DLP Guide Forum - The Disneyland Paris magicforum community

Let's do a tally of stuff recently opened or due to open - toon 53 and non 10 (even when DLP opened, the only toon attractions in Disney's 4 resorts lived in Fantasyland or Splash Mountain):

DLP: Toons 12, Non 2
Woody's Roundup
Mickey show on stage
Stitch thing
Playhouse Disney (for the record I kind of like and feel is appropriate)
Stitch Live
Crush Coaster
Cars
ToT
Toy Story Area
Mickey in Buffalo Bills
Toonvasion of the Lucky Nugget
Buzz
SM MIssion 2 (not as good as the original either)
Princess meal at Auberge

DL (the original) Toons: 20, non 1
The BBQ restaurant with show (toon)
Nemo Subs
Pirate's Island (not toons, but still synergy)
IASW upgrade starring the toons
Princess Fairy Faire
Pixie Hollow
Buzz
Redline Trolly
Monsters Inc (cool ride though it is)
Turtle Talk with Crush
Little Mermaid Attraction
World of Colour
Toy Story Mania
Goofy Coaster
Silly Symphony Swings
Mickey on the Sunwheel
Carsland (4 attractions, though they look like fun, they didn't have to be toonified)
Tarzan Tree House

WDW: Toons 12, non 4
Philharmagic
Pooh Playground
Characters in the castle restaurant
Stitch Encounter
MILF
Rumoured new character attractions for the MK
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Soarin'
Mission Space
Princesses at Akershus
Kim Possible Adventure
Toy Story Mania
Lights Motors Action (though Herbie is in it will count non toon)
Expedition Everest
Nemo musical
Character meal at Tusker House

TDL: 5 toon, 1 non
Monsters Inc
Buzz
World of Colour
Turtle Talk with Crush
Toy Story Mania
ToT

HKDL toon 4 non, 2 not
Stitch Live
IASW with toons
Drawn to Animation
Mickey's House
Autopia
Spaceship Fountains (very toony)

Now considering before 1989, the only toon attractions were in Fantasyland DL, MK and TDL. Then Splash Mountain opened. Epcot had no toons other than meet and greets (and was awesome) In 1992, DLP opened with all the toons in Fantasyland also (the way I like it). But Toontown opened in DL, spreading toons further. And now they have taken over the place.

Bear in mind I have been a fan of the Disney THEME PARK experience since 1974, this is why I really hate what is happening. Nothing against the toons on their own, but when you look at this trajectory, it is rediculous IMHO.

Hopefully now you can see why some of us are really grumpy about this stuff.

And how many of those toon attractions are of the quality of PotC, PM, BTMRR or IASW? A few, but not many.

I used to like them

so what your trying to say is there is too much toons around the park . I'll give you a clue: Disney = TOONS !


Kids come to the parks because there is rides , magic . But there has to be toon characters . Without the toon characters it just wouldn't be Disney . I mean it would be a park , but the characters add the extra disney  .

I used to like them when they weren't so in-your-face. Now the toons are just annoying.

One of my favourite examples of attraction toonification is Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA. I think the whole idea of an interactive shoot em' up midway games attraction was fantastic, but they ruined it by throwing Toy Story on the end. Were the toons really needed? I'm sure the attraction would have done fine without them.

Quote from: "15yearsofMagic2008"so what your trying to say is there is too much toons around the park . I'll give you a clue: Disney = TOONS !

Disney also equals Imagineering ;)  There is far more to Disney Parks that just Mickey Mouse and co.  Look at Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor, Space Mountain, POTC, Tower of Terror etc...  Any of these contain toons?

Also you talk about the magic of Disney Parks, look at all the Disney Park lands, nearly all of their main theming has no toons involved at all (i'm excluding Toon Town and Town Studio of course ;) ) and there's still the magic.  Toon's isn't everything, although it does play a big part there is a lot more to Disney than toons.

Anyway in answer to the question i've chosen the second option (can't remember exactly what it says) because i'm not 100% against the toons (i'm still very much looking forward to the "dreaded" TSPL :lol: ) but i do feel a lot of the Imagineering side of Disney has gone, which really does needs to come back [-o<

Disney's joker against the rest of the world's Theme Parks are their proper (Also known as popular film characters). Give any Theme Park in the world the option for the copyright of any Disney character and they will bite your hand off.

* The next few big Disney attractions (Carsland, Little Mermaid and Ratatouille) are all toons based but they are going to be epic attractions and people will flock to the parks for them.
* Universal are adding Harry Potter (another film character) and people will flock to the park for it.
* Drayton Manor added Thomas Land in 2008 (More characters) and peopple flocked to the park for it (The most popular Theme Park addition in 2008).
* Thorpe Park added SAW: The Ride and many people flocked to it.

Its not a coincidence that all these additions are character-based and are very popular, its what the punters want.

I just have fun no matter what...just the smell and feel of Disney makes me smile  :mrgreen:

But I can totally understand why people aren't very happy because the quality of some of the rides is pretty bad.
I think that if they were to bring out some toon rides that are amazing like POTC or BTM then a lot of views will change.
Just that one ride that really makes everyone go  :o  :o  :o  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen: *then fall to the floor with awe*

Hmm, I have no particular problem with the toons per se, however I do think that when Disney come up with an idea that's a bit mediocre they just say "Oh we'll throw a toon in there and that'll make it OK!" Well, in a word (or three! ;)), no it won't. I do think attraction quality has diminished slightly over the last 10 years or so, with the odd glittering exception (i.e. DLRP's 15th anniversary celebrations). In my humble opinion the Imagineers need to go back to what made Disney great in the first place, not being afraid to push boundaries and trying something that while deemed a little "out there" by some, just seems to work "because it's Disney". While the toons may be what drags in the masses, the die-hard Disney fans need to see something of the old Disney, the one that would constantly change and evolve. I have to say I don't see that much at the moment.

That said, and I'm probably going to contradict myself here, to me Disney is still Disney, it's what I grew up with and what shaped my childhood, so toons all over the place or not, I'm still going to enjoy myself whenever I go to a Disney park because it's a truly nostalgic experience for me, and I still feel like I'm 6 years old again whenever I'm there. The only "toon makeover" that truly bothered me was IASW (don't even get me started!) as I felt the message of the ride was undermined by the fact they shoved Disney characters all over the place, but I think that's a debate for another day... ;) So, while I understand everyone who's annoyed by the toons invading, it doesn't particularly bother me, and hey, if that means a Little Mermaid ride may come our way at some point, then they're certainly alright in my book! ;)

For those that think it's about the toons, let's do a DLP opening day attraction tally with a T next to the toons.

Toons 10 Not 28 (perfect ratio IMHO)
DLPRR
MS Vehicles
MS Motors
Discovery Arcade
Liberty Arcade
Fort Comstock
Lucky Nugget Review
Big Thunder Mountain RR
Phantom Manor
Mark Twain
Molly Brown
Keel Boats
Native American crafts
Indian War canoes
Cottonwood Creek Ranch petting zoo
Woodcarvers
Swiss Family Robinson Tree House
Adventureland Bazaar
Adventure Isle (slight ref with the pirate ship and skull rock)
PotC
Peter Pan (T)
Pinocchio (T)
Snow White (T)
Chateau (T)
Carousel
Labrynth (T)
Dumbo (T)
Teacups (T)
IASW
Le Visionarium
Orbitron
Videopolis showing Roc Shoc
Star Tours
Captain Eo
Autopia
WWOD Parade (T)
Fireworks (T)
MSEP (T)

And that was it, a much more acceptable level. and the 1st few years coolest additions were not toon related either except Storybookland (Space Mountain, Nautilus, Indy)

Just thought I'd point out that an attraction doesn't have to be a huge e-ticket to tick all those "Disney quality" boxes. Take a look at the Enchanted Tiki Room at the original Disneyland - it's only a simple room with some animatronics, but it's still an absolutely fantastic attraction. :wink: More attractions like this would be great!

Quote from: "Willow"Its not a coincidence that all these additions are character-based and are very popular, its what the punters want.

Not true. Tower Of Terror (an immersive, highly themed, non-toon-based attraction) attracted the more people than ever to DLRP. Also, most of DLRP's most popular attractions aren't based on toons (ToT, Pirates, Phantom Manor, Big Thunder, IASW, Space Mountain, RnRC).

This is getting rather boring now.

OK you hate Toons, we get it BUT moaning about it isnt going to change a thing.  Like i have said to you many times before, things change they have to.  I am not fussed either way, i enjoy seeing the toons and the magic they bring to the kids etc.  

You should be lucky that you have been able to visit DLRP etc so often there are many families out there that won't get that chance.

Quote from: "littlemermaid83"This is getting rather boring now.

Toons are getting boring. We're actually trying to do something by spreading the word! :wink:

Quote from: "littlemermaid83"You should be lucky that you have been able to visit DLRP etc so often there are many families out there that won't get that chance.

Davewasbaloo is just upset that Disney has changed so drastically and rapidly in the last few years. To him, seeing Disney parks go this way is like seeing a close member dying. Please try to be a little more thoughtful, instead of having an attitude of 'oh this is boring, I'm not listening to you'. :)

Quote from: "RnRCj"

Quote from: "littlemermaid83"This is getting rather boring now.

Toons are getting boring. We're actually trying to do something by spreading the word! :wink:

Quote from: "littlemermaid83"You should be lucky that you have been able to visit DLRP etc so often there are many families out there that won't get that chance.

Davewasbaloo is just upset that Disney has changed so drastically and rapidly in the last few years. To him, seeing Disney parks go this way is like seeing a close member dying. Please try to be a little more thoughtful, instead of having an attitude of 'oh this is boring, I'm not listening to you'. :)

I have been listening to him for months, moaning and moaning.  It is getting boring. If he hates what is happening to DLRP then I don't know why he bothers going.

@ littlemermaid -  i think youre being a bit rude, i dont agree with davewasbaloo all the time but he has a valid point and he has opened a topic about it in the disneyland park section which is the part of the resort that means so much to so many fans. He isnt the only one that thinks the toons are taking over, im not one of them but I can see it from his point of view, it something which he is passionate about, and I admire him for that. If everyone jumped and said everything the company did all the time was great then it would be a boring place. The toons are great and i enjoy them, just the wow experiences from the park (s) tend to come from non toon attractions. Daves point is factual and looking at the rumours for the upcoming attractions they are nearly all toon based but going in either toon studio or fantasyland and for me thats exactly where they should be. Please be considerate to others viewpoints, but by all means dont agree unless you believe they are right but on the other hand have a articulate response if you disagree.

Quote from: "littlemermaid83"If he hates what is happening to DLRP then I don't know why he bothers going.

Probably because there are still some great environments and attractions to enjoy, eg. Big Thunder, Pirates, Phantom etc. :) But attractions like those are fading out. All we're getting now is toon based attractions, and almost nothing else. That's the big problem.

So far the poll results show that I am not in the minority. this is very interesting stuff.

And mermaid, what is dull is people fawning all over the characters at every corner. Maybe I have harped on because I feel Disney are raping their legacy. But you would not understand that it seems.

I think if you ahd a much bigger range of people getting asked the question the majority would swing the other way.
Disney will do these kind of survey's (with a much larger sample size) and until guests start showing dis-satisfaction at the new park additions more characters will be added.

Not one of the latest attractions (or any potential future ones) based on a character has dissapointed me, as a casual on-looker.

I have fun either way. :) I go there for the magic, and for me, that feeling is not something that can be cheapened or diminished by toons. :P Mermaid, if you want to try and find the funny side in this thread, just picture a bunch of Eddie Valiants running around.

Quote from: "davewasbaloo"So far the poll results show that I am not in the minority. this is very interesting stuff.

And mermaid, what is dull is people fawning all over the characters at every corner. Maybe I have harped on because I feel Disney are raping their legacy. But you would not understand that it seems.

I understand pretty much, but the fact you keep on harping on about it its beginning to get boring.  You are not going to change the face of Disney no matter how much you moan.

Like most people i go for the magic, whether or not toons were there i would still have fun.  I'm in Disney and that in itself should be enough.

I would love Disney to create a new attraction, completely original, with no connection to any movie/character/toon, something that will become loved in the same way that Phantom Manor/Big Thunder Mountain is.

I think Disney feels that if they create an attraction without any movie connections, no-one will want to go on it, which I think is rubbish. They need to put their trust in their Imagineers to come up with something great, which I'm sure they'd be able to do. There's probably loads of projects already that have been created but weren't given the green light hidden somewhere in the Disney archives. LET THEM OUT!

Well said luke! I also wan´t to see again an attraction, area, theme without any connection to the movies or else. Something that just fit in the park area by its own history.

Quote from: "Riebi"Well said luke! I also wan´t to see again an attraction, area, theme without any connection to the movies or else. Something that just fit in the park area by its own history.

Absolutely my point. I do not have a big issue with the toons where they fit (Remy in WDS is a nice touch), or meeting Aladdin and the Genie in the Bazaar is fine by me. But it is when the theming is thrown out to add more toons, that's when I get all steamed up.

As a kid it was always about the train, the Jungle Cruise, the Tiki Room, PotC and HM, Big Thunder, Space Mountain and the educational attractions of Tomorrowland that had me frothing with excitement.

As I waiting for 5 long years for DLP to be built and scrimped and saved, and sold half my things to be able to be at the opening day celebrations 17 years ago, it was the most detailed Main Street on the planet, the biggest Frontierland with a PM and a BTM on an island, an Adventure Isle and new state of the art PotC, and the new take on Discoveryland that had me bubbling in anticipation. I was also curious about this AA dragon, and the Labrynth, as well as a new take on IASW.

Then all the live themed entertainment that USED to be a part of the Disney difference.

The question is, where are those style plans? I guarantee that more people ride PotC than Peter Pan. I am sure that more people want to return when they have been to soak in the atmosphere and details than hug another character.

The characters have their place, no doubt about it. But when it is all about the characters, well I think they have totally lost it.

I am worried about my trip next month. Currently, despite having APs, I am tempted to pursuade my family to spend more time off site than on. And I know I am not alone.

These boards are read by the management teams. I wish more people would rise up and be counted and make their opinions known. Then we would have a better chance for a more balanced approach by Disney.

For every character lover who fawns over the rubberheads, I am sure there are 100 others who see it as something for their little ones (and will eventually out grow them). That scares me as Disney is a business. They need the largest customer base possible, and I think the characters are only a small part of the allure (why do you think so many newbies come back amazed - they expect the toons, they do not expect the details and theming to be as awesome as it once was). It is the theming that matters, the new nowhere to be found elsewhere technology and the service that keeps the people. Sadly the focus has moved away from that. And I do not want that to happen.

I could´nt say better!
The fact is. What makes the difference between other theme-parks and disney?
Its the themeing. The whole perfect thing!
If Disney doesn´t remember this... the time will come.. where people say: "OK, to ride an attaraction, I don´t have to pay the money for DLRP. Rollercoaster? OK lets go to Europapark or Phantasialand!"

I think the time has come, where Disney has to remember the magic!