An interesting plan was posted by loaloa on Disney Central Plaza. The plan comes from a firm that collaborates with WDI and shows the Grizzly River Run attraction from DCA located behind Frontierland Depot, where Splash Mountain was originally going to be located.
The plan is a study and by far a confirmation of the Grizzly River Run attraction coming to Paris any time soon.
(//http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/12/82/83/27/dlp_gr10.jpg)
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/raptor1982/trip_report_dlr/11-04-08/grizzly.JPG)
Here's the Wikipedia description for those who don't know the DCA attraction:
QuoteGrizzly River Run is a river rafting ride at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It is similar to Kali River Rapids in Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Shipwreck Rapids ride in SeaWorld. The attraction's name comes from Grizzly Peak, the bear shaped mountain that the rapids flow around. It was built by Intamin AG.
The raft trip around Grizzly Peak begins with the rafts being lifted up a wooden conveyor that runs under leaking pipes that spray water on the riders. Upon reaching the top of the conveyor, the rafts are dropped into the water to descend the peak, passing through a cave and bumping against a log jam. The climax of the ride drops the rafts down into a geyser field. The final drop has a unique element in that the rafts are spun as they begin their descent.
Wow thats really interesting!
Just looked at a video on youtube and I have to say I prefer it to Splash Mountain. The whole ride just looks more authentic and it looks much more exciting throughout, with all the bouncing around. Ive always preferred water rides in those circular boats compared to the logs.
Anyway if i had to choose a water ride, which I think the park depserately needs, then I think this looks far better than Splash Mountain.
its a cool idea but i think another themening would fit better,
i don´t know if the actually theme of GRR will fit that good.
what about the Lewis and Clark River Expedition, an earlier incarnation of
the Western River Expedition. Originally planed for Disney´s America Park!
they still can call it wetern river expedition, i think it would fit better
than the grizzly mountain...
(//http://bp2.blogger.com/_OO7WbmARD08/SCOhdzuqmBI/AAAAAAAAHAM/AHCFXirc8GY/s400/disney%2Bamerica%2Braft.jpg)
Hmmm, interesting idea, and cheaper than Splash. As much as I enjoy Grizzly and KAli though, they are not a patch on Splash, and also I have come off of those two soaked before but Splash has never been too bad. Given Paris' climate, I would be surprised.
But Grizzly is my fav raft ride on the planet, so in the summer this could be awesome. LAst time I rode Grizzly (feb 08), I managed to stay dry all the way around, and while my boat was in the queue to get back into the unload point, the geyser erupted me and soaked me to where I had to change my clothes - lol. Now, it the geyser had not erupted, I might have stayed dry enough. But I can only see a raft ride being fun may 2-3 months out of the year, unless they inflate the boats to keep you dry (though the spinning drop on GRR is what makes it sooooo cool).
Thanks for sharing
Personally I'm not a fan rapids-type rides. Splash Mountain would be a thousand times better for me. :)
To me Splash Mountain seems boring in comparison. I guess I am biased as I enjoy more exciting attractions however on youtube the River Run looks far superior in terms of excitement and the surroundings of the "river".
I like rapids, they are a solid family attraction whereas a log flume can alienate younger children.
I'd rather see a different theme than Grizzly River Run, something more frontierland-y.
The park needs some sort of water attraction, I'd rather see some sort of Dark Ride/Watercoaster but a rapids is just as good.
I prefer this to Splash Mountain, it just seems more well interesting to me, and it would have a bigger capacity than Splash Mountain could ever have.
And can I add - no TOONS!! :D/ :D/
Quote from: "smurfy74"And can I add - no TOONS!! :D/ :D/
:lol: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Although folks, pleasde be advised the Disney raft rides do have drops that in some ways can be a little scarier than Splash's. Also, if this happens, I hope they put AA's in, something that is strangely lacking from Grizzly and Kali.
Is that an open-air theatre I spot on the drawing?
Looks like its where the current theatre is now.
I actually find rapids-type rides very irritating. It's hard to admire any theming when you're constantly spinning around and looking out for the next soaking. Splash Mountain is definitely better I think... it's got loads of AA's, a great little dark ride section, a catchy theme tune, and would probably fit better in Cottonwood Creek.
I'm hoping for a WRE version of Splash though. [-o< It'd be the best thing Disney have built in a while!
Quote from: "Willow"Is that an open-air theatre I spot on the drawing?
Looks like its where the current theatre is now.
Well spotted, this could be quite old. The Chapperrelle (sp?) Theatre was open air when it hosted the Pocahantas show about 12 years ago. Then they enclosed it.
I noticed Kristof put a pic of GRR online, you can see the spinning drop there, quite thrilling.
I like both. I think a rapids is a nice to have, but Splash is an awesome e-ticket experience. I know my son would go on Splash, but hates Grizzly. lol
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Quote from: "Willow"Is that an open-air theatre I spot on the drawing?
Looks like its where the current theatre is now.
Well spotted, this could be quite old. The Chapperrelle (sp?) Theatre was open air when it hosted the Pocahantas show about 12 years ago. Then they enclosed it.
The plan they used was probably the original one. The roof over the stage was added by EDLI, not WDI in Glendale which can explain why it's not up-to-date.
Wow, what an interesting, unexpected and... possibly brilliant idea :)
I know there are some major boundaries between this and Splash Mountain; the main being no dark ride element and the likelihood that you will get a lot wetter on this (although I'm pretty sure that there are systems that can control this), but it could have major benefits too. For example, it is a fantastic looking ride with a high capacity that is probably a lot cheaper and smaller to build than Splash, whilst also suiting the European thrill audience. Fantastic :)
I think one of the main problems here is the theme which may appear out of place in Frontierland. But at the end of the day, the likelihood is that they'll make changes so that it does; but I think it would anyway :wink:
Bring it on I say :mrgreen:
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Quote from: "smurfy74"And can I add - no TOONS!! :D/ :D/
:lol: =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Haven't you heard, it's going to themed to Woody from Toy Story :P :roll:
Can someone please explain to me how this is potentially outside the theme of Frontierland? Grizzly is set in an old mining HQ and surrounded by mining equipment. And Virginia City was the inspiration for much of Frontierland. And in terms of geography, Virginia City is about 15 miles from the environment depicted in Grizzly. All they have to do is get rid of the modern references of GRR.
But it would break theme somewhat, in that CCBBQ was built as a nice segway to Critter Country, whereas GRR would fit in better near the geysers and that part of the railroad. Interesting.
Either way, if we get an immersive non toon (or if toon SotS) attraction, I would be a VERY HAPPY camper.
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Can someone please explain to me how this is potentially outside the theme of Frontierland? Grizzly is set in an old mining HQ and surrounded by mining equipment. And Virginia City was the inspiration for much of Frontierland. And in terms of geography, Virginia City is about 15 miles from the environment depicted in Grizzly. All they have to do is get rid of the modern references of GRR.
But it would break theme somewhat, in that CCBBQ was built as a nice segway to Critter Country, whereas GRR would fit in better near the geysers and that part of the railroad. Interesting.
Either way, if we get an immersive non toon (or if toon SotS) attraction, I would be a VERY HAPPY camper.
I think the main reasoning for it is the colour scheme of it; the greys of GRR are quite a contrast to the orange/brown of the rest of the area. I don't mind it though, I think it would be quite refreshing, especially how it's, in a way, separate to that zone as it were :wink:
This is an exciting prospect, although I'd be happy with Splash Mountain too. I think GRR would look amazing in our Frontierland and could potentially be a great addition to Thunder Mesa. I haven't been on the one in California, but I love raft rides, and I'm sure with Disney's attention to detail it would be an amazing addition to DLP.
It is amazing to think of how many studies of possible attractions must be hidden in some drawers...
GRR might be less costly to build and to maintain than a Splash Mountain. But would it be as popular?
In the end, it's up to Euro Disney management to take their pick for the next major expansion phase. GRR could be one of them, or maybe it's already tossed away... (Why am I suddenly thinking of the Simpson Movie when President Schwarzenegger had to make a choice between 5 "unspeakable" options? :wink: )
Just to give me some sort of orientation, according to this plan, which way would the bear's head be facing?
Quote from: "experiment627"Just to give me some sort of orientation, according to this plan, which way would the bear's head be facing?
If they make it a Grizzly Peak that is identical, the bear would be facing north towards Indy (ish). However the could sculpt it to look in any direction.
Well, first of all; very interesting!
Secondly, I think my avatar will give away my personal preference. Splash to me is the essence of a Disney ride — Grizzly River Run is but a commendable execution of a Six Flags ride. There is a reason why Splash Mountain was built in Disneyland in the late 1980s and Grizzly River Run managed to stay within the early 2000s Disney's California Adventure budget — although it's by no means a bad ride, of course, for all that rockwork alone.
But is this really what Frontierland needs? It already has Big Thunder, which, like Grizzly River Run, is a big physical "thrill*" ride set on a large mountain structure. Does it really need two? The way I see it, Splash would really fill a gap in the park's roster by providing a water ride and only the third high-profile dark ride. It's also immensely repeatable and extremely family-friendly. Grizzly on the other hand would merely provide another thrill.
*Relatively speaking, compared to a dark ride or the city bus.
Agreed PnB, Grizzly is fun, but if warm and there is time. Splash is a real headline must do every visit attraction.
I fear this is a really old plan as I have just noticed the plan refers to the pet zoo which is where woodys round up is, I'm not holding out a lot of hope , but part if me thinks it's been leaked to gauge a response amongst the fan community.
If you think about it, Disney really only have two existing major rides suitable for this location in Frontierland: Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain.
Grizzly River Run would be pretty good, but looking at that plan, it seems to be quite distant and removed from Frontierland. Would anyone be able to see the final drop in that location? It seems to be hidden behind the berm.
Grizzly River Run looks nice, but it's quite generic and not particuarly Disney. It seems quite forgettable to me. Plus, rapids rides can't be controlled in the same way as a log flume. Rapids Rides can potentially get you MUCH wetter. And then there's the problem of direction. You can spend a large portion of the ride facing backwards, which makes it easy to miss props and story elements you're supposed to be looking at.
I think Splash Mountain would be a much better option. You could question the relevance of the Song of the South theme in 2009. But are people still queueing up for Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Walt Disney World? Yep. Every time I've been to WDW, Splash Mountain has always had the longest queues at the Magic Kingdom. It's very popular. People love it.
Splash Mountain is what Disneyland is all about. It has everything: great immersive themeing, an engaging storyline, animatronic characters, catchy music, colourful sets, thrills, outdoor sections, indoor dark ride sections and lots of surprises. It's a very long, very fun, satisfying ride, that the whole family can enjoy together.
Now that Disneyland Park (Paris) is the 4th most popular theme park IN THE WORLD, they really ought to re-invest in it, and give the park an attraction that will be a guaranteed hit.
Quote from: "smurfy74"I fear this is a really old plan as I have just noticed the plan refers to the pet zoo which is where woodys round up is, I'm not holding out a lot of hope , but part if me thinks it's been leaked to gauge a response amongst the fan community.
Again, this is probably an original plan by WDI. The roof over the stage was added by EDLI and Woody's Round Up is not designed by WDI or EDLI, but by Entertainment. Glendale isn't even aware of Woody's Roundup Village.
Last time I checked Log Flume's are more thrilling than River Rapids (which are basically what both Splash and Grizzly are).
Quote from: "pussinboots"But is this really what Frontierland needs? It already has Big Thunder, which, like Grizzly River Run, is a big physical "thrill*" ride set on a large mountain structure.
Is Splash not a physical "thrill ride" in a Mountain?
I agree, I love Splash Mountain and how it doubles as a darkride.
Quote from: "Alan"If you think about it, Disney really only have two existing major rides suitable for this location in Frontierland: Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain.
Grizzly River Run would be pretty good, but looking at that plan, it seems to be quite distant and removed from Frontierland. Would anyone be able to see the final drop in that location? It seems to be hidden behind the berm.
Grizzly River Run looks nice, but it's quite generic and not particuarly Disney. It seems quite forgettable to me. Plus, rapids rides can't be controlled in the same way as a log flume. Rapids Rides can potentially get you MUCH wetter. And then there's the problem of direction. You can spend a large portion of the ride facing backwards, which makes it easy to miss props and story elements you're supposed to be looking at.
I think Splash Mountain would be a much better option. You could question the relevance of the Song of the South theme in 2009. But are people still queueing up for Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Walt Disney World? Yep. Every time I've been to WDW, Splash Mountain has always had the longest queues at the Magic Kingdom. It's very popular. People love it.
Splash Mountain is what Disneyland is all about. It has everything: great immersive themeing, an engaging storyline, animatronic characters, catchy music, colourful sets, thrills, outdoor sections, indoor dark ride sections and lots of surprises. It's a very long, very fun, satisfying ride, that the whole family can enjoy together.
Now that Disneyland Park (Paris) is the 4th most popular theme park IN THE WORLD, they really ought to re-invest in it, and give the park an attraction that will be a guaranteed hit.
I agree. I don't have anything to add.
Quote from: "Willow"Last time I checked Log Flume's are more thrilling than River Rapids (which are basically what both Splash and Grizzly are).
Quote from: "pussinboots"But is this really what Frontierland needs? It already has Big Thunder, which, like Grizzly River Run, is a big physical "thrill*" ride set on a large mountain structure.
Is Splash not a physical "thrill ride" in a Mountain?
I didn't say one was more thrilling than the other; I was saying Grizzly is basically a Big Thunder Mountain with water instead of rails, while Splash is so much more than that.
I tend to agree with everyone on this,Splash is a fantastic attraction and immensely popular with all ages,a perfect Disney original ride !! And you won,t get as wet !! GRR would fit the theming of a Toons free land better ,I really like the fact that part of the Park is free of characters and creates a totally immersive atmosphere of the Wild West ,but how would you run a ride like this in the winter,who wants to get wet when it is -5 or below!!I think they would need to add more of a story to it to make it interesting !
My problem with this is that it sounds like you would get completely soaked on this ride. :( Considering the unpredictable weather, I personally wouldn't want to risk getting soaked at DLRP. Maybe in the Summer it would be OK, but in any other season I'd be too paranoid about a cold wind picking up or the sun going in.
Quote from: "Masamune"My problem with this is that it sounds like you would get completely soaked on this ride. :( Considering the unpredictable weather, I personally wouldn't want to risk getting soaked at DLRP. Maybe in the Summer it would be OK, but in any other season I'd be too paranoid about a cold wind picking up or the sun going in.
GRR has a winter/summer mode just like Splash Mountain does, so maybe it won't be that much of a problem.
OH MY GOD ! MY PRAYERS HAVE FINNALLY BEEN ANSWERED !
How long will it take to make ? And won't it be medium-or larged size because of constructions limits in France are very strict .
Quote from: "15yearsofMagic2008"OH MY GOD ! MY PRAYERS HAVE FINNALLY BEEN ANSWERED !
How long will it take to make ? And won't it be medium-or larged size because of constructions limits in France are very strict .
It's just a rumour I'm afraid, but if it is built, it won't be for quite a few years yet (I can't see it opening before the 20th anniversary of the park) :wink:
that is really interesting that they would consider Grizzley Rapids for Paris. I guess to a certain degreee it makes sense. The attraction has a very sophisticated control system for the water effects. The attraction sensors detect the surrounding weather temperatures and adjust water effects to avoid people getting too wet during cold weather.
Another reason i find it interesting that they have considered this for PAris is the fact that the same attraction has been considered for Epcot's Canada Pavilion, Hong Kong Disneyland Park and Tokyo Disney Sea. If they were to at least get two of the four resorts to approve the idea they could easily combine costs. Also the preliminary R and D are already done since the attraction already exists in Anaheim.
It would definately be a more cost effective water attractrion then Splash mountian which would be much more costly because of the large amounts of characters that need constant maintenance
As with all rumours it would take YEARS before a thing like this would be built
As exciting as these rumours sound, it's really not worth thinking about them too much until construction actually starts. If construction starts, then you have a reason to get excited. But, trust me, you can see a lot of years go by, wishing for an attraction like Splash Mountain to be built. Chances are, in 10 years time, Disneyland Paris still won't have it, and there'll be another discussion just like this one, with people wondering when it will finally get built.
Really, the best thing to do is to visit one of the American resorts, and enjoy these attractions today, while you're still young :-) Skip a few trips to Disneyland Paris, and save up for Walt Disney World instead.
Quote from: "Alan"Really, the best thing to do is to visit one of the American resorts, and enjoy these attractions today, while you're still young :-) Skip a few trips to Disneyland Paris, and save up for Walt Disney World instead.
Or even better, Disneyland or Tokyo!!! :D
I've always been a fan of these types of rides since I first rode the "Congo River Rapids" at Busch Gardens when I was just a kid.
Watching videos of the DCA version I think it would fit perfectly into the "monument valley" look of DLP's Frontierland.
Watching videos of Splash Mountain I think it looks just to "cute" and "cartoony" when thrill rides should be more threatening than inviting...
Hello, I'l the one who found this blueprint, and i'm sorry to say that it won't probably come to DLP , and certainly not "anytime soon".
This blueprint was done many years ago, i would say 6 or 7 years ago, and i have not heard from my - very good - sources that the project was envisioned for the future attraction at DLP.
Better bet on Splash Mountain than Grizzly River Run...
Quote from: "loaloa"Hello, I'l the one who found this blueprint, and i'm sorry to say that it won't probably come to DLP , and certainly not "anytime soon".
This blueprint was done many years ago, i would say 6 or 7 years ago, and i have not heard from my - very good - sources that the project was envisioned for the future attraction at DLP.
Better bet on Splash Mountain than Grizzly River Run...
That's a shame, but thanks for telling us about it though :)
It's definitely an interesting premise, even if it is several years old and unlikely to be on any current drawing boards....
Having ridden GRR many times, I think a version of Grizzly River Run could actually fit in to a Frontierland quite well. Alter the paint-tones just a bit to make it blend in a bit better, remove the (annoying) extreme sports overlay and the fit is near perfect. If they were to add the animatronic animals currently in discussion for the California version, it could be really great.
That said, I think the Parisian climate is a really big factor. As someone pointed out, California already has a winter version--this basically involves reducing the pressure of the jets pushing the water throughout the ride and at key points. The thing is, even with this--most casual parkgoers have no idea it's any different. I've read many times how attendance on GRR goes way down in the winter months, and how this has been a real problem given the ride's ability to "eat people." Disney has apparently even looked into ways of adding a second attraction overlay on the same space to make better use of the land--one thought was to add a slow nature train chugging through the space (think of how Casey Jr goes over the Storybook Canal boats).
One other important consideration is that the real strength of Grizzly River Run isn't the ride itself, but how it is just gorgeous to sit and watch and walk around. It really is the prettiest spot in all of California Adventure, and I know I've spent hours just enjoying this area. With placement on the outskirts of Frontierland in DP, I think a lot of value would be lost since you wouldn't be able to walk around the attraction. It would make a lot of sense to build this into the heart of a Hong Kong Disneyland Frontierland, perhaps--but less so in Paris.
Personally, I *do* think a Grizzly River Run could work well in Frontierland, but I also think that Splash Mountain would work even better for all the reasons folks have mentioned above.
Brer Dan
Hi again. Just to tell you that i just had the info i was waiting for: this Grizzly River Run blueprint was done 10 years ago, and the architect team who worked on it spent two days on it, and then, it went nowhere, which means that WDI didn't go further in this project.
Forget about GRR, which obviously is not part of the race for the future attractions......and has never been. Sorry for the disappointment!
Quote from: "loaloa"Hi again. Just to tell you that i just had the info i was waiting for: this Grizzly River Run blueprint was done 10 years ago, and the architect team who worked on it spent two days on it, and then, it went nowhere, which means that WDI didn't go further in this project.
Forget about GRR, which obviously is not part of the race for the future attractions......and has never been. Sorry for the disappointment!
Wow, 10 years ago :shock: Well, I suppose it was quie fun to see how everyone has reacted to it :P
Quote from: "loaloa"Sorry for the disappointment!
Well it's good news for me! :lol: Splash Mountain would have a better impact on the resort, and I think it's a much better attraction too. GRR, though probably quite fun, I would find very annoying because of having to constantly turn my head to see the scenery!
Wow. Well, we've questioned Grizzly River Run for Frontierland before, but I never would have thought someone would have put it onto the drawing board. The result? Ehhhh....
Quote from: "Alan"Grizzly River Run would be pretty good, but looking at that plan, it seems to be quite distant and removed from Frontierland. Would anyone be able to see the final drop in that location? It seems to be hidden behind the berm.
Yes, it looks more like the kind of home-Imagineering creation someone like myself might do, where you use Google Earth and just spot "hey, that'd fit there" and airlift it in.
Without going through the queue line and on the right, you'd never see more of the (amazing) theme than the bear's head poking up above the berm. And then when you're on the ride, you'd see hardly anything again because you'd be too busy getting soaked through. So a waste of millions of euros on themeing for an attraction you can't see that's useless in the Winter.
Quote from: "Kristof"Woody's Round Up is not designed by WDI or EDLI, but by Entertainment. Glendale isn't even aware of Woody's Roundup Village.
And I'm sure Entertainment isn't even aware of Glendale. :wink:
Then who is aware of it LMAO
I didnt even know it was there until was taking a stroll around that area of the park for something to do!
i honestly cant see them building an attraction that no one wants to ride for a third of the year (or more). in the depths of winter they might not even be able to run a rapids type ride because of the freezing cold.
Quote from: "Willow"I like rapids, they are a solid family attraction whereas a log flume can alienate younger children.
I'd rather see a different theme than Grizzly River Run, something more frontierland-y.
The park needs some sort of water attraction, I'd rather see some sort of Dark Ride/Watercoaster but a rapids is just as good.
There already is a water-based attraction in Paris , POTC & IASW and the story book ride, they are the only ones i know that has something to do water.
I agree, it seems really interesting and all.. but..
I just happen to LOVE splash mountain so much! I was actually looking really forward to seeing it in europe! So in some ways i hope the dumb this and make splash instead hehe ;)
Okay, so if I've understood that right, there won't be Grizzly River Run - but Splash Mountain still seems likely?! [-o<
Quote from: "Nala_84"but Splash Mountain still seems likely?! [-o<
No thanks :)
Can I point out that although everyone is right that a cold, wet ride might not work in cold, wet Paris - but in the UK we have plenty!
Almost every theme park in the UK has some kind of water chute ride including Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has Europe's largest water ride Valhalla - which I think is easily on a par with POTC...
Splash Mountain needn't be a "cold, wet" ride. If the drops and logs are designed so that you don't get wet, then you won't get wet. Disney have already proved that Splash Mountain can exist and operate perfectly fine in a cold country, at Tokyo Disneyland.
Also, both Pirates and It's A Small World are boat rides, on water, but guests ride these quite happily throughout the Winter months.
Oke , so this attraction is planned in Frontierland. Just a reminder , they must come with a very good story, no disney figures and it must can happen for real , cuzz you know , its Frontierland , the parkpeace with the most credibility. You know , cuzz Frontierland is a real miningvillage with normal people and if there is coming a Splash Mountain or Grizzly can't there be a Disneyfigure. It doenst fitt.
QuoteValhalla - which I think is easily on a par with POTC
i dont agree with you on that :?
Quote from: "Magic M"Almost every theme park in the UK has some kind of water chute ride including Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has Europe's largest water ride Valhalla - which I think is easily on a par with POTC...
Yes...... if you have your eyes shut.
But let's not start that discussion!!
It must fit in the Frontierland ,thats the only thing I see.
- No Disney Characters
- No Cartoony Style
- No Magic
- Good themed
- No low animatronics.
I see something like they do in Disney's Animal Kingdom (usa) with the Yeti in Expedition Everest. To see a cool , scary Grizly Bear near the ride!
They could theme SPLASH MOUNTAIN with a story that it was a logging camp (the town of THUNDER MESA would have needed a lot of wood for the buildings eg:PHANTOM MANOR and the rest of the town and the steam boats) and something bad happened to the loggers who worked there and the loggers were never seen again.
THE theme would tie in with the rest of FRONTIERLAND and the loggers story would mean you would not have to have the BREAR RABBIT theme.
:D/
Don't you get it? The reason why Splash Mountain is such a great attraction isn't because it's a log flume. It's because of the theme, the story, the characters and the music. You get rid of the "Song of the South" theme and you basically kill Splash Mountain.
Splash Mountain exists within Frontierland at Walt Disney World and has existed quite happily within that thematic environment for 17 years now! I see no reason why it wouldn't work in DLP's Frontierland.
Like I said before, the fact that Splash Mountain still has massive lines, with long wait times, proves that the "Song of the South" theme still works, and is still relevant to guests. If everyone hated the theme so much, few would bother queueing 30 minutes to an hour to ride it.
Quote from: "Alan"Don't you get it? The reason why Splash Mountain is such a great attraction isn't because it's a log flume. It's because of the theme, the story, the characters and the music. You get rid of the "Song of the South" theme and you basically kill Splash Mountain.
Splash Mountain exists within Frontierland at Walt Disney World and has existed quite happily within that thematic environment for 17 years now! I see no reason why it wouldn't work in DLP's Frontierland.
It would probably work even better in Paris. At the Magic Kingdom, it was very much shoehorned in as an afterthought, but at Disneyland Paris it was planned from the beginning. Wasn't the Cowboy Cookout Barbecue devised as an architectural buffer between Thunder Mesa and what was essentially going to be Critter Country?
In case you missed it before, here's the official plan for Splash Mountain at DLP, composited on top of a satellite photo of Frontierland:
(//http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6633/dlpsplashmountainconcep.jpg)
Thanks for that! It looks so good, I can't see what's stopping them (apart from money). How do you get out of the station though? And isn't this a Grizzly River Run forum?
The theme is better than the usual Splash Mountain Theme , nice :D!
One way they could lose the cartoon element and have the design in keeping with original designs of Disney would be to incorporate elements of the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland with its Living Desert and Rainbow Caverns.
This was the forerunner to Big Thunder Mountain but was more of a picturesque scenic railroad rather than a thrill ride. It was full of animatronic animals and massive waterfalls ending in the glowing blacklit Rainbow Caverns.
If you want some more info on this - look ye here:
//http://www.keeline.com/MineTrain/
I really wish they wouldn't copy Disneyland rides, they're much lower budgeted and Disneyland Paris should be able to afford much higher-quality attractions (i.e. Tower of Terror). If they were to do a rapids ride, I would rather see a version of Kali River Rapids built in Adventureland, rather than a clone of Grizzly River Run in Frontierland. Or better yet, Splash Mountain.
As for the Song of the South theme, I don't see why they wouldn't keep it; like was mentioned earlier, if people are still willing to queue up for it in the American versions, why wouldn't they in Paris? :lol: