According to Alain Littaye and his Disney & More Blog, Jack Sparrow will be added to Pirates of the Caribbean for the 20th birthday!!
Let's come now to the other big news of this POTC update: Jack Sparrow audio-Animatronics will be installed next year at DLP Pirates of Caribbean, and this will include the Barbossa AA in the Pirate ship AND the "ghostly waterfall" projection effect, just like at DL and WDW.
I told you before that new effects were envisioned inside Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain but for now - and unfortunately - these are on hold. In terms of enhancements on classic attractions, only POTC is sure for the 20th. No decision has been taken yet on Star Tours 2 for DLP - which doesn't mean that it won't happen as they still have time to change their mind.
So, where will they put the Jack Sparrow AA inside DLP POTC? According to my good sources Tom Fitzgerald apparently decided that the AAs will be placed at the same scenes that you can see them at DL or WDW. Which means that in 12 months from now Disneyland Paris fans will be able to salute Captain Jack Sparrow near the "mayor in the well" scene, hiding behind the clothes...
More on his blog:
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2011/ ... ng-at.html (http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2011/05/potc-update-jack-sparrow-aas-coming-at.html%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
As a side note, Captain Blackbeard will replace Davy Jones in the US parks.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... -may-20-2/ (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/blackbeard-comes-aboard-at-disneyland-park-and-magic-kingdom-park-may-20-2/%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
I'm not sure what I think about Jack Sparrow popping up but I loved the "ghostly waterfall" in WDW and can't wait to see it in dlp.
Hmmmmmm, I'll have to get back to you with my opinion on this one. Off to straddle a fench for a while......
That sounds painful Pete's Dragon :-"
Hmm, I know that these are subtle additions, but to me they still has nothing to do in there and to this day I have been happy that we still had an original POC attraction as Walt imagined it.... It was question of time and now the 20th gives them a chance to blow this little addition out of proportion to be a huge part of the biggest celebration in the park yet.. That being said, the AA's and the waterfall seem to be top quality stuff and that is a plus...
I would though still have preferred some new and original additions to BTM or PM that would enhance the original ideas without selling it to people with Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush and Bill Nighy/Ian McShane... I doubt that any PM additions would have added Eddie Murphy :lol:
Let's wait and see, perhaps they do not take the opportunity to brand this as a "new attraction" like SM:M2 and if that is the case, I can accept it easilier :)
I think this is great news, very positive. Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris has been exactly the same for 19 years now. It's time to freshen it up.
I just hope they market it properly, so that the message gets out there to regular people that they've made some permanent, expensive changes to the ride.
This is where Disneyland Paris could really make good use of social media, using YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to document the installation of the new effects. Perhaps they could even convince Johnny Depp to come along and ride it himself, considering he has a house in Paris.
[youtube:21ax66ej]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQ5eWBlApY[/youtube:21ax66ej]
Quote from: "DopeyDad"That sounds painful Pete's Dragon :-"
It's a very small fence, and my legs are quite long. But it's started to rain :(
;)
If they intend to update POTC to include the free-flowing animated Jack, then they should update the othe animatronics too. Otherwise leave it alone.
Another point - they cant keep the swinging on a rope pirate workig 365 days of the year - without adding other, more complex stuff.
Refurb - Not Reinvent !!!
Come on guys. If us park fans aren't enthusiastic about new permanent things being added to Disneyland Park, we can't expect the general public to be.
The animatronics in Pirates of the Caribbean have always been of varying complexity. The key figures, the stars of the show, are the most advanced, because they're the ones you're supposed to look at. But the background figures, the ones that simply make up a crowd, are relatively simple.
Anyway I think it's a good idea, the films have been very successful for Disney nobody can deny the that. And since the idea for the films came from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in the first place, and there are references to the theme park ride in the films, so why not have Jack Sparrow in the attraction?
I'm not too fussed, I mean it's sad to see the only 'original' Pirates go, but then you have to remember our Pirates is the total opposite of the original, so it's not like it's Walt's vision in the first place, the Imagineers created something much more different for Paris. This isn't so much changing what Walt wanted (www. (http://www."%20onclick="window.open(this.href);return%20false;).), but it is changing the original 'different' vision for the ride.
Saying that, the AA's in the others are very good indeed, and will add a whole new, fresh level of show to the ride, they're not too intrusive in the grand scheme of things, yes there are a few lines in the treasure room which means we'll probably lose the 'dead men tell no tales' whisperings in the background, but I can live with that if it brings a ride back to it's former glory and popularity!
Long and short of it, it's nice to see some investment back into an original star attraction, but at the same time I don't see it taking too much of the original ride atmosphere away. If anything I'm interested to see how they'll fit him into the ride as the scenes are in a totally different order - Davy Jones appears in the caverns at the start of the WDW version, we have a Bayou, so maybe on that first journey up the waterfall, that certainly is one of the more 'simple' areas currently?
Now if only they surprise us with that new mirror effect from HM for the end of PM!
I'm sure many things are different in Disneyland from the way Walt Disney had them in the 1950s and 60s, Pirates of the Caribbean included. It would look quite old fashioned if nothing could be touched or updated. Even HM came after him.
:D Anyone have a sort of idea when the refubishment for this will be?And when will it re open with the new animatronic? :thumbs:
As much as I love Jack Sparrow I don't like the idea.
I'm happy that Jack will be added to POTC. We really enjoyed seeing him in the new version at WDW, although the ride itself is really bad and can't be compared with the wonderful attraction in Paris. MAybe I'm wrong on that, but POTC in Florida seemed to be very short.
As long as it's a small world will not be "upgraded" with Disney characters, I'm fine.
This is great news. Hopefully they'll announce some more surprises for the 20th.
im quite happy about this - its tried and tested and Disneyland shouldnt be a museum. I still want ST2 more but that needs some serious €€€€€€€. I hope they keep "leaking" info for the 20th :-)
Quote from: "Alan"Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris has been exactly the same for 19 years now. It's time to freshen it up.
If it ain't broke, then don't fix it.
I'm very much against the addition of Sparrow to POTC, because yep you've guessed it.. I'm one of these ones who wants to preserve the original DLP as much as possible. For me Pirates of the Caribbean has always had a close place in my heart because of the fantastic theming the story writing from the Imagineers, it proves those outside the Disney fandom that you don't need to plaster characters from the movies everywhere to be successful and the best of attractions are of made from pure creativity - such as this, Phantom Manor, BTM etc.
Added Jack in though, a character from the movies, is a step in the wrong direction. Yes, I know he's popular and will get more guests in and, yes it is only a small addition but I don't like it. For years now I have been informing (and in some cases, having to convince) others that the Pirates attraction came
before the movies, this was a factor that usually came up in my semi-frequent "Disney is just for kids and Disneyland is all about the films" debate. How is this going to add to my argument? This is merely going to make the blind, ignorant, foolish and unfortunate souls I argue with more deluded that the ride was inspired by the movies and WDI are pretty much throwing their hands up in the air saying "Okay, we've gave up!"
I don't like alterations to my beloved attractions, as picky as that sounds. Sometimes messing around with an old, winning formula is not a good thing; as Star Wars fans will tell you (such as one who I am current lobbing eggs at to get him off the fence ;) :mrgreen: )
Yes, Pirates will be changing and Disney will indeed be inserting characters from the movie into it. But, think of it this way, at least you've had (up to) 19 years to enjoy it being exactly the same :-) 19 years is a LONG time. How many 19 year spans do you get in a lifetime? Not many.
Don't worry, they won't mess it up too much. This has already been tried and tested in America and Japan. So, if it's good enough for Tokyo Disneyland it's definitely good enough for Disneyland Paris, right? There's really nothing to complain about. It's all good.
(//http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2942480724_fa9b764812_b.jpg)
POTC is my favourite ride(the first time I went on it in California I couldn't believe how great it was) and Peter Pans flight. The TWDC is a film company, so I've never really understood why some people are surprised or object to their movie characters turning up in their parks and attractions.
Quote from: "ed-uk"POTC is my favourite ride(the first time I went on it in California I couldn't believe how great it was) and Peter Pans flight. The TWDC is a film company, so I've never really understood why some people are surprised or object to their movie characters turning up in their parks and attractions.
The film business is now a small part of TWDC. Their most important business is, according to their Annual Report, Media Networks followed by Parks & Resorts. Those divisons made the most money in recent years. Although the company started as a movie studio, it's now an entertainment company with many different businesses.
TWDC is an entertainment company for sure, and I would have thought that film is still a very important part of their business.
Quote from: "ed-uk"TWDC is an entertainment company for sure, and I would have thought that film is still a very important part of their bussiness.
I'm sure it is still very important for TWDC. I just wanted to point out that in recent years the studio wasn't that successful. It always depends on the movies released. According to the Annual Report Media Networks made the most money due to advertising in recent years.
I know it depends on the movie released, some films are more successful than others. If their movies aren't doing well and DVD sales are down the company suffers. The Pirate films have been very successful and Disney must have made a lot of money out of them. Hasn't the movie studio been doing well then?
Quote from: "ed-uk"I know it depends on the movie released, some films are more successful than others. If their movies aren't doing well and DVD sales are down the company suffers. The Pirate films have been very successful and Disney must have made a lot of money out of them. Hasn't the movie studio been doing well then?
I'm very sure that these years must have been very successful for TWDC. Pirates is one of the biggest disney franchises at the moment and so I understand Disney to add the characters to POTC. Unfortunately Disney of today is just about franchises and I really hope one day that changes again.
I wouldn't mind if Disney wouldn't add the characters to the ride and instead they would use the money for something else. Nevertheless I'm happy that Captain Jack is added, because I really enjoyed seeing him and Barbossa in Florida. POTC is my favorite Disney attraction, but during our last visits the ride wasn't in the best conditions and soo I hope they don't just add Jack and refurb the attraction as well. POTC is one of the best Disney rides, but in recent years, when we have been there, it was always a walk on attraction and it really deserves more attention. If Jack Sparrow can help to attract more guests, than they should add him.
We have to admit that the POTC movies are very popular and most people will miss the new characters when on the ride. But it annoys me so much that there are people who don't know that the movies are based on that fantastic ride. And not the other way.
As I've already said, I'm happy that Jack and Barbossa will be added, but I would also be very glad if DLRP would keep the original. Nevertheless it will still be my favorite Disney attraction.
Quote from: "Donald-Duck-Malta":D Anyone have a sort of idea when the refubishment for this will be?And when will it re open with the new animatronic? :thumbs:
This hasn't been officially announced yet, so we don't know the exact plans. ;)
I don't know if I agree with the statement that "after nineteen years, it's time to freshen it up." That sounds dangerously like the sentiment that drives Hollywood to remake "The A-Team." No, no, if there's no real reason to freshen something up, don't. If the alternative is worse, don't bother.
However, I do feel that the technology on our Pirates is in need of some tweaking. Not the story, not the art direction, not the atmosphere, but the cogs and gears setting it all into motion. As time progresses, the ride feels more and more like an amiable old carnival trick rather than the height of sophistication. Once you've seen a modern-age animatronic, the ones on Pirates seem laughable, even the famous dueling pair. The flame effects are too obvious, the ceiling is too visible, the backdrops are too clearly painted sheets.
But I suppose we'll never see them put in quite that much effort when there isn't a shiny marketing ploy involved. So at least now we're getting three proper, modern-age animatronics that will hopefully have 2012's audience as amazed as 1992's. Good.
But I do worry about the liberties that will need to be taken with the story. What will a lively Jack Sparrow be doing amongst the skeletons in our post-time-travel treasure area?
19 years has gone by, yes and although I do not hate this addition in any way (yes, I would have prefered it not to come) I cannot help to see the possibilities that we could have with the budget going into this addition.
The Jack Sparrow AA's are top quality, extremely smooth and spectacular from what I have seen... Imagine they used this technology to update our current Pirate Stars? The sword fighting Pirates were the most advanced ever created when DLP opened in '92. To me it would have been a much better use of money and a perfect way to celebrate 20 years of magic in Paris to update those with the new advanced technology for the money that are now being used on this update. It would have been amazing to see those two really fighting again - on my latest trips it has been a sad sight...
One can hope that they will fix them too, which will make it a great addition. Otherwise I have to give in and admit that the Sparrow AA's seem great and hope they do not blow this out of proportion (promotion wise) so no guests will pay attention to the storytelling and in stead just say "hey, we need to see Johnny Depp so let's try this Pirates thing".
@pussinboots: I have had the exact same thought about the last Jack Sparrow amongst all the dead skeletons...
I suppose the bottom line is that there's nowhere else to put him, and that putting him in the treasure room is going to be the death of the current time-travel concept. We will no longer feel as though we've left the 18th century after the waterfall.
Unless, yes, the fountain of youth thing... It will be quite a stretch, of course, and it will kill the eerie, still atmosphere of that scene no matter what. He does sing, after all.
And that's another thing. Is it just me, or are the films set in the 18th century while the rides take place in the 17th? Either that or Admiral Norrington is simply ahead of his time with that wig of his. Compare with the styling of the drunk pirate at the barrel.
I do wonder how many people get the time travel part though, I know when I've been on with friends (one of whom is very Disney savvy) they all just assumed that the dynamite had blown open an entrance to a cavern under the city where the Pirates were keeping loot - with a slight bit of re-dressing, that might be a viable storyline tweak?
With Davy Jones/Blackbeard on the lift that transports you back in time, to explain of a mysterious cursed cavern holding the lost treasure, that effectively ties the start and end of the ride together again (although we do lose the mystery of time travel). Theoretically there's no reason we couldn't be passing through, Blackbeard appears to the riders tells them of a missing treasure, and from there you go on a quest to beat the other Pirates to find it, getting caught up in the hi-jinks along the way, but as always when you think you've got it, Jack Sparrow has already beaten you to it!
It's not as classy as the original ride, but it's the only way I see it fitting and still maintaining a storyline!
Really? That was time travel? I thought that the pirates had just died surrounded by their treasures.
I must admit I've never been sure whether the Paris version is meant to include time travel. Wasn't that just a conceit to explain the drop under the railroad tracks at the other resorts? I thought it was boasted that the redesign allowed them to rearrange the story correctly in chronological order.
In Paris it seems perfectly plausible that you begin in a calm lagoon only to encounter a pirate attack at the top of the lift hill. The only slight jump in time comes at the end, when you see the pirates get their comeuppance as skeletons. Having Jack Sparrow as the lone surviving pirate from the attack there might be quite witty and true to the character. We can presume that he was being held in the town's jail, escaped with the blast and ended up securing the pirates' treasure for himself.
He will also most likely speak French (unless they do a Madame Leota on him?)
I do love seeing Jack and co. in POTC in WDW, and the Davy Jones effect is awesome. I kinda like the fact of Paris' POTC being Mr. Sparrow free, simply so we still have an original ride to ride. Like everyone has pointed out, there are a lot of things in there which need tweaking first before new AAs go in and put all the others to shame! That poor pirate with the hats who is stuck between two boats, I don't remember the last time I saw him working. Feb '10 he was bent over and not moving every time I rode, and back in Dec, he was upright, sans hats, and not moving again! The swinging pirate has been mentioned. The captain with the lovely plaits in his beard (bless him), had his head turned almost backwards the last twice I rode, and a few other things which I can't remember which need some TLC. So yes, bring Jack in, I'm sure Europe will love it, but give all the other pirates a makeover too, they deserve it!
I'd LOVE to see a Davy Jones animatronic at the top of the lift, where it gets real dark, just before the first drop. To see that squid face thing standing in the shadows would look great!
^ The waterfall with Davy Jone's face projected onto it would look awesome there too, maybe thats where its going as it can't go in the caves at the end.
I can't remember how the effect works. Is it smoke that's falling down, or is it a waterfall that switches off before you go under it?
It's basically heavy mist I think, like the mist screens in Fantasmic.
It's not water because your boat actually travels through it while it's turned on. It's a curtain of mist. It's actually a really beautiful effect, and will be so cool to finally get in Paris. Placed strategically near the bottom of the main lift, you won't be able to see the boat in front of yours going through it, which would actually be an improvement over the American versions.
[youtube:2qzqk71s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnqbppvweuo&feature=related[/youtube:2qzqk71s]
Adding Jack Sparrow AAs is one thing, but I'm not a huge fan of the mist screen projection in POTC. IMO it just doesn't fit with the rest of the attraction, style-wise... in fact it took me completely out of the ride.
Does anyone know how long it took for the enhancements to be made? Was it weeks or months?
I wonder when this would likely close for the changes?! :?
Good question. That information must be out there somewhere online. From memory, I have a feeling it was 3-6 months.
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"Adding Jack Sparrow AAs is one thing, but I'm not a huge fan of the mist screen projection in POTC. IMO it just doesn't fit with the rest of the attraction, style-wise... in fact it took me completely out of the ride.
I agree. It looks too hi-tech for Pirates really. Nothing wrong with a good old animatronic ;)
But you know, if the desired effect is to have a ghostly pirate appear in front of you, on what appears to be water, how else could they do that? How could they do that without you saying it looks high-tech? Are you saying that you wish they didn't add the effect to the ride at all?
In my opinion, it only really looks high-tech because it's something we haven't seen before. It's a pretty futuristic technology. It's something we're not used to, yet. But if you think about it, there's nothing computer-y or futuristic or even mechanical about the style of the effect. It looks very organic and magical.
Quote from: "Alan"But you know, if the desired effect is to have a ghostly pirate appear in front of you, on what appears to be water, how else could they do that? How could they do that without you saying it looks high-tech? Are you saying that you wish they didn't add the effect to the ride at all?
In my opinion, it only really looks high-tech because it's something we haven't seen before. It's a pretty futuristic technology. It's something we're not used to, yet. But if you think about it, there's nothing computer-y or futuristic or even mechanical about the style of the effect. It looks very organic and magical.
It feels "off" because it's photo-realistic; a bit of modern-age CGI Uncanny Valley in a world of old timey cartoon pirates. I'm not sure how they could fix that, other than perhaps with the world's most complicated Pepper's Ghost effect, but I agree that it is jarring.
So if they projected an animatronic rubbery version of Davy Jones onto the mist screen, rather than using the CGI version, you'd prefer that?
Perhaps? Although come to think of it, there's also very little of the supernatural or fantastical on the original ride. Jerry Bruckheimer may have brought Octopus-headed baddies, dermatological barnacles, giant murderous squids, the undead, mermaids, the afterlife and goodness what else to the party, the original ride features little more unthinkable than a skeleton drinking rum from an endless bottle. It's just... Too much for that quaint little ride.
So it's simultaneously too realistic and too unthinkable. I don't know. But it does feel off, haha. You don't think?
What if it was Blackbeard instead?
Or what about Long John Silver? Sorry, wrong film.
To be fair, there's also the talking skull, but yeah, it's not quite on the same scale of fantasy... I agree that that is probably a big part of what makes it so jarring.
I'd prefer if they simply added a "wall of water" effect without any synergy character force-fed onto it. It would be enough of an effect to surprise people as they're traveling through a waterfall, but not too much to distract from the overall experience.
With or without the projection, if they place this mist screen on the lift hill at Disneyland Paris, it will give a much better illusion of "you're going to get wet" than at the other parks, due to these sensory elements:
• The visuals of you travelling up an actual waterfall
• The roar of real water rushing past your boat
• The feeling of droplets of water hitting your skin
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"To be fair, there's also the talking skull, but yeah, it's not quite on the same scale of fantasy... I agree that that is probably a big part of what makes it so jarring.
I'd prefer if they simply added a "wall of water" effect without any synergy character force-fed onto it. It would be enough of an effect to surprise people as they're traveling through a waterfall, but not too much to distract from the overall experience.
I would have liked to see a movie about that skull. The pirates could defer to it, haha. Yes, if Bruckheimer had been born in a different age, or started his career in Saturday morning television, I could've just about seen it.
But I can live with a wall of water. And even if I weren't, Euro Disney will have the effect out of order most of the time.
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"Adding Jack Sparrow AAs is one thing, but I'm not a huge fan of the mist screen projection in POTC. IMO it just doesn't fit with the rest of the attraction, style-wise... in fact it took me completely out of the ride.
I agree. However adding AA is probably the easiest in Paris since the AA's here are way younger than the ones in WDW, TDL or DL.
A mirrored image of a very good 'ghostly' Davey animatronic would be a lot better, in a similar style to the 'ghostly ball' in Phantom.
im up for any change like this, will be exciting :D
Quote from: "Martyn"A mirrored image of a very good 'ghostly' Davey animatronic would be a lot better, in a similar style to the 'ghostly ball' in Phantom.
But then you're building an expensive animatronic only to see its projected reflection!
Anyway, it's confirmed that Blackbeard is replacing Davy Jones for this effect in the US versions, right? So presumably Paris won't see Davy Jones at all.
No, the Blackbeard replacement is only temporary, to promote the 4th Pirates movie (which incidentally is supposed to be crap). So, Davy Jones will return after that, which is good.
Like you said Anthony, it doesn't make any economic sense building an animatronic, only to have it projected and not directly seen. It would surely be much cheaper to just create the CGI animation and project that instead, which is what Disney have done.
You do know that if you see it in a reflection, you DO actually see it, so its hardly a waste now, is it?
I think the point made was that if its a projection then a digital source rather than a physical model can be used, which can easily be changed and is less expensive than creating a full AA.
Hmmm, I don't like the idea of seeing Jack Sparrow and other "real" Characters in POTC. One reason might be that I just hate these movies and I thus fear the "destruction" of my favourite ride...But I also agree with previous comments claiming that the time travel would not fit anylonger or that the image of Davy Jones seems to be to "high-tech" for the ride. I also fear that noone will actually have a look at the story behind POTC after the refurb, because the whole ride will be reduced to the movies and Jack Sparrow...
Does anybody know if the soundtrack will be changed like in the other parks? There, nearly the whole ride seems to be accompanied by the soundtrack of the POTC-movies instead of the good old "Yo ho, a pirates life for me". This would be a catastrophe :(
In general, my opinion is that they should rather refurbish the old attractions and keep them as they have been, because I really find it frustrating when more and more of the "old" Disneyland disappears and is replaced by more "mainstream" rides (The whole Jules Verne-theme for example...How great Discoveryland has been just a few years ago...)
Actually Discoveryland, Main Street, Frontierland and Adventureland have done well without being associated with Disney characters...They had their own, fascinating stories, which made them so special compared to other theme parks. But now all the old stuff seems to be forgotten and everything is reduced to Disney movies and characters...What a sad development :(
For me it seems like everything used to be better in the past...Space Mountain, Critter Corral, Visionarium, soon the Pirates...
Welcome aboard Patrick, I sense the beginning of a beautiful friendship. And despite liking the films, I totally agree with you.
QuoteDoes anybody know if the soundtrack will be changed like in the other parks? There, nearly the whole ride seems to be accompanied by the soundtrack of the POTC-movies instead of the good old "Yo ho, a pirates life for me". This would be a catastrophe
I thought the PoTC versions with Jack & co had all the usual PoTC music and sounds?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Gij_V64ek (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Gij_V64ek%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
What sounds on that video are lost with the transformation?
In the US version, it is the film music now in the caves and down the waterfall into the battle scene. Only the main village is the yo ho music. The dialogue is all about finding Jack Sparrow too.
althought the AA's and the projector effects are cool, I do think it has ruined the American rides.
QuoteIn the US version, it is the film music now in the caves and down the waterfall into the battle scene. Only the main village is the yo ho music. The dialogue is all about finding Jack Sparrow too.
althought the AA's and the projector effects are cool, I do think it has ruined the American rides.
...as you can see in this video: //http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPus1Iuga0
That would be the worst-case scenario...New music, new characters (unfortunately characters I hate :shock: ), new story.And as davewasbaloo already mentioned: All of the dialogues in the ride seem to have the same topic: Jack Sparrow. So this is not just a small update, it will become a new ride. I'm really stunned when I think of all these changes taking place in the Disneyland Park. I always thought it cannot come worse when "De la terre à la lune" was replaced by the ridiculous "Mission 2", but i have to admit: Yes, it can.
What about the signs "Here you leave reality and enter worlds of history, discovery and ageless fantasy" beneath Main Street station? Where do you leave reality, when Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush appear in the park?
I was preparing for the worst after the recent developments in the park, but POTC? I could never imagine they would really "destroy" this ride...
QuoteWelcome aboard Patrick, I sense the beginning of a beautiful friendship. And despite liking the films, I totally agree with you.
Thanks ;) Always nice to meet people preferring the "old" Disneyland...And that was actually what i was looking for in this forum :D
Quote from: "Patrick89"That would be the worst-case scenario...New music, new characters (unfortunately characters I hate :shock: ), new story.And as davewasbaloo already mentioned: All of the dialogues in the ride seem to have the same topic: Jack Sparrow. So this is not just a small update, it will become a new ride. I'm really stunned when I think of all these changes taking place in the Disneyland Park. I always thought it cannot come worse when "De la terre à la lune" was replaced by the ridiculous "Mission 2", but i have to admit: Yes, it can.
I will never forgive Disney to change SM. Although I can hardly remember the effects, but the soundtrack was amazing. I like the POTC movies a lot and I have to admit that I enjoyed seeing Jack and BArbossa at WDW, but I totally agree that the story of the ride has completely changed and that's indeed sad.
QuoteWhat about the signs "Here you leave reality and enter worlds of history, discovery and ageless fantasy" beneath Main Street station? Where do you leave reality, when Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush appear in the park?
The sign needs to be changed to "Here you leave reality and enter worlds of characters and even more characters". That sign doesn't fit for the Disney parks of today, because it is only about franchises and adding toons to every part of the park.
Amen, one of the many reasons why I hate Iger, Staggs and Rasulo. No vision. Even though I was excited by Star Tours 2, that is full of characters too (and I love Star Wars).
QuoteI will never forgive Disney to change SM. Although I can hardly remember the effects, but the soundtrack was amazing. I like the POTC movies a lot and I have to admit that I enjoyed seeing Jack and BArbossa at WDW, but I totally agree that the story of the ride has completely changed and that's indeed sad.
I still remember the great music, the detailed poster, the fantastic moon looking down on you...And the perfect integration in Discoveryland with its Jules Verne theme...And they sacrificed this great theme for a ridiculous and very bad update ( I feel like laughing every time when I see this awkward Supernova...). But Mission 2 was also a key moment, because since "De la terre à la lune" is gone, I'm a strong opponent of all changes in the Disneyland Park. Because up to know, every change made the park a little bit worse. Discoveryland has lost its original air long ago, I guess soon we'll have Buzz Lightyears Submarine and Buzz Lightyear's Future Cars, too :|
But I will never forget how awesome Discoveryland has been once and I guess I can never forgive Disney for the changes, too.
QuoteThe sign needs to be changed to "Here you leave reality and enter worlds of characters and even more characters". That sign doesn't fit for the Disney parks of today, because it is only about franchises and adding toons to every part of the park.
I totally agree with you, it's a sad development the park has undergone. You can also see this in all the shops. When every shop had at least some articles you could not get elsewhere (i.e. Le Coffre du Capitaine with pirate figures, treasure chests or skull rock money boxes), now every shop offers the same...I still have a great wooden Davy Crocket gun from the Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building at home. Today you get cheap plastic guns coloured red and blue.
So more and more of the former magic disappears in the once called "Magic Kingdom"...Today it is more like a "Merchandise Kingdom"...
Have you watched the youtube-clip I posted? Did you hear the child screaming "Jack Sparrow" when they entered the village? That is exactly what POTC will become: A stage for Jack Sparrow, while all the other AA, well, all other elements will become negligibilities. As i have said, the ride will be reduced to Jack Sparrow and another, if not one of the main parts of the "old" Disneyland, is dead.
In my opinion the downturn of the park began with the replacing of Le Visionarium with BLLB. Firstly the wonderful Discovery theme with Jules Verne and H.G. Wells was destroyed and secondly the toons began to invade the parks.
I think during that time was a major shift at WDI. Michael Eisner tried to keep everything as cheap as possible since he was responsible for the Disneyland Paris fiasco. So many long time Imagineers left and now these people create these amazing rides for Universal or other parks. The result is that Disney relies too much on toons and proven technologies. There are no original attractions anymore. Everything is based on toons.
One day Captain EO needs to be replaced and I really hope that it will not be another stupid Pixar attraction, like Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. That's such a bad attraction and I really don't get it why it was so popular at WDW.
Don't get me started on the merchandise. In every shop throughout the whole resort you get the same cheap stuff.
At least Disney is trying to improve the quality of the park with all the refurbs. But that should nothing to be happy about. Come on, that should be a normal thing at Disney, since they claim to have the best themeparks.
The fact is the modern executives at both the WDC and at EDSCA are businessmen through and through, and seemingly don't care for design or innovation much. I personally don't think much of P Gas.
QuoteIn my opinion the downturn of the park began with the replacing of Le Visionarium with BLLB. Firstly the wonderful Discovery theme with Jules Verne and H.G. Wells was destroyed and secondly the toons began to invade the parks.
I think during that time was a major shift at WDI. Michael Eisner tried to keep everything as cheap as possible since he was responsible for the Disneyland Paris fiasco. So many long time Imagineers left and now these people create these amazing rides for Universal or other parks. The result is that Disney relies too much on toons and proven technologies. There are no original attractions anymore. Everything is based on toons.
The problem is: Does the majority care if there is a wonderful theme surrounding and connecting all the attractions in Discoveryland? I don't think so. And while all the background stories are fading away during the "toon invation", Disneyland more and more supports the cliché that it is only for children. How many visitors of Disneyland will go there as often as many in this forum did, so they will understand all the stories behind the attractions? Maybe five percent. So the management does not care about such trifles and creates new, loveless rides including toons. That must do it. The whole Studios are of that kind. There are different rides, seperated from each other, no mysteries surrounding them, no story to think about - just characters from Disney movies. And what about the waiting areas? Except in the ToT they are so bad and boring, you just feel the deficient creativity.
I just thought about all the parts of the Disneyland Park already "polluted" with toons and Critter Corral came to my mind. What a shame to replace the Cottonwood Creek Ranch - theme with Toy Story.
I think we must have a serious word with our DLRP management ;)
QuoteOne day Captain EO needs to be replaced and I really hope that it will not be another stupid Pixar attraction, like Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. That's such a bad attraction and I really don't get it why it was so popular at WDW.
Well, maybe something with Buzz Lightyear? That would be really innovative!!
Quote from: "Patrick89"The problem is: Does the majority care if there is a wonderful theme surrounding and connecting all the attractions in Discoveryland? I don't think so. And while all the background stories are fading away during the "toon invation", Disneyland more and more supports the cliché that it is only for children. How many visitors of Disneyland will go there as often as many in this forum did, so they will understand all the stories behind the attractions? Maybe five percent. So the management does not care about such trifles and creates new, loveless rides including toons. That must do it. The whole Studios are of that kind. There are different rides, seperated from each other, no mysteries surrounding them, no story to think about - just characters from Disney movies. And what about the waiting areas? Except in the ToT they are so bad and boring, you just feel the deficient creativity.
Unfortunately that's so true. Most people over here don't really know what Disneyland is about. They think that it is just for kids and it is so sad that Disney is really going that way.
There is really no story behind the recent attractions, with the exception of TOT, but that ride was created over 15 years ago. TSPL doesn't have a story, it's just a bunch of cheap carnival rides and Disney added toons to get the "Disney Connection". That's it. What an achievement. Unfortunately there are so many people who only care about characters and Disney caters to them.
QuoteI just thought about all the parts of the Disneyland Park already "polluted" with toons and Critter Corral came to my mind. What a shame to replace the Cottonwood Creek Ranch - theme with Toy Story.
What's the connection between the Wild West and Toy Story. Okay Woody and Jessie are Cowboys, but that's it. They should get rid of them in Frontierland. You are so right, that it was such a fantastic area, but now I don't care to visit that place.
QuoteOne day Captain EO needs to be replaced and I really hope that it will not be another stupid Pixar attraction, like Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. That's such a bad attraction and I really don't get it why it was so popular at WDW.
QuoteWell, maybe something with Buzz Lightyear? That would be really innovative!
I'm sure that it will be related to toons and the whole Discoveryland will loose its soul. It partly did already.
There is nothing to visit at Critter Corral anymore, it is closed up and starting to already look a little delapitated.
QuoteThere is nothing to visit at Critter Corral anymore, it is closed up and starting to already look a little delapitated.
Well, there wasn't too much to visit before Toy Story was included, too. But it was the great atmosphere coming frome the setting which made that place so special for me. While sitting on a bench and watching the farm animals, hearing the train arriving and refilling his water...That was the American West feeling for me - not Toy Story figures giving autographs...
QuoteThere is really no story behind the recent attractions, with the exception of TOT, but that ride was created over 15 years ago. TSPL doesn't have a story, it's just a bunch of cheap carnival rides and Disney added toons to get the "Disney Connection". That's it. What an achievement. Unfortunately there are so many people who only care about characters and Disney caters to them.
That is exactly the problem. As long as people do not care about an attraction's story (and its realization, atmosphere, appearance) because there are Disney characters in it (and buy stuff related to them) the situation won't improve...
Patrick, you are preaching to the choir, believe me. I have been saying this for years, but what I sadly came to realise is they do not want fans like us anymore, they want the ones where they can put a college student in a furry outfit and the sheeple will be happy. Many say they love the "magic" of Disney, but they admit not fully knowing what makes it more special (the attention to detail and theme, cleanliness, manufactured perfection). sadly Disney do the bare minimum anymore. And it is not just money. Let's face it, they are spending a bundle on HKDL and DCA, but it is still dull toons. There are already people claiming they are bored with World of Color and it is only a year old! I think there is a reason, commercial clips with high tech does not = sustainable entertainment.
At least in Hong Kong there are two new lands which are not based on any characters. Even TDR is adding characters to the most beautiful Disney park.
Disney really missed an opportunity with DCA. That park is perfect for adding non-character based attractions, but they opted for Carsland. I'm not saying that I don't like that, because the main ride will be great, I think, but I would have preferred a non-toon ride. I thik the acquisition of Pixar has a lot to do that so many Pixar rides are being built.
Plus the fact Disney has not been producing very good films on their own. Tangled and Princess and the Frog are ok, but they will not be held in the regards of a classic in 10 years time like other older Disney's are.
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Plus the fact Disney has not been producing very good films on their own. Tangled and Princess and the Frog are ok, but they will not be held in the regards of a classic in 10 years time like other older Disney's are.
Imagine what would have happened, if Michael Eisner wouldn't have gone crazy after Frank Wells' death. Maybe Jeffrey Katzenberg would have stayed longer at TWDC, perhaps he would even run it today. Most animators and Imagineers would also still be there. Disney would have continued to produce great movies instead of cheap ones and from a themeparks point of view, maybe the new parks and attractions wouldn't have been so cheap.
In my opinion Katzenberg would have been perfect as CEO of TWDC, because he is a creative guy and he also cared a lot about quality in both movies and parks.
Agreedm although he was no angel either. After all, they based Hades in Herculese on him for a reason.
I'm pretty sure he wasn't an angel. At least he did a great job at WDFA and now is running Disney's strongest competitor when it comes to animated movies. Although I've only liked the first two Shrek movies. In my opinion the Dreamworks movies are too funny.
Agreed, I prefer the stuff Dreamworks makes compared to Disney. The last Disney animated feature I went made over was Brother Bear. That was nearly 10 years ago. But I love virtually every Dreamworks I have seen. I know my kids prefer Dreamworks.
QuoteI have been saying this for years, but what I sadly came to realise is they do not want fans like us anymore, they want the ones where they can put a college student in a furry outfit and the sheeple will be happy.
As I have already said, just look at the souvenirs. There is hardly anything that attracts me anymore. I remember former stays when I couldn't decide on what to buy...Today we only have cheap mainstream stuff, merchandise based on movies.
And of course it is cheaper for them to just let some characters run around than to create new, detailed attractions.
Concerning the money: I think at the moment they could spend millions of Euros and still would not be able to build attractions like the ones designed by the old Imagineers. Money cannot compensate a lack of creativity...
Quote from: "Patrick89"As I have already said, just look at the souvenirs. There is hardly anything that attracts me anymore. I remember former stays when I couldn't decide on what to buy...Today we only have cheap mainstream stuff, merchandise based on movies.
And of course it is cheaper for them to just let some characters run around than to create new, detailed attractions.
Concerning the money: I think at the moment they could spend millions of Euros and still would not be able to build attractions like the ones designed by the old Imagineers. Money cannot compensate a lack of creativity...
The merchandise is mainly crap and I'm always astonished by how much people buy of that stuff. But that's not a DLRP problem. It's the same at WDW and you just have to look at other fan sites and there people also complain about the WDW merchandise, especially since Universal offers some great Harry Potter merchandise.
At least we still have the Disneyland Paris branding. In the Us people are complaining that it just says Disney Parks and that's it.
Thats true, money cannot compensate a lack of creativity. It is said TSPL costs €70 mio and look at the final product.
QuoteThats true, money cannot compensate a lack of creativity. It is said TSPL costs €70 mio and look at the final product.
70 million €...Just image what could have been done with this money in the Disneyland Park (refurbs etc.). But no,it has to be wasted...
Quote from: "pussinboots"Perhaps? Although come to think of it, there's also very little of the supernatural or fantastical on the original ride. Jerry Bruckheimer may have brought Octopus-headed baddies, dermatological barnacles, giant murderous squids, the undead, mermaids, the afterlife and goodness what else to the party, the original ride features little more unthinkable than a skeleton drinking rum from an endless bottle. It's just... Too much for that quaint little ride.
So it's simultaneously too realistic and too unthinkable. I don't know. But it does feel off, haha. You don't think?
I totally agree with everything you had said here. I love Jack Sparrow and the film franchise, but I don't think they have a place on the ride. Maybe I could understand Jack, as it could fit in with the animatronics of the rest of the ride and would hopefully not stand out too much. However, I am really against having Barbosa there. It would stand out like a sore thumb. I love the original ride because it looks a little old fashioned and 'traditional' for want of a better word.The Barbosa is way too advanced and modern looking and in my opinion if they are going to add that, they need to re do the whole ride to match the technology of Barbosa. Otherwise it looks mis matched.
It is a ride the whole family can enjoy together regardless of age and I think Barbosa would be quite frightening for small children whereas the other, original bits are fairly tame and have never bothered my two children.
I love the films, and I love the Jack Sparrow meet and greets, but personally I don't want them in the ride either. I would like to keep it like it is really.
Wow, I did not expect that even fans of the movies do not like Jack Sparrow being integrated in the ride...But well, now we do not only have a toon-problem, but a "too many Disney films enter DLP-problem" ;)
What was the last ride (besides ToT) that was not related to a Disney film? I have no idea...
Quote from: "Patrick89"What was the last ride (besides ToT) that was not related to a Disney film?
Probably the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Having just watched the documentary on the Dead Man's Chest DVD about adding the film characters to the US rides, I have to say the animatronics of those figures are brilliant!
I'd love to see them added to the ride to freshen it up a little. I'd see them as a fun addition - an easter egg almost - rather than fundamentally changing the ride.
Quote from: "claire2281"Having just watched the documentary on the Dead Man's Chest DVD about adding the film characters to the US rides, I have to say the animatronics of those figures are brilliant!
I'd love to see them added to the ride to freshen it up a little. I'd see them as a fun addition - an easter egg almost - rather than fundamentally changing the ride.
But why does a attraction like PoTC necessarily need to be freshened up? I mean, it is no coincidence that PoTC has become one of the most popular rides in DLP even if it is mostly the same since 1992. So why do you have to change it in a way that will change the whole attraction? In PoTC- rides where Sparrow etc. have already been added, the former story seems to have been replaced by a search for Jack Sparrow. I cannot really see it as a "fun addition" if the only sense of the ride becomes promoting the movies...
I think they're really just looking for more consistency with the films and the rides. Otherwise, it's a franchise with two different plot universes.
Quote from: "Patrick89"But why does a attraction like PoTC necessarily need to be freshened up? I mean, it is no coincidence that PoTC has become one of the most popular rides in DLP even if it is mostly the same since 1992. So why do you have to change it in a way that will change the whole attraction? In PoTC- rides where Sparrow etc. have already been added, the former story seems to have been replaced by a search for Jack Sparrow. I cannot really see it as a "fun addition" if the only sense of the ride becomes promoting the movies...
I think it adds re-ride value to change things up every now and again and, for myself, I like seeing new things and being surprised. And, as I said, those anamatronics are brilliant. I'd very much like to see them over here.
The movies don't need any promoting - they're a billion dollar franchise in their own right. Frankly, I think people would be more likely to wonder why these popular characters don't feature in the ride. Many visitors don't seem to be overly aware of the 'story' of the ride beyond the very basics anyway so I don't think it makes a massive difference.
If they were going to rip out the whole thing and replace it with a ride-through of the film, I'd find that a massive pity. As it is, adding a touch of the franchise into the ride seems like a best of both worlds to me.
Quote from: "claire2281"I think it adds re-ride value to change things up every now and again and, for myself, I like seeing new things and being surprised. And, as I said, those anamatronics are brilliant. I'd very much like to see them over here.
The movies don't need any promoting - they're a billion dollar franchise in their own right. Frankly, I think people would be more likely to wonder why these popular characters don't feature in the ride. Many visitors don't seem to be overly aware of the 'story' of the ride beyond the very basics anyway so I don't think it makes a massive difference.
If they were going to rip out the whole thing and replace it with a ride-through of the film, I'd find that a massive pity. As it is, adding a touch of the franchise into the ride seems like a best of both worlds to me.
Well, the AA might be great, but in contrast to your opinion, I like attractions being maintained as they were if there isn't the necessity to change something. I like seeing new things, too, but not in the areas I learned to love in the conditions they were in the past. Alterations always destroy something of the original atmosphere (at least in my opinion). For me, refurbs would have been all I wanted in Disneyland Park - For new rides, they should have used the Studios only.
I maybe would have accepted a replacement of old AA by new ones, if they were just updated versions of the ones we see for 20 years now, but I have to admit that I don't see the necessity for any change...
Concerning the story: I think it's true that the majority does not know about the background story, neither in PotC, nor in Phantom Manor or BTM. But, at least for me, when I discovered them after years, I was so fascinated that rides without any story (like those in TSPL) might be nice for some seconds of an adrenalin kick, but all in all they cannot compete against rides like those mentioned above. Thus, I think it
does make a massive difference for all the people knowing about the stories. With every replacement or "update", the fascination of DLP vanishes a little bit more for me, and I think I'm not the only one thinking like that.
PotC was my favourite ride, and now it is polluted with characters of stupid movies. I can hardly accept that...
For the hardcore fan, who knows nearly every detail about a ride, it may be disturbing to see Jack Sparrow joining POTC. But like someone stated before, it's not that the whole ride will be changed. Plus it may draw more/new interest in POTC. I'm not too excited about this, but I can't find a reason why I shouldn't ride it anymore. POTC will stay one of my absolute favourites and it'll be interesting for me to see how they fit in Jack Sparrow! If they would leave everything like it is over decades, people would complain that it's outdated. So, a little update, upgrade, addition here and there is not a bad thing.
Well people lets all get our funaral clothes out and put them on the next time we ride this great ride.
A lot of the praises here to ad the caracters are true but you all forget one big thing.
This park is in France people so I know for sertain that jack and the gang will all speak french.
I really don't think a french speaking Jhonny Depp is a good adition to this ride.
How manny of us went nuts when they changed the whole soundtrack of PM to frensh.
And now the same people are screaming joy that there will be an american actor speakig french in this great ride.
Let's just keep it the way it is.
The movie is based on the ride and not vice versa . New guests will think that the ride is based on the movies because of the new AA and that is not how it should be.
Where's the problem? The park is located in France, so french is the major language in the park. Have you ever been to Tokyo? Same there. Some parts in english, most in the local language. That's ok for me. Have to admit that it felt strange when I first visited DLP about 16 years ago, only knowing the US parks. But that feeling didn't last long. Have to accept the location. Still enjoy the rides, even w/o speaking french (or japanese;o)).
Quote from: "DisneyTom"Where's the problem? The park is located in France, so french is the major language in the park. Have you ever been to Tokyo? Same there. Some parts in english, most in the local language. That's ok for me. Have to admit that it felt strange when I first visited DLP about 16 years ago, only knowing the US parks. But that feeling didn't last long. Have to accept the location. Still enjoy the rides, even w/o speaking french (or japanese;o)).
They got the great Vincent Price to do the whole spiel for Phantom Manor. He did an amazing job with his distinctive voice and tons and tons of horror film experience. Sadly he died shortly after. It is more than a shame that they replaced it with the cheap "spooky voice" French version.
Quote from: "DisneyTom"Where's the problem? The park is located in France, so french is the major language in the park. Have you ever been to Tokyo? Same there. Some parts in english, most in the local language. That's ok for me. Have to admit that it felt strange when I first visited DLP about 16 years ago, only knowing the US parks. But that feeling didn't last long. Have to accept the location. Still enjoy the rides, even w/o speaking french (or japanese;o)).
I know that the park is in France so I also understand that the major language is French.
Tha doesn't mean that they have to use the (mostly bad chosen) french actor who is the voice dub for Jhonny Depp.
Have you ever watched a movie in French and in English WOW big diffrence The voices just don't match with the caracters.
Yes I know that disney voices must be as best to the original as possible but in a case like jhonny depp they always use the same voice actor to keep a actor as much the same as possible.
I don't like that they want to add the caracters of the movie but understand it. I just hate the idea that they will be speaking french. Also I hoped that they would at least keep 1 of the rides in it most original state as possible(I know that the rides ar diffrent)
I must agree with a lot of others here that the ride as it is now is the best. you know what they say.
Don't fix it if it ain't broken.
And like Nicolai said they had this great voice fot the phantom manor and because some french people didn't pay attention at school they changed it to a cheap version in french.
And we all know why the PM is called that way here in France ...............
As Johnny Depp lives on the Ile de re, I am sure he would be more than capable of doing his speaking parts in French. Thus keeping the cast original and keeping the French visitors happy :)
However, i'm still against the proposal full stop really.
Well aparently Jack Sparrow will not be coming to DLP. At Disneycentralplaza they are saying that the refurb schedule for 3 months is now scaled back to 2 weeks. So it looks like everything will stay as it is for POTC
This reminded me of the last time i was at DLP, in the short queue for PotC and listening to two teenage girls in front of me exciting and giggling that they couldnt wait to see Jack in the ride. I wont lie, they were severely disappointed on the way out XD
Im not bothered either way tbh. The Jack animatronics dont spoil the one at Florida, the main one is right at the end of the ride and its nice to look at him when the boats are waiting in the line to get back to the dock to exit.
I'm actually disappointed that Disneyland Paris aren't going ahead with the Jack Sparrow upgrade. While I think the US parks went a bit too far, and a bit too movie-centric, I don't think it would do the ride any harm to enhance the lighting effects (switch to LEDs), improve the volume and clarity of the audio, and add just one Jack Sparrow figure. Also, I think the Davy Jones fog screen effect would've been a really nice addition.
Oh well.
Perhaps they decided the money would be better spent on Star Tours 2: The Adventures Continue and an accompanying outdoor stage for the Jedi Training Academy and Star Wars Weekends :-)
I still wouldn't have minded if we had a cameo of Jack and maybe some of the other characters. I'm fine with the fact that the ride is staying as it is, though.
I know it's sacrilege, but I too say too bad. It's a fantastic ride, but it really could do with a technological upgrade. And since they'll never cough up the budget to give, say, the Redhead a new, state-of-the-art Animatronic undergarment, this was basically the one chance at a real upgrade.
Ah well, I'll be happy if they fix the fireflies.
I'm so glad this isn't happening, as much as I love Jack I wanted our POTC to stay unique.
I'm all for keeping the ride as close to the original as possible and I've always been against the inclusion of Jack. However, I would look to see some upgrades and on the effects, but without the marketing value of adding Jack that'll never happen.
Great news, i`m so happy about the fact that Jack Sparrow wont be included that I just don't know what to say. It`s so amazing that the ride will not be polluted by those stupid movie characters!! :D/ =D>
Is this a rumour or is it really gonna happen?
It's been cancelled, now (or at least postponed).
Quote from: "Meph"It's been cancelled, now (or at least postponed).
Aw, that's a let down :(
According to the mostly well informed disneyandmore blog it is on track. Only not for early 20th anniversary, but late 20th anniversary so it will be in the next fiscal year.
Damn it, I hoped it would be cancelled forever :(
Oh no. Not again this, yes-no, no-yes, maybe next year, maybe later thing. :roll: :x
I tought Jack was gone for good. [-o<
I'm interested to see how many people who are anti Jack joining have ridden the American versions with him in?
Having ridden the Magic Kingdom version, I can honestly say that he doesn't impact the ride as much as I think people are worried that he does. On the 'Imagineering The Magic' DVD there is a segment where they talk about the addition, and they say that they were aware of the ride's history and didn't want to take the story away from people who grew up with the ride first, but a new generation of children grew up with the movie first and wanted to see the characters they knew.
His storyline in the attraction is almost just a faint trail that works next to the original storyline, kind of an 'Easter Egg' for film fans to spot. The actual animatronics don't stick out all that much, and the final Jack in the treasure room definately has a nice parting 'wow' factor to it. I know the argument from a lot of people is that Paris Pirates it is an original and improved version of the attraction already, but Walt did say that Disneyland would always grow, and if adding 3 new figures to Pirates is part of that growth then I honestly don't think it will destroy the ride/resort for me.
I understand why people wouldn't want this version altered, a lot of work went into it's re-design for Paris and we should cherish it. But ultimately if adding a few small alterations to the attraction and being able to pull people in (because I'm certain people will travel for Jack), gets the Resort more money, we're closer to getting whole new attractions like Ratatouille!
Basically, if it happens it happens, and if it doesn't it doesn't.. I'm not overly bothered either way, both version work for me!
I completely agree with you, Scissorboi. Thats exactly how I feel about the addition, and you put it splendidly.
I've been on the rides in DL and WDW and I sure hope we won't get the same. Not so much for the Jack Sparrow animatronics themselves but for a few of the other additions (mostly the waterfall projection and the movie soundtrack samples) which just don't fit their surroundings.
Quote from: "DGRavenswood"I've been on the rides in DL and WDW and I sure hope we won't get the same. Not so much for the Jack Sparrow animatronics themselves but for a few of the other additions (mostly the waterfall projection and the movie soundtrack samples) which just don't fit their surroundings.
That's true. Especially the changing soundtrack would be really distressing...
Agreed. I too have ridden in California and WDW. I felt it ruined the original, especially because of the sound track and the focus on finding Jack. It enhanced the WDW version because frankly, it was a rubbish version to begin with.
One hidden Jack, could make it ok (like the one in the barrel), but overall, I hated the additions at DL.
Changing the music would be a terrible idea. I also don't like the idea of riding in a boat with people talking about finding Jack the whole way round - don't know if this happens on the updated versions in the US?
Yes, and more to the point, the AA's all talk about Jack too - the Captain on the Pirate ship, the interregation of the Mayor etc. It really makes the story line much more linear and I think detracts. Just like all the Disney characters they added to It's a Small World in California too.
The characters from the films would be great "easier eggs" in the attraction, but that's about it. I'd hate it if the soundtrack was mostly changed. You can never beat the build-up created by the instrumental to the "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" theme on the lift hill.
I wouldn't want the tune to change I love it too much I wouldn't mind a few additions of jack but not hide and seek style as I love the original ride its one of my favorites
Even if I don't like the character Jack Sparrow (actually, I hate him ;) ), I could well understand that people want to see him in the attraction and I could live with that, even if I prefer the current version. But letting all of the AA talk about Jack Sparrow, changing the music into the movie soundtrack and the story into a Jack Sparrow hide-and-seek would be really, really bad. I don't think it would still be my favourite ride then...
For those who haven't seen it, this is the WDW version with Jack added in.
[youtube:qw040xi4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPus1Iuga0[/youtube:qw040xi4]
Although I agree, some characters do now refer to Jack, they're only the ones who directly interact with him in a scene, the drunken barrel pirate talks about him as Jack eavesdrops, and the mayor dunking pirate asks where he is, while Jack is hiding in plain view.
The only real music change is the ship scene where the captain is replaced by Barbossa, but does retain many of the original X Atencio lines in his script, with a few of the movie 'catchphrases' mixed in.
Watching the video back, I think it's a little different to the original, but overall, the general feel of the majority of it is the same, it's just those isolated pockets of Jackness that are more movie than before.
As for the kid in the video who you can hear go "where is Jack Sparrow?", at least in this version he'll get to see him, instead of in our version where you get the parents having to either explain why he isn't there, or just go "I don't know, why isn't he there". It's a sad fact of the times, but the movies have been so popular visitors to the parks who don't know the history find it strange that he isn't in the attraction!
Of course, an easier way to explain it would be to rename the attraction something like "Pirates of the Carribean: The Old Seadog Voyages" so that it becomes clear to riders that the attraction is a pre-Jack experience.
I think this is also a basic question: Do you want to only have rides connected to movies and characters invented by others, or do you want to have independent rides, created by imagineers, with their own stories. I prefer the 2nd. I want to make my own experiences and not just travel through stories of brands or characters taken over by others.