reasons why I'm starting to distance myself from that website, and post more on here. Some Members are way against the changes, but I bet you now the day of opening all those members will be at the park with there camera's.
If I was WDI, I would invite the Blair family around to explain and show them in person the changes. I wonder if this update was coming to DLRP we would all be making such a big song and dance about it.
It´s always hard for fans to get such changes. But we shouldn´t forget that also walt himself was a business man. He change the name of Disneyland Castle from Snow whites to sleeping beauty cause of better marketing.
On the other site IASW seems to have a big fan comunity and why give money to something what´s running.
I was first very disapointed about the changes at IASW. But I must say after seeing first pics WDI seems to be very carefully to keep the puppet design. Only the stitch looks a bit silly :lol: Maybe cause I don´t like that they have just the idea around the world that stitch take controll of everything.
And I don´t think that the changes swap to us here. An 'Up with America' section at paris???? No way :lol:
It's reaching more and more media now, almost seems to be confirmed...
QuoteOfficials confirmed that Alice is one of several Disney characters that will be added to Disneyland's Small World in a controversial plan that has infuriated some purists. Officials have insisted that Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will not appear in the Anaheim attraction.
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1552 (http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1552)
And now...
http://www.savethesmallworld.com/ (http://www.savethesmallworld.com/)
If this happened in Paris I'd sure get over it within a few months, but it's never something I'd
choose to happen, just something I'd put up with. For being THE "it's a small world" and having such an iconic status for America and the world, the Anaheim version at least should remain as true to its roots as possible. A bit like the listed buildings you get at least in the UK, where you can only change certain things about them. Should adding Disney characters be within the rules? Still not sure...
Imagineering ambassador Marty Sklar has written an open letter to the fan community in response to the wave of negative comments:
Quote from: "Marty Sklar""A Magic Kingdom of All the World's Children"
(April 4, 2008) A local newspaper reporter got it right when she wrote that, after we updated Pirates of the Caribbean last year, "many fans grudgingly acknowledged that... the additions may make the ride more appealing to young park goers." Now, based purely on rumors that are mostly inaccurate, we are being criticized for touching another one of Walt Disney's "classics."
We all agree that "It's A Small World" is a Disney classic. But the greatest "change agent" who ever walked down Main Street at Disneyland was Walt himself. In fact, the park had not been open 24 hours when Walt began to "plus" Disneyland, and he never stopped. Having started my Disney career at Disneyland one month before the park opened in 1955, I can cite countless examples.
Like all my colleagues at Walt Disney Imagineering, I was pressed into action to help make "It's A Small World" happen at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. We were all working to complete and open Ford's "Magic Skyway" and General Electric's "Carousel of Progress" (I worked on both) as well as "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" for the State of Illinois. But 11 months before the World's Fair opening, Walt agreed to do "a salute to the children of the world" for UNICEF, and all the Imagineers somehow made it happen.
Mary Blair's illustrations were, of course, the spark. But this was one of those great Disney "team efforts," and many Disney legends joined her: Marc Davis; Blaine Gibson; Rolly Crump, Harriet Burns and numerous others. And, of course, Bob and Dick Sherman added that song we can't get out of our heads. I interfaced with all of them to write and produce a 24-page souvenir book that was sold at the Fair, because Walt wanted to showcase and thank the team for an extraordinary accomplishment.
Now the rumors are swirling that we are "ruining Walt's creation." I've heard that we are planning to remove the rainforest, add Mickey and Minnie Mouse, create an "Up with America" tribute, to effectively "marginalize" the Mary Blair style and Walt's classic (all not true).
In fact, just the opposite is true. We want the message of brotherhood and good will among all children around the world to resonate with more people than ever before, especially today's young people. Our objective is to have everyone who experiences "It's a Small World" understand (in the words the Shermans' wrote 44 years ago) that "there is just one moon, and one golden sun, and a smile means friendship to everyone."
To make "It's A Small World" even more relevant to our guests, Tony Baxter (who created the concepts for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and other Disneyland classics) and I arrived at the same place eight years ago. To accomplish our objective, we decided to seamlessly integrate Disney characters into appropriate thematic scenes in the attraction, and do it completely in the distinctive "Mary Blair style." We spent many long months exploring ways to accomplish this.
We are not turning this classic attraction into a marketing pitch for Disney plush toys (rumors to the contrary). Between Tony, our chief designer Kim Irvine, and me, we represent 128 years creating Disney park entertainment and fun for literally billions of guests around the world. We are not "young marketing whizzes" trying to make a name for ourselves. We were fortunate to have trained, and worked with, all of Walt's original Imagineers.
In the Shermans' song, it's the oceans that are wide, and the mountains that divide. Our goal was, and always will be, to bring people together, and keep this classic "the happiest cruise that ever sailed around the world" (words I personally wrote for that souvenir guide nearly half a century ago).
Or, as Walt Disney phrased it in his introduction to that guide, "a magic kingdom of all the world's children."
Martin A. Sklar
Executive Vice President
Walt Disney Imagineering
Imagineering Ambassador
Source: Laughing Place.com
^^^ I don't know, he doesn't say why they think it would be a better attraction with Disney characters in it, and I kind of agree with the people saying it doesn't fit the message of the ride. But frankly, I don't care that much. IASW is off course a Disney classic, but far from my favorite ride. And as the characters will be quite discrete, I guess it might be a little fun trying to spot the characters as you ride along. The pictures from the Hong Kong version also looked pretty good, I think.
*sigh*
Its gonna be odd having them in. I feel dumb cause everyone is saying "yay! Disney characters!" but...I dunno, I just can't seem to get used to the idea...
Quote from: "MinniesBestPal"Its gonna be odd having them in. I feel dumb cause everyone is saying "yay! Disney characters!" but...I dunno, I just can't seem to get used to the idea...
I don't think anyone is exactly celebrating their introduction, it's just split between people who want it to stay exactly as Walt built it and people who can accept WDI feels it needs a better "hook" to get people through the turnstiles.
The letter from Marty Sklar is a strange move, especially since it doesn't actually address the issues of the Disney characters whatsoever... He says some of the rumours like removing the rainforest aren't true, good, but then goes and uses the Imagineering
Word of Doom - RELEVANT. When you hear that, as we did with SM: Mission 2 and replacing Visionarium with Buzz, you know you're in trouble...
I don't have a problem with this new Disney Character's layover. I always thought that Walt's original attrations should not be touched, but I have experienced the Pirates of the Caribbean with Jack and Barbossa and I liked these additions very much and I hope Jack and Barbossa will come to DLRP too. If I remember correctly, I think many people were also against these two new characters in the pirates attraction. And now many people are against the additions to "it's a small world" too. I only hope that they don't change anything in the song.
Walt Disney was always looking forward and when he thought that an attraction should be improved, they did it and most of the time it was a good improvement and perhaps many guests will like the new version of "it's a small world".
Hmm... My dad says "Aww, don't worry about it! Disney wouldn't let anything happen to small world! The imagineers wouldn't go too far! Beside, it'll be a laugh spotting them on the boat!"
Jim Hill has an interesting story about Alice Davis, the legendary Imagineer and how she feels about the IASW layover:
http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... minds.aspx (http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2009/04/07/still-bothered-by-the-changes-that-were-recently-made-to-disneyland-s-it-s-a-small-world-attraction-get-a-key-and-open-your-minds.aspx)